How do i find the time to scrap

Mickee an old friend from NOWIES egroup asked me this question..
How do you find the time to scrap with your 3 boys?

And I repeated that question over and over again,...

And this is how I do it,... I start with an idea (during quiet time or say muni muni times),..
find my pics,... choose my pps and start cutting,.. the process is about mga 3 to 5 days depends on how intricate or how simple the layout is -- course the latter --- its easy lang so kahit 1 day kaya,..

the boys play heaps here at home so I can be cutting and supervising them at the same time.

The 2 older boys go to school and the youngest one go to preschool so I have ME time naman during the week,... that is in between chores, picking up kids from school, theraphy apmts, trip to the supermarket -- etc,..

I guess what makes it easy to try to scrap alongside all the rigors of domesticity is the committment and the love for the craft -- and also the vision that one day when my boys are bigger they will come to value what I have done. And I will treasure all their compliments of what I have recorded for them to read and see.. I know my memory will never be the same but my scrapbooks will speak for itself....

And of couse my ever supportive hubby has taken laundry away from me so that has freed me up some time too for ME time when the house is quiet and I can do anything that pleases me -- even for the shortest time.. thats pretty much what keeps me sane -- so he just lets me,...

Thankful

I contributed this layout to the Pinoyscrapbookers challenge blog.... checkout out other great takes on this week's challenge at http://www.pinoyscrapbookers.blogspot.com.

This has to be one of the fastest no brainer layout I have ever done! I just saw ORANGE and thought.. why dont I do FALL layout look,.. even if the photo isn't for that season specifically. In a way, it was sorta connected with the tree patterns on the papers --- since the theme of the layout was about family growing together....

Distressing is one of the techniques I am not so into, to be honest. In fact there isnt much of that in this layout. And so to follow the specs of the week, I had ink all the edges of the photos, elements and accents using the Stazon ink. I am not tearer too of pps -- just too heartbreaking! So to do the actual tearing I had ruled a line using a craft knife with ruler and then used that as my guide to tear. To distress further I used ink and Krylon gold leaving pen for a border on the center of my layout. Lastly I mounted it on top of another pattterned paper for more emphasis.


Journaling:
Thankful for my family... grow together in LOVE. I will always be thankful that as you boys were growing up, Mom and Dad were always there for you. We saw all your milestones and seen your learn so many things. One day, you will all grow up but never forget the love we all share....how we are all connected with the bond and love we all have for one another.. Its what will keep us together - even if DISTANCE may separate us...

Materials used:
DCWV Fall glitter pps, DCWV Cardstock

Embellishments:
MM button brads, Bling, DCWV/Carolees letter stickers, Stazon Timber brown, Krylon Gold leafing pen

Photo taken by Jeff Lopez Photography (ty Tito Jeff!)

Together is a wonderful place to be

Here's one to inspire couple layouts,... Very rare I do one for Patrick and I,.. good thing my children during our pictorial was busy enough to feed the ducks ( with Mcdo bread from burgers) and not fall into the pond. While Jorel was behave enough to be strapped into our stroller,... Our couple shots only took about 5 to 7 minutes,...
here's our (looks like) pre nuptial photographs then...


Title: Together is a wonderful place to be

Process: This may look like a complicated layout but I tell you -- it was just layering teh nicest prints on these Sassafrass papers,...I loved the vibrant colors on these pps that you hardl need much to complete my page. The MM ric rac paper just made it even better for a great background. I am so confident in using my own handwriting now and using the rainbow pattern as platform for my journalling.

Materials: Sassafrass Happy place pps, Making Memories Animal Crackers Jack Ricrac pp

Embellishments: Bling, Daisy d's/Carolees letter stickers, Cloud 9 design sentiments stickers

Tools: Staedler Triplus, Ek Success Cutterbee, Signo white pen

I am proud of you

Each day you tend to surprise me -- by learning new things.. By simply just giving a reaction -- unexpected of YOU -- you just blow me away... I think its your way of reminding me to keep hoping, to keep believing -- that there will be a better tommorow and our pot of GOLD at the end of the rainbow will happen.

How amazing of you to teach me -- and I am supposed to be your parent,... you really are my special one, the one that will constantly open my eyes and open my world to the many things that I have always dismissed and fail to see,.....

You have watched your Kuya Jerome complete this puzzle in record time --and I know you have been eyeing it,... Slowly learning your way through it.. Lately you would form it together -- still at it ---- trying to complete it,.. I bet you anything...you will finish this puzzle soon.. only because you never give up and you just keep going on trying,.....

September Craziness

without hubby knowing, I had bought myself with what I call a great bday gift last September of something I had really really wanted,.. Back 15 years ago -- the addiction was shoes and makeup -- I have been so over that since having a family and I would even agonize buying even amere blouse that's only 15 bucks,.. but I just love paper and this says it all -- this is how much I love it,... I went crazy,...

I bought this all (alongside some rubons at acherryontop.com) at one site because it was just so easy -- they categorized all the fancy edges/diecut edge pps in one place and it just was easy to shove it in one cart.. I didnt even bother to look at the shipping -- it was one day I felt I deserve to splurge since I am 24/7 on call domestic goddess here,... one day of craziness yes siree!

Back to regular programming -- need to resell older papers to move them in its stagnant state,.. even some of my dies -- I dont need them all I know,..... yeah yeah I know you guys are calling me crazy -- its one title I can accept -- wholeheartedly -- in the scrapbooking context that is,... bwhahhahahahhahahah!

Maiba tayo, someone just made teary and happy all at the same time today,... head on over her blog http://maansworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/touching-world.html... It warmed my heart so much,... Its nice to know ppl recognize what you are doing is right -- I know I need that once in while,.. just to boost my morale and keep me going,... ty Maan -- I am so blessed to call you my friend...

Here is an old layout...

Title: Celebration
Materials:

Prima Dude pps, Bazzill cs

Embellishments: MM brads, Diamond glaze, KF/MM big brads, MM magnetic stamps, American crafts letter stickers, Signo white pen, BG rubons
Journalling:

Time flies, Jacob and Jerome celebrate their 4rth and 3rd bday.. we hope they cherish happy memories with family and friends.

Here is a layout of Jacob and Jerome's double celebration last Feb 2007 at Jollibee Greenmeadows. It was a no frill party --- the being it was just fast food but it was the most fun my kids had in their parties. All the guest came home happy with lots of loot and prizes....

Checkout my new layouts

Just posting some layouts I had previously completed...

Reposting this first one because the first shots I had done, didnt give it justice. I so love this layout of Jorel and had so much fun creating this layout...

Title: Smiles
Materials: Kraft Cardstock, Fancy Pants About a boy pp, Prima blings, EK Success craft knife, craft foam, Uniball signo pen, Rubon (brand unknown), Stampin up whisper white pigment ink

Title: Special Bond
Materials: BG Offbeat & Diecuts
Embelllishments: SRm sticker, blings, prima bling, MM brands, Fancy pants rubons, Zig/Signo pen

Journalling: Daddy Patrick and Jacob, always close, always sharing private conversations, always playing around.. just never ending laughter.. something bound you together the day your were born Jacob.. whatever it is -- its simply magical...

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Title:Sweetie
Materials:
Daisy bucket playlist/Prima Dude pps
Bazzill Cs
Embellishments: KF Brads, MM big brads, Kelly Panacci rubons, KF stickers, Zig Pen, Doodlebug Frills, Cuttlebug Embossing folders

Journalling:

The real deal, because you are you...

Dad and you are best buddies,... Dad loves to play with you.... with your infectious smile and yoru intense laughter --- sweetie, he doenst have to say it -- just seeing you together warms my heart.. I am certainit your wonderful quirky laughter and uncanny character is what he loves most! always mom xoxo

Language of Love

Journalling:
Only a mother would know what her child needs,.. even in the absence of words, I just know what you need by looking into your eyes and hearing your plea... It is perhaps the language of love that is present here that does not require spoken words to understand. I fervently pray to the Lord above that one day he can give you that gift my son. The day you finally tell us how much you love us and you finally call us Mom and Dad.. will definitely be the happiest days of our lives.....


Materials:
PP Rouge de Garance Daphnis & Chloe, Mod Design Blackbird Bird house

For template of Diecut paper was traced (K&CO BW Mira)

Embellishments/ Tools : Prima bling (and assorted blings), Prima Flower (paper & fabric), KF Jewel brads, MM Pewter heart brads, Joann Metal letters, Diamond Glaze, Krylon gold leafing pen,Tsukineko Brilliance Archival Pad-Moonlight white, Stampin up French Script, Carolees word play alpha stickers, Staedler triplus, Fiskars Embossing tooll and craft knife, Cuttlebug embossing folder for embossed look on corners, Autumn Leaves clear stamps for corner, Prima Paintables (cut and made into a frame)

Process:
I edited this photograph of Jorel and I using PICASA. I made use of a Prima Paintable to hone in on this photograph. I cut up the middle part and used it as a journalling card. Using the beautiful flowers and vines print of Rouge de Garance, I had precision cut and layered the. I combined it with Mod Designs flower design pp. I added prima paper and fabric flowers. It was a struggle to leave the blank space empty.

To resolve this, I stamped the page faintly with the Stamping up French Script using a white brilliance ink. And for extra dimension I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder with a Fiskars embossing tool to give the corners an impression. The background page was created by tracing the K & CO BW Mira paper on the blue Bazzill cs and cut with Fiskars craft knife (yeah I know crazy but I am in love with die cut papers at the moment!)

I submitted this layout for the 2nd of the Kaya Challenge. Its emphasizing negative space. I am unsure if I was able to follow because white space is not my thing,... its a struggle,...

My own little fairy tale

I had bought these papers for a reason,... it never panned out,... inspiration was not there you see...

However these photos came along and the colors just matched to the perfection

I had chance to slice thru this paper again (and so goes the addiction bwhahhahah

Title: My own little Fairytale

Materials:

PP Bt Stella Ruby Drive in the country, BG Ambrosia, K&Co Urban Rhapsody
Embellishments: MM Glitter Thickers, Autumn leaves rubons, Joann Metal letters
MM Decorative brads, Ribbon, Staz on ink, Wooden swirls, Diamond Glaze,

Journalling:
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Do you know the YAP BOYS?

Just for fun,..

are you able to spot who's who in the photos....

which one is Jorel, Jerome or Jacob?

I just took these pics because for once in their lives they sat still for 30 minutes to watch their favorite train show, THOMAS,.. it was such sight to see them --- behaved, concentrated and leaving their mom alone,.... sheer bliss!

This is how our carpet looks everday --- lots of toys everywhere....................

LEAVE ME A MESSAGE IF YOU THINK YOU GOT IT,.......

Somebody just called me BALIW

HHAHHAAHAH I am when it comes to my scrapbooking,... I live and breathe this hobby -- its been my life since 2002 -- alongside raising my family..... It is where I found my place in the world,... it is where I found precious friends too worth keeping forever,...

So anyway highway --- going back to BALIW -- yes LEE called me Baliw -- and it was of course said in a humorous manner... I am called a MASSACRE queen -- I buy and use paper to bits,.. I cut them ---layer it so you would never know when one line starts and another one ends...

In this case -- I had been trying to find ways to scrap faster. With another bunch of pictorial pics to tackle (alongside my huge backlog of pics for 3 boys), I had planned to attack them with simple layouts in mind. What works is a a simple formula of precision cut element (my own self made diecuts in 3d), borders and additional embellishments. So as I started one, it was swell -- I chose what i needed, then the layout process took a standstill. A portion was left empty... what do I put on the bottom of the layout? It took a good week till like a light bulb, Marj's idea to put a bow came on.

Then looking for ribbons bigger than 1.5 wide was a struggle. I just settled to muting this bright green lace ribbon with sheer ribbon and layered Prima flowers and voila! My problem was finally solved! I was just happy these pictures were finally down on a layout.

Special thanks to Master Iris for sending me the Webster's Pages. I had a great time cutting the words "Beautiful Inspirations" and the borders. I have to admit, it was like feeding an addiction. And the kind of HIGH I felt after,... it was bliss....

I submitted this layout the Kaya Challenge

Here is the layout:

Title: Beautiful Inspirations

Journaling:

Such a vision for all of us to be here... It is like these tender moments together, the precious embraces and sweet kisses are what I thrive for.... It is what inspires me to keep going, keep my courage up and forward to a new tomorrow.

Materials Used:

Webster Pages Beautiful line: Bee balm & bountiful, MME Vita bella line (green leaves), DCWV black CS, Ribbons and flowers from AMM scrap kits, blings, MM metal corner, transparency, Stazon ink.

Sign off from the massacre queen...

our JACOB

Its been an on going line by Patrick when he stares at our first born ---- 'laki laki na ni JACOBO'... Its funny when he is in his persistent self --- you would never believe he was such a weak little baby, scrawny looking and so passive as a little baby. How time flies that our baby has grown into an active boy,.. still a little shy at times but quite the joker at home! These collection of pics really shows off how POGI he became from those scrawny birth pics. Jacob always had olive skin, with the reddest lips ever, very light brown hair and the softest skin I have ever touched in my life.... I even had to tell ppl he was boy when they had asked what my child was --- go figure -- he was wearing everything blue --- A DUH !

It was just by accident I came across his pictures that I had cut up with my CM circle cutter and matted a long time ago. It was among those to do layouts that never was....

True enough I was in a scrapping mood and finished it in less than 30 minutes. It even took that long bec I cut a portion of the page and ran it thru my embossing folder with my big shot machine (why? I dont know maybe for dimension hahahhaha! or OC lang ba ? addict kaya? ). Incidentally I have finally dug into my Urban Lily collection and used up aged old pps that was waiting for perfect pics (haahh all the ppsn I have are meant for those perfect photos !).....

Here is the result:
Title : So big so fast
Materials:
Urban Lily Extreme pps

Daisy d rubons, EK Success sticko stickers, Cuttlebug Embossing folders,

MM big brads, metal letters, Doodle bug buttons

No harm in sifting through old pics and pps and just collage them --- always works ! in record time too.....

I got this from my friend Jaz's blog

Jaz has a son too, Zach --- who is also a special boy like Jorel,..

this was sent to her by a friend,.. just copying it here,... to share with you guys,... warmed my heart.. swelled my eyes with tears...

from Jaz's blog..
This poem was forwarded to me by one of my very good friends who has 3 young boys with autism. I broke down after reading this. Zach may not speak but his big brown eyes say it all and I am 100% certain that if he could speak, this is what he’d say…

BEFORE I GO TO SLEEPWritten by Sally Meyer 2000
Mommy, don’t you cry now and Daddy don’t you weep.I want to whisper something before I go to sleep.I know that when I came here I looked perfect in every way.And you were so proud, Daddy, when you held me on that day.And Mommy, when you kissed me and wrapped me up so tight, I knew that I belonged here and everything was right.But then I stopped talking and began to slip away,I saw your worried faces as you knelt by me to pray.And Daddy, I always notice how you wipe away a tearwhen you watch the other children as they run and laugh and cheer.I may not be able to tell you how much I love you so,or even show you how I feel and what I really know.But when you hold me, Mommy, at night when all is still,I feel the love you have for me and I know that all is well.And Daddy, when you take me to the park to run and playI know that you still love me, though the words I cannot say.I want to tell you something before I go to sleep.I may be sort of direct and you may not understand,I know that I am not that little child that you and Daddy planned.But I love you both so very much and I know you love me too,and if I could only speak my heart, you would feel my love for you.I know the future is unknown and you will always have to bethe ones who love and listen and take good care of me.I know that you are frightened and you shed so many tears,and if could, I’d wipe them dry and take away your fears.So Mommy, don’t you cry now and Daddy, please don’t weep.I want to say I love you both, before I go to sleep.

this is today....

Being a mother never came with an instructional manual,... had their been one -- i think Oprah wil be first to endorse it and recommend to every mom on this earth... I just came from the doctors's office (3 boyd down with a virus) and they had asked me (for the nth time) if my kids Jacob and Jerome were twins. And again I had explained they were not twins but 11 months apart....

And of course they saw my children as they made a spectacle of themselves while we had waited.. they made a little chuckle and said " I must have my hands full with the 3 rugrats "... I had answered, yes of course especially now that the 3 are home and sick with fever and a bad throat.... I have had sleepless nights since Sunday as each boy came down with this bug going around my house.. Its a natural course that one by one they will get sick. Patrick said its was inevitable -- we all slept in one room of our 2 bedroom unit... its just a matter of time.. So yes today they are all running on low batt because of the fever and on antibiotics and panadol......

I am running on low batt myself -- nursing bad cold and a heavy head -- mahirap masarap talaga to be a mom,.... You want to rest but you cant.. I am just thankful my hubby is so helpful and no matter what I need -- he just does his best to support me and help me.. My hubby even had taken over the laundry.. During the winter I told him that my hands froze up and I couldnt be scrapbooking for long if my hands get athritis so -- by default he took over.... For now I have not even taken the job back --- he does it religiously and am always stuck with folding and fixing the wardrobe...among everything else in daily domesticity,.....

Oh I remembered to share with you guys, a moment I had had last OCT 27 when Jorel was being assessed at the Childrens Hospital.... The center also catered for different theraphys. As a mother I was so touched to see other children there -- some with physical disabilities that inhibit them to carry on normal lives. It was a far cry from my complaints when I let loose Jorel -- who is such an active 3 year old. I guess now I cant complain when he runs off and giggles so beautifully when I finally catch up with him. This cheeky nature was great reminder that I am still extra luckier to have had my son Jorel -- despite his delays -- he eats sleeps, runs, plays and giggles like every child his age... I have to really be thankful with what he can do and not be deterred by what he cant do just yet....... its because he can and he can eventually speak and do everything I want him to do -- its just a matter of time...i just need to more patient I guess....

thanks

Thanks to GEM for sending me these beautiful words -- I know now -- this will be the words I will live by as I raise my sweetest boy JOREL,....

gem said......

hugs to you, joanne. jorel is lucky to have a mom like you. you are perfect for him. God is good, keep the faith. there is nothing that love can't conquer.

the day has finally come...

Its been a long time coming,.. I have been waiting for this day... Knowing will not only alleviate my anxiety and worries but it will also help us move forward. Jorel's pending developmental assessment took awhile because the public system queue is very long. I had just tobe patient since its a free system and the Children's hospital is the best in Sydney.

It's is official, I am a mother of a special child. I had dreamt of how I would feel once its been confirmed. With my Special education background I had more or less diagnosed my own son, I knew that his developmental age was in the 1 to 2 years age bracket (and the test confirmed that).... He has mild to moderate autism, they refer to it as GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT DELAY. There were no tears, just maybe a huge relief -- it was like a weight over my shoulders were lifted. I had longed to know so we can move on, move forward to a brighter tommorow.

So far even after his diagnosis, everything had already been put to place. I had already put him in SPEECH and OCCUPATIONAL Theraphy. He is already at ABC preschool, finished all his blood tests. I had already queued him into the public system's Early intervention (fingers crossed he will ge a place January '09). How timely when I had gotten the results that I spoke to the Pendle Hill school principal and she had asked me to send over the paper to add to my application. I have called up a place called ASPECT -- a private early intervention group that is gov't subsidised as back up, in case he doesnt get into the public system.

During Jorel's Assessment at the Childrens Devt Unit at Westmead, the doctors and nurses were quite impressed with his gross and fine motor skills. His eye contact with us, his parents, were very consistent and he responded well to us. Of course he didnt respond much to them, as they were complete strangers but he was good enough not to cry. He only cried when we made him complete an OT task for testing. He was a cheerful and happy little child whilst we had discussed Jorel's case with Dr. Silove and other specialists there.

Patrick and I were patted on the back because we had already enforced our own early intervention at home and Jorel had developed a great interaction with us and his siblings. As a parent you think of that ---if you are doing enough or if you are helping him come out of his shell. I have to admit their affirmation meant the world to me, its because I had agonized over this, Iniisip ko minsan kung sapat ba ang ginagawa namin para sa kanya.

I keep thinking how GOD had prepared me for my special boy.. coincidence -- tell me how strange of a coincidence the series of events are --- its as if GOD had just put things in its proper perpective, one by one...
* I met hubby and needed a reason to stay in Manila -- I had gone to St. Scho to study EDUCATION because we had a preschool. Itook SPECIAL EDUCATION (1997) by default because I had no other course that was closely related to Elementary education.
* I had difficult pregnancies, even on my 3rd one with Jorel. However before I delivered him, Patrick and I were balling our eyes out as they wheeled me out to go to the delivery room. I even wrote a 'just incase' letter to hubby if anything had happened to me. It was such an emotional delivery. I was shaking before and after my delivery,...
* Patrick and I made a major decision to ligate so Jorel would be our last child since each pregnancy met with hypertension... Now we both agree it was a wise one not just medically (for me) -- because we can concentrate on our child's education from this day on. We do have 3 years till he goes to preschool... It is our hope he can develope communications skills by then.
* Patrick decided finally to leave for Australian in 2006 and in 2007 we migrated to O. Our arrival in OZ was just a few days before Jorel's 2nd bday when we left Manila.
* At 2 to 2. 5 years, I gave Jorel the chance to develop language and when he didn't I had began his tests with the pediatrician's advise.
* A few days before he turned 3 he was diagnosed with AUTISM... Patrick and I had been way ready to accept the diagnosis -- prepared na kami.... We just needed the piece of paper to state what we had to deal with and we are moving on --- hoping, believing and praying that GOD and our love for Jorel will help him cope and heal....


I am still so blessed to have Jorel. I have had to admit this out loud that among all my kids Jorel is the sweetest.. He gives you hugs and kisses all the time. I love the way he seeks me out when he wants me to help him with something. When he wants to sleep, he leads my hand and we walk hand in hand to the room and we lie down side by side. He expresses his delight with me embracing me ever so tight. I love the way he looks into my eyes and his face break into a beautiful smile. I love to hear his giggles and laughter and the way he shows me his cheeky look when he has done something... His face is so angelic, so sweet and so true.. God really planned to give my son Jorel to me, to love me forever and to make me feel like the luckiest mom in the world...