{iCreate}

Change....

2010-07-01T18:28:00.001+08:00

Its been a month since my last entry.... I guess I'm really bad at updating my blog :( I still have some reservations on what to put on my blog...my deepest thoughts, my sentiments, exactly what I feel on a certain day. Today is just the same though there are a lot of things going through my mind but I just can't let them all out. *sigh* I don't know..... I came across this quote today and it just struck me....maybe this sums up what I am feeling now but just can say it. I'm into red & black today coz I've been working on a design this morning with these colors.

My Starbucks® Collage Series: #1

2010-06-01T00:09:00.000+08:00

April 23 - Dropped off hubby to his job interview somewhere in Makati. Just what I needed...some time alone to update my planner and to jot down my ideas. I found a nearby Starbucks® and I immediately need a sugar rush...not the sugar from the Frappuccino but from the rich & moist chocolate cake!

In between bites of the chocolate cake, an idea popped! I'm going to make a COLLAGE using Starbucks® fliers! I already have images running in my brain of how I want it to look like but I haven't even tried making a collage! Lakas ng loob 'no?! Though I've been wanting to create it (I already have my blank canvas, gesso, Mod Podge for the longest time!), the fear in me kept me from doing it.

So, I sketched it before I lose it in my memory.... talk about memory gap! ;) Finished my cake and went back to my car. No, I didn't take some Starbucks® fliers because I've been collecting them for quite some time now, hehe. Wala lang...I just like the looking at the layout and design maybe someday they might be useful. :)

A week passed by and I haven't done my collage because I was thinking why... why in the world I want to create a collage using Starbucks® fliers eh I'm not even a coffee drinker! Though, I love Starbucks® because it is where my friends and I share stories of our lives, it is my "sanctuary" when I need some time alone to organize my thoughts, it is where my kids, hubby and I share some weekend breakfasts together - so many wonderful memories! But still, I kept asking myself why.

Then came along Bo Sanchez' weekly message...it was about the story of the carrot, egg and coffee bean. When I saw it, I knew I already read the same article shared by a friend some years back. I even remembered (o ha! no memory gap! hehe!) that I posted it on my blog. After reading it again, I knew the reason why Starbucks®...why coffee bean. It will serve as my constant reminder that I should be a coffee bean in this life. I don't have to be a coffee connoisseur exactly, but to be like what the coffee bean becomes after going through the heat (struggles, problems, difficulties in life) and that is, to release my sweetest aroma (to become the best that I can be) after all that I've been through.

May we all be COFFEE BEANS! :)

Sneak Peak

2010-03-03T19:16:00.001+08:00

I've been kinda sluggish for the past 3 days. I guess the heat of the summer is kicking in and many times during the day I find myself dreaming and planning where to go and what activities to do. :) Aaahhh, beach, watermelon smoothie (sans the seeds ha!), ocean breeze...this is the life! haha!
Now back to reality...
Here's a sneak peak of the invites I just finished designing and will be working in the coming days. I still have upload the ones I already finished and delivered though.

(1) Square invitation in summer color of fuschia & yellow green with a Filipiniana touch; (2) Eco-friendly invitation with real pine tree twig accent reflects the couple's simple yet elegant theme of their wedding; (3) This is a first for me - working on black & fuschia combination but proved to be really cute - a reflection of the couple's personality.

I finally finished updating the inventory file. And while I was working on it, plenty of ideas & designs start to pop in my head I can't wait to work on them! But for now, I have to deal with boxes of samples lying around in my office for sorting & updating. Argh, the to-do's never end but then I'm not the type of person who will be happy doing nothing (ADHD haha!). :)

On learning SEO and stuff...

2010-03-01T17:25:00.017+08:00

I'm trying to learn SEO (search engine optimization) the for the past week since I am planning to update my website (www.handcraftedexpressions.com). I heard about SEO and meta tags but never really got to know the technical part of those terms. While browsing, I came across several websites that featured me and my work. I was surprised because I was not aware of some of them! I am thankful nevertheless because the writers took time in writing and posting my work and that gives me some mileage in Google searches. :) And for that, I am grateful to all of them. Thank you!

Shiela is a budding writer. She just texted me last year asking me if its ok to have my business featured on her website. Of course, that would be great. Thank you, Shiela! :)

Website: The Golden Apple

Ajay's Writing on the Wall

Annalyn is a former client of mine. I just saw her blog entry a few days ago while browsing and I was surprised that she posted her invitation among her other wedding suppliers. Thanks, Annalyn!

She even had her article published on a newspaper!

The PlanetEye Traveler

Marianne, a Filipina blogger & prolific writer whom I met online emailed me last year if she could write an article about my work. Of course, I said, by all means. :) Thanks, Marianne.

Jemps & Jason's Eco-Chic Wedding

I admire this couple whom I worked with last year. They proved that anyone can have a memorable & chic wedding without harming the environment much more inspiring us and to quote them "Every green choice makes a difference - no matter how small!" Just reading the article about their green steps towards an eco-chic wedding is so inspiring you would want to sign up to Greenpeace! :) Congratulations, Jason & Jemps! Thank you!

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lastly, I just learned from my husband that there was an online version of the Business Friday article about me. I *heart* this one because it captured everything that is me and to think it was just a serendipitous meeting with Madonna, the writer. The one I posted almost 3 years ago was a scanned image. Thank you, Madonna.

Masigasig Magazine
Ms. Prime S. and I met when we shoot the video of Kumikitang Kabuhayan years ago. Then she went on to become the editor for Masigasig Magazine of Globe Telecom. Thanks, Prime!

I am just a small business owner. I cannot afford to have paid advertisements/write-ups on the magazines & newspaper. Its my passion that fuels me to stay in the business. Its more than the money and I thank these people who saw that passion in me and took time to acknowledge it and they do it for free! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
Now, who says nothing is free in this world?

Thanks Alvin & Sab...

2010-02-25T20:47:00.003+08:00

I've been busy for the past weeks I hardly have time to update my blog. So many on my to-do lists (with "s" since I have a separate list for personal, business, plans -phew!) BUT I cannot let this pass. It just made my day. :)

Hi Airees! Long time. Hope all is well with you and your family. Just want to tell you na you can check out the picture of the invite you made for us at http://www.joelfrancisco.com.ph/blog/. Thanks so much for being part of our special day. Take care always! Sab

Thanks, Sab & Alvin! It was an honour for me to work with you. God bless you always. :) *hugs*

Here's the photo courtesy of Joel Francisco. If only we can get married again, I would love to hire him as our photographer! :)

2009 - The year that was...

2010-02-03T21:09:00.003+08:00

Its been quite a long time since I last posted here. A lot of things happened the past year worth blogging here but I just didn't have so much time left to do it. Work (or what I call my passion) and family top the list and 2009 just went by! I didn't even had the time to wrap gifts much more make handmade gifts which I've always wished I would be doing come Christmastime. But even without the my traditional gift-giving among friends, what I really treasured this past Christmas season was spending time with family and friends - high school, college and balikbayan friends. Nothing beats that!

We celebrated Christmas day differently this time - we went picnic! I realized that we've been eating on the same restaurant every Christmas in Tagaytay and yet there's really nothing special in their menu...mas masarap pa lutong bahay! So this year, we decided to go on a picnic! This is the first time that the kids will experience it. It was fun and we had a great time enjoying the simple things - yummy adobo with egg, rice, soda, just lying under the big tree feeling the cool breeze - aahhh, the simply joys of life! We explained to the kids why we decided to go on a picnic - (1) to try something new & different, (2) its more practical (less expensive than dining in a restaurant) and (3) happiness is in the company of your loved ones not necessarily in a mall or fine dining resto or lots of foods on the table that you don't even know how to consume them all much more what to do come new year's eve party!

Work-wise, I can't complain. God has been very generous to me and my staff for continuous projects here and abroad. One of the highlights of the year was an article featuring me and my kids in Good Housekeeping Philippines on the column about Mompreneurs. :) Hopefully I can post pics here soon! I still have to scan it, haha! :)

Another memorable event was I got invited to share my humble beginnings infront of a thousand students from the different colleges & universities in the province of Cavite - The 3rd Cavite Entrepreneurship Students Summit. Believe me - I've always had stage fright and never in my wildest dreams that I would speak infront of a huge crowd. I accepted the invitation before I knew that there would be 1000 of them! I wanted to back out but realizing that this might be the 1st and last time that I would be doing this plus the chance to inspire those students to become entrepreneurs, too, I decided to do it! And thank God for giving me the courage. It was a very fulfilling experience and I am willing to do it one more time! haha! nawili...

On the homefront, kids have been amazing - in school and at home - assuring us that somehow we are right in raising them. We may not have more than what we need but we're happy and I know that God knows what our hearts desire even before we ask Him....

I'll try to post some pics next time. For now, I just wish anybody who's reading my blog a blessed 2010. May we all be safe and healthy. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T22:07:00.004+08:00

Been a bad blogger again but with valid reasons:

- Mom went home and stayed with us for almost a month which meant that I am officially her driver! No pun intended. I liked it because we continued our bonding time after I surprised her a 2 months earlier for a visit ;) Went shopping & ate out and just by simply driving along with her we had our long talks from jokes to sentiments to motherly & daughterly advices. Oh, I'm missing her now that she's back to the US.

- After mom left, I had to catch up with work! I'm not complaining though. I love how I am more involved with the production unlike for quite some time I've focused on designing. But this leaves me little time to FB ;) and more so blogging! But I am thankful - for this job I can call - I still love what I do and the heartwarming messages I get from every client after receiving their invites all the more inspire me to pursue my passion!

So now, I don't know when will I post again but I do hope this will not be the last for this year, haha! Have to go work on my speech (?!) for tomorrow's event. Secret muna...I just hope I'll make it good tomorrow. :)

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Count your blessings! :)

hello blog.

2009-10-07T23:15:00.003+08:00

been neglecting my blog for some months now...a lot of things happened - good & bad, happy & sad, exciting & boring, blessing & curse - all sorts! But i just can't find the right words to write here.

I found this quote today and inspired me to play with these colors and maybe start making my "notes to self" everyday IF, that is a BIG IF, I find time to make one. Oh well, it depends on when the inspiration kicks in.

I hope this is a good start for me...

Mt. Rushmore Child Learning Center Graduation Speech

2009-05-22T06:28:00.005+08:00

In 2 weeks time, Loui will be in Grade 1, and another exciting year has begun. New friends & classmates, lots of school activities (which means more photo op for mommy = more photos = need to scrap them) exams every week! I will miss our everyday lunch together and our home will be 4 hrs. quieter until she & Vcoy come home from school.

I'd like to share my Thank You speech before the parents and graduates during Loui's Graduation in Pre-School after she had her Graduation Speech.

"Good afternoon parents, teachers, ate’s & kuya’s and graduates. I am very honored to have the privilege of speaking in front of you today. First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to all the parents and families for a JOB WELL DONE! WE made the right decision to enroll our children in Mt. Rushmore Child Learning Center. We would not be able to see our children as to what they have become in the past 3 years without our wise decision and continued support to them. THANK YOU!

Teacher Ella, we thank you for the passion and courage in putting up Mt. Rushmore. We know how much sacrifice you have been doing being away from your children in order to provide our children the best school environment you can give. In God’s perfect time, we know you will be with us soon.

I never knew how important the role of a pre-school is teacher until I saw my children evolved from their 1st day in Nursery until today. Pre-school teachers are the ones that lay the strong foundation in our children that will empower them as they move on to the challenges of the big schools. And with that, THANK YOU to all the Teachers and caregivers. Keep the passion for teaching burning in your hearts. It is my fervent hope that more teachers will stay and teach the Filipino children. For whatever mistakes we made in our society, OUR CHILDREN have the power to correct them and make a change.

To the parents – it is not enough that we send our children to good schools. Nothing beats our love and attention to make them better persons. Believe in their abilities…encourage them to speak what’s on their minds… and listen to them… support them… while they pursue whatever interest they have.

And to you, our dear graduates, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK, SPEAK OUT… BUT ALWAYS with RESPECT. Everyday is an opportunity to LEARN and EXPLORE NEW THINGS. For it is not only your parents & teachers who teach you but we also LEARN FROM YOU. Again, congratulations & good luck to all of you."

Mother's Day

2009-05-12T17:05:00.003+08:00

We heard mass at 9am then off to the mall for an early lunch. Vic and I wanted to try the other restaurants but the kids wanted ang walang kamatayang Shakey's! Vic asked me what I want but for me anything goes. Tutal, I like their creamy mushroom soup and chicken so its ok. Plus seeing my kids happy with their mojos and dip, pizza and chicken, happy na din ako.

The night before I was working at my office when they surprised me with this:

Priceless.

My Starbucks Planner 2009

2009-05-09T22:39:00.005+08:00

This is long overdue. I've taken the shots last January but I was not able to post it here since blogging took a backseat 1st quarter of this year.
Vic gifted me this Starbucks Planner last December 2007. Since I am not a coffee/frap drinker, the only way I could get this planner is to ask my husband to get it for me. :) Mababaw lang ako - masaya na ko with a gift like this. What made me even happier was this note he wrote for me. He rarely writes love notes and so this one is something very special for us.

When Starbucks released its 2009 Planner, I was very disappointed. Most people I know share the same sentiment. So as not to overload Vic with caffeine again this year, I thought maybe I could re-use the 2008 planner.

I got used to the layout of the planner and the system really worked for me. The OC in me, I decided to make my own and printed on a similar paper and I liked it! Now, I can use this planner over and over. Will just print the refills yearly and I am perfectly OK with it. :)

I actually thought of printing refills and selling them to those who would like to re-use their 2008 Starbucks planner with a personalized refill but work filled up my time at 'di ko na na-career! :) I'll just make sure next year to move the dates a bit to the right coz when I punched the fillers, this is how it looks like! nyay!

Thank you, Mahal! :)

Busy Hands

2009-05-08T08:01:00.003+08:00

It was raining hard yesterday and kids had nothing to do but watch, play with their toys and eat! This summer I tried to be more lenient with them which means no fixed schedule except their daily Kumon worksheets. I just let them play and recently, helped out in the kitchen baking cookies and cupcakes.

Vcoy knows how to fix our bed and he's gotten used to it that one day I automatically fixed it (coz I used to do it myself) and he complained. He asked me why I fixed the bed when he is the one to do it! Oo nga naman....si Mommy hindi consistent! :)

Meanwhile, Loui's task is to help clean up the dining table after lunch and sometimes, dinner, since she's ALWAYS the last one to finish! We've been recording her eating time for a year now to prepare her when she enters big school but sadly, on the scale of 1-10, maybe a 1 would do. Both of them wash their own glass every after meal.

Every afternoon they let their rabbit out in the garden for some stretching :) Ikaw ba naman ang ikulong sa cage the 1 buong araw pag hindi ka ni-rayuma! hehe! Afterwards, its patintero time with our neighbors - from the kids to the yayas to yours truly! I can say that my kids learn more about Filipino when they play with the other kids and its good that they learn to play patintero. I grew up playing the game and its a wonderful childhood memory that I also want my children to have when they grow older.

Yesterday, while my kids were watching tv, Loui, always with busy hands, made this:

She has a gift and we want to nurture it even if it means marker stains on her clothes and our bedsheets, ok lang! I keep all her drawings and would love someday to compile all of them in one book. :)

I don't have any good title for this blog entry...

2009-05-06T19:22:00.005+08:00

Been feeling under the weather for the past days....physically, I feel so drained with work though it hasn't been really that toxic. Its when I have long days of official vacation when I feel so tired doing nothing! My usual migraine attacked last week and it lasted for 4 days. I can feel that its still there but enough to tolerate it without taking any meds.

Most of the things on my to-do list have not been checked due changes in schedule with hubby having gastroenteritis and I have to accompany him for check-up. Good thing he's doing ok now and most likely will report to work tomorrow. I, on the other hand, still have my neck pain and I feel warm...parang magkaka-flu ako! Nyay!

I don't want to stay in bed because all the more I will feel sick. So I started going through my piles of paper & stuff in my home-office which I started spring cleaning last week. With good music playing in the background, I finished cleaning my room finally! It feels so good getting rid of stuff lying around accumulating dust and taking up space. I think I'm off for a fresh start.

And speaking of fresh start, a few things will be unfolding in the coming days... work, kids, etc., which I am so excited to share here. :) For now, just want to share this layout I made last year! Yep, last year. Thanks to my dear friend Anj. If not for her birthday celebration, I would not have scrapped 2 layouts in 2008. Haha!
My last layout for 2008 was in honor of my parents. They may not be the perfect couple but in 42 years that they have been married, they finally realized that they cannot live without each other - warts and all! ;)

How do I look? :)

2009-04-28T17:40:00.006+08:00

I'm currently tweaking my blog design (again!). I'm in the mood for updating my website and blog with all the design goodies from this.... such an eye candy! Thanks to Rhonna Farrer for this beautiful blogger header & background.

Comments/suggestions are welcome except on the title! I know, I know...its looks awful. :) Well, I just wanted to use my Wacom tablet that is begging me to use her for the longest time! More practice.....haha!

My mobile phone was stolen!

2009-03-15T20:32:00.003+08:00

EDITED March 23 - My Globe # has been RESTORED but you can still contact me thru my other numbers. Thanks!

Just when I have the time to post on my blog again it would have to be a sad news :(

Just today, after watching Christian Bautista at Robinson's Place with my kids, I noticed my trusty N73 & camera case were stolen from my bag! :( I was holding the camera and we were about to leave the mall. My bag's zipper was half-open and it was just a split second. I had the bag infront of me but for the very short moment when I lifted my arm to take a quick shot of Christian, GONE! Oh well, I am just sad more so because of the contact numbers, pictures & videos I have in it. :(

Anyway, the number 09178132821 is temporarily disconnected (I had the phone cancelled. Good thing I had the IMEI # with me). It will be restored within the week but you may contact me thru my other mobile # 0922-248-3456 or landline 517-3742. Thank you!

Blog Awards

2009-01-25T20:59:00.003+08:00

A good friend Mia gave me these awards. Thanks, Mia, for remembering me (even if I rarely update this blog! hehe)I need to mention 5 addictions and pass on to 5 bloggers:

I'm addicted to:
1) chocolates + coke - they are my "rewards" for a day of work

2) books, magazines, journals - i'm OC when it comes to my books & magazines: i like them arranged neatly and in order in my bookshelf. I don't like them to have creases.

3) scrapbooking stuff, cute papers, especially handmade papers - obvious ba?!

4) my computer + internet - i need these to run my business

5) right now, i'm into gel pens, glitter pens in different colors!

Most of the friends have this award already, so just consider yourself tagged by me. :)

New Year, New Address...

2009-01-19T14:49:00.003+08:00

First of all, a prosperous New Year to all of you! Kung Hei Fat Choi na din! :)

Nope, we didn't change residence but our showroom did, its actually Alain & Mhay's new venture - from Matus Jewellery they evolved their shop into a wedding boutique to cater to soon-to-wed couples everything they need from invitations to give-aways. I am very happy to be a part of the showroom. My samples can now be viewed there, 7 days a week, mall hours.

We had our showroom blessing last Friday, Jan.16, but I was not able to come due to migraine + vertigo. Driving all by myself to Manila is not a good idea so I just stayed at home.

On the homefront, seems like the flu virus is just going around the household, blame it on the cold weather we are experiencing right now. Maybe that 's the way it is - you get cool weather but with a bonus virus! I am just glad that the kids have recovered fast enough in time for their school exams.

On the business side, work has been busy after New Year... I cannot complain. I get excited on new projects, new clients... that's the beauty of what I do - it is never boring! :) I would love to update my blog and even start a new blog dedicated to my business but I just don't have the powers right now. FOCUS has been my word since 2008 and it still is this year.

For now, will have to wrap up the production this week and start on new projects, too. I just hope my Globe broadband will be up very soon since we don't have internet connection for almost a week now!!! Haaayyy....

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-26T10:38:00.003+08:00

So much happenings, so much work to be done but loving every minute of it even if sometimes I'm on my wits' end!

Just droppin' by to wish you all a very meaningful Christmas and a hopeful New Year to all of you from our family:

I know I've been a bad blogger but will be back soon. :) Happy Holidays!

Why we need to be "green"?

2008-10-13T22:29:00.006+08:00

No, I'm not talking about being a green-minded or to be a La Sallian (though I am one or even both! haha! Joke!). Being green is to be conscious of our impact to the environment and in what ways we can do our share to help save this awesome planet.

Stronger typhoons, extreme weather conditions like massive flooding, severe drought in unusual places, melting of polar ice caps, among other things happening around the world, are the results of human activity - dumping more and more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. We must now CLEAN OUR ACT or let our children suffer the consequences.

Ever since I got into handmade papers, I became more aware of the term sustainable development, environment-friendly processes, fair-trading and NGOs (non-government organizations). I became an advocate of buying Filipino handmade products and going for greener practices. What I, together with my family and staff, do may not have a huge impact to save the earth but at least we do our share and also to become good examples to our children.

* garbage sorting -> recyclables (paper, plastic, metal, glass), biodegradables (for compost)
* converting our ornamental garden into a vegetable garden
* unplugging unused appliances
* consuming locally-produced organic brown rice and lesser red meat
* no to plastic bags as much as possible when we buy from the market
* no to styrophor products and yes to reusable containers
* replacing all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
* I have yet to pass the "bill" to our house of congress (my bossing) to replace our 13 year old refrigerator and air-con!

Also, buying locally-made products is one practice we try to promote in our family and my clients and friends. Especially this time of financial crisis worldwide, we need to support our local producers and exporters (exports are down when there is a slowdown in economic activity in the world market). Not only we cut down on the need to transport goods (hence, reducing fuel consumption = less carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere), we help our Filipino businessmen thrive in the business which in turn help sustain or better, provide more jobs to our fellow Pinoys. I will expound on this on my next post.

And so, last Friday, I took one step to become greener. I signed up with Greenpeace to take part in protecting our environment. Upon signing up, I was given a Simple Lang pamphlet - simple ways on Energy ([R]evolution - and a brochure about the organization.

When my youngest saw the pamphlet, she began reading it and asking why's and what's. Of course, conversations like this excites me! The more you talk to me about what interests me, the more daldal (talkative) I get! Haha! :) The she asked about what is incandescent bulb and CFL's so we went to the kitchen and showed her a rarely, if not, used bulb that her Lolo Duddy installed ages ago. She said "Oh, that's bad. That bulb eats up more energy!" Then I showed her what CFL is in our bathroom then she said, "This is better!" So now, my 6-year old daughter knows the difference between an incandescent bulb and CFL.

And I thought, am I seeing a future Greenpeace activist in da house???? :)

Update

2008-10-09T12:39:00.003+08:00

On bullying, Kulas does not bully Vcoy anymore. Maybe he learned his lesson. I'm happy that everything's ok now and my son is always coming home happy with stories of how his day at school went by. I guess he just have to go through it but as his mother, I'd still want to protect him and be there for him as long as I can. Protect does not mean I will never let those things to happen on him. But just to be there for him when he cries, when he's afraid, to assure him that I will be there for him even just to comfort him.

I'm still stucked with my sub-topics...I don't know. I lost focus. There's a lot going on my mind! :( Hay, the challenge of working at home, you wear different hats all at the same time! But life for me would be oh so boring without the adrenaline rush I get in this set-up! hehe! Oh well, I have to wrap up this post so I can look for my mojo....:)

EDITED: I finally discovered brushes in Photoshop! It may be trivial to you but for me, its one step further. I've been wondering for the longest time how to load/use brushes but I never really tried doing it. Tsk! Tsk! I could have learned it 2 years ago if only I tried it hands-on. Oh well, its not yet too late. :) Back to work!

Productive on the 1st day of the week - check! Bullied for the 1st time = check!

2008-09-29T20:07:00.015+08:00

Last week was one of those weeks when my brain and hands do not seem to get along. :) So many ideas and plans but all of them are just random bits and pieces.... on my thesis proposal, business, activities to do with the kids, even my mental to-do-list-before-i-die! I tried to put them in writing but I ended up with more to-do lists! Overwhelming...felt like drowning in my own doing. I just had to pull out myself. I need to FOCUS so I thought hey maybe I'll just slow down a bit and re-align myself.

And so I did. I just did a little bit of design, a little bit of proofing. For my thesis, I was stucked! I just can't seem to figure out what are the sub-topics of my thesis! There's so many things going on my mind about my thesis but when I start to write them down, wah, as in wala ako masulat! :(

Weekend came, still no output. I do work a bit but nothing I expect I could do in a week's time. Instead, I just bonded with the family which is equally, rather more important than I mentioned above. Vcoy just had his Monthly Test and he needed to relax and just have fun playing. Loui improved a teeny weeny bit on her eating time (< style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Monday morning Things are going pretty well even if I feel a little dizzy in the morning. Emails answered, designs and samples were sent. Job orders prepared. Production began. Working on my sub-topics. Exciting!

Monday afternoon

Vcoy came home with a swollen upper lip. We thought he's having an allergy/asthma attack. We were advised by his pulmonologist that symptom like this needs immediate attention. He must be brought to the hospital because his allergy might spread on his windpipe/throat (basta sa leeg!) and he might have difficulty breathing. I was about to give him his asthma medicine before bringing him to the hospital when I asked him what happened. "Do you have allergy? What happened to your lips?" I think I was more tensed than him.
"No, Mommy, Kulas (not his real name) punched me!" Whaaatttt???? Then, I think I asked a lot of questions one after another. I can feel my blood pressure going up. But when I noticed tears are welling in his eyes, I told myself "DON'T PANIC! Breathe in, breathe out. All the more you are scaring him." And so I told him we're just gonna talk later. Just take a rest and eat his merienda.

While we were having our snack together, I asked him casually why did Kulas punched him? Did he do something wrong that would make Kulas punch him? He said no. Then he began talking.... "He's been bullying me for some time now. He would always tease me I'm panget (ugly) because I have bulok teeth!" Frankly, his teeth are not as in bulok. He's just starting to develop some permanent teeth. Of course, sino bang hindi naging bulok ang ipin nya at one point in his life! Grrr! Kakagigil ung Kulas na un ah, I thought. But of course, I cannot show my son my "immature" side. Pero kung ako lang talaga, at kung pwede lang, kukutusan ko talaga yung batang yun! Sarap sakalin! ;)

You might say I'm immature but for a mother like me, I don't think so! Who wouldn't like her son to be punched by some bully kid for no reason at all? I know my son very well. He's not the type of kid who bullies other kids. He may be hyper, makulit pero mababaw lang kaligayahan nya. He's basically a happy kid - always smiling, palabati even the parents of his classmates tell me so (I was surprised when I went to the Accounting office of CSA the cashier knows him! She said Vcoy never fails to say "Hi" to her after class!). He is a very sweet to all of us...a gentle creature.

So I called up Kulas' adviser and told her what happened. I took pictures of Vcoy's swollen upper lip but only after 2.5 hrs have past. Kainis! I did not thought about it the moment I knew what happened. Nevertheless, I have documented it and I have proof of what Kulas did to him. So you Moms out there, God forbid, if this happens to your kid, grab that camera and take pictures so you have proof.

The adviser assured me that they will investigate the case and talk to both children and appropriate disciplinary action will be given to Kulas. I told her that I am ready for a conference with the teachers and the parent of Kulas and I have photos of Vcoy's swollen lips as proof of what Kulas did to him.

Realization

We prepared ourselves that our children will experience a lot of good and bad things in school or wherever they may be. That's part of life. No matter how much we wanted to protect them from any harm some things are meant to be experienced by them and only them. We, as parents, are just there to assure them that no matter what we LOVE them. We may not be always be there physically to shield them from harm but at the end of the day our children can run to as and we, in turn, will embrace them lovingly with open arms.

We planted seeds of good manners to our kids because we want them to be good persons throughout their lives...God-fearing, can speak out their minds but at the same time responsible for their actions.

While Vcoy and I are studying, he told me out of the blue "Mommy, I miss my old classmates." (referring to his classmates in pre-school). Then I began to explain to him that his former classmates also feel that way because they are also in other big schools. They also miss him just as much as he misses them. I can feel what he is trying to tell me and so I hugged him and said, "Kuya, you will experience a lot of good and bad things in school. But no matter what happens, always remember that Mommy, Daddy, all of us love you. Some kids are just bullies but don't mind them. Stay away from them if you can but then you also have to learn to protect yourself. You have lots of other good friends in school, right? Just don't be like the bullies." And he told me, "...because Jesus can see us...what we do..., right Mommy?"

Yeah...if only we keep that in mind ALWAYS then this world would be a much better place, isn't it?

Natatawa ako! Hahaha! >:)

2008-09-22T17:59:00.008+08:00

What a lame title you might think but its just how I feel today....

I started the day with a prayer and a promise to myself that I will be productive this week...tama na yung petiks petiks last weekend (as in BB = buhay baboy = kain, tulog, snack, nuod tv, kain ulet). Had my try to have a healthy breakfast of whole wheat bread but with a gracious spread of Queensland butter. hehehe. You see, I'm just trying to eat healthy here but I cannot take whole wheat bread, plain, just like that. I felt like eating a cup of brown rice with no viand! So, I promised bosing that I will eat whole wheat bread BUT with butter. Bahala na kung kelan ko ma-take na tanggalin ang butter! :) At least I made a small step in eating healthier foods. nyay!

After breakfast, checked my emails, logged on to my ym to greet bosing good morning before he goes on to his presentation today... (no, he's not actor but a part of his job is to convince their client that the project they are working on is moving ie., nagtatrabaho naman sila, hehehe). Then I checked my favorite blogs then checked my lotto ticket if I already won 65M. Hmmm, I only got 2 numbers. The rest are either 1 number away or simply not just my number! Oh well, I am 1 day closer to my lotto jackpot. (Btw, I am not a regular lotto player. Just when I see an outlet and have some money to spare that I get to play and dream to win.)

While surfing the blogosphere, I was multitasking - working on my weekly to-do list, updating my planner and listening to old OPM songs which bosing gave me yesterday. Hmm...quite productive huh until I stumbled upon abuggedlife's entry - the winners from the recently concluded PBA2 (Philippine Blog Awards 2). And so I bloghopped from 1 winner blog to another. From an OFW blog to a call center agent's blog, I had fun reading all of them. Why? Because their blogs are real-life accounts of Pinoys here or abroad, OFW or yuppies, inglesero or jologs, mix-mix! Some really made me laugh, others made me think, some are simply prolific, some simply annoying because of cursing here and there. But overall, I had fun.

Oh, and before I end this entry, maraming salamat to lolo duddy & lala for sending a box of goodies (read: sangkatutak na chocolates at kung anu-anu pang pampa-hyper!) to us. Special mention to lolo duddy for not forgetting my Noni's biscotti and my dried maple leaves. Yes, real maple leaves. I use them for my limited edition (naks!) autumn-inspired invites. Hmmm...amoy isteyts! haha!

As for my work, I managed to revise submitted 4 drafts to my clients while bloghopping. My to-do list, well, that's what I will work on next after posting this!

"Be the change you want to see in this world" - Gandhi

2008-09-18T23:09:00.005+08:00

Two days ago, I got a call from a groom-to-be inquiring about the possibility of supplying them with handmade paper envelopes & backing for their invitation. They will be printing their own invite which was done digitally but they wanted to convey a "green wedding" theme to their invite.

Every time I encounter people who are eco-conscious, especially soon-to-weds looking specifically for handmade paper invitations, I get ecstatic because this is what our country and the whole world needs - a breed of people wanting to change the world in their own little ways. I can't help but give the groom a "little" background of our handmade papers, its impact on our environment and in the lives of the people who were once displaced by a civil war in Mindanao. In my own little way, I wanted him to know that his payment for the invitations that I will make will not only benefit myself but it goes a long way. How?

I employ 2.5 people (the 0.5 is my yaya who part-times in my business handling our inventory :) ) and they have their family to support to back home. As for me, this little business that I have not only brings a little livelihood for myself but this has been my passion, my creative outlet, the one who brought back my self-esteem. Its a long story but lets just leave it at that :)

Going back, patronizing our Philippine handmade paper means we are helping these people to earn a living not just for the workers but also their families who depend on them. At the same time, MSMEs help fuel our economy and help ease our labor problem. On the environmental aspect, these papers are TREE-FREE (you may also want to check out my blog action day entry here), meaning, trees were not cut (= no deforestation = no floods). We use abaca, salago & cogon grass instead. Cogon grass used to be a waste grass but has become useful in handmade paper -making.

So what could be better than this? Environment-friendly + job creation + unique & personalized

Problem is AWARENESS. In the wedding industry, for the past 7 years that I've been doing this, I can say that somehow I made a mark in the handcrafted, handmade paper invitation category because I stick it out in using Philippine handmade paper (not Thailand or India handmade papers pls.) and as much as possible using indigenous materials (Pinoy-made) to help other small businesses, too. But with the advent of digital printing, cheaper imported commercial papers, other printers can come up with really cheap prices of invites but with quality indeed. I cannot really compete with that since handmade paper alone is not cheap as commercial paper + the fact that we are fair-traders.

{ When you choose commercial paper...}

Commercial papers usually contain virgin pulps from trees. Some contain 30% post-consumer waste (pulp from recycled paper products) which is a good thing BUT STILL they still contain virgin pulps from trees.

The production process may or may not be environmentally-friendly (depending on what country and IF the manufacturers follow strict guidelines in production ie., how do they handle post-production waste? are the workers properly protected during production? Are they fairly compensated?)

Most commercial papers here are imported. When we import, we shell out needed $ (that our country needs) and we give "livelihood" big companies abroad. If only we buy Filipino then the money could have been paid to Filipino business that in turn employ Filipinos, too. Of course, you may say that the import taxes also help our government (o "government people"?)in a way but that is quite a big ? for me. Anyway, in my opinion, I think buying locally far outweighs importing (& paying import taxes daw) in terms of livelihood it gives to our people. On the environment aspect, importing means we use more fuel/energy than buying locally.

In printing the invites, I do hope more and more printing presses will use soy-based inks instead of the hazardous chemical inks.

In fairness, digital or offset invitations can take so many beautiful forms - in the design, colors, shapes - that handmade paper counterpart cannot really compete (i ran out of word other than this) to. But as I always say, I don't compete with them...I have a league of my own...we cater to people who appreciate handmade things, eco-conscious and personalized service. People who want to be a change in this world.

So, going back to the groom, we ended up talking longer than the usual inquiry thing... how they (bride & groom) want not just to have a "green" wedding but throughout their lives. Its so nice to meet people who have the same wavelength as yours...it is mentally stimulating and makes you feel that you are not alone in your environmental campaign. And just like what Optimus Prime said "....we are here...we are waiting."

Think Green!

A Carrot, An Egg, And A Cup Of Coffee...

2008-09-15T19:52:00.009+08:00

A friend of mine sent me this today. This is something I need these days. Hope you'll enjoy this as much as I did. You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

* * * * * * * * * *

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling.. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs ou t and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see..' 'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong , hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the e boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff ? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?!

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest,
do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to
keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything ng; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let goof your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

I am posting this message to those people who mean to me; to those who have touched my life in one way or another; to those who make me smile when I really need it; to those who make me see the brighter side of things when I am really down; to those whose friendships I appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in my life.

May we all be COFFEE!

The Biggest Wedding Fair of the Year

2008-09-05T14:34:00.005+08:00

Now it can be told.... (a long post!)

2008-09-02T17:50:00.008+08:00

First of all, a huge THANK YOU and SORRY to anyone who visited my blog only to find out that I haven't updated it in ages! :(

From my last post, I thought I was ready to come back into scrapping and blogging but I wasn't. I had thoughts running across my mind wanting to tell the universe whatever I wanted to share but when I log on to my blogger, I just can't.

On the scrapping scene, I haven't scrapped in months! I just don't have the mojo to create and I feel like I'm an outcast in the local scrapbooking groups...I'm not sure why I feel this but maybe because I chose not to be in the scene. Why? Its not because of anyone or anything. I just had to trim down my priorities and activities which finally became clear to me after I came back from the states. Those are: my kids' schooling, my business and my own studies. Yes, I went back to school.

Sometime in May when I drove hubby to a job interview, I visited my school which is a few blocks away. At first, I went to the other school (CSB) to inquire about their design courses but thoughts of going back to Main came across since I know I still have an unfinished business there. I am 9 units + thesis away from my Computer Science degree. Its a long story as to why it took me so long in this course (thesis group problems, business and eventually getting married + being a mother to 2) but all I can say is I've never been a bum! I lived a fulfilling life, a so-called career maybe (if putting up 2 businesses count) and being there for my children in the first 7 years of their lives full-time in a way since I work at home. I didn't regret anything... I just couldn't stand leaving my very young children then to the care of the nanny.

I really believe that God has His own plans for us... He is the Master Planner of our lives. Just when I thought I will never pursue my course till the end, an idle time led me to pay a visit to my school and inquire if I can still enroll. "We are just waiting for you to come back....Immortal ka na dito, we cannot deny you enrolment." These words as spoken by the Vice-Dean's Academic Assistant. And as if everything fell into place, they gave me the forms to have them signed that day and asked me to come back since 2 of the 3 remaining subjects would be special classes since they don't offer it anymore.

After hubby's job interview, I told him about it and he was the usual very supportive husband. I love my husband! :) Kids are now older, 6 & 7, one in big school and 1 in prep and spend most of the time in school so Mommy can now also spend some time in school! And a blessing indeed that I only get to go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the 3 subjects (2 were 1x a week only) so it wouldn't take a lot of my time for the kids' homework & reviews plus a time for me to work on my business.

And so, that is WHY I have been MIA on this blog. I realized I have to trim down my activities and priorities FOR NOW because I need to FOCUS on what matters most at hand. And I guess I have succeeded so far because I finally made it!!!! I finished my 3 subjects for this term with flying colors!!!! Yahooo!!!!! Hahahaha! I cried last week after my project defense that required me to learn and make a courseware in Adobe Flash in 2 weeks time! It was indeed a fast 1st term for me. Time quickly passed by and now I am done with the 9 units! But its not yet finished... I still have to work on my thesis which is a teachware using Adobe Flash that I have to defend by March 2009. So my blogging here is just the time I have for now before I start to work on my thesis. I am positive and more than inspired to work on it though since it will involve my passions: designing, the environment and teaching. So pray for me so I will have the strength to do this. The finished project will (I hope) be a significant contribution to what our world needs today - environmental awareness and teaching our kids about it.

For the past months, I didn't subscribe to the yahoogroups so I am unaware of what's happening in the scrapping arena. I only get to read some blogs of friends, oh how I miss them! But I am contented for now just to read their blogs, see their beautiful creations. Sometimes the feeling of guilt & littleness (if there's a word) creeps in but I keep in mind that each has her own world, I have mine and I have a set of priorities that I need to focus for now. Of course, it wouldn't hurt if I make a layout or 2, but I will only do it if and when I feel like doing it, not because of whatever outside pressure.

On the homefront, kids are doing fine. Vcoy is in CSA and he's now enjoying it though the first 2 weeks were torture for him (waking up early, the long bus ride, writing a lot!) but hubby is right, he just have to go through it to learn. (my heart breaks when I see him still sleepy during breakfast but I learned also). Loui is becoming more and more creative (like mommy!) - doodling, cartooning, anything that will keep her hands busy. They were supportive also of my schooling especially the last 2 weeks when I was working on my Flash project. They were my UATs (User Acceptance Testing). Now, they are happier to see me everyday when they come home from school.

On the business side, I'm officially back to work preparing for our exhibit at the Wedding Expo Philippines this weekend. Its the start of the wedding season in the Philippines so things will be busier around here.

Whew! Thank you for reading this (do I still have readers here???). Hopefully I get to update this regularly. Cheers to more blogposts!!! :) And lastly, I just want to share with you the splash screen content I made in my project:

"Be the change you wish to see in this world." - Gandhi

Trifold

2008-04-30T11:23:00.014+08:00

For the past 2 weeks, I and my staff are working on 2 big orders from the U.S. Coincidentally, both brides are from California and invite style they wanted was also the same but the colors are different. This is actually another version of my "Natasha" invite which I originally designed for an Australian client. As much as I wanted to make each piece of my work unique, some clients wanted to use my existing design. However, I still make it unique but applying some touches on it.

The first bride's color motif is purple, sage green & ecru. But honestly, even if you tell me sage green, apple green, celadon green - I cannot really tell exactly which is which because for every client that I encountered, they have their own version of green, whatever shade it is! So what I do is to let them choose among our green swatches. :)

For the inserts, I used our off-white handmade paper embedded with sweet honesty flowers (statis in the native dialect).

The tri-fold envelope has 3 kinds embedded flowers in it - statis, seruwalai & i-still-can't-remember-that-yellow-flower's-name! They add depth on the paper and the fibers add texture and the handmade feel. The green border thingy is actually another piece of paper that serves as a mat.

This kind of invitation is more labor-intensive since I have to adhere everything on the green mat but its ok with me. That's part of the process. :)

On my next post I'll show the plum & fuschia version of this 6"x8" trifold invite. Gotta go for a delivery.

Tadaah!!! My First Canvass Painting! :)

2008-04-25T11:35:00.005+08:00

Growing up as a kid, I've dreamed of one day having my own painting, even just 1! In 1991, I tried painting names of my college friend in watercolor and tracing paper and gave them as gifts. Those were the days when painting was my outlet - you know, teenage life... instead of being a drama queen, painting somehow calmed me.

Years passed by and with a course that demands the maximum use of my left brain pulled me away from my creative pursuits. I used to bake, paint, sew, draw (but not really D-R-A-W ha, I was happy with my stick people!). It was when I put up my desktop publishing shop (1994-2000) that I rediscovered my love for designing. After getting married and becoming pregnant with my 1st baby that I began to work with my hands again, this time not just the mouse but with scissors, glue, punchers, etc. Its another story.... :) Anyway, without further adieu, here is my first canvass. Thanks to Claudine Hellmuth for the inspiration. But this is far from her work! (drum roll please...hahaha!)

Everybody in the household laughed at it! Loui, my girl, likes it but she said "Mommy, it looks funny!" and Vcoy's reaction when he saw it and I asked him if he likes it: "yeaaaaaahhhhh" (parang napilitan lang sya!). I even offered my staff that they will be my next "guinea pigs", hahaha! "Thanks, but no thanks!", they said.

I can almost see you grinning from ear to ear right now. Yeah, it really IS funny! For one, my legs are awful! Looks like I have rheumatoid arthritis! I can't even draw decent feet! Oh well... BUT I am happy with it. I enjoyed the process. The feelings I used to have back in college while I was painting came back. That feeling of being free to do whatever you like, just going with the flow, drawing again (this is my "next" attempt from stick people!)

But I know I still have lots to learn....more canvasses and paints to waste (not really as in waste, since I'd still be keeping them)...more "guinea pigs" to use, haha! Would you like to be one? :)

Busy day

2008-04-23T20:22:00.002+08:00

Today is printing day! My printer churned out hundreds of pages for the invitations I am making. Though it is due not 'til next week, I just can't seem to move on to my other TO-DOs without finishing this. Have pending emails to reply to, designs to work on, aaghh! No, I am not complaining...in fact I love the adrenalin rush. But there are times like this when my mind and body don't like to multi-task! :)

On the homefront, I am now working on my newly-painted home-office cum studio. I have my own tv & dvd player to keep me company at times. At least, I can work while I watch my favorite shows (and not Nick Jr. or Disney Channel playing on the background!) But I noticed that my kids also started hanging out more often here than in our bedroom! And what do they do here? Play PSP or watch Disney Channel, Nick Jr., NG & Discovery! Oh well, I guess it comes in the package when you work at home. :)

I tweaked some stuff here on my blog to make it more "presentable". I managed to add a quote. Still have to work on some graphic stuffs & the links but that can wait. Tomorrow will be some more printing then I'm off to work on designs and emails. I'm totally excited to get my hands dirty on a new medium that I'll be trying. Will let you know about it when I have come up with something I can show you.

Time for a change...

2008-04-23T00:30:00.002+08:00

Haaayyy!!! The OC in me wanted to change the look of my blog for the longest time but I don't have the luxury of time to work on it. Today, after finishing printing, I told myself that I will finally work on this. After 6 hours of making the new header and tinkering with html, this is what I got - haaayyyy!!!! Well at least I took the first step. I still wanted to add a few graphics, credits for the digital elements (shabbyprinces.com), update the links & post the big question is when??? Well I do hope to update my blog more often. Let's see...

Anyway, lately, I'm into aqua and white. I even painted my home-office with it and even our bedroom but added pink to add some girly touch to our room. I guess the colors reflect the way I feel (and wanted to feel) - calm, peaceful and simple. :)

Hello!!!

2008-03-05T08:09:00.002+08:00

How have you been? Its been quite a while since I last posted here. As I've said in my last post, I will be leaving for a while but now... I'M BACK!!!

Thanks to all those who emailed me, left messages on my cbox. Sorry if I was not able to reply to everyone. Give me some time to work on my new blog and postings as I need to catch up with emails and designs.

There is really no place like home....

Check back soon! :)

Leaving for a while....

2008-01-24T11:13:00.000+08:00

Maybe you are wondering why I haven't updated my blog....I'm taking time off from scrapping to focus on personal matters & my invitation business (will create a separate blog soon). I hope to be back but maybe not soon.

Thank you to all friends who left a message, visited my site or emailed me. Thanks!

Problem with my HEAD-er

2007-12-19T07:53:00.000+08:00

I have migraine for the longest time but this time its not my "head" that is giving me headaches but my header (look up, yup, that's it!). :) I made it in Photoshop 1280x250 but it seems like it has a mind of its own! Its still small. I tried changing the template but it became worse - it was on the left side na while last night it was at the center. Waaahhhhh!!!!! My friend Diane already tweaked it but its still the same.

I know..."don't sweat the small stuff" but the OC in me.....aaagghh! Anyway, I'll leave it as is for now while I continue to work on some creative (hay salamat!) stuff due TODAY! I managed to finish 3 cards last night but I still 4 more to go & layouts. I feel like my scrapping mojo is coming back but with my folks flying in on Friday, I will have to shelve my scrapping chuvaness for a while to spend time with them.

5 more days before Christmas!!!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!

2007-12-18T11:33:00.000+08:00

I know, I know. I've been missing in action! Hay! Lots of things happened for the past months. Will update very soon. Still have 2 more projects to finish plus my GDT assignment! waaahhh!!!! I can't find my scrapping mojo :( Can you tell me where to get it????

Be back....my kids are calling me for lunch!

I've been Tagged by Marj!

2007-10-31T10:48:00.000+08:00

Instructions: Each player starts with 7 random habits/facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

7 random facts about me:

1. i am addicted to Coke - when I'm all stressed out, just a glass of Coke is enough to relax me :) 2. i am chocoholic - i need a dessert to complete my meal
3. i am a jack-of-all-trades kind of girl, i know how to troubleshoot computers, a bit of plumbing, carpentry, gardening, cross-stitch, all sorts, but master of none! hehe
4. i'm a speed-demon when I drive alone ;)
5. i am scared of Darth Vader & almost all mascots especially if they come near me
6. i believe I will see all my dead dogs when I die (that is, if I go to heaven! haha)
7. i rarely wear dress/skirts. i always wear flip-flops!

A - Age: 33
B - Band Listening To Right Now: I'm a 98 degrees fan :)
C - Career: I never got to work for others. My first business was a computer/desktop publishing shop
D - Drink or Smoke: Drink occasionally, smoke - NEVER
E - Easiest Friends To Talk To: next to DH, Tin
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Gummy bears
H - Have a Boyfriend: i have a husband
I - In love still...
J - Junk Food You Like: Doritos with salsa
K - Kids: 2
L - Longest Ride Ever: Manila to Los Angeles (12 hrs)
N - Names For Your Future Kids: we're done!
O - One Wish You Have Now: win a lotto :)
P - Phobias: I'm claustrophobic...
Q - Favorite Quote: Life is too short, make it meaningful !
R - Reasons To Smile: my kids, my family
S - Sleeping Hours: 12am-8am
T - Time You Woke Up: 10am (I'm not feeling well)
U - Unknown Fact About You: i still eat Cerelac wheat up to this day!
V - Vegetable You Hate: okra
W - Worst Habit: procrastination
X - X-rays You’ve Had: Chest, Cervical Spine, MRI (head)
Y - Yummy Foods: buttered shrimps, crispy chili crabs, chocolates, Noni's biscotti!
Z - Zodiac Sign: Aries

Consider yourself tagged as well if you want to share some facts about you! Thanks Marj!

I CONFESS - a mini album workshop

2007-10-23T18:25:00.000+08:00

Last Scrapfest, I was able to finish a mini album during the workshop. It was fun. We were able to use different techniques. It was only now that I had the time to post it coz I am busy for the past weeks. Now that Bad Girls Top Designer Contest is over - by the way, I only made it to Class 5, out of 6 classes. It was a learning experience for me! I really learned a lot & churned out more layouts :) Anyway, back to this mini album, its a good thing Scrappin Moms came up with this kind of album coz I would have never thought of making one for myself if it weren't for them.

Today is BLOG ACTION DAY!

2007-10-15T21:35:00.000+08:00

Last August, I stumbled upon a website about the environment - The Blog Action Day. Bloggers are encouraged to post a topic about the environment- whatever they want to discuss, off-topic or not. And since I am into handmade papers, I guess I have to do my part in educating people regarding the effects of using handmade papers to our environment & our people.

{TREE-FREE}

A big part of my passion using handmade paper invitations & other paper products is knowing that the medium I am using does not come from trees. It is actually called a tree-free paper. And we know that here in our country, deforestation is at an alarming rate. And we can see the effect of this when we have floods all over the cities & provinces when it rains (not even typhoon!)

Our Philippine handmade papers come from Abaca fibers, Cogon grasses (which is actually a waste grass) and other plants & fibers locally available. By not using trees to make papers, we help conserve them and this is what I always tell my clients. Somehow, many of them are clueless as to where handmade papers really come from. At least I get to share with them the reason why I am pursuing to promote our handmade papers.

Commercial papers are made from trees, if not 100%, at least some of them have some "post-consumer" components (from recycled papers), but STILL they have TREES as their "ingredient". It is my hope that soon paper manufacturers will only use recycled papers and/or natural fibers (except trees) so we will not bald mountains & flashfloods.

By the way, handmade papers are different from recycled papers. At least our handmade papers come from different fibers but not from used papers. When we say handmade, the process is done by hand, sheet per sheet, with the use of mould and deckle, hand-embedded with flowers, leaves, capiz & other components. Whereas recycled paper comes from used papers and mostly machine-processed.

{ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY PROCESSING}

The process of making our handmade papers are done without sacrificing the environment. No chemicals are used to harm the environment and there is a proper waste disposal. This is what differentiates it from machine-processed papers.

{LIVELIHOOD}

From former fisherfolks, the people who make our wonderful papers are now earning regularly (and fairly) making papers. Even the housewives are able to work as pressed flower designers in the comforts of their home while looking after the children.

We hope to continue operating as a socially responsible and harmonious business group that produces ecologically friendly and globally competitive handmade paper and related handicrafts. It is our vision to continuously pursue efforts for the improvement of the Filipino people within the framework of sustainable development.

Bad Girls Class 5 - Unity

2007-10-11T23:44:00.000+08:00

I didn't expect that I will still be in Bad Girls Top Designer School. But I am happy that I am beginning to incorporate scrapbooking in my life weekly, if not daily. Here is my entry for this week. I don't expect to make it, but its enough for me to finally make a layout of some of my "reminders" to my kids and be able to submit my entry. For me, this is as important as winning. (although the goodies are too tempting! hehe)

Here are more detailed pics of my layout:

For the journaling, oh, this is kinda long. If you can bear with me, read on. If not, its ok. :) I had so much in my mind & heart to say to my kids and how WORDS really matter and so I was able to fill up the spaces with my journaling. It was spontaneous and I really like it when I am in the mood - I just keep on writing and the sticker words kinda fell into place.

EDITED: In my hurry to post my entry, I forgot to tell what the heck the photo of my kids is doing on my layout!! Those were the days when my kids are starting to write. My DD cannot spell yet that time, but she knows the first letters of our names and so she wrote VM *heart* LD which means Vcoy (DS) Mommy *love* Loui (she) Daddy! While my DS drew Mommy as wearing a towel! haha!

*****

Phew! This has been a real challenge to me - how to achieve unity on my layout! But the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the assignment, WORDS just kept popping in my head. I wanted my layout to be something my children will not just look at the past but also LEARN from us. And so, I used WORDS to unify my layout down to the journaling (literally & figuratively).

It was so timing that I just got a chalkboard patterned paper (Karen Foster) & the yellow CS matches the exact shade of the yellow border on my son's Sketcher. I used some accent of blue paint to unify my layout with the powder blue bed sheet.

I covered the chipboard letters with text patterned paper to unite with my layout & the title. Also, I'm very happy that some word stickers that I have for the longest time I was able to incorporate in my journaling.

JOURNALING ON TOP OF PAGE (sorry, kinda long):

(NOTE: WORDS IN ALL CAPS are STICKERS & RUB-ONS)

(on top of the layout) >>

In my life, I have seen how words affect our lives. From the time we learned to say "Mama" when we were babies to the more complex words we can learn from the dictionary, words are part of our everyday lives. We LEARN to express our emotions not just by LAUGHing or CRYing but we (give) put words on our FEELings. And sometimes these words can be misunderstood by some people & thus, can MAKE or BREAK relationships. That is why I try to live my life with a SENSE of responsibility for the words that I say in speaking my mind. I am not, rather, I should not be afraid to express myself but I also have to consider what my words will have an impact to the ones who hear or read them.

JOURNALING ON THE LEFT SIDE:

To MY CHILDREN: let this be a reminder to you - words are powerful but in expressing yourselves, you have the responsibility in everything you say. Words that have been said cannot be taken back once it has affected someone's feelings. So be careful in choosing your words. In as much as I want you to BE TRUE, be generous in praising others' works. Let them know how much you appreciate them... say it! Don't be afraid to say "I love you" to a person if you feel like saying it. But always BE REAL. I hope you will always REMEMBER this - mommy

Ooppps! I forgot to include my supplies list in the gallery!
Here it is: Bazzill yellow CS; Karen Foster Chalkboard patterned paper; Narratives by Karen Russel patterned paper by Creative Imaginations; Jenni Bowlin text PP (letters); Maya Road & 7 Gypsies chipboards, Urban Lily rub-ons, Creating Keepsakes word stickers; Making Memories acrylic paint (blue); pen, masking tape.

***** THANK YOU FOR BEARING WITH ME!!! *****

Scrapfest 4

2007-10-09T15:09:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday, I attended Scrapfest 4. This was just my 2nd time (the first time was Scrapfest 1). I promised myself that I will spend this time just scrapping (& some shopping!) and not as a supplier. I wanted to ENJOY the day meeting fellow scrapbookers who I just know by names through our e-groups. Some of them I know personally but most I haven't met. And true enough, I had a wonderful time scrapping the day away.

Nice venue, good food, lots of suppliers with the latest goodies, goody bag from generous sponsors, lots of women who share the same passion. Scrappin Moms really did a GREAT JOB in organizing this event.

I was not able to get to have some chit-chat with most of them because we were all busy working on the mini book workshop and the layout challenge but I was able to enjoy the company of Jona, Celeste & Marjel, the latter is an expat from the Netherlands. My migraine has been bugging me the day before. I forgot to bring my medicine but only have my muscle relaxant med (for my C-spine). Its my only hope so I can really enjoy and participate in the workshop and challenge. But after the mini book workshop, I was exhausted and I felt like my brain couldn't think anymore. Plus, with the "my-not-so-cheerful-colors" of papers I got from the kit combined with my not-so-clear picture (i just converted it to B&W but did not adjust the levels so it was kinda dark), I decided I will just eat my snack and not join the challenge. I couldn't think of a design for my layout...nothing really comes out....

So, it was a 1 hour 15-minute challenge. The first half-an-hour, I just sat there, ate my snack and look around my seatmates. I told myself, "just enjoy the day, don't pressure myself, just play". But then after I finished my snack, I couldn't help but do something...seeing my seatmates busy working on their layouts, I convinced myself to try. At least, just have fun and PLAY! And so I did! Then ideas started to pop... a bit of paper here, some paint there, add some blings, journal! Whoa! I'm done! I'm happy and that's what matters. I finally put into writing my thoughts about my picture. These thoughts I had even before the challenge only I have a lot of excuses not to scrap it but instead, my family's pictures.

I didn't expect that I'll get the 3rd place for advanced division. Everyone made a beautiful layouts! When I saw theirs, I wanted to get my entry and submit to the beginners' division! I felt mine was so simple, not much techniques (was there??!) but on the other hand, I'm happy I finished my layout and I've said my piece. When Liza called my name, it took a few seconds to sink in...but I am thankful for the judges who "looked into" my layout. For I made it not to win challenge, but to express the thoughts I have in my mind these days and a reminder of the path I have yet to take....

Journaling:

This is all I can say if I'd be asked about my shining moment! This picture reminds me (from) of everything that I've been through in life. And yes, I've come a long way. I see myself as a traveler in life's journeys... my journey - and that I have a long road ahead of me. Each day brings new challenges and everytime I go through them - I may succeed or fail - but the fact that I get up and face each new day with hope and courage, for me, that is my shining moment. Long way from the past, long way ahead, easy or difficult, good or bad times, this picture will always remind me to move forward!

** Will finally get post my Scrappin Moms' Idol Contest entries. Will upload it tomorrow. Have to finish some "real" work here. :)

Overcoming water[color pencils]...

2007-10-05T16:00:00.000+08:00

I recently bought a set of watercolor pencils. I've been wanting to try it a few years back (I used to paint in watercolor) but what keeps me from buying it is that I don't like color pencils! It takes so much time and hand effort to color a single area! My wrist just cannot take the long repetitive process of shading anymore. But when I saw some layouts using it, I thought, hey, maybe I can try it, even for once. Anyway, I have my DD who's very much willing to use it since she's in color pencils since she was 3.

So I just grabbed a single photo of my DD, drew some flowers & swirls and just outlined them with watercolor pencils. I then used a fine tip paintbrush with a little bit of water. Whoa! I like it! :) I'm sure my DD will love it to bits! :) Its not as messy as watercolors and you can achieve different levels of shading in an area. And the finish product - much like a real watercolor art!

This is an 8"x8" layout. Just simple but with all the hopes and wishes for my Darling Daughter and a remembrance of her Mommy's first try at watercolor pencil! :)

Bad Girls - Class 4

2007-10-04T15:14:00.000+08:00

Hay! I'm still having second thoughts on what to submit for this class! But my *heart* really beats for this one. Even my DH likes it and so I took it as a sign that this is the one! :) Well, I hope I make it but if not, it is OK. I enjoyed the process and what could be better than having created quite a number of layouts for my family this 2007! (the most I have done since scrapping in 2002!)

******
When I encountered this lesson in white space, for me, it means a clean, uncluttered look. I wanted to achieve that in my b&w photos so I decided to work on a white background and red accents. I also wanted to create something "different" and not just a single photo on the lower right corner. I challenged myself in doing multiple photos and placed them at the center of my page.

To avoid making the layout boring, I added hand-stitching was done for the red cord to add some texture. This is also signifies the "bond" among us and that's what "family" means. Rub-ons were used for the title & text. Brads were used to create a "bulleted list". The red wooden heart was used to add dimension and focal point.

I am having second thoughts on submitting this as I have done another layout but when my DH saw it, he said he likes it among the other layouts I have made! And so, this is for him!

*****

Now I must finish my drafts & designs before I pack my stuff for Scrapfest 4!!!

Busy...

2007-10-03T17:19:00.000+08:00

Wow! This week is really going fast! So fast I could hardly catch up...with designs & drafts for my clients, Bad Girls assigment and Scrapfest! But I wouldn't have it the other way since I love what I am doing even if it means late nights, pain on my (r) wrist, I love creating something new everyday.

No photos to upload yet for this post. They are still on my camera waiting for me to resize it after posting this entry. Just want to drop by my blog and let you know that I will be posting some works very soon...

For now, let me share with you a quote from one of my favorite designers, Rhonna Farrer. She is AMAZING and I get a lot of inspiration from her and her works of art.

Hope you'll be inspired, too! :)

Bad Girls -Class 3

2007-09-27T15:40:00.000+08:00

Along with fellow Pinay scrappers, I made it to Class 3 of Bad Girls Design School. This week's lesson is about Design Elements.

I chose direction-oblique as my element on my layout to show Vcoy's neck mimicking the swan's. I used BIG chipboard SWIRLS to complement the BIG PICTURE of Vcoy and to lead the direction to my layout's title BEAUTY then towards the picture then down to the (hidden) journaling.

I used WHITE as my color (the black border is not included on the layout) because Vcoy's shirt matches the swan and I find his facial expression as innocent-looking...so pure...beautiful, hence the title.

The pull-out journaling further moves the direction downwards to the stamped swirls.

The Flipside of Me

2007-09-24T12:50:00.000+08:00

Last Friday night, I wanted to just "play". So I pulled out my recent photos from our Ilocos trip and made a quick layout. I wanted to document these pictures (though I've been having second thoughts of posting these! hehe) for my kids to see me - not just their mother, but as a person - a normal person who can be flip sometimes (or should I say, most of the times!)...that IT IS OK to be yourself even if you look funny! My kids laughed (ewan ko kung pang-asar yung tawa nila kasi tawang-tawa talaga sila sa akin, knowing Loui, my 5-year old daughter, she has this laughter that will tell you that you REALLY are FUNNY!) when I showed them the finished layout. "Mommy is so funny!" (with matching tawa yan ha!). Suddenly, I began to think "did I made the right decision???? -to make that layout in the first place, then second, to show it to them????" Oh well, I guess, my layout was effective, coz my children saw me on that layout and that is how I want them to remember me.

Wide Eyed Wonder

2007-09-20T11:32:00.000+08:00

I passed the 1st class of Bad Girls so I'm off to Class 2: Texture and Dimension given by our "teacher", a good friend, Iris Uy.

Phew! This class made me do handstitching again after almost 20 years! For this layout, I used the pictures I took of my newest nephew, Patrick. He's sooo adorable and his eyes are cute as a button! Good thing the materials I already have in my stash matched Patrick's jeans & checkered shirt.

For texture: I used a tag with fabric; added a lace on the flower chipboard & ribbons on tag & as photo corner; embossed the " flower stem"; used a denim pocket of my daughter's old pants (to mimic Patrick's pants)

For dimension: I used buttons, mini wooden clothes peg, chipboard flower & "stem", sewing on doodles then mounting with foam squares; cut out circles on PPs then mount with glue dots; made a transparency frame with acrylic paint on edges. *** Also, I intended to let the flower "hang over" the edge of the paper coz for me, scrapbooking should not really be limited to just 12"x12" or squares or straights...it should be whatever your heart desires! :)

Journaling (on tag inside the denim pocket): Patrick, The first time I saw you, I fell in love with your "cute-as-a-button" eyes! Love you! - Tita

Whoohoo!!!!

2007-09-15T00:48:00.000+08:00

Yessss!!!!! After 5 years, I have finally uploaded my new website after the failed attempt weeks ago! Though I still have 3 more galleries to do in a couple of days, I decided to upload it to "test" if I really got it correct this time.

May I invite you to come over and "tour" our new store. Comments and suggestions are most welcome. :)

Will upload more photos & products next week. Got to get some rest now...

Happy weekend!

Our ^Everyday^ Story

2007-09-14T19:04:00.000+08:00

I'm on a creative roll! Thanks to all those challenges & gorgeous layouts my scrapping friends are churning week per week! Its enough for me to get my mojo back and work on my pictures waiting to be scrapped. Besides, I owe my parents years of pictures of their apo's and so when I had our pictures printed, I intended to send them some random shots of our everyday life.

I'm so loving the 1.5" square pics that I did in Photoshop. A 4R size picture has actually 6 pictures in it! Cheaper huh! :) And the size is just right if you are making a mini album.

Here are some shots of the mini album from 7 Gypsies that I took today. It took me 1 night and half-day to finish it. That is just right for me. I like projects that don't take much time to finish coz they take out the fun in it (in my case)!

You can check out the complete book here.

My website update: yes, I'm working on it the whole day! I'm crossing my fingers and hopefully I get to upload my new website tonight when hubby comes home (I need his technical expertise on this err, someone who will wait for the files to upload while I watch muna! hehe)

Bad Girls Top Designer - Color Theory

2007-09-12T21:54:00.000+08:00

After being eliminated at the Scrappin Moms Idol (I was not able to submit a layout last week coz we were in the hospital), I wanted to continue making at least 1 layout per week. I think I'm better when I have a deadline to meet! hehehe. So I joined Bad Girls Top Designer contest. It is like a class where there is a lesson to learn per week and assignment to submit. There will also be "suspensions" (eliminations) every week so I don't know how long will I be in the class! A LOT of beautiful layouts from all over the world, I feel like my layout is sooo simple! But I'm happy coz I'm being productive again in terms for scrapping. (My bad...I was not able to work on my website today, yay!)

Here's my "Alike" layout. I love this picture of Loui. At an early age (1 y/o), she is quirky! She shows signs of Airees-in-the-making! hehehe. I used red because of the bandana she was wearing. I don't know why I'm into reds lately. Maybe it was one of my entries for the Scrappin Moms Idol where I used red as my color.

I managed to work on a mini book (yes!) tonight but I still have to work on my journaling tomorrow. Will send this to my parents as a gift. Guess what color? Red pa din! I just love the vintage look of Jenni Bowlin papers I got from Scrapbukan, I end up using it in all of my layouts lately!

Journaling: "Hmm....a lot of people always tell me that I look a lot my mom when she was younger... "Little Airees" they say. I guess I am. We are both quirky not to mention we are both clumsy! (look at my chin!) But most of all, me & my mom are alike not just on the looks, but also our love for art."

Materials used: Bazzill cardstock (red & beige); Urban Lily patterned paper (flower), Jenni Bowlin (text background); Colorbok vintage alpha stickers; Autumn leaves buttons; Maya Road chipboard (a); Making Memories red acrylic paint; Versacolor inkpad; embossing powder; photo turns with brads (unbranded); miscellaneous ribbon; pen, adhesive & foam squares.

Recent upload on MyScrapworks.com

2007-09-11T14:59:00.000+08:00

Mabelle and the team of MyScrapworks recently uploaded new articles for the site. May I invite you to come and visit us. And while you're there, please take a look at my new Trash-to-Treasure project.

Oh, and I get to "play" with acrylic sheets this time courtesy of M. The first project was to make a layout using a 12"x12" acrylic sheet. This was challenging for me since I haven't really tried working on transparencies what more on acrylic! Besides, I'm afraid I'd mess up the layout and it will really become very obvious!! :) But in the end, I loved how it turned out. The acrylic sheet is thick enough to hold your embellies unlike transparencies.

The 2nd project was a 3-panel 6"x6" acrylic sheets. Now, this one really cracked my brain! I've been planning to try working on minis but when I am faced with the actual size, I can't do it! I feel so claustrophobic that I end up putting all my materials back to my "to-do later" box! But this time, I cannot, since I already gave M my word that I will do this. :) It turned out good but now I realized maybe I should have put more cute rub-ons to enhance the pages but I am just starting my love affair for rub-ons so I only have a few. Maybe another acrylic mini book is needed for me to clearly see the beauty of this material with rub-ons, acrylic paints & stamps! Go ahead and try for yourself! You've got nothing to hide!

New Week, New Look

2007-09-11T11:41:00.000+08:00

First of all, I would like to THANK everyone who emailed & SMSd me, left a message on my cbox wishing me and my family well. Salamat po! Your prayers have helped us to recover faster.

We had such a challenging week last week. I don't want to say "bad" week for I believe that we all have to go through life's lessons. I am just happy to say that we are on our road to recovery especially my son.

And so I decided to change the look of my blog by upgrading to a "drag & drop" editing rather than HTML coding! I have been wondering for quite some time how my blogger friends easily add links & other stuff on their blogs while I, on the other hand, can't figure it out! Duh????!!! This is still a work in progress though. I still have my own website to upload very soon.

For now, I just posted to let you know that I'm still ALIVE! Haha! Lots of emails to reply, layout to finish and website to work on. A very busy week ahead.....

Advisory

2007-09-06T11:00:00.000+08:00

Everyone in our household are caught with a nasty flu virus last weekend. I advised my staff not to report for work so as not to spread the virus to their own household. My son and I are having a bad case of asthma attack and we are on our way to confine him to the hospital. I just hope my pulmonologist will not advise me to be confined as well.

Goodbye to Round 4 of Scrappin Moms idol. I cannot make it to this round as the remaining strength I have right now is only enough for the needs of my sick children and husband. Goodluck to everyone! Please pray for our fast recovery. Thank you in advance.

airees

Of cupcakes and Smartbro

2007-08-28T13:14:00.000+08:00

I made this birthday invite for a friend on her birthday next month. I'm into cupcakes lately and I love Andrea Victoria's Cupcake Princess digital kit. I love how the browns and pinks look great when combined. Yummy! Makes me want rush to the nearest Go Nuts Donuts for their oh so delicious cupcakes! :)

On a sadder note, Smartbro sent us 2 repairmen to replace our antennae in the hope that our internet connection will go back to normal speed (when I say normal speed, it is by third world country standards!) In the end, the same repairmen told us to just switch to PLDT dsl or any DSL provider since there's nothing they can do with our speed - it is Smart's cellsite that has the problem - OVERLOADING. It can just accommodate up to 40 Smartbro subscribers but at the rate of their new installations is going, this will really be the case. Huuwhaaaatttt??? So it means that if I stick with Smartbro, I'll be paying Php988 for a connection speed of 53kbps???!!!!! Now, that is what I call CHEATING THE CUSTOMERS! Goodness!

Haaay, sorry for venting... but I just have to let this out or else....baka isang araw na lang pasabugin ko cellsite nila! ;)

My mojo is back!

2007-08-24T07:36:00.000+08:00

No, I don't have a Chiuaua just like Sam Witwicky. My mojo in scrapbooking is finally back! I made 2 layouts this week and 1 mini album but I cannot show them here yet.

The first layout is for Round 2 of Scrappin' Moms Idol Challenge. The 2nd layout and mini album will be uploaded soon. By the way, I made it in Round 2 and off to Round 3! I just hope I'll have enough powers for this round coz I'm having sleepless nights thinking of what to do next. And if ever I get to sleep, its still in my dreams!!! Waaahhh!!!

Some of you may not understand what I'm talking about but for a scrapper like me, I make sense! haha! I better start my entry for Round 3 today so I can get it off my mind for next weekend's Wedding Expo at the PICC Forum. Next week will be invite designs & website. I enjoy doing weekly challenges even if sometimes it really cracks up my brain & nearly gives me nosebleeds! It makes my (scrapping) life more exciting!

Ok, back to work....Happy Friday to everyone. Long weekend so have fun creating memories!

-airees-

Not too SMART...

2007-08-22T09:03:00.000+08:00

Haay! Its been 2 weeks since we started experiencing sloooooooowww connection from SmartBro! I already called their customer care hotline but our connection is still the same. Image, 53kbps???? Hello????!!!!

To add insult to the injury, I had NO MORE connection for the last 2 days! When I called up their hotline, no one answers and its just their irritating background music that will keep you company until your phone bill shoots up!

So why am I here posting??? I just found out that the cable connecting tot he antenna was disconnected! I remembered hubby mentioned that when he and Loui went outside to close the windows, she got tangled with the cable.

I have connection now but still 53kbps!!! My goodness! It will take me ages to upload pics to my clients, my family plus the fact that we are paying almost 1 thousand a month for a slower-than-dial-up speed, THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!

Can anyone recommend a "better" provider??? :(

Just a couple of new creations...

2007-08-19T07:37:00.000+08:00

I have been busy with scrapping for the past 2 weeks but that does not mean I was not "working" on my hobby-business. :)

I am now beginning to realize that it is worth my investment the machine cutter I bought early this year. We have a fast turn-around time in our production not to mention we have streamlined most of our processes, from paper inventory to assembly. The only thing I was not able to do this week is to continue my website. I did some tweaking on the graphics & most of the pages are now in their "correct" size and format. My target this week is to work on the gallery and I am ready for the upload. That is.... I have to finish my article and layouts for this week's challenge! :)

Meanwhile, here are some snippets of the invites that we made this week:

Today is family day and some girl bonding with my friends. Will be back tomorrow (and back to work even if tomorrow's a non-working holiday. yeah, that's how it is when you are self-employed! ha!)

Round 2

2007-08-17T21:02:00.000+08:00

Yesss!!! I made it to Scrappin Mom's Idol Round 1!

Whew! It was really a challenge for me - making a layout with just cardstocks and no patterned paper! But honestly, I really thought I am not gonna make it coz all the other contestants are REALLY GOOD, AS IN!

But this is the beauty of challenges - they make you think outside the box! For me, I am being productive, scrapbooking-wise. :) But of course, my other creative "job" (if you can call it a job, for me, its passion and still is) comes first. At least, I have another creative outlet when my brain gets tired of designing invites, I can redirect my thoughts in preserving my family's history. Talk about hitting 2 birds with one stone. :) I love this hobby!

But the EXCITING part was when I checked my email, I was surprised to see some girls congratulating me! "For what?", I thought so.... So when I opened the emails - Wow! I was the Joy Uzarraga's (guest judge) Pick of the Week! What really touched me was her comments and reason why she picked my layout. She took time to read my journaling & she got my "reason" behind that cherry blossom tree I made. Thank you, Joy!

So, 27 of us are off to Round 2. This week the challenge is to just use 1 color on the layout - be it carstock, patterned paper, embellishment, paint, etc.! Wow! Will I survive this round??? I don't know. I feel like my nose will bleed as I think of what to do on this round. haha! :)

Meanwhile, I would like to share with you another layout I made after my Scrappin Moms Idol entry. I promised myself to make at least 2 LOs everytime I pull out my scrap stuff and make a mess, para sulit ang pagkakalat! haha!

Lastly, thanks to Alby for nominating me for this:

Just as the rain...

2007-08-09T10:23:00.000+08:00

starts pouring in, my creative juices start flowing in, too! Thanks to the encouragement of friends and a challenge I am slowly getting my groove back. If not for hobby-biz, I will still be scrapping today, haha! But I also need to take care of my biz because it supports my scrapbooking & the people working with me.

I managed to finish my entry for the Scrappin Mom's Idol contest 1.5 hrs before the deadline. I guess my brain works faster and efficiently when there is a deadline! hehe. After uploading my simple layout (this is all I can squeeze from my brain!), my office is a mess - lots of stuff lying around, strips of paper, adhesives, ribbons! Haay!!! All this mess for just 1 layout???!!! So, I decided, I'll take the day off from work and just scrap 1 more or even 2 para sulit naman yung kalat ko! Maybe this is one thing that keeps me from scrapping - I hate cleaning the mess, putting back my stuff to their places. If only I can just leave all my stuff as is without having to worry about my kids messing up with my scissors, adhesives, papers....haaayyyy, I can scrap anytime the creative juice kicks in!

And so I made another layout - pics from my kids' Halloween Party in school last year. I got to use my supplies that have been there for quite some time. I only noticed that the sticker border is shorter than 12"! Nah, forget the OC-ness! My kids are happy when they saw the layout and to me that is the BEST PART of all!

A BIG THANK YOU to all who emailed me, left msg on cbox & gallery for encouraging me to scrapbook and continue working on my website. Salamat po!!!

And how about my website???? I didn't work on it since last Saturday (went out of town with hubby & friends for 3 days) and have not touched it since then. That is why I scrapbooked - to take a break from what happened and to recharge. But I'm not giving up...will work on it again soon.. no one else will do it for me anyway. :)

I wanted to cry.......

2007-08-02T20:28:00.000+08:00

In fact, I am sobbing as I type this blog. :( huhuhu... After working on about 28 pages and 6 days, I just found out I made a terrible mistake on my website!!! I used layers instead of tables and now I had to resize almost everything, reposition and tons of copy/pasting to do to display it correctly. Most of the pages were not done from templates so I have to edit it one by one.... I feel so stupid but what can I do? I took up a 2-day Dreamweaver course 5 years ago and just "re-learned" it last week? waaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! yoko na!!!!

So I guess I won't be uploading my new site tomorrow....its impossible for me unless I plan to kill myself. Sorry.....

:(

After 5 years...

2007-07-31T21:27:00.001+08:00

I will finally be uploading my new website this week!

It took me a long time to decide whether to have it done by someone else or not. I've inquired some web designers in the past but I'm afraid I will just give them headache because of my ever-changing concept for my site. Believe me, every year, I come up with a new design for my website, make a few pages but never got to upload it! Its like, I wanted to have this and that feature but I end up with the same website. Then I realized its like scrapbooking - its impossible for me to have my scrapbooks done by someone else! (and hubby agrees! :) )

Finally, I decided I needed to do something about it, right here, right now. So last Friday, July 27, I started working 12 hours straight doing my first few pages. I like the design better - simpler and more manageable.

Take a peek of my home page. I will upload it (finish or not finish, pass your papers!) by Friday, August 3.

So this is what keeps me quiet these days...no scrapping, no Monday mosaic. I am dead serious on finally uploading my website. :)

Monday Mosaic

2007-07-23T20:07:00.000+08:00

I'm back with my Monday Mosaic. Been busy for the past week with drafts & designs...busy and tired but I felt productive...just don't ask me about my scrapbooking! Zero, wah, nadah. :(

Have you realized that July is almost over and just one month and it will be the start of "ber" months??? Next thing you know 2007 is over. So far, what have you accomplished or for the past 7 months? :)

(Top-bottom, left-right)

Row #1

(1) Going through some paper samples sent to me by Kichi Inc. who I met at the National Stationery Show. They've got really nice printed Japanese papers :); (2) Tried a contemporary design for a Save-the-Date card for a client. This is not digital though - layers of handmade paper & photo; (3) Our new product offering for give-aways: digitally-designed handmade ref magnets - I combined digital design with handmade materials to come up with a small but useful give-away for any occasion...one that will not gather dust in your home. ;) (4) New sample for a client with additional translucent vellum overlay

Row #2

(5 & 6) Finished invites for a client and now ready for delivery; (7) Invitation design for an 80th Birthday for a new client; (8) Bought myself Bob Ong's 2nd book - "Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino" - spent my Sunday afternoon laughing out loud till my abs tightened! Such a good book with lots of (common) sense for every Pinoy! :)

Row #3

(9) Got my Dud a copy of (again) Bob Ong's 1st book A B N K K B S N P L Ako! I'm sure he'll have loads of fun reading this hilarious-but-with-sense book. (10-12) Some pictures taken last Saturday at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio. Its our first time to there and we tried Cupcakes by Sonja. For me, it was a bit sweeter than Magnolia Bakery in New York City where Sonja apparently worked and got the idea.

Row #4

(13) Got 2 new magazines to read this week! Haay! Kelan kaya ako makakapag-scrapbook????!!!! (14) I read Pottery Barn's catalog which I got last April for some ideas on our new booth design for Wedding Expo Phils. in September. Eye candy! (15) Made some sketches for our booth at the Wedding Expo. Now I need to find someone who will make this into reality! (16) I bought a shirt & blouse at Just G. & Penshoppe last week and their tags caught my eye. Cute color combos and I like the texture of the Penshoppe tag. Lately I noticed my mug beside my printer is overflowing with tags of shirts, blouses, & pants that I bought for the past months! I'm thinking of making a mini album for these. :)

That's it, pansit! :)

Have a great week ahead of you!

No Monday Mosaic this week...

2007-07-17T11:00:00.000+08:00

Been busy for the past days, replying to my email backlogs and designing.

A funny conversation between my 2 kids while playing spiderman game on the internet last Sunday:

coy: "How do you do that???" (tells my 6 y/o son to my 5 y/o daughter)

lui: "You just ipit it! You know, ipit the keyboard!!

Filipino: Ipit (in English = press)

Haha! :)

On Autumn and Aging

2007-07-12T18:00:00.000+08:00

While I was taking a picture of a new design for my client, I noticed the beauty of a pressed maple leaf that my Dud sent me from the States. You see, every fall season in the US, I ask my Dud to send me maple leaves (pressed between pages of a magazine) for my invitations! The first time he did that was when he was at Central Park in New York. He told me that he got some stares from the people around, maybe wondering if he's crazy or having Alzheimer's! I was touched by his experience because he did that for me even if people thought he was crazy. :) Behind that maple leaf, is my father's love for me and his support to my sometimes-crazy ideas.

But yesterday, a different thought crossed my mind. As I look at color of the maple leaf, I began to think about aging in people. Our youth is as vibrant as the green leaves of a maple tree in spring. But as we age, the color of our lives become richer just as the maple leaves turn to a shade of yellow to orange to brown and deep red. It may not be full of energy as the green leaf but the changing shades represent the phases in life that we go through.

By autumn, these leaves will eventually fall just like when we reach our old age, our body will deteriorate. But it doesn't end there...by this time, the color of a maple leaf is deeper and that makes autumn, autumn just as our lives are now richer, deeper and as colorful as the autumn leaves.

For May...

2007-07-10T09:04:00.000+08:00

This is for you. I hope this helps. Amateur video courtesy of my nanny. :)

Tell me and I'll forget;

Show me and I may remember;

Involve me and I'll understand.

Chinese Proverb

Monday Mosaic

2007-07-09T22:25:00.000+08:00

Happy Monday! Just want to share with you another mosaic I made today. I'm loving these mosaics coz it makes it easier for me to share snippets of my life through these pictures.

(Top to bottom, left to right):

(1) A draft of the invitation we are working on this week. Don't be deceived by the looks of this invite... "nakukulot ang buhok ko jan!" or lets just say, it is challenging. :);

(2) Sunday morning (July 8), I let Loui play on my laptop. I was browsing the MOMA site (Museum Of Modern Art) when she saw an interactive tour of the Museum. So I let her browse the site while I try to read. I was surprised when she showed me the "collage" she made! She spelled out her nickname "LOUI". I printed it right away and showed it to her dad. We were both amazed at how such a young age, she is showing signs of great interest in the arts. :)

(3) I managed to read 3 past issues of Creating Keepsakes that I haven't opened since May! Great stuff! Lots of inspiration! I'm having an inspiration overload! Now I really got to work on my scrapbook! So much backlog!

(4) Finally wrote my TO-DO list for the week (and month) on my "new" Starbucks planner. How can I resist buying this collectible for just Php150 even if its half of the year already?! Even my practical hubby also got one! Besides, an idea popped in today on what I can do with this planner that will last for a long time. ;)

(5) I'm soooo loving this site! Makes color combination so much easier!!! Eye candy, too! I'm beginning to think about what paints to use on our walls; the cardstocks that I'm going to use on my layouts. :)

(6) Started out this week with paying the bills. My mom used to remind us when we were young not to pay or shell out money on Mondays for some superstitious belief. But for me, its like making things right at the start of the week, don't you think? :) At least I got a rebate from Digitel. :)

(7) A friend commissioned me to dress up my kraft letters as a gift for her friend's son who will have a birthday party this coming weekend. Will post the finished product after.

(8) Made sketches for 2 new clients so I can finally make the samples for them plus the other one pending by tomorrow. Need to finish these by Tuesday.

(9) I gave Loui a new set of pastel pens for her Spray Art and she played with it this afternoon. I can see that she is becoming a freestyle artist. Way to go, Loui!

We ended that day watching the Transformers (again!) this time with the kids. I love Bumblebee & Optimus Prime! :)

That's it for now. Have to rest...tomorrow's a busy day for me.....

Checked!

2007-07-05T21:17:00.000+08:00

This year I saw myself accomplishing a lot of my to-do's on my 101-things-to-do-before-i-die list. Its not that I am being morbid here (although I am!) but somehow the list keeps me focused on what I want to do in my life...how I want to live my life the way God intended me to be. Hindi po ako nagpapakabanal dito pero sa sarili ko, ito ang mga bagay na sa aking palagay ay magiging makabuluhan ang buhay ko. (In English: "I don't intend to be a candidate for sainthood but rather, this is what I think my life would be more meaningful.")

It's been a year since we last sorted our stuff (especially the kids' clothes, toys & some books) and packed them away for charity. I've been wanting to donate our stuff but I wanted to give them to an orphanage since I know the babies and kids will really need them.

When I came back from my trip, I promised myself that I will do it now - not next year, not when I have some spare time. Plus, I wanted my kids to learn at this age that it is OK to give and not always to receive and that they are blessed because they have parents and the orphans don't that is why we need to help them.

I learned somewhere that there is an orphanage in Tagaytay run by nuns. I just didn't know where. So I searched the internet and found an article by Ms. Deedee Sytangco about the Agustinian sisters that take care of abandoned babies. I emailed Ms. Sytangco and she gave me the contact person and number of the orphanage.

So I called up and got to talk with Sr. Carmen & Sr. Yoly and asked them if it is ok for them to accept donations like used clothes and toys. They said that I am very welcome to do so and they really appreciate it. So we scheduled our trip to Tagaytay this afternoon with 2 of my staff and my 2 kids. I briefed them earlier why are we going to the orphanage and asked if it is ok with them to give away their toys. They were excited!

We traveled through heavy rains & thunder! It was burning hot in Laguna when we left though. The sisters texted me to drive slowly and that they are praying for our safe trip. :) With that and my prayer before we left the house didn't leave a room for fear that something might happen to us.

We met Sr. Yoly and the 22 kids with ages ranging from 3 weeks old to 8 years old. They were already having early dinner then and some just arrived from a nearby public school. My eldest son shared his dinosaur book with the older girls while my little girl just kept quiet. I guess she was overwhelmed by the number of kids and she knows that they don't have parents. Maybe a lot of things are going on her mind so I just let her be.

Sr. Yoly shared bits of stories of how the kids end up in their care. One smaller-than-a-normal-2-yr.-old boy caught my attention. He was so small. Sr. told me that he is a son of a 12 year old girl! Whaaatt???? I cannot imagine how someone, not even a teenager, would bear a child. INCEST. I was shocked and I can't help but feel sorry for the girl and the baby boy.

Some of the kids were abandoned after birth in the hospitals, one was found by a streetsweeper along a sidewalk left alone by her parents, there were twins left by the parents who cannot feed them. A 7-month old boy is waiting for his mother to serve her sentence in correctional. These and some stories I only thought I'd only see in TV opened my eyes to reality.

We couldn't stay longer as it was getting foggy outside. My son wanted to play some more with the kids but I only told him we will come back again some other time. It was a short visit but it was meaningful in a lot of ways: I checked my list; my kids and staff were able to meet the kids and spent even just a little time with them; our stuff were put to good use rather than left in storage to rot; and just as we are blessed may we be a blessing to others as well. To whom much is given, much is expected.

Monday Mosaics

2007-07-02T18:33:00.000+08:00

I'm starting the 2nd half of the year with Monday Mosaics - random photos that give a peek into my everyday life. I'll make this a weekly thing for me (hopefully!)

First 3 rows: some designs I finished last week for 6 clients. Last photo was taken this morning when we were packing the invites for delivery tomorrow.

Last row: I wanted to show my Dud how his orchids are "still alive" with beautiful flowers. 3rd pic are piles of cut-sized handmade papers ready for printing today. Last photo is my new "baby" - an HP Colored Laser printer - now we can print COLORED on translucent vellum!

Still got tons of work to do, my office is not that messy anymore but I still lack space for my stuff (I'm still working on it....). Zero scrapping activity....I'm soooo inspired with all the layouts of Iris, Pia, Ria, Cabbie and the rest of SE & PS scrapbookers but I just don't have the TIME right now. :(

I've been tagged!

2007-06-27T12:36:00.000+08:00

Oooopps, Christine V. tagged me.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

So here it is....7 Random Facts About Me

1. I cannot sleep unless the bed sheet is crisp, no wrinkles and tight-fit onto the bed.

2. I don't eat foods with ketchup and/or mayonnaise.

3. I practically live on Post-Its (and it should be the 3M brand of Post-Its) - they are my "expanded memory"!

4. When I was in 3rd year HS, I baked 1,000 pcs. of macaroons to supply the JS Prom in my mom's school. I bought my first Tretorn sneakers from the money I earned from that venture.

5. I am a rightie but I can only wash the dishes using my left hand to hold the sponge. Same with opening a Coke bottle.

6. I cannot swallow a pill or my vitamin supplements without any food (esp. chocolates).

7. I have a "101 things to-do-before-I-die list".

There you go.... I enjoyed reading other friends' random facts. I'm tagging Ria, Pia, Iris, Au, Donna, Joanne & Cabbie. I guess they have all been tagged already but it was fun getting to know a little bit of them. :)

I'm on a creative rut!

2007-06-18T16:32:00.000+08:00

Been sluggish for the past days...with migraine attack & mounting (s)crap stuff in my office, my mind cannot work properly! With designs and proofs to submit to my clients, I need to find some "inspiration". But where???? I don't know. Tagaytay is always on my mind for the past days, I don't know why. I want to hike, run, walk, whatever! I miss my long, tiring walks in the streets of NY!

Anyway, its been a daily "ritual" for me to visit my favorite blogs especially Ali E. And this is what I learned from her: to make a mosaic. :)

Now, this makes me want to CREATE again.... Hopefully on my next blog entry, it will be an exciting one.

"Live life creatively."

Good to be back home...

2007-06-08T07:59:00.000+08:00

I arrived safely on June 3, 530am via PAL. It was a long and tiring 15-hour journey but all worth it. Had interesting conversations with 2 of my "seatmates" during the flight. I believe all the people we meet everyday, even for just a few minutes or hours, are meant to leave a mark on usin one way or another...

Anyway, after 3 hours, I'm off to the 2nd day of Philippine Wedding Summit as an exhibitor. Rampa ano! Thanks to my ever-supportive husband & staff who took my place during the first day. The fair went well but really, I am dying to come home and take a rest! Around 5pm, I began to feel sleepy because of the change in my timezone but with my husband to keep me from sleeping, I finished the fair wide awake. haha!

I "declared" this week will be a "No Work" week! I want to spend some time with my kids especially that my daughter just turned 5 last June 5. But with all the unpacking and putting everything in its place, I think it became an unofficial work week instead!

But I'd like to take the last 3 days to slow down a bit...need some R&R to recharge and get back to the groove for we have lots of projects in the pipeline...need to do some overhauling in our systems and product development. So bear with me...will be back by next week.

I love this shot of a sample I made while in the US. I love how the stone served as a backdrop of my invitation.

It's Final.

2007-05-23T10:54:00.001+08:00

We will be at the Philippine Wedding Summit on June 2-3, 2007 at the NBC Tent, The Fort. 10am-8pm

I will arrive from SFO on June 3 at 5 in the morning. I will be at the fair by Sunday. But on the first day, June 2, my staff and ever supportive husband will be there.

On-site booking will be accepted on both days but I suggest you book on the 2nd day so I can personally attend to your invite specs. We can always discuss the details even after the fair.

We are giving 20% discount for ON-SITE booking for 100pcs and above orders plus freebies. 10% for 50-99pcs. invitations and/or missalettes. We only require Php2,000 for the booking fee deductible on the balance.

We hope to see you there!

Event Update - Some changes....

2007-05-17T08:53:00.001+08:00

There has been a change in our upcoming events. I decided to withdraw from the Philippine Wedding Summit due to our tight production schedule and my flight. We have to prioritize our production schedule and the quality of our products so we will be at the Wedding Expo Philippines September 2007 instead.

But we will be at the

SCRAPFEST on May 19, 2007 (10am - 5pm)

at the Makati Garden (along Pasig River - Guadalupe going to C5) by Scrappin' Moms

This is one event you cannot miss!

We will be selling our own line of Altering Items & Handmade Organizers such as kraft letters, accordion albums with matching boxes, photo cubes, flip-flops boxes, our Pampered Crafters (rotating tool caddy), 12x12 vertical paper holders, and handmade journals. Please see below:

Contact Number Update

2007-05-15T11:12:00.000+08:00

To all those who have been calling our Manila line for the past lines surely wondered why we don't answer the call. Our phone line just kept on ringing on the callers end BUT ITS ACTUALLY DEAD on our side! Thanks to PT&T - after the super typhoon Milenyo (September 2006), they DID NOT bother to fix our line after numerous calls to them!

We apologize to all our clients & inquries for this problem. We finally have our new MANILA LINE so our Manila clients can call us locally.

Manila Line: (+632) 429-4832

Just blog-hopping on a Friday night....

2007-05-12T13:18:00.000+08:00

I just had a nice chat over dinner with my cousin. Its the first time we were together since the day we were born! She grew up in the US and I in the Philippines. It was nice. It IS memorable for me. After all these years, I can say, we ARE cousins. :)

Oh well, when I came home to my sis' house (after I almost knocked on the wrong house! silly me, I still cannot remember my sister's house!), I just wanted to scrap or make some cards for the silent auction next week (a volunteer work for me at my nephew's school fair). But when I checked my blog, I got some hello's from a few friends. So I blog-hopped and enjoyed reading theirs...it is good...there's always something that you learn from each other....

I got this from Raissa's blog. Thought maybe I'd try it for myself and look what I've got:

You Should Be a Painter

You have the vision, patience, and skill to bring your unique visions to canvas.And you're even tempered enough not to cut your ear off in the process!

What Sort of Artist Should You Be?

At least now I know that I am not just "maARTe" to be an artist...maybe its really in my blood. :)

And here's another one that I like...its ME talaga, hehe!

Your Birthdate: March 21

You're a restless rebel with an unpredictable nature.Bright but unbridled, you tend to seek out wild experiences over new ideas.People are frustrated by your great potential, but you love your unconventional life.You're a heartbreaker. People get attached to you, and then you're gone.
Your strength: Your thirst for adventure
Your weakness: Not taking time for slow pleasures
Your power color: Hot pink
Your power symbol: Figure eight
Your power month: March

http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/">What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!!!

"Live life creatively."

I'm off to National Stationery Show in New York

2007-04-25T12:22:00.000+08:00

I feel like I'm working at a call center in the Philippines. Why? With a 15-hour difference in the Philippines and here in Northern California, I have to be awake in the evening to "work" with my staff - send drafts and designs, wait for approval of Philippine-based clients, confirm production. I usually sleep at 12am here (3pm in the Phils.) and should be awake by 630am to catch my husband by 930 Phil. time. When he sleeps at 12am (9am US time), I'm up and about to have breakfast and then resume my work like designing and emailing the sketches to my staff so the morning after, they have it already! So its like just 6.5 hrs of sleep!

But its pretty well that way, saving me from insanity of missing my family, home and my country terribly! Yes, I miss the Philippines - even if I'm just almost 2 weeks here, I already miss the traffic, pollution, hot weather. I miss the turon, popo, ensaymada merienda that we have everyday with my staff. I miss how I can go to SM easily or just buy watermelon on the roadside. Walang ganyan sa States!"

I'm staying a bit longer coz I am off to the National Stationery Show in New York on May 20-23, 2007. No, I am not an exhibitor (which I hope in the future), just an attendee, but I am so excited to be here! Its all about papers & stationeries - a must-attend-to fair for an invitation-maker like me. I hope to bring home lots of new finds and tons of inspiration from there. Its an eye-candy! I just hope by that time, the weather will be be friendly to this tropical Pinay. :)

For the meantime, work is still the name of my game....my therapy. :) I do go around and see places but mostly during weekends. On weekdays, its telecommuting. :) After this blog update, I'm off to work on my website and the upcoming Philippine Wedding Summit in June 2-3 at the NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Will give you more updates soon.

"Live life creatively."

"Walang ganyan sa States!"

2007-04-25T11:18:00.000+08:00

I finally had the time to update my blog! Been very busy even after the Wedding Expo in Pasadena, CA. But let me give you some comparison about the wedding fair in the US and in the Philippines.

I truly admire Pinoys' ingenuity when it comes to design and innovation. In every Wedding Expo I've joined, the venue becomes an elaborate display of Filipino suppliers' creativity! Ang galing! It's not that I'm bragging...I am just at awe at how really creative Pinoys are! Each and everyone of us...its in our blood...we just have to nurture it and show it to the world. :)

I don't know about American Wedding Fairs here since I haven't attended one, but I will only make a comparison between the fair I joined here in Pasadena and the Wedding Expo Phils. in the Philippines.

One disadvantage of Filipino suppliers from the Philippines is that we cannot bring a lot of stuff to decorate our booth. Like myself, I have to limit my stuff to just 1 balikbayan box since I still have to make room for my clothes on my luggage. I have to hand-carry my laptop plus a client's invitation order! Though, it may look as a disadvantage, but I consider it also as a CHALLENGE for us to make do of what we have. Anyway, in my case, I managed to bring most of my designs and just displayed them on 3 albums and a tarpaulin to hold some of my recent designs. That's it!

It was not as festive as in the Philippines....though I guess, its the first time to have a Philippine Wedding Expo here in the States, we cannot expect the same huge crowd in the Philippines...that is why I said it was not as festive as I expected.

For invitations, people here are used to just choose from the designs that we have. When they knew that we custom-design, at first, they thought that we are expensive! Its because IT REALLY IS expensive in the US to have a custom-designed invite plus it is HANDCRAFTED! So I had to tell them that this is how we work and that we are very affordable especially that their $$ have better mileage than our pesosesoses.

Other Pinoys think that we might have different prices if they order in the Philippines than here. They think that I might charge more in $$. Of course not! Its not the way I work and think about money. Same price, wherever.

Anyway, the 1st Philippine -Los Angeles Wedding Expo was a good exposure for Pinoy products, not just mine but for others as well. I hope this will not be the last but just a beginning for the Filipino wedding suppliers to shine globally. :)

Been busy....

2007-04-05T21:32:00.000+08:00

I have lots of things to blog about but have little time to do so. Sorry.... Will post new pics of my designs soon.

Been busy preparing for our first Wedding Expo in the U.S. by Lavish! Events - "From this day forward..." The Lost Angeles-Philippine Wedding Expo in Pasadena Convention Center, California on April 14-15, 2007. Will regularly update this blog to keep you all posted. Meanwhile, you can still email me for your inquiries at imaginovation@yahoo.com. If you want to see our samples, our Manila Showroom is at:

The Meeting Place/Lily Flower Boutique
EDSA Shangri-LA Hotel, West Entrance
1 Garden Way, Mandaluyong City
Mondays-Saturdays 9am-6pm
+632-6345564 / +632-6345563

Will keep you posted!

"Live life creatively."

What Kind of Intelligence Do I Have?

2007-03-30T16:33:00.000+08:00

While taking a break from my work, I chanced upon Ria's blog. Its partly correct for me but I tell you, I will never be a good dancer nor an actor. A firefighter, maybe in my next life! :)

People say I am creative...but for me, I believe we were all born CREATIVE. Its just that when we grow older, we tend to look at things logically - like there should be an explanation for everything.

In high school, I was "influenced" to take up Computer Science since that was the "trend", so I can go abroad and earn $$. In high school, I excel in Math and so I believed Comp. Sci is for me.

I never thought I'll have Math subjects in all the 12 terms (4 years) or so in my course until I saw my course flowchart! But I did still pursue the course until the day I put up my own business while doing my thesis that I realized I should have taken Business Management course or Fine Arts since I was already graphic designing then! I wanted to shift courses but my parents will kill me. I only have 12 units left in Comp. Sci.

But I guess, the "artist" in me triumphed over the "logical" part of me because I am here - designing invitations, product development and scrapbooking! I just happen to realize that I am indeed creative after spending 12+ terms in Computer Science!

Bottomline is, do what you love to do. Life is not a straight line but a series of straights & curves, ups & downs, swirls & doodles that if you put it in a painting, it is one interesting portrait that is uniquely yours.

Your Dominant Intelligence is Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

You are naturally athletic and coordinated, good at making your mind and body work together.
Sports are fun and easy for you, especially those requiring good hand - eye coordination.
There's also a good chance you're a great dancer, or good at expressing yourself through body language.
You learn best by doing, and you feel like you've always got to be moving (even if it's just your hands).

You would make a good athlete, physical education teaches, dancer, actor, firefighter, or artisan.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

"Live life creatively."

Finding My Place Under the (Philippine) Sun

2007-03-19T21:57:00.000+08:00

A friend of mine texted me last Friday morning (March 16) telling me that he saw me on the Inquirer. Ha?! I was surprised! "May napatay ba ako?!", I asked. "Hinde. Andun ka sa 'the person above-mentioned is no longer connected with this company!", he joked. :)

So, I drove and looked for the nearest newsstand to buy myself a copy of the Inquirer. And yes, there I was! It IS ME. I didn't expect that the article would land on the Inquirer. The correspondent, Ms. Donna Virola, interviewed me on the last day at the last hour of the Tagaytay Bridal Fair last Feb.26. It was NOT planned. She just happened to pass by Brahma Kumaris's booth and there she noticed my booth. She asked my staff where I was and when I came back, next thing I know is that we are having a conversation under the stairs!

It was a hush-hush interview plus she ran out of battery on her digicam after snapping 2 pictures of mine! She just told me that the article will appear on a CALABARZON daily and might be on the Inquirer. That is, if PDI will choose it.

Among the 3 articles that featured me (ME Magazine, Feb. 2005; Entrepreneur Phils., Sept. 2006), this is the one that captured the WHOLE OF ME. From my sago't gulaman days to macaroons, to my depression, it is ME. And I am not ashamed to let you know that that is how I started. :)

I received emails, calls and SMS from different people that day telling me how they were inspired by the article about my simple beginnings. I am happy to know that somehow my story inspired some people and has given them hope that THEY,TOO, WILL FIND THEIR PLACE UNDER THE SUN.

You can view the article online at http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view_article.php?article_id=55151

Airees
"Live life creatively!"

Vcoy's 6th Birthday

2007-03-14T20:40:00.000+08:00

We were not able to celebrate Vcoy's 6th birthday last March 10 because of the Wedding Expo. However, we had dinner at Mall of Asia together with the "hunnies" & "tita" at a Chinese restaurant. When we asked him what gift does he want for his birthday, he just asked us to play with him at Timezone. What else to play but Jurassic Park!

He absolutely loves anything about dinosaurs. He somehow graduated from "Thomas and Friends" but I know Thomas will always be his first love. :) We also gifted him a dinosaur skeleton toy which he also loves. His birthday was not as grand but we know that he enjoyed his birthday.

But... he also asked us if he can celebrate his birthday with his classmates. And so right after the Wedding Expo, Tuesday, we had a small party together with his classmates and teacher in school. It was simple...just packed snacks with spaghetti cooked by yours truly, chocolate cupcakes, baked lovingly by Ate Let, hotdogs & marshmallow, juice and chocolate lollipops which were made by Ate Cathy & Kuya Toto. :) Vcoy personally asked for a Red Ribbon Chocolate Mousse for his birthday cake. I just bought a safari cake decor (no dinosaurs available) and we just put 2 small dinos from his toys! Daddy sponsored the cake. We all had fun making his birthday special in our own little way.

Last week, I "played" with Photoshop Elements and tried to make his birthday invites. I enjoyed using it... so easy... much easier than Photoshop CS though it has lesser features but OK if you will just edit pictures or make a digital scrapbook layout. Here is my try in making a digital invite using Elements:

After making the layout, transferred it to my flash drive and drove myself to the nearest Fuji - wahlah! Done! Made my life easier. :)

Wedding Expo Philippines 10th Edition

2007-03-08T19:06:00.000+08:00

We are on the last preps for the biggest, most comprehensive & longest-running wedding fair in the country "Wedding Expo Philippines 10th Edition". May we invite you to come and visit our booth and see our newest collection and our bestsellers.

And in celebration with the event's 10th Edition, we wanted to make this wedding fair truly SPECIAL: we are giving not just 10% but 20% DISCOUNT (for orders of 100pcs & above) for ON-SITE BOOKING PLUS a very useful FREEBIE and 25 pcs. PERSONALIZED & EMBOSSED THANK YOU CARDS with ENVELOPE.

Even if you order less than 100pcs. (at least 50 though), you will still get 10% DISCOUNT and our freebie.

In case you cannot book on-site, you still have until December to order from us and you still get 5% DISCOUNT. Walang talo! :)

And why should you consider us to make your invites?

- Unique = No 2 handmade paper sheets are the same thus each invitation possesses uniqueness from the paper up to the embedded materials.

- Handmade = each invitation is lovingly done by passionate artists with no formal training (but full of passion!) to bring out the "person" in every creation. It is time to give premium to handmade creations. Why? Because these are done by people, not machines!

- Environment-friendly = our papers are TREE-FREE, meaning, no trees were cut to make paper. They are made from waste cogon grasses, salago & abaca which is abundant in our place of production. Production of paper is monitored by the DENR to see to it that the process does not sacrifice the environment. We are committed to sustainable development and to taking care of our environment.

- Social Responsibility = When you order from us, it is not only us that we benefit from your payment but also the people who are working to make the handmade papers and their families. You provide them a livelihood to alleviate them from poverty. And when you patronize our Philippine-made products, you fuel the growth of MSME's (micro, small & medium enterprises) thus, improve the Philippine economy.

We may not produce the smoothest or embossed lettering nor the perfect invitation, but we can assure you that each one is lovingly done by hand that is really made JUST FOR YOU with the hope that you will also learn to appreciate Pinoy products and be proud of it!

See you at the Expo!

Airees :)

"Live life creatively!"

Another Try at Digital Scrapbooking

2007-03-06T19:21:00.000+08:00

I love scrapbooking! Its not just the yummy papers and embellishments but the STORY behind the pictures. I feel that I have the responsibility to preserve our family's precious memories so that my kids and future generations will know who we are and how we lived our lives in our time.

With "traditional" scrapbooking, I use acid free papers & a thousand and 1 embellishments! You can ask my fellow scrapbookers and for sure each has her own story to tell - from hoarding scrapbooking supplies to having her own scrap room, to scrap challenges and EBs.

But now, I am trying my hands on digital scrapbooking. All elements such as papers, ribbons, and almost all of the embellishments we use on traditional scrapbooking also have their "digital" counterpart. They are equally YUMMY! ;) - the only thing is that digital is FLAT - you cannot feel the ribbons nor the textures of the paper. But feeling flat doesn't mean seeing flat. A lot of digital designers are now making real-life elements that you can hardly tell it is digital.

I made my first digital layout last year. After that, nah... I just lost the momentum. I still wanted to work with my hands getting all the glue and paints all over... to have all the paper scraps under my table but in the end, a physical layout for my family to enjoy looking at.

But when I tried using Photoshop Elements, hmmm... I had second thoughts. With its easy interface, even a novice scrapbooker can start making digital layouts in a jiffy. So without further adeu, here are 2 of my layouts (they are just kits though I added a few touches):

Credits to ShabbyPrincess.com Olivia digital kit (1st pic) and twopeasinabucket.com for the 2nd pic). Photos taken by me & V (they are our guinea pigs! thanks c & m!)
Hopefully next time I'll do better than these 2. :)

One satisfied client, one happy me!

2007-03-02T14:42:00.000+08:00

I got an email this morning from my client in Australia. I was surprised to know that she already got her invitations which I sent last Tuesday. Thanks to FedEx's efficient service, the package came right on time (1 day earlier pa!) and it is in good condition. :)

What made me happy is the email she sent me:

"Hi Airees,

I received the invitations and mass booklets yesterday. I have to say, that you did a marvelous job with them.. Calvin and I both love the invitations and cant wait to start giving them out tomorrow :)

Also, the colour ended up being EXACTLY what I had in mind and it matches my theme perfectly so thank you so much for that.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to tie the ribbon! Calvin and I were practising last night but we just couldn't get it to look like the photo you had sent..We might need to practice a little bit more ;-)

Thanks again and it was great doing business with you :) - Natasha Peters"

More than the money that a client pays for my invitations, it is the TRUST that I really am thankful. As for Natasha, the trust she gave was enormous - she fully paid before the production started and to think we haven't met personally and she is NOT a Filipino. Truly, I am at awe with people who still give their trust even online. And for that, I am thankful and happy.

....Life is good to me today..... :)

Brown - the new black??

2007-03-02T14:09:00.000+08:00

Mid-year of 2006, I began my "love affair" with the color brown. You can practically pair it with any color like pink, hot pink, aqua, sky blue, orange, gold, apple green, ecru, to name a few. At first, some people it is odd and not fit for a wedding motif but guess what? Brown (or Espresso) is now one of the color trends for 2007.

I just finished this tri-fold invite in brown and green. Actually, the color motif is espresso, gold and green. We had the paper custom-designed by adding some gold threads. I like the way it turned out and I am happy that the bride & her family is satisfied.

Our signature beaded butterfly in gold beads and wire added a the final touch for this invite.

Somewhere beyond the sea....

2007-02-28T19:28:00.000+08:00

Just a quick post.

While I was cleaning my office (so I can finally start working on new designs! I need to do this... I can't seem to concentrate if my office looks like there was tsunami!), I pulled out my laptop and played this song. It lightens my load somehow and puts a smile on my face....I don't know why....it could be the beat or the lyrics...whatever it is...it is all GOOD. :)

Beyond the Sea

Somewhere beyond the sea

Somewhere waiting for me

My lover stands on golden sands

And watches the ships that go sailing

Somewhere beyond the sea

She's there watching for me

If I could fly like birds on high

Then straight to her arms I'd go sailing

It's far beyond the stars

It's near beyond the moon

I know beyond a doubt

My heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet beyond the shore

We'll kiss just like before

Happy we will be beyond the sea

And never again I'll go sailing

I know beyond a doubt

My heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet, I know we'll meet beyond the shore

We'll kiss just as before

Happy we will be beyond the sea

And never again I'll go sailing

No more sailing

So long, sailing, sailing, no more sailing

Good-bye, farewell my friend, no more sailing

So long sailing, no more sailing

No more, farewell..

No more sailing

I hope you are all well. Its so depressing knowing people important to you or to your friends are sick. If you can, please whisper a prayer for them, so they may be all well in God's grace.

Thanks.

Plum + Gold = Elegance

2007-02-27T08:35:00.000+08:00

2 weeks ago, a classmate of mine in high school contacted me to make her invitations. When she came up with her motif, I knew it will make an elegant invitation.
She wanted it simple but elegant. Sometimes, people see handmade paper as very casual or informal and they don't think it will make an elegant invitation. But I want them to look at our paper in a different perspective this time....I love how the dark shade of plum blended with gold - it made the gold beaded butterfly stand out all the more!

For the accents on the left side of the invite, lately, I'm into pearls and laces because I see them as symbols of elegance, of royalty. And since I'm a 3D person (I can't stop myself from adding something 3D on my invites! It feels "bland" and flat if it has no 3D embellishment.)

My old number is back!

2007-02-27T08:12:00.000+08:00

After 5 long days of calling Globe's customer service and believing that they will restore my line immediately, I passed by The Hub yesterday. They just found out that SM City Sta. Rosa Globe Business Center entered a WRONG (as in a totally different number!) serial number from my SIM! I swear, if I have a heart problem, I'd die on the spot! Their customer service couldn't explain what's wrong with my SIM and always promises that my line would be back. If I had not gone to the Hub, I'd be waiting in vain and lots of lost clients!

Imagine what carelessness (or stupidity for that matter!) can do.

I thank Mr. Lloyd Santos of The Hub Glorietta for bearing with me. Even before I flare up, I told him not to take it personally. I am just pissed off with the person/people who entered the wrong serial number BUT I told him it is unacceptable for me to wait another 2 DAYS for the sim to get activated. NO WAY!

So, he went back and called up their Engineering Department and within 30 minutes I have a signal! I guess sometimes it pays to be the "other side" of Airees at times like this. :)

So, this is my OTHER number (though I am still keeping the 521... for the meantime, just in case...) +63917.8132821

I hope this will be the last of the not-so-good 3's that happened to me last week.....

I wish you all well.

TEMPORARY MOBILE #

2007-02-25T08:28:00.000+08:00

My mobile phone was stolen at the Asian Hospital where I was confined last Monday-Wednesday. I was undergoing an EEG test at the lower ground when the incident happened. Someone entered my room and stole my phone. Long story....

Anyway, you may contact me thru this number until Globe restores my old number into my new SIM which is taking them sooooooooooooooooooo long! Isa pa yang Globe na yan! 4 days na wala pa din signal SIM ko!

Here's my other number: 0917-5214688

I'm off to Tagaytay for our last day of Kasalang Filipino 2007.

Kasalang Filipino 2007

2007-02-22T23:58:00.000+08:00

I am inviting all of you to come and visit our booth at the Kasalang Filipino 2007 at Tagaytay Country Hotel, Olivarez Plaza, Rotonda, Tagaytay City on February 23-25, 2007 - 11am-8pm.

We will showcase our new designs for 2007 and some of our bestsellers. :) Special discount and freebies will be given for on-site booking.

Lastly, may I invite you also to the Wedding Expo Philippines 10th Edition on March 10-11, 2007 at the PICC Forum, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

Dressed Up Monograms

2007-02-22T22:48:00.000+08:00

I was invited by a good friend, Iris of SparkUp Planners, to hold a workshop at the Glorietta Homezone Area last February 17. I worked with one of our products, the naked monograms and dressed them up with patterned papers, acrylic paint. But this time, Iris suggested that I include some pictures to extend the use of the monogram further - as a photo decor.

I used the frame die cuts-to-go by K & Co. and some too-small-shots that I have of my daughter. These shots were put to good use since they just fit right to the frame.

This project is so easy to do. You might want to try them. These are perfect unique gifts for your loved ones. Just get a naked monogram (of course, from us!), some acrylic paint (for the sides of the letter so you wont have to cover it with patterned paper), patterned paper, and some embellishments.

Trace the naked letter at the back of the patterned paper. Remember to mark each side of the letter with 1 or 2 and its corresponding number on the patterned paper so you will have the exact pattern for each side. Cut and set aside.

Paint the sides of the naked letter first. Don't worry about getting the pain over the front and back side of the letter since you will cover these with patterned paper.

When dried, adhere the traced pattern to the corresponding sides. You may want to use sand paper on the sides to make the edges smooth.

Embellish!

Thankful!

2007-02-22T12:23:00.000+08:00

I am finally posting the journaling I made on my layout for the MLA Challenge. I deferred posting it coz I still have to know the results of my tests. And now that I can say I am fine - there's nothing serious about my health (just have to learn to manage stress so it doesn't add more pressure to my cervical spine), I want to share with you the "things" I am grateful for.

But first, I want to thank all of you (you know who you are) who prayed for me during the time that I was in the hospital. Now I know I have a long way to go to fulfill God's plan for me and to take some time to slow down and relax and "literally smell the flowers" to appreciate more of this life. :)

Journaling:

February 18, 2007 - I am doing this layout a day before I undergo several tests at the Asian Hospital tomorrow afternoon. I will be staying there for 2 days to finish all the tests and hopefully be home by Wednesday. I don’t know what will happen next nor what the results would be.

I was advised by my neurologist to undergo MRI to examine my brain! I’ve been suffering from what I believe a migraine for about 5 years now but 2 years after I fell from the stairs, I had a “regular” migraine attacks and stronger intensity running down to my right shoulder. I finally had the guts to have myself examined by a neurologist after I realized that I have my kids to take care of and I needed to be alive for them! :)

As of now, I don’t feel anything except the nagging pain on my neck. I only think that the tests will just be a routine check-up and I will be fine. Perhaps, I am not that afraid yet, for I know God has the ultimate plan for my life and I know that He knows my kids need me for now...

But, My Little Attic’s challenge to make a layout for myself and what are the “things” I am grateful for INSPIRED me to make one. Funny, one thing that crossed my mind to make this layout is that if ever I’ll undergo a surgery or what, and I might have to lose my memory, at least I have a record of what I am grateful for and what the heck I am doing in this life! :) Yeah, I know, I am morbid. But its not impossible, right?

So, to my family, whatever happens to me and my memory, remind me of these 3 “things” that I am forever grateful to have:

ALBUMS - Its not the album per se that I am grateful but what they contain: my family, friends and the people I worked with, the relationships I have with them, for the lessons in life that each one taught me and for that, I have become the person I am right now.

INVITATIONS, BOOKS & MAGAZINES, TOOLS - They symbolize the talents that I have that God gave me. And because of this, it has become my passion and the passion led me to create works of art that I get to share with the people around me and has somehow brought joy and inspiration to them. I am grateful for the life I live right now because I have developed my self-esteem, found my own place under the sun, and my self-worth.

FAITH - Without this, I am nothing. Over the years, my relationship with my Creator has helped me go through what life has given me. I may not express my being a Catholic as much as other people would do, but the personal relationship with my Creator has been my source of strength - the reason for my being - and to Whom my life should be directed upon. It is a process and I take it one day at a time.....

Entry to MLA's Challenge

2007-02-19T12:48:00.000+08:00

Just a quick post before I take some time off.

A layout about what I am grateful for. My journaling is hidden on the trifold pocket (too long!) but it is written from the *heart*.

I wish you all well!

EDITED: Layout and journaling above.

Tamang senti lang po....

2007-02-18T08:41:00.000+08:00

Just a quick post here.

I love songs.... though sometimes the songs don't love my voice, I love how they touch you in your deepest emotions that sometimes you just don't know what words to express.

from the song Everything I Own by Bread:

"Is there someone you know, you're loving them so, but taking them all for granted? You may loose them one day, someone takes them away, and they don't hear the words you long to say?"

from one of my all-time fave song What a Wonderful World:

"I see babies cry, I watch them grow, they'll learn much more that I've ever known. And I think to myself: What a wonderful world!"

"Live life creatively."

Hapi Nyu Yi!!!!

2007-02-18T08:28:00.000+08:00

It's Chinese New Year here in the Philippines. Though we are not Chinese (just Chinese-looking) we also take part in some of their traditions like wearing red for luck, fruits on our table, eating Tikoy and some fireworks, if ever we get to buy. :)

I've been reading (and following some) Feng Shui tips for quite some time and I guess it helps. I've read somewhere that Feng Shui is not a religious thing - it is more of scientific - harnessing the energy around us. But of course, even if one has a house full of Feng Shui paraphernalia making it to look like a store in Binondo, one cannot expect luck if he does not do good things especially to other people. Its just like Karma - there is no good or bad Karma - just Karma - "do unto others what you want others do unto you"; "the more you give, the more blessings to receive". That's simple, right? :)

So, to anyone reading this blog - I wish you well - good health and wealth, healthy relationships and most of all, may we all become better persons this year. Hapi Nyu Yi! :)

Fresh Upload, New Project

2007-02-08T11:21:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone! I would like to invite you to drop by MyScrapworks.com - we've got lots of new articles and to-do projects for you.

Try it! :)

"Live life creatively."

Done!

2007-02-05T20:19:00.000+08:00

I've been busy for the past days working on new designs for clients, meetings and ordering supplies online, thru SMS and taking a trip to DV (Divisoria)!!! Thank goodness for technology - ordering some supplies thru SMS or online and just have them delivered thru Air21 is more cost-effective and saves me time and energy.

Anyway, I am just glad to finally finish working on 2 designs for 2 clients. Though I still have more to do [2 of my friends will kill me if they read this because I haven't showed them their invites! ;) ], I felt relieved that I am done with these 2.

This is just a sneak peek of the invite for this "Victorian" bride. She has an eye for design and she loves a "lavish" design. She knows that the invitation is what gives her guests the first impression of her upcoming wedding and she wants to make sure that the guests will have an eye candy once they receive her invitation!

This 2nd invitation is quick. Even though inner invitation design (not shown here) is a bestseller, this is the first time I am working on these combinations and papers for this design. Still, I can say that the invitation will be uniquely-made for this couple.

Time to work on my next....

"Live life creatively."

My new "babies"

2007-01-31T09:03:00.000+08:00

No I am not pregnant nor I have adopted a new "little monster"! :)

I knew sooner or later we will have to get this "baby" and I guess now is the right time. As new projects are due this month, we are faced with a situation - our "suki" cutter informed us that they will not be able to service our cutting and trimming needs because they are busy. You know, the printing presses are busy churning out tons of paper (poor trees....) for ballots and campaign materials because the national election is gonna push through in May. And so the day I dreaded came...

I had to make a quick decision. With hundreds of invites due and none of the papers are cut, production cannot move. Our clients are gonna kill me! :) So I called the sales agent and ordered my "baby".

I broke the bank for sure but its a HUGE relief for all of us because this baby really cuts through. Now, we don't have to worry about scheduling of cutting and I don't have to travel 30 minutes just to get to the cutter taking away 2.5 hrs at least of my time just watching and praying the cutter makes an accurate cut! We now have a faster production and turnaround time because this baby. She just sits here and ready anytime we need to make a clean cut!

For my other bebe, we've been eyeing this one since last year but we just couldn't afford it yet. I guess even in making real babies timing is just as important. Haha! And there you go! I am typing away this blog on my new bebe that I can bring along with me when I have meetings in Manila and still work on my vintage website@work in between. And hopefully, this bebe will be a big help on my work!

And so these are what I call my new babies! (minus the diapers, milk and poo!)

Airees
"Live life creatively."

Looking back....

2007-01-31T07:47:00.000+08:00

I've been neglecting this blog for the past weeks. Its not that I don't like to blog but I just don't have the luxury of time to sit down and put down all the thoughts that I've been meaning to share. Since January 1st, me and my staff are busy working on new projects, planning out new products for scrapbooking and my upcoming exhibit at the Wedding Expo Philippines 10th Edition on March 10-11, 2007. The whole month of January, we managed to finish quite a number of invitations for our January(!) and March soon-to-weds. We didn't expect it because last year was not as busy as this January used to be!

Despite the adrenalin rush we are having right now, we are more than thankful for all these blessings God has been giving us and the TRUST given to us by our clients. I've been designing a LOT of invites this month and I'm quite excited that my creative juices are finally flowing after a long hiatus! :)

But as I, together with my staff, face 2007, I can't help but look back to what 2006 has been to us.

2006 has been a good year for us. On the business side, we got quite a few media exposure - being featured in Entrepreneur Phils. magazine, September Edition was a dream come true for me. It is something that tells me that I am doing the right thing and I know I have a good business with a lot of passion - for people, nature and my country.

On being featured at ABS-CBN's Kabuhayang Swak na Swak, it was a happy experience for all of us. From the taping here in our home-office, to the hush-hush interview to seeing myself on TV much to the delight of my families in the US, it is something that I am thankful for.

From the list of my 2006 goals, I can say that 80% of those were accomplished. The remaining 20% (website upload, more scrapbook layouts, exercise) is carried over to my 2007 goals. :) Among the accomplished goals, we joined 2 Christmas bazaars that I can say we earned substantially though not taking into account the stress and physical toll on me, but at least I learned a lot from that experience especially on product development. It also caught the eye of SM Management and offered us a space at any SM branch I want. But I didn't take the offer, not now. I still want to do something first that would make me venture in malls. It takes a lot of time, energy and financial resources to put up a branch in a mall and as of now, I feel that I still have to work on these 3.

Just before 2006 ends, another answered prayer came upon. I was invited by a newly-established one-stop wedding resource center at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel to be one of their 2 invitation suppliers. I now have a "Meeting Place" for my clients and a 6-day a week showroom for my invitations.

In between the success and blessings we had in 2006, we also encountered a lot of challenges. I was twice denied of a US B1/B2 visa simply because my parents and siblings are in the States! What a lame reason! I lost 2 BIG opportunities because of that!

One is to attend the Winter CHA (Crafts and Hobbies Association) which I am a member as a Professional Crafter. It was supposed to be an ocular inspection to see if I can exhibit on the Summer CHA to launch our handmade paper products from the Philippines.

Next, I was not able to join the Kasal Pilipinas Bridal Fair in San Francisco, CA which I am one of the exhibitors sponsored by the Philippine Consulate in SF,CA. I lost the opportunity to market my invitations for which I know will be a huge potential waiting for us.

But all these things I accepted as God's plan for me. Its not yet my time... but I do hope I'd be given a chance to promote our Pinoy products abroad because I know we have an edge...not just MY products but for all PINOY products. We should be given a fair opportunity and should not be denied simply because of one US consul thinks a Filipino businesswoman will never come back because her family is in the States!

Airees
"Live life creatively."

Yes, I'm back!!!

2007-01-18T07:32:00.000+08:00

I'm running out of a catchy title for my post! :) But I really wanted to update you so I'll post anyway!

I guess the title still applies on me...yes, I'm back to my old self again after having been through with the creative rut, my mind is overflowing now with designs, plans, I barely can catch up! I like the feeling...makes me feel productive.

The 5 designs on my previous post were all done. I'm on my next batch of 12 new designs but I only have 3 more to go! That's the reason why my blog hasn't been update for quite some time...busy working on my projects. Even with my emails, I barely catch up with them but this is one area I'd like to work on.

Here's a sneak peak of one of the designs I made. Will post more soon.

One down, five to go....

2007-01-05T13:49:00.000+08:00

This is how my work table looks right now. :) Been working on a few designs for my clients. My creative juices are slowly kicking in and I love the feeling!

The bride-to-be wants a simple yet elegant white invitation for her upcoming wedding. She wants an all-white type but I told her we don't have a pristine white handmade paper because of the nature of our materials. Instead, an off-white, or pearl white.

At first I thought it's quite challenging because I love mixing and matching colors and to be confined to just 1 color and white hmmm...... not my type. :) But I'm willing to give it a try. Here it is: plain off-white handmade paper backing with 64gsm white translucent vellum overlay, organza ribbon with silver edging accented with 5 faux pearls at the center. Envelope is off-white handmade paper embedded with granules & crushed capiz shells. I want to give the invite some dimension & texture so I used this. Size is 5"x7"

I wanted to give the bride another option so I made another sample using the same materials except the wire replaces the ribbon. This is 6"x8".

That's all for now. Gotta work on the next 5 designs. I need a little caffeine fix. :)

Airees :)

A Promise Fulfilled....

2007-01-03T10:20:00.000+08:00

I'm still on a creative rut eventhough I'm excited to start designing. How's that possible???! I don't know! But to get things going, I tried working on a promise I made to my son & daughter - that I will make each for them a journal.

They always ask me for papers to draw onto and we end up having lots of them! I wanted to preserve them but I'm afraid our house will be full of papers 5 years from now! And when they saw my very own journal with my monogram, they also wanted to have one but not just the monogram...but their names!

The 2 journals (green & fuschia pink) were on top of my work table long before Christmas - untouched. :) Last night, I decided to finish them so they'll be surprised when they wake up this morning. And they did! Loui likes it so much she has her drawings on it already. I'm glad they like what I did.

This morning, I finally uploaded the design for a client. I hope she'll like it. I'm off to 3 meetings today.

It's back to reality.

Airees :)

"Live life creatively."