Eternity by Kaklei Designs

Love is in the air! And with it comes Valentine-themed kits! I remember it was around this time last year when I got into digital scrapbooking. How time flew!

Anyway, here is a new kit from Kaklei Designs:

 This kit contains 10 papers (3600x3600, 300dpi, JPEG) and 36 full-sized elements (300dpi, PNG).

Available here:

Digidesignresort

And here is a layout I made using this kit:

For lack of better photos, I had to dig up our old engagement photos for my Valentine layouts. And yes, I meant "layoutS" with an "s". There will be more of this type of layouts coming soon! And more Valentine kits to go them too :)

Princess of China from Mariscrap and MaChabine

Image is linked to store.

Image is linked to store.

Exclusively available at:

Scrap From France

Here is a layout I made with this kit:

Cool Releases by Mandy King

I said cool... I should have said "cold" ;) Here are a couple more winter-themed kits from Mandy King:

Image is linked to store.

Image is linked to store.

Image is linked to store.

And here is a layout I made with the Please Freeze Bundle:

As usual, Mandy's new kit is filled with adorable elements. I just love that melting ice frame and the crocheted flowers frame.

Eternally by Valentina's Creations

February is approaching and it's that time of year to bring out the reds and pinks and everything sweet! This kit from Valentina's Creations is just the perfect blend of sweet and whimsical and vintage to scrap your precious photos.

Includes 100 elements (plus 19 shadowed version) and 24 Papers.

All items are made in PNG format, 300 dpi. The papers are JPG files, 3600 x 3600 pixels, 300 dpi.

Available here: Valentina's Creations Store
Here  are a couple of layouts I made with the bundle:

Scrapbook

If you are into digital scrapbooking, have you had a chance to check out the Studio's 5000 Facebook Fan mini kit freebie? They are giving a really pretty winter-themed mini kit to celebrate and are hosting some challenges using the mini.

I made a layout for their Non-Winter Layout challenge... but I missed the deadline! I guess I forgot to note that the end of the challenge was last Wednesday and not the end of January. All good though, I had fun working on the mini and here is my layout:

Elements from Winter Ice collaboration mini kit from the Studio

Anyway, it's the 4th weekday of me staying at home and you know what I realized? I miss talking! Andrea is at school and then stays at my mom's all afternoon after school, our nanny is with her, and my husband is at work. That leaves me with no one to talk to all day. For 4 days! *sigh* On a good note, I was able to get some parts of the house clean, YEY! I made a note to myself that I will use this time off wisely. My goal was to clean one part/section of the house, AND finish one craft project per day. But I underestimated the state of mess my house was in... it's actually taking me one whole day to clean one section of the house. It took me a WHOLE day to finish cleaning and organizing the wall bookshelf. And I have another bookshelf just as big and just as messy and cluttered and dusty in the spare bedroom.

Ok, back to cleaning. It's Friday! And even though I am home all day, I do look forward to the weekend. I will have someone to talk to, YEY! (And I'm seeing some friends too!)

Template Fun

Since Scrappity-Doo-Dah closed, I've been lurking at different forums, trying to find a new digital scrapbooking home where the challenge style fits my interest. One of the designers I CT for has a store at Scraptakeout so I try to join some of the challenges there.

Their style is a bit different. They give you points for all layouts you scrap that use a certain percentage of their products. They also have a couple of challenges but they are hosted on their blog, not on their forum. I tried to participate in their Template Fun challenge this month and made this layout:

I used Mandy King's Bring It On bundle for this layout:

Image is linked to store

The photo was taken from our trip to the Durian Garden at South Cotabato last December. I was about to upload my layout when I checked the rules again and ooops! I was supposed to use 75% Scraptakeout products to qualify for the challenge points. So I made another one:

Elements from Renewal kit by FranB Designs, Template by Dagi's Temp-tations

If you like the template, it's made by Dagi's Temp-tations and you can get it free from Scraptakeout's blog here.

New releases from Mandy King at Gottal Pixel

 All images are linked to the store.

Visit Mandy King's store at Gotta Pixel to check out her other amazing products!

Here is a layout I made with one of the Splittin Up Templates and Spunky Sweet kit:

Pandalicious by Mariscrap

This adorable and fun kit contains 22 papers (3600 x 3600, 300 dpi, JPEG), and 109 elements (300 dpi, PNG).

Available here:

Scrap from France
Digidesignresort

 Visit the store to see derivative packs from this kit or get it as a bundle to get big savings!

Here is a layout I made with the kit:

And here is another one I made using the borders pack and clusters pack:

Last Day

Last Friday was my last day at work.

Elements from: Change by JenC Designs, Template by JenC Designs

The future is a little uncertain but after almost 6 years of being with the same company, I feel it's time for a change.Change is good.


I made this layout for Gingerscraps' Template Challenge for January 16-31, 2013.

Day Off at the North Pole by Studio4 Designworks

Here is a winter collection that will help you showcase all of your winter fun at it's best! Who doesn't love getting into your winter garb and getting outside to enjoy playing in the snow. Skiing, sledding, snowball fights - all giving you lots of fun and tons of laughs. This kit contains elements of animals, helpers at the north pole, decorative ferns, flowers, icicles and snowflakes to help you create those special fun winter day layouts! The unique papers create a perfect winter backdrop for all your winter photos.

The kit contains 16 papers all 300 dpi, 12" x 12" JPEG format. It also contains 56 elements created as 300 dpi png files. Also available is a 14 paper add-on pack, so be sure to check that out as well. Shadows are for preview purposes only. S4O/S4H/PU.

Available at Studio4 Designworks store:

the Studio

Digidesignresort

goDigitalScrapbooking

Here is a layout I made with this fun kit:

Happy scrapping! :)

Remembering Happy Times

Tip for when you're feeling a little down :) 

When I have nothing better to do (actually I do have a LOT of things I SHOULD do but was not in the mood to do them) I browse the picture folders in my laptop looking for inspiration for future layouts. Here is another find from my grandmother's album.

Elements from This is the Year mini kit by Studio4 Designworks

That little girl is my mom and the 2 little boys are my uncles. The lady with them is my great grandmother. This is a photo from my uncle's 1st birthday. One of these days, I will scrap the photos from MY first birthday. LOL.

I made this layout for the Studio's Less Is More Challenge for January 2013.

Zippered Crochet Purse with Lining

My sister bought a small portable sewing machine last year. You know, the one being sold on the TV Home Shopping channel? I don't think she uses it though. Because for small sewing projects, she still asks me to do it for her.

Case in point.

Pretty huh? Love the colors. She made this crochet purse and wanted to put a zipper on it. I told her it needs a lining first before we can put the zipper in. She said she didn't know how. I said I didn't know how too. The first time I ever sewed a zipper on a project was for my Old Jeans to Bag project. It wasn't perfect. I ended up doing the job for my sister's crochet purse too. It, too, wasn't perfect (hence, no close-up photos of the lining and the zipper, LOL).

So is there a special sewing foot I need to make sewing zippers easier???


(and someone needs to learn how to use her sewing machine! otherwise, just give it to me!! LOL)

Color Me Photastic - Vol.2 by Dagi's Temptations

There is now a second set of templates for those layouts with big photos that we all love to print! Color Me Photastic Vol. 2 by Dagi's Temptations is now available!

Available here:

Scrap Takeout

Here is a layout I made using one of the templates in this set:

Sadness bundle by Valentina's Creations

Two weeks ago, I applied for a position on Valentina's Creations CT and I got accepted! Whooo hoo!!!

I mentioned before that I only apply for a CT position to designers that I admire (and I don't always get accepted, mind you, there are a LOT of talented ladies out there!). In Valentina's new bundle, Sadness, you will understand why I am so happy to be part of her CT:

And the best part...

Beautiful, and on sale until January 19, 2013.

Here is a sample layout I made with the kit in this bundle:

RAK for Cecille :)

Contrary to the kit's name, I used a very happy photo of my godson TJ and my good friend Cecille. He smiles like that now. Andrea smiles like that now. So is this a phase??? I hope they get over this soon. It's cute though :)

Time Avenue

Whenever I get a sentimental kit, I automatically go to my grandmother's scanned photos for inspiration.

Elements from Time Avenue add-on, collaboration by Designs by Brigit and Feli Designs

The photo is old and faded but I was able to restore some of the color using Photoshop. The color of my grandmother's dress matches the colors of the kit! I love it when I find photos that match the kit. LOL.

I made this layout for the Studio's Featured Designer Challenge for January 1-15, 2013.

Mandy King's Opening Sale at Gotta Pixel!

Today is Mandy King's grand opening at Gotta Pixel and she's celebrating with a 40% sale!

Get this fabulous grab bag too for only $5 from January 15 - 22, 2013 only.

Mandy King also released a new kit with her grand opening. Get "All Things New" at 40% off during her sale period.

Grab the bundle and you get 64% off!

And here is a layout I made with the bundle:

I'm Cute

Back in 2006, my niece Sefia would cup her cheeks in her little hands and say "I'm cute". She definitely was.

Fast forward to 2012 and we have...

Elements from Myuki's Poem by Marie, Template by Seatrout Scraps

I think it runs in the family.

I made this layout for Scrapbook Bytes' first Template Challenge for January 2013.

Revisiting Durian Garden

Back in 2007, my sister-in-law and her family took my husband and I for a visit to the Durian Garden in South Cotabato. And I never realized how long ago that was until now, when I am writing this post and had to check the date of that previous visit. Anyway, it's a garden where the main attraction is... you guessed it! Durian! They even have this cafe where all they serve are Durian ice cream, Durian pie, Durian candy, and a whole lot of other Durian products. 

I'm not overly fond of Durian and its smell, but my husband  is forever trying to turn me. 

We didn't have Andrea yet when we visited last time, so last December when we were visiting his family down south, I asked if we could take Andrea to visit the farm. And so we went.

Elements from: Happy New Bear by Starry Eyed Designs

Needless to say, I have hundreds of photos from that short trip, most of which I'm sure you will see in my future layouts. 

Seriously, since I started digiscrapping, I feel that I take vacations for the sole purpose of taking photos to be used in my layouts. Do you ever feel that way?!? Addict much.

I made this layout for Scrapbook Bytes' 1st Color Challenge for January 2013.

Enchanted

Elements from Hopes and Dreams Mini by Matilda Designs, and Hopes and Dreams Element Pack by Pixelily Designs

After not seeing Enchanted Kingdom for 6 years, I made up for it by visiting twice last year. Andrea is still too young to appreciate the theme park though. Of all the rides available to me with my all-you-can-ride ticket, we only managed to go to this kiddie train ride. For both times.

Maybe next time.

I made this layout for Gingerscraps' Buffet Challenge for January 2013. I love the colors in this month's buffet products!

Color Me Siggy-licious Vol. 2 by Dagi's Temp-tations

A new year calls for a spanking new siggy! And Dagi's Temp-tations has a new set of siggy templates to get you started!

This new set has frames which will allow you to put photos in your siggy. I love that!

These templates are available here:

Scraptakeout

Here is a siggy I made using one of the templates:

Elements from Just Because kit by FranB Designs

Ready for some sun! Thank you Diane and Firmoo!

Free! Free! Free!!!

You read that right, I got these gorgeous sunglasses for FREE from Firmoo.

SIDE NOTE: I felt really silly while I was taking photos for this post because I'm not one who likes having my photo taken, but I promised Diane so... :)

I was first introduced to Firmoo, the online optical store, when I first read about them from Diane's blog. Diane also mentioned on a later post that the first pair of glasses you order fromm Firmoo is free!

And last December, Diane hosted a giveaway for $20 gift certificates from Firmoo and I was picked as one of the winners, yey!!

I signed up to Firmoo's site and found out that before I could use the $20 gift certificate I got from Diane, I needed to use the first-pair-free discount code first, since that was my first purchase. I picked these yellow sunnies. What can I say, I love color! I tried to use Diane's gift certificate on a second pair I picked (black rimmed prescription glasses) but the store only allows one discount code to be used per purchase so I cancelled the second pair and checked out with just the free pair. If I wanted to use the $20 gift certificate I won, I needed to make a separate transaction and pay shipping fee again for this second transaction. Only the glasses was free (frame + lens). I had to pay for shipping. I could have tried contacting Firmoo to ask if I could combine 2 free purchases into one shipping fee, but I was on vacation at the time and the gift certificate I won will expire before Christmas and I didn't have much time, so I let it go. Getting one free pair was still a very good deal!

I had to pay for shipping which is around P800+ (approx $20) to Manila, Philippines. Still not bad considering the sunglasses I picked was priced at $44.90.

After my payment was confirmed, it took about 2 weeks for my sunglasses to arrive. During those 2 weeks, Firmoo was sending email updates about the status of my purchase. Plus points for that feature! The glasses arrived in perfect condition: packaged properly, no damage, scratches, etc. The sunglasses came with a hard case, a cloth pouch, a cleaning cloth, a small screw driver and extra screws. More plus points for that! I use prescription glasses and if you have been a regular user of glasses, you know how valuable small screwdrivers and extra screws are.

Overall, I am happy with the transaction and am looking forward to shopping for another pair from Firmoo soon!