world of yu'er

How about some challenge?

2011-04-17T17:00:00.006+08:00

Usual Sunday blog hop and found a new challenge blog: Divas by Design, like the sweet flowers on their design and would be happy to try out the new DT call:

3 of my favourite work, well well well, can't decide which three but will be happy to use these:

(1)

"Caught You", one of my favourite using Jenni Bowlin's monthly kit, love the journalling tag and the card, I used glimmer spray on the prima flower!

(2)

"Halloween 2009", a 2 page layout. I took these beautiful pictures right after I got my Nikon D300, my dad always know what and when to give to his daughter, lol. Again, very simple background, to feature all the wonderful costume and makeup for this festival!

(3)

"Log of Fun"using Webster's, Making Memory and MME, of course, along with many sweet treasures we collected at beach!

Thank you for dropping by! Enjoy the rest of the Sunday!

The long waited showcase...

2011-03-13T10:19:00.007+08:00

Every year in March, is the time for JIS's showcase concert, a event that worth waiting and watching!

The rehearsals started nearly a month early with the dancers and the young musicians worked very hard for the week too. The music standard in the school is really no doubt, the orchestra which is made up with music students played whole night! Here are some shots for the show:

This is the youngest member of the orchestra, 10 years old Nathan on the piano, beautiful...

and the young singers from the junior school sang the French song: Vla Bon Vent and my little girl was right there. She is the littlest one there... Later they joined the senior choir, look, how tiny she is ! Here is her sister with the rest of the girls chorale singing "Say a little prayer".

It's a wonderful school event, the theatre was full house for the two show nights!

A week with sketches

2011-02-27T13:32:00.003+08:00

Did my spring cleaning before Chinese New Year, again I realized there are so many supplies that I haven't even used, so clearly set myself a goal: Must try to scrap more in the new year, the idea was at least 1 layout a week. Guess what, I was very good, and actually finished 3 last week!

The layout were all based on sketches from Inspired Blueprints:

#65

I have used my Jenni Bowlin's kit for this sketch, a very simply layout.

#66

Most of the supplies in this look are from making memories 's Je 'adore collection, I also add two rose sticker from BG. I had the picture printed in two type: black and white together with the one in colour, I'm glad that I used the B/W in the look, it fits better!

I like to use sketch from time to time, dont' take it wrong, you still can be as creative as you are to play the sketch around! As for sketch #65, I used the chipboard house to replace one of the picture while as for #66, I just rotate the sketch anti clockwise 90 degree!

I also handed the "never forget" layout to Shabby Chic for the Valentine layout contest, it is really nice that I am back on the track again!!!

storyboard kits sketch

2011-02-19T15:44:00.004+08:00

Discovered this kit club recently, was totally inspired the talents over there and they held a sketch contest, I had to try out especially with the tutorial of the felt flower -- I love felt.

I used Basic Grey's paper, Prima's say it in pearls, American Craft's thickers, Cosmo Cricket's tiny type stickers, Maya Road's pin on this layout. It's a picture of Renee taken on the school "Punk Day" and my little sweet girl turned into a Rocker Punk? lol, anyway, she's my sweet darling.

In the mood of cutting

2011-01-24T20:15:00.004+08:00

As far as I can remember, I like to use scissors, from cutting my doll's dress to cutting mom's tabe cloth... anyway, I just into the cutting!

Chinese New Year is around the corner, hum,hum, the shopping has not done yet though. The last weekend, I did two Chinese paper cutting, which involves a lot drawing and cutting, when I completed the two big pieces, my fingers could't feel a thing, I think I pressed too hard on the craft knife!

But these two pieces made me smile, they looked perfect for my kitchen window:

"Nian Nian You Yu" means abundence.

"Fu Wa Yin Chun" is a traditional picture used during Chinese New Year.

Say Hello to the new year!

2011-01-16T19:01:00.005+08:00

A bit late but better than never, so here it is: Hello, Year 2011!

There are a lot of water this year, it's been raining here nearly everyday since the day 1 of 2011! And you know what, last week I went for my first run in the jungle and it turned out to be a super wet day! As soon as we headed to the jungle the rain started pouring... I will remember that one hour forever seriously! There were leaves and tiny branches in my wet hair, my pocket, don't need mention that I was completed soaked and one leg slipped into a small pond, lol. Really enjoyed it and ready for the next one in two days time!

There are quite a few things I want to do this year, one of them is write more, post more... this is a beautiful place to note the things happened, happening and will happen in my life.

How about to share this one today:

Bought the Babushika from KaiserCraft through Emma's Paperie, the place I love to shop! Well, they have been sleeping in my basket for a year! yes, a year!!! Finally I decided to play with them. I first painted them using acrylic paint color brown mixed with silver. I had a good time to decide how they should look like ( you know I do take long time to think plus the time my girls used ) and made my decision to paint their face like this, sweet , aren't they!

I used the beautiful paper from webster's pages, of course, along with brads and laces, now they are looking at me every day like this.

How I enjoy that my life is filled with little pretty things! So I told myself :

"you need to make more"

Hopefully, I will and be back very soon!

Adore, Grow, Live

2010-06-10T18:47:00.005+08:00

That's what I made using JB May's project kit: it comes with 7 Gypsies' hanging book, JB bingo card and some chipboard shapes.

The pictures were taken two weeks ago when Renee had the Punk day at school, the year 5s dressed as punks to raise money for the much needed children in the country, that week's total amount reached $2800! When I looked at my baby, just couldn't believe how the time flew, she is turning 10 this August! That baby, the little, tiny thing!

Another week nearly gone, 4 more to go till my summer holiday!

2010-06-02T09:02:00.004+08:00

After a straight 8 weeks' term, I welcomed this lovely short break -- it is so great that I wake up these few mornings without alarm clock!

The highlight of long weekend is the beach party at a friend's place in Tutong, we always joke that we feel like that we are somewhere in a beautiful resort: the beautiful beach, the giant pool, the food, the hanging out with great friends... Of course, not to mention how difficult to pull the girls out of the pool, even the man! Well, he decided to cycle to Tutong from our house, which took him one and half hour on the bike! The rain also joined in to welcome his arrival just before the dinner. I forgot to grab the camera at that point though!

Here are some fun moments:

Life is great, isn't it?

More craft time later today, I have a scrapping date with Hilda, will share what we make tomorrow!

Have a great week!

Monday Mood

2010-05-24T17:03:00.008+08:00

The start of a new week is always exciting, especially after this one, I will have a mid-term break!

As I mentioned in the last post, I have more things to share here. My children usually spend a lot of time on their art work, they draw, paint, sketch, colour, they do a lot of stuff at school as well as home. I always have to find more place to keep the treasures -- well, just can't throw them away, can I?

I used to file Renee's art work in big A3 size file, but eventually that doesn't work any more since Rafeeqa joined in. She can start to draw from the moment she wakes up till the minute before she goes to bed, every a few days, I have to sort out the things she has. There always a few pieces of great work caught my eye and I simply couldn't just file them away, kept thinking of ways to display them. Not very long ago, I discovered a few ways to show off the girls art work. Along with the JB kit, I received KaiserCraft's wonderful project items and decided to use them to display the girls work.

Rafeeqa was very into Beatrix Potter's beautiful books and decided to try some by herself. The pictures of the duck, cat, and bunnies were all drawn on to a piece of A4 paper, I wonder how to keep the pencil sketch forever then thought of use the UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) to keep the image into the 3D kinda version and it worked perfectly after I add on some wing and button.

The best thing about Kaiser Craft's display item is that you can use your creativity to transform into anything you like:
I first arranged dollies on the bottom part then used Claudine Hellmuth's multi-medium gloss to make sure they stay. American Craft's rub-on fits perfectly in this frame, not to mention the grass stamp to complete the whole look.

Another one is called Aliah, who is actually a friend of Rafeeqa. My little girl sketched her friend in the woods one day. I laid it on Kaiser Craft's wood canvas and again applied multi-medium gloss to make sure the picture can last forever, for the edge of the canvas I used Heidi Swapp's ribbon. Now these two beautiful work sit outside their room on the desk, as well as the other work by Renee.

I once did a layout called :" Your art make me Happy", I scanned some of Rafeeqa's work and reprint them on A5 size sheet, used a lot of Maya Road's frame to display the work, as if the gallery style, we loved it.

Let children know that they are appreciated and make them create more, do not the imagination stop...

Till then,

2010-05-11T17:00:00.005+08:00

Wow! It is nearly 6 months since my last post.

Let's see, where to start: life is as usual, work, home and the girls...

Scrapping is still where I spend most of my free time, late afternoon before dinner and after dinner; sometimes after putting the girls to bed; weekend whenever I am able to be in front of my table. Many boxes are piling up and the scrapping table is forever a mess!

Sharon was here a week ago and of course we had a great time, not to mention the home cooked food from Bev.

Quite a lot of projects were completed, I will slowly post them up. Today let's see my album for the trip last October:

That's the best memory a little girl could have and I am so glad that I get to know the scrapping world, where I learned to keep memory for my family.

When I am blogging today, I read a story, a sad story of a scrapper: Linda Burnasakorn.

Though we live so far away from each other but I simply could not stop thinking about her. Please read here and see what you can do. Big or small, does not matter, just do it follow your heart.

Have a good day! Till then.

The excitement is not over yet...

2009-11-23T19:56:00.005+08:00

Not to mention the inspiration I received during the whole weekend but also the anxious waiting since the day I knew she is coming...

I still can't believe that Iris was here with us for the past weekend, an exciting, beautiful and technique packed fun weekend. We talked, laughed, scrapped and most of all, been totally inspired!

The 4 projects that she prepared specially for Shabby Chic are beautiful -- I simply have no idea how to describe them, so breathe taking, each of them. The 4 hours each afternoon will be remembered for a long long time, I am sure.
I remember exactly a year ago, Hilda started scrapping and nothing has taken her back since, she is a professional now...

And I have to say this is actually the first time, I finished all projects within the class! Here is one of them:

I was kinda packed with work and slowed down for a while, but guess not any more, after these lessons, I have to get back to my scrapping table and start all over again!!! Thanks, Iris, for the inspiration!

Just a few updates

2009-11-15T13:47:00.003+08:00

First, Shabby Chic's aniversary sales starts today!!! And don't forget Iris's fabulous class is scheduled this Saturday and Sunday, I can't wait any more!!!

Secondly, this month over at Artz de Scrap, the project is taking your breathe away: Candy's design of that beautiful earring carusel! Mine is here:

pp: melissa francis; crystal: heidi swapp and lots of buttons. Anyway, mine more looks like a tower (as per Rafeeqa's words), so this has to go to her table!!!

Enjoy your sunday!

Horses and ghosts

2009-11-03T16:54:00.005+08:00

Yes, that's our last weekend.

Horse riding in the morning and the Halloween Party in the late afternoon.

A very busy, exciting and tired ( for me ) day, but seeing their joy, it's all worthy!!!

18 years

2009-10-30T19:57:00.008+08:00

There are tons of things happened in 18 years for all of us, especially for me. But I didn't expect that nothing has really changed at the place I was born -- Hou Ba, Si Chuan.

I hardly lived there though as my parents sent me off to Shanghai to stay with my grandparents when I was three years old. In 1966, at their early twenties, they left Shanghai to join the service to help the Southwest China, I was born 7 years later.

When I was much older, I recalled all the train trips in summer, which took me 48 hours to meet my dear mummy and daddy. I can remember my parents moved from the tiny house at the riverside to the bigger apartment. Later during my last two years in the high school, I had to leave Shanghai and stayed in Si Chuan to join the national level university entrance exam. But again, I stayed in boarding house in the school, travelled weekend by train to see my parents. After I started university, my parents left that little town, left all the thing behind, that was after spending over 20 years in that little town.

Dad always wanted to go back to see the place especially after mom left us. I know that is a special place just for her and him, and me. After many planning , I finally made the trip with my dad during my recent break.

There are lot of changes in the big cities, but once our rented car entered the small and only road lead to Hou Ba, I realize that nothing really changed. I remembered the bridge, the old hospital near the roadside, the school, nearly everything...

4 hours' drive from Chengdu, after this bridge we arrived Hou Ba.

I can't believe that this little house is still there. This was my parents' first house where I was born. The iron bar on the window was installed by father nearly 37 years ago.

This is the place we lived before we left, now it looked so old and small... but still there!!!

The weekly train ride was never bored coz I couldn't wait to see my parents, I can remember that I usually ran on this road to the staircase that lead to the home. The place was small but very warm.

Almost

2009-10-10T16:15:00.002+08:00

Almost
Almost there
Almost reach my target
after 6 whole weeks
sorting out the new mess
at work
and at home

Missed a lot of things
Hope to be back on the track soon

New and Old

2009-08-31T17:00:00.003+08:00

New: first day of school year, just like what happens each year, a fresh morning to start with and ended up with lost bag ( Rafeeqa forgot to take her school bag home ), missed lesson ( Renee forgot to go to her voilin lesson after school )... well, not really new, isn't it?

Old: some layouts did last week.

Worked on sketch from MME, looks like I am in a double page mood recently.

Sketch from pencil lines, I can never get enough with the webster's pages as well as MME paper, and also love the combination of these two.

Have a great week, everyone.

Party ideas

2009-08-17T09:15:00.003+08:00

Over at the Artz de Scrap, we are altering toilet paper tubes. Ya, the toilet paper tubes, what do you do usually? Throw into the bin, right? Haha, I use to collect them for school projects but haven't done this for a while. So when I was about to start my altering job last week, I was panic that I couldn't find any in the house!

But finally managed to gather 4 last night! The ladies at Artz de Scrap made pretty stuff using the toilet paper tubes and me here, just came up something for Rafeeqa's 6th birthday party -- how about a pirate party?

Here is the treasure box, cut out the cover from the middle of the tube, spray some glitter mist and stuff it with some "pearls ,diamonds".

The pirate set: 2 tubes for the binoculars, one for the treasure map cover.

The whole set I used sassafras lass paper and ribbons from maya road. So what do you think? A pirate party, is not a bad idea, is it?

working with sketches

2009-08-14T11:06:00.005+08:00

I have to say that I didn't really a sketch follower -- I will modify any lovely sketch and sometimes it just turns out to be something differently. But on the other hand, I have to admit to work with a sketch is easier and faster if you have lots of pictures waiting to be scrapped.

Based on the sketches from Inspired Blueprints, I have created the followings:

These were over due since last year, papers are from Cosmo Cricket and Vintage Plum.

I seldom do 2 pages layout but with so many pictures from the Singapore trip, I decided to follow sketch # 26 which allows me to put more pictures instead just one or two.

I converted the sketch #27 into a 8.5 * 11 layout. The prima flower and vine is my favourite.

I am also a follower of another sketch community: Pencil Lines. Recently I have done a few based on their lovely sketches:

I like the last sketch the most, just can't stop looking at the multi layered effect.

Also I finished my kaisercraft's clock using Basic Grey's kraft kuts paper, I am a blue person afterall, anything blue caught my eyes straight away!!

Well, well, can't believe that my holiday will ends in two weeks' time, what can I say...

Altered play cards in Artz de Scrap

2009-08-10T11:42:00.003+08:00

This month's altered challenge in Artz de Scrap is to alter playcards.

The lovely creation from DTs are to be seen here and mine is here:

Don't forget to play alone and submit your entry by end of this month, have fun!

Where have I been?

2009-08-07T12:26:00.006+08:00

Well,well,well, simply being very lazy around.

The trip to Singapore was a pleasant one, meeting up with Sharon, Lia , Kristy and Sal! Besides all the shopping, lessons I had to do , I even managed two siteseeing trips for Renee, she definitely enjoyed the duck tour and the trip to Sentosa. As soon as we landed in Brunei, I was mission full loaded for her 9th birthday: cakes, party packs, food and whatever needed to be done.

I am working on my August assignment from Shabby Chic, I can't describe how much I like the stuff I received, and I finished 2 looks so far:

Till then.

Today

2009-07-24T10:38:00.006+08:00

Thirty six years ago, I arrived as a 7month old premature baby.

By looking at the height of my parents, most of the people would think I should end up over 170com. My dad is 182com and my mum was 168cm, but I concluded my current height was due to the early arrival to this world, lol.

My dad called me two days ago to wish me a early Happy Birthday, he always remembers the date even we are thousands miles apart. I miss you, dad. This was a layout I did 2years ago, to me, he's a forever hero.

He had the hardest time 6 years when my mother was having the cancer treatment, bearing all the pain by himself as he wouldn't want me to know, for me was 7 months pregnant at that time. If I would know ...

She was always there for me if I needed her as long as I can remember. Though there were times that she was not able to, she's still with me in my heart. I miss her terribly every year on my birthday.

I know she is somewhere around and she is with me.

My sweetest Rafeeqa wrote me a letter as the birthday present which I will load in another post later. She was born one week after my mother passed away. I always think she was sent by my mother... I don't know, just have this feeling for all these years.

Today, I looked through all the album and found this:

I am truly grateful for what I have today.

A crazy weekend!

2009-07-13T11:02:00.007+08:00

and I don't have enough sleep!

But it was so fun!!!

Lia makes pretty stuff which we all agree and the butterfly album is so gorgeous, with all the pretty ribbon, lace, flower, leaves and Pink Paislee papers. I haven't completely finish the pages yet as I think I have still quite some things to add in, it's such a beauty!

I went home around 10pm on Saturday and dose off to my dreamland...

My class on Sunday morning turned out to be a measurement and calculation assessment! Many of us were completely lost in the number land, with 1/8", 6/8", 7/8"... haha!

Jackie is always a great help! Look, she's helping new scrapper Jenny to do the cutting.

These two seemed fine with the numbers although Sharon did complain that I should not give them too much measurement in the early morning! LOL.

Our new scrapper was very pleased after she finished the lesson.

Thank you all who came to my class!

The afternoon were filled with food, snack, shopping so by the time for Sharon's class, I was half way out. But I didn't miss anything that she taught, well, I THINK I didn't miss anything! It's called "Get messy with paint" so we suppose to get very messy and it did the best Messy I have ever done! Therefore, no pictures on my camera, we were try to hide all our things away from the table! But I am sure you can check out some here.

I will head to SC later to finish the remaining layout, yes, though I still feel sleepy!

Artz de Scrap - altered storybook

2009-07-13T10:34:00.003+08:00

My first assignment from Art de Scrap is to alter a storybook. I love books, my girls do too, after they finish reading some books, we normally give to their cousins or donate to whoever needs them. I couldn't find anything in the house that I can alter ( or I should say that I want to alter ).

Well, making a book is always a fun thing to do especially when I have all those lovely picture of Rafeeqa featuring Goldilocks! Two years back when she was still in kindy, they played out the story: Goldilocks and the 3 bears. I saved all the pictures and resized all of them to 2R to fit on the pages. I had this idea of making a personalized storybook for her, so this fits perfectly in my July's assignment!

The tree stamp I got from my last trip to Shanghai, just love it! Renee helped to draw Goldilocks and the three bears which were hiding among the trees, I used UTEE for the girl and like the 3D effect.

The book is about 4 * 6" in size, to fit the color "blue and green", I used a lot of paper with this tone and stickers, felt bird from Maya Road, rub ons from Yellow Bicycles and most fun part, I hand cut lots of houses and window. The two girls read it over and over at night which make me smile from bottom of the heart!

So are you ready for this fun project? Gather your stash and set to go!! Do upload your project and send to Artz de Scrap.

Designer's class in Shabby Chic

2009-07-03T13:50:00.007+08:00

I can hardly believe that 7 months has gone since our last designer's class in Shabby Chic! The month long celebration of SC's 2nd birthday was full of fun, discounts, special offer, appreciation presents and games for scrappers and of course, the highlight --- designer's class!

This was the class I taught

You must be wondering what were we doing, cutting, glueing, stamping even some ironing! Yeh, it was a lot of fun, having spent time with these lovely ladies, I missed it!

So here we are again, bring you back Shabby Chic's designer class! Next week, Sharon and Lia will fly in and three of us will teach some classes in the weekend. Mark your calendar and if you haven't decided yet, click on Shabby Chic's link and find out more about the amazing classes.

I will be doing a special little book about "Me", yes, all about yourself. I will show you step by step on how to make a book and it fits perfectly in a box! I was so excited when I finished working on it, it's something very different. I am sure after you attend the class, you might be able to make a lot of different books base on the idea. Sorry, no sneaks, I forgot to take any picture before handed to Shabby! lol.

My dear fellow scrappers, See you next week in Shabby Chic:

Saturday 11th July 6-9pm

Lia Abdullah

Thankful for my blessings

------------------------------------------------

Sunday 12th July 9-12noon

Emily Zhang

Celebrate my life

------------------------------------------------

Sunday 12th July 6-9pm

Sharon Chan

Get messy with paint

Before I log off, I would like to show you something I altered using MME's paper and Maya Road's tin:

Till then!

Something exciting for the coming month: July

2009-06-27T22:02:00.005+08:00

July - it is the 7th month of the year and it is also the month of my birthday.

So it should be a lot of exciting things in the coming month, but first, I need to share with you that I will start to design for Artz de Scrap from this July!!! Follow the link here or click on the blink on the right side of this blog, you will be able to see a place where you can get hands on with a lot of altered projects. If you are with me, someone likes to make stuff, then this is the place you should drop by.

Then, have a look at this:

My Renee's art work which is displayed in the Empire Hotel at the moment. It's a very simple paper art but I am just so proud of her.

As for the little one, I only managed to snap a few of her pictures during the celebration evening, she's out of patient when I took my 5th shot...

Anyway, she is still the cutest doll I have ever seen!

Happy Tuesday!

2009-06-23T07:26:00.003+08:00

I know it's just the beginning of the week, but I sure have many things to celebrate this week!

(1) Celebration of Achievement for kindy and reception in school will happen tomorrow afternoon, guess who will be the little MC?...........Yes! My little Rafeeqa! She will be one of the little MCs, we went through all the words in the car this morning, she appears to be ready! And she will also be dancing tomorrow afternoon, I am so happy for her!

(2) Anual JIS students Art Exhibition's openning will also happen tomorrow night at Empire Hotel. My Renee gave me an invitation Sunday night, as one of her art work will be in the show! Oh, I am so proud of these two little girls and can't wait for tomorrow!

(3) This is for me! I am the plum pick this week over at Vintage Plum website, you can read more follow this link. I am very honored to be part of it, this is a very friendly community, you have to check it out!

Snapped these in the morning:

How about a "Got Orange" look?

Enjoy your Tuesday!

A quick update

2009-06-19T09:19:00.005+08:00

Just 3 weeks more for the summer holiday, yet these three weeks look like the longest 3 weeks in my life, lol.

A few things arrived this week, my prize from Inspired Blueprints for my layout in April, the kit from Gauche Alchemy is so yummy: a lot of vintage magazine pages, bits of this and that buttons, lace, fabric, chipboard, I have been thinking what I am going to do with these pretty stuff:

I made a quick lo Monday night with my JB's May kit, the new line of JB paper based on IB's sketch #23:

other materials used: vintage buttons from JB, milk cap from JB, fabric letter sticker from AC.

Have you heard the exciting news from Shabby Chic? The design team will teach on 12th and 13th July! We have some beautiful stuff to share with you, do remember to book a seat now!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2009-06-07T11:23:00.006+08:00

Just don't know where all the time went...

This is a beautiful Sunday morning, so peaceful in the household, everyone is enjoying their own things.

Rafeeqa of course is busy with her winx club while Renee can't let her DS go even it's charging. The man in the house doesn't want his face to be shown and my space, I have to say that it's kinda messy after a few layouts, lol.

Over the vintage plum, the star search is in its 4th week, for week 3, our bonus is to make a layout for ourselves, I had this one for months which I started in Shabby Chic but never completed. So I pulled it out and told myself that I have to finish it, so here it is:

Also in my stash, I have JB's May kit that I just picked up last week, it's so beautiful as usual, I made two layouts so far:

The first one was based on IB's sketch. I made some paper flower from the kit，which was inspired by one of my hairband, lol.

The second one is very simple, I have to say I like this Basic Grey's letter stick very much, must dig out the old stock and use more...

Got go now, a play date in the afternoon. Till then.

Enjoy my break

2009-05-30T17:30:00.009+08:00

of course the children enjoyed it too. I spent most of my time with the children if they are around I mean. They had playdates in the friends' and our home, we also watched two movies in a week!

And we have a winner for the pencil roll: Haryanie -- please let me know how to deliver it to you and the colour you like.

Shabby Chic's May assignment is one of my favourite: to play with Fancy Pants mixed media album:

I took out one transparency and a chipboard to make this lovely thing to hang on the wall:

I painted the chipboard with MM's paint: oliver mixed with a little bit gold, then add the Heidi Swapp's sticker together with Webster's page's paper. The letter sticker is also from Webster's pages while the rub on is from MM. The two beautiful butterflies are from my Jenni Bowlin's kit.
The rest of the album is all used for this:

Things I love to do -- Rafeeqa

On the cover transparency are a lot of Fancy Pants' rub on, the chipboard mushroom is from Buzz and bloom.

The title of the album is written by Rafeeqa, I just hand stitched the letters and then stitched on the felt. Chipboard hearts are from Fancy Pants and Basic Grey outlined with stickles.

Over the vintage plum star search, we are now at week 3, my week 2's layout is:

Enjoy your weekend too!

A mother's confession

2009-05-22T08:05:00.006+08:00

I grew up with my grand parents, they're two loving person: grandma was a good cook and made sure me and my little cousin were well fed and looked after when we were away from our own parents; grandpa was even a better one, he seldom cook but once he did, you wouldn't want to miss that! He was the big chef for every CNY eve dinner, put on a 16-18 course menu was not a problem at all! He was an engineer and loved to read, I remembered the times that I sneak into our old attic, dug through his collection of books... I enjoyed his collection of Chinese books and English books though I didn't know any English at all then but I simply indulged myself into the smell of these old books and the best of that, I found myself became a treasure hunter. Grandpa loved stamp collecting, he had many different stamps and hid them in his books. While I was browsing the books, they flew out like feathers. I doubt if he had ever remembered it as he had never asked me for the stamps which I keep them safely now in my books.

Away from one's own parents was so painful, but I know they didn't have any choice then. I recall the time I was crying under the blanket for missing mom and dad badly but there was nothing I could do either. I think I told myself that if I become a parent one day, I would never never be apart from my children when they were young.

So here I am, with two children. One of them thinks she is already a teenager... I can't blame anyone for that, lol. She is a very kind hearted girl with great interest in books and music. When I started to work in my current school, I made her to transfer with me. At age of 5 1/2, she arrived in this totally new enviroment, no friend, unfimiliar faces, hearing her complain every afternoon and seeing her wondered in the playgound alone was unbearible, I wished that she could get over it soon. She eventually picked up all the new things and now she is a very confident pupil in her year group, sings in school and plays violin in school's junior ochestra. This year the biggest thing is the Egyptian sleepover, all the children in the year group have been learning everything about Egypt through the year and to end of it they will dress up as Egyptian, have a Egyptian style feast, a talent show and all sleep in school. Dress up is usual for them, they have all sorts of function over the years, she has been all disney princess and refused to be one any more after she turned 7, then became the characters she likes in her books.

She has been practising very hard for this talent show and I worked very hard on her Egyptian dress, at the same time, I worried about her sleepover: can she sleep? does she like the blanket? will she eat the other food? too many to list all down, lol. It's such a joy to watch her growing up but deep down there, she is still my little baby girl, the previous first born.

Tell you the truth, all sorts of thoughts were in my head last night, I sent her to school in the afternoon and went home alone. I knew she would be fine, but woman like me, just worries too much. I came to school really early this morning just wanted to see if she is fine. Well, of course, she is! super fine despite her messy hair and she told me that she missed me a lot! Oh, that's exactly the word I wanted to hear...

Love you always, my darling.

Vintage Plum

2009-05-14T07:31:00.004+08:00

In the mood of playing? Right, that's where I am at now.

There is a Star search going on at the moment here, first week's challenge is Fussy Cut -- one of my favourite! And guess what I did?

Out of my Anna Griffin's paper from Jenni Bowlin kit. I love this picture of Renee which I took when we visit Zoo Negara last December. Also in this layout, I used my Fiskars punch, can't tell how much I love them at the moment!

We will play for a few weeks from now on and in the end of each week, we will vote our favourite layout, oh, exciting, and so fun to play...

I also got so many goodies from Shabby Chic which are waiting for me to create this weekend. And you should pop in their blog here, OMG the new arrival of websters' page, prima flower and many many more...

Just a few things on my mind

2009-05-10T18:44:00.009+08:00

If you have realized that it's been so hot lately, I tried to stay at home as much as I could. Not to mention during the week days, hid from sun after school and also in the weekend, stay under my cool roof... But we had a black out on Wednesday and all of us were all wet when it was back on.

I miss the other seasons.

I had this in my head for a while and it's long enough to get all the materials ready by this Saturday, so I sat in front of my sewing machine, cleared out dust of course then started my work. Rafeeqa had a play date in the house, I baked and sewed! Just when the other mummy came to take her girl home, my project was ready!

It now houses Renee's colored Stabilo pens.

I bought 30 pattern paper from Shabby last week and enjoyed 30% discount. The majority are MME's paper which I was reluctant to get at its usual price, but now, I have so many to play with, made these with MME paper for a contest:

It's still on till end of the month here if you wish to join too.

I often ask myself what I like the most about internet, after many careful thought and I think these are the thing that makes me happy:

(1) not only the news and information but also the inspiration which I gain from web surfing;

(2) lost and found -- interesting, isn't it, I lost contact with people over the years and the internet helped me to find them. It is amzing, I have to say.

How about you? Leave a comment till 22nd May (my last school day for term 2) and I will draw a winner for the same pen roll above but with a color combination of your choice ( red + blue or pink + green ).

Inspired Blueprints

2009-04-19T17:11:00.005+08:00

When Bev invited me to join few months ago, I was so amazed by the talents in Inspired Blueprints. However, I have been busy for a while, until recently, (hopefully) most of the things are back on tracks, especially, this weekend, as my little Rafeeqa's got chickenpox, we have no where to go but home...

There are many sketches in IB, which you are able to follow the link at the left, I tried out three today!

Sunny colours are not my usual choices, right, but I thought the paper is so bright and I wanted to give a try! Sharon told me the Turquoise Blue is a must buy when she was here last November, but I haven't even played with it. Look, I like the result of it!

I must say that I love my Jenni Bowlin's kit very much. The long waiting for the kit usually kills me, but it all goes away with the joy as I open it every month: seeing all these beauties just takes your breathe away. For last month's kit, I got pp from Websterpages and MME, together with rubons, tiny beads, die cuts, transparent and many many more, I just can't get my hands off it!

I meant to scrap these pictures right after CNY, not after two months! Hehe, but I like IB's sketch! I dug out some old collection : paper from NRN Design; stickers from K&Co and these cute little Diam Sum sticker from Taiwan. The journalling tag that from K&Co is hidden behind the paper.

My girls have many many ( I really mean a lot ) projects from school which they bring back every end of term. I used to keep them in seperate keepsake boxes then transferred to the treasure box from IKEA, and now again out of space to keep! I found the 6*9 album from MM is perfect to keep these projects:

Some bigger drawings I can even fold them to fit in the protector:

But I now look for better ways to keep these drawings and projects especially even bigger ones, any idea? I am thinking to clean my storage to get more treasure boxes, please let me know what you like to do. It's quite scary if I would like to keep all the things from school, but I just couldn't throw them away!

Some layouts to share

2009-04-15T20:33:00.003+08:00

When I was organising my folders just now and found these which I must forgot to share:

Sassafras's delicious paper in this layout, I found myself are caught by the new bungle jungle, vintage yummy and anthem range, now desperately take load of picture to scrap!

MM's paper and embelishment is also a must to have every season, right? you just can't get your hands off them.

Have a sick child at home, hope she will be better by Saturday coz I want to go Shabby! Remind you the every 1st and 3rd Saturday at Shabby, see you there!

What's on my mind?

2009-04-13T19:40:00.004+08:00

Children, students and my father.

Those are the things that constantly on my mind.

I often wonder what's on other's mind, well, just try to understand others better.

Very much enjoyed playing with Page Maps's sketch, here's my take:

I took this picture of little Rafeeqa some time last year, she waited a few months for her hair to grow longer enough to tie a pony tail, or shall I say -- pig tail. She was very delighted that day, went out to explore in our garden by picking all sorts of flowers. She was riding on her wooden rocking horse when I saw her staring at the house next door. She was very calm, more like in some sort of deep thoughts, and with this beautiful orchard in her hair.

What was on her mind at that very moment? I was wondering and I am still wondering now, what was she thinking about? Why was she looking at the window of next door neighbour? I don't think I could find out the answer. It could be anything, anything interested her and kept her busy, but most of all, I just knew she was happy, she was very much into her own world which amazed her on that day!

Material used in this layout: MME bella bella pp and die cut, AC fabric letter stickers, Webster's pages pp, Pebblesinc's pebbles chips, Jenni Bowlin's letter sticker, tag, button, felt bird, and Heidi Swapp's bling and clock.

Have a nice start of the week!

2009-04-08T07:34:00.006+08:00

When I visited Shabby last time, I fell totally for MME's paper. It's so sweet. Since I haven't done any layout on myself for so long, I pulled out these pictures, which the girls took for us in KL last December when we were on one of the ride in Genting Island. Heng and I tried to pose in front of them and he just had to do this silly look... the truth is, we all liked it! On this page, the overlay, journal card and chipboard are all from MME.

I also finished this layout that have been in my mind for nearly 2 months. When Bev was attending winter CHA, she got me the surprise, I still couldn't believe that Jenni Bowlin did actually write me a card! I have to scrap it!

My camera gave me a lot of trouble nowadays, which in a result that I fell the urge to buy myself a new one. As you can see, I used a lot of JB's button on it.

The weather is too hot, I try to hide myself indoor after I get home every afternoon. You know what does that mean, don't you? More scrapping !!!

2009-04-06T12:18:00.006+08:00

None of us want to go back to school because this could be the longest term of 13 weeks and only one week break in end of May, so there I was, as soon as I came back from Shanghai, I caught flu and lost my voice. When all the excitement of holiday had graduately disappeared, I knew that I have to start working.

My assignment from Shabby was finally completed last weekend, it's far behind the time, I knew.

(1) As sweet as cherries: JB's paper and the new button, there are many different types available in Shabby, I folded paper to make a flower and centered with the button and the lace. JB's letter stick is another favourite at the moment for the colour, the size and the font.

(2) Mummy's wish list: I have to say I really like prima flowers, usually use one or two on a layout though. When Bev handed me all these flowers, I decided to use them in one go. I dipped brads in glue then in glitters to go with the flowers.

(3) cards: again, with JB's paper and label sticker. Also here, my OA's stamps.

After put away scrapping for some time, I am really slow at the moment. I have 3 layout and project going on at the same time which I hope to be completed this week.

The beautiful and inspiring work of Sharon and Lia's are already on display at Shabby, haven't you made your way there yet?

I missed the first Saturday's crop date in Shabby last week, how about you? Remember to join us in Shabby Chic every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month!

I was hoping to get more pictures to scrap yesterday when we went to treasure hunt in JP, but guess what, my battery went flat after only two shots:

and that were all before the event started! See, now you can tell how behind of date I am at the moment!

Will be back soon.

it's so nice to be home

2009-03-25T21:14:00.004+08:00

After 15 months, I finally home with my dad.

A very short trip really, but worth it just for this,

and this

and many more home made food by my dad, he stored many things in the fridge just for his little girl.

Since I am back in Shanghai, I have to eat "Xiao Long Bao", we drove all the way to Nan Xiang, the origin of the famous Bao, which is about 40 mins away from the city. Walked around the old town, dad bought something for the girls and we ate at two different places, just to find out which one has the best Bao. Well, just as dad said, the best one belongs to the restaurant where he and mum dated forty years ago.

The place looks pretty the same except the renovation happened in the 2nd floor, newly made old fashioned table, bench and the smell of the bamboo basket that used to take away the Bao all remind me of my grandma's house where I spent my childhood.

Normally the trip back home with the whole family would be packed with sight seeing, visit to zoo and many fun places for kids, but as I am alone, I could do things differently: a lot of thinking - past, present and future. Despite the emptiness - I miss the girls and Heng so much, I get to go through my old stuff slowly, one by one... strangely, there are always something "new" to me, more to be rediscovered. I wonder if you have ever had the same experience?

It's just so nice to be home, 3 more nights though.

2009-02-16T11:49:00.003+08:00

I have totally neglected my blogland for a long time...
So many things happened and still going on
I hardly have my own time to sit down and write, think, scrap
which I missed the most...

Just had a very relaxed weekend, no activities for the girls, no shopping, no beach, just simply hanging around the house and we watched

I started to work on something...
can not share with you yet
but should be a good one!

Cheers!

Beginning of the year

2009-02-04T09:34:00.007+08:00

Well, I have been out of the blogger world for nearly two months... Too many things happened and yet I am still try to do my best to solve them one by one.

Anyway, today is the 9th day of the Chinese New Year, wish all my friends a properous new year, not too late, right?

We had one special ... actually two visitors to the house last week:

I do hope everyone will have a smooth beginning of the year!

Rafeeqa took this one for us the day after and claimed herself the best photographer of the year,

so here we go, the best one indeed:

The weather seems getting better today, I hate the smell of the clothes when they are not properly dried under the sun, despite the message I received regarding the weather condition in the coming days, I again wish the sun stays on!

It's the New Year's eve

2008-12-31T14:38:00.002+08:00

and it's the afternoon of the New Year's Eve, and I am sitting in the hospital.

I am fine and the girls are fine, the strongest man in the house is down... A road accident last night, while he was doing his daily cycling practice: A bike in front of him fell and cause the whole chin down, so he's got this sustained dislocation of the left acromioclavicular joint ( near the left shoulder ) and the doctor suggested for an open reduction and fixation, so here we are.

He was sent into the operation theatre 40 mins ago and I know he will be out soon so I am leaving a quick note to all of you:

Have a happy new year and wish you all the best!

The season of Joy

2008-12-28T19:58:00.004+08:00

My 2nd post of the day! After all, I am such a bad blogger, this is something unusual haha.

Had some friends over for lunch today and headed to Yacht club in the later afternoon. Now back home, showered and in front of my macbook.

I picked up JB kit yesterday and together with this little of joy:

From Maya Road, their appreciation for participating in their House deco last month. Well, mine is not really the festival type, just a very tiny house once in my dream years back. I used a lot of tickles on it for the snow effect, here is my very own model with the house:

The Christmas was over and the New Year is already on its way, so many public holidays here in Brunei plus the crazy year end sales, everyone looks like in their best holiday mood. Talking about the holiday, isn't it the time to give and take? Hee, give is one of my favourite, the girls received many wish list of course and dear hubby too, I got him this very useful backpack he wanted.

And as for me, I am always the Santa in the house, for the whole family and myself, I normally pamper myself with something I like, but this year, indeed, was a bit rush, didn't manage to look at anything! But guess what, just when I was a bit upset ... I got something delivered to the house on the boxing day: A Pro-racing Bike from Body Sculpture! This is so my hubby, who always think I am lack of exercise... and I am also wondering if he thinks I need to do sth. with my figure!!! Let us point to the better direction: a healthier life is what he meant. Yes, that makes me feel much better now.

Talking about his presents, always amaze/shock you, so that is the reason I'd rather be the one to pick! But back to the old times, he bought me a sewing machine, a very good one actually, I made some pillow, pillow cases and then it was put at a very safe spot in my room, for nearly 9 years! I know you are laughing, ha! I sent it to a fix a few weeks back and you know what, I actually made two Christmas presents with that! More to come for sure since I have discovered its true beauty now! I think I will pick up more cotton material from Hokko tomorrow!

Love and have a nice sleep!

In love of Kits and still love it!

2008-12-27T16:37:00.009+08:00

As most of you may know I am a fan of Kits -- fresh paper, beautiful bits of this and that, especially with those vintage finds. I have came up with my own kits a few times as RAKs, to give to fellow scrappers, may not be the perfect ones but definitely the stuff I love.

Recently in CMK DT call, they have requested to design a kit and create projects with the kit. With so many stuff in my stash, I have to join this fun play! And here is my very special kit:

The kit includes:

3 card stock

6 pattern paper: Basic Grey urban prairie monarch

Basic Grey urban prairie meadow

K & Co Life's journey dictionary

K & Co Amy Butler lotus Tea

K & Co Amy Butler Box Lace work

K & Co Amy Butler flat paper

Alpha: American Craft thickers Dolce fabric sticker

Rubon: Crate paper: family

Bling: Heidi Swapp frames circles

Button: evalicious.etsy.com 4 hand made buttons

Flower: Prima paintery petals 6pcs

Bingo card Home from Jenni Bowlin

Die-cut cardstock: K & Co Amy Butler cartulina troquelada

Ribbon: webster's pages olive trim

MM animal crackers velvet die cut pink

white lace

S.E.I word book : Love

I love the combination of these items and created quite a few projects:

(1) "Always love you"

(2 ) " Action"

(3) The word book "Love"

I also found this little cute wooden CD box in IKEA and decided to make into a photo cube.

Actually there are still stuff left from the kit, I am thinking to make a few CNY card and Valentine's card ...

Why don't you join the call as well!

I am back

2008-12-18T12:54:00.004+08:00

from the week long family holiday. 24 /7 's supervision to two super active girls -- the busy and fun packed holiday didn't worn them out but me instead: on the fifth day of the trip, after spent 11-12 hours out daily, I collapsed and asked for a break on the 6th day, just relax in the hotel plus spa and massage.

Now happily back at my sweet home, learnt that dear Lia sent me something and it's waiting for collection in Shabby, I definitely need to make my way there this afternoon. Suppose to be in the morning, but I pampered myself for another massage, hair treatment and manicure... after all, it's a holiday, I need to treat myself better this time.

No picture of holiday for this post yet as hubby accidently placed my card reader in his bag??? Well, this kind of accident did happen to his things too, so ... lol.

Back to the days before I left, did I mention that I scrapped in Shabby with Hilda and Bev? I didn't quite finish the LOs there, I brought home and completed them before my trip and here we go:

Glamour

pp: pink paislee; rubon:Bazzill collection; chipboard letter: DCWV

and this one:

Secret Santa

pp: MM, CI; brad: MM ; chipboard: Scenic Route

Mailed my swap present in SK this morning and hope it will arrive on time in Singapore, hope you like it, my friend.

It feels great that...

2008-12-08T09:31:00.010+08:00

I don't need to wake up at 6am! Though I forgot to turn off my alarm for this morning, lol. I went back to sleep then woke up by the girls as they were too eager/happy/excited to tell me that the Christmas tree is all ready! Well, not quite yet...

Feeling completely free as I am now, it just makes me giggle... yesterday was one of the best, we three girls ( ya, right, daddy was again away, went to his friend's wedding in KB ), so girls went for a movie "BOLT", it sure is a wonderful movie as well as a lesson of human and animal bonding for the girls. 3 of us also went to the open day of "Alliance Francaise"

where I had a mini intro lesson of French ; girls baked a pie and watched a French movie, ya 2 movies in a day!!! Talking about French lesson, ha, recalled when I was in uni, doing my Spanish... all my vocabulary were lost somewhere, but doing a new language is always fun, challenging. I had them posed for me with the big shades they were wearing in the car, so funny, isn't it, got to scrap these!!!

Speaking of holiday, Christmas, did I tell you he visited Rafeeqa's class last Friday? He arrived with a big bag full of surprises indeed! I was not even informed of this visit! These 5 yr olds were putting up a show for the parents and who knew, Santa came just in time for his show too! Look, my little girl was waiting for Santa to call out her name:

Wonder what did Santa tell her, look at that smile!

She came home telling everyone that Santa was very nice, came to visit the children in school all the way from North Pole! Well, Renee nearly spoiled the whole thing by telling her the truth, I was just in time to show her my big NO. lol. I have to say these kids are so lucky nowadays.

When I was very young, I was away from my own parents so to engage myself to be"busy", I was actively involved in most of the school activities: sing, dance, gymnastic, drama... anything you name it, I could find a photo or a trace, an evidence of it. But as I grew older, I started to feel that I am actually a rather shy person, feel safe to live in my own circle. Leaving home was a very big step of mine which resulted in so many changes of my life, but I said that's no regret of it. I'm glad that I met new friends, new family here in Brunei. Especially in these few years, thru work and thru my new hobby... what I have learnt will always be there for me.

Also met Hilda in Shabby doing a layout for her twins based on mine below:

This is a very simple layout: HS's ghost shapes topped with glitter, beautiful rub ons from JB and a final touch of a hand-cut felt. Together with us was Jackie, need to meet all these scrapping gals often! Back at home, I tried again Sharon's take on the glimmer mist and utee, I really love them, thank you, Sharon!

And this is just the beginning of my month long holiday, so watch out for more...

Renee's recital

2008-12-04T07:40:00.002+08:00

It took me some time to fix the video and load up here: You can see how my little girl forgot the name of the composer and some part of the lyrics and of course......her embarassing expression. lol

Holiday is just around the corner... "sigh"

I haven't recovered from the fever from ...

2008-12-03T08:20:00.003+08:00

Shabby Chic's 2nd Anniversary celebration!!!

Such madness you will definitely miss! We just lost ourselves in days... sorry not many photo to share as I posed for this scrapper, that scrapper till I totally forgot my own camera! What a laugh! Shopping was even better! Woops, Did I say shopping? The sales is so hard to reject, of course, I snapped all the wonderful Sizzix bigz die, crackle paint and glimmer mist. Not to mention what I received from SC, I totally fall for it, Thank you, Ching and Bev, you sure know me well.

I miss Lia and Sharon too, if you want them back, make sure let SC know that hehe...

See me in glasses, that's because of the long hours we spent scrapping! I came home Monday afternoon from school around 2:30pm after been dozy for the whole day and threw myself into the bed, the next thing I knew, I woke up at 6pm! And not if due to the noisy my girls made, I might only woke up in the middle of night. As a matter of fact, they haven't seen their parents too much during the last weekend: me spent my time in Shabby and hubby away in KL, they nearly turned they room upside down... that's another laugh when you know what I am talking about: You just don't have a spot to lay your foot as soon as you open their room, there is something somewhere on the carpet, basically everything out from cupboard and not to mention, Rafeeqa has transformed herself from Little Mermaid to the Witch, anything you name!!! Well, with only 2 days left for the school, I simply just let them do whatever they want...

Meanwhile, I was making cards, presents for friend and need to hand them out asap, I will add more pictures tongiht.

Love and hugs

It's the party time!by

2008-11-30T07:24:00.007+08:00

Wow, i hardly had enough sleep!

Shabby's 2nd anniversary "party" kicked off on Friday night, it was so fun with Sharon, Lia and all the girls who attended crop, games of course were always the highlight, everyone went home happily with prize and goodie bag and and.... projects done with Sharon!

Yesterday everything went smoothly too, I arrived to prepare for my class early with

Bev in the morning, but you know what, some girls were eager too, arrived 15 mins early before the class!!! I have to say I enjoyed the class so much, especially with my eyes wide open when I saw the game prices and the goodie bags and the lucky draw price! Oh, boy boy, you have to be in all the lessons, Shabby is so generous... I totally love it!

And the smile from our lucky draw winner!

Then, here we were, with the completed project taught, mine was hanging behind me on the wall, I think I am gonna make some tiny ones to hand on the Christmas tree!

I went home to catch some sleep after the lesson and I didn't make it to Lia's card lesson ( really felt so sorry for myself, I couldn't stay awake, too tired )

But today, in 45 mins time, I need to get ready and head to SC, can't tell you how excited to be in the lesson of Lia and later in Sharon's, I can learn, hehe, how wonderful is that!

Working side, 5 more days to go before the school is out for winter holiday, seriously I can't wait any more, there were too many things going on for this term, I am so tired... before I leave to Lia's lesson, also want to show you how sweet my Renee was, she had her music recital on Friday, played 10 pcs straight and received a special cert for that, she also sang a beautiful song called "wind song" from Mighty Joe Young, she has the most touching voice... I know, shame on me, right, you mummy, but how I can hide it? I will try to put her song on the blog soon, ok...

Till then, hugs to all...

Human Machine

2008-11-24T20:38:00.002+08:00

That's me.

For weeks now, I feel like that I am a machine. Wake up as soon as the alarm clock rings every morning, get dressed, go to work, finish work ( late of course ), arrive home, play with the girls ( eat, read story, check on homework and put them to bed ), by the time when everything needs to be done is done, I just want to throw myself on bed and sleep... I am counting the days till then I can turn off my alarm and have some decent sleep, 1 week and 4 more days!

Both girls are sick, so bad, isn't it! Just check out what I did this morning:

7:40 arrived at clinic and ran to get a number for Rafeeqa, no 6, not bad, isn't it ( for those mummy who know well how the clinic system works in Brunei, this is a good number )

8:3o Rafeeqa had her injection

8:45 Arrived in Dr. Chan early and waited for door to open at 9am

9:05 Met Dr. Chan and had him checked Renee

9:20 Collected medicine and headed home

9:45 Arrived home and fed medicine to Renee, had to leave the girls at home

10:00 Arrived in school to work

After a contented afternoon, obviously I will soon hit the pillow.

Nearly completed work for SC, I haven't found time to take any pic yet but promise to show you as soon as I have time to do that tomorrow. Just think about tomorrow is painful! I have 7 lessons straight and meeting after that!

SC is having its big celebration, have you visited it yet? SALE SALE SALE, come on, girls...

Are you ready?

2008-11-16T11:07:00.001+08:00

2nd Anniversary

Shabby Chic 's Crop Night

on 28th November 2008

That's right, remember the date and see you there!

Caution!

2008-11-09T10:27:00.007+08:00

Many pictures!

I'm such a bad blogger, I admit. Packed with work and busy fulfill my role as entertainer, driver, mother to two demanding girls, you can imagine how that is... Back to some interesting event last week, one of the high lights is the International Day at school. I frankly lost count of how many nationalities are in the school and being an on-off absent minded person like me, I left the memory card in the office when I supposed to take loads of pictures with different costumes. But I did manage to snap a few:

Here are the different booth we had, the young children from kindy to reception "travelled with their passport from country to country", after learnt things and culture from different country, they got a "visa stamp". Many delicious food were offered at booth, but not mine one, after the numerous scandle on Chinese product, I thought I should just keep mine simple.

Look at these little people, I'm sure they had such a wonderful time dressing up. I am still thinking I should have some alternative next year for my girls, not cheongsam again, maybe I can make one of them "Mu Lan" and the other one "?" any idea?"

Scrapping Marathon is on in Shabbychic, I'm glad many of our scrappers take part in this, keep going, everyone! And also put these dates in your dairy: 28/11, 29/11 and 30/11, do not miss SC's 2nd anniversary! I will be teaching " Frame it up" lesson, something very simple but turn out to be a great decoration! Lia and Sharon will also teach during these dates, don't miss this !

And now the two newest LO for the past week:

(1) Emma in the wonderland

pp: sassafras,BB card stock; rubber charms:october afternoon; ribbon:MM;thicker:AC

(2) Gun & Rose

pp: pinkpaislee;flower:prima;rubber charm: OA;chipboard:AC

bling: prima;journal card: MM; ribbon: MM; photo corner: HS; chipboard letter: provo craft

I also picked up my kit from Jenni Bowlin last week as well as new arrivals in SC, so you know my plan for the day...

My little baby turned 5

2008-11-02T13:51:00.007+08:00

yesterday, that's the day. She is officially 5 now. The party was small but a very sweet one.

Many pictures to share. She kicked off the party at home of course, by dressing herself up, first with all masks...then the new bikini.

After we finished decorating the place, she addressed herself of the "queen" and "ordered" for special shot just by herself.

There were many people at the club in weekend as usual, but the weather was perfect, the little girls enjoyed swimming before the games. Well, with the not well planned the game, as I forgot to bring any music supply, so the passing parcel and the newspaper dancing were held with the little help of the music from the handphone! But anyway, they didn't mind at all, Rafeeqa and Emma won the newspaper dancing with Emma carrying Raf in her arms, lol!

You see, I was out of idea for the pinata, but Alice, Amirah's mummy, a very creative lady, gave me a SPIDER, yah! Look at the girls and boys, they loved it! The spider was beautiful ,with the googly eyes and wriggly legs, I didn't want to hit it in the first place, but it WAS NOT my birthday, all the 5 years old and plus the 20 years old enjoyed hitting it!

After the cake, bubble time, the whole party turned into an ugly mud fight, my young friend Angel and Jerry became the center of the attack, nearly everyone ended up with a super muddy look.

And frankly talking, I was so tired after the party and hit the bed at 8:30! But that's not the end of the story, my birthday girl woke me up this morning at 6:00 and asked me to open all her presents... Tata, that's the life of a mother!

I feel very bad that I didn't do any scrapping in the past week, but hold on, I WAS thinking about scrapping all the time though, really, wishing that we have 28 hours a day, just 4 hours for the crafty me.

Just a few things

2008-10-26T18:24:00.003+08:00

A 6am get up for tomorrow and will continue for another 6 weeks till the Christmas holiday...

What in my head right now?

Shabby Chic's 2nd Birthday!!!

At the moment, I can only tell you that it will be fun! The girls have done a lot of preparation that won't fail you for sure, so watch out on the dates here.

Went for a day trip to the nearest Malaysia city yesterday and I got a "butterfly" punch for myself, well, it is just the perfect size I am looking for and it only cost RM10 after the popular card discount, haha, I am going to use it soon!!!

Find myself into the butterfly for some time now, can see them flying on most of my layouts, even the newly completed below:

pp: pink paislee, KI; rub-on: AC;sticker: MM; ribbon: misc

6 days more for Rafeeqa's 5th birthday, we've been talking about the party theme: ballerina; princess... and now finally, she wants a Rock star party! I searched all over and found some cool instruments for presents but how about the pinata? any idea?

I am in the holiday mood

2008-10-22T08:34:00.005+08:00

Though it's a week-long short break, I still appreciate it! Leaving all the report behind, I have had 4 great days so far!

First of all, the two girls had a very busy weekend: birthday and the dance show. Ha, none of them were involved in the fantastic dance show however, they enjoyed very much watching their friends! Emma, Rafeeqa's best fren from school was a beautiful bee, I just couldn't take my eyes off her, such a sweet!

Then, on Sunday, we celebrated out 10th anniversary, 10 years, hard to believe that, I can still recall the moment two of us signed on our registration ten years ago... Time flies, look at us now:

Now, a few LOs to share, didn't really do much but got hands on with the MME paper and embelishment:

This is a great way to use all the ribbon you have in your stash! I fell for ranger's Frosted Lace stickles now, tried in many ways and in this layout, just want to mimic the water bubble with the clear buttons.

This one is so simple and I love the bright colour, perfect for any girly look.

All gone

2008-10-09T08:37:00.003+08:00

Again I didn't know what happened to me, busy, busy and busy then I lost in a total mess!

My aunt and uncle left after spent a short week here, after wondering for 11 years for what kind of life I live, now they feel satisfied and my dear hubby reassured them that he will take good care of me. You see, no matter how old are you now, how many children you have for your own, your parents or your aunts, uncles still think you are that little girl they knew thirty years ago!

School suppose to be a enjoyable thing for little ones and I believe my Rafeeqa totally agrees, look what they have just for this week: Tuesday Pajama's day, Thursday Swimming, Friday Messy Play Day despite the usually activities they have every day. She finally decided on her outfit for Pajama's day, the Belle night gown, twinkle bell slippers, her unicorn and a small story.

And don't blame that "Fancy Hair Do'', she copied how Laila looks like ( hello, if you have a 4 years old, you need to know who is Laila, Bloom, Stella and all sorts of other characters)
Sometimes I just can't remember all these things!!! So here we go, she arrived school today without her swimming suit and towl, the worst thing is that I didn't remember at all, until I saw them lining up for the pool, she is the only one in her PE gear... luckily the teacher has a spare one, otherwise can you imagine how disappointed she is??? THis naughty mummy!!! I'd better remember tomorrow is the Messy Play Day and give her extra changing shirts.

Do you believe memory lost after giving birth, someone comforted me on that point...

A long break

2008-10-05T10:13:00.004+08:00

I am finally giving myself a long break after all.

My aunt arrived two nights before and I went to the palace with her yesterday, can't believe I did that, after living here 11years, I stepped into the palace for the first time. And believe or not, I won't try again. The whole 5 and half hour waiting for the 5 second of hand shake, I leave to you to judge its worthness. All I wish for is a generous smile which I didn't really receive...

Well, enough of that.

I enjoy visiting all my muslim friends during this festival time, moving from house to house and tasting all the delisious food. ( Just for a moment, I don't care if more kilos will add up )but the truth is , the digits show on my scale every moring, keeps giving me alarm!!! I doubt about if I still be ablt to fit in my baju kurong! I really hate that, I'm afraid...

Back to scrapping, I will share what I did in SC nearly 3 weeks ago during the scrapping marathon, basically we were giving schetches/instructions to follow:

(1) Smile
(2) Fly (I really like this one, scraplife piece)

I haven't completely finished my 3rd piece, a LO of myself. You see, as a mother-scrapper, I often scrap about my girls, hardly do anything for myself, and if it's my turn, I do not even know what to do! So that piece of work, is still resting in that pile of paper on my table, helpless.

I also tried to scrap something else beside people, ha, my garden, you see how it turned out:

Accident

2008-09-24T08:55:00.004+08:00

When I was preggy with the 2nd child, nearly every single person I knew told me that the baby would be a boy until the doctor revealed the truth. Well, I don't mind at all, neither does my in-laws, they have had their 20 plus grand children and I thought my dear hubby doesn't mind at all. Rafeeqa is truly a joy to the family. Despite the truth she has the similiar voice like her sister, she has all other unique characters.

She plays barbies and balls; she only wears girly dress but climbs everything available at home. She swings on my spare cloths racks and claims that's the monkey bars; she walks on top of the sofas and tells me that's her balance beam... I can tell you all the ridicdulous games she creates at home and yet she poses with her charming princess smile and princess dress! I just know some day, something could happen! Last week, while her sis and I were playing badmintons in the garden, she climbed on the basketball rack and fell:

This photo was taken on Saturday, two days after the accident and you can see her eye now. She refused to go to school on Friday as well as on Monday, reason: Still hurt? NO! Can't see properly? NO! So why?

" The scar! I can't let the other see the scar, I don't look pretty with that scar!"

Ahhhhhhhh! My dear hubby is still away, I kept it from him but my dad saw it while we chatted on line on Saturday, so her daddy called her yesterday just about the accident, and gu"ess what, she told him: "I am fine, I look okay now, daddy, the scar is gone!"

Scrapping week

2008-09-20T15:35:00.008+08:00

That's this week! I went SC for a scrapping marathon on Wednesday, within 3 and half hours, the girls finished 3 LOs!!! It's a really hard job for me to judge and decide the winner for each look, all wonderful jobs, you girls are cool! ( you know who you are )I also did one that morning, so 4 LO within a day! I was really glad.

Inspired by a layout from a magazine and tried to use the Queen&Co.'s felt fusion on the same colored card stock! I really like how it turned out but tell you the peeling of the felt was a pain, I nearly tore many parts off, "wink" "wink", but when you ask me if I will do it again? Ya, I will try to be careful the next time, coz, I love the feel of felt.

You must noticed many great designers have been using the gorgeous sassafras lass pp lately and I knew I have to play with it as soon as I have them.

The story behind: my Renee likes to write Chinese characters as she thinks it's cool, but on the other hand, she hates it if it's a long piece of writing. Just to get her produce something long and nice, I made her to rewrite a story, she's allowed to illustrate for the story too. While she was making the story, I had the idea of making it into the book and of course, must use sassafras lass. Also used here, AM's animal chipboard, Chatter box's sticker and MM's alpha sticker. Can you imagine how proud she is when she reads it to Rafeeqa? Maybe one day to her little child? Ha ha, this crazy mama, dreaming again!

Ya, very happy that I have done some scrapping this week, and guess what, Sunday is tomorrow, I sure can find time to do some then! Now, I need to bring the girls to the beach ...

Smile

2008-09-17T21:01:00.005+08:00

I just don't understand why people like to make a bad day worse... It's not a sunny today and a rather cloudy one, I chose the wrong colour to wear, let the black stay all day long...

Talked about peace in school today and kids had fun writing peace characters with Chinese brush.

The meaning of "gentle, calm" and "quiet, peaceful" made up the word "HE PIN", I often ask myself if I try hard enough to have a peaceful mind, haha, hard to get an answer! Well, just take a minute or two to look at the phrase and be quiet ...

Scrapping side, I was looking at my "collections" and thinking what should I do with all the kits I have, I am still thinking okay. I like kits, everything's there, pattern paper, cordinated card stock, embelishments, I don't need to bother to add more in! But sometimes, you take things for granted like me, too good to start with. I played with JB's Aug's kit last weekend, the new Victoria line, colour is so soft, I had to use my favourite photo of Renee again, "sigh":

Also love the little bingo cards and used them for this shadow box:

Need to say more? Once you started then you couldn't stop any more, my table is a mess and I am going to continue scrapping after I finish this post, p.s. the girls are sleeping soundly now!

Sad sad

2008-09-07T08:38:00.001+08:00

Sob Sob

I lost one of my SD memory card together with the card reader. The card reader is nothing but the SD card is... I haven't even saved all the photo! I just couldn't find it...

What your child teaches you...

2008-09-04T19:58:00.002+08:00

Rafeeqa is in Reception this year, I just think it is a big thing for her. She starts to learn organize her things by herself every morning and puts her bags in the proper place in the classroom. She gets homework everyday too which she always finishes by herself.

She was telling me the story about "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" yesterday, claiming she knew all the characters inside, well, that didn't surprise me at all as we watched the Disney version together ( actually, I was trying to tell her the real version of the story by Victor Hugo, then she obviously couldn't understand at all so this crazy mummy had to stop ), but you know what, she asked me another question:

"Mummy, do you know, why people can live on earth?"

"Yah, there is water and air on earth!"

"How about the other balls?"

"Other balls?"

"The others floating around the earth?"

"You mean the other planets?"

"Yes, that's right, the planets."

"There is no water nor air, I think, so people can't live there."

"Oh," She paused for a while and continued:"you know, mummy, there is no toy, we can't live there."

That's the end of the conversation. Toys=Essential of living !

Thankful

2008-09-02T19:19:00.004+08:00

Since the last session ended last Friday and I really hope everything is back on its schedule by now... I had a busy week and a long weekend, during which I managed to go across the board and got some books to read.

I was late for SIC's sept take but was able to complete it last night.

Mainly used Jenni Bowlin's July kit, Anna Griffin's paper is beautiful as usual, I cut out flowers from two different pp and layered them together with the blue fabric flower from MME. The blue lace is a true beauty,right? It caught my eyes years back when I first set eyes on it. There are always things in your stash that you wait for so long to use it in a right place, and that's for it here.

That's me and my mother ways back in Sichuan, in front of the house we lived, during one of the summer holidays which I travelled 2 days and 2 nights by train from Shanghai to Sichuan to visit my parents.

With all the love for the country, my parents left Shanghai in their early twenties to serve in the southeast, which was called inner land, they thought they would not be away from their hometown too long, but in fact, they spent over 20 years there. In order to give me the best education, I was sent to my grandparents when I was 3 years old, my mum only allowed to have 2 weeks holiday every four years to visit Shanghai while my father was able to go business trips often to Shanghai to see me. When I was old enough when in primary school, they arranged their friends whoever happened to be in Shanghai around July to bring me to Sichuan for summer holiday and that's the best time for me in a year! I could be with them day and night!!! Grandma was very kind but still different from mum and dad, they just spoiled me! You can tell from my smile on the photo!

Eventually, mum couldn't take this any more, how can you not seeing your only daughter every day? and some more, need to wait for so long? She took sick leave and moved to Shanghai to be with me when I was thirteen, but this didn't work out either in the end coz my dad was too lonely too! But time really flied fast, I soon got into the high school and needed to go to Sichuan for university entrance exam. However the best school in town was 3 hours train away from where they lived, again I was put into the boarding school. Later I left for uni in Beijing, they settled back in Shanghai, I started teaching after graduation but 11 months later, I came to Brunei.

All my life, I haven't really spent any quality time with my mum especially, by the time I settled with a family and wished she could come over to be with me, the bad news arrived, it's too quick and too late to fight back, though she was such a brave woman, if we could have know just a bit early, how I wish I could notice something early... if I could, I'd do anything to keep her, I just have so many thing to tell her...

My dad is a great photographer, he used to take loads of photo for my mum, then me and now my daughters. I remembered the time he hid in his dark room and developed the photo, I would be the first one to see them if I was around, and all these black and white beauties are all kept safely in a large green file box in our home in Shanghai, in where I like to go through them again and again every time I go home. Thank you dad for record those precious moments and thank you, mum for teaching and giving me all the strength to live a full life. I love you and miss you so much.

Let us just take a moment tonight, to thank someone in your life and let them know you love them.

Passport Collection - Making Memories

2008-08-26T15:54:00.004+08:00

It's in the Making Memories blog today, I am so happy, this is the first time ... Wow...

Here are more pictures to see:

I guess we all like to travel, to see the world, to discover the different culture and record our journeys. And that's why we fell in love with the Passport Collection! Those are the perfect paper to do so! To make this book, oh oh, it's kinda ... , actually the book itself looks great but not the binding part, my stitches didn't come out as good as I expected, have to work on that binding part again.

When you go to youtube, you can find many different and interesting ways of doing a book and I chose the grade book after watched a few demos, the main reason, which I have to admit is using the stitching to bind the book. It looks complicated but if you can follow the right steps, it just works well and I believe it's much better than the other ways. I put a lot of embellishment on each page that didn't allow me to tighten the stitches between the pages, I need to think out a solution to make it better for the next book.

Did I say the "next book"? oooh... maybe after this week. This is the last week of my course, which is soon to be finally over after the whole five months. lol.

Back to school

2008-08-26T00:41:00.006+08:00

Today ( Yesterday, I shall say) was the first day for the new academic year. The girls woke up at 5:45am! I couldn't believe my eyes when I got downstairs, they had eaten their breakfast and all set to go to school! Mummy was the slowest for the first day!

Rafeeqa goes to Reception now, she claims that she's not going to the baby class ( the kindy ) any more and goes to a class for big girl! Well, big = 4 years old, lol. She's also very excited as she can wear her new shoes! Actually I love that shoes too, wish they come with my size too.

We ended up arriving school before 7am, not many pp around so I asked them to pose for me, but you know, in the school, you can tell from Rafeeqa's face:

I just can't wait to listen to all the fun they will soon have with their new class and friends.

Yap, another thing to share with you. Did you check out the Making Memories blog today? I am so honored to be featured today! Back to February this year, Heng and I went to Vietnam just for a weekend trip, we had a great time without the girls, lots of photo after the trip. I made the album after watching an online video showing how to make grade book, it turned to be one of my favorite book! I will come back in the morning to post some more pictures of it and let you know how I did it!

Gosh, it's 1am now, I sure need some sleep ... will be back soon!

Gypsy Rose Paperie

2008-08-23T08:43:00.000+08:00

Very excited to make into the final list of the DT group for Gypsy Rose Paperie, well, there are so many beautiful submissions! You have to go and have a look.

Another piece of work completed today:

material used:

(1) pp : October Afternoon; American Craft

(2) BB card stock

(3) chipboard: Scenic Route

(4) tag ring: Making Memories

(5) sticker: doodlebug design inc.

(6) button: Jesse James & Co.

Girly Time

2008-08-19T21:20:00.004+08:00

Do you do this with your daughters?

I think it's hard to balance your love for both of them, but I DO love the two, all very much. They are two unique individuals. Sometimes, I have to just bring one out to have some special girly time! ( not leaving the other one at home, but while she is busy with party or activities )

Renee usually has more activities than Rafeeqa, she hardly had any girly time with me this two weeks, so this afternoon, while Rafeeqa was at her friend Emma's house, two of us came out for some fun. And the first thing she asked was: "Can we have some dreamcones?" -- She's an icecream girl since little.

Look, she's happy! We visited SC, walked around in the Mall, and guess what, she felt asleep in the car on the way home! Well, I take it as " a very tiring girly time ", lol.

I have been working on SC kit for two days, came up with these:

Full LO can be viewed from SC soon!

RAK

2008-08-18T08:36:00.000+08:00

Here are the three winners of my 100th post RAK:

(1) Vivs

(2) Jodi

(3) Renoa

Please leave your contact in the comments, I will manage the delivery asap. Thank you.

This is the last week of my summer holiday, the girls will start school next Monday and for me, this Wednesday I need to be back at school, but actually I am now in the office, came here after breakfast, thought to prepare some work or at least put up some nice stuff for the classroom...

Will come back in the afternoon to post some scrapping stuff.

Nearly There

2008-08-14T08:32:00.004+08:00

My lesson visits went well this week, and I have done two assignments. There are two left for this week which I am working on, should be able to hand in by tomorrow. So I am happy...

Went to SC to scrap on Tuesday, worked on 3 Layouts at the same time, yesterday managed to finish the final touch of two:

the face

Made from my scarletlime kit, very bright color quite different from what I use normally. Journaling: That is the face, gives me joy when there is a sunny smile; that is the face, makes my heart ache when there is sorrow. Oh, baby, tell me how, how to sweep away that dark clouds and make the sun stay.

Little Miss Crafty

All new glitz paper from SC, again something I do not normally create.

Now, really, I need to go to work on my assignments, see you soon!

I am glue

2008-08-10T20:29:00.002+08:00

Tried this, and I am a glue! Interesting to know that anyway. U want try? Have fun!

the 100th post

2008-08-09T07:35:00.004+08:00

Finally the 100th post, I am definitely not a good blogger, haha.

I was up late watching the grand opening of the Beijing Olympics, it was fantastic! I am so proud that I am Chinese! Well, it was a very busy and packed day yesterday, I had a great session on "Diet, sleep and Exercise --- to raise genius" in the morning which alarmed most of us on how we feed our children and raise our children, definitely something to think about! I made a quick way to RTB to finish my recording for the travel prog during the lunch hour, and met up my lovely colleague Marcela for afternoon tea. Both of us can't believe half of the holiday is gone and we need to be back at school on 20th! I rushed home to pick up the girls coz promised them to -----

"Jerudong Park Playground", yes, the playground.

I guess the best part of this playground is that you don't need to wait for any ride at all, we just arrived there and went on the rides again and again. I didn't take any photo while we were on the boat as I am extremely scared of water ( yes, I can't swim ). The only waiting we had was during the prayer time, the girls waited for 20 mins to ride on the horse, Rafeeqa showed me this "HOW LONG WE HAVE TO WAIT"look:

Well, after all, we had a great time as they referred "girly time with mummy" and Rafeeqa was too tired and fell asleep while we were watching the opening ceremony,lol.

Scrapping side, I have done a few LOs with MM, Melissa Francis and K & Co, these beautiful pp and embelishments:

My favourite things about you

MMpp, sticker and flower, BG stamp

Want tea?

K&Co pp, HS butterfly, Ranger stickles, AL buttons, MM brads

Thru your eyes

MF pp, sticher, Maya Road chipboard and crystals, MM ribbon

And now, my RAK to give away for this blog entry, I have a few nice kits to give away from my cupcake kit and Jenni Bowlin kit collection. Leave something in the comment, I will draw 3 entry by 16th August.

See you then.

I'm tortuned by myself

2008-08-07T11:01:00.003+08:00

Yes! that's it! I have been tortuned by myself for 5 months now... What the **** I signed myself for the suffering! You just couldn't understand right, I couldn't sleep well last night as I suppose to do a practical teaching this morning to a totally unknow class and I woke up early to get ready, guess what, just before I left the house, I received a call that there was no lesson today due to mini sports event! I should be happy , but Oh no no no no... my tutor was actually on his way to the school, I couldn't get him on line as he was driving, and ...... finally everthing was solved, but I only have one week left before my school opens, which means I have another 2 practical teaching, 1 presentation, 3 assignments to complete within next week. You should look at my face now, totally BLACK, thought could at least get something done this week, again, nothing!!!!!!

I need to get out of my cage! To where? can't go away though!

Even the beautiful Anna Griffin paper couldn't make me smile now... I am out of Mojo completely.

This morning received an email which touched me,it is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century.

The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs for his wife . Over fifty years ago, a 19years old young man fell in love with a 29years old widow, it was unacceptable, so they decided to go away and lived in the mountain. In the beginning, life was harsh as they had nothing, no electricity nor even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve.'In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much.'

The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.

Well, I am easily moved by love story. Have you watched "the notebook", another fairytale type love story which made me cry too.

See, this is what happened to me when I am already very down... even worse now.

1 more to go to reach the 100th, I have many nice stuff to give away for the next entry.

And hope I will be fine by then.

SIC August Sketch

2008-08-04T17:49:00.003+08:00

I am really inspired by all the sketches that SIC designers came out with. Lovely LOs as well. Here is mine sketch and my LO:

material used: BB, KI lace, K&Co pp; chipboard: K&Co, buttons.

Make sure to go to SIC to see the other sketches and have fun tring them out!

Another busy day

2008-08-01T19:40:00.005+08:00

8 years ago, a little girl called Renee arrived in my life, she has changed me ever since.

This morning, she woke up early and walked to my room while I was still sleeping. She kissed me and said " Good Morning, Mummy! I love you!" Well, she says this nearly every day, but I felt all of sudden that she has grown up so much. I always hope to hold her with my arms forever, sometimes, even refuse to accept that she is not the same baby 8 years ago.

The party was planned few weeks ahead. She liked to have a garden party with treasure hunt and craft making ( like me, ah ). I was very busy searching for anything butterfly related and found some hair clips, pens, bags and toys. Without consulting, I finally made a butterfly shaped piniata, it did took some time for the girls to get all the sweets.lol.

Just a few pictures to share with you:

On the other hand, it's hard to believe that half of my summer holiday has gone... I am still stressed with my course which only finishes end of this month. There are books all over my place, I suppose to read and read and write, but I always found myself ended up with doing something else, especially with my kits all arrived. I need to be more scrappy ...

Read something last week, very interesting, I would like to give a try to:

If you are reading this, please leave a message in the comments, write about some memory we shared, anything and I will write one in your blog as well. Let see if this will work out.

Have a nice weekend.

Tutorial

2008-07-30T16:46:00.006+08:00

Some people have green fingers, they are able to plant anything they want, I admire them. I always want to have a small cottage built near a lake, with flowers blooming in the garden. As I mentioned small cottage, have you all noticed a little cafe in Kiulap called "Country Patch"? A place you shall like.

Well, back to the fingers... Unfortunatelly I do not have green fingers, so what kind of fingers do I have then? hehe...

This one is on my desk and I notice that I am not the only one to play with it. I came across this type of calendar not very long ago and actually wanted to make one for my dad, instead I submitted it for the "Green Project" held by CI. Just in case you would love to make one, here are the steps:

I used one of the pizza box ( the one from my monthly kit club ), simply make up your mind for its size, mine one, the base is about 6 1/2' (W) * 6 1/2 '(D) * 6 1/2 '(H). The size of the dice is a 2 1/2' cube.

Now, you use pp to cover them up, I made a slicely bigger cube to house the bare one.

Before you glue pp on to the stand, must punch holes first, measure the hole properly, otherwise you will have problem to put rings through them. I add eyelet on the hole too.

For the month sheets, I all used scraps and used rubon (MF). Now, the last part is to stamp (MM ) the numbers on the cubes. Have you thought over how to do the numbers? To make sure you have no problem to have day 1 to day 31?

I am not an active blogger, I know it takes so long to be mine 100th post, a few RAKs will be given away, so watch out this space, very soon...

2008-07-18T17:14:00.010+08:00

The Trip

5 days, a short trip but definitely a good one.

My two were enjoying the magazines and never tired posing for their mummy.

Drove up to the Mt. Kinabalu, kids were joyful when they saw so many fruits to taste!

Renee's new instrument made from coconut shell, believe it or not, she sang while she was playing it !
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My new favourite thing at the moment

Doodlebug's crushed velvet! Shabby gave me a bottle of sample for July's work and after numerous trial, I made a card with velvet title " Thank you" also using K&Co's rubbing on letters. But I found actually you can have so much to do with it. I finished another LO just now, using OA's pp and tried crushed velvet for the flower.

I heard pp complaining too troublesome to use them, but it just likes all the glitters, and just for a change of glitters, of course at the mean time I love the velvet feel... that's why I grant myself the whole 12 bottles with different colour!

(1) Choose the item you want to use, in my case, I cut out the flower from OA pp:

(2) Brush up the glue, I used Tombo's liquid glue, you also can use any type of liquid glue you have. But just be careful, you need to only brush the area you want to use the crushed velvet for:

(3) sprinkle crushed velvet on:

(4) shake off the access and cut it out nicely, so here you are, ready to use for you layout:

It will work well with doodlebug's stick with it adhesive transfers, I especially like the swirl design, got to use it for the next one.

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An 4 year-old artist

Now, I also want to share with you a little drawing done by my Rafeeqa. She is fond of the Winx club and apparently this one is her favourite. I just amazed to see how detail she could draw, look at the shoe, the lace, the dangling stuff on the wing...She has been working on all the characters for a while and leaving my place with all scribble. I have to say kids are creative and they are proud of their completed work, not like us though, just wonder, where did our confidence go?

A proud mother

2008-07-16T19:22:00.001+08:00

Yes, I am! Found this while I was internet exploring. Hope you enjoy it too.

What did I do?

2008-07-10T09:36:00.010+08:00

Ha, what a good question! I was wondering myself too... nearly a week of holiday is gone! But I had a great week!!! Finally I welcomed my friend Wenting and his family, it's hard to believe the last time we saw each other was 5 years ago! I don't think that we have changed much since, even compare to 20 over years ago, haha...

I can tell the children all had a good time too! Especially with water! They actually spent their afternoons in the pool! I didn't take any photo when we were at the Yacht Club on Sunday, but believe me, they stayed in water for more than 3 hours every day! They also visited the Jungle Gym and made pizza in Frattini's !

little mermaid Kaiyee Rafeeqa

the little wondering boy Xuezheng

can you believe this girl was afraid of water two years ago?

It's yummy, of course!

You see, though we visit museum, mosques only when we have visitors, I do enjoy them, especially the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the Jame Asr' Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, beautiful and magnificent! The water cruise was interesting too, and this would be my first time in 10 years! After a fanastic time in Brunei, they departed to KK yesterday and we will join them tomorrow after my course and Renee's summer school.

Scrapping Side

It's so good to have a long holiday... what I enjoyed most so far? Sitting in front of my table, scrapping without time restriction! I received Shabby's kit for July, I just love the paper, I made two LOs, a card and still more left! I have to send to Shabby today!Plus have a look at the new arrivals...

Sneak peek of Shabby's look

Besides that, I scrapped every moring and made a few LOs:

The harmonica girl

I tried putting ghost letters on the photo, and quite like it! Don't you have those moment that you are clueness on how to use some embelishment? But still keep buying them?

Moment

I like this photo very much and always hope that I could catch another one like this! The crochet flower is beautiful and handmade by Bev, she is so good, isn't she! I tried knitting years ago in my early teens and my level is still at "able to finish one long scarf", simply have no idea how to knit a whole sweater, do not know where to fix the sleeve nor neck, lol. Thanks, Bev. I still have the other two!

Everyone enjoyed

2008-06-29T15:24:00.005+08:00

Yes, I believed that everyone came to the crop party had a good time. Everyone participated in making one layout, altering one file folder and making one card. I have to say that I was really inspired by all the ladies. Though everyone received the same instruction but the finished products were so different and interesting!

It's a shame that I forgot all about taking photo. But I am sure soon all of you will see from Jazz!

Just one more week, school is off... great, isn't it? Renee wants to join the summer school and after that we shall be away for a while. I still need to work on my course which only finishes in end of August! "sign"

It's absolutely hoooooot out there, so I decided to lazy at home, while Renee is busy with her new digital pet and Rafeeqa is trying to clean her lovely doll--Chloe ( I don't know how exactly she will do it, but she just asked me for some cotton buds, let's see what will happen later...)

I finally managed to clean up my space upstairs after all these months. Made a trip to Growing Star last Sunday while my dear hubby was away pursuing his racing car career, I bought table, bookshelves and cupboards and now this is how my scrapping place looks like:

I just had enough fighting space with the girls, in front of my white table is their study table, I have to place the two computers as far as possible, if you are parenting two children, you might understand why. I can use my laptop on my new table too!

I put some of the stuff on the shelves behind my chair, as it's a open shelf, so it's so

easy for me to just turn, look and grab the things I want to use. The second layer of the shelves now become the display space, I can just leave the new LOs there. Ha, now I am a really happy woman. On top of that, I collected a few boxes from post office last week and my favorite is this:

I have been waiting from amazon since the day I ordered it! The coolest thing about it is the layout cards which came along! I can just bring them anywhere I go, imagine you are in one of the crop party and out of idea, just take one and use! Ha, love it!

The girls are calling now, they need some afternoon tea! Can you believe, I just gave them apples, well, they are growing, so I have to sign off and make them some pancake, I think, actually I am in the mood for that! My book, my coffee and pancake...

A date in your diary

2008-06-19T17:14:00.003+08:00

Scrap Inspire Create

{ Crop Party }

Yes, that's it! Jazz decided our first Crop party in the hotel, so please put this date in your diary, 28th June 2008, 2pm-5pm (you can find out more details here ) I'm sure there are many games and challenges for you ladies ( guys ), I do hope to see you all and I am sure we will have a fun & creative time. By the way, school is out soon, soon, very soon...

I read Ali Edwards' blog this morning and felt so touched. I read hers everyday, get inspired in different ways. But today's is different: being a parent is something simply not what we can say that we are very good at it... I know there are millions of books on parenting, but are you sure you can just find one and copy the way to deal with your own children? If it's yes, then you are LUCKY! But the truth is every single child is unique, and I have two! I need to use different ways to talk to them even! Well, compare to those who have 3, 4, or more, I really admire you! I especially admire the way Ali Edwards does, I was nearly in tears after that read.

I always wanted to be a fine parent to my girls and am still trying. Ever since I started scrapbooking, I feel that I might find a way, this hobby definitely cool me down and let me think more. By not only tell their/our story, but also remind them/us how we once were, and the person we will/shall be. Recording those precious moment for them, also for us, when we are elder one day, we won't regret that we have missed something important in their/our lives.

We scrap everything, kinda anything, yes, why? Because we simply can not afford just let anything go like a snap! Big or little, these are the things happened once in our lives and we wish to keep them, don't you? When I was little, I kept anything in my old cookie tins, my parents moved many times and I did too, but I still have 4 or 5 with me now, you know what is inside? All my TREASURE: my first pair imported hair pin from my dad ( picture a 7 years old girl crying over the Japanese goods); some really old stickers from a boy I once loved ( ok, ok, yes, there was someone long time ago, he bought stickers for me in a rainy day and kept them under his shirt to keep them dry); some nice jade necklace from old frenz; my collection of newspaper and poster on my fav actress Lin Qin Xia... many many things, I would put myself into those old days every time I go through them. I guess all the things I do now, will help my girls to remember their days as a child and let them treasure for what they have.

Talk to them, record what they say, listen to them, write what they think and play with them

, just like you once were ... believe or not we can give them the best and make them a better one.

I guess I have talked too much today, just felt into this mood... Renee had her recital this afternoon after school, yes, this is not her first time but it's her first duet with her friend Alissa.

I do not expect her to be one fine musician one day but I am sure she loves music and will enjoy it all her life.

I am in!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-18T07:29:00.002+08:00

Yes, I am officially in the Design Team for Shabby Chic with the other two talented ladies: Sharon and Erlia. Now I started to wonder what's our first project? Haha...lol

The craft sales is still on, I have students knocked on the door and asked whether they can "order" a notebook, these girls love the notebook I altered... Stayed up late for the last few days, I can't disappoint those lovely angels. By end of this week, we will hand over all the money to China Embassy.

Craft Sale

2008-06-12T11:10:00.003+08:00

It went well for the past two days and now I have nearly $500 in the envelope... And it will continue next week till most of them are all gone.

that's the display board at school

some of the book marks, cards, altered frame and boxes

more note books, cards

Thank you, my fellow scrappers in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore, thank you very much, you did make the difference.

"Busy -very much - and nearly crazy " that is how I can decribe my past weeks. But now I shall have a slightly less stressed two weeks till the long summer holiday.

But again, I have many plan for the less stressed weeks ...

The best thing so far, I received a call from a very close friend from junior high, he and his family is coming to visit me next month! So happy, now I will have my 2nd visiter from China besides my parents. I've been here for 11 years, only my mum, dad visited me in the first few years, then Carolyn came last year and now Ting is coming. My aunt and uncle will come in October too, what a great year for me!

Any scrapping? Since I made so many notebooks this week, I consider myself did some scrapping, lol. I bought some MM passport collection yesterday from Shabby,they are beautiful! I knew I said no more shopping but what to do? Cupcake scrapbook shop is closing down, I will miss those wonderful things, thus I gave myself excuse to buy the passport collection as I won't be receiving them from Cupcake any more. JB is always giving her own line, so , you know, I have to get the passport collection!

It's so quiet...

2008-05-31T21:34:00.005+08:00

Yes, now, at the moment, the kids have gone to bed.

I'm kind of sorting out my scrap space after sitting there for a few hours. But, do not even think about "CLEAN", coz it is very far from that meaning. Went to Jazz's place and worked with 2 ladies for the charity items. I think we actually chat more, ate more... I'm so impressed by all the work done today and previously. A big and warm "Thank you" goes to everyone who helped in this event.

I made this there:

also made these too during the week, 3 or 4 cards in the box:

Just hope everything will go well as I planned and we shall get some decent money for the move which will go to the right people. I can not bear watching news or even reading it...

It's hard to believe today is 31st of May, another 4 weeks to go for my summer holidays. To end today's post, I show you a sneak for June's SIC title:

This is an interesting item and a challenged one too.

Now, good night. I need to get my beauty sleep...

It's a relaxing weekend!

2008-05-25T17:25:00.006+08:00

Haven't been like this for some time. Really enjoyed this weekend.

I even had a nap with Rafeeqa on Saturday after lunch. Absolutely just RELAX, we went to watch a movie this morning and came home I again fell asleep on the sofa, guess I missed sleeping too much!

Scrapping wise, many ideas in the head, now slowly let them out one by one. Finished this using MM's new noteworthy, as usual the paper itself makes me speechless...

After 8 weeks' busy school, this short break finally arrived, a whole week --- it means many work should be done if I start right after this!

I decided to share a quote with you in every blog entry from now on, I will add it at the left bar on the top. Today's is:

{ For everyone, there is a time to give and a time to receive. When it is your time }to receive the graciousness of others, do so not with shame but with grace and thankfulness.

2 more days to go

2008-05-22T07:13:00.010+08:00

I stayed up till early morning to finish my assignment yesterday. There are too many things up recently, I was kind of down down ... with no mood to do anything. Hubby was away for 5 days, I was the mother, driver, entertainer, teacher and student. When I picked him last night from airport, I gave him a big kiss, he's back to rescure me! It's so hard to get up early, prepare everybody to school, teach 5 lessons in the morning, bring one child home during lunch, back to school teach another 2 or 3 lessons, bring the other one home, write report and do my assignment. The only good thing is I do not need to cook! I hate when hubby is away and it striked twice this month!

Sorry, talking too much, I know. On top of that, Renee had Roman day yesterday, I only managed to buy a piece of cloth and sent to tailor on Sunday leaving the nice lady 2 days to finish her piece. But thanks to everyone, it turned out to be ok:

We reached school and glad to see all these lovely looks:

On the other hand, I was so worried about the situation in Sichuan and called again my fren and happy to hear she left Mianyang with the baby and now safely arrived her hometown Wuhan. Can't bare to watch the news anymore... donationa and pray are all we can do at the moment.

There are only 2 days left for this term... I shall have more time ( hope so...)

Charity Move

2008-05-18T20:00:00.002+08:00

My dear friends, SIC is organising a Charity Move for raising fund for the victims of recent China earthquake. Please help them by making some craft items like bagtags, bookmarks, cards, picture frames,etc, I will arrange a sale in JIS mid June, all profit will go to the victims through China Embassy. If you decide to join in this Charity Move, please can I have all the items latest by 10th June.

A big "THANK YOU" to all of you, all your love and care are appreciated.

{ The rules to a good life are easy. Be kind. Be gracous. Be true. }

Finally back in touch

2008-05-15T16:36:00.002+08:00

Yes, her phone was finally ringing after 3 days. Everyone is fine. The house cracked but they managed to leave and stay in the safe place now. There is water and electricity in certain part of the city in Sichuan, so now the whole family moved to Mianyang city. She said the situation is baaaaad...

But I am so happy to hear her voice and to learn that they are safe. Thank you, everyone, who prayed for her, god will bless you too.

Sichuan...

2008-05-15T07:10:00.002+08:00

As we all awared that the deadly earthquake attached China on Monday, resulting nearly 14000 dead so far...

Sichuan, is a place, I shall say means a lot to my parents. They left Shanghai in early twenties to work in Sichuan as the government called out to them, they served over 20 years there to contribute in the development for southwest of China. They married in Sichuan, I was born there. I was sent back to my grandma when I was 3 years old for better living environment in Shanghai. My parents left in 1992. My father went back two years ago to settle everything and drew an end in Sichuan.

I frankly do not know that much about the place, but I have a close friend who still lives there. I have been calling her for 2 days now, but... no answer. The communication is still down... She lives in Jiangyou while her husband works in Mianyang, where is very close to Wenchuan, and the two county in Mianyang, the death roll draws nearly 8000, I hope she is fine, last December 15th, she just gave birth to her first boy! Let's pray... The last time I met her was in 1995, before I left to Brunei. We were best friends in high school, we stayed in the same boarding house: we used to eat together, study together, kind of do everything together. We talked on the phone in December when I was in Shanghai, we even planned a gathering next year... I hope, we will meet soon.

I am relieved ...

2008-05-09T17:16:00.000+08:00

... after completed my first very important interview for my course. And very happy when I arrived home seeing this:

My dear Rafeeqa even made me covered my eyes before she presented it to me! She's sweet, for now...

Received JB's April project kit, turned it into this:

I haven't decided where it should go yet, it stays in my scrap corner now.

SIC is running May's challenge, create a mother's day LO, please check it out. As for me, I did a look with me and my mother as you can see from my previous blog entry. Really miss her...

New haircut

2008-05-03T12:13:00.004+08:00

Some nights, Rafeeqa couldn't sleep well, frenz suggested for a hair cut.

It's very hard to get a hair cut done with my girls, I don't know about yours, but mine...... All of them want super long wavy hair like princess. But finally we agreed for one and she sort of likes it too! Good for me too, new photo to scrap...

Had a chat with frenz at Shabby this afternoon and guess what, I bought "DIRT", thought I am very busy but this could be a treat for the weekend, right?

Another catch up...

2008-04-30T21:30:00.001+08:00

I finally managed to complete first few assignments for my course, yes, now I have time to scrap ... but just till this Sunday -- another one is due next Friday! I didn't get to develop any photo , there are many in the camera from beach trips and school book week, so actually a lot of new photo yet to be scrapped, but when???

Here is a few I did :

(1) Do you still remember the movie: Jerry Maguire by Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger , he said: "You completed me" which made me cry over and over and now you may discovered where my eldest's name came from... "sh..." I did this LO coz I feel that sentence now, present.

pp from MM, CI and BB, the flowers are from last year mother's day special kit from Scrapping Angel, can you believe it?

(2) "Sweet face": this one actually did few months back when AC arrived in Shabby and I forgot all about it!

(3) "She"-- a LO for my mother, the subject which I do not dare to think too much about. May is the month of mother... I really miss her... the photo I chose came with special meaning to me, we took in the different places where we lived: Sichuan, Shanghai and Brunei. Also, different special moment in our lives: a young me before mummy left me with grandma; another young me went to visit mummy; me and mummy in my teens; before my wedding and when I was pregnant with Renee. We shared these memory together and I am very sure she is still with us ... Renee once told me seriously:" Mummy, don't worry, grandma ma is watching us, she will pray for us!" Ya, she would be so proud that her granddaughters are such sweet.

(4) The recycle flower tin to the flower pot: this is something I wanted to do but didn't manage early on. When I went thru old stash of pp and discovered some Elsie's, you know, I love her but I don't know how to use them! Gave a try to cover the container and it turned out to be cool! The next day, I returned to Shabby to hunt more tins and guess what, all gone! Just show you some pics:

Time for sleep loh, see ya soon!

Green Project

2008-04-27T21:03:00.004+08:00

I just uploaded this to the Creative Imagination Gallery.

I thought for other LOs but ended up with this project. The reason: I really got so many pizza box at home. For those who also have a few kits coming in every month, I know you understand me! I use them to put all the kits then all the kits will just stay there, so I took them out and did not want to throw the box.

When I was making this, my dad was in my head all the time. The creative imagination paper, the music notes, remind me of my dad, he loves music. We didn't spend that much time together when I was a little girl, but his collection of record, used to be the old big black type, and now, the CD and DVDs, he has this huge cabinet in his room, full of music records. If I can think about any present for him, will be music record. Maybe this recycle project could be his present too!

If you have any recycle idea , do join the creative imagination go green project www.creativeimagination.us.

Time flies

2008-04-26T18:10:00.003+08:00

Just don't know how this happened, today is 26th of April!!! Only 4 days to May!

So many things in my head but just a few have been completed, here is a peak of one of the LO for SIC:

Be sure to come back on the 1st, you will know by then.

A busy weekend

2008-04-15T15:53:00.008+08:00

We were invited to different activities, so we had a rather busy weekend compare the usual ones. On Sunday morning, the girls went to the Muara Beach, played with their cousins. We usually go to the club on Sundays, swim in the pool and play at the seaside, they never have been in the sea actually, so this was the first time for them to play in the sea. The weather was lovely, we had plenty of food too ( my aunt and her daughters cooked so many food which could feed at 30 people ). After the sea, children went to the playground and had icecream, we didn't leave there until noon.

Later that day, the girls joined school's treasure hunt, we were divided into 4 groups, guess what, the team Renee was in won!!! Look, these joyful faces!

Of course, the result of that is not much scrapping for me. Paid a trip to Shabby on Friday night, couldn't resist the lovely Heidi Grace paper, took 4 only ( what a good girl I was ) and did something RECYCLE:

I am sure we all have loads of this plastic cover for chipboard, stamps, I just feel guilty if I throw them away! It turned out to be a door sign for my girls' room, did you see the new Heidi Grace paper there? I went back to Shabby on Sunday to grab another two after all, I know the good behavior didn't last long though! Sigh

Are you ready for some game?

2008-04-10T07:02:00.001+08:00

Yes, that's it. I am hosting for sisterhoodofscrap's game today! Now, are you ready? As you can see below, it's a 16pcs puzzle, click and have a round, I will tell you later what your LO need to be:

It's not that hard, isn't it? I hope you all have fun playing. I hope you like all the colour in that puzzle and I want you to choose any 4 to be the primary colour of your LO and here is mine.

You should have one week to complete your layout and post a link here, many prizes are waiting for you, and most of all, we shall all have fun playing, right? LOL

Sisterhoodofscrap

2008-04-08T20:14:00.002+08:00

It's sisterhoodofscrap's anniversary celebration, please come and join us! I am sure you will have fun to join in the games and a lot of prize to win!!!

Preferably 28 hours a day

2008-04-06T16:21:00.007+08:00

Gee, 4 hours make a lot of difference: 2 more LOs; another episod of reading; complete one writing assignment; 1 more movie; clean up my table, ect. I just wish I have more hours in a day! When school starts, my time is restrained, transport Renee from one activity to another adds more stress! Even though I mumble too much on this, I still kinda appreciate how these arrangements have been made, especially after watching "The Secret" movie this morning. Well, if you are " The Secret" book lover, you can understand me. We shall all be happy for what we have...

Let's see what I've got here to share with you:

Those Eyes

This is meant to join the challenge at Scrappinkids, for what is so unique about your child's feature. No doubt, I will op for Renee's eyes. Inspired by one look I have seen somewhere sometime, I wrote a letter to her future boyfriend, to tell him how special Renee to me and tell him to treasure the time with Renee, to look after her well. This is a strange feeling, even though she is only 7, but by recall how I left home schooling, working and settled down far away from my mother, my heart aches. I want my daughters to know that they're meant so much to their mother.

Another 8.5*11, using my cupcakes Feb kit:

"These 2 beautiful princess are what I often scrap about"

I found out doing 8.5*11 is much faster and the LO will definitely focus on the photo you choose.

Also, antoher LO will submit for scrap-n-crop April DT challenge: as I told you in my earlier posts, there are a group of talented scrapper, the ideas are so inspiring, we have this "Makan Order" for the challenge, which you are allowed to order 1 main dish, 1 side dish, 1 dessert and 1 drink using scrapping supplies. Mine turned out to be:

"Grow our family tree"

Along with these scrapping, I still have some written assignment to complete, lesson plan to update, test paper to finalise and a lot lot more on the list!!! So I am staying at home now on this beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon while dear hubby brought the girls to the yacht club for fun, sigh, but at least, I updated my blog! LOL...

So many exciting news!

2008-04-01T20:34:00.002+08:00

Yes, indeed, there are so many exciting news today!

First, I am on board with Scrap.Inspire.Create Design Team from April to Sep 2008, I will be working together with other 3 ladies and hope I can do a good job, wow! So please, my fellow scrappers, drop by and visit here to join our very 1st challenge, believe or not, we have already received 1st submission!

Then, another DT job for Scrap-n-Crop is also in the line, just can not believe my luck for that! It's a great place to be especially their forum here.

And, there is something else good for me which I have been waiting for sometime. There were downs in life, but you know what, follow this read: " If you find stumbling blocks in your path, use them as stepping stones to move closer to the good in life."

Now, I am going to continue with my scrapping LOs, hope to share with you as soon as I finish them, coz I can't wait to show you the beautiful paper from cupcakes kit, thus I continued another 6 month subscription.

Stay happy

2008-03-30T12:48:00.000+08:00

Scrapped till late last night... as hubby was away playing his go-cart. I did two LOs and happy about that.

Actually I am a happy woman lately: realizing many things in life should just stay as what they are. Talking about friends, don't know if you have the same feeling: many people appear in your life, come and go, but those who stay will remain your close friend, and believe or not, we all have learnt that BE THE FRIEND YOU NEED, to give and to love. I have been here in Brunei for nearly 11 years, those who close can hardly counted in one hand, but I still admit that I am very happy for what I have. So here is my first LO with my friend Meilan:

All the paper are from cupcakes kit which I just picked up yesterday morning, I have to say I love cupcakes kit, beautiful and reasonable pricing. March's kit comes with Amy Butler, 7 gypsies, College Press and Hambly, don't you just adore the crochet leave?

This is my first try with something else besides a usual 12 * 12 ( inspired by Meilan, of course ), once again, we scrap the same pictures and came up with so different style. I definately need to take the picture of her looks, they are just as wonderful as she is.

Well, now please come back on 1st April to see my 2nd LO, and I shall share something special with you...

Tata, for now...

Still holiday

2008-03-27T21:00:00.000+08:00

You know what, it's really great to have a two-week holiday. I enjoyed myself with the trip and of course, more scrapping! Have sent my creations for a DT submission and cross finger... well, it doesn't hurt to give a try, right?

Meilan and I decided to scrap the same photo and see what we can do with it. Mine... I had to switch so many paper and finally set my eye on my Jenni Bowlin, these are last year's pp, they are so beautiful and I don't know what to do with them. Sometimes, you intend to keep the pretty stuff and just be happy when you flip thru them, right? I also tried dolly paper this time, Meilan loves it, hehe, I kinda like it too ( found out some really old stuff, used them and absolutely love them!)

Now, let me show you what else I did just now:

that's my lovely Renee, she's always willing to pose for her mummy, lol.

Sisterhood of Scrap

2008-03-26T12:13:00.000+08:00

Yes, Watch out this space and do visit sisters as something interesting is coming up soon!!! Ladies, let's play together.