Another year has passed. Isn’t it funny that when we were young, it seemed like time was so slow. We couldn’t wait for our next birthday to come. But as we got older, its like life is on fast forward and we couldn’t do anything to slow it down. I love birthdays because it makes me realize, all over again, how blessed my life is– my husband who continues to make me and my children’s happiness his top priority, my parents who are so precious to me, my brother and his wife who spoil me rotten, my sister who is always there for me, my in-laws from Mexico who love me sincerely and my circle of friends who always make me feel so so special (even if it’s NOT my birthday 
etc. etc. etc…
I’d like to share with you one of the gifts I received from my children. Nothing beats handmade gifts done by your precious ones.
I’d love to hear what you are grateful for–even if it’s not your birthday. Drop a line and let me know what you are thankful for. After a week, those who shared their thoughts will get a chance to win a gift from MLA.
Thanks again for all your wonderful birthday wishes!!!
Hi everyone!!
For weeks, I have been looking around for someone who unselfishly shares her talent and creativity. A lot of names came up but hers stood out I just love it when someone has so much talent yet remains very humble. The execution of her layouts are stunning, more so because of her beautiful photographs. Read on and learn more about this extremely talented lady and be inspired by what she can do with her creative hands. Welcome to MLA Alby!!!!!
“I started scrapbooking about 3 years ago after attending a workshop by a local store. Shortly after that, I started contributing to a scrapbooking website where I regularly wrote about photo retouching. At about the same time, I became a member of the e-group, Pinoyscrapbookers, and I gained scrapper friends. I started attending EBs and workshops more regularly. That’s when scrapbooking (and scrap-shopping) really became a big part of my life (and my pocket!).
I really gravitate to clean and simple scrapbooking with minimal embellishments. My friends pointed out that my layouts always have even margins and are always aligned perfectly, short of measuring everything with a ruler. Cathy Zielske and Ali Edwards are my original scrapbooking “idols”. I love their simple yet stunning layouts. Because of that, I use a lot of cardstocks. It was only in the past year that I started loving (and hoarding) patterned papers and embellishments like flowers, blings, rubons and chipboard shapes. I also prefer earth tones like greens and browns, as well as blues. That’s because I love the outdoors and most of the photos I scrap are of our travels, beach trips and outdoor adventures.
I love, love making mini albums! It’s an easy way for me to scrap our travel photos. It’s also the perfect gift to my family and friends. I also enjoy making cards, and recently ATCs. If you look at my projects, you will notice that I almost always distress the edges of my papers with ink. I also love stamping and using paint on my layouts.I am now a big fan of Jennifer McGuire (I don’t want to admit it, but I actually wrote her a fan mail!!!) and I stalk her blog to learn new ways to use stamps.
I am most productive when I scrap alone in the little creativity nook that I designed last year. Everything I need is within my reach. I sometimes listen to my favorite music, mostly soundtracks from musicals like Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Grease, the Beatles’ music, Jason Mraz, King Singers, and instrumentals (I’m an old soul when it comes to music). I’m a morning person so I like starting early, just after breakfast. I only scrap on weekends because I have a full time job (which I also love). Scrapping is my stress buster after a long week at work. It refreshes my mind and re-energizes my body.”
Here are some of her wonderful creations of Alby using Basic Grey’s new line of papers.
AngkorWat
Angkor Wat
Materials: Patterned Papers – Basic Grey Marakech (Blue Nights, Orchid Oolong, Vanilla Chai, Calming Moon), Cardstock – Bazzil (Kraft), Chipboards – Bsic Grey (Marakech), buttons
Instructions:
1. Cut Orchid Oolong Paper along the pattern. Put adhesive on both ends and stick to the Blue Nights Paper vertically on the left side.
2. Stamp label design on Kraft paper using pigment ink. Stamp the word “unforgettable” on the center of label using embossing ink. Pour copper embossing powder on the stamped image. Tap excess powder and emboss using heat gun. Cut around the label design and set aside.
3. Stamp border design on Vanilla Chai paper using pigment ink. Cut along the pattern and set aside.
4. Stamp journaling block on Kraft paper. Cut along the design and set aside.
5. Cut a starburst design from Vanilla Chai paper. Top with chipboard. Adhere a button on the center of the chipboard.
6. Cut two scallop circle shapes from Kraft paper using MM Slice. On one scallop, adhere a chipboard circle from the Marakech pack. Adhere the clear button on the center of the chipboard using dimensional glue. This will let the design of the chipboard show through the button. On one scallop circle, adhere the flower chipboard and top with a button.
7. Cut “Angkor Wat” and flourish from Calming Moon paper using MM Slice.
8. Assemble the page as shown in the layout.
Shutterbug
Materials: Patterned Papers – Basic Grey Marakech (Oolong Orchid, Sencha, Calming Moon, Dragonwell, Vanilla Chai), Cardstock – Bazzil (Green, Kraft), Chipboard Shapes – Basic Grey (Marakech, Chipboard Elements), Border strip – Bazzil Just the Edges, Chipboard Alphas – AC Thickers, Ink – VersaFine, Ranger, Others – Ribbon, Stickles, Stamps
Instructions:
1. Cut a 4×12 strip from the Sencha paper. Distress the edges with dye ink. Adhere to bottom of Kraft Paper.
2. Cut a 1” strip from the Dragonwell paper and distress edges with dye ink. Adhere on top of the Sencha paper.
3. Cut 4×6 piece of Vanilla Chai paper. Distress edges with dye ink. Adhere on left side of the page above the Dragonwell strip.
4. Adhere the photo beside the Vanilla Chai paper.
5. Distress the border strip and adhere above the photo.
6. Stamp “favorite time” on green cardstock. Distress the edges, put adhesive on top portion and insert beneath the border strip.
7. Punch a 1.5” circle from Vanila Chai paper. Stamp “Vacation Memories” on the punched circle. Punch a 1.75” scallop circle from green cardstock and distress with ink. Adhere the stamped circle on top of the scallop circle using foam adhesive. Adhere on the border strip.
8. Cut a flourish shape from Calming Moon paper and distress. Insert end of flourish shape into the border strip and adhere.
9. Cut a square tile from Dragonwell paper. Distress edges and insert end into the border strip. Adhere flower chipboard on the square tile.
10. Cut “fun” from Sencha paper. Distress then partially insert into the border strip and adhere.
11. Stamp journaling block on green cardstock. Cut to shape and distress with ink. Write the journaling and adhere on the Vanilla chai paper.
12. Cut the word “click” from Sencha paper and distress with ink. Stick sideways along th edge of the photo.
13. Stamp “adventure” on Kraft paper and cut into a rectangular shape. Adhere above the journaling block.
14. Paint label shaped chipboard with crackle paint. When dry, tie ribbon on one hole. Adhere on top of the stamped “adventure” word.
15. Cut two strips from Oolong Orchid paper. Distress with ink and adhere on top and bottom sides of the photo using foam adhesive.
16. Adhere chipboard leaves and flower.
17. Add stickles all over the page for dimension and sparkle. When dry, add the title.
ALTERED BOX
Altered Box
Materials: Box, Patterned Papers – Basic Grey Marakech (Sencha, Oolong Orchid, Vanilla Chai), Mod Podge, Flowers, Chipboard Swirl, Bling, Paint, Shimmer Mist
Instructions:
1. Apply red acrylic paint on the edges and corners of box and let dry.
2. Measure the sides of the box and cover and cut patterned paper 1/8 of an inch smaller than box dimensions so that the red pain on the corners will show through.
3. Apply Mod Podge on box and papers. Adhere the papers to the box. When dry, lightly sand edges of the papers such that some of the white core will show through. Don’t worry if the paper gets torn, it will add to the distressed look.
4. For the top of the box cover, use a mask and spray with shimmer mist for a unique design.
5. Apply two coatings of Mod Podge on the box including the cover to seal it and protect the paper underneath.
6. Apply a coat of Mod Podge on chipboard swirl. When dry, spray with shimmer mist. Adhere to the box cover. Adhere the flowers and top with bling.
This is a great way to use scraps. Feel free to add more embellishments. In this case, since the paper has bold and busy patterns, I decided to keep it simple.
Watch out for more of Alby’s creations here! More to follow in the coming days…. Have a great week ahead!!!
Hi everyone!! It has been a while since I’ve posted!!! 
School activities, preparations for a 65th wedding anniversary, entertaining guests, summer activities for kids and an overseas trip to visit relatives have been keeping me tremendously busy.
I’d like to thank all of you who joined the May Challenge of MLA and SH. Your layouts were all stunning!!! My apologies for the late reveal. I have been having problems with the site but I got help from a friend already. Many thanks also to Marisa and Donna for helping me narrow it down to the winners.
Congratulations to our first place winner, Helga Vergara for “A Day in the Park”
and runner-up Rita Vergara for “Day Off”.
Enjoy your Amy Butler Tote bags and gift certificates from MLA and SH!!!
Till our next challenge!!!
Hi everyone! I’d like to give you a little treat this coming weekend… my simple way of saying THANK YOU for your continued patronage. Big big thanks to Marisa too for her generosity. Starting today, Friday Aug 22 until Monday, Aug. 25,2008, tons of items will be on sale from 10-50% off. Check these out!!!
10% off
Inque Boutique paper packs
Fancy Pants Glitter cuts
Prima Brads
15% off
Flora Doodles
Bazzill Spat Mat
20% off
Kaiser Craft Albums/beyond pages/embellishments
Bazzill Monochromatic packs
Cuttlebug embossing folders
25% off
Prima paintables
Kaiser Craft Rhinestones
Basic Grey Brads and buttons
Thick Cuts Dies
Basic Grey chipboard alphas
MM foam stamps
Pebbles Inc. Foam stamps
Queen and Co. felt boarders
30% off
Catch all Bag
Inque Boutique Whisper ink Pads
BG rub ons
American Crafts rub ons
Bazzill brads
50% off
Zipmate
DCWV decoupage paper packs
We R Memory Keepers ribbons
KI ribbons
All magazines
All papers, buy 3 get 1 free (same company please).
Happy shopping everyone!!!
