photo dilemma

Sorry for being absent too long ... I spend most of my time in Instagram lately. It is much easier and faster and my photos look nicer there.  When I blog, I still get frustrated with my photos.  I badly need to LEARN the technicalities of photography. Yes this October. I'll do that. 

For now, pardon me for these are  the best photos of the sample layouts I made recently for my "Just Getting Started" class at Made With Love. I don't like the photos. The layouts look so much better in "person"....honest :( 

In class you learn the basics of scrapbooking and you get to choose a whole pack of Echo Park Paper kit. There are variety of kits to choose from. You will go home with a layout or two + a new found love for scrapbooking! Call 67337630 or 66435561 for more details. 

Going back to taking good photos of the layouts of projects we make, do you have any personal pointers for me? 

Thoughtful Crafts | September Workshops

Hugs & Such!

Create a 10-page, 5x6" mini-album from scratch! Get messy with paints, texture paste, embossing powders. Play with tools like Sizzix bigshot, crop-a-dile, heat embosser, punches, mini-attacher. Enjoy a 3-hour fun class and take home a pretty book adorned with flowers, trims, gems, sequins, wood veneers, washi tapes and pretty papers!

Workshop Dates: 14 & 29 September | 10:00am - 1:00pm

Workshop Fee: $50

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: scissors, adhesives (Beacons + tape glue + foam dots) 

Hello Sunshine - LAST CALL!

Let's talk about trends! Water colors. Paper clips. Stars. Eyelets. Cork arrows... Let's get messy (but not so!) with stamps, ink splatters! And if you wish, let's do a little bit of machine stitching. Go home with two adorable dreamy layouts with lots of fun details... 

Workshop Dates:  15 & 28 September  | 10:00 AM 

Workshop Fee: $45

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: scissors, adhesives (Beacons + tape glue + foam dots) 2 pcs 4x6 photos

Back to Basics 

• Do you like scrapbooking but you don't know how or where to start?
• Do you love papers + scissors + glue and all the other  pretty things that you can create with it?
• Are you a scrapper for quite some time already but somehow, sometimes gets stuck somewhere and would very much want to go back to basics? 

If you said YES to any of my questions then this class is for you! In this class, I will guide you on how to create your very own scrapbook page from scratch. Get familiar with scrapbook terms, tools and supplies. Learn the very basic but essential techniques of choosing photos + papers*+embellishments for your layout.  *papers may vary, depending of availability.

Workshop Dates: 21 September | 10:00 AM  
Workshop Fee: $40

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: 1-3 photos of the same theme and colors

Workshop Venue: Right HERE in my happy place! Click in THIS link to see photos of our past workshops. 

How to Register: Leave a comment in this post of send me a private message HERE. 

Private Workshop: Interested to do a private workshop at my place? Just let me know through the links I provided above :) Hope to hear from you!

Thoughtful Crafts | August Workshop

Hello Sunshine

Let's talk about trends! Water colors. Paper clips. Stars. Eyelets. Cork arrows... Let's get messy (but not so!) with stamps, ink splatters! And if you wish, let's do a little bit of machine stitching. Go home with two adorable dreamy layouts with lots of fun details... 

Workshop Dates:  10 & 24 August  | 10:00 AM 

Workshop Fee: $45

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: scissors, adhesives (Beacons + tape glue + foam dots) 2 pcs 4x6 photos

Back to Basics 

• Do you like scrapbooking but you don't know how or where to start?
• Do you love papers + scissors + glue and all the other  pretty things that you can create with it?
• Are you a scrapper for quite some time already but somehow, sometimes gets stuck somewhere and would very much want to go back to basics? 

If you said YES to any of my questions then this class is for you! In this class, I will guide you on how to create your very own scrapbook page from scratch. Get familiar with scrapbook terms, tools and supplies. Learn the very basic but essential techniques of choosing photos + papers*+embellishments for your layout.  *papers may vary, depending of availability.

Workshop Dates: 11 August | 10:00 AM  
Workshop Fee: $40

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: 1-3 photos of the same theme and colors

Doll House (LAST CALL - 4 kits left!)

Make a perfect gift for someone who loves dolls or keep it  as a keepsake for yourself! This is an album at first glance but when you open it up, it transforms into a 2-storey, 8-room mansion! With pop-up dolls, tables and chairs and more miniature things like sewing machine, baskets, slippers and more... This is such a super cute project you will really enjoy making! *papers used may vary*

Workshop Dates: 31 August | 10:00 AM

Workshop Fee: $50 

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: scissors, adhesives (Beacons + tape glue + foam dots), bone folder,  score board (optional)

Workshop Venue: Right HERE in my happy place! Click in THIS link to see photos of our past workshops. 

How to Register: Leave a comment in this post of send me a private message HERE. 

Private Workshop: Interested to do a private workshop at my place? Just let me know trough the links I provided above :) Hope to hear from you!

Scrapbooking Class: Back to Basics

• Do you like scrapbooking but you don't know how or where to start?
• Do you love papers + scissors + glue and all the other  pretty things that you can create with it?
• Are you a scrapper for quite some time already but somehow, sometimes gets stuck somewhere and would very much want to go back to basics? 

If you said YES to any of my questions then this class is for you! 

In this class, I will guide you on how to create your very own scrapbook page from scratch. Get familiar with scrapbook terms, tools and supplies. Learn the very basic but essential techniques of choosing photos + papers*+embellishments for your layout.  *papers may vary, depending of availability.

Workshop dates*: Since this class is being offered every month, see this month's schedule on our Thoughtful Crafts NEWSLETTER. (dates will be confirmed if participants have paid workshop fee)
Things to bring: 1-3 photos of the same theme and colors
Duration: 3 hours
Workshop venue: Here in my happy place!
Fee: $40

How to sign up:  Comment on this post or PM me HERE, or email me at: gen8880@yahooDOTcom.

Xoxo,
Gen :)

My Doll House - Workshop

Make a perfect gift for someone who loves dolls or keep it  as a keepsake for yourself! This is an album at first glance but when you open it up, it transforms into a 2-storey, 8-room mansion! With pop-up dolls, tables and chairs and more miniature things like sewing machine, baskets, slippers and more... This is such a super cute project you will really enjoy making! *papers used may vary*

Workshop Fee: $50 

Duration: 3 hours

Things to bring: scissors, adhesives (Beacons + tape glue + foam dots), bone folder,  score board (optional)

Venue: Right HERE in my creative space (will give you more details once you confirm attendance).

Workshop schedule (limited to 12 slots only):

23 June - 9:00AM-12:00PM

29 June - 9:00AM-12:00PM

30 June - 9:00AM-12:00PM

To register, comment on this post or send me a private message HERE. Thank you! :)

Note: I am conducting a private one-to-one scrapbooking lessons! Will post more details in ThoughtfulCrafts' June Newsletter. Stay tuned! 

{Inspired by Crate Paper}

sending smiles your way :)

Hoping you'll send me back some!

This is the kind of day when I don't want to do anything (most, if not all women experience this once every month). Scenario: I stare at my long list of things-to-do (just stare) then I proceed to the fridge and grab some of hubby's Cadbury. Stare at my list again and go back to the fridge and grab the whole pack. I sit down in front of the laptop and surf mindlessly. Such a loser right. Pfffft! 

But I don't want to stay that way. I once said, It's fine to feel like a loser once in awhile. I just have to make sure I won't stay that way haha! One way to do it is to create envelopes. It's therapeutic I tell you! :) 

Smiley envelopes, handcut :)

Little paper bags. Recycled!

Pretty tiny 2x2" envelopes. Great for embellishing mini albums and/or gifts. 

These are up for sale at ThoughtfulCrafts, in this album.

Thank you to all who signed up for Sweetest Days workshop. I hope you all had fun as much as I did. I'm in the process of designing next month's class. Stay tuned! =) 

Sweetest Days WORKSHOP + Winner!

Here are some sneaks for this month's workshop. Thanks to those who have signed up yesterday! Four of them so far :) 

Workshop details... 

Create a chipboard mini album with ring binders FROM SCRATCH! Use those basic tools tools like crop-a-dile, corner rounder and punches... Techniques like stamping, distressing, layering, making handmade embellishments like this 3D rose (using just the scissors, no machine needed!) will be learned too... and take home this sweet keepsake that’s perfect for MOM.

When: Dates to be confirmed once a class of 4 pax is completed and confirmed*. We have 3 schedules available for this workshop. Where: Right here at my Creative Space :)
Fee: $45
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Things to bring: precision tip scissors, foam dots, Beacons glue, distressing ink and tool.
*Note: Confirmed slot means participants have paid the workshop fee.

And now.. the winner for our Mothers Day Mini Blog Hop is... Sim Kailin! Congratulations! Please PM me your details here, and tell me which of the four minis you like best on or before 5th of May (for I will be putting up the rest for sale). Thank you so much dear scrappy friends for joining us in our blog hop... I know we all had fun so there will definitely be more!!! Stay tuned :) 

Just Happy In My Happy Place :)

Thanks to those who responded to the giveaway. It is still open, please visit here.  Okay. I am happy now :) Because at this point in my life. I am doing what I love.

• being with the kids at home
• and being with them in school anytime they need me there 
• doing my crafts
• teaching without having to leave the house
• planning menu
• cleaning and organizing
• taking photos
• keeping in touch with loved ones
• making gifts
• wrapping gifts
• selling
• blogging
• managing my online shoppe, ThoughtfulCrafts

Life is short. I must do my passion now. I must spend more time with the kids now. I must do the little things now. Even when it means, having to try to live really simply. Having to walk to the market everyday because it's cheaper than going to Cold Storage. Having to take the bus. Having to stay at home for the weekend. Having to love and appreciate what I already have. And forget about what I wish to have. 

But aren't these the things that really give us genuine joy? The little things? 

So I am happy. Thankful to dear hubby for being so supportive and responsible for providing us our needs and some wants at times :) Even more thankful to him for going with me to the Autism Partnership seminar last Saturday. I like going to talks with him. Maybe because it is in such event we met first. 2002 Singles for Christ International Leaders Conference. Haha! Sweet.

Most of all, I thank him for taking the boys out for swimming. So I could do my thing ... 

... happy ladies in my happy place! :)

... busy hands! 

... don't you just love the beautiful mess? :)

... finished layouts. Thank you ladies! :)

Yes. We scrapped! ThoughtfulCrafts' very first workshop was a blast! Thank you Mariae, Joan, Evie and Alice for being the first to respond to my invitation... can't wait for next time.

So I am happy. I am blessed. Not because I have a lot. I am happy because I have learned to appreciate the little, the simple and the now. I pray that I will stay this way :)

random

Singing with my crush. Don't worry dear husband he is just a crush. You are my love :D

Busy with Easter goodies. 

Trying my best to forget my migraine.
Tea time with Momi Tin.
Cooking this and this.
Anticipating Easter Vigil. The most important night of the year.
Clinging on to Him so as to maintain my heaven in this chaotic and sometimes very tiring and not so heavenly world...

The last one is quite deep and sensitive =) I wish to talk more about it with  tea and a cheesecake with a dear friend or a family. I sometimes hate that they are so far from where I am. I CAN SMELL HOMESICKNESS.

Change topic.

Here's one of the minis I have done for a workshop long ago for Jodi. I miss this beautiful kid.

Wishing you love and peace this Lenten season...

Happy Place *workshop*

I really miss conducting workshops... and I have been receiving inquiries from my previous scrap students and friends... and I badly need to scrap and crop with a group (it can really be very sad to scrap alone sometimes)... and finally it's here! Workshop! Scrapbooking Party! Crop! ...Whatever you wanna call it!

We will make a 12x12 layout using our favorites: pretty papers, twines, washi tapes, wood veneers, die-cuts, tags, date stamp, etc... and a mini book with pockets using a very straightforward trick you can use again and again to make more and more mini books at home, learn layering and clean distressing techniques, plus I will be sharing some tips on designing a layout! =) 

When: To be confirmed once a class of 4 pax is completed and confirmed*. We have 2 schedules available for this workshop. 

Where: Right  here at my Creative Space :)
Fee: $40
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Things to bring: precision tip scissors, foam dots, Beacons glue, distressing tool, photo (3x3)
*Note: Confirmed slot means participants have paid the workshop fee.

To register, click HERE and drop me a message. Hope to hear from you! :))

noteworthy pages

Hello all :)

Sharing a full view of this  finished class. 

Thanks to all who came. Love you all. 

xoxo,

Gen. 

new class!

I want to say THANK YOU to all of my scrapper friends, old and new, for signing up to Noteworthy. Last month's classes were all full! I hope my new class will be received the same way :) Can't wait to see who's gonna be there!

Print out those adorable instagram photos and make each story behind known to all by making a 6x6 book using products from Maya Road, 7 Gypsies, Simple Stories and many other cool goodies plus learn fun and cool techniques of making recycled embellishments that include making washi out of an ordinary masking tape! There will be lots and lots of stamping too! 

Click here for all the other cool workshops offered at Made With Love this May. 

i love this weekend

Enjoying the two weekends in a row that we are neither going to the mall, nor going somewhere far and crowded. Just spending quiet (hmmnn not really, it's mostly noisy in fact because where can you find a home with a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old that is so quiet?) simple, relaxed time at home. I really really really love these kinds of weekends. Just that I am too forgetful *grin* 

Here are the things I love about this weekend...

• the reality that my mother is in the hospital now but she is getting better, and I worry not about anything. God is in charge. 
• going home from work with hubs
• movies I watched with hubs
• these brownies that I baked and I am proud of because it is so yummy! cross my heart! =) 
• Palm Sunday 
• eating together at the dining table with my son leading the prayer. precious.
• super duper quality time with the boys
• photos that hubby took which I can't wait to play with
• playtime at the park
• and the challenge of finishing the last 10 pages of this album --- my class at Made With Love this April!  

{Noteworthy}

In this class, you will try your hands on masking, misting, embossing, punching, distressing, lots and lots of stamping and go home with 20 pages of 8x8 layouts! Work with a complete freshly released Teresa Collins paper and accessories pack, a Maya Road 8x8 ring binder with page protectors, and a lot lot more of yummy scrapping goodies selected just for your precious Everyday Moments album!   *alphas and washi tapes not included.

Here are some sneaks of what's inside... love the colors, the stamps (I even got emotional a number of times while scrapping. I put my whole heart into it especially the the journaling and the thoughts... made me realize how much I value my family, and that time with them is precious... more precious than any tangible thing in this world). I love this class so much! I hope you will too... 

... gotta go and enjoy the remaining 2 hours of this weekend... love and happiness be to your home as well!   :) 

treasure bag

It's school holiday the whole week! Such a perfect time for this workshop I designed for  kids.  In this class, kids will have fun altering a pretty paper bag that will hold a mini accordion album containing anything and everything they treasure in life!

A little birdie told me that the class is full as of now. Thank you to all who signed up! But who knows, we might offer it again in the coming months. Will keep you posted :)

Contact Made With Love for more information on all the workshops we offer. Thanks! :)

new class! :)

Rujim turned six a few days ago (will post photos and details soon!) but before it ever happened, I challenged myself to finish his birthday album for last year. So glad I did it! Here's some sneak peek of that album, which I will be featuring on my newest class this February...

So...

It's time to take out your kids' birthday photos that have been hiding for years and make a fun book using Maya Road's chipboard binder album.  Learn to make 10 and more handmade embellishments from scratch using assorted papers, mediums and whatever you can find from your stash! Plus! find out how you canstore lots of captured moments and photographs in one tiny album! Visit Made With Love for more information about the class (and all the other cool classes offered this month). Hope to see you there! :) 

picture perfect

Here's my new class at Made With Love...

Make two mini accordion albums that double as a lovely room decor, with a bonus 12x12 scrapbook layout to match it.  Learn to stamp with paint, decorate and embellish using paper cut-outs, sizzix shapes and painted chipboards.

I would like to shout out a special THANK YOU to all scrappers who attend my class. It warms my heart to see same faces and it makes me excited to meet new scrappers as well :) For you all, I promise to make more fun crafts from the heart for us all to enjoy! Thank you thank you again! :)

Other on-going classes I offer at MWL: 

Capture the Moment

Sweet Tooth

Jodi's Garden

Click here for more information on all the other classes offered this month.    

Echo Pack: Country Drive

Sharing 3 projects I made for a class at Made With Love. These 3 minis are made out of just 1 paper pack from Echo Park. I think this is my most favorite of all EP's line... Country Drive!

Class objective was to make mini albums from scratch. So with the help of my other ever reliable favorites: Sizzix dies, Studio paints, Ranger crackle paints, ribbons and buttons, metal rings, a few card stocks and lots and lots of foam dots ... here are the minis I so love! Looking at them makes me smile :)

 "Hello Sunshine" 

This album is about me. A reminder for me to always try to live in the moment... to smile a lot, listen more, love always...

"Happy Adventure"

The second album is about one of our family picnics at East Coast.  That basket sticker is soooo perfect for this!

"You and Me Together"

The third one is about family. For me, material abundance alone does not give us genuine happiness. It's being with our family. Enjoying each other's company. Laughing in happy times, crying in bad times but still feeling alright knowing that God is in charge. 

Hope you enjoyed looking at my simple creations. It's not too difficult to make if you just have the right tools, the inspiration and of course the pretty papers from Echo Park! :)