Because I have a brother....

When Miguel saw this layout's title, he added: "I will love him always!" I hope and pray in my heart he will always stay true to that. Even on days when Kuya becomes too much for almost always being the one to decide which movie to watch, or which fast food to eat at. Miguel has always been very understanding of his brother who has autism. Loving. Supportive. Patient. And sometimes jealous I think. There was one time, he innocently blurted out "Sometimes I wish I was a special batchoy* too so I can go to Kuya's school and we become school mates." That's because he was jealous because Kuya gets to go swimming every Monday in school. Then a few minutes of heart to heart talk would lead him to a deeper understanding of how things are. It's amazing how at 6, he is able to grasp everything like a true hero. 

God knows what He's doing. He takes care of everything. And having Miguel and Rujim as brothers is part of it. I can't help but smile and feel at peace. When the trumpet sounds and I'm outta here, they both have each other  and they both have God :) 

It's my turn for a quick inspiration post now at Sizzix. Go and have a look! :) 

*special batchoy - his endearment for Kuya because he has special likes and preferences, behaviours, etc 

Project Life: Rujim's 9th Birthday

I remember the last time we threw a party for Rujim (I think he was 6 that time). He did not like it. He stayed in his room most of the time while all the guests enjoyed outside. Can you imagine how I felt? Being so passionate about party-planning, party details, giveaways, balloons, decors and such, it broke my heart. But then again, it's his birthday. Who am I to choose his happiness right? Birthday is about thanking God for our life, for celebrating this life with our loved ones. In any way that makes the celebrator happy :) And so the next parties became much simpler. We would go to the beach or have a simple dinner with a few friends... and this year, we went on a staycation! 

For those of you who don't know, Rujim has autism. I can't believe I can say that now with a smile and joy and peace in my heart. What a beautiful journey it has been. Not easy but beautiful. Autism has brought so much blessings to our family. One of which is benefiting from Kuya's love for hotels and beaches and cozy places haha! This project life spread is about that weekend. When we went to Shangri-La with no plans but to just follow Kuya's lead.  It's as if we did nothing but just enjoy each other's company and nature. 

Now let's talk about how I go about making a PL layout. 

My Made With Love DT kit for this month consists of papers and Bits and Pieces pack from Simple Stories Say Cheese 2 collection. This collection is really perfect for Disneyland photos but I challenged myself that it can also be used for any photo that's available. Besides, the happiest place on earth is anywhere with our loved ones. But I'm not saying I don't wanna go to Disneyland. Who knows.. maybe next year, on Kuya's 10th birthday hahaha! 

Since the papers and die-cuts I would be using are really bright, I printed my photos in black and white. This way, the colors of the embellishments won't clash with the colors in the photo. The colored version of the photos will be reserved for the mini album I'm making :) 

This is how I do it. I created a collage in picasa and edited it at once. Then printed using A4 photo paper. 

Then I cut white card stock paper according to the layout of my page protectors. 

Next, I arranged the photos, trying to distribute it around the pages. 

Here's the fun part. Embellishing the page. It's easier when the embellishments come from the same collection. You won't have to think about color coordination. It'll just look good however you arrange it. But. You can't just stick anything anywhere.. You have to arrange the embellishments according to how you want to tell your story. Use stamps to add more details. Add embellishments like buttons, dewdrops, sequins or wood chips for dimension. Lastly, show your thoughts about the photos with your own handwriting to make your cards special and personalised. Here are some close-ups of my cards... 

For the title, you can use thickers. But if you don't have enough letters (always happens haha) or the availalbe color you have is not the color you want, you can use Sizzix Block Talk like what I did here. 

The joy to see Kuya smile and enjoy his birthday is reason enough for me to be happy even if it means I'm never gonna be a party-planner-mama for him. It's okay, at least I still have Miguel. I still have the chance. Lol!

Products used* 

white cardstock

Bits and Pieces Pack - Simple Stories 

stamps - Heidi Swapp

washi tapes 

Sizzix Bigshot Machine

Sizzix Block Talk

*All availalbe in Made With Love

Hello Cebu

Good morning! It's my turn to share with you my creations for Made With Love. This round we will be sharing with you scrapbook projects about our "travels" and I have picked this photo when my family went for a week-long vacation to Cebu, Philippines. 

I started with the idea of making a layout using Sizzix Life Made Simple dies and papers from Simple Stories Good Day Sunshine collection. I love that the dies complement the fun summer-themed papers which are perfect for our photo.

This is one of my fave photos. Look at those smiles :) I know travel should be about the places, the people, the culture but at this point,  the boys are growing so fast and I would like to take family photos with them as often as possible while they still comply. I know time will come when I have to already bribe them just to pose with us. Time will come when travel would mean just me and their Dad. That time I can take all the travel-ish photos I want haha! 

These are project life/pocket pages dies but I love that I can use them for other things such as cardmaking or scrapbook layouts! 

And because it's a die, I can cut over and over again to create layers. In this card, I cut multiple times using different paper designs to create this dimensional card. Cute isn't it? :) 

To fill the rest of the page, I layered stickers that tells about the details of that short vacation we had.  Sunshine, road trips, food and lots of photo taking! :) 

Supplies:
Sizzix Bigshot
Sizzix Dies - Life Made Simple
papers - Simple Stories
washi tapes - MT
baker's twine - Maya Road
foam dots - American Crafts 
All available at Made With Love. 

chicken rice gift wrap + crazy day

Gift wrapping is one of the many things I love doing. I collect gift wrapping papers too. And chicken rice paper  (a paper used to wrap chicken rice take-outs) is one of those. Haha! Just add some twine, washi tape, a handmade card ---  and you're good to go! 

This day is crazy. One moment I was so low about something and the next moment I was ecstatic! Kuya did something so great today! He surprised me, again. I have no words to describe how happy I am :) 

That's one of the "benefits" when you are an Autism mom.  Something "little" happens and it gives you this HEAVENLY joy and you can't stop smiling until tears join in too. Ahhh ... the silver lining! 

"The word ot the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. Come let us give thanks and praise!"

Wordless Wednesday: Insta Stories

i am so excited

It's Christmas again soon!!! Have you made your cards yet? If not, you can start now or better yet, you can buy from me! LOL! More of my cards here. Thank a million for visiting :) 

Made these cuties using Simple Stories. 

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. 

Simple Stories - Awesome

A double page for my double happiness.

I have to admit, it's my first time to use Simple Stories because although I like their lines, I thought that the colors were not just me. I am usually more into very bright cutesy stuff. Until Aida assigned me to host a challenge for MWL and gave me these to work on.... then it's love at first try!

I bet the person who designed this collection is a mom. Of boys! She knows exactly what words, sentiments and images to use! Making a layout for my sons was a no brainer... I enjoyed it so much  that I made not just one layout but two... 

These would look perfect in their own rooms... someday =) 

... how about some close up of how I did the hidden journaling: 

Thanks for looking! =) 

Supplies: 

papers: Simple Stories Awesome, AC cardstock

dies: Sizzix

others: MT tapes, buttons, pegs, sharpie pen, stamps