:: naughty naughty::

Yup! that's me...

Instead of continuing on the other 20% of my assignment, I scrapped 3 layouts! gosh! How did I manage that in 4 hours?!?! Well actually around 10am to about 3pm? I woke up at around 9.45am and literally jumped out of bed, went to the study room and took out papers and started scrapping!

Call it task avoidance? *as I don't wanna work on my assignment* sigh.. naughty naughty

Sharing here are layouts I did some time ago. It's like a series of 3 similar layouts of the same picture taken in front of NOBU in Australia.

The 2 DEAREST friends, with me in the picture, treated me to the most delicious fusion Japanese food! No expense spared with oysters, cod fish, fresh mushrooms, sashimi, dessert... it's the works!

I thank them for their hospitality and their friendship. It's a pity that I can't see them more often. Now you know why my trips back to Australia is always 2 states - Perth and Melbourne?? I need to do 'friendship duties' if not I get slaughtered for visiting one and not the other!


A little "thank you" present for their friendship. It was definitely great seeing them again.
& now that they have received it, I can post it :)

Layout 1
Layout 2

Can you spot the difference in the 2 layouts? haha

it was a joy working on these 2 layouts especially when
1. I know who the recipients are *& I know that they'll love it*

2. I get to scrap even though it's similar layout... get it?

Another layout from the holiday...
Something simple with lots of white space as the papers chosen were complex, so thought I should not over do it?


Ok back to the assignment! Ganbatte!!!

:: i heart ::

this picture very much!


taken by yours truly! I'm pleased...

:: 2 weeks old ::

Finally a picture of my very cute little niece... yes! I'm biased ^.^



I mentioned that it felt so good to scrap so here's a layout from my recent trip to Australia :)
This one is taken in Perth...


I've been working on my assignment the whole afternoon and I'm glad to say I'm 80% done. It's the very first assignment for the course so feeling the pressure to do a good job. After this there is another 2 more group assignments to do :S All due this month... arghh!!! This module has an exam in August... I am not looking forward!

Help!!!

Back to working on my assignment... Hope you're having a better weekend than me! ;|

:: therapeutic ::

because I scrapped last night! It felt good. It felt great! It felt like I was able to release some pent up frustration. *wow that's sounds rather hard to believe* But yeah, I've not been scrapping for a several weeks and my hands are itching to use that penknife, scissors, rampaging through papers, alphas, chipboards, sticker, word labels, prima flowers, inking, cutting, glueing, pasting... you get the drift!

It also doesn't help that I've been tempted by new products and yes I confess, I've been buying stuff and not been able to use them :(


In the meanwhile, no pics of baby yet.

Somehow the USB port is not reading the card reader *bummer*! That means no posting of pictures of baby or my long ago layouts or printing any pictures of Renee to start on her very own SB album.

Having a new addition in the family definitely brings unusual & sometimes funny moments into our lives:

I sent SIL and baby Renee to the hospital last Thursday as the baby needed to get a blood test done (for what, I'm not sure). She was in the room with baby Renee and suddenly I heard crying... really loud crying! She sure have powerful lungs. Luckily, she came out quiet and smiley :)

Of course, this being the first grandchild in the family, the grandparents are anxious. Dad asked how the the session went. I told him that his granddaughter sure have powerful lungs, I could hear her crying in the room from the waiting lounge. And Dad appeared upset, saying why would a baby need to have a blood test? Why make a baby go through such painful torture? But crying is good for the baby, it strengthens her lungs, and since she cry so loudly, her lungs are good.... May I use the word "cute" on him?


* I'm documenting things that I notice / hear about baby Renee here so when I do the album, I can remember! HAH

Baby's a week old now... gosh how times flies!

- She still likes to fall asleep in the midst of her feeds.

- She likes that someone sings to her, well i think cos I see my bro singing to her and I sing to her! :)

- She opens her eyes wide now and Dad said that she has big lovely eyes and a nice double eyelid!

- her fingers and toes are still wrinkly...

- She's an animated baby when she sleeps. Her little pouty lips moves, she kicks a fair bit and wriggles her arms around.

:: mark the date ::

Gosh! I've not scrapped in recent weeks too :S I miss scrapping

It's really tough trying to juggle work and studies and play at the same time (note the order!)

But happy news... Renee's here. Bro, Mom, his MIL and I were in the hospital throughout the birthing. Bro was with SIL all the time while the 3 of us waited paitently at the lounge. We saw Renee within the 1st hour of her birth :P All pink and wrinkly. Tiny fingers, toes and a cute button nose.

Renee's a sleepy baby. She slept for almost 3 hours straight on Sunday afternoon. She loves yawning and doesn't cry much *phew*. Even in her slumber, she opens her eyes and takes a peep before closing them and dozing off again!

Mommy and baby are doing great. They are going home today.

:: since March ::

since March, many things have certainly happened!

- Celebrated my birthday a few times over, with friends in Singapore and Australia :)

- Started on a course to get local certification in SpEd (as mine were previously done as a distant learning and I don't want to take chances) and also as a stepping stone to further studies. It's been exciting but nonetheless difficult with lots of things that needs re-freshening & needs me to read up on! Made a few friends & 1 of whom should be great study pal :)

- Workwise, a new project that promises to be loads of learning & new roles for me... *one level up I hope*

- an existing project that is attempting to make me jump off the roof! argh... endless roadblocks and horrible working relationship with external parties!

Can't believe it's May already...
My soon to arrive niece is ready to say hello to the world anything this month!
She's my namesake *somewhat* as the initial name my mom wanted to name be was to began with 'R'... mom's happy with the choice of the English name but everyone's thinking hard about the Chinese name.
*yeah* new subject to scrap about ;)

3 assignments due next month! Gosh

:: dark picts ::

I have had webster pages papers for a looonngg time, but never knew or how to scrap it well.

Another attempt and away I went!
Though the pics are too dark to see it here as they were taken in a restaurant... those at the back are meant to be out of focus. & I demanded for one that I was in focus... but obviously my dear friend JT thought that the oysters were the subject! hmph! but loving the shots and the memories of this meal :)

:: scarlet fever ::

Truth: It probably took me almost half an hour just to decide on the colour combination! First, I started off with the KI pattern paper (the one with all those cute tiny cameras). Next, I dragged out my stash of cardstock and started to match them! I almost pulled my hair out... until I found THE ONE!!! and the scarlet fever started...

And then I was on a roll! Yippee...

*note to self* - so I can remember what I did!! somehow I keep forget techniques!
I totally love the colour combination of purple, light turquoise, yellow & black.
I totally love how the dimensions & layering work out in the end.
I totally love the embellishments, especially the star & little tick, which is not something that I usually do!

the FINAL layout


close up 1

close up 2
Random thoughts!

1) Dad is suddenly interested in Sudoku... so my younger bro bought him a book to do. He's so happy :)

2) Working on some alter art for pressies :) I love when I do that... haha

3) Am loving the weekend as it's going to be another short week next week! yeah!!!

:: one for the night ::

mentioned here... i redid the layout...



I am happy :)

:: For & from the past ::

These were done sometime in end Feb (when my SB mojo was going strong)


Not sure when Mom took this picture, but I thought it's pretty cool and decided to scrap it.

I wanted to cover the cutout flower shapes in this MM paper and while it looked great in real life as it adds a certain dimension to the layout, in photo, you can see the squares that covers the cutouts! Phew! I was neat about the squares! heh...


The title was picked by Mommy dearest herself...



For the past few years, I've been doing a layout with the title of "me" at hthat particular year.
While this picture was not taken exactly at the turn of the year, it was done so at the beginning of the year in early FEB (during CNY). There's hidden journalling where the ribbon with the flower is (on the right of the layout, behind the photo).



Am loving all the embellishing in these layouts!
It is not easy for me to embellish! I take tons of times to just choose the correct one! argh! I end up so frustrated that sometimes I just give up!

OK! off for some relaxing time!

Hope you have a great weekend...

:: feeling good ::

Feeling good today...

There can be a variety of reasons?

1) Long weekend! Time to do 'ME' stuff

2) Since changing my working hours to earlier, I've been reaching work on the dot which does not equate to being a on-time worker here, or I've been slightly late :( BUT today! I was early by a good TEN minutes... Yippieee!!!

3) I scrapped last night. Maybe I should rephrase - I re-scrapped last night. I did a layout a couple of weeks ago but it was a bad bad layout. I had to stop before the damage got worse. It has been at the back of my mind to redo the layout. So last night, inspiration came. With a different range of papers and a semi re-organised SB area, I sat down and got cracking.

I'm so happy with the result :D


4) Did I mention I kinda re-organised my SB stuff?? It's so much easier to scrap now... most things are within reach now :)

Hope your week was good and it weekend even better!

:: craft therapy ::

March is the month of making and giving & definitely the time to do the annual catch up with a couple of lovely gals when we celebrate our birthdays (which are exactly within the same week of one another) together




It's so good to be crafting and presenting it to great friends :)

My present to them :
Matching mirror 1



Matching mirror 2

More presents for friends whom have turned from being a "parent-teacher" relationship to true great pals. I started teaching their 2nd and 1st kid respectively when they were in Nursery. Now they're in Primary school! gosh how time flies... It certainly takes effort for a friendship to get going and I am grateful that it did for us.

This is the VERY first picture that we've taken together.
I made the layout and in my usual flair, the pictures are not adhered and I placed them in a picture frame.

Matching layout 1

Matching layout 2
the details



I've managed to do more layouts... will post them up slowly... but before that... I need to a 'surprise' post! keke...

:: Right to the end ::

When I need a break, I still need to do work on my day of leave & flight!!

Argh...

Can't wait to go to Australia to meet up with my old pals again!!
That's what pushing me through this week... after one, sorry THREE super busy weeks prior to the trip!

:: hello march ::

definitely my favourite month of the year :P

Note to self:

Don't submit to stupid rules

be yourself and not a fool
open you heart and push the limits...

{close-up of the journalling}

:: family ::

one layout before i go to bed... good night dearies!

:: Grateful ::

My scrapping mojo engine is still warming up... the layout consist of lots of my usual technique of cutting out designs and relayering them.

This family photo taken last year during my dad's 60th birthday. The title reminds me to be grateful for a great family that I have... and as my elder brother puts it, we are a 'TOGETHER' family who constantly checks on each other, calls and talks to one another often, sharing our days and knowing everyone's friends.

Just today, as we were having dinner, or rather as my younger bro was having his dinner and I had finished mine and was watching the telly, a little kitten suddenly 'meowing' at our doorstep. It was so so cute! It reached up and looked through one of the little 'holes' in the gate. Immediately, my bro and I went to have a look and it continued to look at us as it meowed away (think Puss in boots in 'Shrek'.. YES! that cute!) How apt, we were having salmon for dinner and there were lots of the bones (with meat still intact). I wanted to give it but of course I didn't as I was afraid that it would come to our house again.

A while later, we could not hear anymore meowing, so my younger bro decided to check if it was still there. He opened the gate and I stood behind him... Suddenly he made a move and I screamed!!! thinking that the cat got it! arghh... yup that's my bro and he gave me a nice shock... my dad came running out of his room, shouting, "Don't let the cat in!"

Ya, I'm adding another year to my age next week... and I told my bro, "Hmph, I'm going to tell mummy you scared me!" haha...

Nice memories of this 'healthy' sibling bickering to remember ?!?!?!

yeah talking about my birthday next week.... my birthday wishlist... (while i should really stop buying things) i really really do want a pair of white gold big loop earrings (don't want silver as they will tarnish) :P Hmmm can't think of anything I want... although a nice bag is always a great!!

any givers???? lol

one year older and celebrations starts this friday with some gal pals :)

and then it's busy packing luggage time :D can hardly wait! yippee

:: random thinking ::

thought #1

I do not have good writing skills. I find my writing ability immature and am always stuck in getting the correct words out. When I read an email from a colleague, I am always amazed at how the email has been phrased and the words used. Maybe I should keep that as a reference??

thought #2

I was looking at the latest layout that I just posted. Looks like I am not afraid of 'covering' things up as I used to be as I wanted every individual embellished to be seen in its full glory! Yeah, like what Irene said... another level up in my scrappy style

thought #3

I am a planner and at times I should just go with the flow! HaH!

:: pouty lips and that LOOK ::

Yeah! Another layout that I did :D

I am totally loving this particular Crate Paper range... & definitely my camera and this picture that I took of Kate during CNY!

LOVE LOVE LOVE...

:: and CNY is ALMOST over ::

It's the15th day of the Lunar New Year or known as 元宵节, tt also marks the end of the celebration... thus today is officially the last day to collect red packets! hehe...

I am going to miss Yu-sheng...



Yu-sheng is a definite must-have during every Chinese New Year. I had several lou-hei 撈起 this year... and each time it was great... :D


Step-by-step:

Step 1:
When putting down the "Yu Sheng" on the table, say Gong xi fa cai 恭喜发财 meaning (Congratulations for your wealth) or Wan shi ru yi 万事如意 (May all your wishes be fulfilled).

Step 2:
Say Da Ji Da Li 大吉大利 (to be very auspicious) when adding pomelo and lime juice to the ingredients.

Step 3:
Say Nian Nian You Yu 年年有余 (to have a surplus every year) and Long Ma Jing Shen 龙马精神 (to enjoy great health) when placing Yu Sheng onto the shredded carrot, green radish and white radish.

Carrots indicates blessings of good luck. "Hong yun dang tou. 红运当头". The shredded green radish symbolises eternal youth. "Qing chun chang zhu. 青春长驻". The shredded white radish symbolises prosperity in business and promotion at work. "Feng sheng shui qi 风生水起 and Bu bu gao sheng 步步高升".

Step 4:
Say Yi Ben Wan Li 一本万利 (to increase all profits 10,000 times ) when putting pepper and five-spice powder to the Yu Sheng. Pepper is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables. "Zhao cai jin bao. 招财进宝".

Step 5:
Say You Shui Duo Duo 油水多多 (encouraging money to flow in from all directions.) when adding oil and sauces to the Yu Sheng. "Cai fu guang jin. 财富广进".

Step 6:
Say Jin yin man wu 金银满屋 when adding the condiments. First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.

Step 7:
Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business. "Sheng yi xing long. 生意新龙".

Step 8:
Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows is then added with wishes that literally the whole floor would be filled with gold. "Pian di huang jin 片地黄金".


This is the time when everybody will start mixing the ingredients by pushing them toward the centre and tossing it in the air!!

The higher the better!
捞起！捞起！今年捞个风生水起！

:: sketch 120 ::

To help me get my mojo running, I turned to Pencil Lines for some ideas... the latest sketch 120 was pretty cool... and this is my version.

Celebrating my dad's 60th birthday last December at Seafood Paradise @ Singapore Flyer. It was definitely a night to remember with great food, service and a joyous occasion :D