:: 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

:: chapter close ::

I finally finished the 2008 Australia album... phew!
Now is prob just to alter the album cover although I might not even do so! heh...



The mojo engine is slowly warming up so the layout is rather simple. It's not my usual load of embellishing but hey it's a start...

:: croak ::

Waaayyy too many cookies for me this year... mid way through day 1 of NIU year I felt that my throat was really dry. I had to stay off all the yummy goodies at relatives' and friends' place and could only tell my brothers to try certain food that is really yummy and watch them eat in delight :X so here I am today, at home on 1 day medical leave resting my throat as it could no longer take it anymore ( i went back to work from Wednesday)...

1st day of Chinese New Year lunch at paternal grandparents, a simple yet yummy feast

It has been a busy busy for the 1st two days of CNY, where we had 4-5 locations each day! It was fun nonetheless! I managed to visit some of my own friends too which was great.

I love CNY, with all the decorations, the visits to the Nursery to pick out pretty flowers and Chinatown on New Year's Eve for all the great bargains. Another week or so to go... must enjoy and eat as much Yu-Sheng as I can! Yum :P

:: 200 ::

that's the number of posts I've done since I started the blog way back in Oct 2006...

I guess the figure just shows that i've done an average of 7.5 posts a month, which is way way too little.. (been working on KPIs and work percentages... figures are popping out of my ears!)

My very first post was about being inspired...

and this definitely inspires me!

:: pictures taken from: source ::

Chubby Hubby renovated his dream kitchen and it is way way way cool!! just look at the island, the clean lines of this kitchen, the lovely colours of the kitchenaideS (I want one too!!)

Definitely my dream kitchen as well...
Just imagine the wonderful time working in this kitchen, dreaming up wonderful recipes... dishing out scrumptious meals! Yum...

Check out his blog as he dishes out great recipes too.. or the food are just eye candy! :D

:: hello 2009 ::

I can hardly believe it's 2009 already!

I saw a number of ups in 2008 which I am grateful for, be it work, personal achievements and just in myself. Of course, there were definitely several downs, but I am glad I managed to pull through and picked myself up, dusted off the negativity and braved on.

For that I am glad.

Glad for my family.

Glad for a great work team.

Glad for the great friends I have, new and old.

Glad for the encouragement that I always hear.

I started 2009 on a quiet note... watching the marina bay countdown on the telly at home. I liked the peace and the quietness. I hope the year shall bring calm and patience in the trying times ahead (heh.. while I do refer to the global economy, that applies to me personally too!).

My resolutions for the new year, I was asked...

I guess the one major thing that I really want for myself is -

just to be me, doing things without the feeling of guilt or obligation.
If I say No, I feel no obligation.
If I say Yes and it a wholehearted YES!
& definitely ENJOYING every moment of EVERYTHING!! :D

:: Wishing... ::

my family, relatives, friends and all a

Very Merry Christmas

may you receive lots of pressies!! :D

:: another::

10 days to Chrismtas

&

16 days to New Year

GOSH!!! Where has all the time/days gone to?

I've been lazy to blog although I have stuff to blog about...
1) Hort Park (part 2) - this time of people!
2) A company retreat to Batam
3) Dad's 60th birthday!
4) A memorable wedding

Hmm... I've started to give out X'mas presents! Ain't I early! haha... well that's because the recipents are overseas & I needed pass to Ming when I met her in Singapore to bring them back to Perth! I also gave out a couple of presents over the weekend although they were combined Birthday/Xmas presents! Hope they were liked!

Oh! I've also received my 1st Xmas present from Ming! :D
& I guess bought myself a present one month in advance and happily using it! :D haha....

more presents to prepare??
I really dunno... Not a big Christmasy person... I'm already looking wwwaaayyy ahead to buying CNY clothes! hah!