For The Boys

Hello peeps! How are you all doing? I just wanted to pop in with a quick share. Don't want you guys thinking I've been slacking off with my paper crafting. If you recall, I made a carry along mini brag book for my soon-to-arrive niece, a couple of posts back. Now, here's the male version of it...

{My} Cup of Tea

A very merry Monday morning everyone! So, how was your weekend? Mine was awesome! I hosted a party last Saturday for my sister Deltans and had a huge turn out. It was great to see sorority sisters whom I haven't seen for a long time and to also meet the younger ones for the first time.

Now, after all the fun it's back to the work grind for me.

Today am featuring my mom-in-law's blue & white porcelain teapot collection. My favorite color is blue in any shade and I find the cobalt blue pigment used on these to be refreshingly vibrant.

Drawing inspiration from these teapots, I came up with a "Get Well Soon" card with tea cups as the main attraction.

I've even included additional details to inform the recipient on how to best enjoy one's tea.

So, what's your cup of tea?

Have a fruitful week ahead!

Enjoy The Ride

The color yellow always lifts my spirits. I noticed that I tend to gravitate to anything yellow in my closet when choosing my outfit for the day whenever I have the "blues". Mind you, it's not my favorite color, but it's my mom's fave color on me. She told me that she would often dress me up in yellow when I was a baby. Could this be why it makes me happy?

Well, last month I attended my friend Jessica's surprise 40th birthday dinner organized by her sweet husband. I know for sure that this thoughtful gesture made Jessica really happy.

Take a look at the card I made for her.

It just complimented the way I put together her gift.

Just making this ensemble put a smile on my face. Hope it did Jessica's as well.

Sentimentally Romantic

I am lovin' Adele!

I adore her sultry and soulful voice which could melt even the sturdiest of souls. And the manner she writes her songs, mostly about hurts and heartaches, makes them so easy to relate to.

Listening to her croon lovesongs all day long yesterday left me feeling sentimental resulting with this card.

The colors I used are very subdued. The combination of kraft and white reminds me of beach houses in the Hamptons (not that I have one). Very shabby chic!

The flower is made from a corrugated carton I saw lying around the house. It's the first time I've experimented on this material and I know it's not going to be the last. I'm bubbling with excitement with the limitless possibilities.

Notice the sewing I've done along the borders. I'm a newbie sewer; the reason for the crooked stitches. Even though, I am highly satisfied with the results. The not-so-perfect stitches add enough charm to complete the romantic look of the card.

An Easy Sunday

Today is lazy Sunday in our home. 
Everyone is happily contented,
Savoring each moment of togetherness,
Recharging for the week ahead.

Happy Independence Day!

{Belated} Mother's Day

I know it's is done and over with, but I can't pass up not sharing with you presents I gave to my mom, mother-in-law and all the other moms in my life who've chosen this very fulfilling vocation called motherhood on Mother's Day.

Besides my usual paper creations, this year I included special treats from my kitchen to give to these amazing women.

Since I've been trying to improve my baking skills lately I decided to make these delectable Mini Citrus Rum Cakes with Cream Cheese Glaze. The recipe is very straightforward which made it very easy to follow. Most importantly I had all the ingredients on hand.

I then placed each one inside a golden laminated box which I tied with abacca twine along with my very own handmade tag.

They are like little treasure chests, precious like the recipients.

{Always} Thinking of You

Hello everyone! My high schooler & grade schooler are officially on their summer vacation. That's two months of no homework, projects, quizzes & exams which means more crafting time for me. Woot! Woot!

Now, to jumpstart my summer projects, I made a couple of pink daisies made of soft felt. They turned out really pretty.

I placed them right smack in the middle of my "Thinking of You" cards. Yes, I've been making a lot of these cards lately as you might have noticed. I suppose it's because I've been missing my sister so much that my longing has manifested itself in my work.

Hope you enjoyed my share today. Come back and visit again soon.

Mother Earth | Major Catastrophe

Since Friday, March 11, 2011, my mind has been filled with nothing, but the horrifying images of the wreck and havoc the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan left behind.

Waves of tsunami hit residences after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi prefecture (state), Japan.

It is heartbreaking to see and hear the cries of survivors in the news as they bravely search for missing love ones under the rubble and debris.

Broken home in what was once a suburb in Minami Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture.

Imagine being greeted to this scene coming home from work?

Nothing left.

Unimaginable?
Unbelievable?
Wrong.
It happened.
And the Japanese are now struggling to survive in the aftermath.

Let us all do our share in helping our brothers and sisters in Japan. Check the parishes, schools and other socio-civic organizations in your area to see how you can best extend your love across the miles.

S.O.S. | What Went Down

Hi everyone! Take a look at what went down during Alexis' SleepOver Spa Party.

First, the girls were treated to a home cooked meal for dinner in our formal dining room. My cousin Jek helped me dress up the table. She has a knack for table setting.

The birthday girl.

The balloon towers were from the party of my friend's daughter the night before.

The Menu: My Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta & Salpicao, Manang Marlyn's Chicken Ala King with my buttered bread cups and Monsee's breadsticks.

For dessert, the girls had French macarons from Bizu and the cupcakes I baked. In lieu of a cake, I used the cupcake tier my sister Teena sent all the way from New Jersey to make a cupcake tower. In keeping with the spa theme, I added a nail polish bottle in between each cupcake to liven it up.

Afterwards the girls headed on to....

where they were greeted with this scene.

More goodies for the girls to bring home.

Hair & Facial Masks Station

Now, here's the best part of the night...

Each girl was treated to a "Pampered Hands and Feet Treatment" by Spaworks Mobilespa owned and operated by another good friend.

The girls were all smiles and felt simply divine the whole evening, but most importantly my sweet Alexis was very very happy.

S.O.S | In The Bag

In keeping with Alexis' spa themed party her guests beauty got to bring home some beauty essentials that were tucked inside these tumbler bags I made.

Check out the pampering goodies they got...
 

nail polish in bright bold colors

travel-size nail files

mini hand sanitizers & holders

and grooming kits

Seeing the girls' pretty smiles made putting these favors together truly worthwhile.

Edit: Thank you so much to my sister, Teena, 

for providing the Bath and Body products

and all the other goodies. Love ya!