It's Halloween Again

Halloween season is back and I have to say...it's one of my favorite times of the year. I think it's more of the treats that come with the holidays and playing pretend than anything else in the world. :P

Here's to promote again Monsters in the Closet by Mari Koegelenberg available at TDC. Gotta love those little monsters and papers galore! Preview is below and I recommend you add this to your check-out cart and start prepping for the little monsters that will be coming by your door!
I had to scrap this...totally true for my little Colin! This is one of his many nicknames. :)
Credits: Monsters in the Closet by Mari Koegelenberg available at TDC; font : Arial

This week's going to be interestingly great! Colin's going to be getting his passport, meeting ASM peps & Dr Lee; and also, we can start preparing to go back to Manila real soon!

I'm looking into what needs to be packed and what we can send off at a later time. It seems that Colin's going to getting more of our luggage allowance! I'm still anticipating on what will happen on the day of our departure. Colin would either be good or be bad. :P Keeping our fingers crossed on the former.

Colin's 2011 Calendar ~ done!

Here's something that would brighten anyone's day for the year 2011 ~ a CD calendar! Mari Koegelenberg's 2011 CD Calendar Template is now available now at TDC!

It's a quick and easy-to-use kit. Just pick your favorite photo, place it on the template and embellish accordingly with your favorite pattern paper, with or without any other embellishments to match. Easy as pie! This is a great hybrid gift for anyone since it's used/looked at everyday/month.

Check out what I did with this kit...a potential Christmas gift to Colin's grandparents this year.
Photo Credits: Thanks so much Michelle for the lovely photos that inspired me to create this calendar! :) Credits: Mari Koegelenberg's 2011 CD Calendar Template and various Mari Koegelenberg's kits available at TDC
Photo Credits: Michelle Garthe

Here's the complete calendar covers for Colin's 2011 Calendar...

(click a thumbnail for a larger view of a particular month)

I've been hanging with some wonderful people here in HK atleast once a week and it's so far been a great ride with these awesome ladies! I was introducted to them by Michelle Garthe and it's becoming a great weekly habit for all of us. So far, we have done the following: buffet @ Marriot Lounge, Vero Chocolate lounge, dimsum buffet @Dragon-i, coffee @Holly Brown, lunch @TheOne's RoppongiSabo, coffee @Mira Hotel's Whisk are a few thus far. Can't wait to hang out with these ladies again and explore HK!

L-R: Connie, Michelle, Oxana, Svetlana, Ifat and me

L-R: Dindin, Gladys, me, Michelle, Oxana & Svetlana

New Addition : Colin Edward

At long last...some creative time in my hands. :)
I'm sorry for the long hiatus but something big came into our lives recently and has purely taken over our whole being.
I'd like you to meet our !
Most likely no birthing story since I got a C-section as per doctor's advice due to the rapid calcification of my placenta 2 weeks earlier than my due date. Although I didn't go through the motions of having a natural labor, I will definitely always remember the whole experience. Some of the highlights are:-

• being calm and excited when the morning came around
• hearing baby's heartbeat via dopler/ultrasound for one last time, one of the admission check-ups
• anticipation to be wheeled into operating room
• the spinal anestheics being administered
• feeling nothing, unable to move anything from my waist down when the anesthetics kicked in
• being pulled/pushed all over the place during the operation --> doctor positioning the baby
• this is the best one : my reaction to seeing Colin coming out over the tarp, "oh, good, there's lots of hair on him"
• realizing that Colin wouldn't stop crying when he was taken to be cleaned, I thought they were already doing the cercumsition...oh, how wrong I was. Colin was crying for more than 15 minutes now...for just being cleaned/wiped over! Oh my heart!
• E looking on with what Dr Lee's been doing to me...cleaning and stitching me up:- with how the cut looked like a flap, how the inside was stitched up and how my outter skin was "glued up" with hardly any markings of a cut. Good thing he didn't videotaped the whole thing. All this was going on while Dr Lee and him were exchanging information about the surgery, about beaches/getaway sites in Manila, etc. It was so crazy! I remember I was trying to tell E to not disturb the doctor so he can stitch me up faster and I can get out of the operating room already. Half awake and half immobile is not fun when you don't know what's going on especially with so many tuggings left and right. :P
• after Colin's all clean, the nurses wrapped him up in a bundle and gave us (E&I) time to have our first family photo taken. Will you look at those red lips and very "powdered" face! People think that Colin's a girl based on this photo!

Now begins, the sleepless nights and toothless smiles. E&I was exhausted! Getting the hang of Colin's eradic schedule is really taking a toll with both of us, though we still strive on each day to see how we can best handle the little guy. :)
With all that has gone through

With this new addition, I remembered what my mom told me to do when the baby came out...to book a newborn photo session during the first week or two for the baby.
Let me tell you, the hassles involved totally outweigh what we got. Totally no regrets and I highly recommend this for all expecting and newly parents.
I had to find a photographer in HK and at the same time, find that E&I would like the end-product.
We chose Michelle Garthe's Photography as our baby's photographer.
Meeting Michelle was a pure joy and a blast. The photo session was filled with lots of stories, photos, laughs and definitely bloopers. I'm surprised on how fast the photo session was since Michelle informed me previously that it would take around 2-3 hours for the newborns session. We were all wrapped up and done at around 2 hours. Amazing! To think, I was pretty concern with Colin's disposition when the afternoon started. :P
Some of her test shots were posted on her site, please see below. For more information about Michelle Garthe's Photography, please clickhere.

I was able to finally squeeze in some scrapping time yesterday.
Reminder that it's $2 Tuesdays at TheDigiChick and one of the kits included in this deal is Mari Koegelenberg's Field of Dreams. Hope you would head over there and grab some wonderful digikits at such a steal!
I love the pattern papers that came with this kit...amazing stuff!

Now here's what I did with my new photos that totally inspire me!

Credits: Field of Dreams by Mari Koegelenberg available at TDC, Font - Century Gothic

Diaper Bag Giveaway @ManilaMommy.com

Hi everyone! Just got to hear about this recently from a fellow blogger that might interest some of my mommy readers like me. :)
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August is shaping up to be a giveaway month not just for manilamommy.com but for all the manila family blogs- ManilaReviews, ManilaFitness, ManilaShopaholic and ManilaBlogs! Please try and visit all of the sites when you have time, you never know when you'd be a lucky winner!

Anyway, as Neva of Manilamommy.com is giving away Diaper Bags for some lucky follower of her's. Instructions are indicated below.

Let me kick off the giveaway month by giving away a Froot Loops diaper and travel bag and a LifeSavers bag from our very own ManilaBaby Shop! The promo period will start on Aug. 9, 2010 up to Aug. 27, 2010.


The LifeSavers is a super light weight, canvas bag which we use to bring DW’s stuff for overnight trips. This bag has also been used as a laptop bag and can also be used as a school bag for school-aged kids!

The Froot Loops is diaper bag that converts into a stroller bag so that you can have easy access to your baby’s stuff anytime, anywhere!

Both bags have waterproof interiors with lots of pockets. You also get a free extra large changing pad which provides maximum coverage for those public changing stations and a plastic pouch!

To see more of the bags please go to

ManilaBaby Shop
Winning is easy! You only need to do three things to gain three raffle entries in the draw:
1) Leave a comment at this blog = 1 raffle entry
2) Leave a comment at the manilababyshop site (add us as a contact too!) = 1 raffle entry
3) Join the ManilaBaby Shop fanpage HERE = 1 raffle entry.

When you leave a comment at this post, please let me know that you’ve done all three. If you’re already an existing member of the ManilaBaby Shop fanpage or if you’ve already added the ManilaBaby shop as a multiply contact, let me know too so that I can give you your corresponding raffle entries.

Weekly tallies will be posted in this blog so that you could keep track of your raffle entries!

TO GET MORE RAFFLE ENTRIES AND GET MORE CHANCES OF WINNING:
4) Tweet about the giveaway in this format: I want to win a diaper bag from @manilababyshop! (http://manilamommy.com/2010/08/win-manilababy-bag/) = 1 entry

5) Re-post about thus contest in your blog = 5 raffle entries (feel free to use the images in this post)

6) Update your FB status in this format: I want to win a Diaper Bag from @manilababyshop! (http://manilamommy.com/2010/08/win-manilababy-bag/) Please don’t forget to tag us in your status update so that we can keep track too = 1 entry

TO GET EVEN MORE RAFFLE ENTRIES:
Come back to this space weekly as I’ll be giving you new ways to get more raffle entries for the draw that are worth 2 raffle entries each!!
If you do all the items here, you can get up to 16 raffle entries for the giveaway!

IMPORTANT REMINDER: You only need to do 1, 2, and 3 to qualify for the contest. Items 4 onwards are optional but they would get you more entries for the raffle!

And that’s all folks!! On behalf of the ManilaBaby Shop team, I’d like to wish all of you the best of luck and that I hope you have fun with the contest!

Play Kit by Mari Koegelenberg & 26th Week

Play: The Kit is a collaboration between Jude Toone and Mari Koegelenberg available at TheDigiChick.com. It's got tons of great pattern papers and elements that bring out the "playful" side for any age!
Check out the preview below.

Here's my take on this fun fun kit!
Credits: Play: The Kit by Jude Toone and Mari Koegelenberg available at TheDigiChick.com

Some baby news...I'm now about 26 weeks pregnant and we are both excited to really prepare for the baby's arrival. We were able to attend a birthing class and I got to learn about Baby Lingo (baby sign language) and a lactation class as per my brother's advice.

I'm just so eager to attend these classes that I hope I get to use them when the time comes and use them effectively. :P

Calipso Kit by Mari Koegelenberg

This you gotta see...a new kit that I got play this week - Calypso by Mari Koegelenberg available at Miss Tina.com's site. :) I love the papers and the ribbons that come with this kit. Perfect for thos summer layouts!

Here's my take on this cute cute kit. :)
Credits: Calypso by Mari Koegelenberg available at Miss Tina.com's site; font - Century Gothic

What's Cooking...

Here's a cool new kit for you that involves not only memories but cooking at the same time! :) It's Mari Koegelenberg's What's Cooking Kit available at TDC today!
I love the journaling notes and pattern papers in this kit. You can also make a wonderful recipe box and index cards as a bonus on this kit. It's a win-win situation!!!
Check out a preview of this awesome kit that you can use for anything especially making your recipe collection.
Credit: Mari Koegelenberg's What's Cooking Kit available at TDC; Font - Century Gothic

Girlfriends by MKC and Sugarplum Paperie (TDC)

There's a few bumps and blocks in the road recently but it all worked out well.
Check this awesomely cool and fun kit called Girlfriends by Mari Koegelenberg Creations & Sugarplum Paperie (Nicole), available at TDC

I scrapped my bestie, T, for this layout. Always cherish the friendship we have nurtured all these years...more than 15 years now and still counting!
I'm back again and so happy to be scrapping again.
Credits: Girlfriends by Mari Koegelenberg Creations & Sugarplum Paperie, available at TDC; Sketch Template: Pencillines #181 by Elizabeth Kartchner

Divine Digital Kits Galore March 2010

There are a few Divine Digital kits to check out recently. I got to work with three awesome kits. See below for each of my reviews.

All You Need Is Love by Delicious Scraps (Anna F) is a great love kit. It's full of cute elements, frames and papers to great any type of love theme or red layout. It's also a great wedding theme kit for those who want something different. :)

Credits: All You Need Is Love by Delicious Scraps (Anna F) available at Divine Digitals, font - Palatino Linotype, alpha - Love is by Angel Hartline Designs also at Divine Digitals

Enchanted Dreams by Designs by Moo (Lynn Earwick) is a wonderful slumber-like kit. It got lot of great elements and papers to use for a boy or a girl kit. It's cute and definitely loving the airy feel of this kit.

Credits: Enchanted Dreams by Designs by Moo (Lynn Earwick) available at Divine Digitals, font - Stencil Standard and Myriad Pro

Brown Town Dreams by Designs by Sassy (Sarah Corfield) is a cute spring-like kit that has tons of elements and colorful papers to commemorate any spring/summer photo memories you would want to scrap. I love the vintage feel and look of all the whole kit.

Credits: Brown Town Dreams by Designs by Sassy (Sarah Corfield) available at Divine Digitals, font - Myriad Pro

Fru Fru by by Mari Koegelenberg & Jan Hasford Collab

Bright and fresh for spring...I got to play with a great collaborative effort kit called Fru Fru by Mari Koegelenberg & Jan Hasford Collab available at TDC. I love the papers and the elements that are full of wild flowers and leaves. Fun fun kit!
Check out the pinks and oranges of this kit. Check out the preview below.
Here's what I did with it. :)
Credits: Fru Fru by Mari Koegelenberg & Jan Hasford Collab available at TDC; Font - Orator

Nature's Spring (more from Divine Digital)

Check out Debora Pas' Nature Kit available at Divine Digital.
This kit has tons of papers, which I'm a big fan of and the clip art elements like the fish and lady bugs are so darn cute! It would work for both boy or girl themed layouts. Easy to use for anything! Check out the preview below.

Credits: Nature Kit by Debora Pas Designs available at Divine Digital, Font - Arial

Growing news

It's official! Spring's in the air and all around us. :) All A Flutter Collaboration by Mari Koegelenberg and Madame Wing available at theDigiChick.com
The papers and elements are super duper cute!!!! It's a wonderful kit for new beginnings and I'm definitely coming up with one. Now...if only I can survive to get there. :) More news to be confirmed in later postings. For now, please check out the wonderful color combination of this wonderful kit below.Credits: All A Flutter Collaboration by Mari Koegelenberg Creations (MKC Creations) and Madame Wing available at theDigiChick.com, Font -Arial

Spring Summer Inspirations

Do you feel that summer will be over soon...heck yes for me so I'm savouring the
I love the papers included in End of Summer by Aquarias Designs available at Divine Digital. It's a great kit for nature lovers since it also features a lot of wonderful flowers and leaves details. I love the color combinations also!

Credits: End of Summer by Aquarias Designs available at Divine Digital

Check out Craving the Inner You by BeeHaven Designz available at Divine Digital. I love the numerous papers and embellishments on this kit. It's pretty grunge but definitely vintage in feel.

Credits: Craving the Inner You by BeeHaven Designz available at Divine Digital, Font - Georgia

I want your love....love love love...

This has got to be the biggest digi-love kit I've ever encountered and it's all thanks to Angel Heartline Designs' Love Collection available at Divine Digital. The whole kit also includes hybrid banner kit and a really cool mini book. Run run run to get this since it's once in a lifetime offer and I have to say...too many really cool things in this cute yummy kit! :)
Credits: Angel Heartline Designs' Love Collection, Font - Century Schoolbook

Hanging with the Gals...

Full of kits to play around this week.
A lot are based on the color ranges of pinks but heck, it's still February right? :D
Lots of love and fun girl stuff going on. Enjoy! :)

Credits: Leah Farquharson's Victorian Valentine available at FunkyPlayground.com, Font - Centry Gothic

Girls so want to have fun. AnDi Design's Pajama Party Kit is the perfect digi-kit to scrap all those really cool fun gal pal photos. I love all the cool papers that fit any/all gal pal layouts that you can come out with. Loving the various word arts provided also! :D
Credits: AnDi Designs' Pajama Party available at Divine Digital, Font - Centry Gothic