This Week: Color Palettes and Newsletter Feature

If you got some time to surf a bit, do check out found Wendy Gibson's blog below...an accidental coincidence since I was looking for ways and means to coordinate colors well in my layouts. The color palette site that she provided on her blog was quite informative and useful for my future scrap needs...especially if I'm bogged down with color matchings. :)
http://www.doodlelicious.com/
I found one of her entries pretty interesting about the website below:
http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/
You enter the url of your photo and it will generate a color palette for you that you can use on scrap pages. It seems so like Pantone Colors - so coded for online and HTML use. :)

Found out that Malou, a fellow online scrapper in the US, will be visiting the Philippines around the time that I'd be back for Easter break. Very excited with the thought that we could possibly meet up! I gave her some scrapbook store locations since she told me will be doing some scrapbook materials hunting.
See you soon, Malou! :)

I got featured in this week's Monday News from Digizines Digital Den Newsletter...It's the layout titled "Girl", last row, 2nd photo. Very cool that I just had to post it up here since not all will know about this unless you're subscribed to the weekly updates of Digizines Digital Den (http://www.digizinesdigitalden.com) :)


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Title: A Baby Girl...
Kit Name: Subtle Skies (Part 2) available at DigizinesDigitalDen Kit Designer: Deborah Vessels
Program: PS7.0
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/zstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17&zenid=070eeff31bf4ce52d93a19c9621a4d09
Font: Footlight MT Light
Journaling: A baby girl...one of the most beautiful miracles in life, one of the greatest joys we can ever know, and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness in our world today.
Notes: A good friend's photo of her new baby and her...so cute and always ready for her next photo-opt. :) Thanks for sharing your photos, Ellen!


Title: 24/7 Love
Kit Name: Tiny Pilot Page Set (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Designer: Mikki Livanos
Kit Link: http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=81&products_id=8160
Journaling: 24/7 Love / just a typical day of JJ Jr... one of my daily visits to my nephew during my trip back in Jan 2007
Word Art: included in kit
Program: PS7.0
Font: Eras Demi ITC and Gill Sans MT Condensed
Notes: A cute photos of my nephew, JJ Jr - growing up by the minute so gotta have these sort of photos before it's too late. JJ Jr loves this area of their house - at the living room couch - since he gets to check out his father at work and the latest things on bloomberg...aside from play around with the stuff within his reach. :) I just adore this little guy...you can so see me be the "doting aunt". :)

Tired tired...very dead tired (can't think of any good title)

Week was busy...yet again. Work will never ever stop...only people stop.

Literally just got home from dinner and bar hopping with friends. Realized early on that I really want to just crawl into bed after dinner...I should have just opted for that. The fact that I was yawning and all...that should have been a sign. I love staying in bed and thinking of what to scrap or ever just think of possible LOs or checking online blogs of friends. Those are what get me all happy and relax. I guess you can say that I'm getting really old. There were days of long ago that I'd party like there's no tomorrow. Now...my body and brains couldn't cope with that. It's not my thing anymore. I'd rather be in a coffeeshop and talking with friends more than having to yell to the person beside me.

I'm tired...so tired...I'm thankful that the weekend is here. I really meant to just sleep in and relax from the last two weeks of vacationing. I need a vacation from my vacation. Hahahaa! :D

Wedding plans are moving along. Still trying to decide a motiff and coordinating with the suppliers on this. I have to see if what I envision is doable or feasible with the suppliers that I've already booked. Now this the tricky part.
I will be scouting around for some ideas and props for the wedding this week as what my mom told me to check out first. :D I hope to get some good ideas else I'd just stay at a Starbucks or Agnes B Cafe, lounging/reading the newspaper...as I think up some inspirations to scrap. :)

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Title: Lil' Cutie
Kit Name/Designer: Doodleboogs for 12x12 Templates # Six (available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) and Mikki Livanos for Tiny Pilot Page Set (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Journaling: JJ Junior / Lil' Cutie / February 2007Program: PS7.0
Font: Tw Cen MT Condensed
TYFL!

Template Link: http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4726
Digital Kit Link: http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=81&products_id=8160


Title: I Can't Swear
Kit Name/Designer: Deborah Vessels for Subtle Skies Scrapkit (available at Scrapbook-Elements) and Doodleboogs for 12x12 Templates # Six (available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Journaling: I can't swear that I'll be here for the rest of your life but I swear I'll love you... For The Rest Of Mine. (Author:Trace Adkins)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Eras Medium ITC (title) and Arial Rounded MT Bold (journaling)
TYFL!
Template Link: http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4726
Digital Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/zstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17

This Girl...LO by MizzM (super honored)

Check this out! My gal pal, online-scrapbook friend, Michelle, did a LO of me!
This is a real honor. I've never been scrapped by someone else. :) She did it late last year but was not able to show me or post this up since she used this for a contest entry.
I love the flower that framed the photo and definitely the journaling technique of being circular. Very very cool!
Definitely a nice surprise when I opened my email from her around CNY. :)
BIG SHOUT OUT &"RAISE THE ROOF" TO MizzM!

Got back from Vday and CNY vacation. It was a great vacation and definitely interesting. Hardly rested since it was constant supplier meetings, contracts signing, wedding idea scouting, dates with Ed, dinner with friends, late night off-site work on the computer (all I can say...thank goodness for the Internet) and the highlight every late afternoon - taking my nephew to his daily park adventures & meeting his cute friends!

Work is pretty loaded even if I got to work off-site but I guess that's just it...work will never stop, even if everyone in China/Asia is out for CNY. There's always another person in other parts of who are working their butt-off for "the next big thing".

Just got word too that Deborah Vessels will be published in the next issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine so better watch it out! I'm so proud to be discovered by her and to be part of her and Teri's Creative Team. :)
You can check out Deb's other digi kits at http://www.digizinesdigitalden.com
BIG SHOUT OUT & "RAISE THE ROOF" TO DEB VESSELS!

Happy Valentine's Day & Chinese New Year!!!

Happy Hearts Day you all!
Happy CNY too! :)

Heading home so can't really post much or that I can think of. I'm sure that I'll post more during my break or when I get back. I'm still rushing with work and some that I "have to" get done during my break so I'll just bring homework to Manila! :)

HUGS!
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Title: Waves
Kit Name: Be My Love (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=11&products_id=108
Program: PS7.0
Font: Comic Sans MS
Journaling: If you want to know how much I love you, count the waves.
Note: Beach photos of Ed & I that I've been meaning to scrap for the longest time. :) Summer 2005 with some good friends...Ed with his funny sunblocked face. :) Those were the days...whe we both had no cares and had lots of sun & surf.
TYFL!


Title: GirlKit Name: In Love (available at DigizineDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=11&products_id=86
Program: PS7.0
Font: Comic Sans MS
Journaling: The Laughter of a girl is,and ever was, among the Delightful Sounds of the earth. ~Dequincey
Notes: A fellow ex-Citi's cute daughter with a laugh so contagious indeed!

Chinese New Year (CNY): Year Of The Boar & other stories

It's that time again...time of the year that Chinese all look forward too ~ Chinese New Year!
This coming year's the Year of the Golden Boar (Pig)! A lot of couples are planning to give birth this coming year, marriages are encouraged also --> it's the last auspicious year for Horses to get married since the next year is the Rat and it's not an ideal year for Horses...to think, my brother is Year of the Rat - and we get along very well...or so we think! :P

Here's some things that I love about this holiday:

• Red Packets - Traditionally, red packets (Mandarin: 'hóng bāo' (紅包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao'; Cantonese: 'leih síh' (利市)) are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is common for adults to give red packets to children. Red packets are also known as 压岁钱 (Ya Sui Qian lit age suppressing money) during this period.
  The red envelopes always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. The amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with cash given during funerals (白金 : Bai Jin)
  
• HK Victoria Park's New Year Markets - Markets are set up near the New Year especially for vendors to sell New Year-related products. These usually open-air markets feature floral products, toys, clothing, for shoppers to buy gifts for new year visitations as well as decor for their homes. The practice of shopping for the perfect plum tree is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree. In Victoria Park...they basically sell everything and anything they can. This market is right at the park and is open 24/7 - for only one week. I hope to be able to visit this market with my good friend, Zita, next week - before I head back home.
  
• Fireworks - These are banned in Hong Kong for safety reasons, but the government will put on a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Chinese New Year.


• Clothing - Red clothing is worn throughout the Chinese New Year, as red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. Also, people typically wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolize starting anew in the new year. I've been assigned to find some new red clothing for my nephew here but so far...been running around like a headless-chicken around HK and still not finding one for my cutie nephew!


• Decorations - Red banners with the character 福 (pinyin: fú), or "auspiciousness" are displayed around the house and at the fronts of doors. This sign is usually seen hung upside down, since the Chinese word 倒 (pinyin: dao), or "upside down", sounds similar as 到 (pinyin: dào), or "arrive". Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of luck or happiness.
  The following are popular floral decorations for the New Year and are available at new year markets.
  Peach blossom (symbolises luck)
  Plum Blossom (symbolizes luck)
  Kumquat plants (symbolises prosperity)
  Narcissus
  Chrysanthemum (symbolises longevity)
  Bamboo (A plant used for anytime of year)


• Foods - Niangao, Chinese New Year lucky cake: red bean paste between two layers of longane flavoured rice paste. Several foods are eaten to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Several of the Chinese food names are homophones for words that also mean good things.
  Fish - Is usually eaten on the eve of Chinese New Year. The Cantonese pronunciation of fish makes it a homophone for "more than enough", or "extra".
  Dumplings - Eaten traditionally because the preparation is similar to packaging luck inside the dumpling, which is later eaten.
  Candy
  Kwatji/ sunflower, pumpkin or melon seeds
  Turnip/Taro cakes

Some superstitions during the New Year period that I know about:

• Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese.


• Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants" is a homophone for the word for "bitter" in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive as the word 'pants' in Cantonese could be a homophone for the word for "wealth".)


• A hair-cut is considered bad luck. The word "hair" is a homophone for the word for "prosperity". Thus "cutting hair" could be perceived as "cutting away your prosperity" in Cantonese.


• Candy is eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.


• Sweeping the floor is considered bad luck, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year; in the same way that having a bath will wash away the good fortune.
  Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.


• Buying books is bad luck, because it is a homonym to the word "lose".


• Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the new year.
  Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.

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Kit Name: Be My Love (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=11&products_id=108
Program: PS7.0
Note: This is a submission to the Sketch Challenge done by Deborah Vessels for Digizines Digital Den. A more recent photos of E & I at a cousin's wedding last month. It's currently my favorite. :)

Title: Happiness
Kit Name: In Love (available at DigizineDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=11&products_id=86
Program: PS7.0
Font: Copperplate Gothic
Journaling: Happiness is being near you
Notes: A very Vday inspiration for me - in appreciation on how Fate has brought E and I together in the end of a lot of failed relationships along the way.

Last Week...came too late

This is what I got to finish only...from last week.
Work was going nuts and still is. I feel so ashame!

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Kit Name: Circle Templates and Pterophyllum Kit (both available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Font: ITC Franklin Gothic
Journaling: "Wish. Noun. 1. a specific feeling of desire; 2. an expression of some desire or inclination. Verb. 1. hope for; have a wish; 2. prefer or wish to do something; 3. make or express a wish; 4. feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of"
Notes: My little nephew…being so himself…so cute that I do "wish" the most wonderful things life has to offer him. :)



Kit Name: Seasonal Template #2 and Pterophyllum Kit (both are from ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: ITC Franklin Gothic

Deb's Sketch Challenge

I can't wait to get started with this Feb sketch challenge. It's pretty neat!
I am putting this here so as a reminder for me to do it. :PP

For those who would want to join, you can visit the Digizines Digital Den at the site below and join the fun:
http://www.digizinesdigitalden.com

See you there!

PS: I will post something on this soon so do check back. :)