Christmas Gifts Part Deux

I just finished these four gifts so might as well post it before I forget it again. These are 7 sq. cm. fridge magnet I made from fabric scraps and a leftover sintra board, lined with scrapbooking paper from my stash. The magnet on the back was purchased from one of those P99 Japanese outlets in malls.

Type is mine, drawn on paper and traced on the fabric. Then I traced the outline with Chain Stitch, and the inside crisscross design with Outline stitch. I have yet to be brave to try out Satin Stitch. It seems to be my Waterloo.

Christmas Gifts

Hello everyone!

In a few days, it will be Christmas Day. So, I finally got around to finishing these little tree ornaments that are my gifts for my nieces. I started these in 2011 and they're two years in the making! I know, I need to commit more to these things.

Anyway, these are made from fabric scraps from curtains my mother made and less than a yard of lace. I don't really do embroidery but once in a while I have the urge to do something with my little knowledge of it. I really hope my nieces treasure these.

These are the front:

And this is the back that says "Dec 2013 (heart) Tita Ilyn:

I got to post in a timely manner... yay, me!

That Day in November

Hello everyone!

I hope it's great where you are.

First of all, we, here in the Philippines, experienced the worst typhoon in recorded history ever, as I'm sure you all know by now, and our countrymen from the south experienced the worst. There are relief stations set up in places but you can also donate through Red Cross below. Just click the image to direct you to the site:

In other news, I survived my first semester in my chosen MA. I'm finding Curriculum Studies really fascinating, and I'm realizing Education as a course is really hard. I had a hard time adjusting to academia, I don't even know if I've adjusted yet, but it's very exciting to have my brain exercised that only academics can. I'm enrolled for this semester and, hopefully, I won't have any reason to stop until I'm finished with my thesis. One of my professors suggested a very, very good topic that I'd really like to explore. It has something to do with heritage conservation, K-12 curriculum and nationalism.

Less than month ago, I took a trip with the husband! However, I'd write about it some other time. I don't think it's the right time to talk about with what happened yesterday. As a sneak peek, though, this is where we went:

For the next few days, I'll be busy with some bookbinding, slipcases and boxes that would go together for a special project. Here goes something all black. I'll talk about it when it's finished. I have yet to find some red boards for the lining which I haven't found after visiting some supplies store.

So yes. Papercrafting is still a go. It's not going to be as often as I would like it to be. Sometimes, I'm just exhausted thinking about curriculum-related things whether I'm on either side of a lesson plan. I hope it changes soon enough.

Till later.

Such a long, long time ago...

... was my last post.

Anyway, hello again everyone! It was such a busy year and so much have changed!

I resigned from the previous school because I'm back to university this school year, and I'd like to focus on that for a bit; give myself time to adjust to being a student again. I started my Master of Arts in Education major in Curriculum Studies at the University of the Philippines in Diliman because I plan on teaching college kids next at a soon-to-be school of architecture where I live. Besides, it's time to admit to myself, I'd like to be a proper educator with degree and everything.

At first I was like, I'm going to find a nearby school to get my graduate studies done; just to get that degree. However, I found myself hopping from college to college, university to university just to find that elusive MA major; I even interviewed college deans (I know, right?!) just so I have a feel if it's the right thing for me. That wasn't a joke. I really did that. In the end, I thought, I'm going to spend precious resources might as well go all out. 

So, I went back to my Alma Mater and inquired. My former professors at the College of Architecture were the ones who pointed out to me to inquire at the College of Education. I saw their programs and when I laid eyes on Curriculum Studies, it was love at first sight. Ha! So I'm in my first semester and I'm quite overwhelmed right now.

To counter that, I haven't left papercrafting. Of course not. I would need that to keep myself sane. I have individual students for this one; an idea I haven't thought of until a parent asked me to guide her daughter with regards to papercrafting.

I left the school I taught at earlier than expected for health reasons, and my first and second grade students sent me these really cute paintings and wrote beautiful things at the back. Their homeroom teacher swore up and down that they thought of this themselves. It was such a beautiful thing. I'm still thinking of what I'd give them in return as thank you.

Summer Art Workshop for San Pablo Residents

Happy 2012!

Hello everyone! It has been quite awhile since I last posted a blog entry. I am still quite alive, thank you very much. :)

2011 was a very eventful year for me, for us, personally. So much has happened at the homefront that left me so little time, and so little interest, to focus on my paper crafting and scrapbooking. Aside from personal struggles which I'm very thankful that we're able to get through, August to December was so very busy. I'm still teaching Art to little children in Los Baños. There was the National Architecture Week to plan. Our students' Christmas production needed as much attention as usual (but we had to tighten our belts on stage design this year; economic situation all around calls for it). And since Gerry's schedule was so full last year, that added to my schedule as well. No question about it, I support my husband all the way. Family comes first.

Last time, I had the bright idea of coming up with New Year's Resolutions, not going to do it again. Except, EXCEPT, more travels this year. If I won't be able to go to foreign countries, then I'd be glad to just do it here in the Philippines. Besides, It's More Fun in the Philippines, right? haha. Life is short and I will enjoy it immensely with my husband.

We are planning to move to his parents' home soon. We agreed that it is time for them to have company 24/7. That will take so much time and energy on its own. Right now, I am still in the process of packing our things and some of our stuff are already there. So with everything that is going on and at this rate, I will probably be able to start with my paper crafting and scrapbooking by March. Besides, I have to reorganize this business and finally get really serious about it.

So, one step at a time. Also, I hope to be able to update this blog often even if I have no personal projects to show yet. I have a link to my Twitter account on the sidebar if you want to read about my raves and rants about my favorite tv shows. By the way, you really ought to give Doctor Who and Downton Abbey a chance. :)

See you and have an awesome 2012 everyone!

Curriculum and Things

I was finally able to speak with the Art teachers from the main campus. I think I'm doing good so far with the lessons I'm giving but I still have a lot to teach the kids. The two I spoke to had been very nice and accommodating. I should have joined them during their orientation but at the time, I haven't signed my contract yet that I was not really sure where I stand in the whole scheme of things at school.

I'm currently comparing my notes to the checklist they gave me. I'm confident that we'll be able to reach those goals but right now, I'm a bit overwhelmed. I have to admit though that the checklist is easier to understand than that Rubicon which just swam like crazy before my eyes when I tried to read it.

There are other things I have to do still. Remember the New Year's resolution last year? Well, it remained in theory. The 2010 scrapbook? I did until May. I'm still doing the rest of the year but it's not as fast as I would have liked. I thought I'd just do a page a month but it turned out that our year was the busiest so far. Man! I even have 6 pages in some months because of all the activities and events that we went to.

The wedding album? I went as far as preparing the base sheets. The scrapbook albums I do for other people are quite embellishment-friendly. But personally, I prefer a minimalist approach and I still wasn't able to finish things that need finishing. Ha! Sometimes, when I should be doing this, I find myself reading books or online. I don't even have a Facebook account to lose myself into! I think it's an escape from responsibility thing.

But don't worry, my dear clients, the things I do for you, I can do easily and finish on time. But the things I do for me, I end up being saddled for months. Ha! That should change.