Seriously. I feel like I literally stole something. These paper packs that you see here are normally around $8 each.
I bought all three of these for $1.99 each!!!!!
Am I a lucky gal or what?
This was while I was still in Chicago, the day when I was due to fly home that night. I spent Saturday evening with the Santiago's, and the next day, Arlene and I spent the morning shopping and the Archiver's store was in the area. Score! Another score were these paper punch packs! Awesome!
In the past couple of days, I acquired a couple of new scrapbooking toys, on which I will post pics of in the coming week: the Quickutz Silhouette SD, and the Zutter Bind-it-All System, a die cutting machine, and a book binding system, respectively. Will post a review of these projects later on this week.
A lot of new projects sprang into my head upon obtaining these two big ticket items both of which I have waited for the price to come down (the Silhouette SD), and get this 30% off coupon for (the Zutter).
One of them is a little mini-book consisting of the favorite songs I have listened to over the years, and with the recent death of an incredible music artist (I am actually listening to one of his hits "In the Closet" as I'm writing this), Michael Jackson, I think half that book will be dedicated to his songs alone!
Will post more! Stay tuned.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
One of a kind performer...Michael Jackson 1958-2009
Normally, I do not do this, but like so many heartbroken fans out there, I'm at a loss...
I was cooking dinner on Thursday, and I had my computer with me in the kitchen. I usually check the news sites, like The Huffingtonpost, or CNN, or ABC News, when I read a shocking headline: Michael Jackson is gone.
One of my all time favorite music artists: his dance moves, no one can even begin to compare and duplicate. His songs are timeless, and every time I listen to his songs, there is a sudden urge to jump out of my seat and dance.
My favorite songs? "Rock with You", "Say, Say, Say", and "Remember the Time". Of course, I have many more, but those three right there I will listen to first before the others.
I think we will all remember Michael Jackson for his music, and his incredible performances on stage. He was one of a kind: not only his music made us dance, but his music also had a message; he was the one who called our attention about the consequences of environmental ruin; sang about the pain of loneliness; about changing yourself for the better; lots of songs about love. Broke so many barriers in terms of the history of music and how it's presented; and did you know that The Jackson 5 were among the very first of the boy bands? His music so popular, that it influenced the younger generation of musical artists that came after him. He was also a humanitarian, I still remember the song "We Are the World", a song that united him and a bunch of other well known artist for the cause of hunger in Africa.
For all of Michael's successes, for those who believe in those nightmarish allegations that plagued him for the last decade of his life, I say, please, please, PLEASE, give it a rest. It was something I never believed that he would do. Because greed preys on the naive, Michael in the end, became a victim.
For the rest of this time of mourning, I will be working while listening to at least a few songs a day of this incredibly wonderful and gifted artist. Some of his songs I have burned onto a CD since a lot of my Michael Jackson stuff mysteriously disappeared when significant changes in my life occurred.
His music brought back so many childhood memories for me: he's right on the list of ones who had a big influence on me and my generation, like Mr. Rogers (who passed away in 2003), John Denver, James Taylor, and other influential fixtures from the past. Just goes to show that with this latest death, time marches on and an era is passing us by.
May God protect you, dear Michael as you go on to sing and dance with the angels.
**Note**Photos courtesy of Yahoo and flickr.com.
I was cooking dinner on Thursday, and I had my computer with me in the kitchen. I usually check the news sites, like The Huffingtonpost, or CNN, or ABC News, when I read a shocking headline: Michael Jackson is gone.
One of my all time favorite music artists: his dance moves, no one can even begin to compare and duplicate. His songs are timeless, and every time I listen to his songs, there is a sudden urge to jump out of my seat and dance.
My favorite songs? "Rock with You", "Say, Say, Say", and "Remember the Time". Of course, I have many more, but those three right there I will listen to first before the others.
I think we will all remember Michael Jackson for his music, and his incredible performances on stage. He was one of a kind: not only his music made us dance, but his music also had a message; he was the one who called our attention about the consequences of environmental ruin; sang about the pain of loneliness; about changing yourself for the better; lots of songs about love. Broke so many barriers in terms of the history of music and how it's presented; and did you know that The Jackson 5 were among the very first of the boy bands? His music so popular, that it influenced the younger generation of musical artists that came after him. He was also a humanitarian, I still remember the song "We Are the World", a song that united him and a bunch of other well known artist for the cause of hunger in Africa.
For all of Michael's successes, for those who believe in those nightmarish allegations that plagued him for the last decade of his life, I say, please, please, PLEASE, give it a rest. It was something I never believed that he would do. Because greed preys on the naive, Michael in the end, became a victim.
For the rest of this time of mourning, I will be working while listening to at least a few songs a day of this incredibly wonderful and gifted artist. Some of his songs I have burned onto a CD since a lot of my Michael Jackson stuff mysteriously disappeared when significant changes in my life occurred.
His music brought back so many childhood memories for me: he's right on the list of ones who had a big influence on me and my generation, like Mr. Rogers (who passed away in 2003), John Denver, James Taylor, and other influential fixtures from the past. Just goes to show that with this latest death, time marches on and an era is passing us by.
May God protect you, dear Michael as you go on to sing and dance with the angels.
**Note**Photos courtesy of Yahoo and flickr.com.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Josie's Graduation
My usual quota of photos have been met during my June Chicago trip. My sister's graduation, no different! LOL. Highlights here:
Me and Josie before heading off to the UIC Pavilion where Lane Tech held their commencement ceremony.
Walking down the isle with the other "techies", all in "myrtle" graduation gowns. (Myrtle is a fancy name for Forest Green)
Laughing it up (and rubbing it in) with a friend after the ceremony was over.
Josie and her best friend since grade school: Pam Pozos.
The day ended with a HUGE Ice Cream Sundae. Lovely! It was all about my sister that weekend (or at least for the first two days) and she enjoyed every single minute of it.
Me and Josie before heading off to the UIC Pavilion where Lane Tech held their commencement ceremony.
Walking down the isle with the other "techies", all in "myrtle" graduation gowns. (Myrtle is a fancy name for Forest Green)
Laughing it up (and rubbing it in) with a friend after the ceremony was over.
Josie and her best friend since grade school: Pam Pozos.
The day ended with a HUGE Ice Cream Sundae. Lovely! It was all about my sister that weekend (or at least for the first two days) and she enjoyed every single minute of it.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The 1216 Project
I love giving away albums. Especially if shows some kind of history of a life well lived...even if it's a small part of their lives that otherwise might have been forgotten. Or, since I take way too many pictures of anything that has some significance, the only sensible thing to do is to turn it into a story worth telling over and over again.
My first album that I gave away was actually last year, when I flew to Chicago for two graduation parties. My husband John's friend AJ graduated from Kellog's School of Business. And since they have a long history together, and the photos to prove it, I thought of making an album showing their story, from the time that they met in a Biology class at UIC, to the present (at the time anyway).
This is my second project, since I took enough pics of the before and after effect of a house renovation, for Joe and Karen Rojek. I added a personal touch at the end here, several recipes that I found were very good.
Karen's mom is an artist, and her specialty is Asian art, which I did an entire page of:
I also included some closer details of their home and how they decorated it:
Finally, I try to add something uniquely personal to them...I go by what John tells me, since I do not really know them very well, and I went with one of Joe's talents: he's a musician. I think he plays the tuba (Joe, if you're reading this, please correct me if I'm wrong!). In fact, his entire immediate family are musicians: his mom and sister sing, his dad plays a trumpet, and his brother plays the saxophone. Pretty neat!
What I did for the first page of the album is a paper-piecing version of the front of their house. The windows and door are in the right place, the embellishments (like the plant bed in front of their bedroom windows and concrete row separating the roof from the downstairs.) are where they are supposed to be...as best as I can find the appropriate color paper for it. Look closely at this picture and you will see a jumbled version of sheet music on the paper that I used for the house. It was the right color, and it just happened to contain remnants of sheet music, which I found so very cool!
I followed a simple formula for the pages to keep the album tied together and limited myself to very few embellishments...an extreme challenge for me since I have practically everything a scrapbooker would need. I stuck with one set of alphabet stamps (Hero Arts), the same kind of ink (Color Box), the matting that I used for the photos is from the same company (Die Cuts with a View), and cardstock in two neutral colors (two shades of beige to be precise for the home pages and a cream color cardstock for the recipe pages). There was only one background page that was different: an Asian themed cardstock for the Asian Art page.
I also used some journal cards so they can journal the more detailed aspects of their home, information that they alone, know. I included before and after pics of the renovation.
Karen had to work the day I stopped by to give them their album, but Joe was doing some work at home. My sister was with me that morning, helping me finish the album at Windy City Scrapbooking, where they have a room in the back where anyone can come and work on their projects, uninterrupted. Came in really handy for my needs. Joe offered some lunch when I dropped off the album, which was really nice of him.
What was Joe's reaction when I gave him the album?
Almost speechless. He was expecting a slip-in album full of pics of the house renovation. Instead, what he received, was something more personal, and I think I must have heard "thank you" a dozen times. The album I used is a huge 3-ring album from Making Memories, which I chose on purpose: since Joe is planning on renovating several more houses from scratch, I left a lot of room to slip in more pages.
My second gift album mission was a success! Photography has officially become a personal mission for me from here on out. My reward? Someone being so appreciative of their gift, something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. A memory that otherwise would have been forgotten, they have it in book form. The day before I left for home, Karen called and left me a voice message thanking me for the gift.
And as I drove to Noe & Arlene's house, three more album projects came to mind...
...and I can't wait to get those started!
My first album that I gave away was actually last year, when I flew to Chicago for two graduation parties. My husband John's friend AJ graduated from Kellog's School of Business. And since they have a long history together, and the photos to prove it, I thought of making an album showing their story, from the time that they met in a Biology class at UIC, to the present (at the time anyway).
This is my second project, since I took enough pics of the before and after effect of a house renovation, for Joe and Karen Rojek. I added a personal touch at the end here, several recipes that I found were very good.
Karen's mom is an artist, and her specialty is Asian art, which I did an entire page of:
I also included some closer details of their home and how they decorated it:
Finally, I try to add something uniquely personal to them...I go by what John tells me, since I do not really know them very well, and I went with one of Joe's talents: he's a musician. I think he plays the tuba (Joe, if you're reading this, please correct me if I'm wrong!). In fact, his entire immediate family are musicians: his mom and sister sing, his dad plays a trumpet, and his brother plays the saxophone. Pretty neat!
What I did for the first page of the album is a paper-piecing version of the front of their house. The windows and door are in the right place, the embellishments (like the plant bed in front of their bedroom windows and concrete row separating the roof from the downstairs.) are where they are supposed to be...as best as I can find the appropriate color paper for it. Look closely at this picture and you will see a jumbled version of sheet music on the paper that I used for the house. It was the right color, and it just happened to contain remnants of sheet music, which I found so very cool!
I followed a simple formula for the pages to keep the album tied together and limited myself to very few embellishments...an extreme challenge for me since I have practically everything a scrapbooker would need. I stuck with one set of alphabet stamps (Hero Arts), the same kind of ink (Color Box), the matting that I used for the photos is from the same company (Die Cuts with a View), and cardstock in two neutral colors (two shades of beige to be precise for the home pages and a cream color cardstock for the recipe pages). There was only one background page that was different: an Asian themed cardstock for the Asian Art page.
I also used some journal cards so they can journal the more detailed aspects of their home, information that they alone, know. I included before and after pics of the renovation.
Karen had to work the day I stopped by to give them their album, but Joe was doing some work at home. My sister was with me that morning, helping me finish the album at Windy City Scrapbooking, where they have a room in the back where anyone can come and work on their projects, uninterrupted. Came in really handy for my needs. Joe offered some lunch when I dropped off the album, which was really nice of him.
What was Joe's reaction when I gave him the album?
Almost speechless. He was expecting a slip-in album full of pics of the house renovation. Instead, what he received, was something more personal, and I think I must have heard "thank you" a dozen times. The album I used is a huge 3-ring album from Making Memories, which I chose on purpose: since Joe is planning on renovating several more houses from scratch, I left a lot of room to slip in more pages.
My second gift album mission was a success! Photography has officially become a personal mission for me from here on out. My reward? Someone being so appreciative of their gift, something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. A memory that otherwise would have been forgotten, they have it in book form. The day before I left for home, Karen called and left me a voice message thanking me for the gift.
And as I drove to Noe & Arlene's house, three more album projects came to mind...
...and I can't wait to get those started!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Here I go again...
I leave in a few hours to Chicago...yay! This time, for my sister's graduation on Friday. My second cousin, Ellyn Agana, is also graduating this week, only thing is Ellyn's is in a few hours! Funny isn't it?
It is very late here in the East Coast (3 am...what?!) and I can't sleep for some reason. No matter though, since I'm getting some last minute stuff done for the album that I am giving to our friends Joe and Karen Rojek, all of their pics of their house, before and after. Soo cool! I am also slipped in some recipe pages as well. They will be surprised to see that...
What a weekend this will be. I am still more nervous about this than probably my own sister is, because of the finalities of all three of us off on our own now. I know I should not worry so much, but I can't help it. Just have to keep telling myself that everything will be fine.
The nice thing about being on a short vacation and not have anything from home pressing me at the moment? I can finally catch up on blogging late at night til my eyes get tired. How cool is that? Very. Will be talking again soon!
It is very late here in the East Coast (3 am...what?!) and I can't sleep for some reason. No matter though, since I'm getting some last minute stuff done for the album that I am giving to our friends Joe and Karen Rojek, all of their pics of their house, before and after. Soo cool! I am also slipped in some recipe pages as well. They will be surprised to see that...
What a weekend this will be. I am still more nervous about this than probably my own sister is, because of the finalities of all three of us off on our own now. I know I should not worry so much, but I can't help it. Just have to keep telling myself that everything will be fine.
The nice thing about being on a short vacation and not have anything from home pressing me at the moment? I can finally catch up on blogging late at night til my eyes get tired. How cool is that? Very. Will be talking again soon!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Familiar sights...
What better way than to celebrate turning 30 than to be in Sweet Home Chicago? Something that I will have to do for my milestones if I do not come back to Chicago to live and raise my own family.
Where to begin? How about going through a car wash, which is rare in NC, since we now have a driveway to wash our own cars. Something that I had to do since my brother's car is looking pretty dusty on the outside. Plus, it was sunny as well, so I might as well do it whilst I have the chance.
Driving down Lake Shore Drive...wow, do I miss that!!! Sure the highway needs some serious repair (I must have ran over like 20 potholes, seriously while I was in Chicago!) But to see the familiar Drake Hotel, and the John Hancock building, passing by my old job at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the museums, McCormick Place...and of course Navy Pier...Ah, the memories!
And who can forget this psychedelic neon lights with music to match, when you pass through O'Hare Airport's Terminal to United Airlines?
Home is where the heart is, and I did very well for my very first trip to Chicago...this year. And, if you're noticing the date of my posting this and following my two other blogs, yes, I am due for my 2nd trip to Chicago next week for my sister's high school graduation.
Seeing the familiar has a funny way of comforting you when you go on to do your duty. Going to school, working to make the money, taking care of the hubby...in my case anyway, since the kids are not here yet.
Certainly technology has come a long way since now I do not have to deal with buying 32 rolls of film for every trip I take. In fact, I still have some film leftovers some that haven't even been developed yet, which I really should develop soon before something happens to it. I have three memory cards as well taking to bringing my laptop, external HD, and my cord connector, and loading my pics at the end of the night...so I have an infinite number of pics to take...heh heh heh...
Familiar sights and being able to enjoy photography full throttle...very nice indeed.
Where to begin? How about going through a car wash, which is rare in NC, since we now have a driveway to wash our own cars. Something that I had to do since my brother's car is looking pretty dusty on the outside. Plus, it was sunny as well, so I might as well do it whilst I have the chance.
Driving down Lake Shore Drive...wow, do I miss that!!! Sure the highway needs some serious repair (I must have ran over like 20 potholes, seriously while I was in Chicago!) But to see the familiar Drake Hotel, and the John Hancock building, passing by my old job at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the museums, McCormick Place...and of course Navy Pier...Ah, the memories!
And who can forget this psychedelic neon lights with music to match, when you pass through O'Hare Airport's Terminal to United Airlines?
Home is where the heart is, and I did very well for my very first trip to Chicago...this year. And, if you're noticing the date of my posting this and following my two other blogs, yes, I am due for my 2nd trip to Chicago next week for my sister's high school graduation.
Seeing the familiar has a funny way of comforting you when you go on to do your duty. Going to school, working to make the money, taking care of the hubby...in my case anyway, since the kids are not here yet.
Certainly technology has come a long way since now I do not have to deal with buying 32 rolls of film for every trip I take. In fact, I still have some film leftovers some that haven't even been developed yet, which I really should develop soon before something happens to it. I have three memory cards as well taking to bringing my laptop, external HD, and my cord connector, and loading my pics at the end of the night...so I have an infinite number of pics to take...heh heh heh...
Familiar sights and being able to enjoy photography full throttle...very nice indeed.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Memorial Day 2009
My Dad was born during WWII.
My grandfather fought in WWII.
My uncle served with the U.S military during most of his career for over 20 years, before retiring to work for the U.S Postal service.
My brother-in-law, is serving with the U.S Air Force.
I am sure there is a family with a member, or someone they know, that are serving or has served with the military service somewhere.
I was stuck working yesterday though, which is why this tribute is a day late, lol. I had to resort to a quick tribute on my Facebook page.
Whether you agree with war or not, it is important it to remember the ones who fought in:
The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The Civil War
World War I
World War II
The Vietnamese War
The Korean War
The Cold War
The Gulf War
The Iraq & Afghanistan Wars
All wars that serve one purpose: our freedom.
So wherever you are, and you probably already did it yesterday, take a moment, and remember the members of our military, past & present, those who are willing to put their lives on the line, and especially those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Thank you...
My grandfather fought in WWII.
My uncle served with the U.S military during most of his career for over 20 years, before retiring to work for the U.S Postal service.
My brother-in-law, is serving with the U.S Air Force.
I am sure there is a family with a member, or someone they know, that are serving or has served with the military service somewhere.
I was stuck working yesterday though, which is why this tribute is a day late, lol. I had to resort to a quick tribute on my Facebook page.
Whether you agree with war or not, it is important it to remember the ones who fought in:
The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The Civil War
World War I
World War II
The Vietnamese War
The Korean War
The Cold War
The Gulf War
The Iraq & Afghanistan Wars
All wars that serve one purpose: our freedom.
So wherever you are, and you probably already did it yesterday, take a moment, and remember the members of our military, past & present, those who are willing to put their lives on the line, and especially those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Thank you...
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