Precious Moments

Hi everyone! I'm excited to share my double page layout which I haven't done for over a year I think. I have used very old photos about the three of us as new parents in Y2K and how carefree life still was at the time. We spent a day in my hometown Melaka also known as the Historical City and visited the historical sites in Bandar Hilir. 'Alyaa had no interest at all but she really enjoyed the day.

This layout is based on this sketch from Let's Scrap for its weekly sketch challenge:

Some close-ups:

A note for my eldest daughter:

I love the central of the flower below :-)

Back view of the famous Portuguese A-Farmosa fort:

Supplies: Pink Paislee patterned papers, EK Success punch, Kaisercraft butterfly stamp and ink pad, VersaFine ink pad, Momoyo paper flowers, my trusty sewing machine and others from my stash 

Thank you for visiting and I value your comments.

Hugs and smiles,

My First Day At MRSM

Hey my friends! As mentioned in my previous post, my life was exceedingly hectic and pretty crucial on my end the past two weeks that I had to 'give-up' on my art world to make way for my eldest daughter 'Alyaa who was leaving home the first time to enroll into a boarding school last February 13. I have promised myself to snap her pictures as many as possible on registration day although I know she is already fed up of me taking her pictures...smile. Oh yes I sure did snap tons of pictures but unfortunately my little girl was getting restless during the principal's speech in the hall room. She refused anyone so I had to coax her and thought by showing her the photos in my digi-cam would help but she accidentally hit delete button and there goes half of the morning session photo shoot...I was frustrated! But a journalist will do what a journalist has got to do so I keep on snapping and ta-da...a layout is here to remind 'Alyaa of her first day at MRSM.  

This layout is based on Let's Scrap sketch this week:

The first time I saw it, I knew this sketch by Judy Rakes is suitable for my layout.

Some close-ups:

I used gesso for the die cut alphas, distress it and sponge it up with black ink.

I'm not exactly sure where the patterned paper is from but I love stripes for the banners.

Her younger sister Anis gave her one final hug before we bid her farewell that evening. It was a long day and everyone was somewhat exhausted but we all know she is well taken care of and 'Alyaa definitely knows why she is there! After endless struggle and sacrifice between her classes and sports training during her final year at primary school last year, yet it took her the final month prior to exam week to really study...as her mother, yes, I was nervous because sports kept her too busy and exhausted. I told her once: "Make sure you give me 5A's just the way you gave me those gold medals!" ...I'm grateful she passed with flying colors and made it to MRSM as that's her main target.
Photo below: 'Alyaa is 3rd from right front row during UPSR result day announcement

 MRSM is a prestige boarding school has various branches all over Malaysia that emphasize on sciences and mathematics. To get into MRSM, a student must obtain straight A's in the primary school finale exam UPSR {there are five core subjects altogether: Bahasa Malaysia Paper 1, Bahasa Malaysia Paper 2, English, Mathematics and Science}. Not only that, co-curricullum plays an important roll. The day 'Alyaa got her UPSR result {November 10, 2012}, my 'mother instinct' told me that the time has finally arrived for her to head on to her path in fulfilling her dreams and ambition. One of it is to further her secondary level at MRSM but first thing first, soon after she got her result, we went to MARA to get the pin number so we can apply online and she must sit for an interview and entrance exam on December 10, 2012 at MRSM Merbok {that was during the school year end holidays}. Then we waited and waited and waited for the result...meanwhile, she had started secondary level at an ordinary school SMK Che Tom in Form 1 beginning January 1 which was compulsory even though a candidate has applied for boarding schools.

After a long wait, the entrance exam was revealed on February 5. Her name was in the entrance list; we're so grateful and happy for her. I picked her up from school that evening {by the way she attended afternoon school session at SMK Che Tom} and her first question was: "Do I make it?" I showed her the printed letter and her remark was: "Pendang? Why not Merbok?" because her first choice was Merbok which is closer to home, lol. Pendang is about 45 minutes away which was her second choice. My answer to her was simple: "The further you go the more you get".

I wish I could give credit to the person who snapped this eagle view photograph I upload from Internet to show the entire building and greenery area but unfortunately I don't know who the photographer is. My sister Lili said this is a great place for a retreat. I couldn't agree more.
'Alyaa loves this new world of hers so much. She has asked me if it's okay to be active in sports like before. I said yeah sure, so long she maintains her CGPA :)

I hope this lengthy post didn't bore you though =D teeheehee. As of writing this, I am struggling with the heat. The weather is so hot and humid one needs lots of water. Having said that, it's almost time to fill up my poor stomach. Thank you for visiting me today and I truly appreciate.
  Hugs and smiles,

Orchid Lover

Hi my blogger friends :) It's been a while now and here I am making a come back after the year end holidays with my dear Mother. Only God knows how I feel being home spending the incredible moments with her and to be back where I am without the person who brought me into this world is heartbreaking. I wish I could stay there with her forever but God has set my path to follow and I left Him a prayer to look upon my Mom while I'm gone fulfilling my commitments. Before my return home last November, I made a layout for my Mom...the one she requested me to do...the subject she loves most ~ her precious orchids! They were blooming when my sister Lili was with her taking shots of her catalyas and other species. Once I got the photographs, I didn't scrap right away, not until I found the perfect sketch to fit them in. I knew the sketch by Michelle van Wyk who was one of the winners for Let's Scrap sketch contest way back in October last year was perfect for my layout and this was my finale cum farewell layout sample as one of Let's Scrap Design Team member for last term which ended on November 30, 2012.  

The winning sketch:

Some close-ups:

I added the bird cages to remember my father who used to have a huge collection of similar bird cages hung all over Mom's orchid sanctuary. I have also added brown twine {see below} because it simply reminds me of Mom who would use raffia to tie her orchids or Dad who used twine for his carpentary or gardening job.

The initial SKZA is made up by my father which is a symbol of true love between my Mom {Sity Khatijah} & Dad {Zainal Abidin} who went through thick and thin from their wedding day until Dad's final resting.

I just love the effect of stamping and glossy spray on white card stock as well as the lace punch. The title was printed and painstakingly cut out. Watercolor paint finished it off which really pleased me. Of course I can't do without handmade paper rosettes with flowery wooden button in the center.

And here's Mom's most favorite catalya that never fail to outshine the rest in her garden. Its aroma is so soothing...the one Dad loved as well.

The orchids is what kept Mom alive and cheerful. She has grown them for almost 40 years. She knows everything about orchids because they are her babies she loves to care with so much love and passion. I have begun to have this passion for orchids the way Mom does because every time I look at them, I can see Mom's smile :-)

Aaah, enough rambling! It's mid-January now {time sure flies!}. So, after having such gorgeous holidays and superb time with Mom, it's time to hit the scrappy table and get back to business. I shall be back soon with  more! Meanwhile enjoy the upcoming days with happiness and kind heart. 

Have a great 2013!

Hugs,

Just the TWO of US

A new sketch has been revealed at Let's Scrap this week and for the first time members are seeing a winner sketch by my fellow Design Team member Judy Rakes. When I first saw the sketch in the folder, I fell in love with it because of its technical shape. I begun searching for photos and found some right away. I knew it would be perfect. I was just too excited I didn't really study the sketch thoroughly. With my humble pencil, ruler and knife, I cut out the photos into hexagon shapes. It was a relief when it's done. But unfortunately the hexagon photos didn't match the sketch when I roughly assemble them on the cutting mat. I turn back to the sketch and at that point only I really study the technical area and realised my dissapointment error because like the saying goes: measure twice cut once! It's not hexagon but sopposed to be an octagon shape. My daughter 'Alyaa saw my sad face and looked at the sketch once then gave me some mathematical lesson like a teacher does: Mommy that is octagon, it has 8 sides, hexagon has 6 sides, pentagon has 5 sides, heptagon has 7 sides {that's me as she gave her lecture:  :-)}. Of course there's nothing else I can do to make it right. I continue by cutting out larger hexagon cardstock as a mat so my cute photos can rest happily ever after on these pages...

 

 

Here's the layout by Judy Rakes for Let's Scrap:

 

Materials used: Basic Grey cardstock, drawing block, Kaisercraft stamp and ink pad, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist

 

Some close ups:

This is an old {manual camera} photo of my daughter {'Alyaa} and my niece {Zahra'} in 2001. They have been very close when they were babies right up to now. It's just the four months gap that differs their age; Zahra' was born on September 30, 1999 and 'Alyaa entered earth on January 9, 2000.   

 

 

 

I can't help myself from laughing when I read Zahra's mother commented this layout at Let's Scrap gallery:

Comment by Lili Sulastri Zainal Abidin 5 hours ago {16/11/12}

"Oh Asmah...such nostalgic photos of Zahra' (my former Shaolin). I believe when these two girls meet in two weeks' time they are going to rock their grandma's house. Be prepared, though, for the south and north direction when things don't go well between them. Really lovely layout."

 

I will have to agree with my sister. It's true they are best buddies but their minds are not in the same boat sometimes, lol. They are seeing each other soon on Sunday the 25th. I bet they will have fun time together during the school holidays.

Having said that, I best start packing our bags soon. Until then, thanks for listening to my rambling. I appreciate your visit.

Hugs and smiles,

 

Our Fun Time

This week Let's Scrap features a sketch by a talented lady Eniko de Lisle who won a sketch contest organized by Let's Scrap couple of months ago. I just adore the sketch and knew what I had in mind - my children of course! Check this out:

 

 Eniko de Lisle is one of the DT members of Let's Scrap. The first time I saw this scrap I just knew what to do. Thanks Eniko. 

Materials used: 100% cardstocks, Tiny Type Cosmo Cricket alpha stickers, Memory ink pad, Momoyo alpha stickers, dymo tape

...some close-ups...

Taman Rekreasi Tupah = Tupah Recreational Park has always been my kids' favorite spot to swim...I wonder why?

...so I wrote a journal for them to remember...

My best time is always the time I see my childrens' smiles and happiness.

 Thank you for visiting again sweeties. I am keeping myself busy scrapping these days before I leave for holidays in two weeks time; I love being busy especially crafty busy :)

Hugs and smiles,

Award Day

Hello my blogger friends! I hope you are in the best of health. I've been missing in action...so many happenings took place the past two weeks until now. The school term is coming to its end on Thursday the 8th day this month...that will be a big relief for me as the kids chauffer for sure. My children and I are looking forward to our long holidays until the end of the year. Time sure flies but I do kow I have spent on both greath quality and quantity times throughout the year especially the times with my children where I can hardly breath sometimes.
This day I managed to get back to scrapping. I decided to scrap my eldest daughter's recognition award day for her memory based on a sketch from Let's Scrap. Here's how I interprate my layout:

...the sketch...

 

Materials used: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Stack and distress ink pad, cardstocks, 'Alyaa's school badge and name tag and my trusty printer

 

...some close-ups...

 I patiently cut out the printed alphas to make the title...phew!

 

 Normally an event like this takes a split second to shoot but I was lucky because 'Alyaa went up stage twice to accept her awards so she gave me great opportunity to shoot! 'Alyaa will get her Principal (the one in batik shirt) to sign an autograph on the white space before she kiss the school goodbye on Thursday the 8th!

 

 There she is always looking serious eventhough I quickly told her again "smile for the camera" after she got down from the stage after receiving her first plaque...duh... I will get her sports teacher's autograph to feed the pocket {will do this secretly without her knowledge}!

 It took her lots of time and dedication to achieve these awards...and lots of my time too driving her to sports training, so on and so forth...well deserved :)

 

Having achieved these awards means the end of her sports glory at SKTSW where she has spent six years studying in primary level. She will continue her studies at secondary school next year for five years and she has already asked me if she can be active in sports...all I know she is dead tired after each training but if she can balance herself between academic and curricullum, it shouldn't be a problem. My only hope is she will strive for the best!

 

I will present another layout tomorrow...stay tune. Thank you for visiting me today!

Hugs and smiles,

Mr & Mrs

This week Let's Scrap features a new sketch and the first time I saw it, I was like "Wow"! Why? The sketch offers a giant photo although it's not a must. Frankly speaking, I don't fancy a sketch with the size of 8x10 because I have problem to d.i.y. Usually I go for the next option by using multiple small photos but however, this sketch by PageMaps allows me to scrap a special photograph I have been keeping 13 years ago! That's right, it is my wedding photo in 1999.

For the first time, I used busy patterned paper from Kaisercraft and yes, I do like the end result especially the right page because of the awesome fabric type paper and I made it minimalist to highlight both the patterned paper and photograph. 

Materials used: Kaisercraft patterned papers and stamp, Momoyo stickers, ink pads: VersaFine, Memory, StazOn, Tim Holtz distress ink, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist, leaves, grossgrain ribbon and rose trim from My Shop {Qinaahana} that will be launched via online soon  

 

...the sketch...I love PageMaps {thank you Becky}...

 

...some close ups...

I stamped with two different ink pad colors as a header for my title to be filled in soon...I still can't pick my title, well it has to be something meaningful and suitable...

The wedding couple on May 1, 1999 wearing traditional Malay attires; the white one was tailor made for the exchangimg vows ceremony that was held at 10 o'clock in the beautiful morning. The yellow one was meant for bersanding ceremony (that means standing or sitting on the dias) that follows suit at about 1:30pm. The two chairs are very antique! They belong to my great great grandparents if I remember right. My dad sprayed them gold and wrapped it up with red fabric velvet. He was very creative! All my siblings used the chairs for our weddings that took place at our parents' home. My dad also made the platform of the dias!

A Malay wedding ceremony in those days up to now has this tradition where the bride takes the opportunity to wear different traditional dresses just for the fun of it before the actual event begins {that is bersanding on the dias}. Looking back, it was fun because I got to model so many dresses and gain attention...after all it was my day ;). This dress and the headgear  I wore was a remake from the Chinese era and such great pose on my golden bed...how's that for a queen of the day?

Finally after 13 years living in a dark box, this photo which I got to reprint for free in 1999 from the photographer who gave me free 8R coupons will have its place in my scrapbook album at long last!

 

Having said that, I have to start cooking for dinner...queen day is over, lol. With a loving hardworking husband and four children, I'm blessed!

 

Until the morning after, have a great day and take care you hear!

Hugs and smile,