WOYWW: Seashell Lamps and A Princess

Happy Wednesday, dear blog friends!  Today, for What's On your Workdesk Wednesday, I have lots of stuff to put away and almost no more space to work on!  Here are the lamps that I had made using the paper and x-ray cutouts with seashell patterns (for my daughter's Fine Arts thesis).  They look great when they're lighted!  And you can also see the book I chose for Elizabeth's Altered Book Class.  I have taken out pages and wall puttied pages together (so that I don't have to fill up too many pages).

 

Here is another project using the seashell patterns.  These are old eyeglass lenses that I am recycling into jewelry like pendants, pins or earrings and maybe even magnets (again for my daughter's thesis about "Fractals and Patterns from Seashells Applied as Graphic Elements.")

And here is a wonderful giveaway that I won from Lisa Lectura (no wonder I love joining giveaways!)  It is an original hand painted and hand stitched art quilt created by Lisa! The size is 2.5" x 3.5" and 100% made with love!  When I got Lisa's email, I was already thrilled, but when it arrived and I took a closer look, I realized that not only is she amazingly lovely but she also has a special meaning for me because she is a Princess.  Princess is a word that has been in my heart in a special way this year - I am the daughter of a King, and so I am a Princess. Thank you so, so much, Lisa for this precious gift!

 

Why not drop by my previous posts, take a peek at more desks and join in the fun!

Inspire Me Monday

Twenty two years ago, I gave birth to the most beautiful little girl in the whole world (although I would understand if the other mommies won't agree with me).   Becoming a mommy was life changing for me and I learned so much about LOVE, unconditional love. 

And as I reflected on today's verses from Matthew 25, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me..." I thought of how, as parents, we are able to do this for our children.  

The challenge now is for us to also be able to do this for the less fortunate around us.   I do want to hear the words, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." Matthew 25:34

In the Word Among Us daily devotional, it says, "Imagine what it must feel like to hear Jesus tell you: “Come, enter the kingdom you’ve spent your life build­ing. You’ll feel right at home!”

The truth is, the kingdom that Jesus describes in this parable is very much like the kingdom that these “sheep” have been building. They have been laboring to create an envi­ronment where there is no more suffering, no more hunger or want, no more sadness or isolation. They have been pouring themselves out so that everyone is treated with the dig­nity and honor befitting a beloved child of God. Isn’t that what heaven is going to be like?

In that kingdom, there will be no more thirst because everyone will have access to clean water— and access to the Living Water of the Spirit. In heaven, every injustice will be wiped away. There will be no more ragged refugees driven from their homeland by violence or fam­ine. Everyone will be clothed in a garment of dignity perfectly fitted to his or her unique nature. No one will be wrongfully imprisoned or exiled , and those who were justly impris­oned will not be forsaken but will be forgiven and restored.

Isn’t this the life we all long for? Well, if we want it so badly, let’s go out and start building it!"

I'm sharing this in Inspire Me Monday.

The Crown of Life

Just a quick post to share a part of my journal...

and for Palette and Paint, the box lid which i converted into a tray for my paints, and water soluble pastels.  I find that using these pastels makes it easier for me to cover large areas without getting the page too wet since my journal pages aren't that thick.

I'm linking up with Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Brag on God Friday, and Sunday Sketches.

WOYWW: The Altered Book Project and Seashell Patterns

Here's a peek at my workdesk today...

with the book that I am preparing for the altered book class with Elizabeth, the Altered Book Lover.  No, I have not read this "Handbook of Chromatography."  I actually got it for free from a second hand bookshop and I chose it from among other books because it seemed like a good book to alter.  I have started to take out some pages.

And here is a laser cut x-ray slide that I was hoping to make into a little lamp.  The patterns are from my daughter's Fine Arts thesis which is all about "Fractals and Patterns from Seashells Applied as Graphic Elements."  

She got patterns from seashells and is making a pattern book for designers.  I'm trying to help her develop some products to show that the pattern book is usable.  More of the patterns peeking out from a  folder...

And here is a little Valentine's box that one of the inmates in the Quezon City Jail gave me.  It is made from telephone directory pages with red cellophane trim.

For a peek at some other desks joining What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday, visit Julia and in case you are interested, check out my post about Valentine's Day in China.

Valentine's Day in Guangzhou, China

Late last year, our favorite budget airline, Cebu Pacific, announced a promo called "P12 for 2012."  Twelve pesos!  That's less than $1 (plus tax)!  So right then and there, my hubby decided to buy two round trip tickets and spend Valentine's day in Guangzhou, China!

We found out that Valentine's day is a big day there!  Lots of bouquets for sale...

...not only the traditional roses...

...but even teddy bear bouquets...

and bouquets with dolphins and bunnies!

It seemed like everyone was out to celebrate...

and it wasn't uncommon to see the ladies bringing their big bouquets as they walked with their dates.

 There was even a big Valentine tent filled with stuffed toys and hearts...

and greetings and signs all over...

Of course, in China, the color red is all over the place...

It was such a memorable Valentine's day for me and my hubby...

and since LOVE and travel always inspire me, I"ll be sharing this in Inspire Me Monday!

And the Winner for my Artist Trading Card giveaway is...

Nora Clemens-Gallo!

Congratulations, Nora!  Let me know which among the ATCs in this post you prefer and I will send it off to you.  Thank you to everyone who joined this giveaway.  Watch out for the next one!

Love One Another

Belated Happy Valentine's Day, dear blog friends!  I spent Valentine's Day in Guangzhou, China and I hope to share more about that later.  But for now, here are some illustrations from my prayer journal...

Unlike the usual idea of romantic love that we see in the movies, Pope Benedict XVI says, "Love is indeed 'ecstasy', not in the sense of a moment of intoxication, but rather as a journey, an ongoing exodus out of the closed inward-looking self towards its liberation through self-giving, and thus towards authentic self-discovery and indeed the discovery of God."  This is the kind of love I want to grow in, a love that is unconditional and self-giving.  Teach me, Lord!

I'm planning to link up with Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Brag on God Friday, Show and Tell Saturday, Just Journals, and Sunday Sketches .

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Winner!

I have picked the winner of my recent My Memories Suite V3 scrapbook software giveaway!  (So sorry for the delay!) Congratulations, trishadeb from Scrapbooking Mommy!   I will get in touch with you with instructions on how to claim your prize!

Take a look at some of the free digital kits I downloaded from the My Memories site.  You can use them not only with the My Memories scrapbooking software but with other software applications as well. 

Pretty, aren't they?  Don't forget, if you didn't win and would like to buy the My Memories Suite V3 scrapbook software, you can still get a $10 discount if you use this coupon code: STMMMS86032  (Copy and paste the code when checking out).  The software also comes with a $10 coupon for downloads (a total value of $20).  

Happy creating!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday: A Book, A Frame and Wedding Things

Here is my desk today.  It's one of those days when there doesn't seem to be any arts or crafts going on in it.  Most of my drawings are in my prayer journal and I have posted quite a lot of pages in my previous posts if you are interested.

Here is a picture frame that I plan to put a Madonna and Child painting in to give as a gift...

and here is the book I am planning to alter for Elizabeth's Altered Book Class.

Here is a fan and bag I brought to a wedding I went to last Saturday.  I was a "Ninang"or a godparent.  In the Philippines, couples always have godparents during their weddings.  We're supposed to be the ones who will pray for them and give them advice and help them to have a happy marriage.

and here is the corsage I wore that day.

Perhaps the other desks on the What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday list are more creative this week! 

The Armor of God

Hello, dear blog friends!  Here is an illustration of Ephesians 6:10-17 from my journal,

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. "

I hope you like it!   I'm sharing this in Show and Tell Saturday, Just Journals, Sunday Sketches and Inspire Me Monday.


I am featured in this week's Inspire Me Monday.  Thank you so much, Ramona!

Paint Party Friday: Ears Were Opened

Here's a peek at my prayer journal.  I forgot all about posting for Paint Party Friday.  I was too busy painting.


Just as Jesus opened the ears of the deaf man, I pray that he will open my ears to hear him more clearly.  Yes, he has done all things well.  Including me, including you.


Linking up with Studio Sneak Peek and Brag on God Friday as well.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday: Journal in Progress

 On my desk, my prayer art journal with my reading for today...

my box of colored pencils that I usually keep beside my bed, where I make my journal (I woke up a little later today)...

and some fabric rosettes I made out of the scrap fabric from a blouse I altered last weekend.

And here is shelf that I had my hubby put wheels on for me to be able to roll in and out of my little cubicle.  I ordered boxes to fit into the shelves for more storage (yay!).  I know, this part is a mess...

For a peek at more desks, messy and otherwise, and the wonderful projects that are on them, visit Julia's Stamping Ground.  And you still have time to join my giveaway for an Artist Trading Card. 

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Giveaway

The giveaway is now closed.

Thank you to all who joined!

I will announce the winner soon.

I've been curious about the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software ever since I came across it while bloghopping.  And so, of course I was so delighted when I was given the opportunity to get a complimentary copy and host a giveaway for a chance to win this Amazon bestseller and #1 rated scrapbooking software!

After downloading the software and playing around with it, I came up with some layouts for my Europe pictures.  I used the standard 8 1/2" x 11" Portrait Album size so that i can print it out myself but the program is so versatile and you can also use other standard album sizes, or even make a custom sized album.

With this scrapbooking software, you can create albums by using the free templates and just inserting pictures individually or automatically, or you can design your own pages (like I did) using the hundreds of papers and embellishments available in their website. 

I am still practicing so my pages still need some working on but I really enjoyed using the papers and embellishments from the "When in Rome" Scrapbooking kit for my album.

And, at MyMemories.com there are so many paper packs and scrapbooking kits that you can get for free!  Wow, I think I will actually be able to get some scrapbooks done if I do them digitally!

Aside from scrapbook layouts, you can also make cards, calendars, videos and all sorts of other projects.  Here's a calendar I made in a few minutes using a free download called "Love of a Lifetime Sampler".  Isn't it pretty?

So, if you would like a chance to win the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software, all you have to do is - 

1. Visit MyMemories.com and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout and leave a comment on this post telling me which one you choose.

2. If you are a follower of my blog and would like a second entry, please leave a second comment on this post telling me you are a follower.

3. For a third entry, make a post about the giveaway or put it in your sidebar with a link to this post and leave me a separate comment telling me you did this. 

4. For a fourth entry, tweet about it and leave a separate comment telling me you did this.

And that's not all!  If you don't win and would like to buy the My Memories Suite V3 scrapbook software, you can get a $10 discount if you use this coupon code: STMMMS86032  (Copy and paste the code when checking out).  The software also comes with a $10 coupon for downloads (a total value of $20).  I so enjoyed picking out the scrapbook papers and kits I could buy with my $10!

I will be using the random number generator so please make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.  I will pick the winner in a month's time!