Everyone needs a break sometime..a break from the routine…or simply just a energy boost! During my time away from work..i like to spend time with family and friends, take a good nap, read (magazines or blogs) and scrap! haha..yes scrap! So last weekend, i did this..

one look and i’m sure you will know that this beautiful album is not my creation! It is designed by Erlia! =) It was a fun class and, though it was hard work sanding and sanding the holes, i am extremely happy i completed it! The sanding i mean =) i need to work on the insides! Thanks for the class Lia!!! =)

(We had a guess appearance by Leena..haha!)

I think we all have a rather defined scrap-style which we love and feel most comfortable with. As i was chatting with Sharon a while back, there is always a certain something we go back to each time we scrap…and i’m learning to embrace it for the past week as i tried to design the classes for Papermarket for December. I kept thinking…hmmm..will the scrappers like this? or that? I soon began to realise that art is so subjective that it is unpredictable. I was really inspired when i read an article in Somerset Studio by Rebecca Sower on her scrapbooking journey. As she began to start designing things for the masses, she began to sway further from what she really feels for…and she headed back. So..i’m going to stay put…and scrap from the heart =) A work from the heart is a work of art right?

Am really inspired by Rebecca and Somerset Studios…am going to try some new techniques at work later! Good night!

so yeah..started typing this post as i was having a cuppa at coffee bean with Selwyn…he studying and me…just surfing around *haha*

So last Saturday, my little cousin, Vanessa, graduated! Just so happened that Daddy sent me to work early that day and Vanessa was already at the convention centre…CONGRATS NESSA!!

…and…felt that my previous Cosmo Cricket layout was a little bare…so i embellished it further and added a border all around! Added some bling and buttons too!

i love the funny phrases they come up with for the strips at the bottom of the papers..this says ‘Hey, No Peeking’ and is perfect for the little present!

Do you this i might be invited to be a DT for Cosmo Cricket with this layout? *Haha* i’m off to bed to dream about it! Night!

hugs, Merdrey

So i have been living A Scrapper’s Life this past week! =) Ate Slept and Dreamt scrapbooking *haha* Not exactly that!

I have taught THREE classes to-date at PaperMarket and i have to say that it has been fun and challenging!! Looking forward to meeting you guys again! Please drop by often, even if it is just to say ‘Hi!’ =) Oh…and if you’re planning a wedding…that’s even more reason to make a trip down to Papermarket, look what we have in store for you!

I have also developed my first roll of film from the Diana Mini =) As i have only printed the contact sheet, it is a little tiny to view! I am slowly scanning the negatives but here’s one that i really like..

this is a photo of Rebecca taken at her house! It reminded me of the old B&W television, you know, the kind we have in the olden days…the kind where the world used to view the first man on the moon…you get the drift! So, i have this photo…and i have Cosmo Cricket’s Jolly by Golly collection…what would i do? PAGE SANTA! <– Don’t mind the pun!

I challenged myself to stay away from inking or painting for this layout and decided to sand the edges of the papers! I love the effect and the Cosmo Cricket papers are really easy to sand!

After posting this on my Monday with Merdrey column on Laine’s blog, i kinda felt that it looks a little plain around the borders don’t you think? I think i might add a border around….hmm…

More to share but am heading out to enjoy my day off now! May be back tonight =) Have a great week ahead!

hugs, Merdrey

Thanks for all the sweet comments about my blog header! =) Thank you thank you! i think i might change the pictures in the polariod once in a while…maybe a longggggg while.. =)

Today at Papermarket..i finished the cover of the mini album for December’s class! *happy!* It was like a dream…sitting there..designing a class as part and parcel of my work. Tomorrow..i will have my first class at Papermarket…we shall see! Nervous but confident that it should be ok..since i’m sharing my passion with others! Wish me luck or even better….keep me in your prayers =) If you are interested in signing up for any classes at Papermarket (designed by Sharon, Jaz or myself), check out the list of classes we have for November and drop us a call at 6333 9007 to sign up!

So..before i head off to bed, here’s what i promised yesterday – a new layout. Love the new hambly collection, especially this Le Romantique design..love the negative space that creates alot of dimension (i had used the kraft version of this in another layout earlier too). Also used the Rouge de Garance pp which is simply gorgeous!

This layout is to document how Rebecca is…the little girl who has grown so much! I love this photo of her as it shows how independent she is..bravely taking one step at a time..

Once again using embellishments from the K & Co Cut N Paste Die-Cut Ephemera again! Love the pack!!

See the letter ‘R’? I recently bought a container full of those melty beads and i’m thinking of doing some interesting things with it!

ok! That’s all folks…remember to pray for me! Good night!

hugs, Merdrey

finally! Am done with the new blog header..how do you like it?

have been thinking for the longest time on getting a custom blog header but never really sat down to finish it. I guess i didnt know what i wanted! So here’s something a little romantic yet old school and slightly vintage. I like it! Happy!!

That photo of me on the left is taken this morning, after i was all ready to go to work at my local scrapbooking store – Papermarket. Well…i think i kinda like it!! =) Tomorrow i will be attempting to spend some time designing the December classes =) It is gonna be fun!

Guess i shall hit the bed now…will be posting a new layout tomorrow as the photos i took this morning wasn’t too good..Seeya!

hugs, merdrey

some days i just go from one blog to the next and the next and the next. And each time i visit a new blog, i would want to do something else, or be this other person, or learn another new thing. Then i get depressed when i cannot do everything or be everyone! So many things to little time…what do i do first? How to do everything i want to do?

Then Selwyn says ‘Then don’t do it’

well..then i thought about it. I guess i need to take things one step at a time. I do not have to be everything at once…one step at a time….

so i just posted today’s mood on the Laine’s blog: CALM =) Finally i finished my layout for this photo of us taken in Niigata, Japan that i really like. To save time and space, i printed the journaling on the photo itself. Yes i decided this after i did everything so i ripped the previous photo out and stuck this down =) Can’t tell right?

Everything is October Afternoon =) Finally used my Road Trip stash which i have been hoarding for a while =) I felt really happy using papers and embellishment that i love! It certainly feels much better than keeping them on the shelf, collecting dust!

off to bed now..

night night, merdrey

i thought that maybe i would post tonight but something made it do it right now! We’re giving away the limited edition Laine’s Christmas Tote Bag! When i first got this bag last year, i thought hey this small bag was really useful! I don’t like to carry to many things when i crop (when i do…) so this bag works…also it is best for carrying layouts and great for scrapbooking shopping trips! It even holds my Macbook Pro =) So….it is limited to just the first 200 VIP Customers…sp mark your calendars! The date is 2nd November!

and and and….i got my DIANA MINI!

I got it from Objectifs at Arab Street and the sales person there was really sweet! I decided on the mini as it uses 35mm film and are able to take both half frame and square format shots! Hopefully i will not spend too much developing the photos. Just finished one roll of B&W film…going to send it to the shop today! Ahhhh…i’ve almost forgotten this feeling of anticipation as i wait for the film to develop! la la la la la..

Hope to share some of my first shots with you! And opps….have yet to finish the layout…..but it should be finished by tomorrow =) I cannot stop adding things to it!

Till tomorrow!

hugs, merdrey

so here i am for the past few days scrapping and thinking about my soon-to-own toy camera. The other day i was so decided..that i walked into the camera shop and was thissssssss close to buying it, only to realise that there are many different types and colours available! I did know it before..but i wasnt THAT attracted to the other colours and type. So out i went of the shop empty handed!

so one forum lead to another and another blog and online shop and blog and this and that…the information is endless! (and during all these i got distracted and visited scrapbooking blogs..haha) So i have decided…or i think i have…to stick to the Diana Mini and see how it goes! Wish me luck =)

Here’s something i’ve been working on..just for fun! Did some weird vignetting on photoshop..haha

Got out all my October Afternoon Road Map collection for this layout =) Hoping to finish the layout tonight..and before i forget….Papermarket here i come!!

hugs, merdrey

Hello Hello and also to those who have arrived from Laine’s blog – Welcome and Thank You for dropping by! Finally finished the new layout for Selwyn’s new rolleiflex!!

Materials: Hambly Le Romantique and Mod Circles, October Afternoon Cupcake Sticker Alpha, K&Co Cut N Paste Die-Cut Ephemera (Available at Papermarket if you hurry!), Buzz and Bloom Shelby Alphabet, 7G Gaffer Tape & Maya Road pin =)

The K&CO pack of die-cut ephemera is really choke-ful of lovely vintage elements that will have you looking through the pack again and again! The butterfly, flower, circle words ‘love’ and ’sweet’, bingo card, vintage car card and camera all came from the pack! Good value for money if you ask me!

I love to mix and match alphas from different brands but conveying the same feel! The pink October Afternoon alphas and chipboard Buzz and Bloom alphas just says ‘old fashioned’ doesnt it?

layer layer layer! Love the camera =)

i also distressed the hambly by rubbing the Making Memories sanding block all over =)

Notice the old washed-out look of the photo of the rollei? It was actually from a brand new photo! Check out what i did with the photo =)

So there…my tribute to the good ole’ fashioned mechanical rollei =)

Good night and God bless!

Merdrey

Yup! First and foremost….C stands for Camera =) and Selwyn bought a new one recently (iphone photo below from Selwyn)…and it is a ROLLEIFLEX!! oh my…i cannot wait to touch the vintage machine! Isnt it cool??

i think i want to get a toy camera too. They were all over the place in Japan but the varieties got me…which one to choose? Any recommendations? How about the Lomography Diana Mini? YUM! Just love it for the mini size =)

Well…C also stands for Catholicism =) Last night, Gary, my church friend, show us this fantastic video from CatholicsComeHome.org. It is too good not to share =)

So dear friends, welcome home =) If you’re in Singapore and would like to have a community to journey with you on your journey back to Church, join Landings =)

So now for the final C – Countdown. This is the number of days from my first day at work at Papermarket! Hard work + Scrapbooking + Teaching = i wonder how it will be like! =)

hugs, merdrey