I am...

* totally tired out today from not getting to sleep much since 2 nights ago cause Kay is down with slight flu, and a high fever throughout last night (my poor baby)

* totally loving this Taiwan show "Hi my sweetheart" which my brother gotten me to watch, and it's gotten me and Jayce laughing away. We're having to watch really slow and into the late nights


* going through a very slow process of packing my scrap desk, and having to go through our household stuff to see what needs to be given or thrown away (we always seem to only have the time after Kay's gone to bed to work on this, and seriously we're moving like the tortise argggghhhhh!!!)

* working on my Valentine's album for Kay, and it's already 50% completed

* totally in love with punches now especially Martha Stewart ones, i've lost count to the number of punches i've gotten, and latest in my collection - their sweetest eyelet heart punch, just in time for my V-Day album

* half way there working on V-Day gifts for my colleagues, but very far from working on V-Day cards for my best pals.

Hope your day has been well!!

Make it your own....

If you like what we're have created for the class at The Scrapbook Carton, then come join me & G for our very own distinct class with each of our own signature style.

Come join me in creating a 2 12"x12" LO with Cosmo Cricket's whimsical series- Nutmeg, and have that much more fun making your own simple embellishments for this LO. Play with Glimmer mist , and get your hands all crafty with me. Inclusive in the class kit would be a full 12"x12" Nutmeg chipboard.

Class : Nuts about you

For those who's thinking of what to get for your special Valentine this year, why not try out making your very own mini album using Maya Road's 2 ring heart chipboard album and get to play with Jenni Bowlin's range of patterened papers, pearl flowers, rhinstone buttons & those hard to resist vintage tickets. It's going to be that much more special for that someone special when it's all handmade by you.

Class: Happiness is Handmade

Write to : classevents@thescrapbookcarton.com for more details.

Also look out in early Feb 2010 on The Scrapbook Carton's social scrapping event too!!

It's Everyday...

* that i find comfort knowing that he is safe & sound

* that he is healthy

* that he lets you know how he feels be it happy or sad, or even in a terrible bad mood

* that his lil face lights up instantly when i walk through the door after coming home from work

* that i will plant zillion amount of kisses on that lil face of his, and letting him know just how much i love him

* that i find myself talking him through matters to make him understand why he shouldn't be doing certain things, and have him to reply me "sorry mummy, ok"

* that he makes me laugh and forget how tough sometimes my days can be

* that i would at least be doing 1 silly dance or song infront of him, just to see him giggle that much more

* that he wants to be independent, and be doing things on his own, and for me to hear him say "no mummy, kay kay myself...."

* that he lets us know that he likes everyone to be doing things together, and going everywhere as one big family

* that even if speaking with him over the phone in the afternoon before his nap time for a mere 3 seconds is enough to make me smile through his many words to describe what he's doing at that time

I'm love my everyday and as long as i have him, and knowing that he's growing up to be someone who's so full of emotions, a fierce mind of independence, one who picks himself up each time he falls down with no tears and just "it's ok mummy", one who loves to help out. All these are just good enough for me, and it doesn't matter how tired out physically & mentally i can be at the end of each day , knowing of all these everyday lil things of him is blessed to me.

Hope your everyday is as special as it can be!!

Yes, that very piece of friendship

I won't say that I'm always making friends as i walk through my life journey. I'm not one who talks alot or find it easy opening up to someone, and it's actually only when i discovered scrapbooking that i found that not only do i enjoy this creative process that it allows me to feel, but also making new friends along this scrap journey, and for good old friends to bond even deeper because of this shared passion.

I'm totally for Social Scrapping which The Scrapbook Carton has organised and it's where we can all get together with people we're meeting for the very 1st time, sharing our stories of the photos we bring, sharing that personal style of each scrapper, and most importantly make new friends. Do check out this upcoming event!!

I have a story to tell with each of my friends, adventures we've gone through in life be it at school or at work, or in my everyday life. And now as we each have our family & work, it is always that much more harder to meet them all. Yes we gather for crops at my place whenever time permits, or even for lunch & shopping, it's not what we do that matters whenever we meet up, but so much more of having them with me during our meets up, seeing their smiley faces, hearing their life stories are just good enough for me. I love them, and they all know that.

At the end of the day, I'm glad that scrapbooking has let me found new friends like G, and like how she always put it and very much of my same thoughts, we never though we would find such friendships at such age (not that we're super old), but friends like her who's loyal, doing that extra mile and putting the same amount of love we have for this friendship, and to this day, I'm counting my lucky stars that we bond because of our love for this hobby and also the chance i get out of having to walk this scrap journey with her is more than what i can ask for.

To all my friends out there, and also to those who constantly read my blog even though for some i have yet to get a chance to meet in person, i hope someday our path would meet, and that a piece of frienship would be born.

Love ya guys!!!

There's always time in his world for everything....

While I would always go about saying how little time i have in a day to do stuff and still ensuring that i have time to keep my dear lil guy company whenever we're home on Sundays, time has recently for me gotten even more precious cause we're all busy getting ready for my brother's (2 weddings in a month difference of each other..arrrggghhhh!!!) wedding which will start in a months time and weekends are the time i have to help in any way i can for my brother's.

Sundays are precious to me cause it's usually a full day i have with Kay, not interrupted in any way, both of us just have each other as company even though it means staying put at home while Jayce is at work. While i'm being contented with the time i have with him, Kay would always have something to do, and not wasting any of his own time.

*He has a time to get rested & just laze on the couch in his most comfortable combi - t-shirt & underpants


* He has the time to lay on his tummy to enjoy his cartoon shows



* He has time to play cooking with me, and he was just making coffee for me

* He has time to colour away.....but it lasted only 5 minutes and off he went to do other stuff

* He has time to just stop and look right at me and thank goodness i manage to take

this no expression shot of him

* He has time to play awhile with his 1st artpiece which he calls "Itsy Spider" which was made on his 1st day on his own at GUG, and i'm so proud of this work that we have it displayed it on the wall right next to his table.

* He has time for his gang of wheelie toys (yes i call them this cause he's totally in love with anything that has wheels), and with this Spring Cleaning coming up in our house, we're thinking of leaving a box of wheelie's at Jayce's parent's place so that he can have stuff to play with whenever we're there. He has that much wheelie's that they're hard to keep now cause of their size (yes yes, the result of having one too many pressie's over X'mas, and also his own parent's weakness whenever we see the cars thinking he might like this one or that one)

He definitely finds things to do around the house whenever we're at home, but when it comes to me, i wish i had always that little bit more time to getting things done especially in the scrappy sense of things & that constant to do list of mine.....

* a semi finished ang bao box for my brother whose wedding is in end Feb 2010, still more work needed before i finish.

* worked on 2 LO's as my new assisgnment for The Art Republic which is located at Velocity. Yes another source of scrapping supplies here in Singapore. Don't we scrappers just love this!!! At least i know i do with open welcoming arms!! So every month you'll see my creations for them. Exciting!

Got to go, loads of new changes at work, challenging and straining at times but i believe with my word of the year - DRIVE, it's going to get me through.

Have a good tuesday!!

It doesn't matter....

* that my sewing skills still sucks even with the help of the singer machine
* that i encountered several boos boos when trying to sew the pages together
* that Jayce tells me "why does your page look like a pillow", and literally Kay though i made him a pillow??
* that i was working till 3am+ this morning to complete putting everything together
* that i have loose threads coming out from here or there
* that i was just figuring out so hard as to how i want to be binding this huge lumpy album
* that my 1st ever fabric album inspired by Irene looks like a huge multi-coloured hamgurger
* that all my pleating were all irregular, and that i had to pleat for each of the 12 months of the year

This fabric album (made from scratch, using Sandi Hendersen's fabric for Kaylen to remember year 2009 is still very much loved by me despite me having to pull my hair out at some point of time, still very much looked at despite me wanting to just give up cause i hate sewing, but looking at each page which I painstakeningly put together according to the photos taken in that particular month. I love the end product more than everything, and Kaylen loves it too when i showed him the finished album this morning. I got a big YES from him when i asked if he likes it, so that's enough for me!!!

I'm all good, i just love this new album cause i had a great time when i looked at each photo when i create of this special guy in my life, and that's just enough for me.

Have a beautiful evening!!

I'm looking forward to....

Valentine's Day, and i guess many of you too since it' all about colours pink, red, white, chocolates & roses, hearts & kisses and all stuff sweet & happy, and to me not only a day for the lovebirds, but for friends too.

I'm definitely not missing out working on my "love" mini album for Kaylen cause i created one for him last year - "love ya", and this year, the mini album would be another fun piece to work on, so stay tune cause i'm going to be working with Making Memories latest range of V-Daystuff, a mix of Hambly's, and some AC - I heart U.

Talking about this cutesy series - " I Heart U", it's on super offer at The Scrapbook Carton, and you won't want to miss it if you're going to start working on V-Day stuff for that someone special.

Have fun won't you?

I'm please to annouce....

Thank you all for leaving me with such lovely comments, and i wished i had a RAK for each and everyone of you. Not to worry, i'm sure along the way I'm surely have RAKS packed especially for you.


My RAK winners :-


Rak 1 - Purinne







RAK 2 - Lynett C

Please drop me your mailing address at : tanyinwen@gmail.com, and I'll have these lovely RAKS sent out to you very soon.

I've a fun-filled weekend as I watch Kay start his new school term at GUG, and i must say that I'm super proud of him cause he went into his new class, with new friends, and new teachers, he's doing just fine. No looking for mummy, no tears, no mis-behaving, no running around class during class time, just 1 super duper good boy. I was the one worried that he would cry at his 1st time being on his own, or that he would look for me. I have to let go knowing that he can do it by himself, he is going to be alright even when i'm not around for awhile, and most importantly, he can be doing things without having me to worry. You should just see me on Saturday with my mom, in 1 1/2 hours, both of us had peered through that tiny slit of the classrooms more that 5 times. When the classroom door open at the end of class, i just stood far watching him, standing very still with his artwork in hand, and just waiting, and when he saw my face, he beamed and run super fast to me. I then told him, "where is your bag kay?", he turned back, went into class, and he came back clenching on to his Thomas the Train bag (which i was just hoping that he would be able to recognise his own bag, and not just grab). I just smiled WIDELY, thinking to myself, how can this lil one be growing up that quickly, wasn't he just a baby not too long ago??). Kay then showed to me his artpiece, and said "Itsy spider mummy" (he made in 1st new class, an adorable, long legged spider, and i figured out as much what the teacher was teaching for that day, and his 1st artpiece without me by his side, just with the help of teachers).

Unfortunately i don't have a photo of this special day to scrap about, and might consider taking a photo of his "Itsy spider" as a photo that i would use for this moment of his being on his own. We'll see.

Busy as I was over the weekend cause we're having a wedding happening in our household in a months time, and busy with keeping up the Christmas tree with Mr Kay messing on the side and you should hear daddy shouting away at Mr Kay cause he is making a mess instead of helping out. I still had fun just looking at both of them. With Christmas decors all kept up, it's major spring cleaning around the house starting from this week onwards cause i don't have all the time in the world to just sort out stuff, so we're definitely starting early.

I had sometime to just sit down and chill by scrapping. It helps me calm down, and working with Kay's photos are always a pleasure cause i'm nuts about him as you would all know and i would do anything to just have him laugh and be happy.

Working with October Afternoon's latest Farm Fresh papers

& recently i love using anything that has butterflies so out came

out my box of butterfly wooden stamps and my dust collected

sewing machine for this LO.

Title: Spread your Wings

Recently I'm crazy over American Craft's glitter & gem brads of various sizes, and love them to bits for their colour and texture, and love how i could just play with them for this LO, and once again those lovely button paper flowers by Pac of Nic Nac from The Scrapbook Carton. Always a joy working with these handmade flowers, and i love vintage dictionary papers.

It's going to be a work packed week for me cause it's going to be tons of meeting before closing for Chinese New Year, and there is just tons to be doing around work.

Have a great Monday everyone!!

You are definitely my happiness....

My 1st layout for year 2010 is about non other than my beautiful Mr Kay. There is never one day which goes for me without me not missing or thinking of him when i'm at work. I'm blessed to have this bundle of joy, and have been counting my blessings every day of my life ever since he came into my life. Mummyhood is the best thing that has ever happened for me, and i know all mummy's out there would agree with me on this same sentiment. Life has been good before he came into my life, and now even better cause i've this someone who needs me at times, who calls out to me when he needs extra help or company, who tells me that he loves me, that when he sees me coming from from work runs up to me with his great big smile & 2 wide open arms, gives me kisses & huggy hugs whenever i ask for them, what more can i ask for from Mr Kay. I just love him to bits, and would do anything in this world for him. Indeed my happiness.

I would just like to share this happiness as we start the brand new year with our lil ones, another new year of watching them grow in the like of whom we want them to grow up to be, with that very hope that they themselves be happy each and every day.

Title: Happiness is...You

using BasicGrey "origins" & Pink Paisless Cupid series of paper, paper flower buttons by Pak of Nic Nac by The Scrapbook Carton

By the way, did you know that The School of Carton has their own blog. Do check it out!!

I'm off to a good weekend with the family, and hope you'll be enjoying yours too!

He

* is now at 32 months, and 4 months away to turning 3 (gosh how time flys)

* loves to talk, talk and talk about everything. whether be it proper words or baby language, I would just be hearing his chatting away from a corner of the house to himself or someone

* loves to stick out his butt out of no where (don't ask me why?)

*speaks almost like me, and i have to mind my words (not that i swear alot or all of the times, i tend to stick to Oh S*#T whenever i drop my stuff or drove in a wrong manner) when i'm around him cause I caught him saying "Oh S@#T!" when he dropped his stuff on the floor. So off i went to quickly amend the mess i made by saying "you should be saying Oh No!! " when you drop your stuff Kay. And just last evening, i heard it again and i went on saying if you continue saying that "monsters will come eat you" (yikes he looked so afraid, and great job mommy, now i have a swearing & super terrified kid". Loads of work i need to do rectify this horrifying episode.

* is super cheeky and cute at the same time. This is what our bedtime conversations sound like now compare to the very orderly mannered ones in the past.
ME: "Goodnight Kaylen"
Kay: "Goodnight backside", "Bye Bye backside" hehehe

* is ever so loving, and for the last few weeks, when i tell him " i love you Kaylen", he would reply "wuf you mummy" when i put him to bed. To any mummy, this is absolutely precious and words i keep in my heart forever even as i see him grow up each day, knowing that one day i have to let him go to venture, and that he might not need me by his side cause he's all grown up.

* shows of his likes & dislikes, and at times can be such a whiner, & shrieker. Growing up phase i always say! Quick grow out of this phase Kay!!!

* is going to be attending his 1st day at GUG in the new school term on his own come this Saturday, and i'm crossing fingers that i don't hear "mummy come, mummy come" (his signature call out phase). That he will be doing just fine on his own in class.

* is going through a "kay kay scardy scardy" phase right now as he would say it. For someone who never seem to be bothered about having lights turned on during the night time, and totally okay with sleeping in pitch darkness, he's getting me to turn on almost all the lights in the hallway. He went through being scared of Santa Claus & Snowman, and being alright with them around the house during Christmas, to now "Kay Kay scared scared Gong Xi Gong Xi" Arrrgggghhhh!!!( i haven't even put up any Chinese New Year decorations yet around the home) as we prepare him to welcome the Chinese New Year....

Whatever it is, we're into another phase of his growing up days. Challenging as he starts to make sense of stuff around him, picking up words here and there, and at times insisting on things, i'm still comforted to know that we're managing alright with him, trying to let go of him more, and that he has tons of emotions within him, and most importantly, I'm there to experience life with him.

Thanks for all the concern & well wishes through these years that you've passed on to Kaylen and our family, and that you've seen him grown along in my blog, and sharing with me those valuable mummy tips and encouragement. From the bottom of my heart - A Big Thank You!!

Have a blessed Wednesday you all!!

My word for Year 2010

Just random thinking that i ought to have a word which pulls me along for the whole of this year. No new year resolutions though, thought having a word picked out for me to work on myself this year would be a good change.

This would be my word for 2010 - DRIVE. I seem to be a little far of from this word, and certainly adopting this word in aspects of my life and at work. Hmmm a layout of this word seems to be up in my mind, and would be my 1st layout for this year.

Have you picked out your word for the year?

So much goodies coming your way....

Yes it's RAK giveaway from me for the start of the year, and i hope you will like what i have put together in these 2 yummy embellishment RAKS....drop me your comments by 10th Jan (Sunday), and I will make a pick of the lucky 2 winners of my RAK on the following day!

RAK 1 - filled with lettering from Jillbean, Toga & Making Memories, epoxy stickers, rub ons (i can't remember which brand already), journaling spots from Chatterbox, and an assortment of diecuts as well.






RAK 2 - great for that special Valentine, and filled with letterings from Pink Paisless, stickers from Making Memories & Elle Studio, Maya Road Sheers & an assortment of journalling spots from Jillbean & Making Memories.

There's more cause TODAY at certain hours of the day, The Scrapbook Carton is having Scrapper's Tea Break from 3pm to 5pm, and this Thursday 7th Jan 2010 Scrapper's Supper from 9pm to 11pm where during these hours, 15 products would be offered at special prices for your treats. How can you resist such cute promos especially when you are a scrapper always looking out for good buys! Don't miss out on this!!!

Tuesday definitely a good day for me!!

Happy New Year!!

It means a long weekend for me, and having Jayce home and away from work is great cause both of us was able to spend quality time with Kay over the holidays, and for me a good 4 days with the lil one. Oh how i love public holidays over the weekend. Christmas is still over at my place, decorations will most likely come down this week, and up on my list - a good spring cleaning which i have been talking to Jayce about to really clear out stuff that we've been storing for a good few years.

It's good day 4 of the New year, and work is starting to be busy for me as most of my overseas supplier are about to re-open, and before we close for the Chinese New Year, it's going to one of those busy periods to finish up any pending orders from my end at work. No rest till we're into Chinese New Year.

This new year brings for Kaylen a new area for his story books, and a new Ikea desk for him to be sitting & reading or doing his artsy stuff if he likes + he has been "commanding" me and Jayce to be sitting at his round table, and if you can see he has exactly 3 books, one for each of us to be reading with him and he's been at it since last night and this morning....
I've also finished my Christmas album - Deck the Halls for Kaylen, and the remaining pages are shown here....my 1st ever by recycling Christmas themed stuff from envelopes to cards, to ribbons to decoration pieces.... it's all to do with what we have received as a family this year for Christmas.

This brown paper bag store's Kaylen's list of Christmas presents he received this year

Love this shiny red heart tag from Ikea which came with the rolls of Christmas wrapping papers

This wish page came with my wishes written at the back of it for Kaylen this year for Christmas (it's a greeting card from cousin in Australia)

So what's next on my scrap list - using these lovely handmade paper button flowers by Pak of Nic Nac from The Scrapbook Carton for my next layout & also for Kay's year 2009 fabric album, and these are their latest release and they are so my colours.

Stay tune for my upcoming RAK as my new year give away!!!

Have good Monday you all.