Oh wow... I did not realize how long it has been since I have posted here. My last entry was a few weeks before I left for my teaching trip at Europe and then after my arrival... well some things have not been going so well. I usually keep my entries here all about the craft but this time I think I need to share something really personal.
Over the next few months you will be seeing me conducting one class after another, creating and selling ready made layouts and mini-albums, and doing all sorts of stuff to raise funds. This is because a few weeks ago, my mother Lourdes Babao was diagnosed with colon cancer – stage 3. Before I left for my teaching trip at Belgium I thought that everything was already ok. The operation was successful and the follow-up check ups with the doctor had no mention of any further treatments. On the day I arrived back here in Manila I called my Dad to check on my mom, and that was when he told me that Mommy needed Chemo treatments. 12 sessions which would cost roughly 40 thousand for each session excluding other medications and supplements needed to keep my mom healthy and strong for her battle with cancer.
I come from an average family. We are comfortable enough and could afford the little luxuries in life, but this disease is something that my parents never thought would hit so close to home. They were not expecting this, and so were not prepared for this.
My mom is 76 years old but very fit and active. Some people say that her age is already a bonus – that we should be thankful that she has lived to that age, and that if financially we could not afford the chemo treatments then we should just give her supplements and alternative treatments. But that does not make sense to me. That does not make sense to my Dad. How do you say that to a man who still calls his wife “love” up to this day? I need to do something to help them with the treatments. I can’t allow this disease to put at end to their love story just yet. Not yet.
I will posting some items in my Etsy shop again soon. If you will be in need of any pages for your scrapbooks or would like to give some as gifts, please do drop by see what I have to offer. All the sales will go towards the funds for my Mom’s chemo treatments. So many of you have supported me through all these years and I am very grateful for that. I humbly ask for your support once again at this time when I really need it more than I ever did before.
I will be posting and advertising the link as soon as I'm ready with the items...
On a happier note, and to get back to sharing some work... here are the projects we completed at the amazing "SCRAPTASTIC 2012"!
1. Everyday Poetry Canvas and Layout...
we used structuring medium and stains to create texture and a watercolor effect...
glazes...
watercolor technique on paper...
2. BIRDHOUSE ARTIST TRAY AND LAYOUT...
Use of structuring medium, glazes, and a palette knife to create detail and add color to raw chipboard...
Use of neocolor crayons and mica flakes
Use of same Neocolor crayons and glazes on watercolor paper...
detail and texture...

3. PAINT PALETTE ART


Use of structuring medium with glass bead gels, pigment powder and opal dust...

4. THREE LAYOUT TECHINQUE BASED CLASS...

Use of gesso, gel medium, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel...

Stamping with Derwent Inktense Blocks...


Masking and texturizing with structuring medium. Coloring with Derwent Inktense blocks...


Bonus layout from remaining kit contents...

This was really one of the most amazing teaching experience in my life! I got to teach with the likes of Donna Downey, Finn, Birgit Koopsen, Sharon Laakkonen and more in the same event! I was quite star struck the whole time!! I was all nerves but all the participants were very sweet and kind. Evelien was the perfect host and organizer, and Ghent - Belgium was the perfect place for the crop. After the event, my husband and I got to see a little of Belgium, Paris, and Italy. It was a dream!
Here are some pics from the event...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8829098@N08/sets/72157631941226300/
Thank you for staying and reading up to this point! I told you I was gonna make up for lost time right?! I missed creating and sharing. Will be back soon for more recent work.
Have a great day everyone!