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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Countdown to Christmas

This week is packed with rehearsals for our Christmas Story drama presentation. With just four days to go before our Christmas service this Sunday and rehearsals going late into the night , I'm so thankful for a wonderfully sweet and fun cast and extremely supportive co-ordinators. Guys, if you're reading this, just know that you're the most patient, sweet and supportive bunch and I appreciate you all so much!

Took these photos at Suntec City near the Esplanade MRT entrance. Christmas at Suntec City. I couldn't wait to use my Pink Paislee Father Christmas papers and these were the perfect photos! Add a Sizzix Originals Christmas Tree die (#654987), a Making Memories birdie epoxy sticker and some journaling stickers from 7Gypsies, and here's my first layout for the Yuletide season!




Friday, November 26, 2010

I Think...

...we'll finally be in time for Christmas this year.




Every year, the decor goes up three days before Christmas (if I'm lucky) and stays there until someone looks up and says: "Isn't it supposed to be Chinese New Year?"

So this time, we might just be able to enjoy the Yuletide feeling for a longer period.

Ariel insisted that I take a photo of her favourite doll...



Then she asked for the camera and took this. Pretty awesome angle, isn't it?



Thursday, November 25, 2010

Cruise the Royal Caribbean way!

Cruises liners have come a long way.

When I stepped into the Royal Caribbean ship, the Legend of the Seas, on 22 November, I could hardly believe how exciting the cruise experience has become.

Just look at her vital statistics:
Tonnage: almost 70,000 tonnes
Passenger Capacity: 2,074
Facilities: A wide array including a 9-hole miniature golf course, boutiques, a rock-climbing wall standing 200 feet above sea level and a teen disco where no alcohol is served and no one over 18 years old is allowed,

Best of all, even the least expensive interior staterooms are spacious enough to debunk the myth that cruise cabins are claustrophobic holes-in-the wall.

It was a vast improvement from my first cruise experience 15 years ago where the room was so tiny I could roll into the bathroom straight from my single bed and if I had slept in the upper bunk, I would have busted a hole in the ceiling when I woke up.

Today, when you board a Royal Caribbean ship, there's so much you can do that 24 hours is simply not enough!

Here's what I recommend.

Breakfast & Lunch at the Windjammer Cafe. Ditch the diet. There's such a sumptuous spread that you would want to try everything. Just looking at the gorgeous colours of the salad bar and desserts are good enough to start with!



If you ever feel guilty about all that feasting, don't be. You can work off those calories at Deck 9's Pool Deck with its two swimming pools and three whirlpools...


or at the Solarium Indoor Pool with retractable roof


... or at the ShipShapeรข Fitness Centre


For some inspired exercise, take a jog around the 9-hole Miniature Golf Course while taking in the sea view...





After lunch, take a siesta in the shade on the Sports Deck...


... or jam at the piano in the Viking Crown Lounge (actually I'm not sure if  guests are allowed to do this but I can't resist a grand piano when I see one!)


At night, the lounge is a cigar bar cum discotheque . But in the day, it's peacefully quiet and a great place to sit down with a book or watch life sail by through the floor-to-ceiling windows. And oh, sneak a tune or two on the grand piano :)


For a dose of pampering, sign up for a spa or massage treat at the Legend Day Spa. They even have teeth-whitening services and exotic fire and ice manicures and pedicures! Prices start from S$109 for a 50-minute Swedish massage or Hydralift Facial.


Dinner is served at the Romeo and Juliet Restaurant. Dress to the nines and indulge in some tasty fine-dining fare like the 3-course lunch we had as part of the tour. Seating arrangements are specific and the same waiter is usually assigned to the same table every day so that he gets acquainted with the preferences of each guest. How's that for personalised service!










After dinner, catch a show at the That's Entertainment Theatre. There're are two showtimes at 8.15pm and 10.15pm. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis, with front row seats usually reserved for guests staying in the Suite rooms.

By the end of the day, it leaves only one thing to enjoy - your room! 

Interior Stateroom  

They'll even decorate your room with a birthday theme if it's your birthday!


A Grand Suite - Check out the absolutely fab bathroom!



And the grand-daddy of all bedrooms - The Royal Suite! It has a whirlpool tub in the bathroom (gasp!), a walk-in wardrobe and even a baby grand (double gasp!). Of course all these come with the equally heart-stopping starting price tag of S$5,000 a person.  Still, it's nice to dream :)




For sure, I won't roll into the toilet of these rooms when I turn in my bed.

Thanks omy.sg and Royal Caribbean International for inviting us on the half-day tour! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Now I'm off to pique the husband's interest in a Royal Caribbean cruise - and dream about the baby grand in the Royal Suite :)



Saturday, November 20, 2010

Thankful for These...

I made these layouts for MWL recently using lots of Crate Paper's Restoration series. Love them as they represent what I'm thankful for: a great relationship with my in-laws and a fab family.

The first one is a glimpse into our reunion dinners every Chinese New Year. We always eat too much during these feasts! LOL.



Supplies Used:
Sizzix Dies: Tim Holtz Alterations Filmstrip Frames #656621, Circles Scallop #655481
Mists: Maya Road Cream Metallic & Cherry Metallic
PPs: Crate Paper & Basic Grey
Chipboard Embellishments: Crate Paper
Flowers & Pebble: Prima
Alphas: American Crafts & My Mind's Eye
Journaling Stickers: 7Gypsies
Transparency: Hambly Studios

 My husband and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary this year. Just like any marriage and relationship, we've been through ups and downs, learning to work through differences along the way and yes, we've pulled through so far.  And we havn't scratched each other yet! It's also great that we can still steal moments away from the children on trips like this one to Rome.

Supplies used:Sizzix Die: Tim Holtz Alterations Hanging Sign #656631
Mist: Tattered Angels Tattered Leather
Ink: Tsukineko
Eyelets: We R Memory Keepers
PPs & chipboard embellishments: Crate Paper
Chipboard Butterfly & Postcard diecut: K&Co
Transparency, Pearls, Bling & Flower: Prima
Alphas: American Crafts
Bingo Number: Maya Road

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Memories of Rome

I had some photos left over after finishing my Rome mini album so last night, with the children fast asleep early, the hubby working late and I had the house all quiet to myself, I did a quick layout. I think it was the fastest I ever finished a project - one hour!




Supplies Used:
Pps & Chipboard embellishments: Crate Paper
Transparency: Hambly Studios
Alphas: American Crafts (Rome Apr'10) & My Mind's Eye (Trevi Fountain)
Pearls, Flowers, Pebble: Prima

Have a great week ahead!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Scrapping Time!

I finally found some scrapping time with a girlfriend on Monday, after a month away from my papers and embellishments. I wondered how I ever resisted the urge to a layout all this time!

But first, some Sizzix projects which I did for Made With Love two months back (!) The duck dies are simply adorable!



Welcome To Our Home Canvas
Dies: Bigz Duck (#655916), Bigz Hearts Primitive (#656335), Bigz Tags #3 (#656343) for the fencing
Flowers: Originals Snowflake #2 (#655011), Texturz Texture Plates Kit #16 (@655892)
Cardstock: Bazzil Basics  Pps: October Afternoon, Dream Street Papers, Jenni Bowlin (Hearts)
Wire Mesh & Fabric Alphas: Making Memories
Sticker Alphas: American Crafts
Sequins & Glimmer Mist (Carnation Pink & Cream Metallic): Maya Road

Ranger Distress Crackle Paint (Picket Fence) & "Trust" ticket: Tim Holtz
Brads (Eyes): Queen & Co
Others: Baker's Twine, Canvas from Popular bookstore, Tsukineko Inks


Door Curtain
Sizzix Dies: Bigz Duck (#655916), 3 Dies Believe Set (#656281), Sizzlits 3 Dies Frames & Tag Set (#656102)
Jewel Brads & Fabric Pps: American Crafts
Cardstock: Bazzil Basics
Pps: October Afternoon
Stamps: Making Memories
Others: Baker's Twine, Glitter Foam (Popular)



Napkin Holders

Sizzix Dies: Bigz Duck (#655916), 3 Dies Believe Set (#656281), Sizzlits 3 Dies Frames & Tag Set (#656102)
Jewel Brads & Fabric Pps: American Crafts
Cardstock: Bazzil Basics
Pps: October Afternoon
Stamps: Making Memories
Others: Baker's Twine, Glitter Foam (Popular)






Rome Detours Mini Album
Sizzix Dies: Bigz Hearts Primitive (#656335), 3 Dies Believe Set (#656281), Texturz Starter Kit #6 (#655699)
Cardstock: Bazill Basics
Pps: October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin, American Crafts fabric papers and glitter cardstock.
Flowers, Pearls & Bling: Prima
Gaffer Tape & Sticker Quotes: 7Gypsies
Film Strip: Tim Holtz
Alpha stickers: American Crafts
Fabric Stickers (front cover): Making Memories
Glitter: Ranger Industries

Thanks for dropping by!