Crafting Time's Polymer Clay Workshop: Mommy and Me Clay Play!

Last April 1st, I was one of the privileged few that was invited to join the Clay Play activity sponsored by The Crafters Marketplace. It was held in their studio located at the Rustan's Grocery, Shangri-La Mall right beside the GNC shop. I came with my daughter who got so excited when I told her about it a day before.

Look at how excited she is!

After the warm welcome and introduction from Ms. Alma Borruel-Ramirez, one of the owners of the Crafters Marketplace (the other one is Ms. Sunshine Asuncion-See), we were treated to a refreshing milk tea from Fiftea and yummy cheese roll from Mary Grace. Snacks came first since we would get busy, according to her (wink).

Ms. Alma, as she welcomes the participants

Yummy snacks

Afterwards, Melody, our teacher who is one of the leading clay artists in the Philippines, started the workshop. She's fun, accommodating and friendly. She's been into crafting since she was 10 years old (I'd like to say since birth; that's how good she is)! She introduced to us what a polymer clay is. She told us the different types/brands of polymer clay, what brands are best for kids' play and for jewellery makers and the things to remember before we handle or play our clay. Very informative! Also, she unselfishly shared her tips and secrets in decorating her clay. 

Melody, the clay artist

Fimo is best both for kids and jewellery makers while Sculpey III is good for kids

For this workshop, we used the Dukit brand (modelled by my daughter)

Some of Melody's creations

Would you believe that's all made of clay?

Then the real work or should I say, the real play began! (Note: Always make sure that your hands and everything you'll use are clean before you touch your clay)

Cut the clay before you knead it

She's getting ready

My daughter's hands :)

Don't worry, I did the cutting

Kneading

She's kneading too! :)

Melody showed us how to make a flower. Everyone tried her best to come up with a flower too.

Little flower

My version :)

The mommies' and their children's creations

Melody's hand checking our work

Time to put them in the oven toaster. 

While waiting for our creations to be "cooked", Ms. Alma gave us a quick tour to their shop.

Crafting Time

Crafts by Melody

We also had our "class picture". We were just a small group but we had a great time!

The mommy bloggers together with our kids, Melody and Ms. Alma

 Then the moment we've been waiting for had come! 

They're done! Yay!

Ms. Sunshine, in an email, promised us that it's going to be fun and she certainly kept her word. My daughter and I enjoyed our clay play together. Just like what Melody said, "It's a relaxing bonding time between mother and daughter."

Polymer Clay Art of The Crafters Marketplace, a really must-try activity! :)

So, are you excited to know more? Don't fret! The Crafters Marketplace has prepared something for you and even for the kids! Please see the photos below for the schedule.

For the crafter in you 

For your kids

Hope to see you in one of their workshops! I promise you, you'll enjoy it! 

The Crafters Marketplace is owned by Sunshine Asuncion-See and Alma Borruel-Ramirez. They have been in the business since 2015. They bring in items from the US and Canada. For scrapbooking supplies, please visit and like their Facebook page. For more information, kindly send them an email at  craftersnscrappers@gmail.com or contact them through Viber at  647.895.1051. Thank you. 

Philippine Proverbs Book Launch: An Afternoon of Delight and Proverbs

"Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot." (Save now, withdraw later). This is one of the proverbs I have learned about when I was just a little girl. I heard my grandparents said it, my parents reiterated it (to us, their children) and one of my teachers mentioned it. It stuck to my young heart like glue that I have never forgotten it. That's why among my parents' siblings, I was the only one to open a savings account at the age of 12. Fast forward to today, I still believe in that golden adage and live by it. Now why do I remember it?

Last March 15th, I was blessed to have been invited to attend the Philippine Proverbs Book Launch. It was held in Via Mare (Oyster Bar) Greenbelt 3, Makati City. It was my first time to attend such that I didn't want to come late. I brought my daughter along and we arrived at the venue an hour early.

My daughter who was equally excited as mom. 

We were greeted by Ms. Neri, Tahanan Books' Publisher. She's so warm and friendly. She made sure that my daughter and I found a comfortable seat.

Ms. Neri, the Publisher as she welcomes all the guests to the Book Launch

While waiting, I took some photos of the venue. The decoration and set-up was altogether fitting and proper.

There was also a table for other Tahanan Books' products which are for sale.

While still waiting, my daughter and I had the obligatory or should I say, proverbial selfie. :)

Her allergy struck again that's why.

The program started with welcome remarks from Ms. Neri. A number of games was prepared while delectable snacks were served. The place was filled up with mommy bloggers (like me), friends and guests of the author and the artist.

The Proverbial Bingo

Sticky Rice and Mango

Puto Bumbong and Bibingka

Guests

The Mommy Bloggers

While we were enjoying our snacks, out of the blue, a couple "made a scene". They really caught our attention; everyone just stopped what they're doing. Before the "drama" ended they began quoting proverbs in different Filipino dialects, we then realised it was staged! Very unique!

The couple who "made a scene :)

The couple together with the author

The drama served as the introduction to the author of the book, Ms. Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz. After giving an inspiring message on how she came up with this book, the illustrator, Eisen V. Bernardo also shared his insights and experience in the making of this book. Shortly after this, the book signing followed.

The illustrator, Eisen V. Bernardo

My daughter and I with the author, Ms. Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz

It was indeed a fun and delightful afternoon. I believe that everyone went home as happy as me and my daughter. How did I know? Well, actions speak louder than words. Look at the photo below. :)

The mommy bloggers together with the author and the artist

The Philippine Proverbs Book is published by Tahanan Books. To know more about it, please visit their website, www.tahananbooks.com or their Facebook page. Thank you.

Learn with Joy: DIY Resurrection Eggs to Tell the Easter Story

I have always wanted to tell my daughter about the Easter story in a way that her mind can easily grasp it. Although at a very young age (she's 4), she knows Jesus and has received Him in her heart as her Saviour and Lord, I would like her to understand more what Jesus did for her and for the rest of the people in the world just to show how much He loves us. That's why last year, while in the US, when I got to know about the resurrection eggs, I was so excited to purchase them. However, I wasn't able to get hold of them.

This year, I made sure that I researched more about resurrection eggs and looked for ways to get them. Since they're not that popular yet here in the Philippines, I just made my own. Resurrection eggs are plastic eggs in different colours. Inside each egg is a symbol of the Easter story - Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

Our DIY Resurrection Eggs

Making Resurrection Eggs
Making your own set is very easy and simple! I found this site,  Life Your Way really very helpful. I got the Easter story printable from it and also the materials to be used, although I modified some. My daughter and I just looked in the house and used what we have. 

Supplies:

• 12 plastic eggs
• egg carton (we didn't have egg carton so we just improvised)
• a small leaf to represent a palm branch at Jesus' triumphal entry
• 3 one-peso coins to represent the 30 pieces of silver that Judas Iscariot received
• a thimble to represent a cup at the Last Supper (my daughter has a plastic toy cup and that's what we used)
• a tiny piece of paper rolled into a scroll to represent Jesus' prayer in the garden
• a paper rope made into a "whip" to represent the soldier's whipping Jesus
• a tiny crown made from Suntan flowers to represent the crown of thorns
• a nail to represent the nails and the cross
• a die to represent the soldiers' casting lots for Jesus' clothes
• a toothpick with one end broken off to represent the spear piercing Jesus' side
• a little piece of cloth wipes to represent Joseph wrapping Jesus in clean linen cloth
• a rock to represent the stone rolled in front of the tomb
• masking tape (for numbering the eggs)
• Children's Bible (The Beginner's Bible)
• Easter story cards

I was planning to surprise my daughter with it. But I was not able to make it ahead of time. And since she is so excited about Easter, I decided to prepare it with her. I could tell, she enjoyed it!

After telling the Easter story, my daughter kept telling me, "It's a beautiful story, Mom. Can you please tell it, again?"

Have you ever shared the Easter story with your kids? How did you do it? :)

Enjoy the photos!

My love bug's hand as we prepare our resurrection eggs

Picking flowers and leaf from the garden

Looking carefully at her flower

Numbering the eggs

Happy and excited to help Mommy

Pretending to eat one of the resurrection eggs

Showing Mommy the leaf that represents Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem

"Crown of thorns"

The Bible we used and the opened resurrection eggs

"Mommy, let me take a picture of the eggs!"

We used "golden egg" to represent the empty tomb

Love that Never Fails

Hello, loves! It's love month again. I can't believe we're already in February. It seems like it was just yesterday when it was the beginning of 2015 and we were in the US. Time flies, whether we like it or not. But as time goes by, things happen; one thing remains constant and reliable though, the unchanging love of God. His love never fails. It never gives up, it never runs out on me, as the song goes. I, you, all of us can depend on it. Sometimes, due to unavoidable and unexpected circumstances, we feel like God is silent. We think He doesn't even care. But believe me, He does. There's this song that really speaks to me whenever I sing it:

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When you can't see His plans

When you can't reach His hands

Trust His heart

Indeed, we can always trust the God who didn't spare His own son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32)? He has given His beloved Son. His very own. His everything. Because from His heart comes that never failing love, that indescribable kind of love (John 3:16). He loves you. He loves me. He loves us all. Whatever happens, we can trust this love. Because it never fails.

Now, why did I put a picture of a heart-shaped doughnut in this post? It's my way of greeting you all, Happy Heart's Day! Enjoy this love month with your loved ones! 

Victory: My One Word for 2016

Have you ever heard about the "one word"- this is the word that you set for the coming year and make it as your guide. It brings you simplicity and focus so that whatever happens throughout the year, it'll be something to remind you to go back to how you would like your year to look like or what you want to be or even accomplish. It gives you more clarity, passion and purpose for life.

I started using "one word" in 2014. It was "hope". It was also a very trying year for me and my family but never did I lose hope. I remember I always used (hashtag) #hopefulin2014. I was not disappointed. Because hope doesn't disappoint. I didn't lose faith. Because hope enabled me to keep believing. Then came 2015. The Lord impressed in my heart the word "grace". And true enough, His grace is abounding and sufficient. A lot of changes occurred and it was God's grace that saw us through. There were times this year that I felt like we were walking through the tunnel. It was God's grace that served as the "light at the end of the tunnel" that enabled us to continue and hold on. This year, 2016, the Lord has put in my heart the word VICTORY.

It was in September 2015 when the Lord gave me His word that "He will restore what the locusts have eaten." Then the following month, He placed the word "victory" in my heart. It was confirmed then by our church's theme for the year. It was a heart-warming revelation that I was in tears. All I could say was, "Thank you, Lord."

Victory over sin and death (Salvation of my soul).
Because of God's amazing grace and through my faith in what the Lord Jesus Christ had done on the cross of calvary, I receive His gift of salvation. Jesus had already overcome sin and death, it has no more sting in my life. When life is through this side of heaven, my eternal dwelling is with Jesus in heaven. I have also overcome; Jesus has given me victory over sin and death.

Victory over sicknesses and diseases (Physical wellness).
Last year was the year I felt our health was being challenged. It was God's grace and faith in His word that sustained us. Every time I felt there was something wrong in my body, God's word was always on time to remind me that, indeed, Jesus is my Great Healer. This year, I am walking on the Lord's promises that, yes, I have already overcome! My family and I are healthy and well!

Victory over "supply and demand" (Financial breakthrough).
It was also last year that my husband and I were both unemployed. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 4 years now. It was the first time for my husband to be jobless. We took a different route last year, believing that it was where the Lord was leading us. One of life's sweet blessings though, is, when you made a detour, God will always bring you back to where you are supposed to be. And that is because of His awe-mazing grace! This year, my husband is employed again. Slowly but surely, we are making our way to clearing out all debts. We believe that before this year ends, victory is ours! 

How about you? Are you also looking for that one little word of you this year? Or do you have any habit or routine you do at the beginning of the year? Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Happy victorious and blessed 2016 to you all!