December 14, 2024

Holly Jolly Countdown 2024

I joined the Holly Jolly Countdown last July. This was The Bearded Housewife's Christmas in July event. There are seven designs, but I only finished three projects. I wanted to finish the four remaining projects before December, but I got preoccupied with other craft projects, so let me share my Christmas Card.

Peace and Joy Card


This is supposed to be an insert card but I changed it to draw so I can color. 

Silly Santa Layering Card 


This Silly Santa Card is so cute so I immediately cut the design. 

Merry and Bright Gift Card Holder 


Honestly, I don’t really give gift cards but I still cut this design so I can use my scrap paper.

December 13, 2024

12 Days of Cricut Christmas Crafting Challenge

It's a wrap. Cricut Philippine's 12 Days of Cricut Christmas Crafting Challenge is over. I will miss my morning routine; checking the challenge, crafting, and submitting my entry for the last 12 days. #makersgonnamake

It was a 12-day challenge, but we only submitted 9 craft projects because on Days 6, 11, and 12, we only needed to submit collage photos of our entries. I am sharing the different craft projects that I finished.

Day 1: Christmas Stamp Stickers 


The first-day challenge was Christmas Stickers, so I searched my files and found this Christmas Stamps Bundle. I uploaded all the designs to Cricut Designs Space and cut them. I printed the designs using glossy, holographic, and holographic rainbow sticker paper.


Day 2: Christmas Food Labels 

When I saw the second-day challenge, I realized that I don’t have Christmas plans yet and I don’t know if we will stay in the house or I will book somewhere. But one thing is for sure, I won’t cook so if ever we celebrate at our house, I will just order food at Alba’s since my son likes lengua estofado.



I used the Snowman Placement Card design from Dreaming Tree. This is an easy project, I just printed and cut the labels and the rest of the elements, I cut using cardstock. 

Day 3: Simbang Gabi Bookmark 

The third-day challenge was a bit challenging because I wanted this 3D Silent Night Design but this is for a shadow box so it took me a long time to figure out how to change the design to a rectangle. I checked YouTube for some tutorials pero puro circles lang ang meron. 


After so many trials and errors, I was so happy when I finished it because I learned something new. 

Day 4: Christmas Gift Tags 

Among the 9 craft projects that I finished, this is my favorite. The gift tags look simple but it took me a long time to finish them because there are so many processes involved. First, I designed my gift tags using Cute Christmas Nativity Clipart and Silent Christmas Watercolor Set. I printed, die-cut and embossed all the designs. 



Next, I die-cut gift tags using cardstock. To match the design, I make my own background using Distress Oxides and Miya Himi Metallic Gouache. Lastly, I assembled the pieces together. 

Day 5: Christmas Tree Topper 

For the past few years, I have always seen this 3D Angel Tree Topper, but I was scared to try this project because I think the design is too intricate, and I have a love-hate relationship with my white cardstock. 


So I'm thankful for this challenge because I finally made this. I used glitter cardstock and white shimmer cardstock. I'm so happy kasi walang nasirang cardstock. hehehe! It is so easy to cut and assemble pala, pinatagal ko pang gawin. The design is from Jennifer Maker. 

Day 6: Collage of Craft Projects 


Day 7: Christmas Money Envelope 

My next favorite is this Christmas Money Envelope because I finally used the embossing folder I ordered last August. The money envelope template is from The Bearded Housewife. Instead of using patterned paper, I cut the template using white cardstock, embossed the paper and colored the pieces using lunar paste. 


Day 8: Christmas Mug Decals 

When I saw the challenge, I told my husband that I needed to go to the mall tomorrow because I would buy a white mug. I wanted a certain design and I needed a plain white mug. But when I woke up, I changed my mind and convinced myself to use whatever materials and supplies I had at home. 


So for my Christmas Mug Decals, I used this Christmas Gnome Clipart I purchased three years ago. I just printed all the designs using a glossy sticker sheet. A simple print-then-cut project. 

Day 9: Christmas Cake Topper 


Sometimes we get so busy preparing for the holidays that we forget the real reason for this season. Cliche as it may sound we all know that “Jesus is the real reason for this season”. I made this Happy Birthday Jesus cake topper for my Christmas Cake Topper this year. 

The Baby Jesus Design is from Craft with Sarah and I just added the Happy Birthday Phrase. Font is Pretty Summer. 

Day 10: Christmas Family Reunion Shirt

I remember last year that I only used stickers for my Christmas shirt entry but after that challenge, I already purchased Light Fabric Transfer Taper. My material is already one year old so I was crossing my fingers that I can use it. Fortunately, I was able to make my own Christmas Family Reunion Shirt.

12 Days to go before Christmas, are you ready? Me? I’m Fine, This is Fine, Everything is Fine. 



Day 11: Collage of Craft Projects 


Day 12: Collage of Craft Projects

December 11, 2024

Pullman Ciawi Vimala Hills Resort Spa & Convention in Bogor Indonesia

My husband recently went to Indonesia for a business trip. He traveled to Bogor, Indonesia, and stayed at Pullman Ciawi Vimala Hills Resort Spa & Convention. The resort is about two hours from Jakarta, depending on the traffic situation. Because of his midnight flight schedule, he needed to stay at Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel during his first and last day for safety and to rest before the land travel. 


The Pullman Ciawi Resort is part of the Vimala Hills Villa & Resort which has 91 hectares of land. The resort is elevated so guests will experience cool air. My husband said it feels like Tagaytay of the Philippines. 



This is the Deluxe room measuring 42sqm with a large balcony and marble bathroom. 




The breakfast buffet is served at Damar Restaurant. It offers both local and international favorites. 





They offer different activities for family and big groups but since my husband is on a business trip, he has no time for recreation, maski magswimming. Hehehe! 


Pullman Ciawi Vimala Hills Resort Spa & Convention 
Jl. Raya Puncak, Gadog, Megamendung, 
16770 Bogor Indonesia 
Tel: + 62 (251) 830 6888 
Fax: + 62 (251) 830 6889 
Email: hendrik.hendrik@accor.com

December 09, 2024

Birthday Celebration at Mesa

Mesa is one of the popular Filipino restaurants and their food menu is good for sharing so pwedeng-pwede sa mga big groups. They have several branches in the Philippines and so far we have tried SM Southmall, SM North EDSA, SM Grand, and last week, SM Sta Rosa.

It was my brother-in-law’s birthday celebration so nagdinner kami. Knowing me na maaga nagdidinner, I was a little bit worried na baka malipasan ako ng gutom because I cannot forget our SM Grand experience na 1 hour ang waiting time. Fortunately, they served our food in less than 30 minutes so okay ang service dito. 

For a group of 11 persons, ito yung kinain namin. 

Laing in 2 Ways 
Kare-Kare 
Crispy Pork Belly 
Baby Squid in Olive Oil (2 orders)
Steamed Rice 
Dingdong’s Ultimate’s Weekday Boodle (2 orders) 


Tinapa Roll, Crispy Pork Sisig, Pork BBQ, Mesa Braised Beef, Inihaw na Manok in Honey Patis, Suahe Stir Fried Salted & Spicy, Bam-I, Garlic Rice, 






Among the meals, I ate the laing, baby squid, and crispy pork belly. We couldn’t finish the Boodle meal, ang dami ng serving so sulit sa PHP995. Some also order Fresh Fruit Coolers, but I don’t have a picture of those drinks.



I also made this birthday cake topper. The font is Birthday Verygood 

December 04, 2024

Nativity Pop-Up Card

This was on my to-do list last year pero last month ko lang nagawa. Thanks to Cricut Philippines #MakeitMonday challenge at naalala kong gawin. hehehe!

This is my entry for Cricut-Made Belen. I made this Nativity Pop-Up Card using the design of Nancy of Better Life Blog. This is part of the Cricut Craft Fest 2023.

I used blue and beige cardstock, Cricut premium shimmer vinyl, Cricut pen, and Ohuhu markers. I was thankful that there was a step-by-step guide because it helped me big time in assembling this project. The tutorial video is only available for 24 hours unless you pay for VIP access. Alam niyo naman, hanggang free event lang ako. Hehehe! 






I liked this card and this is something I will recreate in the future. Check my short reel here

December 03, 2024

Christmas Craft Countdown 2024

I joined Craft with Sarah’s Christmas Craft Countdown last month. There are twenty projects but I only finished 11 because I got sick. I can still do the remaining projects naman, hindi na nga lang aabot sa deadline ng entries. 

My favorite projects are Stained Glass Nativity Windows, Cardinal Gnomes, Christmas Critters, and Nutcracker. I also like the last two projects I was not able to do but it is on my list.

Watercolor Card


I don't have Cricut Watercolor Pens so I used the regular Cricut Pens here.

Christmas at the Beach 


This Christmas at the Beach is more realistic because we don't have snow in the Philippines.

Christmas Tree Card 


Stained Glass Nativity Windows 


Cardinal Gnomes 



Winter Wonderland Stepper Card 


Christmas Critters 


Mistletoe 


Paper Stitching Bookmarks

 
Merry Christmas Greetings Card 


Nutcracker

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