BANGKOK | KHAO SAN ROAD

We arrived in Bangkok around 1:30am. By the time we cleared customs it was about 3am. We found the taxis located outside the airport only to discover that we needed to pay a "fee" on top of the meter fee. Aggravated, we loaded into the taxi and headed for Khao San Road - backpacker central. Jonny hopped in and out of the taxi asking hostels if they had a room. We asked about 4 before we were greeted by a drunk, loud, angry Thai at "4 Sons" hostel.

Bedtime was 4:30am. Wake-up time was 8:30am.

We packed our belongings and had breakfast before checking out. We decided we would wonder and discover Koh San Road in hopes to find a nicer hostel. Koh San Road is divided into to sections. One side (where we stayed the first night) seems to be more chill and hipster, while the other side is filled with the hussle and bussle of cars, motorbikes, shops and restaurants.
  
This layout is probably one of favorites that I have done in a long time. Majority of supplies are from American Crafts and Studio Calico. Very simple and easy! All the layering allowed me to use scraps.

The one down fall to this layout is the Studio Calico Mr. Huey's opaque white rubbing off. I think I am going to have to try a different brand or make my own white mist. Anyone else having this problem with their opaque white?  

-Melissa xo

THE LAYOVER - SHANGHAI

Shanghai. This dull and surprisingly small airport was our layover spot for both flights. When I first booked our flights, I was slightly excited as I thought that Jonny and I would be able to discover Shanghai. Not the case due to China being a communist country, meaning we would require a visa to leave the airport.

Filled with expensive duty-free goods and duplicate of restaurants we found it difficult to occupy our boredom. Thankfully our first layover was at night so we were able to eat dinner then "sleep" a bit.

We ate at Acting restaurant and had Taiwanese beef noddle soup. Decent but surprisingly expensive... More expensive then a bowl here in Vancouver! During our layover on the way back to Vancouver, we ate the same thing... There is not much selection for food in this airport. Plus I was battling strep throat (beginning stages and had a fever) and Jonny was coming down with a little cold.

 

For this layout, I used American Crafts kraft paper, Studio Calico papers and alpha stickers and thickers, and My Minds eye stickers. I added a receipt from the restaurant using a paper clip and finished the layout with journaling from my travel journal. 

-Melissa xo

 

FIRST LAYOUT OF 2013

Being away for two months meant no scrapbooking for two months. Depressing. 

After a week of organizing over 2000 photos, all in different files and folders, I finally have printed out some photos so I can scrap. 382 photos to be exact. Where do I begin? I am deciding that chronological order ,beginning to end of the trip, will be the easiest. 

Initially, I was overwhelmed by all my pattern papers, embellishments, photos and scrapbook supplies that I forgot I had. I spend a good chunk of time looking through my stash to get my creativity flowing. I then started to think "crap! I do not have anything new from CHA". As much as I want to buy new goodies, one of my new years resolutions is to use most of what I have before I can buy! I am sure (hoping) that I can use a majority of my stash before I finish scrapping half of the trip.

I knew my first layout was going to be a title page with some sort of map pattern paper. I decided to pick one of my favourite photos from the trip and make it part of the title page. 

  

For this album as well, I am making (almost) every page on kraft cardstock. OCD - slightly, yes... But also I saw that Shimelle does her travel layouts on kraft and I love the way it looks. Neat and tidy. 

-Melissa xo

FACE TO FACE

After much thought, I decided to film a YouTube video face to face. As silly as it may sound, doing this style of video is like doing a public speech!

Anyways, I filmed by video about my haul during my travels. Check it out below:

Vacation haul

Thanks for watching!

-Melissa xo 

I AM BACK!

I am back in Vancouver after my two month vacation to South East Asia. Thailand, Lao, Cambodia and Malaysia were all spectacular in their own ways. I cannot explain how much I miss the traveling already. 

But on a different note, I am going through thousands of photos from the trip in hopes to have all the photos printed by the end of the month. I think most will be 4x6 photos, but I am wanting to try some 12x12s, 8x8s and anything bigger than 4x6. Jonny took some amazing photos, so I want to showcase and blow those ones up. 

Hopefully I will be able to finish sorting/organizing my photos quickly and do a detailed blog entry about my travels. Stay tuned! 

-Melissa xo

VACATION TIME!!!

In 12 hours I will be on my way to the airport... 15 more hours and I will be on a plane on my way to Shanghai. First stop, Bangkok!

I have managed to quickly record two scrapbooking hauls before I leave. Below are the videos!

Video 1

Video 2

I will see you guys in March! If you and I are lucky, sometime before then :)

-Melissa xo

 

UPDATE & CHA

So the days are counting down fast until my South East Asia trip... six days!

I am so flipping excited!

Although this means I will have to put aside scrapbooking for two months, I will be doing my two other passions. Scuba diving and traveling.

Not to mention this trip is special to me as I am going back to my motherland. Last time I was there, I was five and all I vividly remember are sand balls from crabs on the beach, it flooded one day and I found a wicked shell, fresh coconuts, and my pet chicks.

With that being said, I am going to try to blog as much as I can in the next six days, given I have time!

______

It's the time of year again... CHA! Lucky scrapbookers flock and migrate to California to see, touch and even smell new scrapbook lines! I am jealous and a little bummed I won't be able to see all the lines as I will be traveling, but hey I am traveling across the world and the items will still be waiting for me. I guess I can say it will be a warm welcome for me... And a bittersweet one too! 

So far the lines that are really catching my eye are: Yes, Please by Amy Tangerine; washi tapes by Bella blvd; and most of the American Crafts lines.

What are you looking forward to so far?


-Melissa xo

2013 AND ONE LITTLE WORD

A new year means new goals! 

I usually do not make revolutions but this year I really want to try hard and follow through.

2013 Resolutions:
1. Save money
2. Save money for annual trip
3. Start running and or yoga again
4. Cut down the texting while driving
5. Use scrapbooking materials I have (I need to get over the fact of something being "too pretty" to save).
continues...

This year, I want to try something a little that will challenge me as well. I want to try one little word. It is something that the scrapbook industry has been doing for a while... But it is something that can fit into everyday life.

2013's one little word: WRITE 

Honestly, I dislike writing and journaling. It is usually the last thing I do while I scrapbook and something I "intend" to finish once a bunch of layouts are done, but rarely happens. Gosh, I even did a blog post about how to improve your journaling. 

I would love to hear your New Year resolutions, personal and crafty!

-Melissa xo

WELCOME 2013!

I hope everyone had a fabulous New Years Eve! 

My NYE evening was at Starlight Casino where I watched Jonny and his band play. They did great! It was extra special because my parents came as well as some other parents! I danced with some friends and with my parents... My feet definitely hurt at the end of the night.



-Melissa xo

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am wishing everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah

-Melissa xo