Saturday, February 10, 2007
Memories for keeps
By Janette Teves
Mom About Town
ONE sunny afternoon, my high school friends and I were happily observing our children having the time of their lives swimming in the pool.
They were so ecstatic and carefree that somebody from our group commented, "Do you think that when our kids grow up, they will vividly remember fantastic moments like this?"
Each of us shared our insights. I replied that there are a few childhood memories of mine, which I do not recall in detail. But, they would come back to me in "flashes." Sometimes, with no photo or video as forms of remembrance, our only recourse is to rely on our own minds.
As parents in this digital age, I believe that it is our responsibility to creatively document and preserve our kids' childhood. With the latest gadgets and methods around, helping them relive precious moments has never been easier and fun.
Craftin' mom
Dyna Rose Baricuatro-Tupas has always been busy with her hands. After receiving her Business Management degree from De La Salle University in 1988, she worked at United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) as a marketing executive.
At present, she handles the financial affairs of her family businesses, Sweet Temptations and Goldilocks.
Married to businessman Vincent Tupas, they have two kids, Micah Denise (age 9) and Leandro Miguel (age 5).
"During shower parties and other special occasions, I would wrap my own gifts with flair which was quite unique and novel in those days," recalls Dyna.
Her artistic talent did not go unnoticed. Colleagues and friends started requesting her to spice up their gifts too, which she gladly obliged for free.
When a friend gave her a greeting card software program, Dyna began experimenting with several designs and fonts until her hobby turned it into a thriving invitation business.
"I print my cards using the computer but I am not satisfied with 'flat' designs. I would add embellishments and give that card an extra something, that oomph factor," Dyna shares.
Now, her passion for crafting has turned into scrapbooking.
Scrapbooking 101
Scrapbooking is defined as a method for preserving a legacy of written history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabilia contained in highly customized albums.
Historically, scrapbooking was a tradition similar to storytelling, but with a visual and tactile, rather than oral, focus.
Dyna cites that scrapbooking is an ideal stress-relieving activity for busy moms, artistically-inclined children, among others.
"Instead of going out to the malls to do window-shopping or eating, you can be productive in your spare time. It is likewise a unique way of highlighting certain events in your family's life," she adds.
Since scrapbooking is intended to be a lasting legacy to a family, it is crucial therefore that one invests in high quality materials.
"I encourage serious scrapbookers to only use acid-free, lignin-free papers," Dyna stresses.
"Did you observe how our old albums had damaged or discolored photos?" she asks. "That's because the older magnetic albums were not acid-free."
Modern scrapbooking is done largely on 12" x 12" or 8" x 11" pages. Also becoming more popular recently are smaller albums, which have 6" x 6", 7" x 7", or 8" x 8" formats.
Basic materials
Aside from premium quality albums, some of the basic materials that are needed include background papers, crafting and ordinary scissors, art pens, glue, glue gun, cutter, cutting mat, double-sided tape, punchers, etc.
Dyna also recommends various accessories known as "embellishments" to decorate scrapbook pages. Examples of embellishments are stickers, rub-ons, stamps, eyelets, brads, chipboard elements in different shapes, alphabet letters, buttons and ribbons.
In addition to the collection of photographs, tickets, postcards, and other memorabilia, journaling is an essential element in modern scrapbooks.
Lay-out
Dyna puts a lot of time and effort to conceptualize her scrapbook page's theme before doing the actual lay-out. "You have to be careful in your color coordination and the choice of embellishments," she reveals. The main focus of each page should be the picture(s) or whatever is the most important to the creator.
"Set the mood. Make it personal and sentimental to become more effective," she says.
Scrapbooking in Davao
According to Dyna's scrapbooking supplier friends, "malakas ang scrapbooking sa Davao (Scrapbooking is a hit in Davao)." Other in-demand suppliers include Icon Art, Craftshop, Scrpbk 'N Stuff and Creative Spells as well as leading bookstores.
Presently, there are no scrapbooking meets or clubs in Davao. "We would like to help educate the public on the advantages of scrapbooking. The scrapbooking industry is quite small in Davao. We do not compete but help each other out," Dyna discloses.
Crafter's haven
Dyna opened Crafter's Haven together with her United States-based partners Judy Chua and Rose Queen Yeh in December 2006.
With the tagline, "Creating little pockets of joy into great moments," the store is envisioned to be a place to shop and build your memories. It is a one-stop craft shop with unique gift ideas, imported scrapbooking items, invitation cards, favors and handcrafted materials especially made by Davao artists.
Every Saturday afternoon, Dyna conducts workshops for her customers (maximum of 6 persons only) for a minimal fee of P150 inclusive of materials and workshop fee.
Schedules are as follows: February 10-Valentine door hanger kit; February 17-scrapbooking; February 24-scrapbooking party; March 3-Lampshade decorating; and March 10-jewelry making.
The quaint country-themed store also offers a membership card worth P300, which includes a starter kit comprising of 4 papers, craft scissors, glitters, foam letters, embellishments; 5 percent discount on all items; free gift wrapping services as well as free use of workshop area (except Saturdays).
Moreover, gift certificates are available at P100, P200 and P500 denominations.
Crafter's Haven is located at Door 2, Metro RC Building, De Guzman Street, Davao City. Tel. no. (082) 305-2058.
For your comments and suggestions, you may e-mail me at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com.For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 10, 2007 issue)
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