We at MyScrapWorks (MSW) refer to scrapping nooks, scrapping corners, scrap rooms or any personal space you give yourself where you can scrap in peace, as an "escape." It is where you hide, you flee or simply create more "joy" in your life with every piece you "personalize" and call your "own."

Allow me to correct the misconception that MSW features ONLY scrap rooms. We don't. I for one have a "portable Escape pod" in the form of a small foldable coffee/TV snack table (matched with two Iris plastic containers). Anywhere I can set it up is an "escape" for me. (The "craft room" my Mom and I share is waaaay too cluttered with stuff for me to "relax" and get into my groove. I chose to have a "pod.")

MSW isn't after how pretty or well-stocked or design-coordinated your "escape" is. We merely would like to get a peek (and an idea!) of what helps you or makes you create such fantastic stuff (so we could learn a thing or two on how to make our "escape" great too!) Things like how you store your stocks, how they are arranged in your work area, how secure or handy they are --- are THE things we can all learn from one another. It isn't really the size of the scraproom or corner that matters or how eye-popping or expensive all your stocks are --- it's how you make everything "work" for you that really counts and how they all help you scrap better! And that, is what we are REALLY after - how we can all scrap better! Go share some of your secrets! We hope that the next time Lala or anyone from MSW asks if we can have a peek, we hope you will say "Yes."

Thank you Lala for traveling all the way to Los Banos, Laguna to visit each of the five LB scrapbookers despite not feeling well at that time. And thank you LB Scrap-A-Holics for welcoming Lala and MSW into your private "sanctuaries." - M

I bumped into some of the members of Los Banos (LB) Scrapaholics during the early part of this year. Liezl Arellano, Issa Lucido and Helga Vergara attended a scrapbooking “eyeball” (EB) held at My Little Attic. Part of the activities then was to scrap a layout. Anyone prepared to scrap on the spot automatically qualified for the prize of “best layout of the day.” I watched with awe as these three very talented scrapbookers went about accomplishing their layouts. They were so good at it that I wasn’t surprised at all when of them won!

What caught my attention more than their scrapbooking skills and talent was their genuine concern for one another. Their deep friendship was evident all the time that they were scrapping. These women were not only the best of scrapping buddies (pushing each other to do better with every challenge) but the best of friends! I knew that their individual “scrapping stories” would prove to be an interesting read for the website. I was so happy when they agreed for the Escape series.

The drive to Los Banos, Laguna was short and uneventful – the exact opposite of a whole afternoon filled with laughter, scrapping stories, funny anecdotes and great food! The LB ladies really know how to have fun!

Liezl, Issa and Helga were joined by another LB Scrapaholic (LBS), Cora Mijares. LBS Dr. Rita Vergara wasn’t able to join the group picture but I was able to see her “Escape Corner” too! I was sad that LBS Timi Mercado was sick during that day. I wasn’t able to include her in my “rounds.”

The article comes in two parts. First part features Cora, Issa and Liezl’s “escape corners.” Next part will be on LBS sisters-in-law Dr. Rita Vergara and Helga Vergara. Enjoy!

Thank you LBS for welcoming me into your homes!