A Bit East

Thailand album added....

I must admit that I wasn't thrilled about our trip, LaVaughn had to bug me about going. I ended up giving in. you see, I hate to FLY!! It scares me. The flight to Thailand was 5hrs, that didn't help!!

We almost had to stay home; we think Mira had a very slight case of Chicken Pox. She has had all her shots; she even was given a 2nd Chicken Pox vac at the beginning of the year. The day before we left we ran her to the docs who wasn't real sure if it was, lol!! He told us it was over, if it was, and to go!!

Yes, I am glad that we went. The girls had so much fun. Kiela found her love of the water, last year in Hawaii she wouldn't go in the water. When she did tip toe in the water she would have a fit if the water went past her knees. This time she pushed herself and that was it!!! She still doesn't like it to get in her eyes too much, but she could get enough of the water. Mira has swimming lessons in school every year. She can't swim very well, but she loves to play in the water. They are a bit sunburned and they're starting to peel now, lol!!

LaVaughn singed us up on this canoe adventure, but Kiela got carsick on our way there. She can't handle jerky stick driven cars. Plus the curvy road up & down mountains didn't help her tummy. She lost her cookies, poor baby. We had to have them take us back; I was afraid that the canoe ride would be worse-no refund, argh!!! It was a trip to James Bond Island; hubby was really excited to get some cool photos. Too bad we had to miss out. Kiela ended up getting sick on the way back as well. She was fine once we were out of the van, and back in the water!!

I still have tons on photos to get through. But here are a few of my faves...I hope you all enjoy!! thanks for missing me!!

Thailand photo album

this is a page i did for MM a few months ago using the Garden Party line

yay, a new MM Baby book!! and it is fabulous...I was lucky enough to be apart of this book...the designers really did some amazing things-you need this book!!

Thailand was beautiful!!!!

We spent the past week in Phuket Thailand at Ban Thai Resort.  It was so nice!!! HOT & MUGGY-so the beach & the pool is where the girls spent most of their time.

just got back last night...settling back in...it was nice to have two Making Memories boxes waiting on me-love the new stuff...i'll get back to blogging in a couple of days. i have over a thousand photos to weed through!!!

later~k

 

sorry, going on a vacation...

not there, but another warm sunny beach!!!

sorry i've been missing...but life got crazy here...chicken pox scare, busted pipe in a bathroom...projects & deadlines...

so we all need to get away here...be back soon...enjoy a few pages while i am away!!!

heidi swapp cha pages

 

hero arts page

Winner-Kathy D....

Thanks for taking the time leaving me a comment yesterday!! Amira picked our winner, she had no clue what she was doing or why. She picked #250 (of all comments made that day) ...I asked her why that number and she said because she liked it!! Then she wanted to know why she had to give me a number...then she wanted to know who won...then she wanted to read her comment!!

Keisha,
Just added your blog to my favorites. Visited for the first time today and love it. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: Kathy D | Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 12:18 AM

Congrats #250 Kathy D!!!

Hero Arts stamp giveaway...(CLOSED)

just leave me a comment & I will randomly pick a winner-who will receive these stamps from Hero Arts!!! Check out the Hero Arts blog to see my project using some birdie stamps today!!! And Two Peas has a sale on spring items-great time to pick up spring Hero Arts stamps!!

ETA: comments are now closed!! i'll announce the winner Sat-thanks for the amazing comments & good luck!!

that cube & MM new site....

MM has the new site up!!! It looks very cool, I love it...do you...did you see it...you should!!

so here is the rest-finally!!! I used lots of MM Garden Party stuff-ribbon, buttons, chipboards, dot pp, flowers, shimmer paint on frames, photo cube; Maya Road scallop frames; Heidi Swapp bling & silhouette word 'love'; heidi Grace straight pins; Hero Arts stamps-definitions, background floral

I made this cube a month ago, just been so busy & forgot to post it!!

so yesterday...

this is why i can't work!!! Miss Kiela takes over my chair, my desk, my chips, my glass of lemonade and my ipod!!!

we couldn't play outside-that fluffy crap was everywhere...looked like it was snowing!!! She was mad we had to go in...

so Kiela made lemonade!!!

then she did magic for me!!

ok, grandma...you should be happy with new photos!! love ya!!

Q & A ; )

Hi Keisha-
I recently found your work on 2 Peas and I love your style! A layout of yours first caught my attention with the bookshelves in the background because I have similar ones in black. That was about a month ago and then somewhere along the way I was reading a post about people's favourite blogs to read and yours was listed. I clicked on it and was pleased to see it was you and how many other wonderful layouts you share here on your blog.

None of my business, I know, but if you care to share, I'd love to know why you're in China and for how long and where you're from here in the states and if you'll be coming back soon? It seems to be a very exciting adventure!

Sorry for the long post, but I'm not sure how to reach you on email.

Thanks again for all of the wonderful inspiration you share!

Posted by: Lisa Soares | Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 01:06 AM

Hi Lisa!!!  Thank you for the comment & compliments!!! my hubby's work brought us here...it was supposed to have been 2yrs-we have passed 3yrs now. Now we are looking at coming home by Dec 08, I am counting the days!!!

Your family is just precious, and model quality! I love your scrap style - the first thing I ever scraplifted when I first started scrapbooking was a layout of yours. But you studio is amazing! I can't imagine it improved! Looking forward to seeing it.

Posted by: shawn | Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 03:39 AM

wow, thanks Shawn!!!

Hi - just wanted to say how much I enjoy your beautiful layouts. I'm inspired by your photography too and your girls are gorgeous!
It's funny the layout you did to use some stuff you've been hoarding ... I have the same MM paper and Rhonna chipboard frame and Heidi Grace pin and felt flowers out on my table ready to use - because just as you said - I wanted to use up some stuff I've been hoarding!

Posted by: Beverley Warwick | Friday, March 28, 2008 at 06:05 PM

lol, that's too funny Beverley...did you use that stash yet???!!!

I was wondering if you print from home and if you do, what kind of printer do you use. Also how do you print the strips of pictures like they are out of a photo booth?Love your layouts. Love how you incorporate ribbon in everything.

Posted by: Laura | Friday, March 28, 2008 at 08:54 PM

Hey Laura, thanks!!!! I do print all my photos from home-always have!!! I have a Epson R1800 ( cause Heidi Swapp loved it, lol)...I had it for over a year, maybe 2yrs. I work with Microsoft Picture It photo program to make my photos in various sizes-because I haven't figured out how to do it in Photoshop, lol!! I just line them in a row to make them into a strip!!

yet another comment to say, I love your work, I love your style, I love your photography! Are you coming back to Hawaii anytime? and I do give you credit for being overseas... it must be tough...(other than the maid thing, hee hee) We're stationed in Pearl Harbor (under current orders til about 2010) but hope to stay here atleast 5 more years.... I'd love to see you in HI!

Posted by: Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens | Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 12:41 AM

Hey Joscie!!! I wish we were taking a trip back to Hawaii...maybe on our way back in Dec...my hubby & the girls are itching to go back. Must be a dream to be able to live there. Not sure if I'd want us stationed there-it scares me being in the middle of all that water...I can do a week!!! Someday we will be back and I hope you'll still be there!!

so... i post/read over at ckmb and there was a lady distraught over not being able to enter SOY because she was with her dh stationed somewhere overseas... and after discussing with their lawyers etc... they have amended the rules so military families stationed overseas would be eligible. First thing I thought of was you. ;)

Posted by: Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens | Saturday, March 29, 2008 at

That so funny Joscie...my hubby won it for the position here!!! I am so proud of him, he really works hard!!

Hi-

All of your layouts are beautiful. Where do you get the paper that looks like it has been torn out of a notebook?

Thank you.

-Jamie

Posted by: Jamie | Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 06:30 AM

Jamie, that was done with Stampin Up "spiral punch"!!!!

Gosh Keisha, how do you always outdo yourself. I can't stop looking at these great pieces of art. I have those definition stamps in my Stampin Up wish list, you've shown so many ways to use them in a LO. I never would have purchased them if I didn't see how you used them.
and the new HS stuff is beautiful. Keep them coming!

Posted by: Carla | Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 09:02 AM

CARLA!!!!! LOL, i see others using stuff in a cool way, then i have to have it!!! You did some amazing stuff on your blog, your lifts were fab-wow, thanks!!! laura told me to check you out...i couldn't post a comment-sorry

Gosh - your work just kills me every time. I'd love to see how you work a boy page - can I send you some photos? LOL! (wink-wink)

Posted by: betsy | Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 10:58 PM

Betsy, I know...I am so bad with keeping up on my male pages. You would think my husband didn't exist!! I will try to get some up soon...thanks!!

Thankyou for your kind words, Keisha... *AND* for all the info!!! Just now seeing it... I'm such a DORK, lol! Anyway, you are a tremendous help and I appreciate it. I have one more question for you if you wouldn't mind... how do you get your pics to download so big on Typepad? When I download mine at 600 (or even 400), it cuts the width off thus making it shorter. Not sure if it's my photos or my weblog design that I need to edit (right now I have my theme set to Classic 3 Columns) or what??? Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me! xoxoxox, C.

Posted by: Christy | Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 01:34 AM

LOL, C!!! Ok, if you haven't figured this one out yet...I make my photo the same size. But in the typepad menu where you add your photo....in #2 Image size options--->custom size--->thumbnail size------>width 450 or 500 pixels!! I make them bigger so it will be easier for folks to see...and better for my mom to steal photos!!!

Just a question. Why do you scrap the same pictures of your kids over and over and over again? No offense but your scrapbooks must get boring if it's always the same pictures. Just curious.

Posted by: Dianne | Monday, March 31, 2008 at 07:45 PM

LOL, Dianne...ok, so I have two girls...they each have their own albums...then i have family albums-so it's really not boring!!! Especially if it's a photo of both girls together-they'll both have that photo in their album!!! Plus, if it is a project for one of my DT's...I might not get that project back...I still want that photo in one or many of my albums!!! I also may print a photo in the wrong size-I save it to use when I am running low on ink or photo paper...it's not always easy for me to restock those items being here. Some photos I love & love to scarp them for more that one project(like an album, mini album, photo cube or my wall)...I have many reasons that may not seem clear, sorry!!!! But these are usually why!!

Hi, I found your blog a while ago when I googled scrapbook and Beijing. I love it! Turns out now, it is looking like my family will be moving to Beijing in the summer for two years and I was hoping you might be able to tell me what the scrapbook situation is there if any! I was there for a few days ten years ago and based on how things were then, I'm not too hopeful. My husband who has been flying back and forth a lot over the past year tells me things have changed a lot so I have a minuscule amount of hope. Would also appreciate any ideas or tips you might have on what I should bring (in regards to scrapbking), etc. or any tips in general, but I don't want to take up too much of your time! Thank you very much. Margie

Posted by: Margie | Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 11:30 PM

wow, how cool Margie!!! I would say get all you can before you come. There are no scrapbook stores here. Get as much cardstock & paper as you can-paper can be costly to order online because it gets heavy!!! maybe have a friend or family mail you stuff...leave them with a list & photo of your fave glues & tapes & so on-that stuff you use often so they can make a big box to send monthly or every few months. I "hear" shipping is costly...we are a military family so we pay what is paid in the states. Get all the tools you will need-those are usually heavy, so best to bring them. There are photo places, I print from home-always!! Just get all you can if you think that shipping costs will be an issue for you. There are office supply store (even Staples)...art stores for paints & brushes and such...Go to Michale's get all you need NOW, i miss Mike's!!! good luck!!

OK, it's 10pm...I've been blogging for 2hrs...I need to work & get ready for bed. I'll finish the questions tomorrow, sorry.

Check in tomorrow for a new project-why...because i will offer a surprise giveaway!!!!!!!!!!

come back tomorrow for the rest of this...

photo cube using MM goodies!! sorry for being MIA...my buddy Tracy & her family moved back to the states today-sigh...and I have been trying to spend the past few days & weeks with her...mostly shopping, lol!! I wish we could have left today as well...sadly we have a few more months-argh!!

now that i no longer have a partner in crime...i can focus on my projects & blogging-but not til tomorrow!!~k

something new...

it started with me wanting that white glass cabinet & some new chairs...i am now in heaven!! the girls love it-they say it looks like a "real studio" now...the new desk & white chair is their fave to sit at(they fight for it)...see all their finger prints on the desk!! LaVaughn loves it too...he comes in turning on the new lighting & taking a seat in that white chair too.

At night lighting drove me crazy, I have a hard time telling pink from red and matching up colors...i have been through so many bulbs trying to brighten things up. I was also feeling that my studio was getting too cluttered. The stuff i had in my windows began to drive me crazy. The old cabinet was to small & not so cute, lol. I needed a place for pattern papers...and so on...

we had to take the door down...this is the Liatorp glass cabinet from Ikea...it's huge with tons of space...not sure what will end up on the top shelf...and those plastic drawers will be gone as soon as i figure out better storage for the stuff in them!!

Skruvsta white chair-love it!

Tertial desk lights-super bright, yay!!

Vika Gruvan/ Vika Artur desk-nothing new to most of you!!

Flygge wall lights-very cool!!

Lindmon blinds-what a big difference!

new trash can, i've been wanting this for a while-lol

photo album here

two Jules chairs-the girls & their friends are always on the computer or laptop...only thing, these chairs make you feel like you will slide right off...they have a weird slant to them...and i don't think I put them together wrong!!

the canvas on top are way too bausy for me...but they will stay until a new idea comes to mind!!

a couple of pages...for the first page I used MM 5th Ave papers & spiral book, flowers, brads, staples, 5th ave chipboard circle; Hero Arts phrase stamps on photo & swirl stamp on red scallop pp; Heidi Grace stright pin; Fancy Pants scallop felt; Bazzill polka dot brad

this is a bit wild for me-but i loved the colors together...MM 5th ave damask pp, Noteworthy felt flowers, anthology scallop chipboard frame, rub-on letters; Jenni Bowlin tickets, journaling flower & house; swirl stamp Rhonna; Stampin Up stamps for the circles; Strano green dot ribbon

I am really enjoying palying with action...I never know what they will do to a photo...I just keep trying different ones until I get a cool look-like the first photo of Amira from last week...omg, no more little girl...she'll be in middle school next year...

I used Maggie's color pop & Leah's xactions in old church-who knows what else!!

same photo with just Maggie's lighten up & color pop actions

Q & A ; )

eta:i will update this throughtout the day

studio revamp...

this is a short post...all week i have been out-mostly shopping...especially at Ikea!! by the end of each day I have been whipped. yesterday i went out shopping with my buddy Tracy to a popular market here called "silk street" to show a new friend around the city. Tues & Thurs i spent at Ikea getting new things for my studio...a new desk, chairs, lighting, blinds and such...this is a quick tease for you all...tomorrow I will do another post with better photos & new projects...and answer questions...it was a long day for me putting my studio back together, lol...and i totally shocked LaVaughn who was out of town the whole week...he came home last night and mouth dropped...i am so bad!!-nighty~k

OOOHHH, new actions by Maggie Holmes that she just released earlier this week...and I LOVE them!! Her color pops are fab...and i love love love her vintage actions most of all!! Best color actions I have tried...and her "lighten up" action saves me time-just one step a brighter photo!! I used her simple color pop on the first photo of Amira-who let me take some photos of her Sun at the playground where we live...I totally love the guard's face-priceless!! we have guards on every other corner where we live...they must be changing posts...I snapped to get them as they were passing!!

we strolled through our neighborhood...and this spot was perfect for a quick photo...I used Maggie's vintage action on this photo

Kendal joined in on a few photos...I used Maggies actions again-they are fab!!

just pages today...

the first two pages were done for Heidi's CHA booth...

love the new heart pp & new heart stamp...

supplies: Heidi Swapp-heart pp, lg circle pp, heart stamp, clear die cut(remember), damask stamp(circle), roller stamp, ghost heart; MM-ledger pp, buttons; Stampin Up-definition stamp, circle stamp; Strano blue dot ribbon

new Heidi Swapp pp-lg dot, swirl houndstooth, pink swirls, new corner swirl stamp(on chipboard letter), chipboard letter k

 

this is a page I did last week-just because I wanted to use some stuff I've been hoarding!!

MM-Garden Part line pp, Noteworthy felt flowers; Fancy Pants felt corner; Rhonna's swirl stamps & chipboard frames; Creative Cafe brads; Heidi Grace straight pin

lots of these supplies can be found on Two Peas...they just got in more new Heidi & Making Memories...and tons of other goodies...i just put in my order-woohoooooo...

i hope you enjoy~k

hi keisha! great photos and fabulous layouts as always! do you know where i can find out how to use actions in PS6? or those frames from rhonna? i tried the tutorial from 2peas but i'm just not getting it!

Posted by: cathy | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 07:11 PM

Hi Cathy...hummm, I have always just taught myself-lol...i just play with stuff & hope I am doing it right...but when i need help i do refer to 2p's-especially for Rhonna products...there is a drop down menu for different programs-I have no clue about PS6, sorry...and if that doesn't help google PS6 tutorials...there is tons of help out there. Let me know if you need more help & I'll try to get it for you!!

Love your Heidi layouts, awesome! Question... are the definitions you use in your layouts stamps or stickers??? Where can I get my hands on some?

Posted by: Michelle E. | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 07:21 PM

Hey Shelley...those are Stampin Up Stamps...I love love LOVE them!!!

Wow, your pictures really capture all the action in the hunt. What camera lens are you using? They all turned out so crisp and colorful! You've really mastered the use of actions on the prints. They came out spectacular.

Posted by: Helen | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 11:18 PM

Congratulations on working with Heidi Swapp. I just love your work. What type of camera do you have? Your pictures are gorgeous. I'm saving to buy another camera and I just admire the quality of your pictures. Good Luck and Happy Easter!

Posted by: LaQuette Akins | Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 09:38 PM

Hi Helen & LaQuette...I added links to the camera & lens on my sidebar on the left...under the 2peas logo!!! I had to since it is a popular question!!!! Thanks on the compliments on the photos & actions..."mastered"-love that....I still have tons to learn about them!!!

what actions did you use on your photos? Looks nice!

Posted by: ChanelD | Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 07:57 AM

Chanel...there are links to the action earlier posts...I LOVE Bren's Brown tone on all my photos first...then I just play with other actions until I am happy!!! Look below at "my mind is spinning" post for links to actions!!!

Those LO's are just drop dead gorgeous...omg I need that houndstooth pp and the mirror butterflies!! Love how you stamped them with the white!
You know your daughter Mira looks just like you! Thanks for sharing Keisha!

Posted by: Carla | Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 10:43 AM

Mira, looks like me-aew!!! Sometimes I don't see it!!!

As always, fabulous lo's my friend!!! And these photos... simply gorgeous!!! Oh do share what settings you use, etc... pleeeeeaasssee??!! ;)
xoxoxo,
C.

Posted by: Christy | Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 01:22 PM

HI CHRISTY!!!! OMG, your new blog photo is FAB...you rock my sweet!!! Love the new look-you & the blog!!! Hummmm, that's hard for me....I usually take my photos early in the day-not before 11am...not after 4pm...I keep my ISO at around 200-400-if it's a bright day...I shoot in manual...i keep my f stop low as possible-usually it's at f3.5-5(depending on light)...and then I usually stay at 1/30sec-depending on my light...i keep my white balance on auto...i float up & down around these settings to fit what light I have to work with...this is what works for me-i am no pro at this, lol...thanks for asking C...hope it helps in some way or another!!!

Hi
As a scrapbooker from the UK - I often read your blog and I thought you would like to see this - I would like to thank you for the fab way to use the lace cardstock as I've been have problems - I am so please with this LO! Thanjs Again and Happy Easter. Sarah x
http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=154573&cat=2

Posted by: Sarah Wilkins | Monday, March 24, 2008 at 02:16 AM

Hey Sarah...thanks...but the link woudn't let me see...is there another link you can give me???

Your bunny is so cute but your daughter is even cuter. I check your site all the time. I am amazed by your giftedness. I wish you lived in the States and could teach a class near where I live. Your art work inspires me and your style is beautiful. Please continue to inspire us all. By the way, I ended up getting a Martha Stewart Scalloped Heart punch off a stamping site this week. A woman was willing to sell hers. Thank you for your information about it. Happy Easter! Beth

Posted by: Beth | Monday, March 24, 2008 at 10:36 AM

Wow, Beth...thank you so much...I am glad you got that punch...I saw it go for $90 on Ebay two weeks ago...we are lucky we got ours!!

wow just noticed you have some great aussie talented listed their Keisha .... how fantastic is tarisota's collections... tamar does a wonderful job

catcha

Posted by: SANDIE | Monday, March 24, 2008 at 07:38 PM

Hey Sandie...the Aussie girls are darn good, huh??!!

Gorgeous photos. I've got an Easter card for you on my blog. It's the 2nd most recent post. Abundant blessings to you!

Posted by: Scrap Evangel | Monday, March 24, 2008 at 08:09 PM

Hi Terrie...what a great blog you have...cutie pie kids too...I tried to find the card...I saw lots a wonderful pages, no card though...what was the post called??

love the new-to-us layouts! your work is amazing! how do you get the little wallet size photos? do you print them yourself? how awesome that you are working with THE HS!

Posted by: cathy | Friday, March 21, 2008 at 02:40 AM

Hey Cathy...yep, I always print all my photos myself...I just play with the size in my photo programs!!

GIRL congrats on that.. I am soo dang proud of you and happy for you, but girl isnt it wonderful living in another country with little ones, I just left Japan after 4 years, and we are ready to get back overseas..I eyeball your work all the time and I am a HUGE fan of yours...I am always visiting your blog. Hubby and I are currently stationed in NM..keep doing big things and I will be watching, you are such an inspiration to me and others..keep it going girl..all the spouses I know are using you for inspiration...if you like you can check my work out on SisTv...nothing like your stuff..but I even used some inspo from you on one of my LO hee hee

http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/profile_8827.html

Posted by: Sasha .. | Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 01:44 PM

Sasha...you are too sweet...I saw your thread on SIS...I was floored...so many nice comments...thank you so much...and thanks to the other ladies as well!!!!

Fabulous gallery...love the way you work color...boy, have you been around the world...and you want to go back overseas...not me-I am done, lol!!!