A Bit East-coast

an ornament.

[the story]

I did this simple ornament for TCD's DT blog today. Fast & simple-some bling and some ribbon!

[products]

Teresa Collins Designs-stamps, gems, bling on clear tag

Related articles

vintage ornaments, love.

vintage ornaments, love.

 

[my thoughts]

I got a bit carried away with taking photos of some new vintage ornaments I just bought for decorating the mantel. Would you also guess that every photo was taken in the DARK?! I took all these photos at night without any lights on-just the snap of my speedlite giving just the right amount of light. My neighbors were probably wondering what the heck was going on with all the bright flashes from our windows. I kinda of like night time shooting-I never take photos at night.  Oh, the photos with the red ornament was taken during the day-forgot about that!

[Q & A]

deals or steals.

 

[my thoughts]

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we sure did! I am getting over my guilt from making & deliciously enjoying the four sweet potato pies (and one apple pie) I made for dessert.

Today is cold & rainy(maybe even S N O W)-which means bad photos for me. I'll work with what I can get...all photos taken today. I tried to tackle the outlet mall at midnight on Black Friday-I've never done that before(and won't do it again). Restoration Hardware had a good offer I had to take advantage of-to get that new stool for my studio!! I didn't even make it into the parking lot of the outlet that night, it was that CRAZY! Instead, LaVaughn and I went back Saturday morning before we went tree shopping, not the same sale-but still a good deal.

[more thoughts]

I love it when I find really good deals, especially when it is stuff I really want. I have been a lucky girl scoring a lot of things I haven been eyeing-with multiple markdowns. Like these frames for $6 and $4 a couple months ago. And last month these vases/gold wire bowl (the gold, white, and flower)for $5 each-woohoo! I thought that these pieces were all gone and I happened to find them with extra markdowns;-D

[final thoughts]

I started the Christmas decorating and I still have a lot to do...tonight we shall start the tree...

:a card & studio loves:

{Out for Publication}

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card/kärd/

Noun:

A piece of thick, stiff paper or thin pasteboard, in particular one used for writing or printing on. A toothed implement or machine for this purpose.

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Yesterday I wanted to make a quick little card-The background of the card is Elle's Studio and all the rest if MM Twinkle line....

 

 

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feath·er/ˈfeT͟Hər/

Noun:

Any of the flat appendages forming a bird's plumage, consisting of a partly hollow horny shaft fringed with vanes of barbs.

 

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Framed feathers around my studio. When I bought these feathers I had plans on making something with them-not to frame them. I was taking photos of my studio, and I was annoyed by the large silver frame-I broke the glass in it the day I bought it. It has been sitting there w/o glass for almost a year. And the white frame had a photo that I hated in it-so I put the feathers in them. I think they look pretty cool and makes me want to do a few changes...

 

 

:christmas cards:

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cards3rd person singular present, plural of card

Noun:

A piece of thick, stiff paper or thin pasteboard, in particular one used for writing or printing on. A toothed implement or machine for this purpose.

Verb:

Write (something) on a card, esp. for indexing. Comb and clean (raw wool, hemp fibers, or similar material) with a sharp-toothed instrument in order to disentangle the fibers before...

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I did these quickie cards 2 weeks ago using Making Memories new Twinkle collection...

:snowflake garland:

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snow·flake/ˈsnōˌflāk/

Noun:

A flake of snow, esp. a feathery ice crystal, typically displaying delicate sixfold symmetry. A white-flowered Eurasian plant (Genus Leucojum) related to and resembling the snowdrop, typically blooming in the summer or autumn.

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What I did to make this-one 12x12 cardstock, one 12x12 vellum,1 1\2 in circle punch, snowflake punch...the larger snowflakes are store bought!!

first Christmas project...

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gar·land

 [gahr-luhnd] noun

1.a wreath or festoon of flowers, leaves, or other material,worn for ornament or as an honor or hung on something asa decoration: A garland of laurel was placed on the winner's head.

2.a representation of such a wreath or festoon.

3.a collection of short literary pieces, as poems and ballads;literary miscellany.

4.Nautical . a band, collar, or grommet, as of rope.

verb (used with object)

5.to crown with a garland; deck with garlands.

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My addition to the JBS DT garland project! Each DT member is making an item to add to the garland and you can see the project on the inspiration blog. I used Jenni's new Christmas line papers & brad...and some mini tree decorations from Michael's(Santa, snowman, tree pick).

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*Q and A* 

 _{adjective [before noun]}

 Definition mainly US abbreviation for question and answer

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Claudia Black said:

Keisha, these photos (as usual) are absolutely stunning. To which extend are they a product of your camera and talent and actions/ photoshop? I've come across Totally Rad and I'm addicted to it but wondering if I still need a new camera. My interior shots never come out nearly as great as yours. On another note; your girls' hair always look so beautiful. Is their hair natural like that, relaxed or do you just have the perfect product? My girls are bi-racial and while my little one has my caucasian hair, my older one has my husbands hair. She's 9 and likes her hair straight. I don't believe in relaxing but any moisture in the air and it curls right back ... I've gone thru tons of products, both drugstore and expansive ones. Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!!!

Reply | Edit | View | Nov 7, 2011 on trick or treat time…

 Hi Claudia...My photos have a lot of magic added to them to make them look as if I know what I am doing! Speedlite & photo actions are always involved at some point. I LOVE Totally Rad-I use their free set-Happy Happy is a nice was to soften some of my photos. Most of my photos have 4Hens actions added to them.

My girls hair is chemically relaxed, I would like to get away from doing that someday. I relax Kiela's with Just for Me once a month. Amira & I get our hair done at an salon once a month. For your girls-I would not relax. I am no expert...I do love Mizani products to maintain & moisturize. And Carol's Daughter is great-everything smells good too!! I love this Tui spay mist-moist & shine, smells really good. My friend gave me some Argan oil-it's like magic...makes Kiela's hair super soft & easy to comb through. To help straighten & smooth Kiela's hair I use a round vented brush after washing when I blow dry her hair(with a heat protection). And then she usually gets it flat iron-this is our routine every Sunday. I don't do any heat the rest of the week.

There is also a line called Mixed Chicks-I want to try these. I hope this helps you & let me know if you try something!!

PS-I found a lot of good youtube videos with girls giving some good tips for black hair care here & here

Briana Johnson said:

Keisha, I'm having the most difficult time trying to post here lately - on my end I'm sure. Anyway, I just wanted to say these girls are stunning, beautiful and I love how they look so serene and happy in there. Amazing costumes, love the pumpkin patch - lots of creative shots there.

Reply | Edit | View | Nov 2, 2011 on trick or treat time…

Briana...I am not sure why you & others are having a hard time leaving comments, argh! Thanks for putting up with the inconvenience. I got rid of some stuff hoping that it would help.

Amy Vogt said:

Eliza, I LOVE your new chairs! They are perfect in every way. What color upholstery is it? Restoration Hardware has so many beautiful neutral colors.

Reply | Edit | View | Nov 1, 2011 on something new...

Amy, it's the sand Belgian linen...I really wanted white linen!!!

 

some Studio Calico, a little Making Memories and lots of photos...

 I took some time today to do a couple of pages. December Studio Calico kit was filled with the sweetest colors. It was hard to pick what to snip into first.
 I started this page with the Christmas line from MM 2 wks ago-I am getting a bit addicted to misting. I used some older chipboard letters & numbers for this page from various companies. I love the fact I can use them over & over for more misting!
 
 I am trying to pulled down the Christmas decorations. I hate how the house looks bare after it's all been taken down. I think I need to replace it with Valentine decor!
 
 
 
 
 I really love paperwhites and wanted to grow another batch. These just started blooming last week. Lulu loves the fire...I love the combination of all three together.
 
 
 

 I took so many photos of Kiela making cookies. Her hard work paid off with us having fun decorating them and eating them only after I took pictures of the prettiest ones-LaVaughn snuck a bite when I wasn't around...not Lulu.  

 

 
 
 I had to promise her an app for these photos...
 
 
 
 Boy, she is growing too fast. Her tops were not meant to be worn like that together. She dressed herself and probably thought this was a cute look...since we weren't going out I wanted to avoid a fight!
 she kept bugging me for that app and she was happy when I got it...and left her to play.
 

 

 

Heaven said:

These are awesome pics! Hope you had a fab new years. Not sure how I feel about the new blog look though lol. I miss all the nifty gadgets and links on the sides.. :)

 

 

OMgosh Heaven...I am bored with the look of my blog and wanted to jazz it up some. And for some reason it won't add my side contents-ARGH. At first, it would not load the new design until the next day. So I am waiting to see if the rest will pop up after a day or two. If not I will go back to my old theme until I find one that will add everything. It will all come back soon!!!

 

 

Laura said:

great pictures and the cookies look delicious. kiela has grown up so fast. question: where do you get those kewl looking rolling pins?

Laura...I got that while we were in China!

 

another fabulous Christmas...

 Kiela & I decorated cookies-we LOVE to do that!
 Can you guess what I got for Christmas? I did a-week before Christmas! LaVaughn thought I looked in the box he had in the garage-I really didn't. It really was hard for me to guess. I had asked for a couple of Coach bags, but he wanted me to be more "practical". Especially since I received 2 Coach bags last year! Plus, he said the box was a computer for my friend Tracy(she received a computer last year). See it wasn't a hard guess for me!

He was just as spoiled and got just the things he asked for...a miter saw & the Bladerunner to do his home projects. 
 
 This beauty was an early Christmas gift...I originally wanted this jazzy bag in black. I popped in the Coach outlet store one day and found the same bag in this cool purple for more than half the price of the black-so I phoned my honey. Who LOVES to save a buck whenever he can-and said Merry Christmas! The outlet is such a steal-even the girls got their first Coach bags(super cheap).
 
 I had to grab a small add-on. The purple is off a bit and I am cool with that. The grey phone case was brought for another bag, but I like to stick a cc in it then snap it off and leave my heavy purse in the car for quick trips in the grocery store or Costco.
 
 Don't let that face fool ya, Santa didn't forget her!
 
 Snugly slippers from Tracy, she knew I was eyeing these.
 
 
 
 Today I need to bribed the girls into taking photos. I think I can get Kiela by offering her an app for her new ipod-which is often swears is a iphone! I am not sure how I will get Mira to look up from her iphone, argh!
 I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas as well!

 

 

nicolebee said:

Oh, one more question....where do you find the cut-up jeans for the girls? They are too cute!

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 21, 2010 on so many photos to e…

Amira's jeans are from American Eagle & Mikiela's are from Abercrombie kids!

nicolebee said:

I love every single photo! Can't wait to see the rest of them and your home is just absolutely gorgeous! Are you branching off and doing more with photography now? Happy Holidays!

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 21, 2010 on so many photos to e…

Nicole, no not until I really understand how my camera works!! I was just helping my friends, and getting some practice.

nicolebee said:

Love the layouts! I have the same question as Stephanie. What inks did you use? JBS?

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 8, 2010 on Studio Calico Nov k…

Stephanie Howell said:

Love love, girl. These are gorgeous!! What ink did you use?? Xxo s

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 8, 2010 on Studio Calico Nov k…

Stephanie & Nicole...that was Jenni's new ink pad in lemon drop!

 

a Christmas layout today...{{{out to ScrapTrends}}}

 I did this page last night, found some inspiration! I played with my Slice for the trees& numbers (falala card)...Martha snowflake punch for the vellum flakes...and MM papers & stickers. JBS calendar. Hero Arts merry definition stamp.

I know it's been asked before-the photos were taken with my phone and I used Infinicam app for the photo frame! Sorry, I kept forgetting to answer that question.