A Bit East-coast

i guess i needed a (spring)break...

Spring makes me want to play with the flowers. Sit on the porch. Drink something refreshing. Take some pretty pictures. Buy some school photos, argh. Make some fresh lemonade. Drive a new car. Scrap a little, maybe.

 

JBS Mercantile June kit.

 

 

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scrap.fashion.makeup.hair said:

I know I have a million questions but on the Jan lo, do you know the name of the martha punch you used, specificially the one on the bottom in white? It looks like a ribbon lace type of punch?

Reply | Edit | View | Apr 14, 2011 on a mini...

Ask away!! But I am not sure what lo-can you tell me the date I posted it in Jan??

Cloudscolorgarden.blogspot.com said:

wowza, i can finally comment on yer blog again! what wonderful projects!!! luv luv them all, especially the cards :) sooo, plse tell me what the gold paper is? and where i can find it :) I have the Paper Reverie card (thanx to you) and would luv the make the gold butterflies!!! Hugs, C :)

Reply | Edit | View | Apr 16, 2011 on new jbs updates...

Cloud, I wish I know the name of that paper or who makes it. I grabbed it at my lss. I need to buy some more and then I will look to see who makes it, sorry!

new JBS & kitchen progress...

 

 Today I wanted to work with some of the new Jenni Bowlin line Be Our Guest-I had to use the silhouette journaling card since silhouettes are so popular these days!

In a couple of days Mira will be turning 14-I love how the old vintage pp has her bday written on it. I need to order up a strawberry cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and she'll probably want Pei Wei for dinner. Then a few days after that Kiela will be turning 8yrs old, one after another!!
 

 The kitchen-has most of the new backsplash up. LaVaughn worked on that all weekend and it looks so much better-we love it. His new Rockwell is busted after doing only a few tiles-we now have learned it's not such a great tool, lol. We ordered new lighting for over the island and a pot-filler...
 
 
 

 

Vanessa said:

A beautiful page..I love the metallic dots as well! What shade of mist did you use here? And what size heart punch? TFS!!! Vanessa www.grooveygrover.blogspot.com

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on something pretty...

Hello Vanessa...I think it was Glimmer Mist in Cherry and I didn't use a heart punch-they are die-cut shapes from MM!

Jayne said:

beautiful, awesome and stunning. all perfect choice words to describe your layouts. questions: what size pictures do you print out for your projects? They always seem smaller than the standard 4X6. What printing software do you use? What kind of printer do you have? and where do you by that neat mist you use? sorry to be so nosey but inquiring minds have to know hehe

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on something pretty...

Jayne!! LOL, love the questions...now let me see if I can answer them...my printer in an Epson R1800 we bought a few years ago. The mist is either Glimmer Mist or Maya Mists I buy from my local lss-you can get them online too! I also use JBS re-inkers in a misting bottle.

When I want to print smaller pictures I open up my OLD old old Microsoft Picture It 7 program...and I am able to drag photos onto one 8x11.5 page and resize them to whatever size I may need. There really is no certain size I use, just whatever I think I may need for a layout. I often print out a sample to see if it is just the right size for the layout on plain paper.

 

home updates & small kitchen redo...

 We are starting some home projects...I added some shelves in my scraproom on a empty wall that needed some life. I added some items on the shelves that are eye-candy for me! I really want to keep the shelves simple & pretty. The large frame fell off the first time I sat it up there and the glass shattered, argh! This room is always changing in some way. I do want to paint it this spring-not sure what color just yet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 YAY, LaVaughn really started in on the kitchen(Sunday he took down all the old backsplash). He painted one cabinet door as a test and added the new handle. I LOVE a white kitchen-so we are doing all the cabinets white. New chrome & crystal hardware. We will add some glam with crystal lighting. Travertine mini subway backsplash. And a new hood! Plus, we will add glass to a few of the top cabinet doors. I added my Houzz ideabook on my right sidebar if you want to see what inspires me!

 
 

 

Hanikas said:

Keisha, I too am a self-confessed stalker, long before you had a blog and were posting cards on TwoPeas. Also a Detroiter with two girls and have love your work 4-eva. Thx for the inspiration.

Reply | Edit | View | 6 days ago on first Studio Calico…

Hanikas...always a pleasure to have a fellow Detroiter saying hello!!!

Denise Morgan said:

I've been meaning to say that Kiela has such an awesome fashion style. I love what she puts together. Or is that Mom :) ? It was so funny reading todays post, I made a list last night before bed. On the list was go to Michaels for V Day decor. I too just don't feel like leaving the house. Were expecting a big storm here in Massachuesetts.

Reply | Edit | View | 6 days ago on first Studio Calico…

OMGosh, Denise...that girl is trouble. She is a true girls girl. I have to shop alone...thank goodness she loves what I pick. She drives my crazy when she beats me to her closet and picks out her outfit first-she's messy! 

We were spared from that storm-we've been lucky this year with not a lot of snow.

www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmX5pssFCN2PejGju7fi9qkNVuFcv4vlzI said:

Happy New Year Keisha (and family:)!! I love your pics and your LO's. I say that everytime, but I love your work. Oh and I was in Archiver's looking at a MM frame and flipped it over and who's pic did I see but Keila's. I screamed WOW so loud my mom and friend thought something had happen..lol. When I told them, thought I knew you and Keila personally, too funny. Anyway, that was too cool seeing her on the back 'cover' -Congrats!!

Reply | Edit | View | Jan 9, 2011 on some Studio Calico,…

LOL, that's funny. I know the feeling-I am the same way when I am flipping through a scrap mag!!

Ashley said:

Beautiful photos. Why was jewelry banned, though? That's so sad!

Reply | Edit | View | 6 days ago on first Studio Calico…

Heaven said:

Admitted stalker here lol Fantastic pictures and thanks for the Studio Calico inspiration. I got my kit a few days ago and had no creative flow, until I saw your layouts! I too am wondering about the jewelry ban. Never heard of such a thing before. Miss K is so grown up, hard to believe she's only 8!! lol :)

Reply | Edit | View | 6 days ago on first Studio Calico…

Heaven & Ashley, I felted so bad when I noticed the Kiela wasn't grabbing that perfect necklace for her school outfit any longer in the morning. I asked her why and she said that the girls were playing with their jewelry too much in class-so the teacher banned the jewels! I could tell she was heartbroken-she has some cute stuff. And she was really picky about what went with what!

nicolebee said:

Love the new blog look and especially the search block now. The photos are fab. Did you make your Holiday wreath?

Reply | Edit | View | Jan 9, 2011 on some Studio Calico,…

Nope, Target!

Kate Blue said:

K-new year, new look??? Love all the pics :) and guess what-all the girls wear their tops like that-I say as long as they are covered up right??? ALL layouts stun me as always-do you think of designs in your sleep lol???? kate

Reply | Edit | View | Jan 6, 2011 on some Studio Calico,…

Thanks for the compliments Kate...I do go to sleep thinking of what can I do next!! It's better than counting sheep!

Cindy Liebel said:

GURL! did you eat those cookies? they look too pretty to eat. ours looked ghetto as ever, but were GOOD...HAHAHAHA! Tyler is checkin out your Kiela...HAHAHA! i was like, isn't she cute & he's like blushing & told me to leave him alone & then i saw him peeking back over at my monitor...LOL! LOVE your layouts, so good! btw, i canceled SC :( that was hard! LuLu is adorable & huge!!!! we needs to catch up. will call you soon! :)

Reply | Edit | View | Jan 6, 2011 on some Studio Calico,…

OMGosh, C!! That's too cute...we need to get them together!!! It's a good excuse to meet up again.

Kym Piez said:

Hi Keisha, I've been a long time stalker for a while, and may have only commented once or twice. But I just want to say that you've become like an old friend and I always look forward to something delightful on your blog. Love your Christmas decorations... I've still got my tree up. I haven't the heart to take it down yet. Oh, and so we're even, here's my blog http://kympiez.blogspot.com xx

Reply | Edit | View | Jan 6, 2011 on some Studio Calico,…

Kym!! We didn't take down the tree & stuff until last weekend. Now the house seems so bare & drab! I do love blog stalkers and I must stop by your spot real soon. Thanks for the invite!!

 

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!

 

so many photos to edit...

 Not only do I need to get ready for Santa, I have tons of photos to edit. I have New York photos still waiting on me-some of which are lost since LaVaughn didn't listen to me, argh. Thanksgiving photos & DC photos-my mom, lil sister (auntie Hilary) and her boyfriend Chris came for a visit. I need to take Christmas photos. Plus, edit Caitlyne's wedding photos. Oh-and I still have Halloween...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 

Home Goods home updates...

 

This week I did a quick update to Kiela's room. Her old lamp was literally on its last leg! So I had to make a Home Goods stop for a new lamp....and see if they still had this mirror I saw a month ago! They had ONE mirror left I had seen a while back when we bought some new things for our bedroom & powder room. Thank goodness it was still there after so long and it just makes her room sweeter!! I wasn't thrilled with the lamp choices they had and grab the best I could find. Once I set everything up in her room it was perfect. I grabbed her the jewelry holder & ceramic rose candle holder from Marshall's on my way home-love them to death. When Kiela came home she was thrilled & couldn't stop looking at it all. I got a million 'thank you mama' from her. And she said it was 'so pretty'.

 

I also have been spray painting old things in her room to make them less baby looking and more grown up...the duck was sprayed gold and her shell was sprayed silver

I often take Kiela to 5 Below to spend her allowance, she had to have the pink disco ball. I strung it up with pretty purple ribbon.

I just had to have this mirror from Home Goods, now I just need an orchid or paper whites here.

We also found this velvet bench at Home Goods.

We finally painted the main floor powder room a sweet shade of gray & added this cool new mirror I found at Home Goods-I love it. I thought that the print would be nice, but I hate it-lol! I really want some framed butterflies & moths I've seen on Etsy instead. Although, it does look way better...I feel it still needs something.

My first paper whites are growing! It has been about 3 weeks since I planted them. I can't wait for the flowers to bloom.

 

I am so GRAY and black! I just seem to always buy these colors. Even down to my nails...love love love this color by Sally Hanson gray by gray. Usually I wear a nude shade but for our trip to NYC I want more dramatic!

I still need to download the photos from our camera...so here are a few of my fave camera phone photos taken in Central Park...
 

 


 

October is almost over...

 I am just not ready for the month to be over! I am not ready to take down the Halloween decor-I LOVE the black crows & the white pumpkins. I loved the way the spray painted gold & silver pumpkins came out-now I am addicted to spray painting things. Thank goodness that I can keep most things up through Thanksgiving. Most things were bought at either Michael's or JoAnn's...the crows were from M's(always on sale at 40 or 50% off) and a few of the small ones from Party City for $1.99. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I have been obsessed with decor blogs-especially those that are shabby-french-swedish-modern-country, lol. I LOVE a white room. This blog inspired me to add Fred to my Halloween madness. I just love how simple she kept her Halloween decor. 

 

Last week I had to straighten up my closet a bit...it's generally this neat. My hangers were not in color order, nor were my tops, lol. That drives my crazy. Plus, I would like to redo the whole closet slowly over time. I want to find an amoire for that spot where the framed cork board is and add a round table in the center. And rearrange the shelves-maybe invest in Elfa. I have a dream to fulfill, lol!!

We are hoping that this helps with my serious back aches, it came today-woohoo. Don't ever buy a mattress from Sam's Club. Our pillow top fell within months of buying it. My sleep number is 35 and I can't wait to go to bed tonight!

Next post:

Last Sunday we spent the day at a great farm not to far from home-the corn maze was simpler than we thought it would be. Kiela & Kendal seemed to have had a good time.

October means this...

 ghostly fun! More iphone photos. It's been just over 2 wks since I have had this phone-and 90% of my apps are photo apps!

 

LisaSoares said:

Very cool! I might have to check that out. Do you have any other suggestions for photo apps and any other fun apps...I don't use my iPhone as much as I should. Thanks!

Reply | Edit | View | 5 days ago on a few fall touches.…

So Lisa...I have 

Lo Mob-*****my top fave 

ClassicINSTA-*****love this one

Retro Camera

Pocketbooth

IncrediBooth

Polarize

MoreLomo

ClassicToy-*****super fun

CameraBag-*****another winner for me

ShakeIt

Hipstamatic

MoreBeauty

VintageMaker-*****love this!

TiltShiftGen-*****this is too cool

Photomation

Photogene

Lomora 2

MoreBeaute

Format126

 

 

Sandra Fletcher said:

Recently signed up to receive the JBS project kits--after seeing your inspirational pages today, I'm so glad I did! Your work is fabulous. Thanks--

Reply | Edit | View | 4 days ago on a few fall touches.…

Wow Sandra, thanks!! The kits are so worth it and I find to stop once I get going!!

katie squires said:

Aren't white pumpkins the best! I bought some last year and my freind thought I spray painted it! LOL.

Reply | Edit | View | 5 days ago on a few fall touches.…

Omg Katie, I LOVE them. I bought both faux & real-the real are just the best!! But I have been addicted to gold & silver spray paint for some of mine!!!

 

 

just some photos...

My studio is still a work in progress...




my girls & LaVaughn are cookie monsters...the big empty jar is for fresh baked cookies! The kitchen is where we will soon be focused on next...painted cabinets & new lights-woohoo.

Lulu is looking more like a big dog...we are losing that sweet puppy face...

Thanks, k

 

 

Jan said:

Long time lurker, first time poster. I just adore your work. A.D.O.R.E. These layouts are just fantastic and that album? Cant wait to see the rest!

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on recent projects

 

Jan... I need to edit so many photos first. But I will post more when I get around to doing my photos!!!

 

 

Heaven said:

*DROOL* Love them!! I especially love the album. Any chance we can see the other pages in it?? Fantastic as always Keisha, you're an inspiration cause now I'm going to buy that kit LOL :)

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on recent projects..

 

Heaven, it will come....but aren't you happy to see photos of the studio?!;-)

 

Stéphanie Pouliot said:

Beautiful as always! I had one question... you were saying that the words & lettering was done with the slice... what about the flowers (used on photographer or your daughters layouts) is it with the slice and if so which cartridge is it? Thanks in advance!

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on recent projects...

 

Stephanie, the larger flowers were done with the Slice & the smaller ones with a McGill punch.

Jan 10 JBS kit...

 another fab JBS Mercantile kit this month!! My fave is the add on kit with the gorgeous Prima flowers I have been dying to have!! On my page I added vellum pink & white flowers cut using mySlice with the Basic 2 card!! I love stitching the heck out of the flash card to the page with green thread. I also broke in my MS loop edge punch for the first time. I'll update again soon.

Happy New Year!