Absent but not Lazy :-)

Geez, where have I been. Well my life is going along as usual. I guess I just haven't been blogging, but I have been creative. I have even tried out some new art. I decided the other day that i would like to learn jewelry making, so i went to Michaels with a gift card and bought a book and a starter kit. It is much easier than I thought. I am very proud of my first creations. They only took me a couple of hours. I was so excited that I went to Michaels the very next day and bought some more items, so I could try something a little more complicated. I am sad to report that this new hobby is as expensive as scrapbooking :-) (CLICK ON THE PIC FOR A CLOSE-UP)













I also decided to try my hand at some canvas art. I took the one word for the year idea from Ali Edwards. Mine this year is CELEBRATE LIFE. I journaled on the photo what that meant to me. This is not the best pic, but it is what I have taken so far. It was a lot of fun playing with the paint and a lot more intimadating than a 12x12 page. I have another blank canvas and I am toying around with what to do with it. (CLICK ON THE PIC FOR A CLOSE-UP)

I have also been busy scrapbooking as well. It was the first time in months. Decided do do some angles, which I never do. I like things in balance. One is a pic from new years and the other is a collage of photos from like the last three years of me and Rob.

New Banner

Oh my GOODNESS!!! Look up and see what I did. I finally figured out how to do a banner for Blogger. I am extra proud of myself and think it looks good for a first try. Go me and Go Blogger for making some changes, so I could do this without pulling my hair out :-)

I have had a pretty good week. You will be happy to know that I am steadily working on my New Year Life Changes. They have not fallen by the wayside and I am keeping a journal of how I am working toward the changes each day. Holding myself accountable. I did fall off the wagon last week with the health change, but I got back up and implemented some strategies that are working well right now. Go me for problem solving!!!

If you are looking for a great site to learn design software online in a class format, then check out this site: Scott Kelby They are offering free previews of the first 3 weeks of lessons for all courses. I learned a lot watching the previews. I think I may have to do this.

Toodles :-)

Always Learning

Before and After shots playing around with my Adobe Elements. It's amazing what you can do with an ordinary picture. The after photo looks almost surreal. This is a shot of a famous square in France. I have really been spending a lot more time trying to learn more about photography and Adobe. I am enjoying the challenge and I always enjoy learning new things. I figure it's about time I learn what the expensive camera and editing equipment I have can really do :-) NEWS FLASH: I scrapped two layouts this week. First time in almost five months. I will post this weekend once I get a chance to scan or photograph them. I felt a bit rusty, but it was also freeing to just create. I realized how much I miss it. I don't think we are going to sell in this market, so I may just as well unpack my scrap stuff and get back to creating and documenting our family memories.

Surprise Pick

Might seem like an odd post, but here goes. Today I lost the battle against the scale and I was super down. So I curled up on the sofa, said screw the gym for today (counter productive I know, but obviously it wasn't helping anyway) and watched a movie I hadn't seen before. Bridge To Terabithia isn't my normal pick, but I am so glad that I watched it. The story was so real and so inspiring that I cried through like the second half of the movie. It really is about friendship, beauty, inspiration and believing in yourself. It is also about over coming loss and tranforming it into something wonderful. It is also about nurturing your imagination and loving each day for what can unfold. I even downloaded the soudtrack which I found very uplifting and encouraging even if it is a bit popish. So if you need a feel good movie, I say give it a go. You may be pleasantly surprised.

A couple of pics from the holiday party.

New Year

New Years was really nice. It was the first time I actually went out to a formal VIP type party. Free food, drinks and music. My friend's husband plays in a band, so we got free tickets in exchange for me taking a couple of pics. I will try to post a few once I clean them up a bit. We got a room at a downtown hotel and shared breakfast the next morning. Not a bad way to start the new year. Went back to work today and had a decent experience. I brainstormed some active changes to help me meet the goal of rediscovering my passion for my job. I am prayerful that they will lead to a positive year.

At the party, a professional photographer gave me some advice on how to use my Cannon Speedlight. It was a simple correction that made a big difference. It made me realize that online classes are good, but that maybe I need some one on one tutoring. Any suggestions on how to find someone who does one on one lessons. Or how much something like that can go for.

New Year, New Retrospection

The approach of a new year always makes me retrospective. I guess that doesn't make me special, deep, or different from the other millions out there right? Each year I make resolutions and each year I forget them early on. I guess I know when to cut my losses. This year I want it to be different. This year the things I want to work on have been brewing in my mind for a while. I am not quite sure how to document them. I don't want to post them so the whole world can see my failure if I don't reach my goals and I haven't scrapped or created since September, so that process seems daunting as well. Not really sure what to do, but I am convinced they need to be in my face as a constant reminder. Oh well here goes. Win or lose these are my areas of interest in no particular order:

Health (not about being skinny, but that isn't bad either. I have already joined Curves and have been consistently going, now if I could continue to do that and be better about what I put into my body I would be on a roll)

Happiness (I am not unhappy, but I want that Stacy Julian kind of happy that looks like it glows from within and brightens all those around)

Job Satisfaction (I am good at my job, dedicated and consistent in my work, but not enthusiastic or joyful. I want to be passionate and not just efficient)

Financial Security (yes we make over 6 figures, no we don't have kids, or credit cards, or live beyond our means, but I still believe Dave Ramsey when he says being content isn't the same as truly being finanically free. Read the Total Money makeover)

I want to truly SEE (I want to look at life and live life and love life with an artists' eyes, hands and emotions. I want to live and love more authenticly and passionately. I think my husband deserves that, he is a pretty good guy)

Spirituality (I know God, love God and believe in God and yet I feel like I have only scratched the surface of who he wants to be. A better reationship and deeper knowing is what I have been craving lately. We have been going to church regularly again, we are going back to tithing with the new year and I really do feel like I am on the right path)

***who knows... maybe working out the very last thing on my list will have a dominoe effect on the other items on the list as well. so here is my list, pretty deep, pretty honest, pretty intimidating and yet it is a clear picture of who I am today and what I feel I need to be the me I should be tomorrow

***thanks to this blogger today whose honest journaling encouraged me to be honest today as well: Raquita

My 1st Storyboard

So excited to share what I just learned to create. I am going to spend the new year relearning my camera and adobe program and practicing to see with a creative eye. Now if I could just remember to post :-) The first one is the basic attempt. The second one is me learning to use actions and special effects. What I love most about this hobby is the ability to branch out and grow in different areas. Scrapbooking=Photography=Digital Art= A Happy and Creative ME :-)
***Click the link if you want to see them bigger.

Here and There

Geez, I can't seem to keep the blog flow. My job switched over to a new system, so this is the first time I have been able to successfully log on at work. Not sure why it works now, but it does. I have been taking photos for my photo a day, but the photos haven't been everyday. I realized taht my life is a bit of a routine on soem days. I know, I know look for the beauty in your everyday, but pictures of my work space, my girls practicing cheer routines and my husband and I eating dinner can get a little mundane.

We went to see Beowolf in 3D this weekend. It was good. I wouldn't suggest seeing it in a regular theatre, you may focus on the plot holes. But in 3D it is worth the extra ticket price and the two hours of sitting. The graphics are amazing. We also went to a new restaurant called Wapango. It is latin fusion cooking. Whatever that means. They have build your own Mojito happy hour, which was well worth it :-)

I also downloaded the trial version of Elements 6.0 The demo video showed some amazing things you can do with it. I haven't played with it yet, but I can't wait for Thanksgiving break to try it out. If you have it, what are your thoughts????

Hopefully, I can add my pics later today. I do have some to add, I promise :-)

Football Fever

My photo of the day reminds me of Football, Fall, and Snacks......what could be better ?????

:-) I didn't watch the game until after I got married. I decided it was better to learn the game then be a football widow. Now I am as passionate about it as Rob. We bet weekly on the games, which makes it even more exciting. The loser has to cook an extra meal that week, so believe me when I say it gets intense. Currently we are tied. The Cowboys better win tonight :-)

My fave Spot

My photo of the day is of my sofa. I actually wasn't extra lazy today though. I went to the gym this morning, dropped off some kit boxes at the PO, fixed Rob some dip from scratch for his football game, and cleaned all the bathrooms. And I planto wash clothes today. Yet, this sofa makes pic of the day because it is where I had my mid Saturday nap. Nothing like curling up on the sofa for a two hour nap. I haven't been able to do that in over a month because I have been so busy on the weekends. Today I revisted my time honored tradition and it felt good :-) Real GOOD :-)
Side Note: Elizabeth Dillow's new book Scrapbooker's Almanac came out today. If you have it, let me know what you think of it. I have a 30% off coupon to Archiver's I am itching to use.

Back to Blogging :-)

A few weeks ago I decided I needed to live a healthier life, so I started eating better. Then I got a flyer in the mail from Curves offering a 21 day fitness study for free. God is good. I signed up and have been going for a week and a half now. I really do feel good when I go there. It takes exactly 30 minutes, the ladies are friendly, the facilities are clean, the women are real and there is no pressure... just encouragement to do your best. Hopefully, I can keep up and I can see some real results at the end. I even got one of my co workers who lives near me to sign up, so we will be going at it together. Here's to a sexier me :-)

Something Creative: I decided that since I can't really scrap (everythings packed because we are selling the house) that I needed to do something else creative. I need my outlet. So I am going to dust my baby off (haven't used it in months) and I am going to take a picture a day for 21 days or for the next month and maybe create a mini album at the end. I gotta use up some of the products left from the sale and I think this would be a good way to do that. Anybody wanna join me??? No commitment, just post your pics each day or at the end of the week, jot down a note or two and create at the end.

p.s. I will post my pics as soon as I figure out where they are hiding on my computer...has it been that long :-)



Found Them!!!!



Nov 1st (no pic) so here is the last pic I took with the camera

Nov 2nd (pic of the for sale sign in our yard) This is me today because we got our first offer on the home. Unfortunately, the offer was 25 thousand under our asking price and they wanted our fridge and for us to be out by the end of the month. Maybe I should have taken a pic of me laughing because that's what I did when Rob told me. No more comment on that.























Toodles :-)

Color Your Memories
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Color Your Memories Announces

I have been putting this newsletter off for a very long time now. So here goes.....Color Your Memories will not be producing kits for the remainder of this year. I have two good reasons, so no need to be sad. One, I have been considering a new creative avenue and I need some time to focus on the logistics and planning process. I am very single minded during the planning process and I don't want customer service for the kit club to suffer. Two, I am in the process of selling our home and the realtor doesn't belive that a craft storage room in one of the main bedrooms is a design to sell feature :-) Plus, I have had to pack up my scrap room, which means that scrapbooking has been an after thought.
Good News For You

So to clear my mind and our house, the kit club is having a major sale. Normally our kits have $21-23 worth of retail product. Each kit will be priced at $10 and all embellishments are either below retail or at wholesale pricing. Shipping is $5 per box, all sales are final, and all kits will be shipped out witihin a week. Good customer service is still important to us at Color Your Memories.

A big special THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased one of our kits, offered verbal support, and another thank you to everyone who shared their art in our galleries.

I am saying goodbye, but it not goodbye forever :-)

Happy Crafting,



Keianna :-)


Save up to 50%
No special code or coupon needed. All items are priced to sell.

Update

Geez, where have I been. I guess this counts as an update post :-)

Home Front: Rob and I decided to get the new house. The builders decided to give in and give us the 6 months no mortgage payment deal in addition to the steep discounted price of the new home. Total blessing b/c we went back and forth on this for over a week. So we will put our house on the market Wednesday. We have been cleaning, decluttering and organizing. Exciting time. And yes, the pics I put in previous posts are artist drawings of our home and the one we are getting.

Job Front: School starts this week for teachers and I am so not ready to go back :-(

Cheerleader Front: Competetion was last week. We didn't place, but the girls did their personal best. I was proud of them and cried when it was over.

Health Front: I go for my final surgery on Wednesday. Kinda nervous and kinda greatful because it could have been more serious. And really angry that I have had the stomach flu for two days.

Friend Front: My firend got married last week and it was really nice. New love is so inspiring. I wish them the best as they embark on this new journey together. I was also super jealous that they honeymooned in my fave locale. Jamaica. Oh what I would have given to have some rum punch, jerk chicken, and cool ocean breeze. I think I must go back before the end of the year.

Kit Front: New kits are up on the site. I love these kits. They were super fun to scrap with and very versatile. You can't buy the 7 Gypsies paper at most retailers.

Okay that is it for me. My life this past week and a half :-)

I Finally Did It...

I did it. I finally scrapped. After months of feeling uninspired. I even had fun with it. I prayed real hard today for an outlet for some of the stuff I have been feeling lately. Can't find the words and I didn't feel like crying trying to scrap the emotion I can't seem to name and the thought of finding a good photo to go with it was too much....

So I said screw the deep emotional journaling and find some pics of things that have made you happy lately and scrap. I came up with these. Went to my store room (literally) and pulled out some items from next months kit and I just played with it. Because I did these really just for me, a few of the items aren't in the kits but can be bought on the site. I took pics of these, which is something I never do. I was too lazy to break the scanner out. I will scan them later. If you click the pic, they will get bigger for you so you can read the journaling. TFL :-)

Some Pics from Italy and Monacco

I know these are hecka late, but hey better late than never. These are a few of the pics we took in Florence, Ovieto and Pisa. I still have Rome, the Isle of Capri and Pompeii to post. I do believe that we saw some of the most beautiful churches in Italy. I am not Catholic, so they did tend to blend after a while, but the architecture was breathtaking. The leaning tower of Pisa was amazing. They knew it was leaning after the third level, but decided to keep going anyway :-) Men!!! We missed the changing of the guard in Monacco, so I have shots of the scenery, which was gorgeous and tranquil. I also think that Italy is more picturesque than France. We visited a winery here (not like I imagined, it was really a wine shop that offered tastings), one of the oldest churches in the world, saw the David and other pieces of sculpture. Rob and I had a very personal tour of Florence as we walked the entire town looking for the home of Michaelangelo. We never found it, but we did walk the non tourist route and got to see how the regular people live and work. It was kinda cool. We did get a little nervous as we saw less English and heard more Italian :-) Florence also had the best Italian food we tasted on the entire trip. The amount of street vendors in Italy is amazing. I have never seen so many knock offs in my life. The funny thing is that the kids thought the items were real. Umm, lets think a purse that's normally $350 for $45, yeah not real :-) We also visited Assisi were they were setting up so that the pope could give mass there. It was way cool when we actually saw the mass on tv and could say that we had walke dthose same steps and touched those same statues. They had some amazing tapestries in that church and the whole town is on like an upward hill with cobble streets. My legs ached as we made the journey, but I must admit it was gorgeous from the top as we looked down.

My weekend in pictures:

We Did It !!!!

Went back, checked it out, realized we loved it, and decided to buy it :-) That's that. Now we begin the process of finding a realtor and selling our own home. We signed a contract with a contingency, so we won't be stuck with a double mortgage, you have to remain fiscally responsible. So excited at how right this feels, at the fact it won't be a financial burden, and at the fact that it has all we wanted. Feels like a blessing to me. The final confirmation will be if we can sell our home quickly. Anyone in the market for a four bedroom neo traditional single family home in the STL ????

Lifestyle Changes and Possibly a New Home

Rob and I have decided to make some lifestyle changes that will result in a healthier lifestyle. Not losing weight focused, but being healthier and feeling better about our bodies focused. So we decided to give up fried food except once a week and red meat except once a week. We have also decided to walk after dinner each night as well. I bought some small arm weights and I do arm excersises as we walk the subdivision, which takes nearly an hour. Feel good so far. I would be lying if I said I didn't expect the scale to go down, but we just felt like we weren't respecting our bodies and getting in enough physical activity. Not the case now. We have even increased our water consumption to the full 8 glasses a day. I will admit I am tired of waking up to use the restroom at night, but I fight on for the greater good.

Some other exciting news on the home front: we may be buying a new house. Sometimes you feel like God is blessing you and you want to be cautious, but you don't want to pass your blessing up as well. Rob and I had planned to move in another two years or so into a bigger house. Our house now is big I guess, but we wanted a bit more open space in each area and larger bedrooms. We have filled the house we live in now and we don't have kids yet. So we came across a newly built, never occupied home that the builders are trying to sell. The housing market has slowed a bit and the price of this home is rather high. Well they offerred the house at $55,000 less than the original price and offerred us 6 months no mortgage payments if we go through their financer. The house has everything we wanted, larger spaces, gourmet kitchen (double ovens, cook top) hardwood floors, larger bedrooms, a master suite with a sitting room, brick front, and an open floor plan. It is only 5 minutes from our current home and the neighboorhood is almost built. Our only true dislike is the yard. It has a hill of some sort, but we figure we can have it leveled a bit later on. We are going back to look at it today and maybe to write a contingency that we will buy if we sell our home. This is kinda exciting. Not looking forward to packing, cleaning, staging our home, or trying to sell, but this seems like a fabulous blessing. No way we could afford this house at regular price, it is almost $100,000 more than our current home. Defintiely feels like a blessing. So pray for us. We know if it is meant than God will allow a smooth passage for us as he had done when we built our first home almost 3 years ago.

My first Mini-Album :-)

Here are the pics of the mini album I have been working on. My first mini album to be exact. I really love it and I LOVE the Prima papers in the book. This mini album project is available at Color Your Memories . All the supplies needed to complete the album are included (plus the album) and all of the papers are pre-cut for you, so you spend your time mixing and matching, adding your pics, and writing down your memories. A great low stress way to preserve your memories in a smaller format :-) And it is only $15 which is a bargain b/c it has over $22 worth of products.