Happy.

I saw an idea by Missy Whidden (by the way - I love her style )  and I knew I had to do something similar.  So I found a cut file that I have had for a while but never used. This sketchy heart, I dont even remember where I bought it from but I love it. 

I decided to use another "kit" I made from my scraps for this page; they are mostly from the Crate Paper Wonder line with some bits and pieces from others. I  love adding thread behind different areas to add texture; gives it that messy feel without being too crazy. Finally, embellished the page with various Wonder collection pieces to make it complete.  

I love this picture of Blaize. And yes, I know I say it every time I do a page with his picture but seriously, I can't get over how damn cute he is!  This was one of the first pictures we had of him, he was so wittle!!! John made a tie out of a piece of scrapbook paper I had laying around for the little man. Don't ask me why but he just looks so adorable, I could squeeze his little face.  

I am excited to be using up so much of my stash, and especially with so many new things coming out from the Winter CHA releases. I have to make room for all the stuff I'll be buying!  Shhh.. 

xo. Renee

Scrap Our Stash Sketch Jan.

Here I am again with the second challenge of the month for Scrap Our Stash!  Scrap Our Stash is a site/group that inspires you to use your stash and supplies. They do 2 challenges a month - one is a stash challenge (1st of the month) and one is a sketch challenge with a stash prompt (15th of the month).  The Design Team examples are shown everyday to inspire you to put together a great page! To learn more you'll have to check out their site at http://scrapourstash.blogspot.com/

The second challenge of the month is to use/or be inspired by this sketch. Then pick one out of each column for your stash prompt. 

This sketch was perfect for these 3 sleep poses of my sweet Blaize.  He loved sleeping on the radiator in living room as long as his favorite blanket was on top of it. ( Mind you, the radiator isn't on.)  I wish I knew what was going on in his crazy little head but he made the most adorable poses while he slept that day.  He was such a tiny little kitten.  

Also the stash prompts were great for using up my endless amount of ...supplies I have hoarded! From the first column, I used American Crafts - the papers are from Amy Tangerine and Crate Paper. I chose blue from the second column- it went perfect with the blanket in the photos.  In the third column, I selected chipboard- the embellishments are from Crate Paper's Wonder line. Its just great to see what goes together when you wouldn't have thought of it before the prompts. 

We would love for you to join us at Scrap Our Stash and take part in the challenge!!  You have until January 29th at 11:59 PST to link up your page!! I can't wait to see what you all do!!   If you complete each challenge, you get two chances to win the monthly prize. The prize winners are selected by Random.org and the TOP 3 are selected by the Design Team.  One of the TOP 3 will be offered a Guest Designer Position! :) 

*Remember to read the Challenge Guidelines- if your entry linked doesn't follow the challenge requirements, it will be disqualified.*

Xo. Renee

He fits. He sits.

Have you ever made a layout and  hated it but never got rid of it? Okay. Maybe I'm the only one. But for some reason, I cant stand this layout I made about my sweet Blaize sitting in a bowl.

I reprinted the picture - here several months later- vowing to make a better attempt because I really hated the layout but loved the picture. (As we were carving pumpkins, Blaize crawled in to the bowl we were gonna use for seeds. I never seen a cat do that so -of course, I was highly amused and took thousands of pictures.)

Also the other day, I decided to go through my container of "scrap" paper I keep from previous layouts. I saw an idea months ago on how to make kits on what's left of your own supplies. So with my container of scraps- I threw together things I thought would coordinate in another project. I put those papers in a 2-gallon ziploc bag and pull them out when I have an idea in mind. 

So with those stories combined and inspiration sketch from Paper Issues- this layout came alive. A better layout for "He fits, he sits".

Never hesitate to try to document a picture another way if you're not happy. These are your memories!! Enjoy. 

Xo. Renee

Scrap Our Stash Stash Jan.

As I announced back in December, I'm now a part of the Scrap Our Stash Design Team!!

Scrap Our Stash is a site/group that inspires you to use your stash and supplies. They do 2 challenges a month - one is a stash challenge (1st of the month) and one is a sketch challenge with a stash prompt (15th of the month).  The Design Team examples are shown everyday to inspire you to put together a great page!  To learn more you'll have to check out their site at http://scrapourstash.blogspot.com/

For the stash challenge this month - we want you to create a layout inspired by the cover of this book. You could use anything on it to inspire you whether it's the snow, the colors, the cat or even the title. Also you must include white paint or paint splatters on your layout.

I used the "cat in the hat" as my inspiration. Yes, I'm that cat mom who has to humiliate their cat in embarrassing outfits. I placed a pair of rudolph ears on the boy and told him to meow "Merry Christmas".  He's clearly not pleased with the situation but who said holidays don't come with moments of grin and bear it?  I also included splattered white mist but of course, it doesn't show in the picture except for where I accidentally got it on the picture. So I added more to the picture to make the "snowing" effect.  Life hands you accidental splatters, you make snowstorms. 

(I used Pinkfresh Studios' Christmas Line also embellishments from MAMBI.)

We would love for you to join us at Scrap Our Stash and take part in the challenge!!  You have until January 29th at 11:59 PST to link up your page!! I can't wait to see what you all do!!  Also, I'll be back on the 24th of this month with the sketch challenge! 

xo. Renee

Fitness in January.

It's a brand new year, so I figured I needed to really hit my fitness hard.  The greatest thing- I know I've written about it before- but is my new MAMBI Happy Fitness Planner.  It combines my worlds in one place- scrapbooking and fitness.

I've been kind of scratchy with the first two months I had it- okay, it's hard to hit fitness when there's the yummiest holidays in the world... in your first two months. So- the two months- went out the window. I'll be that crazy lady who starts in January with the rest of the world. But I promise- I won't be stopping in a few weeks. 

Here's my first week of January- don't judge- my eating habits are starting to change but I have moments where I go a little off the track. I always acknowledge what I did wrong- by adding frowny faces or BAD! by it. A reminder- don't do that sh!t again lady! I add inspirational stickers to keep myself motivated through the week. Goals on the side and miles total also. 

I don't log in my water consumption - it's all I drink- I'm clearly aware I drink enough of it. I though instead write down what I drink that isn't water so I know what other liquid calories I'm in taking.  

Also, I'm not sure if any of you follow MAMBI- but last time I wrote about my fitness planner I said that they should come out with just stickers for fitness. Who doesn't want more stickers!? Well in their winter CHA release- they came out with a fitness sticker pack and expansion kit for the planners! Guess what I'm buying? Can't wait.

I'm excited to see what 2016 brings me in my fitness. I've already signed up for a few races and have a few more I plan to do. I would love to get back to my desired body also. So hopefully it'll all come together this year. 

xo. Renee

Favorites of the Year.

 The year has been so full of very high moments and very low moments... definitely a bunch of things in between.    

And with that, I present to you my favorite layouts of 2015.

Thank you to Paper Issues for hosting this great blog hop! Hope you enjoy my layouts! Can't wait to tell you more about some of them in later entries.

Have a wonderful New Years' Day! May 2016 fill you with endless possibilities and amazing memories to capture! 

xo. Renee