Happy Birthday.

Again, I'm getting inspired by all sorts of challenges online. I'm just surprised it took me this long to find all these scrapbook challenge blogs or weekly challenges on other blogs. They are so helpful when you're in a bind to figure out how to use a particular picture or you're sick of looking at the same layout you do for every page. Although, this particular sketch is kind of similar to what I already do- hence you've probably seen me do pages that look a lot like the said one below but- shhh, it's like Shimelle said- "The loveliness of sketches: use them once, use them twice, use them a dozen times and still come up with something that looks new "

So since I already mentioned Shimelle- that's where I found this sketch and challenge!  I took it... and turned it.... and kinda flipped it. So I hope it still looks somewhat like the sketch.

I want to use up what was left of my Maggie Holmes Confetti line but I didn't know how exactly I wanted to go about it and how many pictures do one have from birthdays? Okay, maybe it's just me that doesn't.  I kind of had a light bulb moment to go to the past instead of recently. Don't judge me, I sometimes forget that I took pictures in the past! I tend to focus so much on pictures within like a recent time period that completely overlook anything before 2 years ago. 

So I found this picture from my 19th birthday... I just love pictures from this night because it was the last time that all of my girls were together at once.  I know that some of them weren't necessarily great friends with others but I loved having them all there with me. It was the first time also we were all kind of out on our own, allowed to kind of rebel it up. Oh the days to be young again!  It also makes me reflect on the friendships I've had with each of these ladies- they are all so important to me and big parts of different times in my life. Isn't this what scrapbooking about? Capturing memories- well , this page certainly does it for me! 

Hope you enjoyed the page!! I loved putting it together!!

xo. Renee

This Story.

As always I'm strolling the internet for great inspiration to put together a page. One of the great places I like to go is Stuck?! Sketches. Their sketches are always catchy and seems to be something I need at the time. I'm not sure how they do it, but they do it well.  This month's second sketch was this one I have shown below.   

What I loved about this sketch - is that it included three photos. Perfect- I have these three photos that I need to scrap soon! 

I put together this page from the pictures at the Brew and Stew 5k I completed last weekend. I wanted to include green being it was based on St. Patrick's Day.  Also I have a hodge podge of embellishments- I really have no idea where any of them are from but what I do know is that my great scrappy friend Jennie sent them to me in a happy mail! They worked perfectly with the colors of these scrappy papers I had that were green. 

I have one of the best cheerleaders in the world : my dad. I know it's random that I mention that- but it's because of my dad who literally follows me in every race I enter that I get these pictures. I don't know how he does it- ( yes, by car somewhat and sometimes running himself ) but he always manages to be at that right spot at the right time. It makes running a race easier when it gives me a challenge to find his bright safety jacket along the side of the course.  He may drive me nuts because let's face it- we are far too similar- but he knows just what to say, knows just what to do when I need him to- especially when I'm running.   

Also side note: I talk more about this race in yesterday's post.

Hope you enjoyed this page :) Thanks Stuck?! Sketches for the inspiration again!!

xo. Renee

Running.

This may just be an all over the board long post as well as kind of raw for me.  You've been warned. ;)

I call this blog Miles and Memories, yet- I've kind of left my fitness part slide off the blog radar. Today I'm pulling it together. This past weekend I participated in my first 5k of 2016, actually my first race in literally 2 years. This is when it kind it goes off the ... route. I have no one to blame but myself when it comes to letting my fitness out the door. 

In those two years- I joined gyms- yes, that's plural. Even then, I couldn't get in to it. I think between my two jobs and my boyfriend's job- I wanted to spend whatever minute I could with him. I know that may sound cheesy, or dare I say- dependent (if the negative way is how you'd look at it.). Yes, I shouldn't have let go of things that made me happy before him- and I didn't let go of everything. I just loved all of our random adventures, our crazy family moments together- I didn't want to spend time I could be with him - doing something weird like running.  I did run a few times- definitely probably could count on my fingers and toes. He supported me and the running.  We even went a few times out together where he rode his bike, and I ran.   He had big goals of riding his bike in races also- I'm not sure what got in to each other. We were -in my mind- each other's biggest cheerleaders; there isn't a reason why we couldn't have just done it.  There's a whole lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda- but now, obviously we can't go backwards.  

So once we seperated, one of the first things I did when I got to my parents home was dug in my closet for a pair of my old running shoes.  There was something about the weather, maybe even just being in a familiar place of running, but it felt like something I needed to do.  I clipped my leading lady on her leash and we ran. We both were hurting, both needing something. Maybe the run would be the answer.  

I continued to run through the fall, not as often as I should've.  I even signed up for a 5k, but something just didn't feel right about it and I dropped out.  But since January, I've taken it upon myself to make my fitness more a priority. Hopefully trying to find this part of myself again even been pretty consistent in running a few days a week.

After I saw an idea a friend of mine did, I decided to dedicate each of my runs to someone who've helped me heal. But after day 8, I kind of forgotten/ran out of people to dedicate my miles to although I kept running them.  With my running coming back to my old/new norm, I decided to sign up for races once again and see where it led me.

Which brings me, to where I meant to begin, with the race I ran last weekend.  

The Brew & Stew 5k. A local race in a small town near by which I've ran twice previously. I was kind of hesitant about this race as I haven't had stellar luck with it but I knew it would be a perfect start.  Of course, the weather prior to the race couldn't have been better- temperatures in the 60s and snow was melted.  Wake up that morning,  sleet/rain/snow/hail mix and temperatures to match.  I figured this is just my luck. 

But the skies cleared and well, I suppose I could suffer out the temperatures- I've done this before in the freezing cold- I can hold my own in the 40s.  Plus- bonus this year, instead of the normal t-shirts- they put together a clinch bag with a pair of gloves, beanie hat, a coozie and waterbottle.  The gloves worked perfectly- I would have wore the beanie also- which was very cute but didn't want to kill my St Patrick's Get-Up vibe.

I'm not even sure how to do a recap of a race but what I do know is that the race felt amazing through the whole thing- although I did get slower as my first mile was a tad faster than I normally run but by no means did it tire me out. I knew the whole time in my head- from the past- that I was going to speed walk up the huge hill that is in the middle. I knew if I tried to run it at the pace I was going, it would wear me out. I'd rather take it slow on the tough parts so I could save my energy for the end. 

And that's exactly what I did, I knew that I saw the end quickly approaching- saw the time at 33 and minutes plus some odd seconds, and I wanted to do anything to beat 35 so I picked up my pace so I could slide on through before the "buzzer".  I know that under 35 isn't the "best" but for not racing in two years, I'll definitely take it.  I think I'm still even on a running high from the race, I just am happy that it went so well- that I broke a curse for this race. Not a bad moment to be had! And to top it off, a glass of free green beer from the local pub at the finish. :)

This just makes me want to keep working hard, and I can't wait to complete my races in the future!!! 

Thank you so much for reading this, if you did - all of it. I just felt I needed to purge these running emotions for I can continue to write more about my fitness journey as it's a beginning to become part of my life again which is so exciting!

xo. Renee

Scrap Our Stash March Sketch.

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/

Here I am with the second challenge of March. The Sketch + 3!  From this selection - I chose gold, hot pink, and ink. ( Shocking right?? )

I really wanted to capture this selfie I had of myself from when I got my hair cut. I swear my hairstylist does it in a way I can never recreate so I  always try to get a few selfies before it falls apart on me. I tried to mix together some of the newest lines that I have been loving which wasn't too hard as they seem to mesh well together.  I hope you enjoy this page!! :) 

Please come join us at Scrap Our Stash and show us your take at the Challenges!!!

xo. Renee

Sweet Life.

If you've followed my blog long enough - you know my one of my favorite things in the world is Paper Issues.  It's an online store- based in Missouri which is like a hop skip and jump to Iowa. Kind of, but Cassie's shipping sure makes it feel that way!  Besides having an amazing store- they have an awesome facebook group as well- Paper Issues Friends and Family !!  This weekend they hosted a Spring Crop- I wish I would have posted this sooner so you could have joined the fun!! I barely had a chance to participate as well- so much going on this weekend!! ( More on that as well. )

But I had a chance to do a couple of the challenges- this one is for their challenge " But first, let me take a selfie." Which of course- had to feature a selfie- or be a page about yourself. Bingo- selfies- got plenty. Let me print one of those bad boys and make a page! I love the new collection by Amy Tangerine- Better Together. Of course, like anything else- I've mentioned it before. But you enjoy it- so let me tell you again- I love it. The retro embellishments of great things that go together so well- I just can't get enough of them alone. Just reminds me of happy high school - Saved By the Bell type of things.  Which I'm also a huge fan of :) Shocker. 

I took a picture of me ... selfie.. from the gym. My hair was crazy- thought it was funny- let me snap that quick and save it. Never know when those may be handy- such as now when  you want to scrap bad and you have hardly any pictures but of yourself.  It works.  I think any girl- well- anyone in this generation is a great selfie pro. I'm not sure even what is amusing about this- I will be honest. Half the time- I look like crap and who loves the double chin when you first flip the camera? Yeah not me. ( Great work out motivation though! ) Sometimes though- I do capture a great selfie... in the gym bathroom and I have to use it. 

I also used a ton of embellishments in this layout- fun and fabulous. Some pop dots to make other things ... pop. Snazzy product name there.. I see how it came about now ;) Splattered some ink. Just wanted it to be colorful and fun! I am trying hard not to use all this collection all at once but I can't get enough of it! What else I've noticed- I have tons of leftovers from Amy Tangerine's Finders Keepers which seems to mesh well also with this line. Perfect way to slowly use all the supplies. 

Hope you enjoy this layout- sorry it was so late but go take a look at the Paper Issue's Facebook group! Wonderful group of people who have Paper Issues, among other issues ;) Just like me!  Also the challenges will still be in the album- even if you can't upload them before the end of the day- you should take a shot at them! They are a great way to inspire you to start a page!! 

xo. Renee

Endless Summer.

Okay, so I did another re-do! I know- its like all I do now but I have so many new fun ideas for pictures I've done in the past. I just want to do it again!  I'm now reaching the end of one of my favorite collections by Crate Paper - Poolside.  I can not say enough about how much I love the bright colors- the fun embellishments- how can you not want to hoard it?!  Okay, I'm done- I rave about scrapbooking supplies endlessly and not enough about the page.

I knew I wanted to re-do this picture of me and my sweet pup Sienna from a pool swim we did a few years ago.  Our town on the last day it's open, let's the last hours be for the pups in town to take a swim.  Raises money for the Animal Rescue Shelter in our town.  Sienna just can't get enough of splashing around all over and doggy paddling in the deeper ends for everyone else's toys but her own.  

Also not going to lie- I love this picture of myself also as it was when I was back in my prime running body, haha. Can I have that back now? Thanks.   

Hope you enjoyed this page!! 

xo. Renee

Calligraphy.

I don't know about the rest of you but I have noticed a huge spark in brush calligraphy all over the social media.  It is so pretty and so many different styles. I think part of the craze are these fabulous markers by Tombow.( Dual Bush Pens- they have a brush tip as well as a fine tip.) They are fabulous- so fabulous- that they are sold out in most places as they are in such high demand. Right now they are re-stocking them and in higher production to fulfill the popular demand for these greatness.  I'm not sure how I even found them on Amazon - but when I did- I snatched them right up!  I have dabbled with calligraphy YEARS ago - but I'm excited to try this all over again!

I found some tutorials online and took a wack at it. Practice makes perfect right? Kept going to town- even though I'm still feeling not even close to the magical stuff I see on instagram.  I wish I would have bookmarked some of the tutorials too so I could share them with you.  

I finally got a little bit of a hang of it. Started doing some words and I thought this one was my better tries. Also what's amazing about these markers- as if they didn't anymore bragging- you can blend these markers to create any effect you desire. So I took my chances on an ombre effect on these words. They blend so well!!! Tombow has other tools to use with these markers- such as a blending marker, blending tablet. Helps with the coloring as well as many other things you can do with these markers!  I can't wait to try using them to create a water color look on upcoming mixed media pages.

I encourage you to take a chance like I did on new skills to add to your crafty world.  I can't wait to use calligraphy in future projects - I've always wanted to include song lyrics and this would be a great way to make them stand out beautifully. 

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!! 

xo. Renee

Scrap Our Stash March Stash.

I am finding that I love to re-do my pages that I'm upset about. I always before just accepted that the page sucks and kept it how it was.  One page that stuck out in my mind of one I wanted to redo- was a page I did of my family. I did it fast and got the paper wet. It just was a hot mess I thought... but I kept at it for the challenge I was participating in.

So in comes my trusty Scrap Our Stash to the rescue, seriously- the right time for the perfect challenge for this picture!  

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/

This month we were to find inspiration with this gorgeous book cover and use gold embellishments or/and alphas.  Okay- this was screaming Renee right? We all know I love me some pink and gold. This wouldn't be a hard task at all. BRING IT ON :)

I found these colors were in one of my new favorite collections- Better Together by Amy Tangerine. I had to use it with my family picture.  I used also various scraps I had that also had some of the colors in it... as well as some that weren't. 

Its been a while since we've had a picture together, even though we are missing my sister's husband. But I had to scrapbook this picture for that reason. They are my world, I adore them beyond words. They are my saving grace, my best friends and the loves of my life. We may bicker to no end as we are so similiar in the weirdest ways.. as most families are.. but we love so hard.  We are truly Better Together.  

I hope you all go to Scrap Our Stash and take a hit at the first challenge of this month! Also, come back later this month for my take on the second challenge for March!!

xo. Renee 

Sweet Brother.

The other night I found this picture ... while scrolling for pictures to use.. I have so much stuff I want to do but I swear- zero pictures. But I forgotten about this gem. There's so many pictures of Blaize but not many of sweet Ember.  Blaize is seriously a clown so his moments are captured far more. Ember keeps to herself most of the time, very independent and sassy.   Also capturing them together, is a rare moment also. At least it was at this time. I love that I caught Blaize giving his sweet sister a bath. ( I'm sure she hopped off within moments of this, it couldn't have lasted long. ) 

ANYWAYS, I thought that the Bloom line would be just perfect for this page - if I printed the picture in black and white. I used a sketch from Stuck?! Sketches as a jumping off point.  I love their sketches, just helpful inspiration when you're literally- STUCK and can't figure out how you want to make a page.  They have all their sketches on a pinterest page so you can either use the challenge they have up for the month or dig in their past for something that trips your trigger. 

I can't say how much I love the paper in the Bloom line. Especially the one where you can literally fray yourself by cutting on the lines- makes a great banner/boarder on the page! I wasn't sure how I was going to use some of this line but it works perfectly in this page. I added some watercolor and mixed media in the background- I'm still trying to get a hang of the watercolors so don't judge! :P

Another thing I really wanted to point out is sometimes it's hard to put journaling on papers that are kind of dark or awkward. I'm not sure where I saw this tip but I absolutely love it. I was recently sent from Tombow - their MONO Correction Tape.  I'm not going to lie when I say I had no idea how I was going to use this but here it is... I decided to use it as "lines" to write my journaling on.  I just created a 4 line journaling spot by dragging the correction tape tool down the lengths that I wanted. It really makes the pen pop off the page and easier for you to read!  

There's so many things you can do with supplies other than their purpose- just gotta be creative!!! 

I hope you enjoyed this page :) I just love my kitties and sharing their weird but loving moments with you!!

xo. Renee