Product Spotlight @ Paper Issues!!

It's Wednesday which means there's a new Product Spotlight at Paper Issues!! 

This week's feature is on Bella Blvd new lines! All of them! They're all amazing and bright colors which you know drew me right in! I chosed to use Make Your Mark. So many bright colors, gold...  I also used bits of their essential puffy star stickers which I bought in every color. Seriously- I have issues! 

I saw a page a while back with the corner folded over to the center; I thought it looked so awesome! And it's a great way to show both sides of this paper ... because I love them both! I decided to use photos of Sienna and I - these were outtakes of our little photo shoot I took while playing they other day. She was laying all cute in the grass so I was going to lay on top of her. Well she said  "No Aunt Nee, I'm going to wiggle... right now- while you lay on me." My face captures my great emotion about that idea.  

I was excited also because in my clusters ( you know me and my clusters of embellishments ) I finally got to use some of my new flair  buttons from A Flair For Buttons! I tangled some thread to throw behind them ( a technique I robbed from Missy Whidden- she's like perfect right??) I love how this page turned out!! So bright and fun!! 

Now you need to grab all the things Bella Blvd because it's absolutely gorgeous and the bright colors are everything!! While you're buying at the Paper Issues store, don't forget to use the code Renee for 20% off!! It's a great perk to the already amazing things about Paper Issues!!  Can't wait to see what you make and submit in to the Paper Issues Challenge !! 

xo. Renee

Mixing Collections @ Paper Issues!

Because I'm the ditz I am, I had this post all pretty- written but I forgot to hit publish! Lord, help me. It's been one of those weeks... I'm crawling through everything.  So I hope you enjoy this even though it's been posted on the Paper Issues' blog already.

I decided I wanted to do a page using what was left of my Hey Mister Collection by My Mind's Eye. So as I'm strolling through the collection- I realized that the navy blue tone would look really good with the navy blue in the Cocoa Vanilla's Wild @ Heart. Why not mix them? 

My inspiration was the man lifting weights, I thought it would be so cute to use! I decided to use this picture of me from the gym- "working out..hard" clearly! Who doesn't enjoy a good gym mirror selfie?? Anyways!!  I love to cluster my embellishments so I took bits and pieces from both collections, trying to distribute them evenly throughout the page. The alphas are from Shimelle's Go Now Go Collection - the copper look to the letters worked with the foil bits in the Hey Mister. 

I love how that even though Hey Mister is a pretty masculine collection and Wild @ Heart is fairly feminine that together they worked so well!! I guess that means I should be mixing lines I wouldn't have more often!

Doing this page just reminded me that I need to get my ass back to the gym. I think between illness and work... the last thing I've wanted is to work out but I know at the end of the day, it does make me feel better. I feel physically as well as mentally better. Just got to get back on my horse, hopefully with the nice weather coming, it'll be much easier! At least that's what I tell myself, Ha.

Hope you enjoyed my page! I challenge you to try to use two lines together you never would have normally and see what comes of it! It'll probably be gorgeous! If not, you may need to go back to the Paper Issue's store and buy some more goodies!!  Remember to use the code RENEE to save yourself 20% on your purchase! A great excuse to buy more right?? 

xo. Renee

Product Spotlight @ Paper Issues!

This week's product spotlight was a pretty broad one, any of the new My Mind's Eye lines. All of them are gorgeous, but the only one I grabbed was the Hey Mister line. I have zero boy lines and this one fit the main man in my life so well! My dad loves stars and space plus the little guy who is lifting weights- looks kind of like him!  

Anyways, with that mind, I thought I'd use a photo of my dad with the kiddos. I took one of the Paper Issues Free Cut files backed it with various sheets of the collection. I wanted to make sure I put the constellations and the little guy lifting weight. The middle of the cut file has spaces for 2 3x4's but I just used my 4x6 photo in the space.  I scattered various stars and sequins around the edge- going with the space theme. Also used embellishments - such as the world's greatest dad- which I used alphas to add the word Grand over dad. 

I loved how the page turned out. It's a great photo of my dad and the kiddos. He's such a great dad and grandpa. I love him so much! Hope you enjoyed my page- and that you join in on the Paper Issues Facebook page! I'd love to see your take on this challenge!!

As always, shop at the Paper Issues store for all the latest scrapbook needs! Pick up some of the new My Mind's Eye lines, they are gorgeous- I may actually go back and pick up the Palm Beach line. So bright and summery!! Use my name Renee to save yourself 20% on your purchase!! 

xo. Renee

Everyday Planner @ Paper House Productions!!

I'm here today showing you how I utilize the new Paper House Productions Planner: Everyday Moments. I think like everyone is jumping on the new planner craze and I’m so excited about it! Maybe because I’m obsessed with everything planner related. I admit though- sometimes I’m horrible at actually USING it. So I’m giving a new try with this planner!

I decided to start with the month of April! What’s great about these planners are they have no start month, so you can literally decide where you want to begin. Each planner come with 3 sticker sheets that are already attached inside the beginning of your planner that coordinate with the planner. The first sheet comes with month labels you can use for the designated month.  So I peeled the month of April off which goes perfectly with the colors already on the monthly spread.

For special days, I wanted to include a picture of them instead of words just to add a different touch to the planner. So I printed off a picture of my niece who’s birthday is on the 9th and my cat ( yes, don’t judge me) on the 19th. The 2×2 size fits (I used PicStitch App) almost perfectly in to the spots.  The other sticker sheets included also have little stickers for birthdays, doctor appointments and other events so I included the little birthday cake on each of their pictures.

I kind of skipped the first week spread because it’s honestly- well not exciting. So I decorated the next one because it included Addison’s birthday!  Again, the pages are blank so you’re able to label however you want- which is great! I decided this week just to use my own penmanship/calligraphy skills to make giant numbers for the dates. Addison’s  birthday I included some fun stickers- also on the sticker sheets from the planner. I loved the aqua color so all the aqua stickers just spilled on to the date.

Each date I also just placed a line to separate the boxes so I could keep my work out written down. I always like looking back and seeing how I progressed with my work outs as well as keep tabs on how many miles I’ve ran.

You can find the planner here.

I hope you enjoyed my look at the planner! I’m excited to keep documenting during the month’s and showing you how I utilize this planner! I also can’t wait to see how you use your planner!!

xo. Renee

Scraplift Sunday @ Paper Issues!!

On Sundays at Paper Issues, we wear pink. Okay - we don't really but we do scrap lift layouts that the design team enjoyed over the past few weeks. This Sunday we are taking a shot at this gorgeous layout!! 

I love all the layers of fringe, how fun is that!! So wanted to capture that technique in my page as well!! 

my 

I used Dear Lizzy's new collection Lovely Day. I just love all the colors and sayings in this line. 

I cut a few of the papers in to 6 in strips, then again 3 inch squares where I fringed the bottom part. I layered them up with some tissue paper fringe I've bought at Michael's. I thought this photo of me that I had worked well with the red shirt. Also, I was wanting to use the sticker "Don't grow up, it's a trap" so badly. I formed clusters of embellishments on both sides of the photo also cutting out little triangles from one of the sheets of paper- using a diagonal effect with where I put those. Splattered some paint along with the triangles. 

I'm excited that I got to use more of my photo shoot pictures I had taken multiple years ago by a family friend. I didn't like my senior pictures much, break- ups before photos are never a good idea! I think its hard to scrapbook red some times, so when I remembered this line when I saw my shirt. I had to jump on it. It goes together so well I think! I can't wait to use more of this line, now if only I had more pictures! I really need to remember to bust out my camera more, or at least be on the right side of the camera.  

This weekend is also our Spring Crop at Paper Issues. There's 20+ challenges, games, prizes and tons of fun happening! I've been showing different pages I've done on my Instagram as well as Facebook page, I'll do a post on all the pages coming up soon! But please join in, you have until March 26 to turn in pages for the challenges. There's literally challenges for everyone so don't hesitate to give them a try!

There's also a sale at the store if you use the code UNICORN to save 30% during the crop weekend. But if you're too late, you can always use the code RENEE to save yourself 20%. Buy all the things before they disappear! Plus, with her great shipping- you may still get some of the supplies before the 26th to still get them done for the crop! 

xo. Renee

Product Spotlight @ Paper Issues!!

It's time for another Product Spotlight at Paper Issues. This week's choice is Cocoa Vanilla's Wild @ Heart. At first, I didn't buy the line ( didn't seem like something I could work with ) but after seeing the girls amazing pages with it. I had to have it- and it's so much more gorgeous in person. The colors are so vibrant! 

For this page, I used the sheet of paper that had a watercolor affect already done on it- it's so gorgeous and the hard work is already done! Win-win right?? With all the butterflies in this collection, I wanted to use the free butterfly cut file Stacie designed for this collection at Paper Issues. I backed it with pieces from the cut apart paper. The floral designs are just perfect. I as usual, layered behind my photo and formed clusters of embellishments at the corners. I can't get enough embellishments. I also put a cluster at the top and sprinkled sequins all over the place. Need a little sparkle. 

The collection has a set of wood veneer words that are perfect I think for titles- so I used Beautiful You.  I had to dig around for some photos because I'm doing so horrible with my camera lately. I found this sweet picture of Me and baby Addison. Gosh, did I mention she turns 10 in a month? I'm officially old. I just adore her to pieces. Such a sweet and loving young lady.  She's definitely Wild @ Heart- perfect collection for her. 

If you liked how I utilized this collection, you should grab some of it as well before it's gone!! I'm surprised it's still left in the store... So get it quick!! Remember to use my name Renee to save yourself 20% on your purchase!! 

Also don't forget this weekend is the Paper Issues Spring Crop on their Facebook Group. The weekend is jammed packed with over 20 challenges, tons of games with prizes to win and you get to spend all weekend chatting with yours truly as well as all the other girls in the Paper Issues Design Team.  I'll be posting my work through out the weekend for you to check out! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!! I hope you also win the amazing prizes!! 

xo. Renee

Lake Life with Paper House Productions!

I was up on Sunday at the Paper House Productions blog with a new page featuring their Discover USA line! I am horrible and had this scheduled for a different date - and clearly- very unaware that it hadn't post. So I'm hoping you still go over to Paper House and check out my page! 

Anyways! I can't get enough of the Discover USA paper line. It has so many different angles you can take the collection! Last time I made a Road Trip page with it, now I'm taking an outdoor twist!  I still also have plenty left to make a few more pages- which I plan to do! I love it so much! 

For this page, I -again- used stuff I had previously had that were Paper House Products along with the Discover USA collection.

Supply List

• Fishing 3D Stickers
• Lake Life 3D Stickers
• Lakeshore Snapshot Stickers
• Discover USA Puffy Stickers
• Southern Charm Tags
• Discover USA Cardstock Stickers
• Mountain Tags

I absolutely love spending time in the outdoors, especially out on the water. There's just something soothing about it. I thought the embellishments captured all the exciting things I love about time at the lake. They just look so realistic and perfect colors! I made a cluster around the photos on the top right and around the journaling on the bottom left. I couldn't pick which ones to use, I did kind of embellish spill all over the page but it turned out pretty well!! 

I hope I inspired you to pick up our Discover USA line as well as tons of different supplies that go so well with the collection. I love when you can mix and match stuff together, makes utilizing my supplies so much easier!! Also, I can't wait to show what I have up my sleeve for my next entry!! 

xo. Renee

Cut It Up @ Paper Issues!!

Cut it up March is now up a ready to go over at Paper Issues Facebook Group!! If you didn't know, Paper Issues besides carrying all the newest lines in scrapbooking also has FREE cut files! WHAAAT? I'm sure I told you already but I still can't get over it because they are so awesome- I'm not sure how they can be free!  Cassie is just that sweet!! Stacie came up with this great gem for the month of March! All the stars?? Gorgeous! 

It also comes with the bonus "Count your lucky stars" title!! 2 cuts- both free- equally amazing! 

I used for this page just the star background cut file. 

I used a hodge podge of ingredients for this page. I backed the stars with a rainbow kaleidoscope looking paper by We R Memory Keepers #Selfie line. ( It's an old page, I believe -it's no longer in the store ) I put the cut file on top of a white cardstock but cut it down so I could still give it a border which is from the Bella Blvd. line.  And because I've fallen head over heels with the new Amy Tangerine's On a Whim- I used it to layer the photo and embellish the page. I thought it went well with all the colors! 

I just thought this photo of me - taken a few..ha.. years ago just screamed fun and happiness. I've scrapped a few from this photo shoot but haven't done this one yet. It's actually my favorite so I'm surprised it look this long. This page just makes me smile, how fun and summery. 

Can't wait to see what you all come up with using this amazing cut file by Stacie! Don't forget to also grab some great goodies from Paper Issues, she 's adding so much new stuff all the time! Use the code Renee to save yourself 20%!! 

xo. Renee

Take 5 Tuesday @ Paper Issues!!

This month's Take 5 Tuesday is up!! Look at the list for this month- so many exciting things to choose from and of course- if you're anything like me, you have all of these things laying around dying to be used!  

With this list, I picked cardstock, stickers, 2 or more photos, pattern paper, and circles! I used my silhouette to cut out the scribble circles, I thought they'd look cute with this paper from Simple Stories #Whatever line.  I had to have this line immediately after I saw it- all the sayings and hashtags- very sassy like me. Also it works perfectly for these pictures of Savanna and I. 

I fussy cut the sayings out of the cut aparts, used up a lot of the stickers. It was a small collection so it's easy to use this collection up fairly quickly.  So after this page, I cried uncle and said it's done. I also typed up my journaling at suggestion of one of the amazing PI girls. I think it adds a dash of something different.  Can't believe it's been a few years since these pictures have been taken and I just now am scrapping them! Savanna is one of my oldest and dearest friends- although we don't spend much time together anymore with life being so hectic, it never seems that we're that far apart. I know  can count on her whenever needed and my life would be so different had I not met her. 

I hope you enjoyed this page, and I can't wait to see what you guys make! Take a shot at the Take 5 Tuesday Challenge and post it in the Paper Issues Facebook group for a chance for a gift certificate from Paper Issues. Who wouldn't want that??  Also - while shopping- don't forget to use my name Renee to save you 20%  on your purchase!!! 

xo. Renee

New Issue Monday @ Paper Issues!!

This month's New Issue Monday at the Paper Issues Facebook Group is Anything Goes! Well so that opened the door wide open, and to be quite frank- I didn't even know where to start.  

I knew I wanted to use the Crate Paper Oasis line because well, I hadn't yet and that was the line I was the most excited about receiving. Okay, did I say that about all of them?? I may have. But this one I really was excited for! 

Granted-I live in the middle of Iowa- we don't have much beach life. But sometimes we do- at the lake. Growing up I didn't really have anyone in my life that was big on the lake life in the summer so I lived kind of sheltered from this excitement. Thankfully my ex ( yes, lets move past from that part of the conversation. ) opened the door to showing me some of the great things about the outdoors I hadn't explored yet. Leading me to this page I made about a weekend trip to Clear Lake ( clever town name. ) with some friends of ours for the 4th of July.  

I had a few pictures I wanted to use, so it wouldn't be strictly me and my ex plus it would be great to show my friends as well. So did some digging on Pinterest and found a page layout that is similar to a Project Life 12x12 spread. I liked the idea of the 4x6's to use to build clusters on them. As well as having one in the middle to use as a title section.  There was so many embellishments that I just fell in love with so of course, I had to use them all. 

I just love the title section! I used acetate as well as vellum behind the title, than used the chipboard saying "Weekend Getaway" which works perfectly for the page!  I just can't get enough of this collection.  Can't wait to use it again, now someone just take me to a real beach?!?! 

As always, get your scrapbook goodies at Paper Issues- can't say enough positive things about them, not just because I'm on their team but I've purchased from her strictly for a couple years now - fastest service and always stocked with the newest collections.  Use my name Renee for 20% off your purchase! 

xo. Renee

Notable Quoteable @ Paper Issues!!

Notable Quotable March Challenge is up at Paper Issues and I just loved the quote so much!

I just really had no idea what direction I wanted to take it. I had a bunch of possible ideas in my head but I really just couldn't get them how I wanted. My sister just happen to post these two pictures on her Facebook - maybe it was just meant to be! 

With it be awkwardly bi-polar this month with weather (one minute we're thinking it's almost summer and the next- well, here comes 12 inches of snow); I decided to use the pictures from one of those summer days and craft on one of the snow days using the Crate Paper Oasis line which makes me feel like I'm right back on that summer day.

I took these photos my sister took from their family's trip to Plymouth. When I saw the quote, I thought about the kiddos and how I never want them to grow up.  There's so much going on in the world right now, they need to stay innocent and small.  I thought these photos would look great with this line. I also can't get enough of these teal and pink colors. I scraplifted myself from a previous page creating layers with the acetate and vellum paper- as well as papers from the line. For the title, I couldn't figure out any stickers that I thought worked well- they were all making me sad. But I thought of an idea I've used before- creating a base for the alphas using washi. I found this teal/pink ombre washi I had- hoping it would work with the pink alphas - that I've never used so it was nice to bust them out.  

I just can't wait to see where you guys take this quote in your scrapping. Join us on Paper Issues' Facebook group and get a chance to win a gift certificate to the Paper Issues' store!! 

While you're shopping, which you should do because she's been adding new lines all the time- use my name Renee in the discount code to save 20%.  Her service is top notch and won't disappoint!

xo. Renee

Sketchy Saturday @ Paper Issues!!

The new sketch for Sketchy Saturday at Paper Issues is up and I love it! It seems right down my alley with all the layers. 

Okay, so story is- I wanted to flip this page which I still did and I wanted to make all the layers with Paige Evans' newest line Oh my Heart. Which I'm absolutely in love with, all those bright colors and fun elements such as cell phones and socks!? Anyways, I tried to cut the layers and it just wasn't looking very pretty when putting it together. So I had to think and try to utilize the pieces I messed up while cutting out the first time. So out came a bunch of fussy cut flowers and hearts which I made cluster along the side of the paper.  I used two photos and the middle is a cut apart from their specialty paper of the collection - it includes rose gold letters. GORGEOUS.  I wanted to add some journaling so another cut apart was added to the bottom which I formed clusters of the puffy/chipboard stickers as well as what was left from my fussy cuts.  I loved the paper with all the scalloped edges so I cut one of them out to form a boarder on the other side of the paper.  So fun I think! 

I really wanted to document these photos from the other day when our store celebrated being open 25 years in our town. It's a midwest/ Iowa based grocery store and I've worked at several of them (dating a guy in the management program will do that to you.) - they get transferred around to get experience at different stores and being I worked with the same company- I got shipped along in the process. I've worked at a brand new store and I've worked at the oldest / home store. But I love the one in my hometown the most- it's where I started and yes, there's days where I think I've had it but yet, I can't get enough. It's also because of the great people I work with- including these two wonderful ladies whom I love- they've worked there since the first day it opened in our town. They've held our hands and led us to success in each way- personally and as a unit. Just makes me so happy. 

I hope you enjoyed my take on the sketch. It was a bit of a pain to complete but I'm glad I worked through my mess because it turned out not so bad! I can't wait to make other pages with this collection- especially with spring coming up- the colors would be perfect!! 

As always, go check out the Paper Issues' store, they have all the newest lines and keep adding more almost daily it seems. You won't be disappointed - their service is literally one of a kind.  Also use my name Renee to save you 20% on your purchase- that means you can buy more right?? :D 

xo. Renee