Friend Night.

You know it's a good time when your snapchat stories are flooded with goofy photos with your best friends. And you know, you'll get good scrapbook pages when you save all those photos to your phone. So this is what happens when those photos are printed. 

I saw an idea ( as usual ) from Instagram. Of course, I forget who it was I scraplifted but I promise that this was not whole heartedly my design. I saw how the girl used her sayings paper from one of Amy Tangerine's collections. Cutting them out and using them scattered however she saw fit on a white paper so it kind of blended in which I loved. So I took this idea and ran with it because I have been hoarding this paper for a while as I had no idea what to do with it but I couldn't not have it! 

I arranged sayings that I cut out that I felt fitting down the middle of the page leaving space for the photos which I layered with the cut aparts from this line. I also stuck stickers from the line as well as embellishments between the layers on both sides. My journaling I did along the side of the paper, don't ask me why but it just worked out that way. 

I made two pages with photos from this night; including this gem of me with the beer pitcher.  I used the sketch from the Paper Issues  challenge as inspiration for this page as well as my title was based off the idea I did earlier with a different page. I had so much fun with it and it uses so many of my alphas.  I also got to use up a lot of scraps and product from Fancy Pants Family line including also some beer related embellishments from Paper House Productions.  I thought it ended up being a fun, sassy page - the title adds a little spunk to my already goofy picture. Title is lyrics from Drinking Problem by Midland. 

Hope you enjoyed my pages and are inspired to use up your stash!! Join me at Paper Issues for their monthly challenges!!

xo. Renee

New Kittens!

After the loss of our sweet Sienna and Pumpkin this summer, our house was far to quiet for our own good. I wasn't sure that my dad would even listen really to my suggestion to look at animals at our local Humane Society open house. But Dad asked for the time and in a car we were. I was a bit surprised at his reaction but I think he was lonesome for animal interaction as we all were. (Just not as willing to admit it.) 

Dad kind of wanted a black kitten, he always seemed to have good luck with them. So he was drawn to this particular little black kitten. He held him and the kitten turned my dad in to a pile of goo with all of his kitty purrs. Of course, we had to check out all the other adorable felines but Dad just never put the black kitten down. Even when he was playing with the others. 

So I guess our decision was made, this little black kitten was going to be ours. Although as we were filling out paper work, the lady said "You know he has a brother, and we would like them to be adopted together."  Without a moment of hesitation, Dad asked which kitten was his brother. This little gray tiger striped kitten was shown to us. We were only intending for one kitten but Dad said - "Well, I'd hate to split them up." and boom, we came home with two. 

So it begins our journey with two kittens. Mom and Dad happened to be on the phone with the grandchildren when we were discussing names for these little guys. Shouting options from the other side, a lot were declined- Dad has had a lot of black cats so common names were already taken. Finally she said Stormy and Smokey. Well perfect! We now have names for our crazy babies. Smokey is our gray striped little guy and Stormy is our black kitten. 

I think all of our phones are filled with millions of photos and they're finding anything to get their paws on. We simply can't get enough of them and so far it's been quite the experience, it's been so long since we've had a beeb of any kind in the house. 

Both pages were made with photos of them cuddling, of course- I have a thousand. I loved also getting to use up some of my stash with the baby boy line by Crate Paper as well as other scraps/supplies that match up with the line.  And I saw an idea on the Paper Issues Facebook group which inspired me to use up some cactus supplies I've been hoarding for the second page. Both turned out perfect!! I repeat it every page  but I'm so excited to see my stash dwindling. I've needed this for so long- although I'm still drooling over the newer stuff - Cassie has been missing charging my card. 

Hope you enjoy my crazy kittens, I promise - no I'm certain- you'll be seeing a ton more of them along the way!!

xo. Renee

Softball.

I love creeping on my Instagram to find different ideas on how to do pages. I found an idea done by Irit in the Hip Kit Club using circles and layering them similar to I have on this page. I thought this idea would be perfect for the circles in the Pink Paislee/Paige Evan's lines. I believe a few of her lines have these circle pattern on the paper with a pattern on one side, a saying on the other. I apologize, I have had a few of them cut up so I'm not for certain. 

Either way, I had a punch that fit the circles to a T so I took the punch to the paper and cut all of the remaining ones out to begin the process on this page! 

I took the circles and cut 1/3 of the bottoms off so I could layer them on the bottom as well as the top. I also put one strip of her paper boarders I cut out on the bottom to cover up some of my messiness on the circles.  What's great about Paige's collections is that they go well together so I have a mesh of various pieces together. I layered behind the photo as I always do, placed an area for some journaling as well layered and embellished around that.  I love all the various pieces in her collection Oh My Heart, just kind of goes well with my personality I think. As well as the bright colors, how fun is it?? 

I wanted to scrapbook this picture of me from playing softball with my church league this summer! I had so much fun playing softball again, literally- its been ages and you can tell in my fine batting skills. I stuck to playing in the outfield for the most part so I didn't have to work too hard on fast balls coming at me and thinking where to throw it again. I was too afraid I'd mess it up for the team and even though I know they didn't care; I would have felt horrible! I'm just glad they accepted me to play with them - just a fun activity I haven't gotten to do in a while and didn't realize how much I missed that type of thing.  This is the type of memory I love capturing and scrapbooking most, something I'll want to remember for sure in years to come!

xo. Renee

Bon Fire.

What I love about summer nights are the bon fires at my friend's house. The smell, the smores, the drinks and the conversation- which is endless. This night I think I didn't even get home til 4 in the morning. Gave my parents a bit of a fright, but we just had great things to say even when we've known each other for years! 

I thought this photo would be perfect for my Simple Stories Cabin Fever stash. Fell in love with it, but again- I didn't do much adventures this summer as I was hoping so thankfully this occasion worked well for this line!

With one of the papers, I drew out the letters for the word BON FIRE then cut them out. I decided instead of using the O- that's where I would place the photo which I cut in to a circle. I built a cluster beside the photo with different embellishments I cut out from the cut aparts as well as stickers. I did the same in the word fire with a cut apart to use for journaling then used embellishments beside it.  I loved how the page turned out and it helped use up stash I wasn't sure how I'd be able to use.

Am I weird that I'm getting some pleasure out of using up all my stash? I've been banging out pages I never would have thought before even though I've had these papers for a while. Crazy how that happens if you just limit yourself and expand your creativity. I also have been trying to make a way for them to work for the Paper Issues' monthly challenges on their Facebook page. I can't even begin to express how excited I am for their fall crop coming up- more challenges to bang out this stash! You'll have to stay tuned to see how that works!! 

xo. Renee

Happy Birthday Eli!!

I tackled another task of using up some more of my stash. I couldn't wait to scrap these pictures of my friend's sweet son, Eli on his first birthday! How adorable is he honestly?? Can't get enough.

I had some birthday supplies that I don't believe I had the whole collection of - so I kind felt the need to go through my stash to find colors that matched the pieces I did have. This all kind of fell together just right! 

I drew out a sunray type pattern on to a piece of random cardstock- cut it out than traced each piece on to the different colored scraps I had in order. Pieced them together on the background I wanted to use. Same process went for the smaller rays in front of them- although my cutting job wasn't as neat that time around. I layered behind the photos with embellishment pieces from the collection I did want to use. As well as cluster with embellishments at the top kitty corner bottom. I always love a little cluster on the bottom as well- I think I just love embellishments all over. Truth? 

I splattered some paint around the pages by the clusters as well as added enamel dots and chunky glitter. I just love these photos- he's such an adorable baby. I love him and his family so much! I'm so happy that I got to spend his first birthday with him- what a journey it's been for you little boy and you're just beginning!  Can't wait to see where life guides you! 

xo. Renee

Almighty God.

I think I've shared with you before how I've been sort of playing with the Bible Journaling concept. I know I'm not an avid participant but I do find it therapeutic to do after church. Just kind of gets my thoughts of the service or what I enjoyed down on some form of paper. 

I fell in love with a song we sang at service a few weeks ago- Only King Forever by Elevation Worship. It just spoke to me and I loved it so when I got home, I searched around online for a verse that I felt was relevant to how I interpreted the song.  I chose the verse Matthew 28 19-20 which says

 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I usually outline or highlight the said verse, than decorate as I see fit. Digged around in all my Illustrated Faith supplies that I keep together in a bag for ones I thought would fit the verse.  Using acrylic paints with colors that match to create the smears I've seen on various other people's pages - a technique I have fallen love with. Stamped a few other accents - although I'm horrible at the stamping technique.  This is another way I have been using my alpha stash- finding ones that match my color scheme and outlining what I wanted to illustrate- such as the lyrics to the song. 

I love how it turned out- definitely one of my favorites so far! I am just so excited that I've found this church as well as this method of exploring your bible. It's brought me back to my faith which had always been in my heart solid more stable. Makes my heart happy. 

xo. Renee 

Light It Up.

I'm back with another scrapbook page! I'm kind of on a roll with making them, not so much on blogging them. I apologize- I'm working to try harder this month!! 

Earlier this year when all the summer lines came out, I jumped on the boat and bought them all. Shocking- I know. But I realize I hardly took any pictures this summer; or do anything that exciting to be honest. So I'm using my summer lines with random photos - praying it doesn't look too horrible! 

I saw - I believe- Cat Martin do a page on Paper Issues Facebook Page that used all different alphas as her title and I swooned. What a great way to use up some alphas, because you know - I have a huge thicker hoard- on top of everything else in my stash. I used this photo that I took with of course, a snapchat filter. It's the only way I live anymore, I think I'm 10 x prettier and anything boosting my confidence is a win in my book. The colors in my clothes I thought went perfect with Pink Paislee's Summer Lights collection. All the pretty oranges,pinks, and purple! Even though it had nothing to do with beaches or summer, I did my regular clusters of embellishments around the photo as well as the top right corner. Layered behind with different pieces in my stash and added banner from a past Dear Lizzy collection. 

I love how it turned out with all the colors, it feels so summery and perfect!! I also like incorporating songs in to my pages that I can't get out of my head- hopefully in the future I'll look back and remember how much I loved the song! Again, like I've been doing all summer- I also used up some of my stash and makes me so excited to watch it windle down. I'm hoping Cassie doesn't hate me too much but I promise, when I get my stash down to a normal size - Paper Issues will be the first place I go to restock up!!