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

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

Better Together.

There's so many things to tell you about today- I can have no idea where to begin!

First of all - I wanted to share with you this lovely Tombow product that I've actually had for a while - not sure why I haven't whipped it out until now. But trust me- now it's going to be a staple on my desk.  I already use Tombow Mono Aqua glue as my trusty side kick but for smaller spaces such as these delicate cut files- the Tombow Mono Glue Pen puts the perfect layer of glue on directly where you need it to go.  It worked perfectly as I backed the cut file with different pieces of scraps.

(Side note: If you're trying to look for the right adhesive for you- check out this great chart Tombow has made!! )

I came across this photo strip that was taken two summers ago when we were visiting the Mall of America with my best friend & her husband- and realized, I have never scrapped it.  They are literally some of my all time favorite pictures- captures all of us perfectly. We're all so goofy!  It took me a while to literally think of what line I wanted to use with the picture. Than it hit me like a pile of bricks, duh! - the Better Together Collection by Amy Tangerine couldn't be a more better fit!!! 

I love all the pieces of this collection so much- the retro ephemera with things that go BETTER TOGETHER like donuts and coffee, pizza and soda, etc. I backed the cut files with pieces of the cut apart paper- as well as actually pieces from another one of Amy's collection that I couldn't place with it's name. Watercolored some gray in the background as well as some splatters. Than threw clusters of embellishments and thread all over.  Bing Bam Boom... one of my favorite layouts was born :)

I love these three so much. Yes, things have changed but they are all my best friends and life wouldn't be the same without them.  Sometimes things are just better together. 

xo. Renee

Laugh + Cheer.

For a while, I've been subscribed to different challenge blogs for scrapbooking/crafting but I have never participated. I know what?! So I got a little crazy and decided to take some challenges head on. I combined two challenges that I saw - and thought would be perfect together.  

One was a moodboard challenge from Scrap the Girls Blog - which was seriously... just straight to my heart but maybe because I can't get enough of gold... and what girl doesn't sometimes just love anything black??  

Also, there was this awesome sketch that I used from Let's Get Sketchy. Perfect for the three selfies I took of myself on New Years Eve. Don't judge, I may or may not have had liquid craziness. 

So here's my take on the combination :)

                             

                         

I wanted to make a page to celebrate the New Years with the selfies I took while waiting for my drinks. I'm excited for everything 2016 has to offer me and I can't wait to make the best out of every moment I can.  I kicked it off with my best friends and a few drinks. It couldn't be any better!  

I wanted to also leave you with a great tip :: 

Maybe it's just me, but I have a tendency to go balls to the wall - start using my strong adhesive and stick things where I want them to go. But best part, or not so much- is when I figure out I definitely dont' like it; than I have to pry it off of page also taking most of the paper off with it. Causing a huge mess and wasting tons of paper/embellishments in the process.

 So with Tombow's Removable Adhesive - I used a nice size strip of it on the back of everything as I was placing it down. It sticks so nice that you can pick the paper up to see your project straight on without falling off. When I went to move things, the embellishments and pictures came right off without any damage.  So it's perfect for that adhesive you need before you decide to test out all the craziness before you make your final decision. Even better, it's able to stick pretty well to even us as your final adhesive- just make sure you have it in every area you want stuck down. 

Hope you enjoyed the tip and give it a go!! 

xo. Renee