2015 March + April

On continuation to the roll back post .. now I will bring you my PL pages for March and April.

For March, I used Amy Tangerine's Stitched line which I love love love. Which reminds me that I have some of it left, MUST FIND A WAY TO USE IT! Anyways, but this month we were still adjusting to a new kitten, John did a telethon for the company we work for, and we enjoyed a date night of bowling.. I'm pretty sure I lost.

 I got to go with one of my friends to help pick out her wedding dress, of course- she said yes to the dress. Just a few pictures of the two peas in a pod, John and Blaize. We also had a great time with friends and family.

 April was fun because no snow and we could have awesome adventures in the sunshine. My car also decided to be a pain most of the month, to the point the towing company knew me by name... not even kidding.

Spent a lot of days working both jobs and getting taken care of by a sweet kitty while we were sick with the flu :(  Of course, no month is complete without a Blaize outside picture. 

Hope you are enjoying my flash backs :)

I will return with May + June ... soon.

xo. Renee

2015 January + February.

The joys of living in a small town is that when I run out of pictures, I have to wait to get on to printing them again until I get to a town that prints photos. Usually I have a nice little stash, but I went on a bit of a scrappy spree lately and now I'm dwindling low on pictures. Which also means I'm low on cute projects to show you!  So I figured no better time than the present to show you past months 2015 project life pages.

If you reference to my post back in September, ( yes that long ago ) on my other project life month-   I've been using a 6x8 book and categorizing by moments in the month.

My title page was made with a 2x2 square 6x8 page that a friend of mine gave me. I think I saw an idea similar on pinterest and I had to use it with different touches of gold/pastel to start the year out fresh.

 Each month I used up a stash of a collection I had left over- a great way to use up my stuff plus capture memories. For January- I used Open Book by Maggie Holmes.

Just capturing the moments of getting a second job, our lazy New Years Eve, the joys of being a kitten momma- also spending time with great friends enjoying a great game of football. 

February I used Crate Paper's Kiss Kiss, which was perfect for all the obvious reasons. Full of Valentine fun and lovey dovey embellishments.  ( Also, with it being so holiday specific, it was a great way to use what was left after layouts were made ;) )

We got a new kitten Ember in February, as well as celebrated our year anniversary together. Had crazy adventures in the snow and saw our sweet friends' twins win gymnastic trophies. 

On a random side note : I thought for a while that maybe looking back at all of this would be hard for me to do.  Yes, I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little sad, but yet, I smiled. This is one example of why I love to scrapbook- Our relationship has been documented before my eyes and I can always look back at the memories... and remember. 

I'll be back to post March and April :) 

xo. Renee

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

I'm thankful for so much this year. 

Thankful for the understanding people in my life, for the strength I've found within myself. 

Thankful for the memories, for the love. 

Thankful for friends, for my family. 

Thankful for you. 

Xo. Renee 

Every summer has a story.

I am nearing the end of my Crate Paper Poolside collection, which makes me sad in a million ways. It's such a beautiful collection with the bright colors and I love all of the embellishments that remind me of everything summer.   

It just happened that I just had one more summer picture left. It was perfect for what was left in the collection.  It was from a bike ride / run that we went on together. There's a great trail just near where we lived that was perfect for long bike rides for him - it connected to various small towns in the area so he could bike on the same trail for miles. But it also had great points for a nice run for me- and at my snail pace- we could both be done at the same time. So it was a great way to spend time together but do our own seperate fitness.  

I took 3 - 2 inch wide strips of white paper  and punched holes in it. Than used various left over pieces I had from the collection ( also not from ) and fit them in behind.  Layered various embellishments around the picture. And included a cluster of embellishments on the bottom corner. 

I just couldn't get enough of this collection and I'm so glad I got to use so much of it. I had an amazing summer, took tons of pictures and created a million memories. It'll be marked as one of the best but hardest of my life. That's why when I saw the sticker- "Every summer has a story" - I had to include it because this one... definitely had a story. 

xo. Renee

Lovely Blaize Adventure

Ive mentioned before that my favorite group on facebook Paper Issues (Friends & Family) has multiple challenges throughout the month. Well for November- I decided to participate in the mood board challenge .  It had various things on it; but I was drawn to the stars, multiple shades of blue and sparkly-ness of the disco ball. 

In the midst of everything that happened earlier this fall, I had to leave behind two loves of my life. My sweet kittens Blaize and Ember. But I've never seen such a bond as the one that is shared between John and Blaize. They are two peas in a pod. I would never separate them but I miss them everyday. This way I can still remember them by capturing the moments I did have with them.  I have been holding on to this beautiful photo of my kitten Blaize for a few months hoping to find the perfect layout for it.  I felt the gold and turquoise was perfect for my little boy.

With this layout, I included close ups of the small details of the sparkles in the enamel dots, sequins and splattered paint. I wanted it to kind of look like pretty "pixie dust" of sorts. I also love using the string of lights sticker, I was holding on to that also- but it just seemed perfect for this page.  I used mostly Crate Paper lines with the page but there is a mix -I'm hoping to use up my stash. 

I miss my sweet boy but I know that he's in the best hands.  His momma will love him always.  I hope you enjoyed this page, it's definitely a favorite of mine now also. 

Paper Issues Fall Crop

If you've read my blog much at all, you'll know my devote love to the Paper Issues online scrapbook store. I have heard of the store from a few of my lovely friends and I quickly made a purchase after hearing the great service. Than I got to experience it for myself- she sends fast and efficiently (maybe it's glorious even more because she's a mere 6-8 hours away). She has multiple customer friendly options such as everyday discounts and hold & combine options.  I can't get enough.

Add 10+ of one shape

Use the color orange

Now the best thing about Paper Issues- yes, there's even more great things!- there's a Facebook group specifically for Paper Issues (Friends & Fans). Um, it's simply awesome! You get to chat with crafters from all over who also enjoy Paper Issues- more less who HAVE paper issues. Plus the owner and members of the design team! 

Make/Use Tags

Use a Paper Issue Cut File

Now they also have creative daily questions/topics, many challenges a month that's posted in an album and also challenges on their blog. Okay- so besides bragging non- stop about my favorite store , there was a purpose! This weekend they hosted a Fall Crop! So for 24 hours + , they had a challenge or games going on almost hourly.

Use a photo from PI Ispy Game

About Pets without Pet Paper Product

Yes, I was one of the freaks who set up my room with all the necessities and sat in front of my computer ready for the next issue to scrap. I completed all but 4! I know I should have wrote this while it was going on- but I was glued to paper all week. I just wanted to share my favorite projects and invite you to the group that I love so much! Cassie and the girls provide outstanding service :-)

No kids or pets

Add a Pop 

xo. Renee

Donating Blood.

I'm sure everyone has heard of trying to do so many things before turning a certain age or perhaps a bucket list. I haven't came up with a full 30 before I'm *ahem coughs* 30.  Yes, that makes me feel very bizarre - I won't even begin.. 

But there are definitely things I would love to get accomplished before I turn 30. One of the first things I thought of- every time when thinking of forming a list is donating blood. 

I'm not quite sure why I am drawn to the idea - whether it's because I've had blood transfusions as a baby or the endless traumas of the world going on. I just knew it would be a great thing to do for someone who may need it when it matters most. 

So one night, randomly, as I was leaving work I saw the blood bank truck parked across the street. What better time than the present I guess? I decided to just drive on over and sign myself up. I was able to walk in, take the questionnaire and donate fairly quickly. 

Being the scrapbooker I am and plus- you have time to kill- I had to take pictures- one handed. I wanted to document this exciting moment. Also, I felt juvenile but I asked for stickers. I swear- just for scrapbooking purposes!!  Okay- and who doesn't enjoy a good sticker with their cookie when they're done donating?? Mind you- I picked popcorn... Not cookies.   Anyways!

After getting the phone call to thank me for donating, they informed me that my blood type is a rare and needed type. I feel more compelled to do it again, especially now that the first time is out of my way.

I hope to complete more things off my list that I have yet to put together and I hope you all do too!! 

Xo. Renee