the documented life project- weekly challenge 4

Welcome to Week 4 of The Documented Life Project!

January 19 Challenge - Write a Secret Message. Paint over all but one key word.

This was a great challenge for me this week. I have had a lot of feelings running through my head that needed to be written down, but not necessarily rehashed every day. Somehow the process of painting over it all helped put it to rest.

Leaving just one encouraging word peeking through turned a discouraging thought encouraging. My key word for this challenge is STRENGTH. A perfect word to pair up with my One Little Word for the year, LOVE. These two words are a written reminder of where I need my focus to be in the coming months. If I remain strong in all things, and love what I do and who I am with, I will have a wonderful year.

I used a book paper collage I created on a trip with my Art to the 5th pals in Grand Cayman last September as the base of my tip in page for this week's challenge. I have been saving it for something special. Since the whole idea for THE DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT began to form on that trip, thanks to the ever talented Lorraine Bell, it seemed fitting to add it into my planner for the year.

I added my secret message to the backside of this tip-in collage, stitching on a stamped message telling you where to look on the front of the page.

The bold colors seemed to go hand in hand with my word STRENGTH. I added lots of deli paper shapes, adding pops of color through black washi tape and paint pens. A wheel shaped stamp is the latest addition to my favorite recycled tools in the studio, and is an empty thread spool!

I plan on doing some extra special stuff to the date side of the page this week. I had a pal tell me today that I needed to celebrate myself, (with a big birthday coming up) and so I think I will paint and doodle and ink and stitch away to my hearts content. Maybe I will make everyday a special day this week!

Looking forward to your interpretations of this week's challenge and can't wait to meet you back here next week!

 

You can find us:

• Facebook:
  

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Flickr:
  

  http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Instagram: #documentedlife 
  

*Our Blogs

• Roben-Marie Smith
• Lorraine Bell
• Rae Missigman
• Sandi Keene
• And our Life Photographer: Barbara Moore
  

Post your challenge response to your favorite social media and upload it to our Flickr group or Facebook group to share in the community of Life Documentors!

i wanted to carve a feather stamp

Sometimes we don't always get what we want, but we might get lucky and like what we end up with.

So I wanted to carve a feather stamp. Feathers are my favorite thing right now, but...but it turns out that if you don't use your stamp carving tools for months you lose your touch. What I ended up with looks more like a leaf or branch of some kind, but I like it. I like the imperfections in each feather/leaf - not unlike in nature. If you want to have your own little imperfect feather leaf here is what I did ----->

1. Grab an eraser. I like the cheap ones from The Dollar Tree if you are just starting out. They aren't the best quality, but they come in a 3 or 4 pack for a dollar and are great for beginners.  I also like how they stay rigid when you go to stamp with them. You will also need a stamp carving tool. I use this SPEEDBALL set and love it. And you will need a pencil to draw your word or design on the eraser.

2. Draw your design. Don't forget to use tracing paper if you are writing a word or special design that will need to be drawn in reverse.

3. Start carving. Slow is key for me. This particular tool came with several cutting heads in the base of the handle. I used the smallest one for outlining my design first, then went back and carved out more with a larger, deeper cutting tool.

4. Finish off with the flat blade to smooth things out. My homemade stamps don't always look pretty when I am finished, but they stamp great!

Obviously I need to brush up on my stamp carving skills some more, but I think I will keep it. I like it's quirky shape and style. Here is what it looks like on a tag card project I did. Enjoy!

TAG CARD: gelli printed tag. painted deli paper scraps. book paper scraps. oil pastels. paint pens. machine stitching. thank you stamp from dollar bin at Target. my hand carved feather leaf stamp. recycled seam binding.

15 minutes of mixed media

Usually I post a finished art journal layout for my weekly 15 MINUTES OF MIXED MEDIA, but this week I wanted to share something a little different. If you are setting the timer at home, this will help give you an edge when creating while the clock is ticking. The end result could be something like this --->

Many times when I sit down and set the clock, I start with a blank page. Other days I give myself a creative springboard in the form of a premade background. This can be as simple as a single color border or as complex as a gelli print covering the entire span of the page.

Starting with a background allows you to start building layers as soon as the clock starts ticking. Your 15 MINUTES OF MIXED MEDIA  will be more detailed when beginning this way. Here are a few backgrounds that are simple to create and will make a great starting point.

I like to have a handful of backgrounds completed in my art journal at all times. This way I can choose one that speaks to me when I sit down to create. Having premade backgrounds is also great for creating on the go! Here are some more 15 MINUTES OF MIXED MEDIA art journal pages--->

 

the documented life project- weekly challenge 3

Welcome to Week 3 of The Documented Life Project!

January 12 Challenge - Add an envelope from your mailbox.

I am a collector of mail. I can't part with all of the beautiful mail art that I have been blessed with in the past. This was a perfect challenge for me!

I layered up a few of the most colorful, artsy samples I could find and stitched them to the page, in layers, creating little pockets.

I like being able to see some of my dear friend's handwriting when I open up to this page. It reminds me of happy times. I had a very special postcard that a pal sent to me from overseas that I wanted to incorporate.

I used some washi tape to add it in, so it could fold out- I can read my pretty sentiment this way.

I love the details, the color and the special meaning that this challenge offered. I loved this challenge!

Pretty little details!

Looking forward to your interpretations of this week's challenge and can't wait to meet you back here next week!

 

You can find us:

• Facebook:
  

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Flickr:
  

  http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Instagram: #documentedlife 
  

*Our Blogs

• Roben-Marie Smith
• Lorraine Bell
• Rae Missigman
• Sandi Keene
• And our Life Photographer: Barbara Moore
  

Post your challenge response to your favorite social media and upload it to our Flickr group or Facebook group to share in the community of Life Documentors!

recycled tip in pages

Have you read about the crazy fun DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT ? Chances are, if you are joining in, you have a planner or journal from last year. This is a great way to upcycle part of that agenda or book and incorporate it into this years project. Here is the planner I used in 2013.

I love the painted covers and did not want to just throw this away. I decided to remove the covers and use them as tip in pages in my planner this year for the THE DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT. Just remove the front and back covers and trim to fit your new planne or journal.

I plan on adding these as a tip in page, meaning they will fold out. I use washi tape to attach them to an existing page in my planner.

Because these will fold out, I can use the opposite side for list making, journaling, doodling, painting and more. Yea!

See more ideas and read all the details on this FREE  year long project here and here! Enjoy!

15 minutes of mixed media

So this week my 15 MINUTES OF MIXED MEDIA challenge resembles a carnival ride. Not what I intended, but bright and colorful all the same.

I struggled this week. My base had no background, which always proves harder when the clock is ticking. I hurried and ended up with a bit muddier collection of colors than I wanted, so I overcompensated with bold stamps and bright colors in my second layer. Definitely a week I needed the embosser.

I did, however, remind myself to add some journaling this week. This is my weak spot. I like to keep the words inside, so writing them on a page of art is tough for me, and something I am working on.

I took a leap of faith on this page. I wanted to TURN the page on this one and I didn't. I let the clock tick and I kept working. I like the happy colors and bold shapes.

Here is my supply list for the week- things that were on the table when I started the timer. *yellow and pink dylusions spray inks *4 paint colors (the little acrylic craft paints) *black and white paint pens *permanent marker *scraps of deli paper *glue stick *scraper *embosser (to dry the layers) *paintbrush *stamp *stamp pad.

Sometimes we find in a challenge that even though it is not what we wanted or expected, we like it. Kind of like going to a carnival and getting on that scary ride. Sometimes it was worth the leap of faith.

Here are some more 15 minutes of mixed media art journal pages--->

 

the documented life project- weekly challenge 2

Welcome to Week 2 of The Documented Life Project!

January 5 Challenge - Say Cheese! This week's challenge is to incorporate a selfie into your planner.

This can be done as simply as snapping a photo with your phone, printing it out and adding it to your planner. Dont' want to add your sweet face to your planner? No worries! Consider using words to describe yourself and add those to your planner instead. Not into the selfie scene? Remember! This challenge is totally optional! Feel free to skip right over it and wait for next week's challenge! In addition, if you are participating in One Little Word and would like to share that in your selfie or on your page, then add that in as well.

I am in full "use what I have mode" this year- especially since I am in the middle of big move. I am purging big time and finding that while I don't really WANT to use up this old stuff, it always turns out ok in the end.

Having made up my mind to be faithful to this "green goal" I set for myself, I grabbed some old patterned paper and my sewing machine. I stitched some of that paper to a gelli print that used as a tip-in in my planner.

I listed some of the things I AM on some vintage ledger paper and tacked that to the bottom of my photo. A reminder to myself that I wear a lot of hats and that is a tough job in itself. I need to be kind to myself when I feel I am losing ground. I just layered up from there, adding a painted deli paper monogram and some painted greens from the woods behind my house. And I added my One Little Word for the year. LOVE. My word could have been a million things this year. I wanted to use LET GO. But I chose LOVE instead. I want to LOVE where I am have been. LOVE where I am going and most importantly, I want to LET GO WITH LOVE.

I can choose to be happy. I can choose to embrace the future. I can choose to LOVE what is in front of me. I welcome 2014 with LOVE. Looking forward to your interpretations of this week's challenge and can't wait to meet you back here next week! 

You can find us:

• Facebook:
  

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Flickr:
  

  http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Instagram: #documentedlife 
  

*Our Blogs

• Roben-Marie Smith
• Lorraine Bell
• Rae Missigman
• Sandi Keene
• And our Life Photographer: Barbara Moore
  

Post your challenge response to your favorite social media and upload it to our Flickr group or Facebook group to share in the community of Life Documentors!

papered paint cup

When my daughter wanted to have some friends over to paint, I ran to my local Dollar Tree and grabbed a few disposable plastic tubs to use for paint cups. That was supposed to be the end of it. Well, if you know me, you know I just couldn't leave those cups plain. Time was a factor, so I kept it really simple. Plus this way, no one's heart will be broken if you throw them away at the end of the day.

You only need a few supplies: *a disposable plastic cup or tupperware *deli paper *craft paint *paint pens *decorative tape *gel medium or adhesive OPTIONAL: *gelliplate *brayer

STEP 1. Choose your container and grab some deli paper. I chose to use the gelliplate to paint my deli paper, but you could paint your own design on it instead.

STEP 2. Once your paper is painted and completely dry, cut it in to strips. I measured the height of my cup then cut two strips just wide enough so they would overlap. I cut several more to fill in where my strips didn't meet and to use for shapes and monograms.

STEP 3. Adhere your strips to your container. Smooth out wrinkles as you go. Set aside to let dry completely.

STEP 4. Once your cup is covered and dry, begin adding your layers. I started by adding some washi tape to the top and bottom borders. Then I cut a monogram from painted deli paper and glued that to the center of the cup. Once dry I added borders and pops of color with black and white paint pens.

These are easy, affordable and completely disposable. The girls were thrilled that their paint cups were pretty. I was thrilled that they were happy! Enjoy!

The Documented Life Project- Weekly Challenge 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU FELLOW DOCUMENTERS!

You can read more about THE DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT on the ART TO THE 5TH BLOG!

WEEK ONE CHALLENGE - PHOTOGRAPH, SKETCH, PAINT OR INCORPORATE YOUR FRONT DOOR

The time has finally arrived and we can begin our challenges for the year. I am so excited to create, journal, and document alongside all of you! January starts with a bang! It starts with one door closing and a new one opening! For this first challenge we asked that you incorporate your FRONT DOOR into your weekly documentation, using any medium of your choice.

I am a loner by nature. I like to be able to look out, but am not always keen on people looking in. My door was a perfect representation of that part of me. From the road you couldn't see much through the glass- just a faint flicker of light now and then. But I could see it all. I loved that feeling of being a part of the world, but the world not being able to get at me too easily. I am fortunate in that my view has afforded me a peaceful view of the world, something that I will cherish always- will miss when I walk out of this door in the next few weeks...

My front door is a touchy subject right now. After ten years in our home, we are faced with the sad task of moving, something that has me grieving after so much time here. I wanted the the new year to surprise me, gift me with the chance to stay here, but it was not her gift to give. Instead, I find myself facing the reality of closing this door for the last time.

It is scary to start the new year with such a loud and final bang. I am afraid and sad, but I know that a home is not just a house. It is not a address or a number. A house is is just that-  a house- until you choose to make it a HOME.

I know, that with time, I will learn to love the view out of my new front door. I know that it will become a part of who I am and that I will create new memories worth saving in this new place. I get to take all the people who have my heart with me. That should be enough. I am learning as I go. Learning to let go, learning to let others in, and learning that a house really is not a home, because......a HOME IS WHERE YOUR HEART IS!

For my collage I used a photo of my front door, old ledger paper, painted deli paper, acrylic paint, dylusions inks, a permanent marker, paint pens, and humber stamps.I can't wait to see all of the beautiful interpretations of this week's challenge and I look forward to sharing with you each week!

You can find us:

• Facebook:
  

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Flickr:
  

  http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedocumentedlifeproject/

• Instagram: #documentedlife 
  

*Our Blogs

• Roben-Marie Smith
• Lorraine Bell
• Rae Missigman
• Sandi Keene
• And our Life Photographer: Barbara Moore
  

Post your challenge response to your favorite social media and upload it to our Flickr group or Facebook group to share in the community of Life Documentors!

a day in the studio and maybe a little art

Fifteen minutes of ART at a time might be all I get these days, but at least it is something. I look forward to that time and I look forward to being in the studio. Sometimes just being on that stool is all it takes to make a less than perfect day better.

To be honest, some days I get on that stool and nothing happens. I sit, I look around, I rearrange some things. I rearrange some more. Every day isn't always the most inspiring. This is real life people and it just has this way of butting to the front of the line.

Other days you get a break. You grab a brush and the ideas flow out of you. You create five journal pages before you realize you ever sat down. You end the day with muddy water and painted hands. These days make the days we sit on our stool and wonder what the hek we are doing in the first place worth it...so enjoy the good days and the bad days will just have to take a back seat.