the documented life project: weekly challenge 14

Welcome to Week 14 of The Documented Life Project!

March 29 - Write Your Name & Embellish It!

For this week's challenge I cut the letters out of a piece of water color paper that I had painted with the Peerless Water Colors! They are much prettier in color than the monitor shows.

I ran my tall skinny letters through the xyron and adhered them to a tip in that I had painted with varying colors of paint. I began adding some color with paint pens, scraps of my art journaling papers and washi tape. 

Last, I added some detail around the lettering with a black permanent marker and a white and pink paint pen. Easy peasy! I can't wait to see what you create this week! 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's challenge supplies: scissors, uhu glue stick, Golden Acrylic in Teal , Golden Acrylic in green gold, Golden Fluorescent Heavy Body Paints in Pink, Chartreuse, and Orange ,  Painters Brand Paint Pens in White, Pink, Orange, and Green, and these Art Journaling Pages. I also used Peerless water colors, a xyron and some washi tape!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

the documented life - weekly challenge 13

Welcome to Week 12 of The Documented Life Project!

March 22 - Have Someone Draw on Your Page - You Finish It!

I loved this week's challenge. I asked my daughter to draw something for me. She agreed, but wanted to draw on a pretty piece of deli paper. I handed her a large sheet and she went to town. Ten minutes later I had this...a teeny tiny violin. I was so surprised she drew it so small. She said it is easier to draw small things, rather than large things. I never knew, but thinking about it, I think she may just be right.

As luck would have it, my tip in this week happened to be a gelli print I created a while back. I loved all the bright color and so with her teeny tiny gelli print I was able to create a super colorful collage around her adorable image.

I incorported bits and pieces of what she loves and made a note of what it takes to have a hobby like hers.

Lastly, I incorporated pieces of my favorite art journal pages ( I cut these up and ran them through the Xyron to turn them into stickers ), tiny letter stickers and lots of painted deli paper strips which I attached using a glue stick.

I love carrying around just another little piece of my LIFE with me - isn't this project the best thing ever?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's challenge supplies: scissors, uhu glue stick, Golden Acrylic in ultramarine blue, Golden Acrylic in green gold, Golden Acrylic in Diarylide Yellow, Apple Barrel Craft Paints in Real Red Gloss and White Gloss, Deli Paper,  Painters Brand Paint Pens in White and Black.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

*this post contains affiliate links*

the documented life project - weekly challenge 12

Welcome to Week 12 of The Documented Life Project!

March 15 - Cut Up A Magazine - Add To Your Planner.

This week was fun. I took the challenge literally for once, but I have to admit it was for one reason only. MY PLANNER IS GETTING REALLY REALLY CHUNKY.  I think I need to incorporate a FLAT page every once in awhile or we are going to have a book bursting at the seams over here- and pretty darn soon.

It's okay though. I love how this page turned out. AND it forced me to be a little bit creative with how I added my magazine bits. In the end I hauled out a LONG UNUSED tool - the BIG SHOT die cut machine. I forgot I liked this thing. I forgot that it can turn any little scrap of paper or thin fabric into something cool for my planner.

I chose a magazine with bright images and some wording. I cut out several sizes of this shape and this shape. I adhered the cut outs on with a glue stick and painted stripes in the white space. I added a zillion pops of black and white with my favorite paint pens and some funky lettering before telling myself I should be done.

I cut a ton of magazine scraps up while creating this challenge. Then, when I was done,  I went around the studio cutting even more stuff up. Maybe I won't be burying this tool back in the closet afterall!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's challenge supplies: magazine, scissors, uhu glue stick, Golden Acrylic in ultramarine blue, Golden Acrylic in green gold, Painters Brand Paint Pens in White and Black, Big Shot Die Cut Machine.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

*as an amazon affiliate, I receive a small incentive if you purchase a product through these links*

the documented life project: weekly challenge 11

Welcome to Week 11 of The Documented Life Project!

March 8 - Draw, Photograph or Collage a Bird onto your Page.

I don't mind admitting that this week's challenge scared me a little bit. If there is one thing I have not mastered, it would drawing. I could have photographed a bird, but I have said from the get go that I would push myself with this project...

...so I sketched a little bird out onto a gelli print tip in page. I started with a pencil. Once I was happy with her shape I sketched in a quick scratchy fashion over the pencil with my favorite fine tip black pen. I like how the pen and pencil combined to give the feathers some definition. I added some hand written text - "hallelejuha-sing a new song unto the Lord today."

Next I grabbed some colorful painted papers and began tearing them into small pieces to collage my bird. I also used painted deli paper and inked ultra thin brown kraft paper. I love how she blends with the gelli print.

I love all the texture this process lends to the page. The gelli print I chose was the perfect foundation- using the gelli plate I added more layers of paint than I normally would, using several different stencils, giving it a cool nubbly texture.

I collaged a funky sun at the top of the page and called it done. I have a hard time walking away from a page. Well, I do walk away, but I keep coming back. Again and again and again. This time I liked the simplicity of this chubby little bird and her sun and so I closed the book.

I can't wait to finish filling in the calendar side of my planner this week! Look for a peek soon!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

*as an amazon affiliate, I receive a small incentive if you purchase a product through these links*

the documented life project - weekly challenge 10

Welcome to Week 10 of The Documented Life Project!

March 1 - Make a List of What Makes You YOU!

This challenge was another favorite of mine, so far. I LOVE making lists. I intended to create just that - a hand written roll of who I am. As I worked on my draft I received a phone call. Naturally, I began to doodle, and by the time I hung the phone up, I knew my LIST had gone from that registry of words to a series of words and images.

I have been faithful to my self imposed spending halt and am using LOTS of things I usually use for my Project Life Pages. I love the combination of letter squares, rub-on's and decorative stamps. As my idea morphed from just words to more, I saw the need for more space and took a cue from a past challenge- adding a flap to a flap.

As my flaps unfolded I could add more things that make me ME to the back side as well. I prettied up the edges with colorful washi tape.

 I loved seeing all those odd bits of "old" stuff transformed into something beautiful as they came together.

I used the lined journal page to add even more text - a running list of I LOVE....

Want to know what makes me ME? photographs. counting. collecting. family. recycling. vision trouble. faith. writing. creating. being a mom. cats. birds. art. light and windows. my children. home. travel.

I can't wait to fill in the calendar side of my planner this week! Look for a peek soon!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

newsworthy: JOT MAGAZINE

The Documented Life Project is catching on! We had the lovliest of features here at JOT MAGAZINE-

Read all about it in ISSUE 4 of this amazing online paper crafting magazine! It is packed full of ideas for all of us memory keepers!

The Documented Life Project has participants from all corners of the globe. Each of these daily documentors has their own unique way of creating. From mixed media to scrapbookers we are coming together as a community.

This mention at myscrapbookart.com highlights the project among those that offer challenges!

We are thrilled to be reaching so many people. Having fellow artists around the world create our weekly challenges alongside of us is turning out to be an amazing journey. Interested in joining in? It's not too late - we work on our schedule, at our own pace. Create a challenge this week, skip it the next if it doesn't speak to who you are.

------>Read all about this FREE and rewarding project here!

------>See a list of archived challenges here!

------>Learn more about Art to the 5th here!

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

the documented life project - weekly challenge 8

Welcome to Week 8 of The Documented Life Project!

February 15- Add a flap to your flap.

This was my favorite challenge so far! I was going to use a full size tip in page, and add a small flap to that, but then I stumbled upon this wonderful postcard! It had the perfect quote on it and I liked how I could see the colorful planner page behind it.

I spruced up my postcard with some washi tape and then added a smaller flap that I cut from a catalog flyer. I loved the bold black and white stripes. I added a little painted paper circle for a pop of color and some more washi tape.

A note to myself was written on the back of my postcard and I used one of my digital downloads on the reverse side of my mini flap to create a list of things I am doing this week. A pretty painted washi tape arrow and funky stamp add nice bits of bold color.

I love how I can fold my mini flap and postcard tip ins back on themselves. All the doodles, stripes and color mixed make me so happy!

When I first started this project, I wondered what I would do with the lined planner pages that fall between the calendar and tip ins. As it turns out, this page has been my favorite to work on each week. It is a place to write lists, doodle, practice my sketches and leave notes and reminders to myself. I really loved this challenge and will definitely be adding more of these flap on flaps into my planner in the future!

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

Premier Ensemble- Digital Art Kit

You asked- We answered! We are celebrating the Grand Opening of the Art to the 5th Store!

To applaud this occasion we have created our first product-------->The Premiere Ensemble Digital & Printable Downloads. It is available in our Etsy store HERE. This kit is a "collaboration of elegant, painterly downloads made with your Planner and Mail Art in mind. From art journal ready faces and hand drawn labels & banners to colorful strips begging to be torn, punched & stitched, this collection is ready for creative play. We’ve even included a bonus set of painted numbers perfect for documenting and journaling as a celebration of our premiere!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You get 16 individual files (1 png and 15 jpgs).  In addition, we created four jpg printable sheets, combining several of the smaller images for use on your own printer. And a BONUS set of numbers includes 10 additional png files. 

----------> Wondering how to use your digital goodies once you've printed them? Here is what I did.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Read more about it here on the Art To The 5th Blog

-------> Purchase  the New Premier Ensemble Digital Art Kit

-------> To see Ideas  & Inspiration visit our Sample Gallery

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------> Inspirational samples created by my fellow team members <----------

Look for our next challenge in a few days! Can't wait to see what you create! Enjoy!

the documented life project: weekly challenge 7

Welcome to Week 7 of The Documented Life Project!

February 8 - Draw one Shape. Repeat. Add Color. 

I knew I would love this week's challenge! Any project that is repetitive in nature calms me. I can draw the same thing over and over again and feel myself de-stress. It is silly, but true. 

Circles are my favorite. To create my shape I took one of my homemade palettes, a paper plate, and cut several different sizes of my shape out. I stitched them to a piece of patterned cardstock that had white circles printed on it and filled them in with two bold colors.

I chose to make my tip in much smaller for this week. I wanted my circle shapes to hang off of the edges so I could see more of my planner page peeking from behind. I love the way that this challenge turned out. It is bright and colorful and the paper plate circles have a lot of yummy texture. The mix of paint, gesso, ink and thread all create a painterly look- just what I wanted!

Want to stitch something to your page? You can see a quick little video here----->  STITCHING ON PAPER.

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie

the documented life project: weekly challenge 6

Welcome to Week 6 of The Documented Life Project!

February 1 - Open Your/A  Pinterest Board and Be Inspired!

At first I wasn't sure about this challenge. Pinterest is a tad bit overwhelming on a good day - to open a board and be inspired could easily lead to hours of surfing beautiful pages and boards. To simplify things and keep my "surfing time" to a minimum, I chose to open one of my own boards - Tutorials. This is what I found!

I loved sharing how to make this mini canvas and everything about the way it turned out- the colors, the texture and the interesting look the paint took on. I took the challenge one step further and only allowed myself to use watercolors. Watercolors are a fairly new medium for me and I am much more comfortable using acrylic paints. I thought this would push me to use the watercolors, experiment with them a little more...

I used a piece of watercolor paper that was already collaged on the reverse side for my tip-in page this week. I chose a pretty, bright palette and following the lines of my pinterest inspiration I began painting.

As it turned out, I taped my tip-in backwards (NOT the first time) and so I had to create my challenge on the back of my collaged paper. I could have removed the tape and started over, but I chose to leave it as is. Now I have TWO pretty pages this week.

I quickly and loosely applied a bright "frame" like border to my page, followed by several large circles of color. Next I added some swathes of color to the bottom edges of the page. I applied several colors of the paint to my hand-carved feather stamp and then stamped my page. I love it! 

Once all the paint had been applied and dried, I added little pops of white using my favorite white pen of all time. You can see that I have a lot to learn about moving and thinning color, but overall I enjoyed the challenge. Watercolor paints leave such a beautiful fluid look to your page when applied correctly. I look forward to giving this technique some more practice!

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story

-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges

-------> Facebook

------> Flickr

-------> Instagram - #documentedlife

-------> Our Blogs

            Rae

            Lorraine

            Sandi

            Barbara

            Roben-Marie