Monday, April 7, 2014 at 7:41PM We will be there...will you?
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
Q. Do we have to wait until Friday?
A. Yes, because good things come to those that wait!
Q. But when on Friday?
A. Friday morning, but after we make our beds and brush our teeth!
Q. How much?
A. Two Grande Iced Mocha Frappucinos plus 3 squared =$19
Q. Do I have unlimited access to the class?
A. Of course, as long as the delivery of M&M's continues!
Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 11:31AM Welcome to Week 15 of The Documented Life Project!
April 5 - Monochromatic.
This week was a no brainer. I love pink. I painted my page with two colors of fluorescent pink paint, creating a scallop along one side by finger painting. Next I painted a strip of deli paper in the same shades of pink, let it dry and stitched the word pink on it with pink thread. The last thing I did was to add embellishments to the page in two shades of pink. I am not usually a bling person, but this page was asking for more. I can't wait to see what you do this week!
This week's challenge supplies: scissors, uhu glue stick, Golden Acrylic in green gold, Painters Brand Paint Pens in White and Black, and neon pink, chartreuse, and green, Gold Fluorescents in Pink and Orange, the Sharpie White Oil Based Pen, Deli Paper, Sharpie Mean Streak, Tim Holtz Distress ink in Persimmon, Ink Joy Pens in pink and purple, Tul Permanent Marker, and Dylusions Pure Sunshine Ink in a water brush.
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-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story
-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges
-------> Instagram - #documentedlife
-------> Our Blogs
Friday, April 4, 2014 at 10:32AM Well here it is - this week's take on 15 minutes of mixed media. I know, I know, I missed last week. I was too busy enjoying two day trips to the beach and catching up on movies and game night with the kids. Spring Break is over and I mentioned how behind I am here, but it was all worth it. SO, here you go...
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SUPPLIES THIS WEEK -------> Golden Heavy Body Acrylic in Pink and Orange Fluorescent, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Persimmon,Golden Fluid Acrylic in Green Gold, Painters Brand Paint Pens in Pink Blue Yellow & Black, Deli Paper, Ink Joy Ink Pens, Water Brushes filled with Dylusions Inks in Lemon Zest, Sharpie Oil Pen in White, Sharpie Mean Streak in White, UHU Glue Stick, Scissors, TUL Fine Tip Permanent Black Marker, ( I buy these in bulk because I love them so much and use them so often! ) Collage Papers from my stash of art journal papers, and both homemade and store bought stencils. I also used paintbrushes, an old gift card, a pencil and a heat embosser.
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Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 6:34PM 
1. Recycling some bits and pieces. I can't seem to toss anything with color. These little circles of color were left over from a recent Documented Life Challenge and I am loving how modern they look.
2. Addicted to neon. These paint colors are so intense I can hardly believe how in love with them I am . I am still getting used to the heavy body movement, as I much prefer the fluid acrylics, but the colors make it worth it!
3. Hooked on new OLD tool. This little Xyron sticker maker is awesome. It has been sitting in the drawer for several years now. I actually couldn't believe the sticker tape was still good - but it was! I have been converting loads of scraps into colorful stickers for my planner. Love it and so glad I didn't donate it as planned.
4. Working on challenges in the Documented Life Project. The last few most basic calls have been the toughest for me. I work better with layers and having such a basic prompt scared me. Having to keep my book from exploding is making is equally difficult. One dimensional. This is a new concept for me and proving to be a hard one!
5. Mortified at how behind I am on my blog, my chores and my deadlines. I had the kids home the last ten days for Spring Break. Don't get me wrong, I loved every single minute of it, but boy did I fall behind. I just couldn't stand the thought of working while they were here with me. I get so little one on one time with them anymore, and it was a relaxed and enjoyable few days. My work is suffering greatly, but I suppose all the catch up with be worth it, if not stressful. Thank you to all of you who stuck around even when there was nothing to read the last few days - I hope to be better about pre-planning in the future. But really- how do you pre-plan for LIFE?
6. Getting used to wearing a hat. Does it always give you a headache. I am determined NOT to get too much sun this summer. For me, that is difficult. I just walk outside and I am dark. It is the Spanish blood coursing through my veins, but between my age and my health it is a wise decision to limit the rays. Hopefully I will get used to a hat and the headaches won't last.
7. Filming some fun stuff. Enough said. I can't wait to share! Stay tuned, because I think you will like it!
8. Saying my name out loud. I don't usually hear my name out loud around here. I am more often mom or mama or even big mama to big daddy. I am now even a grammy, but hardly ever a Rae. This past week's challenge in the Documented Life Project had us using our name and it was fun to remember how it came to be mine. It was my grandfather's name. My mom's dad. He passed away two short years after I was born, so I am happy to call it mine.
9. Sitting across the table from a young man. What happened to my little boy? Overnight it seems he has morphed into this giant of a young man. Tall and deep voiced and handsome and kind. He helps me with research and offers kind advice when I chatter on about his four sisters. He is someone I am proud of and I know he is going places.
10. Proud of this girl. She spent several hours over the Spring Break volunteering at Give Kids the World. She truly enjoyed it and said it was both heart wrenching and rewarding. She will be going back and I am proud of her interaction with such loving, deserving children. I am happy to know that I have instilled at least one good thing in these children. They know the true meaning of charity. They know the importance of dedication and service. They realize that they are privelaged in ways we don't even think about. They have learned that it is good for the heart and the soul to help those that need us. I am proud of that in them.
Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 11:30AM 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!
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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!
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-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story
-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges
-------> Instagram - #documentedlife
-------> Our Blogs
Monday, March 24, 2014 at 5:00AM 
1. Sneak Peek. This is what is on the worktable. Something cool coming soon!
2. My love of feathers is no secret, so it is always a happy surprise when I find them in unexpected places. This one was at the beach today! So wispy and white. I love it!
3. I was so thrilled to meet a fellow Documented Life member, and talented artist, Andrew Borloz, this past week. He was kind enough to take time out of his travels to the South to meet with Art to the 5th! We shared a lovely meal, some good laughs, and of course our chunky planners. Andrew's took the cake! His is HUGE and wonderful and complicated and amazing. He is surely artistic! Can't wait to see what he has in store for the next challenge!
4. Writing out snail mail. I love snail mail. I had so many pen pals growing up and writing a note or a letter to a friend or loved one is something I still take the time to do on a regular basis. There is something oddly special about receiving a penned note from someone. This week it was pretty cards made from art journal papers that went to some special people out there! You know who you are and I love you!
5. Learning that time is precious. Time for work and deadlines is so important and most often necessary but it isn't what makes the heart or soul tick. Time for loving and caring and helping and supporting - that is the time that counts. I fall behind on the other stuff- that other stuff that is also important, but playing catch up at all hours of the night and answering emails during what used to be my "wind down and watch a show or read time" is a sacrifice I am learning to live with. I complain sometimes, yes, but just make myself feel better for having so much on my plate. Too much most days. Having the time to do what REALLY counts in my heart and in my LIFE is ultimately all that matters to me anymore. I panic over the deadlines. I grumble over the piling up of chores. I sweat out all the last minute stuff, but I have made a conscious decision to live by what matters to ME. I have to be happy with my choices. At the end of the day it doesn't matter if a friend thinks I made a good choice, it only matters that I chose for myself. I have survived the worst of family tragedies. Something no person should endure and I know that FAMILY and the time spent with them matter the most. Everything else will wait. And if I miss a deadline, fire me. My family will still be here to love and to love me back.
6. Spending a day at the beach with the kids. Our favorite. Heavenly. Doing things as a family is important for us. Doing things that we ALL love is even better. It is the ultimate best day!
7. Waiting for April 1st. This is hitting the stands! Haute Handbags is such an awesome publication and this issue is packed full of yummy goodness! Can't wait for you to see it!
8. Playing with inks and string. I am always looking for something new to dye. I love how the end result is usually an unexpected surprise. This week I played with Dylusions Inks and a ball of cotton butcher's twine! The colors weren't quite as vibrant as I had hoped, but I still love it! I am going to try to crochet some small flowers with this!
9. Creating some happy mail! This is not much different from snail mail, but I like to send lots of fun stuff in these packages, instead of just a pretty note! I have been the very honored recipient of tons of happy mail lately, from members of the Documented Life Project, and I am so grateful for all the time and creativity that goes into each piece. It would take forever to list everyone here, but please know that I LOVE IT ALL! Thank you for each beautiful happy piece!
10. Loving that this week will be Spring Break for the kiddos! I am always the first one to admit that I wish it was summer all year long. Not for the weather or the vacations but because I really and truly love having my kids at home with me. I miss them when summer is over and they head back to their schools. I enjoy all the time we spend together and the things we do together, so I feel this big void when they aren't here. I am anxious to play some games, watch some movies, take some walks, head back to the beach - Yay for Spring Break!
Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 11:30AM 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?
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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.
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-------> Art to the 5th Blog - Our Story
-------> List of Weekly Archived Challenges
-------> Instagram - #documentedlife
-------> Our Blogs
*this post contains affiliate links*
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 5:00AM The Documented Life Project is such a hit that we have made the press again! The rest of the Art to the 5th Team and I are excited to announce that The Documented Life Project is featured in the latest issue of heArt Journal Magazine.
heART Journal Magazine talks to our team and learns more about The Documented Life Project! heART Journal is a digital only, Monthly Magazine and each issue is filled with ideas & inspiration to get your creating juices flowing and you creating. Loaded with lots of new and interesting techniques, you are sure to learn something each time you open an issue.
Curious about how "we" started? Want to read about how The Documented Life Project was born? Here is your chance!
To celebrate heART Journal Magazine has a given me a free issue bonus code to share with others.
Get your free issue of heART Journal Magazine today! This magazine is designed for your iPad/iPhone and is loaded with interactive elements, high resolution images and video tutorials!
Simply download the app on iTunes https://bit.ly/heARTMag or Google Play http://bit.ly/Heartjournal
Then on your iPad or iPhone follow these directions using subscriber code : heART2share (case sensitive)
* Install the app on your device
* Launch the magazine
* on the Home Page, click on the Yellow Subscribe Button
* Tap on the Current Subscribers Button
* Enter this: heART2share (case sensitive)
You will now get a free issue of heART Journal Magazine. Remember, the code is case sensitive. Please show heART Journal Magazine some love by giving them a rating (there is an easy to use rating link inside the magazine). For help with the coupon code, email colorhealsme@gmail.com.
Enjoy! And remember - It's YOUR LIFE - DOCUMENT IT!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 5:00AM Yay for Tuesday! Here is another take on my 15 minutes of mixed media - a lesson in art and time management!
I had trouble staying focused this week. I think because my mind was racing with the details of ten million other things I wanted to stop the timer. I was really tempted this week. I really wanted to hit pause, take my journal over the gelli plate, create a beautifully colored background and start over.
I am proud of myself for not doing that. It took great effort. My page isn't as busy as usual- another hint to as how my mind was wandering. I do like the colors and simplicity of the end result however.
Since I have devoted the last three or four week's to a blank page start I think I will reward myself with a bright and beautiful background as a springboard next week.
I hope this reminds you that just because we create every day, doesn't mean it comes easily every time we put brush to paper. We are allowed a day to fumble and stall. The point is to keep going. Don't hit pause. I was glad I stuck with it. One more page called done in my journal.
I hope you enjoy the process.
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SUPPLIES I USED THIS WEEK ----->
Apple Barrel White Gloss, Key West and Neon Pink and Yellow, Painters Brand Paint Pens in Red & Orange, Water Brushes filled with Dylusions Inks in Bubblegum Pink, Lemon Zest, Funky Fuschia, & Pure Sunshine Sharpie Oil Pen in White, Sharpie Mean Streak in White, UHU Glue Stick, Scissors, Collage Papers from my stash of art journal papers, and both homemade and store bought stencils, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Ripe Persimmon, Pilot Multiball Fine Tip Pen and a hand carved stamp. I also used paintbrushes, an old gift card and a heat embosser. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are a few other journal pages I created using this technique-------> Click on the images below to see how these journal pages were created using 15 minutes of mixed media.
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*as an amazon affiliate, I receive a small incentive if you purchase a product through these links*
Monday, March 17, 2014 at 5:00AM 
1. Playing with my new Artist Print Pack Papers. I have found a color scheme that I can't stay away from and I am hooked. I am cutting them up and pasting them down. I am folding them and stitching them and using them every which way but loose. These colors are just what I needed to jumpstart my Spring.
2. Enjoying this view. There is nothing like it. Period. I know I complain about not having enough hours in a day, about not getting into the studio early enough, about folding laundry at midnight, but the truth is, I wouldn't trade ANY of that to lose this view. I walk into the room and see this and my heart swells to bursting. I forget for a moment that I am behind and busy and stressed. I only see this. Love and companionship and family. I only want this. In that moment it is enough. Nothing else matters.
3. Finally helping unpack the last few boxes. Our three grown daughters have moved in together and I couldn't be happier. I love that they are so close to home, but I love even more that they are together. They are the perfect support sytem for each other. It makes me smile to see them laughing and joking and helping one another. I am blessed to have such lovely young women for daughters and I can't wait to see how they blossom together.
4. Adding to the collection. When I get stressed out or nervous I like busy work. Carving stamps has been a great outlet and I am enjoying learning the ins and outs of the craft. It isn't as easy as some of those gals and guys make it look. Details are tough. I am sticking to something I love and working out the kinks. They aren't perfect and that's just how I like them.
5. Hanging with the peanut. This little one seems to be spending more and more time with me in the studio. She is enthralled by all there is to see and her head is on a constant swivel. She loves to feel the bristles on each paintbrush. She giggles when I crumble up a wad of paper. I love that she is loving the artsy side of our world. Now if I could just get her to hold a crayon without eating it.
6. Missing the company that filled these spaces the last few weeks. It is so quiet when everyone goes. I think it was compounded this time with two of the girls moving as well. It seems as if this house went from loud and busy and full to quiet and half empty over night. It makes me a little sad when I wander around this place and see all the empty spaces. I know we still have two at home and I also know in a few days things will be crazy again. They all come and go and make our life full and happy and noisy. I look forward to tomorrow. Today is too quiet.
7. Creating the Week 12 Challenge for The Documented Life Project. Where does the time go? The weeks are flying by and I find myself keeping a steady track of time according to these weekly prompts. It continues to make me happy to document my daily life in such a creative and colorful way. I hope you will take the time to read a little bit more about my team and I and the project here and then join us for some daily documenting yourself!
8. Getting published here. The Documented Life Project has been featured again and this time it is in this colorful and creative magazine available in the itunes and googleplay store. It was an honor to be part of such a fantastic publication and in celebration they are allowing us to give away some free issues. Check back on Thursday to get your free coupon code!
9. Working in my art journal. Even just a few minutes a day can keep me creative and inspired and most importantly - happy. I like art. I like making art. Devoting 15 minutes a day to my art journal has changed the way I create.
10. Enjoying seeing all of the new artwork my son is creating. He is surprising me at every turn. This flamingo was so lovely- so spontaneous. So something he wouldn't draw before. Glad to see he is also getting out of his comfort zone and trying some new things when it comes to art.
