Documented Life Week 6

Do you ever take an online class and never apply the findings until 2 years later?  I loved the Christy Tomlinson "She Art Girls" class.  They are so simple and fun.  

My first layer was book paper, scrapbook paper with a giant butterfly and chevron paper.  I gessoed then painted the base "tiffany blue" coat of paint.  I added the girl with scrapbook paper.  I then added washi tape, paint, ink, stamps and stickers.  I added more gesso with some texture but it doesn't hold well on the mod podge.  (by the way I always call it modge podge)

Lots of fun this week.  Central Kentucky got over a foot of snow.  Looks like I will have time on my hands the next few days.  KY pretty much shuts down in a foot of snow.  

Week 5 Documented Life - Under Paper

This week's prompt was to use under paper.  Under paper are the items used in journaling or crafting that actually cleaning up the mess.  Paper towels that wipe up things or you use to dab paint on.  It is also sheets under your crafts that catch the paint and other items from your creation.  

I throw away my "under paper".  Always have.  I just happened to be creating my treat bags for my team at work.  

Each bag had a Valentine tag that I created so I had some under paper to use.  It was mostly scrapbook paper with some paper towels I used to wipe ink from the edges.  I took the paper towels and added water.  I rolled them up into little sheep as inspired by Junelle Jacobson.  I love her work.  I have taken two of her online classes Art of Wild Abandonment 1 and 2.  Great classes!  She is a joy.

The background is scrapbook paper with my tag cut outs used as frames.  I gessoed the paper and added some washi tape.  I had fun with this one because I thought those sheep were so cute.

Documented Life Week 4 - Writing

The theme for week 4 was writing with the journal prompt "words with friends". I spent 3 days trying to figure out what I wanted to do.  I love seeing pictures of the VW vans that have been restored.  I have a high school friend that is restoring one now and I love to see the progress.

I played around with the different fonts I wanted to use for the quote.  I also used watercolors for the coloring.  At then end I was shocked that I could draw it and the fonts looked pretty good.  

I spend a lot of time watching people create but this year I dedicated time to create each week in my art journal.  I have really taken to it- unlike a corner full of other projects!

Documented Life Week 3 - Color Wheel

This week's challenge had me stumped.  I started with wanting to use an umbrella as the wheel.  I even googled color wheel for ideas.  I was all over the place.  I was even to the point of going to Michael's and buying ink.  As I was going, I opened the garage door and we had around 2 inches of snow.  I went back and decided to use what I could find.  

I have always loved to use pan pastels.  I am not sure why I didn't think of them.  It worked perfect and I didn't spend hours putting the page together.  How art journaling should be!

Documented Life Project Week 2 - Gesso

I try to post my journal page from the Documented Life Project on Saturday nights.  If you are not familiar with the site check it out http://www.arttothe5th.com.  When the prompt is given, I spend the day thinking about what I would like to do.  I was clueless what to do with the gesso.  It took me two days to come up with something creative instead of just using it as a base like I generally do.  

I used gesso on the page then used Prima's Bloom sprays in Teal to cover.  I loved the look and effect it gave to the page.  I had wrote down my ideas in a "work" meeting on what to do with the page.  I use a LiveScribe pen to document notes at work.  When it is not work related (like this one), I can favorite the page and send to Evernote.  Once I am home, I can pull the info from Evernote and create on.

Another trick I do is use the largest size newsprint paper from Michael's as a cover to protect my other page.  So when I painting, it lays under the decorated page.  When I am done, I draft the page on the large sheet to see what my idea will look like.  Many times, it gives the picture that I may change as I go.  I used Sharpie markers for this page but they don't always behave the same.  If the area has more grit, they tend not want to work as well.  

Here is here the finished page.  I liked the snowman most.  I was trying to use him in the last art journal page but it did not work out.  He is made from book paper.

Documented Life Project, Week 1 - Book Paper

I created my first entry to my Art Journal for Documented Life Project 2015.  The theme for week 1 is book paper.  I use book paper for everything. From creating ornaments, notes, backgrounds to tags, and envelopes.  It was funny.  While I was creating the page I received a call from work and I took my notes on the book paper.  So I guess I use it for memos as well.  Here are a few shots of the work to the finished project.


For the background, I used old book paper with designed scrapbook paper.  I also printed an older 50s boy from the internet.

I took my gesso and covered the page.

I then used a banner punch to punch some flags to write my top goals for the year.  I used distressed paint to paint them.

I used book paper to write my goals for each prompt.  I also pulled in a doily to accent the page.

Some close ups of the accents.

I really enjoyed the first week working on my idea.  At first I loved the background, then I started added items and thought "Oh Well".  By the end, I was liking the page again.  I think the doily brought it together for me.

Snapguide tutorial

My first SnapGuide tutorial.  The hardest part was sorting through the many pictures I took.  You can also record video for each step.  Great app for a quick tutorial on creating things.  Check it out here . . .  Hand Painted Monogram Ornament