Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Painty Goodness

Pulled out my paints tonight so I could prep some tip-ins for my Documented Life Project.  Oh what fun I had!  I wanted to have tip-ins ready with color, rather than a blank white canvas.  I used four colors of Tim Holtz's Distress Paints . . . mustard seed, mowed lawn, broken china and seedless preserves.   I love to splat some color on my craft mat, spritz with water and swipe my pages through the color.  I actually probably like patting the pages better than swiping them as I don't like when the colors blend too much.  I prefer little splotches of the seedless preserves to add little pops of color.  On some of the pages that looked too muted to me, I sprayed some of Dyan Reaveley's fushia for a little added burst of color.  These pages will be great inspiration in my planner on any given week.  I think I will pick sporadic weeks to add these tip-ins so they will be a pleasant starting point when I come upon them.  What fun!!

Recently bought some great pencils that I love shading my daily calendar entries with.  They are woodless pencils and they go on so smoothly.  I love the colors!


Here's a sneak peek at my Selfie page for week 2.  I didn't finish the inside yet and I'm not too sure that I'm done with this outer page either, but I'm loving it just the way it is for now.


Week 4's prompt was a hidden word.  This page was lots of fun too!


Last week, week 7, we were encouraged to select a shape and use it over and over.  Since Friday was Valentine's Day, I'm sure I was not the only one to choose hearts.  Looking back on this, though, I wish I edged the hearts, but I didn't and I still love it.



What I enjoy about this Documented Life Project is that it keeps going and going . . . like the Energizer Bunny.  I can keep adding a little here and a little there, holding on to memories of these weeks that are just flying by.  Wasn't it just Christmas??


Monday, February 10, 2014

My Front Door

I'm having lots of fun with The Documented Life Project.  I've been working on it steadfastly and figured it was time to show some of my progress.  The very first week we were given the prompt of "my front door".  You could use your own door, draw a door you wish you had or whatever inspired you having to do with a door.  I chose to use my own front door.  It's nothing fancy, though I love my door.  I remember going to Home Depot and Lowes to pick out a new front door a couple of years ago.  I wanted a door with a window to let light into my dark living room.  I fell in love with this door.  We bought it and had my brother-in-law install it.  I love when I walk up to it when I come home.  At night, my stained glass lamp inside reflects so nicely through the glass.  I also love sitting inside looking out, watching my palm tree sway  with the gentle breezes.


I then decided on the inside spread to add little houses to signify the seven different homes I have lived in during my lifetime.  The quote on the right says, "There's No Place Like Home".  The butterflies were incorporated to add the Journal 52 prompt of "Up, Up and Away".  It's fun to try to work the two prompts into my weekly planner.

This is really turning into a fun project for me.  Can't say that I totally love what I've come up with each week but it's fun to play around with the different pages, a little here, a little there, until it is something I love.  And I'm totally loving the process!

Monday, January 6, 2014

The Documented Life Project

I love when I hear about a new-to-me project.  Somewhere in my blog hopping or Facebook Newsfeed scrolling I came across The Documented Life Project and was instantly intrigued.  I love the Art Journaling Calendar Challenge I participated in last year and plan to continue with this year.   I will post about those pages soon.  This Documented Life Project sounds a little more involved with  a nice weekly challenge to have fun with also.

 ADLProjectBanner2.jpg

I have my Moleskine 2014 Planner for starters.  My washi tape is ready and waiting.  I've got lots of tip-ins to include.  Now to assemble!  Each week we are given a challenge.  The first week the focus was "Our Front Door".  Week two is a "Selfie" and our One Little Word, if selected.  I just love all the different things that can be incorporated into this journal and I love the weekly inspiration to focus on.  With "focus" being my one little word for 2014, I'm right on track.  More to come!!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Books

 
Books have always made me happy.  I remember when I was a little girl, it would be such fun to ride my bike to the public library and fill up my basket with books.  Within days I had them all read and I'd go back and do it again.   Many years and many interests later, I still love books.  It was most enjoyable today to gather all of my art books together so they are readily accessible.  I actually get quite a bit of pleasure just looking at them lined neatly on the shelves.  I don't buy many books any more since so much information is a click away, but I must say, I still do love my books.  So between my books and Downton Abbey, it was a delicious day!

There's a blog I follow, Daisy Yellow, where Tammy posted about her reading list for 2014.  She included a variety of types of books, including the art books she has on her shelves, many of which also sit on my shelves!  Her list was quite the challenge that I'm not sure I would be able to live up to, but I found it inspiring.  I would really like to enjoy some of my books, for their content, in addition to them just "sitting pretty".  I also plan to participate in The Documented Life Project, a fun and exciting endeavor which I will share in another post.  Numerous activities are on my agenda for 2014.  Let the fun begin!



Friday, January 3, 2014

Focus

Here we are!  2014!!  Focus is my word for the year.  I want to enjoy life's moments and not rush on to the next moment.  Focus.   It's a perfect word for 2014.

I truly loved this holiday season.  This was the first Christmas since I was a kid where nothing was on the agenda.  We took our time and cherished every moment of the day.  We have had family and friends over on Christmas Day for as long as I can remember.  This year, it was just the four of us.  We slept in, had breakfast at noon and opened gifts at 1.  We didn't stress about getting the wrappings cleaned up because company was coming.  We put the turkey in the oven at 2, snacked all afternoon and had a nice dinner.  We listened to music and danced in the kitchen while the kids "played" with their new iPads by the tree.  

The day after Christmas was spent at the beach.  It truly was the best holiday season in a long time.  Contentment is  a beautiful thing.  Life is short.  We must enjoy the moments.  Happy New Year!