The Documented Life Project

Happy Saturday!  

Winter is getting long.   Tired of being cooped up inside. (However, I am enjoying my creative inspiration lately!)  So ready for spring.  It's so cold here, and it's going to get colder!

So glad I have The Documented Life Project to occupy my time this winter.  I am having a blast with it!  I always have created my own style of planner, but it's been fun to add more art to it, instead of just doodles, etc.  I thought I would share my first 5 weeks with you.  If you are interested in joining check out:  www.arttothe5th.com.

Front cover of my 2014 Planner using a Moleskine Weekly Planner

Moleskine weekly journal, covered journal with collaged vintage pages, circle stencils, pieces of paper doilies, acrylic paints, black India Ink and Bic White Paint Marker

I decided to leave all the pages inside the journal.  I glued the extra pages together in the front of the book to make them more sturdy.  I wanted to be able to paint and collage on them, so they needed some extra bulk.

Inside front page

I used various scrap paper, stickers, washi tape, and stamps.  I also had painted a bluebird on a vintage book page using Koi watercolors.  I glued it on the page.

Miscellaneous page

Church bulletin cover, washi tape, misc. scrap papers

Stepping up and out this year.  Trying new things, discovering new places, serving others and enjoying life more in 2014.  This is a visual reminder to myself.

My word for 2014 is:  FEARLESS.  My scripture focus is 
1 John 4:18.  I decided to paint it inside my journal.  Love this page!

acrylic paints, Pitt pen, Neo Color II  watercolor crayons, Bic White Out Marker

WEEK 1 CHALLENGE:  My Front Door

misc. vintage papers, washi tape, stickers, rub on numbers

Week 1 inside view

random bits of scrap paper, sharpie marker paint pens, Sakura Gel Pens, washi tape, painted Snowy Owl on vintage book page with Koi Watercolors.

Week 2 CHALLENGE:  Selfie

Vintage book page, washi tape, stamps, etc.

Week 2 inside view

Week 3 CHALLENGE:  Envelope
First page you see on right side.  I used misc. vintage ephemera, washi tape, etc. to create these pages.  Lots of tilt outs.

Week 3 inside view

Week 4 CHALLENGE:  Secret Message
Card from Parthenon, Nashville, TN (artwork by Phil Ponder)

Week 4 inside view

misc. washi tapes, stickers, etc. used to cover my secret message

Week 4 inside card

Week 5 CHALLENGE:  Doodled Border

Misc. scrap papers, Permaball Pen, Roben-Marie Smith's stamp packaging, stencil, Inktense pencils, washi tape,

Week 5 inside view

Stay WARM!!!!  Hope you liked my creations!

Blessings,

Michelle

Autumn Adventures

Autumn Adventures have begun...  Yesterday marked the first day of autumn, and the weather was glorious.  It also happened to fall on my birthday.  You couldn't have asked for a more picture perfect day!  

Even had a parade in honor of my birthday!

(Actually, Homecoming kicked off ) 

Took the day off today.  Extended birthday celebration...

Drove out to Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wildlife Area.

Surprised to see harvest has begun.

I don't remember harvest being this early in a long time!

"I was in the midst of a prairie!  A world of grass and flowers stretched around me, rising and falling in gentle undulations...What a new and wondrous world of beauty!  What a magnificent sight!...How shall I convey to you the idea of a prairie?"-Eliza Steel 

The Big Bluestem grass is gorgeous!  Up to 9ft tall.  I can't imagine traveling in a covered wagon across the prairie through grass this tall! 

Goldenrod in full bloom

 

   

Love the chartreuse color of the Rattlesnake Plant.

Purple Coneflower 

nearing the end of it's life, but still beautiful.

 White Indigo Plant pods

 Lovely Black Eyed Susan flowers in full bloom.

 Panther Creek Valley Scenic Overlook

Dogwood

Troy and I ended our morning adventure with a walk through Lincoln's New Salem Village.

 Tobacco plants

Take some time to see the beauty around you and have your own Autumn Adventure!  

Chi-Town

The family recently had a get away weekend to The Windy City.  We love Chicago!  I love the sights and sounds of the city.  People hustling and bustling, but also finding time to enjoy their city and their loved ones.

First stop The Art Institute of Chicago

It was an honor to see Monet, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe, Renoir, Surat, and so much more. 

Van Gogh Self Portrait

American Gothic

Georgia O'Keefe The Sky Above the Clouds IV

Could have spent hours there.

Walked up and down The Magnificent Mile

Ate Garrett's Popcorn

The best popcorn ever!

Shopped a little, but just enjoyed one another and the scenery...

Lake Michigan

They have these head planters up and down Michigan Ave.  This is the Walgreen's head.

Millinium Park Bean

Buckingham Fountain

Water Tower

Took an Architectural Tour of the Chicago Riverfront.  Beautiful examples of  Art Deco, Post Modern, and Modern Architecture.   Couldn't have asked for better weather!  75 degrees! 

Have a great weekend!

More SEWN workshop projects

More SEWN projects completed...

Hexagon journal

Paper Lantern

Having "sew" much fun Mary Ann Moss!  Thank you!

Respite Day

Well, I had to take the day off and rest this tired brain.   

Enjoying my flowers this am.  Weeds and all!

Sipping my Diet Coke...sun beaming through the window.   Paper strips waiting to be sewn together.  Life is good!

If you need me I will be at my sewing machine buzzing away making paper fabric to use in other projects for Mary Ann Moss's Sewn class... 

daydreaming, planning, etc.!

Getting lost in patterns

Currently taking Mary Ann Moss's SEWN class.  I am getting lost in patterns and shapes.  

I love taking Mary Ann's classes.  She really brings me out of my perfectionist mode!  

PROJECT#1 Pattern Book Cover

LOVE the way it turned out.  Now to get it bound... 

TRUTH

Life has been way too busy the past few months.  As always, the blog is always the first to go.  

However, I am finding more time to create since our daughter is now a legal driver! Yahoo!  Anyone else ever wonder at times if this moment would ever come?

 That means I am finding more time to do the things I enjoy. 

 Creating!  

  Here is a peek of a project I am currently working on.  Inspired by the following quote:  "Truth stamped on the heart makes one wise". Beth Moore.

.