Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Documented Life Week 7 and Other Creative Endeavors

Must say I have been enjoying the weekly page challenges/prompts for the Documented Life project.  It's a manageable commitment, which is always good - because it gives me the opportunity to stay up to date and current with everyone else.  Week 7 was to draw a shape - and repeat!  So many talented people are participating in this online group that it can be quite inspiring (and often intimidating if you are one who compares their art skills with that of others.)   Many pages are well thought out and planned, others, like mine, are more serendipitous and 'in-the-moment'.  Before I started my page I perused some of my craft draws for some inspiration.  I came upon a circle stencil with many sizes of the round shape.  I proceeded to draw circles then added color, texture, highlights, stitching, etc...



Not so artistic but fun and relaxing.  I did the circles on a larger sheet of paper so before creating the tip in I folded it in half and added some machine stitching.  The back of the page also has some of the circles with some words added.

A fellow quilt guild member is also participating in the Documented Life project so we sat down and enjoyed looking at each others' planner.  It's nice to know others who enjoy working in all types of creative media.  I go back and forth between the paper and the fabric daily and mix it up when I can.  Tomorrow I take a class from long time quilt expert Cindy Blackberg, who will be teaching hand piecing mixed with hand embroidery.  I love learning new techniques!  Cindy uses rubber stamps and Versa Craft stamp pads to in lieu of tracing templates.   This sounds brilliant to me and I can't wait to play tomorrow!   I'll let you know what I think.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Documented Life Project - Weeks 5 and 6

What happened to week 4?  I didn't photograph it.  I didn't like it that much anyway.  The challenge for week 4 was to write a message and hide it by painting, collaging or journaling over it.  I liked that part.  

The week 5 Challenge was to add a doodle border.  I love all of the doodling I see on the many websites and groups (like this one).  I have read about and tried zentangles (in fact I like to joke that all of the mindless doodling all over my school books growing up looked liked zentangles.  I may have been ahead of the trend as a kid.)  So I doodled a border of giant flowery shapes.
I like to journal 'in the moment" so I added some letters for some mental reinforcement and wrote about all of the stresses of the present. Not necessary bad things mind you.  It always feels good to spill my thoughts on paper.  It's cheaper than therapy. 

The week 6 challenge was to do a page inspired by a Pinterest pin or board.   Being that I am in the fabric and quilting industry I pin a lot of quilt artists.  Jamie Fingal is an artist who creates amazing art quilts and other fiber art creations (like decoupaging boots with fabric!)  I did a page inspired by Jamie's artwork and her new fabric line (which I LOVE!)
This is my page - I used some of my new Inktense pencils along with some various markers.  
Check out these boots!  Love them and want to make a pair for myself!
An art quilt created by Jamie Fingal with her new fabrics! 

Truly enjoying participating in The Documented Life Project.  My business may be fabric but I will always be true to my first love - paper!  Even if I just spend a few minutes coloring or writing in the planner it makes me happy.  On to week 7.