Take It Further Challenge For October: Share Your Work Space

Sharon Boggins issued a somewhat unique challenge for the month of October. She suggested sharing a glimpse your textile work space. Further she queried "How do you feel about this space? What role does it play in your life?" This then, is where I spend much of my time, although I must admit that I have much of my 'necessaries' spread out all over the house. This is a work space that I cannot stand up in - that is it's major drawback. I am hopeful that sometime soon I will have a room of my own that will allow me to stand up to cut material and to store things is the organized manner that I prefer. I am grateful however, to have such a plethora of wonderful tools and textiles to choose from. How wonderful is it, actually, to be able to say that I have things that need that kind of space?! I know that standing up would allow me to work larger because I would be able to get a better perspective on my work. I say my prayers every day for a real room - but I also say prayers of thankfullness every day - that I have these things that I enjoy so much. My space means so much to me. It is my space to do with what I will - to focus, to create, to dream and, occasioanlly, to scream (well - mentally at least!) in frustration. Thanks Sharon, for this unique challenge for October!

TIF Challenge : August : A Matter Of Balance

August's theme for the TIF Challenge was "Balance". Sharon posted the color palette and then posed the the following 'seed' questions:

What does Balance mean to you?
Do you maintain a balanced life?
How do you balance aspects of your life?

Each month we have the option of using the color palette or creating something that speaks to the 'seed' thoughts. Generally, I like to try and use components of both. Balance has always been an issue for me. It's something that I always seek, occasionally find & easily lose once again! I am finding, however, that as I add years to my life balance becomes a bit easier to define. Learning the fine art of saying "no" to things that I know will throw me off balance becomes easier as does my ability to move "into flow" as I work on these themes.

I have found that this monthly challenge is really something that I look forward to. It's a wonderful, 'do-able', way to engage the creative brain in a spontaneous way. I try to just let an idea flow - without thinking it out too much. I hope that, when this year is finished, we will either have another go round from Sharon (preferably because she has such great ideas!) or that we will be able to carry on in some similar fashion.

This is the color palette for August. Sharon uses Colour Lovers to design the palettes. If you have not checked into this fantastic site before - you really should. It's really a colour lovers treat!

TIF Challenge : July

This month's "Take It Further Challenge" catch phrase was 'What does it mean to be at the half way mark'? One can take that in so many ways. Half way through the day, the year, the hour, your life, the project, dinner, the movie. We are almost always half way through - or have half way begun - with one thing or another. I wrote 'Half way from one thing is half way towards another. No matter where you go there you are.' I do know that I am hoping that this monthly challenge will continue past this first year - I have found it to most enjoyable and would miss it very much if, in another half, we were to discontinue the monthly practice.

I should have known that something was amiss with me last week when I came home from work & slept three hours only to get up for two hours & scurry back to bed. I should have known the following day when I was staring at my computer screen at work and the words got fuzzy & I wanted to sleep so badly. I should have known when I was dizzy enough that I considered getting a ride home rather than driving myself. Next day I stayed home from work, and, rather then be smart enough to cave in by myself and call the doctor, I waited until DH made me call while he stood there to make sure that I did! I should have known. Temperature, dizzyness (some would say that I am always a bit dizzy I suppose) - the usual URI, sinus infection & bad asthma flare. After a few days of prednisone & antibiotics, and should I add, a lot of extra sleep, I am beginning to feel like something other than an attached part of the bed clothes! I wonder how old I will have to be until I allow myself to accept that when things go awry my body tells me the tale - I just have to accept what it is telling me sooner than I do!

You've Heard What They Say About Simple Pleasures For SImple Minds?

One of Sharon Boggins exercises for the Journaling class is paper cutting. Suffice it to say that I never got to enjoy learning about these simple pleasures when I was younger - so I am really enjoying them now! Since doing these few paper cuts I have nearly filled a folder with them - and have been having so much fun !
Now, however, I wish I could take a real class in the fine art of Scherenschnitte .. surely tere must be one on the web somewhere!

Visual Journal Pages

This Journal Page was about the early departure of the hummingbirds this year.
I used fabric, paper cut out, and painted my little hummer friend.

It's been one of those periods in life when I feel like I am working more than ever but accomplishing far less then I would like to! I get really frustrated when I don't have time to FINISH something without a million interruptions. I also get edgy when I don't have time to just daydream and play. Hence, the recent funk I think! I am thoroughly enjoying my class, 'Studio Journals: A Designer's Workhorse' with Sharon Boggins (through Joggles). I am not following the lessons exactly but am using some of the techniques in a way that suits me. Sharon always comes up with fun ways to do things and she gives you so much wonderful information. It's takes some time to absorb it all and figure out how to make the techniques "your own". My friend, Lauren, is always telling me that I tend to read directions only as a last resort - and I tend to suspect that she's right - and also that this applies to artistic instruction as well! If you have ever thought about taking a class with Sharon - run, don't walk - to sign up for one! I can't wait for more!

This Page is because I have been enjoying watching so many butterflies this year....
and because I love the combination of pink and gray !

For this page I was just playing with bold color and cut outs.
Childish fun that I can't get enough of !

More paper cut out fun ... on a background that had been lingering, unused , for too long!

Visual Journaling : Week One: Page 1

Last week I began an online class with Sharon Boggins through my favorite craft class place, Joggles. The Class is called "Studio Journals; A Designer's Workhorse" . This is the first page. Although I am not sure that it is exactly what Sharon had in mind - it is what hit me when I thought about beginning, at last, a more visual way of charting my days. I have journaled for more than 20 years now - some years were spotty - but the more often I wrote ,the more I had the pleasure of reviewing in future years. It goes along with my belief that in order to really know (and appreciate) where you are, you need to know (and remember) where you've been! My closest friends have a way of being my alternate memory repository. Lauren , Maria , Sarah & Janet are always reminding of this or that that we did years ago. I love having this alternate source of memorabilia - to fill in the times that I had pushed aside from active memory. I think I will really enjoy being more visual in my jounrals. It was a change I had been contemplating for some time. There are times when just one visual "memory" can bring a flood of all of the tastes, smells and feelings of the time. I'm lovin' this class - so far !

Plums

Plums. I have plums on the brain. Who does not love plums?! Lauren, friend & recent provisioner, gave me a l a r g e bag of plums last week. I can't say that I had planned to spend as much of the weekend in the kitchen as I did, but I can't bear to see good fruit go to waste. We were in the midst of a heat streak so I had to have fans blaring away as I cooked. I made 18 pints of jam. Plum & plum/blueberry (I also had some blueberries that needed to be used). Next came the plum tart. I really was not sure how I would like the recipe - but it turned out very well ! Next, because I had be up to my elbows in plums I had to journal about them!

I just began a wonderful class with Sharon Boggin through Joggles called "Studio Journals: A Designer's Workhorse". I had wanted to add more visual elements to my journaling and thought that this class might inspire me. I'm not sure that this is what Sharon is talking about doing - but it worked me since plums were a definite part of my weekend ! If you have not made yourself acquainted with Sharon's work I would encourage you too.

Plum Tart Recipe from Food Network Courtesy of Ina Garten's "The Barefoot Contessa Parties"

2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), diced 1 egg yolk 2 pounds firm, ripe Italian prune plums, pitted and quartered lengthwise Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the flour, walnuts, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and the egg yolk. Mix, either by hand or with an electric mixer, until crumbly. Press 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture in an even layer into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform or tart pan. Arrange the plums in the pan, skin-side down, to form a flower pattern; begin at the outside and work your way in. Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture evenly over the plums. Bake the tart for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it's lightly browned and the plum juices are bubbling. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and transfer the tart to a flat plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.