Take it further challenge for April
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 7:28AMSince it is the first of the month it's time to set another Take it Further challenge. With the arrival of Autumn in my part of the world and Spring in the Northern hemisphere my mind turns to ideas of cycles that involve change. Some people see change as positive while others are fearful of change.
Recently I have had two separate conversations. Both times I spoke about knocking a wall between kitchen and lounge area in our house. This would make the kitchen larger and open up the house considerably. One friend reacted with a comment about how houses are shaped to accommodate changing needs and how they grow to fit the family. In other words she saw this reshaping of the home in a positive light. Another friend jokingly asked me if it was mid life crisis time. In other words one person saw change as positive the other saw it is negative.
There are stages in life when it is almost unacceptable to change. For instance it is often implied that it is not acceptable to change when you are middle aged and the desire for change at this stage in life is often referred to as a mid life crisis. Yet often at the same time, in the work place expensive consultants are being hired to help corporations and institutions 'manage change'. We are expected to adapt to different work stresses and embrace change in the work place but changes our private lives is framed as bit of issue. It amuses me when people say we have to learn to live with change as change has always been part of life. As soon as we are born we start to grow in other words we start to change.
How do you see change? That is the challenge topic this month.
I was torn about a colour scheme but came up with this one.
This is the source image I used. It is a holiday snap from when we went to China
Once again I came up with it by using ColourLovers If you have not seen this site before and love colour do check it out as there is much colourful fun to be had over there.
Remember that the palette you can only ever be a suggestion as computer screens display colours differently. The aim is to be as close as possible to the colours on your screen. However from ColourLovers you can download swatches to use is Photoshop, illustrator, or in a CSS file. Have fun with it!
As usual when you have worked the idea swing back to this page and leave a comment with blog or flickr address so that people can take a look at what you have been working on or done. There is a flickr group for the Take it Further Design Challenge and Debra Spincic has set up a webring for the challenge and another TIF blog.
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Reader Comments (198)
a word of warning: if you knock down the wall into the kitchen - you'll have to keep the kitchen tidy.....or not...and all your visitors see the dirty dishes in the sink. option two at our house! interesting challenge...Ive drawn a blank.(or is this an April Fools joke, and you are planning to give us the 'real' easier challenge later!)
Change is a good thing as long as it's not self destructive. And as for the two differing opinions on remodeling the house - we know whose glass is half full and whose is half empty now, don't we?
Paula - there is only two of us at home now and most of the time the dishes are done - but who really cares if there are few dishes inthe sink?
You have given us something to think about again. I'm captivated by change, but the remarks about circles, really rang my bell. I can see something with circles--not sure what, but will be fun to play with.
Oh, dear! I think I'll pass on April's Challenge. We are just coming out of winter here in Northern California. The color palette for this month is too dark and gloomy for me. Actually, last month wasn't all that exciting, either. I need something to cheer me up. I hope May's colors are more "colorful."
Hmmmmm! I just found an Australian Aboriginal painting that I had saved to my desktop. The color families match the ones in the photograph - only they are "brighter." Maybe I'll use those colors.
Go for it...I remolded a three bed slit level into a 5 bedroom tri level and I love it.I was in my late 50's when we did it.
And I think the color scheme for this month is very interesting. We were at a bed & breakfast last week-end and I told the owner I would make her a temari ball...these are her colors. ttfn...sue
The idea is interesting: we move a lot, and you actually look forward to the change as we "change" countries, meet new people, learn about new cultures and often learn a new language. But remodeling is not high on my FUN list for change.
Colors ... hmmm. I want to know where the green and blue went from the photo!!!
And Happy April 1st ... some places go BIG for the jokes!
And
I love change. I say, go for it! I move a lot, so when I'm in one house for very long I HAVE to start painting, moving furniture, maybe even knocking out walls, so it feels like I've moved. I know, it's weird.
Great topic for me. Colors are a little more difficult. The dark ones are really hard to see. Is that black, dark green, and brown or burgundy? I can't tell.
My intention was to work with the concept each month but even after having slept on this one I am still stumpted.Still, I'll have a ponder and see if anything gives me a starting point.
We are off to California on Friday and wont be back until the 19th so there will be no work done on this TIF until we get back, but like Sharon as it is autumn here I think i will go with those colors and the idea of a change in the season, although I will add some green as that is what we hope for here then. Actually I may go for the colors in the photo as I love that mix with a bit of blue/purple and green and terracotta.
Change is something we all face;regardless of how we deal with it.[Btw,I am dealing with Kitchens now, too.We are designing the kitchen for our new flat,as well as the other rooms.Deciding how much space we need and how to maximise it seems mind boggling,for me.]Its funny how people react differently to change in others visavis themselves.The same friend who asked you if you are having midlife crisis might be adapting to/dealing with change herself.I noticed that kind of reactions in my friends.May be they dont want to see changes in others.
Good one, Sharon. Hmm. I seem to be back to that 'vulnerability' thing.....
thank yoy sharon :D
now i must to think....that is hard part :D
Oooh. This is one of my favorite themes. I'm still behind on March, but who knows - a magic window of time may appear soon!
(And I'm with you on tearing out walls--one of my favorite things to do. The naysayers always come around and say, "Wow, now I get it!"
pdc
The concept is thought provoking and I will mull it over in my mind for a few days. I will be remodeling my kitchen too, but its because the condo association is replacing all the pipes in the building and will access them from interior walls. Aside from the huge special assessment, its a welcome change coz the kitchen isn't functional. On the personal side, I view my midlife crisis as a negative. Who wants to make a huge change in employment on something that may be a midlife whim? Its a scary place to be?
The concept is thought provoking and I will mull it over in my mind for a few days. I will be remodeling my kitchen too, but its because the condo association is replacing all the pipes in the building and will access them from interior walls. Aside from the huge special assessment, its a welcome change coz the kitchen isn't functional. On the personal side, I view my midlife crisis as a negative. Who wants to make a huge change in employment on something that may be a midlife whim? Its a scary place to be.
I love the topic and the colours in the photo itself in particular. I think life changes in some small way every day of our lives and this is what makes it so interesting. My mother was always painting and decorating and moving furniture around. My Father often said he thought he was in the wrong house and I remember he once came home and we were stuck in a doorway unable to move as she decided to move a large sofa to another room. So this is going to be fun.
O.K. Sharon, I like the idea of change, as long as it is positive. Last month's small details theme was a bit too close to home with our water situation. LOL! And how did you know that I just ordered a sofa and chair in a cinnamon color?
I'm beginning to think that the palette always registers very dark on my monitor. It looks like two blacks up there. I like the spicy red and yellow, though and I'm thinking of some really nice fabrics I've got up in my studio right now with some of these tones....
Time to get away from the computer and go to work in the real world!
Thank you Sharon, fantastic autumnal colors, these colors my monitor based VANILLA, RED DARK, SKIN, DARK GREEN AND LADRILLO, I could not see the colors in the color chart DMC
Please help with the numbers.
Thank you for the information.
Interesting concept - I thought straight away of Climate Change and the colour palette fits in with maps of predicted temperatures. Personally at work to meet expectations of how we can mitigate global warming we're having to adapt and respond quickly, a shift in emphasis but not necessarily anything new. Change is often a transition rather than abrupt
Margaret
http://magsramsay.blogspot.com
Changes, Colors, Challenges, and Computers (and Aborigine art) - one thing leads to another, and can be positive if I keep this in mind. Moving from independent living to semi-being-taken care-of by my children isn't an easy transition - especially for an artist with her head in the clouds..and trash on the floor.
http://www.fairy-crafts.blogspot.com
I always seem to know what I'm going to do with the concept as soon as I read it. Most times I find that the "first thought" is the best thought. I've chosen my theme for this concept and posted my first discussion of it on my blog today. I also matched up the DMC floss colors to the palette and that is in my post for today as well. Thank you Sharon! This one will be a real challenge for me, trying to pull my idea for the concept together with the color palette but I'm up for it!
Pam
http://www.kittyandme.com
You are a mind reader! Or at least have insight into my life. Last month - I read 'details' more as what does your "to do" list say about your life. And my to do list includes finding that challenge card and getting it posted tonight!
And I now have 58 days to pack/cull a house we have lived in for 20+ years to move to a condo less than 1/2 the house's size! Talk about CHANGE! Say what you want about change - it is rarely dull!
doni in nebraska - for 58 more days!
doniquilts.blogspot.com
Dear Sharon,
I enjoyed the challenges that I have completed but find I have not enough time to do them justice, and show my progress on my flickr site, so I am reluctantly bowing out.I shall continue to follow with interest what the TIF challenge is each month and see what everyone does with it. Thanks for the opportunity to participate,
Yvonne (Beach_nanna)
March has been posted to my blog http://greasyming.blogspot.com
Sorry blog detail incorrect should read http://greasyminginc.blogspot.com
I've just finished march and posted it on my blog along with the beginning of my April TIF.
www.linda-stokes.blogspot.com
I just realised it is now April ... and I still have not done Jamuary, Febuary or March yet! (not to mention all the other journal quilts/challenges/etc I wanted to get done) ... anyway - while this page was loading I also checked my e-mail and found out the theme for the chooseday challenge ("Bird")
my mind started to wander (maybe it is that wind blowing out some of the cobwebs?)
... Hmmmm ... change + bird ...
= phoenix? Lol
... when changes are forced/fall upon us we often thing it is the end of something, but it is also the beginning of something new! - a new "Phoenix" rises up from the ashes of the old, and life takes flight in a new direction ...
It has been too many weeks since I have actually done a journal quilt/challenge/etc thingy ... maybe this one will be a good one to jump back in with? ... Hmmm ... maybe I need to go stuff a stick of gelignite under my phoenix?
(actually what I need to do is to FIND my sewing room under all the still half sorted out mess ... but first I have to make 3 sets of ATCs for a swap because I have to send them off very soon ... will someone please change things so that there are 100 more hours in each of my days?!)
btw - if you want to knock a wall out then do it - who cares if someone thinks it is a mid-life crisis - LOL ... just remember that if the house is more "open" then there could be less places to "hide" the mess!
I'm doing the color scheme again, since color runs me. The fabrics are posted on my blog.
I just put my first thought for TIF April on my blog.
http://jacquelinedejongarts.blogspot.com
I've posted my initial thoughts on April on my blog: http://tangomusings.blogspot.com
I loved last month's colors and this month's colors my Mom would have loved. She passed away 10 years ago. I think I should use these colors and do some sort of fabric memorial for her. She loved to sew and liked to make beaded necklaces. So it should have beads on it. Something for me to think about. Thanks for doing this each month.
It's not that this topic has me brimming with excitement but as soon as I read the challenge theme for this month my mind reeled from one thougth/idea to the next on how to create this new piece. Within a few seconds each successive idea built from the previous one. Wow!
Let me tell you, this DOES NOT happen with any regularity! Thanks Sharon. Keep 'em coming.
(sorry a few of you are struggling with this one).
Hello, I'm from Spain. I'd like to take part in your group, I think is very interesting to use the imagination. Sorry for my bad English. I hope your news in my blog angelinesartero.blogspot.com.
Sincerely Angelines
I've put details of my March challenge effort and my thoughts for April on my blog here http://mixedmedia-jem.blogspot.com/2008/04/take-it-further-challenge-march-and.html
I read the concept challenge on the first of April and have been stewing over it since. I think I have a plan... we'll see how it develops. Will be posting my initial thoughts on my blog today.
I've made a start and have posted results so far on my blog today.
http://justenoughtime.wordpress.com
I just posted my first thoughts on April's challenge at http://moonsilk-stitches.blogspot.com/2008/04/thoughts-on-aprils-challenge.html
OO a fillysofical subject :D
http://hebartjournal.blogspot.com/2008/04/old-flowers.html
Well I've finally finished and posted my March challenge and it really was a challenge that "took me further". I will have to think harder for this month. I like the colors I see in the picture so I will think on that too. My March challenge is at http://freebirdsings.blogspot.com/
Hi
i've done some preliminary work as a warm up.
Check my blog http://amovablefeast.blogspot.com and the TIF blog http://takeitfurtherchallenge.blogspot.com/
for some techie stuff.
cheers,
neki desu
how exciting - I say go for it too - life is too short - love the theme and the colors, thanks!
I have some thoughts on where to go with this and I think enough time to get this one done, going to start this weekend no matter what
www.goatgoddess.wordpress.com
First thoughts on my blog at http://fibrefan.blogspot.com/. Thanks Sharon for adding me to the challenge list - I just noticed it the other day.
Hi, finished pondering! going to simply go with Positive/Negative/change. First steps on my blog
http://travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/
Preliminary thoughts http://dakinidreams.blogspot.com/2008/04/take-it-further-challenge-april.html
Hi Sharon, I've got an open kitchen now and I LOVE it, makes for more light, space and connection to other things happening in the home.
I finally finished March too, here's a link to the blog post...
http://crazyhereandnow.blogspot.com/2008/04/march-tif-finally-finished-april.html
I've an idea that I'm percolating for April... I always hope no one takes the idea before I "claim" it but that might be fun too, the different takes on it...
Enjoy your day, Jane
I see a number of themes here - change, cycles, positive/negative and lots of ways of pursuing all of them! Hmm.. Will have to contemplate the final direction for a bit longer.
On Kitchens - I've built 3 of them so I say go for it! On demolition - yes, cover everything, tape doors closed etc otherwise EVERY part of your house will be covered in dust. A laundry can make a great makeshift kitchen!!
I've posted my completed April TIF project on my blog at
http://justenoughtime.wordpress.com on April 6.
I've finished the March challenge. I was disappointed with my effort, but I'm all worked up in a good way over April's challenge. I've posted my March work along with my early ideas for April's project at http://www.colorlineandtexture.blogspot.com.