October Take it Further.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 6:04AM | Sharon B | 75 Comments | in Challenges, Take it Further challenge This month the challenge is to think about your textile work space. How do you feel about this space? What role does it play in your life?
Many of us have workrooms or studios, others have set aside a corner of a room or just have a favourite chair. Personally I feel its important to me to have a room if possible because it means I can work on a project and leave it overnight to return in the morning with everything as I left it. I don't have to waste time putting stuff away or getting it out. It means if I have spare half hour or so I simply walk in my room and do a little work. All these moments of work mount up. They are only a few moment here and there that are saved but it is one of the reasons I do manage to get things done.
I thought it might be fun to share images of workspaces too. So this is where I stitch.
The Colour Challenge
The colours this month were taken from a photograph I took while in Sydney recently.
Remember that the colours 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. From ColourLovers you can download swatches to use is Photoshop, Illustrator, or in a CSS file.
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 another TIF blog. Please remember if you use Debra’s TIF blog to swing by here too!
There is a even a Take it Further group over on the stitching fingers community. The community has grown considerably to well over a 1100 members. It is not only a good way to keep in touch with the community but and all sorts of challenges, swaps go on.
A bit of News
I am on a brief trip to New Zealand to take a little break and see Eve. I will be not be regularly blogging for 10 -14 days. If I get the chance I post circus and holiday pics.
Reader Comments (75)
What a wonderfully tidy workspace I wish mine was that tidy perhaps I could produce more if I could find things!!
Have a great time in New Zealand! Healing wishes to Eve :- )
This chalenge will be fun to consider. Tell me, does your workspace often look that tidy?!
I have waited all day for the new TIF Challenge - and at the moment am ROTFLOL at the "work space" concept. I design and paint needlepoint canvas for a living - and have for 40 years, and while I am extremely organized about it, my work space is not. I call it "organized chaos" - and when the space dwindles on my work table to the size of a placemat, I clean it up and start over.
I will inventory the objects on this table.
Oh my, your space is so neat. I just moved my work room so mine is neater than it once was but still doesn't look so lovely.
After seeing your nice tidy workspace Sharon there is no way I am showing anyone mine.
Wow I have to ask? Is your space always so clean???? I finally have a space of my own that I have claimed (after teaching in various buioldings and rooms then and raising 3 kids now adults I finally have space, maybe I'll take some pics of my space during the month and post them on my blog, but you'll see mine is not always so neat...actually hardly ever.... lol and somehow keeps growing!
Teddi
Normally my space is not so clean - I had a bit of blitze and thought about it as I was cleaning up!
What a BEAUTIFUL workspace! This is actually a topic I've been thinking about for a while. I want a separate building to work in. :)
Workspace can make such a difference. I now have a space that feeds my soul: lots of light and space for friends to join me -- plus red walls and a green "Jackson Pollock" floor (which I think influences my color choices... hmmm...)(pic posted yesterday) -- I am experiencing more joy in creating than ever before.
What an inviting place to create. My sewing room looks like it's been ransacked--by someone who did not find what they were looking for. You've inspired me to get tidy. Thanks!
Hi, its a good day when I can get into my workroom and see the floor!! anyway, initial thoughts here http://travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/
Looks far too tidy!! Having just moved into a new space I'm just getting used to my new studio. This time I have dedicated "stations" for certain activities as I couldn't get my big table in the door. For example, I have a sewing table, computer (office) table and a painting table. All had to be fold up tables to get in the door. I really like this arrangement as I now don't have to clean off a space to do painting - I just shift to the appropriate spot!! I'm off to the UK this month so I may produce something in the last few days of the month. Have fun everyone!
I'm off to a great start this month!
Must be the studio ;-) space I have (just kidding) so here's my posting to share this month...enjoy. http://wannabequiltartisttjm.blogspot.com/
my space is a chaos...
I don't have a studio or even a place to work and I definitely feel the lack. We have a teeny house and I don't see a way at present to the possibility of a space. (Our kitchen is too small for a table; our dining room table is the office with the computer...) I'm not sure where to begin to illustrate my feelings on all of this. Marjorie
My first thoughts on this challenge are up on my blog. I think I have a design worked out for my fabric piece but I will unveil that later in the month when I have time to work on it.
http://www.tyquilts.com/blog
Whow, that sure is tidied up! My space only looks a little bit like that when we have guests.
The room I am working in is my eldest daughter's room. She is now studying and allowed me to set up my studio there. It is tiny, but I have a desk and two chests with large drawers. This is heaven after all the time I could only work at the kitchen table and had to store everything in the cellar. However, it is not nearly enough space. And since I have to heap up things on every possible surface, I am searching a lot for things I know I have. What is neatly stored away is my stash (sorted according to colors and fabric) and my embellishments (tucked away in storage trays I got from a jeweler). I hope to find some ideas for storage in the new "Studios" magazine...
Angelika
Like everyone else it seems, I work in organised chaos. I have to tidy up and put everything out of reach when my grandchildren come to stay as they sleep in there so maybe I can make use of that fact in creating something for the Challenge. Grace
Last September progress and my first thoughts on this month on my blog : http://patchworkbroderieetcetera.blogspot.com/2008/10/tif-challenge.html
I can't believe it's already October ! Only 2 months left for this challenge... Did you already think about another one for next year ?
Beautiful workspace. Which reminds me that I need to clean mine. Yours is super neat and organized, it's putting mine right now to shame. lol.
Hugs,
Lory
I've left some photos and comments on my working space on my blog
http://magsramsay.blogspot.com
I'm still working out how I can interpret this as a textile piece( photo-montage?).
It might have to be the colour palette this month
Margaret
Gosh, I've been reading all the comments and it seems nearly everyone has "organised chaos" in their work spaces ! I think it's called creative clutter? I've been brave and put my photos up on my personal blog with some explanation, have a peak?
Hooroo,
Christine
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
I've posted a few pictures of my studio space up on my blog (http://tangomusings.blogspot.com). Not nearly as neat as Sharon's unfortunately!
just popped workspace photos on my blog and realised just how untidy it looks ( even after tidying up)
http://travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/
Hello
Can I ask a question ?
What type of floor covering do you have .
Thanks
Jackie UK
Hi Jackie - sure you can ask its a a carpet which was on the floor when we moved into the house. I plan on taking it up and sealing the floor boards one day but its such a job I keep just being very careful of any pins I drop! Boards are the best as you can just sweep up sewing threads etc and you find pins. (It is sort of important since I never wear shoes indoors)
Thanks Sharon
I am about to have a new floor covering layed so looking at the choices available .
Have a scruffy tired carpet there at present .
What does every one else favour ?
Jackie
definately cushioned vinyl, easy to clean, sweep, sometimes cold on the feet but I always have may rag rug. I use a small carpet offcut under my machine foot when its really cold ( big fan of machining in bare feet)
I don't understand fully, can I join this group or not?
Please let me know, and how.
yvette
Yvette I just dropped you an email and you can join in all are welcome.
Glimpses of my work space will be on my blog tomorrow morning (pacific time US) for the October Challenge. I enjoyed this different perspective Sharon - thanks !
http://zquilts.blogspot.com
On my blog, my textile work spaces : patchwork, textile art, embroidery...
Another slow start this month, but beginnings on my blog at
http://fibrefan.blogspot.com/
Sharon, would love to join this group if the opportunity arises. The challenges you have all done so far look really interesting. Maggi
Hi Maggie - just join in. When you have made something post it to your blog then come back to my blog and leave a message here. Don't forget your blog address when you leave the message. People follow the link to see what you have done.
hi ya'll
don't think i can do much better than this.it is very succinct and straight to the point.
please check it out herehttp://amovablefeast.blogspot.com/2008/10/room-of-ones-own.html
btw. it's one of my studio windows :)
neki desu
oops bad link sorry! http://amovablefeast.blogspot.com/2008/10/room-of-ones-own.html
neki desu
I too work in organized chaos. I just joined the TIF and am really thinking about this challenge. Having never been in art or design school, I have never really done anything that evokes my feelings about a particular thing, so am looking forward to it. I think I will try to the feeling side of it instead of the visual. Thanks.
My daughter thinks my workingspace is a complete mess, but she's VERY organized herself. I'm not and usually I can find my things although not when I need it, but I come across some lost things, so I always find my things in time, am I right, or am I right? But how to put that in a TIF for this month.....my brains are spinning, I hope I can come up with something in time....
Hi Sharon,
I wanted to let you know that I have to drop out of the TIF Challenge. My Dad passed on today, and I need to fly to the East Coast, my Mom passed away 18 months ago so there are many things that need to be taken care of. I'm sorry to have to leave, but I won't be able to contribute like I wanted to. I want to thank you and everyone who participated in the challenge for allowing me to participate. Thank you to everyone. I'll have my laptop with me and will drop in from time to time to see how things are going.
megabqfabricchallenge.blogspot.com
My initial thoughts on this month's challenge are posted at http://paintedquilt.blog-city.com/october_take_it_further_challenge.htm
Finally I managed to do something useful with this months theme, Sharon and the rest of you challengers! It's completely different from my other challenges, but that the meaning of all this! See my blog, please and tell me if my design shows my thoughts about my workingspace.
I finally posted my initial thoughts about this challenge on my blog here: http://sewingmagpie.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-take-it-further-challenge.html
It remains to be seen what I'll actually produce as a result!
Hi Sharon I have finished my October Crazy Quilt block and I am rather pleased with it.
Looking forward to next month.
Doreen
http://doreeng.blogspot.com
Hi, I am ready with my October piece. It is on my blog now.
Ok,
I feel I have been very brave letting anyone see where I produce my work, I think it is a miracle I can produce anything in my tiny room, sometimes I do wonder how I even get into the room. So take a look if you are nosey, otherwise all I can see is you were warned!
I cant remember if I said I had finished September, but I did just in the time line and now October is finished and my thoughts behind it are up on my blog
http://backvalleyseasons.blogspot.com
My October piece is done and on my blog (plus pics of my workroom!)
Cheers
Mary Anne
oops...would help if I gave the addy wouldn't it!
http://magpiesmumblings.blogspot.com
I've completed my October challenge as well. It's on my blog at http://tangomusings.blogspot.com.