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.
Well I have finally uploaded my October finished piece to my flickr site …
http://flickr.com/photos/memyni/ I used the colours and my design is inspired by playing cards.
I actualy work in several spots around the house – the kitchen bench, my desk in front of the computer, and I spend time looking and playing with the stash in my craft room – this is more like a cupboard as there is no room in there to work it is for storage purposes only.
Ronelle
Very very slow progress for October…
http://patchworkbroderieetcetera.blogspot.com/2008/11/tif-challenge_30.html
I have finally finished my October piece and brought a little order out of the chaos that I work in! It’s on my blog at http://mixedmedia-jem.blogspot.com/2008/11/take-it-further-october.html
Time is moving so fast but here is my thoughts on Octobers TIF
http://takeitfurtherchallenge.blogspot.com/2008/11/october-my-work-space-helen-suzanne.html
I’ve posted about my October TIF on my blog.Please take a look and tell me what you think.Thanks
http://www.millionlittlestitches.blogspot.com
Piece posted on my blog: old velvet patchwork used to frame photos of some of the ‘treasures’ of my work space
http://magsramsay.blogspot.com
Margaret
I put up a very embarrassing picture of my cutting table on my blog, plus a project that I made using some of the scraps that were laying around on it. Interesting topic–got me to thinking about my space.
http://www.enchanted-art.blogspot.com
I finished my October challenge piece. You can see the picture at http://paintedquilt.blog-city.com/october_tif_finish.htm
Progress on my blog at http://fibrefan.blogspot.com/ but I don’t think I’ll finish in time but I WILL finish it because 1 I need it and 2 I really like it today.
I have posted my Oct. challenge ” Sanctuary” on my blog and if you scroll down, I also posted my Sept. piece “In The Weeds”.
http://www.miamithreads.blogspot.com
August is now posted
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcih/
I just looked at my message from yesterday, and realize I didn’t say where the blocks were posted. Oh well, chalk that up to excitement in getting a couple blocks posted.
Octobers finished block here on my blog,
http://crazyhereandnow.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-tif.html
and here on the TIF blog,
http://takeitfurtherchallenge.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-jane-bennett.html
Can’t believe we’re closing in on the end of the year… time is flying!
Started my October TIF piece. Drop by and see my latest post on my blog.
http://www.barbs-spiritsong.blogspot.com
My completed October challenge piece is up on my blog now. http://www.tyquilts.com/blog
I’ve finally posted June and July blocks. August is almost done, September is ready to stitch.
Will I be caught up before the end of the year? Don’t hold your breath.
My take on October’s challenge is on my blog.
http://ruthsfiberphotos.blogspot.com
done.
http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/spirit_cloth/2008/10/studio-sunday-3.html
I posted my October challenge piece on my blog at http://newsfromthebasement.blogspot.com – and also on the Take It Further blog. Scroll down a bit and you’ll find my August piece as well. Tried to comment on the August TIF page, but it is rejecting me. Oh! The pain of rejection! Just kidding.
Not sure why but my previous note seems to have disappeared into the ether, Sharon. However this is to let you know that I have two blog entries on this month’s TIF
http://maggies-textiles.blogspot.com
A big mess going on in my orderly chaos that has descended beyond creative clutter – to just awful mess. But this is necessay for right now – also I didn’t get the design work done, but I decided on it when I first saw the colors posted almost a month ago. I’m eagerly waiting for November, as I’ll have more time for personal design work and stitching!
http://fairy-crafts.blogspot.com
I’ve posted my results for the October challenge at http://www.colorlineandtexture.blogspot.com. Please scroll down to October 18 and previous entries for TIF. I also finally blogged the results of last year’s TAST challenge after I completed October’s assignment. I didn’t have a digital camera last year, so I worked the stitches each week but didn’t report them to the TAST community. Just in case anyone working this year’s TIF challenge is still doing TAST, I am finally coming clean and showing what I accomplished.
Cheers, Bernadette
I’m running behind as usual. My workspace is quite cluttered and this has been a good opportunity to take a look at it and see how I can unclutter it and organise things better. I’ve posted my initial thoughts on my blog. I’m hoping to get stuck into it tomorrow and have it finished before the end of the month.
http://barbs-spiritsong.blogspot.com/
Lycka till alla, hoppas att ni har kul!!
I’ve posted my piece for the challenge on my blog http://focus-on-fiber.blogspot.com
I have posted my October challenge – details and thoughts on my Blog at http://paddysdaughter.blogspot.com
I’ve completed my October challenge as well. It’s on my blog at http://tangomusings.blogspot.com.
oops…would help if I gave the addy wouldn’t it!
http://magpiesmumblings.blogspot.com
My October piece is done and on my blog (plus pics of my workroom!)
Cheers
Mary Anne
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
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!
Hi, I am ready with my October piece. It is on my blog now.
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
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!
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.
My initial thoughts on this month’s challenge are posted at http://paintedquilt.blog-city.com/october_take_it_further_challenge.htm
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 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….
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.
oops bad link sorry! http://amovablefeast.blogspot.com/2008/10/room-of-ones-own.html
neki desu
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
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.
Sharon, would love to join this group if the opportunity arises. The challenges you have all done so far look really interesting. Maggi
Another slow start this month, but beginnings on my blog at
http://fibrefan.blogspot.com/
On my blog, my textile work spaces : patchwork, textile art, embroidery…
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
Yvette I just dropped you an email and you can join in all are welcome.
I don’t understand fully, can I join this group or not?
Please let me know, and how.
yvette
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)
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
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)
Hello
Can I ask a question ?
What type of floor covering do you have .
Thanks
Jackie UK
just popped workspace photos on my blog and realised just how untidy it looks ( even after tidying up)
http://travelfibreandthread.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!
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 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
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
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 ?
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
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
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
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 space is a chaos…
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/
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!
Hi, its a good day when I can get into my workroom and see the floor!! anyway, initial thoughts here http://travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/
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!
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 a BEAUTIFUL workspace! This is actually a topic I’ve been thinking about for a while. I want a separate building to work in. 🙂
Teddi
Normally my space is not so clean – I had a bit of blitze and thought about it as I was cleaning up!
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!
After seeing your nice tidy workspace Sharon there is no way I am showing anyone mine.
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.
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.
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?!
What a wonderfully tidy workspace I wish mine was that tidy perhaps I could produce more if I could find things!!