Thursday 17 January 2008

Take It Further - January (An Update)


You may recall in this earlier post I decided to go with the colour scheme Sharon posted as the TIF January challenge. Well, in the course of pondering what do with said colour scheme, I decided to think about qualities I admire in other people (given that someone we admire is the TIF concept for January). I toyed with various ideas and then "balance" was issued as a journal prompt on another group I have joined and I immediately knew that I wanted to use that as my theme for TIF! I am so in awe of people who have balance in their lives.

Over a decade ago I had the wonderful opportunity, through my job, to do a very intensive live-in week long Leadership Course at the Mt Eliza Business School over in Victoria. It was a life-changing event for me in many ways but one of the points that was stressed during the course (which was totally male except for two female participants, myself included) was the importance of balance. The course used the quadrant approach - family, work, personal life and community and I have kept that in mind ever since. Needless to say I have not always achieved it...

So, my TIF colour scheme has turned into a small art quilt based around the concept (quality?) of balance. I have used four equal squares as my quilt top and then I have divided two of the squares into length-wise strips (to symbolise the different areas in which we participate in our personal and community lives). I am adding a circle in the middle to represent the perfect balance between all four (and potentially the snowball effect!). I had already selected the fabrics before the thinking happened but I think they are ideal for this - there is a mixture of western and Asian text and design which emphasizes making the most of all approaches and philosophies. As an embellishment I will add a large Asian decorative coin that represents all the signs of the Chinese zodiac - a good representation, I think, of life in balance - all the personalities that we need to balance in our lives!! Not sure how much quilting etc I'll do although I really think it would look nice with some beading. The darker purple fabric (not pictured) from the colour scheme will be used for the quilt binding.

These are a couple of progress shots from my scanner (partial shots only, and of course minus the binding which isn't done yet!)


And because a blog post needs pictures, the other scans are of a green journal title page (below - a great way to use up all those scraps of beautiful papers) and a journal cover (at the top of this post) that I made some time ago.

14 comments:

Purple Missus said...

Fabulous fabrics Debbi - this piece will look splendid when you have finished. And the theme you have chosen along with your explanation is very thought provoking.

Pat said...

What a wonderful post Debbi, marvellous thought process, thank you for sharing. The eye candy of the journals are super too.;-)

Doreen G said...

You have explained your thought process very well Debbi and I love the way you have interpreted it into the fabric colours.
I look forward to seeing the finished project.

Myra said...

Love your TIF idea Debbi. That purple journal cover is gorgeous!

Night Owl Designs said...

It's looking great! Can't wait to see the finished product :-)

Digitalgran said...

This is my first visit to your blog Debbie and I shall be going back to have a long look as soon as I can.

Anonymous said...

Debbi...these are all beautiful but i have to say that since green is my favorite color, I am loving that journal cover you did. It is awesome!

Dianne said...

The TIF art quilt looks wonderful Debbi! I love the fabrics...

Anonymous said...

Its amazing how our brains work isn't it? So many people either when with the colour or concept challenge on first reflection and then ended up with something totally different. I think I am going through the same process except I have ended up with colour challenge.

The fabrics look marvellous and I look forward to the grand unveiling at the end of the month.

sharon young said...

Hi Debbi
What a great start you've made on the TIF challenge. I love the concept of balance, and the Oriental fabrics are just perfect for this interpretation. The colours too area a great interpretation of the brief, I'm really looking forward to seeing this completed.
Your journal covers are really eye catching, I'm especially drawn to the purple one as it's a favourite colour of mine.
Thank you so much for your interesting feed back on my blog post re Feb PC, I will try the Misty Fuse and yes if you have a little sample that would be wonderful, if you could mail it to me to try.

Val said...

Just wonderful Debbi - love your mix of fabrics, the textures and the text - it all works very well together. Val

Meg in Tennessee said...

Your fabric choices are great and I really like the way you are incorporating the them of this months' TIF.

Elizabeth said...

Debbi!
your Journal cover is wonderful , the fabrics that you are using for Balance are wonderful and the green page is awesome!! Green is becoming a new favorite of mine!!
Isn't sychronisity grand!!

Beautiful work!!
Elizabeth

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

That green really caught my eye! That IS a great way to use all those scraps I've been accumulating the last couple of years! You've gotten me to thinking on new projects now....lol

Kari