I started working in my sketchbook today on the TIF challenge. I listed the qualities that I admire in others. I had put a wash of red watercolor on the page last night just so I wouldn’t feel nervous about a blank page. I put in some of the symbols that I had researched on the web for the various qualities.

I then took the symbolism of colors that I had found and wrote the words in the correct colors. At the bottom of the page is a sketch of a pink rose which stands for admiration. But nothing was really creating any sparks for me.

I tried a little sketch of a combination of symbols in a human figure sort of form. My admirable woman – but again, I was unimpressed.

Then I did some doodling of the various symbols. I kind of like the stylized hearts for passion. And I do admire people who are passionate about their life and what they do. I’ve always felt that was lacking in my life but perhaps I can now say I’m passionate about fiber art. While I was doodling, I thought of celtic symbolism. I’ve always admired celtic art, music and culture. So I did a bit more research online. Most of the celtic symbols don’t have specific meanings because the Druids didn’t believe in recording sacred things on paper. But that somehow doesn’t bother me too much. The general meanings will still work for me.

The 3 headed spiral is for female power through transition and growth. The celtic knot represents eternity – the eternity of life, the eternity of nature and the eternity of love. It can also mean the connection of mind, body and spirit. So I think I can go somewhere with celtic symbolism. I’ve got several ideas growing from this. I’m happy with how this process worked. I think from now on I’ll call my sketchbook an “Idea” book. It’s less intimidating that way and I don’t feel it needs to look perfect. It’s late, so more later.

I got this in the mail recently from Terri Stegmiller. Isn’t it wonderful? I won it from her blog. The photo doesn’t really do it justice – it is wonderful. I’m going to frame it and hang it in my studio for inspiration!

And this was in the box with it. Two wonderful key chains made by Sue B. and Terri S.

Here are two of the books I ordered from Amazon. I’ve got one more on the way. They are gifts from my sister and her family. Thanks R!

This didn’t come in the mail but is from my friend who knits. She’s the one I gave the knitting case to. This is a hot mitt that she knit and then fulled. It’s quite thick so now I won’t burn my fingers getting things out of the oven!

Well Sharon B. posted the TIF challenge for January. The concept is a feeling of admiration for another, who do you admire and why. Sooooooo….

I’m doing this challenge in hopes of improving my design skills. So that I can take a concept and develop it into a design. I don’t feel at all comfortable doing this right now but that’s why I accepted the challenge. And it is going to be difficult! I’ve been trying to not let in fear and negativity and just go forward. I would like to be able to design in a sketchbook and then carry forward into a finished piece of fiber art. I am not happy with my skills at sketching but I’m going to show my sketchbook here so no snickers please!

I’ve been thinking about the challenge and jotting things down on a separate piece of paper. I’ll try to be a little neater when I transfer to my book. I don’t really admire any one person. I admire qualities in lots of people. Here are some of my list of admirable qualities: outgoing and friendly, passionate about what is important in their life, humor, honesty and truthfulness, creativity, innovative, courageous and optimistic. So do you know anyone that has all these qualities?? So now I’m thinking along the lines of symbolism both for the admirable qualities and also for colors and what each color represents. That’s about as far as I have gotten.

I could take the easy way out and choose to use the color scheme that Sharon picked instead of the concept. I could use those colors easily – I like them. But I think I’m going to follow the challenging path and see where it takes me.

Not dinner leftovers, but material leftover from Christmas presents I made. You can see the description of how I made the material in an earlier post. It seems very cheery and perfect for New Year’s.

One is for a friend’s mother. He was describing my work to her and she couldn’t believe that fabric could be sent through the mail that way. So I’m sending her one. The other two are probably going to end up as thank you notes. But if anyone out there wants to do a trade – let me know and I’ll send you one.

I’m looking forward to the new year. I can’t wait to start on the Take it Further Challenge. I think I will do 12 little quilts for each monthly challenge. I don’t really do traditional quilting but I think they’ll be kind of like journal quilts. I’ve about decided to do 12″x15″ as the size. Not too big but more room then say post card size. I still have some WIP that needs to be finished. Mainly some felting that hasn’t been completed. So I need to get those projects done in the next several weeks so I can concentrate on new work. I did get three new books for Christmas that I ordered and are on their way. I’ll show you what I got when they arrive. I would also like to take an online class with Sue B. on journals at Joggles in the spring. Plus I’m still getting WOW online. So it sounds like I’ll keep myself busy! I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year and that 2008 will be a new start for whatever journey you would like to take. I’m having a wonderful time on my journey in fiber art and I can’t wait to learn more, do more, create more…

Here’s a journal I made today with the quilted rusted bits left over from my bil’s present where I cut out the center to put the bird pictures. I made a lining and used torn strips of cloth for the spine.

Here’s the inside. The journal can be removed and the cover used for something else.

Here’s the spine from the bottom and top before I attached it to the cover. It kind of reminds me of a caterpillar.

Look what I got in the mail after I got home from two hours of volunteer bell ringing. A beatiful postcard from Tina. Thanks Tina – it is beautiful.

The wool is from her sheep Mick Jagger – so I have a lock of Mick’s hair!