2009 Monthly Challenge Project - January

You might remember one of my goals for the new year was to have a monthly challenge project for myself.

I came up with three categories that made some sense:

• color


• a topic-of-the-month


• a technique or format to include.

I made a list of twelve items for each of the three categories, put them on little pieces of paper in three separate pots--and randomly drew the combinations for each month of the year.

For January, the combination was: complimentary colors, abstract theme, and curved piecing. (And all months are still in the square-in-a-square series.)

My photos really didn't come out--but you get the idea. Given how little time I've had, it's a good thing I chose this to be a monthly challenge--and that the pieces are small!!

Monthly art practice--2009 Square in a Square Project

One of the annual goals I identified was to commit to a regular creative 'art' practice for the year. One of the surprise discoveries I experienced after I began blogging was the 'world' of creative people out there. Many blogs I've visited or routinely follow portray and share the journey of a daily, weekly or monthly creative endeavor. Approaches can include photography, painting, journaling, collages, etc. Two of my favorites this last year were Elin Waterston with her daily block print and Natalya Aikens with her weekly journal collages. There are many, many more out there and some web sites to help spur you on--like Illustration Friday (providing you with a concept or idea to be portrayed weekly).

I've spent some time exploring, thinking, planning for a 'challenge practice' for myself for this year and in the end, I think I will go my own way, rather than be involved in a group process.

My small quilting group spent a fair amount of 2008 working through the Art Quilt Workbook (by Davila & Waterston). My group had difficulty committing to the process due to time and also a varied level of comfort/discomfort with the process. I really enjoyed the projects we completed--and really liked the book. (The authors have now released a second volume that I've not yet seen, Art Quilts at Play--should be fun to explore as well.)

So to fulfill my 2009 goal I'm going to continue with the format, approach to the 'small quilts' done for the Art Quilt Workbook series:
Size: 9" x 12"
Overall theme: continue on with my Square-in-a-Square theme started in 2008
Time frame: each project to be completed no later than last day of each month
Other 'rules':
identify topic or technique for each of the 12 projects with the goal of getting out of my comfort zone (working on that now),
use up materials, scraps, leftovers for all as much as possible, and
have fun!
I've become preoccupied with the square-in-a-square idea over the last year--I 'see' the concept everywhere now & have collected a lot of media/fabric as well as inspirational pictures, etc.
Guess I better get going--only 28 days left for project #1!

Happy New Year!

2008 will certainly be a year to remember--may we all maintain some of the thrill and confidence of "yes we can!" as the unknown & uncertainty of 2009 begins.
New Years has a similar feeling to the first day of school for me: a chance at a fresh start, the new list(s), a clean slate, recommitment.
I've been watching & thinking about the tendency (or hesitancy) in making New Years resolutions. To be resolute implies change and most of us have a resistance to that, especially if it implies getting out of a habit or rut that seems familiar. There is something positive or empowering, however, in 'having goals' --even the prostitute friend in Pretty Woman asked her future roommate "do you have any goals?" Goals imply moving towards something--as opposed to arriving (like resolutions).

So in the spirit of starting fresh here are a few goals I'm ruminating on for the year 2009:

1. Revamp & continue on with my list of UFO's (unfinished objects--i.e. projects) to be completed. Only 8 of the 41 on the 2008 list reached the finish line. Not a great percentage, but many others are nearing that status, and the 'group' energy of our local guild was helpful in completing the old before starting the new. It was popular enough that it will likely have a repeat performance in 2009--but I'll be pursuing a revised UFO list either way
2. Organize & USE the many containers of scraps that have accumulated for 'later'. In the spirit of 'simplify, use it up, throw it out' I would like to use the old as much as possible this year.
3. Say thank you more often--I always think it & frequently express it, but I can & want to do better.
4. Find a repetitive art practice to encourage my creativity for the year. Many of my favorite bloggers I follow have been engaged in a daily, weekly, or monthly endeavor challenging themselves to stretch, explore, improve. I have some ideas--and hope to settle on a plan shortly. I want it to be a challenge, but not get in the way of all the other project plans for the year--translation: it will not be a daily project, likely monthly.
5. Walking, walking, walking. I used a simple pedometer a lot during 2008 & it was helpful. My workplace is sponsoring a 'get moving' project for employees this year--for $20 you get a very sophisticated pedometer allowing you to upload & track your info, while providing encouragement & information. I'm not much on the 'group thing' but some of those approaches can be the helpful nudge at times you need it. I didn't make the 5000 steps a day during 2008 but I'm game for that aim in 2009.
6. Continue on with the 'cleaning' idea at home. In mid-late 2008 I started 'picking a small item' each week (a drawer, a box, whatever--something achievable?!). I like the results--just need to keep it going. And in that vein: get all of the 'work boxes' out of the house--I like the idea of the work/home demarcation being more clear, less blurred.
7. Get the bills back on a more manageable system--procrastination just makes more piles & really has no value. (In 28 years together, the 'pile issue' has never really been solved in our house...)
8. Find another adventure that Jim & I can do together this year. The California vacation/art workshop was really great in 2008. 2009 might be less exotic but may the search begin!
9. In 2008 I tackled one of my art quilt weaknesses: circles. The three day workshop I went to was well worth it--I think I can successfully incorporate the technique into whatever 'round' idea I would want to portray. Along those lines, I want to make progress with two other weak areas for me: machine quilting & embellishment. Both are part of the 'finishing' process and often by the time I'm that far along with a project I just want it over--my sights are often on the next several ideas in the hopper. My long-term vision for a mid or long-arm machine will have to wait for some time yet--so I need to get more comfortable & productive with what I have. (This item certainly relates to the UFO list--'finish what you start', right?)
10. Do better at keeping in touch with dear friends & family. I so often have good intentions that do not take shape...

So there it is: a 2009 top-10 list. There are likely three times that many things I could think of--but these float to the top at the moment. Nothing earth shattering or particularly new. Hopefully that means they might all see some semblance of progress throughout the year. Ten is too many for true resolutions--goals seem more approachable. Resolutions seem more 'all or nothing' oriented--goals seem like they can be achieved in degrees. Let's see how I do as the year reveals itself--I'll provide some updates from time to time.
Meanwhile, warm & wistful thoughts for all of us in 2009. Let the roller-coaster ride begin!