Challenge Yourself - Post #3

If doing a block a month in the CQJP2017 sounds daunting, keep in mind that the only person you can disappoint is yourself and I'm sure that will be because you are requiring too much of yourself. Many people start and can't finish for some reason, some take more than a year, and some finish and never do anything with the blocks.  But anything you do is a step in the right direction...

If the block a month is too much for this year, make one  10-12" block and do a little bit on it each month.. Then you will end up with a sampler Challenge block like my purple one.  How many times have you looked at a CQ and admired something on it and mean to try it but never do... Here would be your chance...  That's what nice about Pinterest is that you can pull up   bunches of CQ work and find ideas in minutes.  The hard part will be limiting the list.

And I do say list... you must keep photos or a list of these goals or they slip away.  As I start piecing my blocks I am starting my list...  One of the things that will be at the top of the list is to use all specialty threads and ribbons I never bought and never use.  When I saw this piece by Anne Nicolas-Whitney my eye immediately zeroed in on the flowers upper right using organza ribbon.  I have LOTS of it I acquired in a lot purchase from e-bay and always searching for ways to use it... This will be on my list.  But just look some more at this block and I am willing to bet you can instantly see many things you could put on your list to try.  Her work is extraordinary.  And did you see the clever use of French knots and rick rack at the bottom...

My students are focusing on exploring rick rack techniques this winter and I compiled this little worksheet for them  I'm hoping this will inspire them to use some of these and find more of their own..

Are you up to a challenge?



I think combining specific personal challenges with the CQJP is a great opportunity... I've belonged to Crazy Quilting  International for a long time and have participated in many of their activities, but BY FAR my favorite was the couple years they did the challenge list for a block...  It involved doing a one 11" block over a year's time.    A list of things was posted and it was up to the individual to include as many as they wanted....this was a challenge for personal growth and not a competition in any way...  Here was my challenge block for 2009...

 

Things I chose from the 2009 list that were either a new skill or something I needed to improve.  You can find them all...The list included using: pansies, paisleys, hankies, butterflies, fancy beaded seams, lettering, embellished rick rack and painting on fabric.  I chose them all since I had a whole year to do it but many only chose 3-4.  So you not only got to challenge yourself, you got to see what others did with the same list.    I was  just blown away by all the gorgeous paisleys.

I was really disappointed and distressed when the format of the challenge block concept changed.... Rather than being skilled focused it was more about adding bizarre embellishment.  I dropped out then but have always continued to have at least three personal  challenges I want to focus on for every project I start.. usually skills I need to improve or using something interesting I've seen on another block...

Haven't made a final decision but on my early list for CQJP is silk fabric flowers, surface embellishment, maybe woven or folded ribbon work, and ALWAYS elaborate seam work.  Sometimes I choose a tool or thread to try.  Years ago I bought a punch needle I've never used and another possibility is to use some of the novelty threads that are accumulating and multiplying in a drawer unused...especially Kreinik metallic ribbon. I'm still thinking on it...

So if you are participating in CQJP or even if you're not, give some thought to choosing at least three things you'd like to focus on and improve in the upcoming year...  If you think of some you'd like to use, leave a comment...maybe it will be something someone else would like to do and hasn't thought of it.....  I will try to provide some examples and ideas for you as the year goes on.