Kickstart Your Creativity: December Photo Challenge week 1

Our Challenge has started, we are into day 3 but it isn't too late to start if you haven't and it is a great way to keep focused on quilting without quilting! You'll find the instructions on last week's blog post, I do hope you'll join me. If you can't take a photo every day, just do the best you can and take a photo or two each week.

Before I share my first three days, I'll add some benefits on why this is a great idea to do.....

The Benefits of Daily Photo-Taking for Quilters

1. Train Your Eye for Detail: Snapping photos on a regular basis helps you notice the finer details in your surroundings. Whether it’s the symmetry of a building or the intricate lines in tree bark, you’ll start to see design elements that are perfect for quilting.
2. Expand Your Color Palette: Nature, cityscapes, and even everyday objects are filled with color combinations you might not have considered. A sunset’s gradient or a market stall’s vibrant produce can inspire unique color schemes for your quilts.
3. Build a Visual Library: Over time, your photos will form a rich collection of references you can revisit whenever you need fresh ideas. It’s like creating your own personal design portfolio!
4. Stay Inspired Every Day: Taking photos daily encourages you to keep an open mind and find beauty in unexpected places. This ongoing sense of discovery can keep your quilting projects exciting and meaningful.

So you see, the benefits are great and if you have ever had a time when you don't know what to create, just browsing through your photos can inspire you no end.

Here goes....

Day One: Two of my granddaughters visited to decorate my tree for Christmas so of course, a photo had to be taken. It's a simple little tree and most of our decorations are handmade..... note to self: should have taken the picture off the wall before taking the photo!

Day Two: Out on my daily walk, I snapped a photo of this pond with swans on it down at the park a short distance away from where I live.

Day Three: An Agapanthus was snapped from the road side on today's walk. There is so much to see and each day I will try to walk a different route!

Just three days to choose a photo from for a sketch. You don't need to spend long at this task. You can simply print out your photo and add some notes of ideas you might try, or sketch up an idea. This task should not take more than 15 minutes and it is done just once per week.

Well, I've already made a block for agapanthus, although I do like the fact this plant has three umbels (clusters of flowers), which makes for a well-rounded display... it kind of resembles fireworks too. Now there's an idea.

But I think I will sketch the lake with swans, something seems to pull my attention to it, especially when I crop it into an oval shape so here is today's sketch.

I used the computer to crop it, then printed it out and drew a simple sketch - this is an awesome idea for my portfolio. 

What do you think? Are you sketching yet or will you leave that till later in the week? Let me know below!