Lighthouse, Art Piece 43 Renovation

| Cindy Anderson

Let’s Change Something

Participating in a renovation project can bring about many emotions; two of which are fear and jubilation. The project I’ve called Operation Renovation is one I initiated back in April, 2020. I started on this path for several reasons. The first is a desire to fuel my obsession with fabric. The second is my need for change. As my family will attest, I have a reputation for routinely rearranging furniture. I just love the brand new feel it brings without even spending a penny.

The Initial Goal

At the outset, the goal for my project was to spend as little money as possible. This meant only using fabric from my present inventory. The only expenditure needed was for a supply of stretched canvas frames.

Very Pleased

The process of making these changes has brought nothing but pure joy! I love scrounging through my fabric stash to find suitable options. It thrills me that I can find a way to use the fabrics purchased so long ago with no particular project in mind. Surprisingly though, its as if they were predestined for just this purpose. Well, enough with the praises…let’s move on and discover the next amazing success story.

Next Up

On deck for today’s revelation is Lighthouse, Art Piece 43. This item was originally completed back in February, 2018. The dimensions of the piece 16 3/8” x 19 1/2” made it a perfect candidate for a 16” x 20” frame. I removed the facings, hanging sleeve and label then trimmed up the scraggly edges. Next I shopped my fabric inventory for the perfect specimen to compliment my project.

Lighthouse, Art Piece 43 Before Renovation
Lighthouse, Art Piece # 43 Before Renovation

Dots, Dots and More Dots

I am a sucker for polka dots; big ones, small ones, fuzzy ones and soft…they all make me giggle with delight. When I discovered a piece of Grunge purple dot in my stash I was tickled pink. Not only was it the perfect companion for the current border but it also had polka dots. How could I go wrong!

Size Matters

The measurements of my art quilt, before adding the polka dots, was darn near identical to the frame. In fact the side to side dimensions meant the dots would not be seen from the front. However, when viewed from the side, they would easily be seen. The top to bottom distance, on the other hand, allowed just the right amount of polka dots to show. Their presence adds the perfect amount of sparkle.

Finishing Touches

After adding the new fabric, some straight-line stitching and attaching the refurbished piece to a frame this beauty was finished.

Lighthouse, Art Piece 43 After Renovation
Lighthouse, Art Piece # 43 After Renovation Dimensions: 16” x 20” x 7/8″

And Your Thoughts Are?

Ta da! There she is! All neatly pressed and outfitted with a brand new border, albeit tiny, and a fancy new frame! So what do you think?

My Gratitude

I am so glad we had this opportunity to visit and discover how a little tweaking can bring new life to a project. Are you ready for your own Operation Renovation?

About Cindy

The world of art has always brought me joy. From my childhood explorations with chalk and paint to my creations using fabric and thread, I have utilized art as my vehicle to stretch my wings and explore the world around me.

My first attempts at turning fabric into art centered around the utilization of patterns and prepackaged quantities of material. While this method of producing quilts afforded me the opportunity to explore my love of art, it didn’t provide the outlet I craved. Finding just the right vehicle took years of exploration.

The art form that caught my attention has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This new direction has taken me on a journey resulting in the formation of more than 200 art pieces. Most of them center strictly around the manipulation of fabric. Some of the later pieces have added elements of hand stitchery. All of them have brought me an immense sense of joy.

I use this blog to share glimpses of my art and the environment in which it is created. My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may either send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com or caa1032 [at] gmail [dot] com.

Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…

Cindy Anderson

Where’s the Seeds? Art Piece 42 Renovation

| Cindy Anderson

What’s In A Name?

The naming of my art pieces is often a joint project between my husband and myself. This project was one of those instances. Upon first glance he saw a slice of watermelon but wondered aloud, “where were the seeds?”. His vision or concern was the inspiration for the art quilt’s name back in February, 2018.

The Project

In April, 2020 I decided to give a number of my fiber art pieces a facelift. I called the project Operation Renovation. Where’s the Seeds is one of the items I selected for a facelift.

Where’s The Seeds?, Art Piece # 42
Where’s the Seeds?, Art Piece # 42 Dimensions: 15 1/2” x 19 1/2″

The Transformation

After removing the binding and the remaining finishing touches I trimmed away a lot of the surrounding white border. The border made quite a statement yet it seemed rather boring. To add a pop of color I selected a Grunge purple dot to bring more attention to the tiny hint already present.

A Name Change

After adding the new border, straight-line quilting with a color coordinated thread and mounting it on a frame I was inspired to change its name too. Just as with another one of my art quilts, the image created by the upwardly pointing strip of pieced fabric reminded me of the prominent lighthouses seen along the coastline of Door County Wisconsin. This remembrance moved me to rename my piece Lighthouse II.

Lighthouse II, Art Piece # 42
Lighthouse II, Art Piece 42 Dimensions: 16” x 20” x 1 1/2″

A Happy Ending

I am so very pleased with my reinvented fiber art quilt. The white border still has a prominent voice but its impact is much quieter. The purple dotted fabric brings attention to the very teeny hint of purple in one of the vertical pieced strips.

Courage

Getting up the nerve to undo the previously added finishing touches turned out to be an awesome decision. I am so glad I took the leap and decided to listen to Aron Wright’s words in his song Build It Better…

You always build it better the second time around

Your Thoughts?

Now it’s your turn. Share what you think of the decision to make a change, the color choices, the stitching, name change, etc. I look forward to your interaction.

Bye For Now!

Have a safe and wonderful day!

Freeway, Art Piece 41 Renovation

| Cindy Anderson

My Latest Experiment-

I’m very excited to show you the latest and greatest project in my Operation Renovation marathon. Back in April I made a declaration to breathe new life into a long list of art quilts in my portfolio. Giving them an updated appearance seemed like a great way to feed my endless urge to work with fabric and to create something new. Let’s take a look at my latest and greatest experiment.

Freeway, Art Piece 41
Freeway, Art Piece 41 Dimensions: 7 3/8” x 9 1/8″

The Specimen-

Freeway, Art Piece 41 was originally created back in February, 2018. The name, chosen by my husband, was selected because it reminded him of a multi-layered interstate system. Even though this rather small specimen was finished I felt like it needed something.

Potential-

Having been exposed to the technique of mounting fabric art quilts onto stretched canvas frames I had the nagging feeling that Freeway could potentially have a better outcome. This reoccurring inkling inspired me to grab a seam ripper and undo the finishing touches that had been applied two years ago.

The Process-

Once the pieced design had been striped back to raw edges I auditioned several fabrics to become its new borders. Through a process of elimination I chose a rich blue for an inner border and one of my own hand-dyed purple fabrics to surround it. The two were selected to bring out the already present colors in the stitched center. This is how it looked after completing the renovation.

Freeway, Art Piece #41 After Renovation Was Complete
Freeway, Art Piece 41 Dimensions: 12 “ x 12” x 1 1/2″

Final Approval-

This brings my list of refurbished fiber art quilts to three. I am so pleased with the outcome of this project. I never could have imagined that it would look this wonderful.

Any Thoughts-

As always, I would entertain your thoughts. I am curious what you think of the color choices, the size I chose and/or whether you prefer the original or brand new appearance?

Have a safe and wonderful day!

Cindy Anderson