Art Through Photos
Tropical Punch, Art Piece 79 Renovation
Making changes
Change does not have to be expensive; in fact it can cost you absolutely nothing. That’s what happens when I set-out to rearrange the furniture in my space. I am very fond of moving a chair here or a table there just to add a new vibe to a room. The impact of making such tiny adjustments can add so much flair to your environment yet add no expense to your budget.
I’ve been making changes to items in my portfolio since early this year. The changes are part of a movement I call Operation Renovation. Although not all of the tweaking has been without expense, the majority of the supplies have come from my present inventory.
The newest item to have been tackled measured 5 3/4” x 8 1/2”. Known as Tropical Punch, Art Piece 79 it was one of the tiniest members of the family. Let’s take a look at what transpired during the metamorphosis.
The transformation
The small footprint of Tropical Punch did not mean it had a quiet existence. The audacious color combination gave it an air of excitement unequaled by any other item in my portfolio. Even though its exuberant existence brought a smile to my heart anytime I saw it, I just knew I could add even more sparkle. So, I set out too harvest a few boisterous fabrics to add even more life to this already dancing gal.
Selected were three new borders; a jazzy yellow and gold stripe, a vibrant sour green and a tropical floral batik print. Giving those three a hug is a calming blue that echoes a color already used in the original design. Each of the added fabrics were embellished with straight-line stitching using matching colored threads. In its new form, Tropical Punch measures 16” x 20”. All of the enhancements, when combined together, add a punch that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. The newly renovated Tropical Punch truly lives up to its name.
see for yourself
Now doesn’t that just make you smile from ear to ear!
thank you!
I’m so glad we had this opportunity to catchup and witness the reveal of yet another amazing transformation. I know that you are clamoring to share your enthusiasm so why not put it in writing by adding a comment. I would love to read your feedback.
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 favorite art form has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This 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. Most of my art pieces are available for purchase. You may see a sampling of them at Raven’s Wish Gallery in Janesville, Wisconsin.
My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com
Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…
Cindy Anderson
Art Through Photos
Fuzzy, Art Piece 62 Renovation
Edge Treatments
Fiber art quilts typically have raw edges that need finishing. There are four common techniques used to address their edges:
-leave them raw
-add a binding
-add facings
-attach it to a stretched canvas frame.
I have tried all of the above options except the first one. I’m not opposed to leaving some of the components within my art creation raw but the idea of leaving all four of the outer edges untouched is not something I am comfortable with…yet.
Favorite Method
Of all the techniques mentioned above my favorite way to finish raw edges is to attach my art quilts to a stretched canvas. I started using this method earlier this year after being frustrated with the final outcome of many of my projects. The new-to-me concept has provided a tool that has consistently produced a professionally polished look.
The Project
After experimenting with the canvas mounting process I decided to launch a project to retrofit a number of my existing art quilts for framing. The project…Operation Renovation… has thus far successfully transformed eight art pieces. The item for today’s exploration is a 5 1/2” x 9 5/8” fiber art quilt known as Fuzzy, Art Piece # 62. The targeted size is an 11” x 14” stretched canvas. Let’s see how the renovation went.
Before and After
Don’t you just love reading about and seeing the before and after photos/stories of dramatic transformations. The often times Cinderella adventures make us feel all happy inside. Well, today’s revelation I believe will accomplish just such a response. Fuzzy, Art Piece # 62 began as a small grouping of fabric scraps. Originally intended to be incorporated into a much larger art project its unique facade provided a presence that demanded attention. Rather than proceeding with the original plan I decided to turn Fuzzy into a solo art piece.
The title given to this fiber art quilt was chosen because of the frilly edged fabric in the center of the piece. As was mentioned before, I often leave small areas of fabric untouched or raw. The manufacturers edge treatment for the right-off the bolt material intrigued me. I found the exposed loopy threads so interesting that I just had to make it a design element.
Added Changes
Before beginning the retrofitting of Fuzzy I first had to remove the facings, hanging sleeve and label. Once the raw edges were exposed I could start the rehab by adding new borders. Added first was a warm gold to duplicate the already present hint of color. Next to be incorporated was an earthy orange printed with a softer orange pattern.
To meld the new additions with the original specimen I echoed the previous quilting design by embellishing the new borders with color-coordinated straight-line stitching. After making those additions, the harmonious image, of the entire package, made an already stunning project even more stately.
Take A Look
The project to transform Fuzzy from an art quilt small in stature into a specimen with a much grander appearance was relatively simple. Let’s look at the before and after images.
And Your Reaction Is?
I think the before and after images are great examples of how an already magnificent item can be made even more amazing by simply making a few changes. Do you agree? Share your thoughts by adding a comment.
Thank You For Visiting!
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 favorite art form has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This 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. Most of my art pieces are available for purchase. You may see a sampling of them at Raven’s Wish Gallery in Janesville, Wisconsin.
My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com
Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…
Cindy Anderson
Art Through Photos
Courthouse Friends 11 of 14, Art Piece 56
The Goal
In April of this year I made the decision to reinvent a number of my existing works of art (see Operation Renovation). We were in the midst of our “safer at home” quarantine for the Covid 19 virus and I was itching to create something new. The items chosen were small in size and easily adaptable for attaching to a stretched canvas frame. Mounting fabric art pieces to a frame is my favorite finishing technique.
A Little History
Courthouse steps is the name of a quilt block pattern. The pattern, a variation of a log cabin, is easy to make. In 2018 I participated in a block swap with a group of online quilters. The pattern chosen for the swap was the courthouse steps. I received twelve finished blocks from the swap. Most of the blocks were made from color combinations that I didn’t like. The unusual groupings gave me the opportunity to use my abstract piecing skills.
As the name of this item suggests there were fourteen new art projects that resulted from my experiment. The first post written about Courthouse Friends 11 of 14 was shared back in August, 2018. In that journal entry I shared the details of this small fiber art piece.
Step One
Since Courthouse Friends 11 of 14 was currently in a completed state I had to first strip it back to raw edges. Once that was completed I could begin making plans for the new design. The body of the art work remained unchanged. To adapt it for framing new borders were added. One of the fabrics used in the original design was still in my inventory. The specimen, a purple fabric with multi-colored orbs, was selected for the first border. The variety of included colors helped to bring more focus to the pieced center.
For the final border I chose a royal blue material printed with varying shades of blue spheres. This blue along with the circular printed design added complimentary elements that helped to unify my project. As an added benefit the circles in both the first and second borders reminded me of polka dots and polka dots are among my favorite embellishments.
final touches
To polish off my newly remodeled fiber art quilt I used coordinating threads to stitch designs similar to the original version, then stapled it to a 16” x 20” frame. After sealing the back with a barrier, affixing hanging hooks and wire, soft bumpers for ventilation and a label, the jazzy art quilt was ready for display.
a new name
Before declaring my refashioned fiber art quilt complete I had one last detail to attend to and that was a new name. Going through all the steps to redecorate this lovely project without assigning a new identity seemed unheard of. Courthouse Friends 11 of 14 was christened Visions of the Past.
the reveal
Let’s see how Visions of the Past looked in the before and after photos.
I think the redecorated fiber art quilt turned out rather nicely, if I do say so myself! Then again I am probably a bit biased.
share Your thoughts
I enjoy reading the reactions and opinions of my readers. Please feel free to include yours by adding a comment.
thank you for visiting!
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 favorite art form has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This 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. Most of my art pieces are available for purchase. You may see a sampling of them at Raven’s Wish Gallery in Janesville, Wisconsin.
My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com
Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…
Cindy Anderson
Art Through Photos
City Condos, Art Piece 44 Renovation
operation renovation
I’ve been making changes to a number of my existing art pieces. I call this project Operation Renovation. Each of the items chosen were attached to a stretched canvas frame. To make them suitable for framing adjustments were made. The completed item being revealed today is Condos By The Sea, Art Piece # 44.
the Origin
This fiber art piece, originally called City Condos, Art Piece # 44, was one of five in a series. The segments that make up the pieced center reminded me of the metal shipping containers people convert into housing. Stacked on top of one another they made me think of condos in a city. The vision of them stacked together was the inspiration for the name.
The First change
After removing the previously added finishing touches the first change to be made was the orientation. In the original version the pieced center was displayed vertically. I chose to turn the quilt 180 degrees this time to give it a horizontal arrangement. The new orientation inspired me to change the name as well. Rather than the image of stacked city condos I saw rows of vacation houses bordering the edge of the ocean. Their presence gave me the motivation to rename my piece Condos By The Sea.
COLOR PALLET
The colors used for this item are not from my typical pallet. The blue fabric in the pieced center was leftover from a challenge project I participated in. Not wanting to waste the remaining remnants I chose to use them as building blocks for new art pieces. The colors that were combined in the making of this piece were present in the blue scraps. The vibrant array of fabrics adds an unequaled element of joy to my portfolio.
OTHER CHANGES
Added for interest was a royal blue border printed with flowing lines of fish and stars. Directly connected is a raucous multi-colored border that also has a printed design moving across its surface. The colors in this fabric repeat many of those seen in the pieced center.
Repeating the movement displayed in both borders are rows of quilting executed with a variegated thread containing the same color scheme as the multi-colored border. The flowing movement of the entire art piece mimics that of an ocean alive with ever-changing waves.
the transformation
City Condos has undergone quite the transformation.
In its original state the art quilt had a very plain facade.
Now it showcases a vibrant color pallet. The exuberance displayed by the delightful combination I believe echoes that of the families that might vacation in these condos.
In its finished state, Condos By The Sea measures 24” x 30”.
your thoughts?
Now it’s your turn to share what you think of the decisions/changes I made by adding a comment. I look forward to our interaction.
thank you!
Thank you for visiting today! I always appreciate your company. I hope you have a wonderful day!
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 favorite art form has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This 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. Most of my art pieces are available for purchase. You may see a sampling of them at Raven’s Wish Gallery in Janesville, Wisconsin.
My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com
Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…
Cindy Anderson
Art Through Photos
