Operation Renovation

Ragged Edges, Art Piece # 83 Renovation

Ragged Edges, AP 83 Ready For Renovation
| Cindy Anderson

operation renovation:

Many years ago I created a number of small fiber art pieces, all of which were framed with facings or a binding. Early in 2020 I made the decision to remove those finishing touches from a number of my projects. My intention was to modify them to make each suitable for mounting on a stretched canvas frame. This specimen was one of the candidates.

Ragged Edges, AP 83 Ready For Renovation
Ragged Edges, Art Piece # 83, Ready For Renovation

two new borders:

In its new and improved state, the small quilt went from 5 3/4” x 8 3/4” to 11” x 14”. Two borders were added to facilitate the increase in size. Border number one is a lime green cotton. Surrounding that fabric is a lively, multi-colored border. The second border has some of the same colors as in the original design.

machine quilting:

The original version of the small composition contained a combination of hand and machine quilting. Before mounting the new and improved fiber art piece on canvas I embellished the added borders with machine stitching. To the lime green border I added two rows of straight stitching using a variegated thread. The multi-colored cotton fabric has a continuous line of stitching that marches back and forth across the entire border using the same thread as was used in the first.

don’t fix it:

When this item was originally created I named it Ragged Edges. I chose to give the small art piece that identity because of the stacked fabric squares; all of them have raw edges. Even though the renovation added a huge splash of color the focus of the fiber art piece was still the same. There is a famous saying that says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” So I didn’t fix it.

This is how my new and improved project looks now.

Ragged Edges, AP 83
Ragged Edges, Art Piece # 83

thank you!

Before closing let me thank you for showing an interest in my activities. I am grateful for your participation and look forward to your comments.

Best wishes for a wonderful day!

Right Of Center, Art Piece # 59

Court House Friends 14 of 14, AP 59
| Cindy Anderson

Court House Friends 14 of 14, AP 59
Court House Friends Fourteen of Fourteen, Art Piece # 59

The First Change:

So much has changed since this item was originally completed in August, 2018. Early in 2020 I made the decision to reinvent a number of my fiber art pieces. This item was one of the projects chosen. After stripping away the facings and other finishing touches I treated all four edges to a fresh new cut. To their bare edges I added two new borders; the first a sky blue and the second a jazzy multi-colored print. The colors were chosen to compliment those already present. To the new borders I added rows of straight-line machine stitching using color-coordinated thread. The fabric sandwich was then attached to a 12” x 12” stretched canvas frame.

Added Embellishments:

Even though the borders added a striking new appeal, it seemed only natural to add additional embellishments. Smack-dab in the center of the composition is a hand-made, thread-wrapped copper wire bead. (Note: the bead was made by Jimenas Treasures)

Right Of Center, Side View,AP 59
Right of Center, Art Piece # 59, Side View

A sprinkling of French knots flank all four sides of the bead. Rows of straight-line hand stitching meander throughout the white, sky blue and jazzy multi-colored border. Each one of these embellishments adds their own vibrant touch.

A New Identity:

Just like my other reinvented art pieces this too had to be given a new identity. Known previously as Court House Friends # 14 of 14, hereafter it shall be called Right Of Center. The name was chosen because the thin strip of pieced fabrics is positioned right of center.

This is how my art piece looked when it was finished.

Right Of Center, AP 59
Right Of Center, Art Piece # 59

Isn’t it amazing how a small remnant of fabric can become the focus of a fiber art piece! How about sharing your thoughts?

 

Thank You:

Thank you for being here!

Cindy Anderson

Fiber Art By Cindy Anderson

Trudy, Art Piece # 58 Renovation

Court House Friends 13 of 14, AP 58
| Cindy Anderson

Exhilarating:

Creating an art piece from scratch is an exhilarating experience; choosing to reinvent it is even more stimulating and that is what I did to a project I formerly called Courthouse Friends # 13 of 14. Today’s journal entry will address her butterfly moment.

Courthouse Friends Thirteen of Fourteen, AP 58
Court House Friends Thirteen of Fourteen, Art Piece # 58

Original Appearance:

I have a tub filled with random quilt blocks. Some of them are leftover from other projects and others were thought too ugly to use. This item was created from one of the ugly ones. Typically my first step is to slice the ugly block into strips or sections. After slicing this one I decided to rearrange the strips to achieve a more pleasing appearance.

Immediately surrounding the renovated center is a white border. Chosen for color replication was a batik with leopard-like spots. The spots mimicked the design of the small lilac strip in the center of the quilt. Giving the composition movement are the spots that almost appear to dance around the perimeter.

The Beginning:

Early in 2020 I decided to reinvent a number of my art pieces. This item was one of the specimens I tackled. To begin the task I first had to remove the facings that surrounded the outer edges. After removing them I decided to add two new borders using a light grey and a multi-colored print fabric.

Embellishments:

With the functional tasks complete I turned my focus to the embellishments. The previous version, of this art quilt, had been assigned an identity that recognized its origin; a court house square block. Since I had decided to refurbish the fiber art piece I saw no reason to maintain that existence. To carryon with that goal I studied the image to learn about its features. This exploratory phase revealed to me an image; that of a bird.

Let’s Make That Happen:

To convert the pieced center into a bird I added feathers using one of my favorite stitches, the drizzle stitch. A variety of thread colors, many of which were already incorporated in the fabrics, were used to create the spiral-like protrusions; their presence gives this item a playful appearance.

The added embellishments didn’t stop there. In the white background I echoed around the bird as well as other defined areas. The leopard-like print border was given rows of wonky x’s and sporadically placed grey French knots. In the grey, I added a single row of running stitch. The very last embellishment this lady received was her beautiful, two-tone blue eye.

New Name:

With the amazing renovation just completed it seemed only natural to give the lovely lady a new name. Her playful nature inspired me to call her Trudy. I have a second project that has similar elements. These two snazzy birds, when lined up correctly will face each other. Trudy’s sister is known as Gertrude. You will find her story here.

Take a look at Trudy.

Trudy, AP 58
Trudy, Art Piece # 58

Isn’t she sweet!  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thank You:

Thank you for visiting! I look forward to our next adventure.