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, 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, 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?
Very early this year I challenged myself to update a number of my fiber art pieces. My goal was to improve their curb appeal and adjust their measurements to make them suitable for mounting on a stretched canvas frame.
Humble Beginnings:
The teeny tiny center, of this art specimen, could very easily have been tossed into the trash; the remnant was leftover from one of my earlier projects. Not wanting to waste a speck of color I challenged myself to turn it into something spectacular. In its original format, this small art piece was surrounded by a blue border and measured only 5” x 6 1/4”.
Court House Friends 10 of 14, AP # 55
Upsizing:
To elevate the status of this small art piece I sought out a combination of fabrics that would create an eye-catching ensemble. The first to be selected was a multi-colored batik. The colors included in the batik provided lots of inspiration for other companions. Pulled to accompany the batik was a beautiful lilac and a lively chartreuse.
A Wonderful Surprise:
After adding the three new borders I studied my composition to establish my next move. As I focused on the tiny fabric scraps I began to notice the image of a long-necked bird with a small purple beak. Once I identified that vision it was full speed ahead. The first change to take place was the orientation. In its original state the bird would have been positioned upside down. I solved that dilemma by simply turning the composition 180°. To fully outfit my stately bird I added a blue bead for an eye and spiraled locks of hair. Her coiffed hair is her most striking feature. The colors chosen for her locks were inspired by the three added borders.
Fancy Stitching:
Continuing on my quest for panache I embellished all four borders. The original blue material was decorated with a running stitch in a matching colored thread. On the lovely lilac, between the rows of machine stitching, I added color coordinated + signs. The bold chartreuse, rather glitzy all on its own, received an extra nudge as well. To this third border I added a simple running stitch. The fourth and final border was embellished with straight lines of machine-stitching.
I Christen Thee:
The regal bird, with her stately attire and her lavish furnishings, was an accomplishment beyond my imagination. In her former life she was known as Court House Friends # 10 of 14. The name recognized her former life as a repurposed ugly quilt block. Given the elevated status this gorgeous lady had achieved I simply couldn’t make her retain that name; that would be unheard of! To find a more appropriate identity I began auditioning names, pausing long enough to consider their suitability. After considering a number of options I decided to christen my feathered friend Esmerelda. The name sounds royal, which suits her perfectly.
Final Details:
Esmerelda sits on top of a 12” x 12” stretched canvas frame. To the back I added a protective layer of paper. The barrier serves as protection from dust and bugs. To make it easy for her to be displayed on a wall two d-rings and a length of wire were attached. Also present is silicone bumpers to provide ventilation and help her with stability.
Time to take a look at my latest triumph!
Esmerelda, Art Piece # 55
Thank You:
I am so happy that you were able to be here and witness the joyful unveiling of my newest accomplishment…Esmerelda!
In April I began retrofitting many of my smaller art pieces to make them suitable for attaching to a stretched canvas frames. I call this adventure Operation Renovation. The topic of today’s journal entry is an item that I first revealed in July, 2018. This specimen was called Court House Friends 7 of 14. Court house friends is a reference to a grouping of court house blocks I received in a block swap. The blocks had colors that I was not particularly fond of. Rather than leaving them as is I opted to turn them into improv art pieces; sixteen different art projects resulted from that experiment. The pieced center, with its surrounding white border, looked like this in July, 2018.
Court House Friends 7 of 14, AP # 52
In The Beginning:
To modify Court House Friends 7 of 14 I began by removing the facings and other components that had been attached to the back. After carefully trimming and pressing my small art piece I went in search of a fabric that would compliment the colors already present in the small quilt. I found a lovely purple and teal batik with accents of rust and burgundy. I chose this one because not only did it match with the colors in the existing art piece but it also added an interesting element that didn’t provide a distraction.
Wrapping It Up:
Court House Friends 7 of 14 originally measured 5 7/8” x 10 7/8”. The target frame size was 11” x 14”. After making a few calculations I cut properly sized strips of fabric to add as borders. With the borders attached I created a quilt sandwich by stacking the renovated art quilt with a layer of batting and backing. The last step, in this renovation process, was quilting. The new borders were the only items that needed quilting; to those I added a zig zag pattern with a multi-colored variegated thread.
New Identity:
Since the visual identity of my fiber art piece had been changed I decided its name should be as well. While viewing the composition I studied the arrangement of the fabrics in the pieced center. The single vertical line with the horizontal protrusions reminded me of the rungs on a ladder. Identifying that image gave me the inspiration to name my art quilt Up The Ladder, Art Piece # 52.
When my new and improved project was finished, this is how it appeared.
Up The Ladder, Art Piece # 52
Even though the changes were relatively minor I think she looks much prettier now. How about you?
Thank You:
Thank you for being here and for reading until the very end!
