I awarded myself an extended vacation to relax and unwind from a hectic 2020. My spouse and assorted family members have spent the greater part of this summer chillin at our favorite escape. With the end of summer and the glamping season looming there is no time to waste.
While here I’ve spent some of my time hand stitching on my small canvases and a little bit of knitting.
Knit One Knit Two
I’m sad to say that this leg of our journey is almost over. With very little time left in the season I’m sure we will make at least two more visits to our LittleCabinIn The Woods.
I’ve been known to assign some very odd names to my art pieces; case in point this one. Who calls an art quilt MOO? Obviously me! A gal has to have a little fun doesn’t she!
Want to know what inspired me to use this name? If you look really closely at the right side of the pieced center you will notice a strip of dark blue fabric. Repeatedly printed on the material is the word moo. The presence of that simple three letter word gave me the idea for my art quilt’s name.
the project continues
Out of a desire to overcome my frustrations with the “stay at home covid 19” directive I decided to occupy my time with Operation Renovation. So what is Operation Renovation? I love making changes; whether it be to my home decor, my hair or my wardrobe it all helps to keep things fresh and exciting. The same concept can be applied to my art. Even though I have an inventory of fiber art quilts that are already finished that doesn’t mean they will stay that way. Almost anything can be changed. With that mindset I decided to select a grouping of small finished fabric art pieces to retrofit for mounting on a stretched canvas. The journey to accomplish that task is called Operation Renovation.
the next subject
One would think that after successfully renovating eleven of my art quilts that I would have exhausted the possible candidates. Oh but quite the contrary! Including today’s subject I have at least eight more.
The item I’m sharing in this journal entry is a fraternal twin to my last project On The Diagonal I. So far we know the reason why Moo, Art Piece # 9 was given its name and that it has a partner but what else can we learn; let’s figure that out.
the nitty gritty
Moo was one of nine projects created way back in 2016. The base, or pieced center, was harvested from a much larger building block. The first section of that block was used to create On The Diagonal I and the remaining portion was utilized for Moo.
To adapt Moo for mounting on a stretched canvas frame I first had to strip away the facings, hanging sleeve and label. After exposing the four raw edges I began making plans for the next steps.
In its original form, Moo measured 10 1/4” x 14 1/2”. The targeted size I wanted to achieve was 16” x 20”. To accomplish those dimensions additional fabric had to be added to both the top/bottom edges as well as both sides. I was able to succeed with that mission by incorporating two new borders.
The First border
The first border was created from a lime green fabric with aqua polka dots. Regular readers of my journal have become very familiar with my craving for dotted fabrics. Finding the aqua polka dotted material was a win, win situation. Not only did it add one of my favorite elements but it also incorporated two of my favorite colors.
the second border
The second border was fashioned from a multi-toned, delightfully ripe, purple batik. The colors in both this fabric as well as that of the first border are replicated in numerous areas of the pieced center. This techniques is important because it provides a path for the eye to travel around the art piece rather than remaining stagnate in one area. The replication also brings unity to the design and overall visual impact.
finishing touches
Before stapling the newly outfitted quilt to the stretched canvas frame I stitched rows of quilting on the two new borders. On the polka dotted border I stitched a simple straight line motif and on the outer border I added flowing lines of quilting. All of the stitching was done using color coordinated threads.
the final piece
After completing the renovation process I decided to give Moo a new identity. Since it originated from the same building block as On The Diagonal I I wanted to acknowledge that by giving Moo a similar name. From here on out Moo will be known as On The Diagonal II, Art Piece # 9. The phrase “On The Diagonal” is a reference to the numerous diagonally placed strips of fabric found in the body of the art quilt.
the reveal
After revealing most of the newly added design features I think it is time to share a before and after photo. Take a look!
Moo, Art Piece # 9 Before Renovation
On The Diagonal II, Art Piece # 9 After Renovation
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!
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…
Are you a status quo person or do you like to make changes? I would have to answer with, “It depends.” Most of the time I welcome change with open arms. There are, however, some things that I like to remain static:
-like my coffee…don’t mess with the strength or flavor
-chocolate…don’t bother giving me anything but extra dark, fair trade chocolate
-my fabric inventory..don’t tell me I have to cut back on fabric purchases
I think you get the picture.
When it comes to moving furniture, my art, my wardrobe or my haircut I’m ready to make a change.
Operation renovation
I’ve been making progress on a project I call Operation Renovation. I initiated the activity earlier this year. Being bored with the “stay at home” quarantine due to Covid 19 I was desperate for something new to occupy my time. After learning about and perfecting the skill of mounting fiber art onto stretched canvas frames I made the decision to utilize that expertise to reinvent a number of the items in my portfolio. This activity would certainly help to fill some of my time.
Ten so far
I am proud to say that I have to-date successfully renovated ten art pieces. The specimen I am sharing today is my eleventh installment. This piece, originally created back in June, 2016, was given the name Flowers, Art Piece # 4. The name was chosen because of the multiple incorporated floral fabrics .
Flowers began with leftover scraps from a former quilt block. Those scraps were also utilized to create a companion to Flowers known as Moo, Art Piece # 9.
the process
After stripping away the facings, hanging sleeve and label I set to work auditioning fabrics for new borders. Chosen were a golden yellow and a lively purple. Both colors bring harmony to the art quilt because of their presence in the original pieced center. These added components incorporate an element of pizazz that breathes new life into this work of art. To add further interest I used coordinating threads to quilt geometric shapes on the golden border and flowing lines on the purple batik.
a new name
With a new wardrobe comes a new name. Rather than keep the previous name of Flowers I decided to give the refurbished art quilt a new identity. Using the numerous diagonal lines seen in the body of the item for inspiration I chose to call the newly redecorated fiber art quilt On the Diagonal I.
the new and improved version
Explaining in detail the numerous changes that were made during the redecorating project can’t begin to hold a candle to a before and after photo. Feast your eyes on the following pictures.
Flowers, Art Piece # 4 Before Renovation
On The Diagonal I, Art Piece # 4 After Renovation
it is finished
The process of renovating On The Diagonal I has officially been declared complete and I am absolutely thrilled with the final outcome. But patting myself on the back and singing my own praises can’t substitute for the opinions shared by my readers. I hope that you will feel inspired to add your thoughts by commenting on this journal post.
thank you!
I look forward to the time we get to spend together through this journal. Thank you for making it a rewarding experience.
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…
