Creative Life Sampler

A New Wall Hanging in Batiks Tangled 7-2021 This is the latest instalment in my experiment with irregular hexagons.  Solid color has been introduced to the batik theme which provides a contrast and makes the batik textures stand out in this 35x45 inch wall hanging. The lightest color has an extra layer of batting for a "trapunto" effect that gives the piece even more dimension. I'm already working on a different treatment for these hexagons, so stay tuned!

  Crazy Quilt Block Revisited I've just finished a denim quilt that I thought I'd share with you because it is a new step in the evolution of how I've been using the crazy quilt block.  Many years ago a friend gave me a copy of a this block that I've used on multiple quilts because it is so easy, and fun, to execute. There are actually 6 pieces in the original 11 inch block. If you choose at least 6 different fabrics, you can come up with some interesting quilt tops.  Basically, you cut the fabrics into 11 inch squares, place them on top of each other and rotary cut along the piece lines through all thicknesses. Now you have 6 pieces in each of the fabrics and you have the fun of mixing and matching them to form blocks. This is known as the "stack and wack" method. There are a lot of variables in constructing these blocks. Because the pieces are so irregular with diagonal cuts, it can skew the block dimensions. Each block needs to be squared up before they can...

Summer afternoon- summer afternoon; to me  those have  always  been the two most beautiful words in the English language.                                                                       Henry James, quoted by Edith Wharton                                                                                                                                                            ©Lauren Klementz-Harte...

Several people have asked about the status of my sewing machine, so this week's post is a final diary entry in my little story.  Dear, Dear Diary, I'm so pleased to have my sewing machine back! Sigh, . . . life is good.  I had resolved to face another weekend without it. Then the guy called around noon last Friday to let me know it was ready. Too bad h e couldn't see my happy dance  over the phone .  I tried to stay cool and collected as he read out all the things he had to fix or adjust; but I was just so excited. It was a long repair list though. Turns out it does matter who repairs your equipment. The last person that looked at my machine replaced an important part with a comparable piece that was not for my machine. NOT GOOD. There were a couple of things that weren't functioning at the right calibration, so they were adjusted. That weird clicking sound is gone and the light bulb was replaced. We're back in business and it's sewing like a dream.  Another ben...