Ahhhhhhhhhh....

This is a picture of the project I have been working on for the last year and its nearly finished! This quilt was the brainchild of Alfie Chico, who is now my friend, but when she called me out of the blue to ask me to help with this project, I was totally caught off-guard. Alfie had been looking for a way to raise funds for our local library and originally wanted to raffle off a quilt. She was inspired by a children's book, similar to a coloring book, but with pictures you could customize to your own interests. One of the pages had a bookshelf with books on which you could write you own titles.

After some thought, Alfie, Debby Recker and Paula Kelly, the head librarian at the Whitehall Public Library, realized the quilt would probably bring in more money if the project was approached from another direction. Rather than selling tickets for a chance to win the quilt, they decided for a $100 donation to the library, the donor could choose a title for one of the books on the quilt. The quilt will hang in the Whitehall Library next to a companion book in which each of the donors got a page to say why they chose their book and what it means to them. This made it possible for more than one person to choose each book.

I was the last one brought into the project, but since I have more experience with quilting and machine embroidery, they allowed me to take the helm. After I designed the quilt, Alfie, Debby and I got together quite a few times to embroider the titles. Once the book titles were finished, it took me about a week to put the quilt top together. Then I was able to give the quilt top to my friend, Cathy Werner, of Your Fairy Quiltmother, who did the actual quilting. She did a dense allover design that should hold up well over time.

The quilt was unveiled at the Whitehall Public Library's 50th Anniversary Celebration held at The South Hills Country Club on Sunday, May 5th, 2013. It was well received and after a few finishing touches, it will be ready to hang in the library for the next 50 years and, with luck, many more!

I can't wait to visit it!

Working on a new quilt

I will be teaching this stained glass pattern at Sew Special, Uniontown, PA, June 7 and/or 8 depending on signups. This is a design by Subtle Endeavors that can be done in one quilt or 4 separate quilts. The technique is a lot of fun! Call Sew Special to reserve your spot at 724-438-1765.

It was just a matter of time

Spring Angel--Larkspur Lane Designs

I recently found a picture of a project made using my angel design on Pinterest. The person who made the project made a wonderful little tote with my angel on the front. I told her how much I liked her tote and asked where she got the pattern. She said she found a drawing on the internet. There is no drawing on the internet of my design, at least not one posted by me. There is a picture of my Christmas Angel that has been pinned quite a few times by other people. This is what I believe she saw. It is a finished block, not a drawing.

Let me be clear, I have no problem with someone using my designs for whatever reason they want, after purchasing my pattern, but designing is one of the ways I try to make a living and using my design without permission or purchasing a pattern is stealing.

I decided to send her a Paypal request for the price of my pattern and she has agreed to pay for it. This person has been very understanding about the situation but in her last email, she said she thought it was unfair that she should have to pay for something she found on the internet. I agree with her, it is unfair, but it is unfair to both of us. When I pinned my photo, I included a link to my blog and a little blurb about this being a pattern that is available for sale. When someone else pinned my photo I don't think they included that information. Please be fair when you are pinning someone else's photos or ideas. Give credit where credit is due.

I've got a giveaway!!!!

I have 2 copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's book, THE GIVING QUILT, and one copy of THE WEDDING QUILT, now in paperback, to give away! These books will take you to another world that any quilter would love to live in!

If you'd like a chance to win one of these books, please comment here, but also send me an email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com,  so I know where to contact you when you win!

This giveaway is only for people in the US.

Officially Spoiled!

I am back home after one of the most wonderful weekends I have ever had. I got to spend this past weekend at Ariel's Bed and Breakfast in Mayville, NY, making new friends and teaching my special paper piecing techniques. There were 5 of us staying at the B & B and our wonderful hostess is a quilter, too, so the weekend was even more special than I thought it would be. Margo Stuart is an amazing cook, baker, and quilter, among other things, and has lived such an interesting life I really looked forward to the times she was able to take a break from taking care of us and just sit and talk.

This is the first time I have had any reason to go up to the Chautauqua Lake area in the winter time and I loved it! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so I am waiting for one of my friends to send me some pictures to share here. I had to check on my own little cottage that is on Lake Erie while I was in the area and got to see the lake partially frozen. What a surrealistic view we had from the cliff overlooking the lake. It was so quiet and the landscape was completely motionless so that it felt like I was looking at a photo. It was eerily beautiful and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to see it.

If you are ever looking for a comfortable and cozy place to stay in the Chautauqua Lake area I highly recommend Ariel's Bed and Breakfast!

Spring Angel Finished

My Spring Angel quilt is finished! I added a Swarovski crystal halo and heart-shaped yoyos to embellish her. The pattern is available directly from me for $10 and can be emailed or sent via regular mail.

I originally used this design to raise funds for my friend who was recovering from an accident with a drunk driver that took the life of her 7 year old daughter. With lots of help from Mary Beth Hartnett and her amazing staff at Quilters Corner, we were able to raise a substantial amount of money for my friend's family.

Looking for spools

 These are a few examples of the carvings my friend, Richard Kent, makes. The top photo is an ornament carved from a shed antler. (Shed antlers are ones found on the ground not from animals that have been hunted.) The bottom photo shows 2 examples of his carved thread spools.

Richard searches everywhere for spools but they're getting harder to find. He told me he would love to hear from anyone who might have some old wooden spools that are at least 1 3/4" high or larger.

If you send him 12 spools, he will carve one for you in exchange. If you want to purchase a spool ornament, they are $15 for one and $25 for 2. They make wonderful gifts for anyone who sews but also anyone who appreciates hand-made items!

I'm sorry I don't have a price for the antler ornaments but if you call Richard at 724-561-4410 he can give you any information you need.