Larkspur Lane Designs

Heart Star Table Runner class at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA

2012-01-15T18:58:00.001-05:00

I am teaching at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA this coming Saturday. The project I am teaching is my newest design called Heart Star. See the hearts? It is a paper pieced table runner with a Y seam and I am looking forward to showing my students how easy it is to do! If you're looking for something to do Saturday, January 21st, call the shop and see if there's still room: 724-438-1765

WTF--Did I get your attention?

2012-01-09T10:20:00.005-05:00

What has happened to us? Why do we think we have the right to offend others and that by calling it FREE SPEECH it makes it okay? Let's call it what it really is--a lack of respect for others.

One of my recent Facebook statuses was asking people to refrain from posting things they wouldn't want their children, other peoples' children, their parents/grandparents or other peoples' parents/grandparents to see. One response was "We can't control what others do on their computer or what they're thinking. Same as wishing upon a star to lend a prince charming. Free speach, I believed they call it *_* (this was copied and pasted from FB so all the typos are the writer's)

Does free speech mean we don't have to have manners anymore?

Posting inappropriate pictures or words makes the writer look trashy and uneducated and it has no purpose except to shock. If you need attention, even negative attention, so badly you need to get off the computer and get some therapy!

I'm not saying that everything that comes out of my mouth is nice or even proper but I certainly wouldn't post something on the internet for the whole world to see that I wouldn't show my children myself so why do other people think its okay to put whatever they want there. Who raised these people? No one, it seems.

In this day and age, it seems, we have no modesty, we are proud of things we should be embarrassed by. Celebrities showing off their ankle bracelets meant to monitor their whereabouts is a good example. Would you use the "f" word in front of your grandmother? If you would, I would venture to say there is something psychologically wrong with you or she must have done something terribly wrong to you to have so little respect for her. If you wouldn't, why would you do it in front of the REST of the world?

I don't think its asking too much to respect my rights and others' rights not to be offended every time I/we turn on our computers by simply choosing another word or by eliminating an expletive from your comment or post.

Okay, I am climbing down off the soapbox and going back to quilting. I just needed to get that off of my chest.

BTW- in my life, WTF stands for Where's The Fudge?

Uggh! Back to work! Finally.

2012-01-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

2012 is already 5 days old and I've been slacking for months. I lost 2 really close friends in the last 3 months and struggled through the holidays without them. I didn't feel like decorating or celebrating in any way but when you have children you don't really have a choice, so I did the minimum-- a Christmas tree and small angel wallhanging on the front door. My husband did all the shopping and planning and he did a wonderful job but it was still hard.

To be completely honest, I have been barely functioning lately. I'm sure I have disappointed several people but they have been so kind and understanding not to show their disappoinment. Grief is a strange thing. You just don't know when it will hit or how it will affect you. It can be crippling if you let it and coming back is hard but, as I've been told, "Life if for the living.", so its time to get on with the business of living.

There are plans to be made, classes to teach, shows to vend and new designs to be sewn. When I was on Facebook a couple of days ago I posted a picture of a quilt design that I have been playing with and waited to see what people thought of it. One of the groups I belong to on FB is Quilt Guild and there are a lot of wonderful, creative people who are generous enough to take time to offer suggestions and help. Over the course of 2 or 3 days I got opinions and suggestions and the process was very interesting.

This is what I started with:

I won't bore you with all of the changes in between but if you want to see them they are on the Quilt Guild page of FB.

This is what I ended up with:

I'd love to hear what you think about it, too, if you've got a minute!

Happy New Year! I hope its a good one for all of us!

My Mermaid Embroidery

2011-12-24T10:39:00.001-05:00

(This is a the picture of my mermaid embroidery that I designed awhile back. It is a preliminary stitch out that still needs some editing but I wanted to get some opinions on it before I put any more work in it. I know the satin stitch is too heavy in some places but I would love to hear what others think needs to be changed (I think).

Mermaids?

2011-12-23T13:51:00.000-05:00

I have a lot of people who get to my blog by searching on the word "mermaid" so I am wondering if there is an interest in my mermaid embroidery design. It was digitized over a year ago but needs some fine tuning but since I don't digitize myself I have had to put it on the back burner.

It is an applique design that I will post a pic of later!

Just Finished!

2011-12-14T09:13:00.000-05:00

I just finished my own Christmas Angel for my front door! I have made 3 others for some of my friends so far but I wanted to make sure I had one too. Now I do! You can't see it in the picture but it is hanging from the coolest wire hanger that is in the shape of Christmas lights. Its from Ackfeld Wire Company and I will post a better picture later. I would hear about your Christmas/Holiday projects! If you have a blog post a link as a comment.

Working on my 2012 Teaching Schedule

2011-12-11T09:08:00.000-05:00

I am trying to get my teaching schedule together for 2012. I have a lot of dates open right now but I am hoping to fill some of them in soon! I have classes scheduled for January, February and April so far and plan to teach a series of classes close to my home in Pittsburgh all year long. But I also have a cottage in Western New York on Lake Erie so I am easily able to teach in Erie PA and Western New York.

My favorite technique is paper piecing but I also teach a beginning quilting course for Community College. I have taught numerous classes in making different purses and home dec items and even though I prefer to teach my own designs am willing to teach other designs as well.

I have taught in West Virginia, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina but would be willing to travel to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to spend some time with my sister, too, if possible.

My designs have been published in 12 magazines to date, including Quilters Home, Quiltmaker, QM100 Blocks from Todays Top Designers, Quilt and a couple of others.

If you are interested in a workshop with me contact me via email: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show-TIME TO VOTE!!!

2011-12-04T09:46:00.002-05:00

This is the weekend to vote for your favorite Christmas or Winter themed quilt at SewCalGal's Quilt Show. My quilt is #35 and I hope if you like it you'll vote for it but there are SO many amazing quilts in the show it will be very hard to choose!

Here is a link to the contest: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2011/12/vote-for-your-favorite-entries.html

This is cool...I think?

2011-11-30T18:54:00.000-05:00

I found this blog post about me and my block that I did for The Quilting Gallery's Christmas Quilt-Along but it's written in Spanish and the blogger is in Spain!!! I wish I knew more Spanish and could tell (without doing a lot of homework) whether this is a positive post or not, but either way I think its cool that someone in Spain is talking about me and my designs!

BLOQUE 19, SUE´S SNOWFLAKE

Hola chic@s!!
Hoy oss presento a una señora que hace maravillas de navidad, pero que "creo bajo mi opinión" que se ha quedado bastante cortita con su presentación en quiltinggallery. Nos presenta el trabajo siguiente:

aunque Sue es capaz de todo esto y más...

Bueno, ¿qué os parece? para descargar paper foundation de su trabajo, aquí

Y con esto y un bizcochooooo, saludines.

Here is a link to the actual blog so you can check it out for yourself http://rebekapassionpatch.blogspot.com/

SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show

2011-11-28T19:06:00.002-05:00

This is my entry in SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show. Its called A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS. I designed it a couple of years ago. I hope you like it! Here is a link to SewCalGal's site- http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/ so you can check out the other entries!

While I'm at it I think I'll post some pictures of some of my other Christmas and winter themed quilts.

AND IN THE MEADOW

CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING

CARTWHEELING CLAUS

CHRISTMAS EVE

GINGERBREAD BOY

COUNTRY CLAUS

CHRISTMAS ANGEL (LEXA'S ANGEL)

Waiting on my winners

2011-11-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

I chose my winners last week for the 2 copies I have of The Wedding Quilt, the latest novel in the Elm Creek series by Jennifer Chiaverini, but I haven't heard back from them. If you commented on my blog to enter for a chance to win a copy please check my post from Friday, November 18th, to see if you are one of my winners. I will give them one more week to get back to me and if I don't here from them I will choose others.

The Quilting Gallery's weekly contest

2011-11-27T11:41:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day to vote for your favorite kitchen item in The Quilting Gallery's weekly contest. You can vote for your 4 favorites. Mine is called Peppermints and if you like it I hope you'll vote for it! http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/11/25/vote-now-kitchen/

I've Got My Winners!!!

2011-11-18T08:52:00.000-05:00

I used a random number generator and chose my two winners! They are Elaine from Whitefish MT and Sharon from Chattanooga TN. I need Elaine and Sharon to send me an email to get their addresses so I can get these books out to them. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Thank you to everyone that commented on this post! It was so nice to get an idea of where some of my readers come from! I wish I had a copy for all of you!!!

Christmas Angel almost finished!

2011-11-14T15:35:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my newest project using my Lexa's Angel block. I was looking for a quick Christmas project for my regular students. I will be teaching this as a two part class on November 21st and 28th and also in December, though I don't recall the dates at the moment! In the first class we will cover the paper pieced portion of the project and as most of my regular students also have embroidery machines they will get the embroidery files to do the lettering at home. In the second class we will put the banner together and bind the edges.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area and are interested in this class but need more info (like the dates in December) feel free to call Gloria Horn Sewing Studio at 412-344-2330

Guess what I've got?!

2011-11-11T16:14:00.001-05:00

I've got 2, yes 2, copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's newest novel in the Elm Creek Quilts series! I want to give one away now, read the other one and then give that one away too! For a chance to win a copy leave a comment on my blog and, just because I am curious where my readers come from, in your comment tell me your city and state.

BTW--I will announce the winners next Friday.

What I'm Working On

2011-11-05T19:28:00.000-04:00

This is a Christmas version of my design called Lexa's Angel. This is a design I use to raise funds for my friend's family. My friend Nikki lost her 7 year old daughter in a car accident almost a year ago. A young man, after having too much to drink, crossed the center line and hit Nikki's car head on. Lexa died that night and Nikki spent a month in the hospital and about 5 months in rehab. I think this block would make a wonderful holiday decoration or gift! If you are interested in making a donation to The Cleland Family Fund and getting this block design as a THANK YOU send me an email at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Martha Washington Quilt Guild Show

2011-11-04T16:23:00.001-04:00

The Martha Washington Quilt Guild Show is going on today and tomorrow in Washington PA. The hours are Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4. The address for the show is 267 Beau St. Washington PA. I don't have any pictures of the quilts in the show but this is a picture of the dealer's booth for whom I teach on a regular basis. The quilts pictured (clockwise starting upper left) are Country Claus, And In The Meadow and Lexa's Angel. With any luck I will make it to the show tomorrow and have some photos of the guilds amazing work. I am told someone made a quilt using my design called A Few Of My Favorite Things and its on display at the show. I always love to see someone else's interpretation of my designs!

If you have made one of my designs and would like to have it featured on my blog please send me an email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

2011-10-29T11:50:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of one block from my design called A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS. This quilt was made by Susan Jones from Pittsburgh PA. She took a class with me to learn paper piecing a few years ago. This quilt is one of nine she has made for several lucky family members using my design. She still doesn't have one for herself! Susan added the lace on the eaves of the house and the crystals on the tree as well as some decorative painting to this block and some other embellishments to some of the other blocks. I only had my phone with me when she brought this quilt into the store where I teach but several other people took pictures so if I get some better pictures I will post them later.

Susan did an amazing job and I love the fact that she added touches of her own!

2011-10-25T15:45:00.000-04:00

This is a better picture of my Peppermints pattern

Quilting Gallery's Christmas Quilt-Along!!!

2011-10-25T07:20:00.003-04:00

Have you seen all of the wonderful blocks on the Quilting Gallery's website for their Christmas Quilt-Along? Thirty six designers were chosen to participate AND I WAS ONE OF THEM!

This is my block called Paper Snowflake and the next picture is of the quilt I made using my block. It isn't a pattern yet but hopefully soon!

This quilt was paper pieced and if you've never tried it I am including my paper piecing directions so you can! The foundation for my block is available on The Quilting Gallery's website here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8779102/PaperSnowflakeFoundation.pdf

BASIC PAPER PIECING INSTRUCTIONS

Paper piecing is a method of constructing a block by sewing pieces of fabric to a paper pattern in numerical order. All of the solid lines on the pattern are lines you will sew on. The dotted lines indicate the edge of the seam allowance on the outside of each unit. All fabric will be placed on the blank side of the pattern.

NOTE: Pieces of fabric that go on the outside of the block should be cut on the straight of grain whenever possible to minimize distortion. Refer to the section entitled FOR ODD SHAPES AND ANGLED PIECES for instructions how to cut pieces on grain.

Starting with the number 1 piece, cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover the number 1 area and overlap each edge by about a 1/2”. This can be a large rectangle.

This piece of fabric is placed, right side up, on the blank side of the paper pattern, in a position where it will completely cover the number 1 area and overlap each edge by at least 1/4”.

Check the position by holding the pattern and fabric up to a light with the printed side of the pattern facing you. Pin, lightly glue with a fabric glue stick or spray baste in place.

Lay the foundation unit (pattern and attached fabric) paper side up on a cutting mat. Using an index card or other lightweight piece of cardboard with a straight edge (I use a greeting card), place the card on top of the number 1 area and line up the edge of the card with the line that runs between areas 1 and 2. Fold only the paper back over the card leaving the fabric exposed on the mat.

Place the 1/4” mark of your rotary ruler or ADD-A-QUARTER RULER on the fold of the paper and trim the exposed fabric to 1/4”.

Turn the foundation unit over, fabric side up. The second piece of fabric, cut large enough to fill the number 2 area and overlap the edges by at least 1/4”, is placed on top of the first piece of fabric, right sides together, matching the edge of the second piece with the trimmed edge of the first piece.

Flip the foundation unit over and sew directly on the line running between areas 1 and 2, beginning at least 1/4” before the start of the line and ending at least 1/4” beyond the end of the line. Use a shortened stitch length of 13-15 stitches per inch. Press new piece open.

Continue in this manner, adding pieces in numerical order, until the unit is complete.

After each unit is finished, increase the stitch length and baste any large, loose pieces of fabric to the paper foundation in the seam allowance (the space between the solid black line and the dotted line).

After basting, place the foundation and fabric unit, paper side up, on the cutting mat. Place the 1/4” of your rotary ruler on the solid black line on the outside of the pattern and trim excess paper and fabric away. Do this on each edge.

FOR ODD SHAPES AND ANGLED PIECES

To match up angles, simplify cutting of odd-shaped pieces and cut fabric on grain when necessary, lay your foundation unit fabric side up on work surface.

Take a large piece of the fabric to be used in the odd-shaped or angled area and set it right side up on the fabric side of the foundation unit in the proper position (the way you want it to be in the finished block). Make sure it covers the area to be filled.

With scissors, cut a large rectangle more than sufficient to fill the space. Don’t skimp and try to save fabric during this step but keep in mind you will have larger scraps that can be used elsewhere after cutting your angle.

Pin this piece of fabric in place to the paper foundation before flipping the foundation unit over and placing on your cutting mat.

Lay your card on top of the area to be filled instead of the previous piece that was just added. Line up the edge of the card with the line between the area to be filled and the previous piece.

Fold the foundation unit, paper and fabric, back on the line over the card exposing the new piece of fabric. Place the 1/4” mark of your rotary ruler on the pattern fold and trim the new piece of fabric.

After trimming, turn the foundation unit over and remove any pins holding the new piece of fabric in place.

Carefully flip the new piece of fabric on top of the previous piece, right sides together.

Turn the foundation over and sew on the line on the paper side as directed in the BASIC PAPER PIECING INSTRUCTIONS.

This technique will also allow you to easily positions a directional fabric into a paper pieced project!

ASSEMBLING UNITS INTO BLOCK

Lay out the pieces to be assembled as if you are putting together a puzzle, fabric side up. When assembling units into blocks or blocks into a finished quilt top the units are sewn right sides together

as in traditional piecing.

Points where the units need to match are marked with a dot on the MATCHING POINTS DIAGRAM. Push a pin through the center of one of the matching points from the paper side of one unit and bring the point of the pin through the center of the corresponding matching point on the other unit from the fabric side.

There will be at least 2 matching points on each unit. Push another pin through the next closest matching point in the same manner as the first.

Hold the two units tightly together so the two pins in the matching points are perpendicular to the surface of the pattern. Line up the edges of the units as much as possible. Take two more pins and pin the two units together close to the matching points.

Repeat with any remaining matching points.

Remove the upright pins and sew on the solid line near the outside edge of the pattern from end to end.

If you made any of the blocks and want to show off or want to see other participants block they are posted on Flickr here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/celebrate-christmas-quilt-along/

Here is a link to The Quilting Gallery's website so you can check out all of the other participating designers blocks! http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/celebrate-christmas/

Celebrate Christmas with The Quilting Gallery and 36 Amazing Designers!!!

2011-10-20T09:15:00.001-04:00

I am participating in the Celebrate Christmas Quilt-Along! Along with 35 other designers I am making a block available for you to use in your Christmas and winter projects. I can't show you mine yet because my day is October 25th but there are already 18 blocks posted! There are a lot of techniques used in the different blocks so I'm sure you'll find at least one you like!

My favorite technique is paper piecing so that is the technique I used to make my block but I've already seen a couple of applique blocks that I might like to make myself! Check them out for yourself and get a head start on your Christmas gift giving! http://www.quiltinggallery.com

Just wanted to share

2011-10-13T14:00:00.000-04:00

This is a better photo of my Peppermints projects. It is the photo from the front of my cover.

Christmas is coming-ready or not!

2011-10-13T10:24:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you but I do Christmas projects all year long. This is my latest project called Peppermints. The pattern has two projects-a coaster and an ornament. They are simple and quick paper pieced projects and would make great gifts. The ornament is constructed in such a way as to have a pocket in the back that can hold a small gift-a gift card, cash or even a piece of jewelry. It could also be used as a tag on another gift. For more information contact me via email at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Job loss

2011-09-22T09:21:00.000-04:00

Those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile may be aware that one of my "jobs" was being a caregiver for my aunt who had MS. I have recently lost that job because my aunt lost her battle with the disease after 18 years.

My aunt was an amazing person who had the odds stacked against her from the day she was born. Tracy was born in a mental hospital to a mother who was having a nervous breakdown due to the fact that her husband and father to her 5 children was leaving her. Tracy's mom was my grandmother's sister and Tracy was placed in my grandparents' care for about 4 years until her birth mother was released from the hospital. At that time, her real mother decided not to take Tracy from the only family she's ever known and allowed my grandparents to adopt her. She was two years younger than me and we grew up together. We had our moments where we couldn't stand each other but underneath it all we loved each other like sisters.

At the age of 8, Tracy lost her adoptive mother to cancer and her adoptive father by the time Tracy was 15. She came to live with my family until she finished high school.

She was diagnosed with MS at the age of 28 and has been courageously fighting the disease for all this time. She underwent a lot of different treatments, one of which caused her heart to fail 8 years ago. They were able to revive her and after a month in a coma and 2 months in rehab, she proved the doctor wrong who told her she would never walk again. She walked for 4 years after that before needing to use a walker or wheelchair again.

She and her husband loved to travel and took at least one trip per year. Sam was Godsent and knew when he proposed to her where this disease would lead. He was always there for her and did whatever she needed done that she couldn't do for herself. One of their trips was to Mexico during hurricane season. Hurricane Wilma hit while they were there and they spent at least a week in a shelter. There were many other people in the shelter with them and at least one of them told her he wanted to complain about the conditions but when he saw her NOT complaining about anything he knew he couldn't either. She inspired many people with her courage and her fire (Sam's word for her spirit).

One of the last things I did with her was this past Friday afternoon when she asked me to help her hide from Sam when he came home from work. We heard the garage door open and I helped her manuever her wheelchair quickly out the back door. We made it just around the corner when we heard him open the back door to look for us. Laughing the whole way, we made it around the side of the house to the front and waited for him to discover us. We waited for at least 5 minutes wondering the whole time what was taking him so long when we decided to give ourselves up. We went to the front door and rang the bell over and over. He was on the phone talking to Tracy's nurse telling her he couldn't figure out where we were. Sam had built a handicapped accessible house for Tracy with an elevator. The elevator happened to be on the 3rd floor so he thought that's where we would be. He searched all of the rooms and the closets and was confused we weren't there and then searched the basement as well. When I told this story to a friend of mine he told me it was mean but he didn't understand that Sam expected things like this from her and from me as well when I was with her. We were quite a team and I am a better person for having known her.

I feel sorry for those in her natural family who chose not to get to know her when given the opportunity because they missed out on something wonderful.

I was fortunate to be able to spend so much time with her these last few years and also to be with her when she took her last breath. She will be missed by many but I am comforted knowing she is at peace and able to all the things in heaven her body here on earth wouldn't allow her to do.

I am looking forward to seeing her again someday and causing a little mischief in heaven.

The reviews are in

2011-09-17T11:40:00.000-04:00

I always look forward to getting my evaluation after teaching Special Studies at Chautauqua Institution and was particularly proud to read them this time. So I decided to share!

The class I taught was paper piecing and I used a project I designed specifically for CI. I call it Lakeview (this photo was taken with my phone so I apologize for the quality). One of the things I teach in the class is using a directional fabric in paper piecing. I have asked other teachers who teach this technique how they handle directional fabric and have been told by most they instruct their students to avoid them but I have come up with a simple way to handle these difficult patterns and have taught it to many students over the years. I would love to teach it to many more so if you are looking for a workshop for your guild and might be interested in learning this technique and others feel free to get in touch with me!

Anyway, back to my reviews. The things we are evaluated on are as follows:

Class was well organized
Class was well prepared
Instructor had knowledge of subject
Instructor communicated effectively
Instructor made efficient use of time
Instructor enthusiastic about teaching
Students free to ask question/opinions
I would recommend this instructor

I received EXCELLENT in all of the above categories which made me feel really good but the actual written comments are what I am really excited to share.

"Can not wait to take this course next year"
"Wonderful"
"Best class I have ever taken"
"Sue was the best teacher. She is very patient and willing to take extra time with each student"

I hope you don't mind me using my blog as the refrigerator door!

Paper Pieced "Y" Seam

2011-09-01T10:39:00.000-04:00

I still haven't had time to remake one of the blocks from my newest design published in the Sept/Oct issue of Quiltmaker but this block is very similar in construction and should help to show the technique.

In the first picture, one of the quadrants of the block has been sewn to the center square. To make the center square, I printed the foundation, sprayed it with a quilt basting spray, adhered the fabric to it and trimmed it to the right size. What you aren't seeing in this picture but might be able to see in the next one is that the center block is not sewn from end to end and the seam starts and ends on the drawn line. I backstitched on each end of the seam to secure.

Next, I added another quadrant in the same manner. After I have 2 quadrants attached, the center block can be bent in half to match the seams in between the 2 quadrants and can be sewn from the outside edge into the center stopping again at the 1/4" mark on the foundation.

The 3rd and 4th quadrants are added the same way and the block is complete!

As you can see, its very simple, there are less seams coming together in the center and there is less cutting and even less fabric used.

Questions?

Sorry for the delay

2011-08-26T07:20:00.000-04:00

If you have been reading my blog for a long time you may remember that one of my jobs is taking care of my aunt who has MS. My aunt is a couple of years younger than me and we grew up together, more like sisters. She even lived with my family for a couple of years when we were in high school. She has been dealing with MS for about 18 years.

Recently, she has had a few setbacks and has spent months at a time in a nursing home. She has decided she no longer wants to go to the hospital for any treatments and has put herself on hospice care. Her husband told me my role has now gone from caregiver to "comforter".

I still plan on posting pictures of my technique for how I would have liked to do the block for my quilt called Zanzibars but I haven't had a chance to do it yet. I hope you will check back and I promise I will do it as soon as I can.

There's more than one way to skin a cat...er, I mean...piece a quilt

2011-08-21T10:30:00.000-04:00

This is my latest design published by Quiltmaker magazine. Its called Zanzibars and is a paper pieced quilt. There are nine blocks in the quilt and each block is a 4 patch. It was much simpler to piece than it looks.

When I make a quilt with the same block throughout, I do it "assembly line" style, which means I piece all of the same units at the same time and then move on to another unit.

When I pieced this top I made all of the quadrants of the quilt first and added the half square triangle to each one before assembling each block. But, this block is the perfect opportunity to try paper piecing a "Y" seam.

By using a "Y" seam, there is less fabric used, less seams coming together and less matching necessary. I will show my process in photographs, hopefully later this week if I get the chance to piece one of these blocks and can FIND MY CAMERA!

Back at Chautauqua! Yay for me!

2011-08-01T12:05:00.000-04:00

I'm back at Chautauqua Institution to teach again this week and I remembered to take a picture of the sign next to the chair that I took a picture of the last time I was here!

I love this!

While I was on the grounds of CI yesterday, I tried to take a few more pictures but my phone said my memory was full. So I have spent the morning at my cottage sending photos from my phone to my computer and then erasing them from my phone so I am ready for the next time.

Here are a few of those photos:

I know this last photo doesn't show it well, but this was a double rainbow around the sun!

Isn't This Cool!

2011-07-30T13:14:00.002-04:00

Quilt Trends in Columbus Ohio is doing my pattern, CARTWHEELING CLAUS, as a block of the month. Susan Sandritter, the owner, added 8 additional Santas to my original design and had some fun with Santa's outfits. There is a cowboy Santa, quilter Santa, OSU fan Santa, Uncle Sam Santa, Flower Child Santa, and a ready for Halloween Santa! How much fun is that?

She will send out kits if you're interested in participating. Check out her website at: http://www.quilttrends.com

Quiltmaker September/October issue

2011-07-29T11:31:00.000-04:00

This is a link to Quiltmaker magazine's Facebook page which has a post about the new issue of Quiltmaker coming out next month. My quilt called Zanzibars is in this issue and I would love to hear what you think about it.

Thanks!
Sue
http://www.facebook.com/#!/QuiltmakerMag

Marketing Experiment

2011-07-21T08:51:00.001-04:00

COUNTRY CLAUS

This is my newest design called Country Claus. It is a small wall quilt that finishes at 29" square. It is paper pieced and each Santa has a 3 dimensional hat and beads for the eyes and nose. There is a jingle bell hanging from each hat tip. All of these embellishments are included with the pattern. This pattern retails for $12.50
I am only able to ship my patterns in the US at this time so the offer is limited to US residents only.

The hardest thing about making a living from designing is getting your product out there, especially if your advertising dollars are very limited. I want to try something new. I am offering to send this pattern free to anyone that gets their local quilt shop to place an order for at least 6 copies.

If there are any quilt shops interested in picking up this pattern, the offer is as follows:
For every 6 copies ordered I will include a free copy of this pattern or any one of my other designs except for A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

This is a limited time offer so if you are interested act quickly!

If you'd like more information email me at:
larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

I see a quilt in this!

2011-07-17T18:42:00.000-04:00

I spent this past weekend at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, PA with my friend. This was the view we had while we ate dinner last night. Wouldn't it make a great quilt?

I had a class to teach at Sew Special in Uniontown on Saturday but was also invited to spend the weekend at my friend's condo at Seven Springs so we went up on Friday and I drove from her condo to the shop about an hour away, taught all day and then drove back in the afternoon.

Back at the condo, I helped my friend with a quilt for her niece and relaxed a little too, but when we saw this view, we knew we had to have a picture of it. Its so beautiful it almost doesn't look real!

Does anyone know how to remove the dirt from a 10 year old boy from a favorite quilt?

2011-07-15T09:39:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was my birthday and I got to do one of my favorite things last night! I got to spend time with a group of ladies that love to quilt and talk about quilting! Usually when I go out somewhere I have to try and turn the conversation towards quilting and see if anyone else is interested but that wasn't the case last night.

I was the speaker at the guild meeting for the Hearts and Hands Guild in Scottdale, PA. Getting up in front of other people and talking about myself is NOT one of my favorite things though so getting started is a little tough for me. But these ladies were so wonderful that once I got going I really enjoyed it this time! I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

During my trunk show, as I was showing my quilts, I opened one up and was a little shocked at first to see a powdery substance on it but after a minute I realized what it was from. My 10 year old son went to skateboard camp in June. It was his first time away from home and he wanted me to be there to drop him off, and I wanted to be there, too, but I had to drive back very early that morning from Columbus, Ohio. I had spent the weekend there with my friend after she had set up an appointment with a quilt shop owner for me to show my designs. It is a 3 hour drive from Columbus to my home in Pittsburgh and the skateboard camp in Woodward, PA is between 3 and 4 hours from Pittsburgh in the opposite direction. As soon as I reached home, I moved to the passenger seat and let my husband take over the driving and I started looking through the camp information as he drove. My husband tries very hard to take care of things and does pretty well, most of the time. But when I came across the list of things to bring, I asked if he had packed a sleeping bag for Carson. He said he hadn't because it said it was "optional". The brochure said it was "highly suggested" which doesn't sound optional to me but we were only about an half an hour from the camp (and running late) at this point out in the middle of nowhere. Guess what I still had in the back of my car?

I ended up leaving 2 of my quilts at skateboard camp with my 10 year old son. This powdery substance could be from a couple of things. When Carson skateboards he goes all out and when he's finished, he looks like he just got out of the shower. He doesn't like to shower and its a struggle to get him to take one at home, so I have a feeling that if he wasn't made to take a shower at camp he probably didn't. During one phone call home, he tried to tell me they put soap in the water on the water slide so he didn't need to shower! So the powdery marks could be sweat, whatever WAS in the water on the water slide or dirt from the wheels of his skateboard. The other thing it could be is residue from the wax the skateboarders like to rub on the parts of the park they like to slide their boards on.

This particular quilt was one I had designed for Quilter's Home magazine a few years ago. It is called Night Jewels and can be seen on their website.

http://www.quiltershomemag.com/pdf/quiltershomemag/nightjewelsweb.pdf
The background is black and the rest is all jewel tones. The fabric has never been washed and I am open to ANY suggestions!!!

Thanks!

Back from Chautauqua Institution and missing it already!

2011-07-05T18:36:00.001-04:00

It is a different world there. My favorite word to describe Chautauqua Institution is "magical".

This chair sits on the corner of one of the brick streets with an invitation to sit awhile. One of these days I am actually going to sit in this chair and use it for the purpose for which it was intended. I wish I had had my good camera so you could see what the sign says or that my memory was better so I could remember exactly what it says but its something about taking a break to dream. I will be going back in August to teach again and will try to remember to get another picture of it and a close-up of the sign.

Lake Erie Sunset July 2011

My family and I are fortunate enough to own a little cottage on Lake Erie in New York. This is a picture from the bench at the end of our street on the path that goes down to the beach. We had one incredible sunset after another. This past weekend was very busy because of the holiday but we still had a wonderful time. Our cottage is in a nice, little neighborhood, with a lot of year round residents that we only get together with a couple of times a summer, but we never feel like outsiders. We had a potluck supper and Bingo at the pavilion Sunday night. Time seems to stand still here. Someday I hope to spend whole summers there and maybe build a small studio on our lot in which to teach. When I am there I tell people this is my "real life" and, what I do elsewhere, I do to finance my real life.

Do you have a favorite place to be? How often do you get there? Are you fortunate enough to live your "real life"?

Mermaid Embroidery Design

2011-06-25T12:12:00.001-04:00

This is my mermaid quilt I started last year. I have done more detail work on it since this photo was taken but still have a lot more I want to do before I photograph it again. I wanted to post this photo so you can compare it with the digitized version below. I stitched it out for the first time recently and have found a couple of things I want to change but I don't do digitizing myself so I will have to until my friend has time to work on it for me.

This is a close up of the embroidered design showing the detail but I will post a full view photo when I get a chance. I think she would look great on a beach towel or tote. What do you think?

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

2011-06-19T13:09:00.001-04:00

I have some new projects coming up that I can't wait to share but I'm not allowed to yet. There are contracts to sign and other things that have to happen first but I'm so excited to get this thing going! I will blog about it as soon as I am allowed.

In the meantime, I have a few other things going on that I AM allowed to talk about. First, I am getting ready to teach my first session this season at Chautauqua Institution. Wednesday, June 29th is my first class and I am doing it differently this year than last year. Last year, I did one project for 3 days but this time I have designed a project that can be done in 2 hours or my students can spend the 3 days with me and go a little more indepth with my original design or any one of my other designs.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Chautauqua Institution, check out their website at: http://www.ciweb.org/ It is one of the most amazing, inspiring, artistic places I have ever been. The classes are open to anyone and there are so many to choose from. I will post a photo of some of my designs that you can choose from for my class in a later post or you can see a lot of them on my website at: http://www.larkspurlanedesigns.com/

I will also be lecturing for the Hearts and Hands Guild in Scottdale, PA on July 14th (my birthday, hint, hint) and teaching at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA on July 16th.

If you have any questions about any of these events you can email me at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

You can't trust anyone.

2011-06-09T09:49:00.002-04:00

This has been the longest "two" weeks of my life! My computer went in for repair and I was told it would take two weeks to fix. Well, closer to three weeks, I finally have my laptop back and am ready to get back to the work of designing.

So far everything seems to be working right but I want to give you all a little warning about turning your computer over to ANYONE for repair. My laptop was only 4 months old so the repair was covered by the warranty but when I dropped it off I was unable to sign out of any of my email programs or Messenger. If I had thought about it I would have changed my passwords sooner but it didn't occur to me it would be a problem.

Anyway, I found out from one of my Messenger friends that "we" had had a pretty lively conversation one late night. So while my computer was out of my hands whomever was working on it pretended to be me and talked to one of my friends in a way I would NOT have. Of course there is no proof on my computer since they erased all of my IM history so I have no way to prove it happened at all.

If you find yourself in a situation like mine where you can't sign out of your programs, find another computer ASAP and change your passwords immediately!

Now, back to work!

Good Riddance to May

2011-05-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

What a month! I won't be sorry to see May end. I have had a lot of deadlines this month. My friend and I made a quilt for the pastor of our church, my other friend had 2 quilts to make for her grandchildren and needed a lot of help and I had a quilt I had to make for Quiltmaker magazine.

All of this, along with computer problems and regular life mixed in, made May a tough month for me! Anyone that has been reading my blog for awhile knows that I teach quilting and sewing classes on a regular basis, design quilts for my own pattern company and take care of my aunt (and one of my best friends) who has MS.

Last year I had to reduce my teaching hours at my regular job to make taking care of my aunt my "regular job". Unfortunately, my aunt has had some setbacks this year and she has been back in the nursing home for a couple of months which gives me a little more time for my other jobs, but now I am no longer receiving the small salary I was getting as her caregiver. The hours I gave up at my teaching job are no longer available and I want to remain free to go back to taking care of my aunt if and when she needs me again.

I am typing this post on my husband's ancient computer as my four month old laptop is being repaired.

I taught a class earlier this week in which I had a very disturbing experience. I had a student pack up her supplies and machine and announce that she was "done" and that she'd had "enough". I have never had this happen before and was so shocked that it took about 5 minutes to realize she was upset with ME! Anyone that knows me or has ever taken a class with me knows that I go out of my way for my students. I make sure they understand what I am teaching and have actually redesigned projects for some students who have difficulty or want to see what a project will look like in a different color way or size. I'm still not exactly sure what I wasn't doing for this student that she expected me to do. I had made several visits to her side and always check to see if anyone needs help during the course of the class. I give my cell phone number to anyone that wants it if they have any questions after the class ends. I had at least 3 of the other students contact me the day after the class to thank me and tell me how much they enjoyed the class and how much they appreciate me, so I'd like to think the problem was with her, not me.

I know this post seems like a series of complaints, and I suppose it is, but I consider it venting so feel free to ignore it or if you feel the need to vent a little yourself post a comment!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

2011-05-03T10:14:00.001-04:00

I had close to 500 visits so far to my blog thanks to the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour! I had a lot of wonderful comments to sort through and want to thank everyone who took the time to leave a comment yesterday. I have chosen my winners and have sent the winner's info to QM and also contacted the winner of the copy of the magazine from me and the page of clown faces. If you would like to purchase a page of clown faces I am charging only $5 per page. Postage in the US is included in that price. The page has enough faces printed on it to make 12 blocks!

I thought you might also like to see a picture of my newest design, Country Claus, which is being tested as you read this and will be available soon. As you can see, he is similar to my Clown block and just as fun, if I must say so myself!

Get a head start on Christmas and order today!

larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks--Just Clowning Around

2011-05-01T23:59:00.001-04:00

This is just one idea for a finished quilt using my block design

This is my block featured in and on the cover of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks by Today's Top Designers!

And this is a picture of what one of my winners will receive along with one copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 3. Is a page of my clown faces printed on Printed Treasures. You must be one of my followers to qualify for this prize and also leave a comment on today's post.

If you leave a comment on today's post you will be entered in a drawing to receive a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks from Today's Top Designers Vol. 3. In addition, if you are one of my followers and leave a comment you will have a chance to win a copy of the magazine and also a page of my clown faces printed on Printed Treasures so you will be ready to start sewing when the issue arrives!

For anyone who might be interested in purchasing a page of my clown faces please send me an email for more info at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Here is a link to Quiltmaker's blog with all the information for all of the other designers participating in the blog tour. http://www.quiltmaker.com/100blocks.html There are some amazing blocks and amazing designers in this issue so be sure to check them all out!

The issue will be available by May 10th, so if you don't win one, you're not out of luck!

Doll Sweaters

2011-04-30T14:14:00.001-04:00

Here are some more pics of my friends doll sweaters. These are made to fit American Girl dolls or dolls of similar size. If you need a price or any other info, feel free to contact me at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol. 3 Blog Tour Starts Monday May 2nd!

2011-04-29T09:29:00.001-04:00

Just a little reminder that the blog tour starts Monday, May 2nd. I will be blogging that day and I will have 2 copies of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks to give away. The first copy will go to one person, chosen randomly, who leaves a comment on my blog that day. The second copy will go to one of my followers who leaves a comment that day. The odds of winning a copy are better if you are one of my followers and time is running out so "follow" me today! As a special thank you to my followers I will also include a page of my clown faces already printed on Printed Treasures so you can piece my block as soon as your issue arrives.

Look What My Friend Can Do!

2011-04-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

This adorable little sweater set was hand knitted by my new friend, Sue! Isn't it cute? I think she's too old to play with dolls herself, LOL, but she loves making them so she has a few extras "sitting around". If anyone is interested in purchasing some sweaters please send me an email and I'll get her in touch with you. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Can I wear this to the grocery store?

2011-04-25T16:43:00.000-04:00

There was a package waiting for me this afternoon after I ran my errands. It was fairly small and square and the return address was Quiltmaker 100 Blocks. At first, I thought it was the fabric I am waiting on to make the next one of my designs Quiltmaker is planning to publish but then realized it would be difficult to fit the fabric required to make the quilt I am making in that size box.

The first thing I saw when I opened the box was this button! My next thought was--"Do I have a shirt that I wouldn't mind tearing like they do in those Honda ads?" I decided I don't so I photographed it on my rotary ruler so you can actually see how big it is.

Also in the box was a coffee mug that has a picture of every block in the next issue that is due out in May. How cool is that?

For some reason, my 13 year old daughter won't let me wear the button to the supermarket!

My Clown block featured on Quiltmakers' Blog!!!

2011-04-23T08:58:00.002-04:00

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2011/04/two-weeks-to-100-blocks-blog-tour/

Check this out! One of my students (and friend) sent me an email to let me know my block is featured on Quiltmaker's blog! It is so exciting seeing my designs posted somewhere other than my own website or blog.

I am participating in the blog tour on May 2 and I will have 2 copies of the new 100 Blocks issue to give away. The first copy will go to one person who leaves a comment on my blog May 2. The second copy will go to one of my followers who leaves a comment so if you don't already follow my blog you might want to sign up for another chance to win!

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks From Today's Top Designers vol. 3

2011-04-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

'Nuff said!

Why I Design What I Design

2011-03-27T10:39:00.002-04:00

There has been so much interest in my newest pattern, SPRING SHOWERS, including one message that read "I am not much on wall hangings but this is just so cute!!", that I thought I would explain why I design WHAT I design.

I like small projects because I get bored easily.
I like to see results quickly. (I made my newest version of SPRING SHOWERS in two days and will post a picture of it as soon as it is quilted)
I like to change what I have on display in my home often.
My sewing time is limited so its easier to do small projects.
I like other people to see my quilts and don't want to drag them off to our bedrooms to "show off"!

How do you choose your projects? Are you like me and lose interest quickly? Is your time limited? Do you like to show off?

I'm a Cover Girl!!!

2011-03-24T14:39:00.001-04:00

Wellllll, not really but....my block is a cover block! My clown block appears on the cover of the latest issue of 100 Blocks from Today's Top Designers in the upper left hand corner. This is my second time in this magazine but my first time on the cover! Who knows, maybe next time my name will be there! Always something to work towards in this business.

Lexa

2011-03-20T18:17:00.001-04:00

This is a picture of Lexa Cleland, the beautiful, 7 year old daughter of my friend Nikki, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in December 2010. She is the inspiration for my design, LEXA'S ANGEL, which I recently offered to quilt shops (only one per city) for use as a fundraiser for the Cleland Family.

I spent this whole weekend making sure the pattern is ready for those shops that respond to my offer and can now say it is ready! I have had a good number of shops contact me to participate but there are still lots of opportunities available. Since I am not charging the shops for the design it would be easy for participating shops to give a portion of the pattern price to The Cleland Family Fund and still cover any expenses such as paper and ink. Since the offer is limited to one shop per city it may help to draw customers to your shop that might not have visited otherwise if you promote the pattern on your website or in your newsletter.

We all have "angels" in our lives that this pattern or a quilt made from this pattern would be appreciated by as I can attest to from the calls I have received in regards to my design.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about Lexa's Angel at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

An Exclusive Offer To Quilt Shop Owners

2011-03-18T07:43:00.003-04:00

LEXA'S ANGEL

This is a picture of the actual quilt I made for my friend Nikki. It is hanging in Nikki's room at a rehab center where she is recovering from a car accident. Nikki's car was hit head on by a drunk driver in early December 2010. Sadly, she lost her beautiful, 7 year old daughter, Lexa, in the accident.

I took my design to my favorite, local quilt shop, Quilter's Corner in Finleyville, PA and spoke to the owner about using my design to raise funds for my friend's family. Mary Beth Hartnett went way beyond my expectations and produced a kit that she offered for a suggested donation of $6, of which, every penny went to the fund. Her total donation consisted of the fabric, the paper and ink to print the foundation, the packaging and the hourly salaries of her employees while putting the kits together!

She has had numerous inquiries from people in other states about getting the kits mailed out, but as you can see from my description above, she has done more than her fair share considering the only thing she is getting out of this project is a little extra foot traffic in her shop.

So I had the idea to offer this block to one quilt shop per city. The first quilt shop to contact me, from each city, about getting the block in their shop and agrees to use it as a fundraiser, to benefit THE CLELAND FAMILY FUND, will get a PDF of my design to use in any way you choose.

If, at some point, my friend and her family no longer need these funds, I will offer them to another organization, such as MADD, but for now, this design is solely intended to be used to help raise funds for my friend.

If you have any questions or want to reserve the block for your quilt shop, please feel free to contact me via email at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

By the way, if you don't own a quilt shop but are interested in getting this pattern, feel free to pass this information on to your favorite, local quilt shop.

Quilting Gallery Weekly Contest-Nursery Rhymes

2011-03-11T10:53:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my quilt, Three Little Pigs, that I have entered in the most recent Quilting Gallery contest. The theme is nursery rhymes and there are some wonderful quilts in the contest. Check them out and vote for your favorite at: http://www.quiltinggallery.com/

My quilt has raffia straw, and several 3 dimensional elements such as the ears, legs, and tail as well as either a polymer clay button or applique for the nose and beads for the eyes. I hope you like it!

So Anyway...

2011-03-09T08:29:00.000-05:00

This is a better picture of the project I was teaching when I had my little heart "episode". Its a design I worked on a few years ago and then got distracted and moved on to something else. People have been asking me for awhile when it will be ready as a pattern and I can finally say, "IT'S READY!"

It measures 26" x 33", and is a paper piecing project. The pattern retails for $12.50 because of the buttons that are included (3 rain drops, 2 ladybugs and beads for the eyes).

If anyone out there is interested in purchasing this pattern send me an email and I will make arrangements to get it to you. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Interesting Class--not necessarily in a good way

2011-03-06T11:35:00.004-05:00

This picture is of a class I was teaching yesterday at Sew Special in Uniontown PA and I was having a wonderful time untillll....my heart decided to "freak out". Things were going so great and my students were amazing! We were getting ready to break for lunch when all of a sudden my heart started to race and sitting outside in the cool air and deep breathing didn't help. One of my wonderful students, Julie, is a nurse who had just come off an extra long shift, took it upon herself to take care of me. She took me to urgent care where they told me they weren't equipped to care for me there and I needed to go to the emergency room. Unfortunately, the shop is an hour away from home and since I was being stubborn and insisted I go home to be seen the shopowner drove me in my car to the hospital closest to my home.

Just so you don't think I am a total moron, this has happened very infrequently to me since I was a teenager and I have been checked before so I don't think it is anything to be overly concerned about but this time was a little different in that it went on longer than usual, I was getting light headed and started to sweat. By the time I reached the hospital my heart rate was back to normal and they couldn't find any reason for the problem in the first place but I will be making an appointment with a cardiologist just to be sure.

The class was for my design, SPRING SHOWERS, which you can see hanging on the wall in the photo (click on photo to enlarge). My students were so understanding and I got a couple of hugs before I left for the hospital so they made it easier for me to go. I have never left a class in the middle before so it was a difficult thing for me to do and I will be talking with Donna, the shopowner, to reschedule with the ladies, but I can't thank them enough for being so wonderful to me!

Real Men Knit (and felt)!

2011-02-15T16:13:00.003-05:00

I spent this past weekend at the 7th Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival in Mars, Pa and had the opportunity to meet Randy Grossman, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, and teach him how to use a Babylock Embellisher to make a felted pin designed by Margo Duke.

Unfortunately, the only camera I had available was on my phone and I had to get back to work so this is the only photo I got at the event and wouldn't you know it...my eyes are closed! But in this photo you can see the pin Randy made on his left chest as well as ONE of his Super Bowl rings.

We taught more than 300 people to make this pin over the weekend and got to meet many wonderful people as well as show them just a few of the wonderful things you can do with the Babylock Embellisher. I can't wait to get mine!

By the way, I would LOVE to hear about projects you've done on your Babylock Embellisher!

2011 Quilting and Needlework Seminars at Trax Market

2011-02-10T11:34:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce that I have been asked to participate in Quilter's Corner's seminar day at Trax Farm! Every year the ladies from my favorite local quilt shop plan a wonderful day of demos and lectures. I have never been able to attend before because I always had to work but this year I have been able to make plans to be there as a lecturer.

I will be showing my favorite techniques and tricks for paper piecing and I am so excited to share what I know! The details for this special event are as follows:

2011 Quilting and Needlework Seminars at Trax Market

Saturday ~ March 12th

10:30am – 4:15pm

For the past several years we have spent an entire winter day in the cozy atmosphere of Trax Market. The change in scenery allows us to share over 25 different topics, both lecture and hands-on presentations, in a “round robin” format, special quilt displays, charitable opportunities, yummy box lunches, goodie bags and door prizes.

The event continues to be met with overwhelming praise – we would love to have you join us this year. Seminar teachers are already getting their plans in order, (including information about the new Bread and Butter Society, our Quilts of Valor initiative, new block of the month offerings…), so that we may share a complete schedule for the event mid February.

Please register as soon as possible as spaces fill very quickly! Fee: $39.50

I stopped at the shop yesterday and was told there were a few spots still available so if you live in Pittsburgh or coming for a visit and want to take part in this wonderful opportunity call asap and reserve your spot--724-348-8010

Computer Headaches and Wonderful Friends

2011-02-02T14:58:00.000-05:00

Can anything else bring on a headache like switching to a new computer can?!? My answer to that question would be, "NO!".
I haven't blogged much lately as I have been trying to get all of my old files over to my new computer without losing anything and that includes my mind. I shouldn't be complaining and I'm really not. More like venting, I guess. But its hard to be creative when your tools don't work properly. My old computer was 8 years old and was hanging on by a thread. It would shut itself off often right in the middle of a project and I would lose what I was working on.

A new computer has been on my list of things I need but just hasn't been in the budget but I happen to be able to count among my friends one of the most generous people on earth. I won't mention their name but this person needs their money as badly as the rest of us but chose to surprise me with a new laptop a couple of weeks ago!

Anyway, since my last post lots of things have happened. I found out I was nominated for Teacher of The Year by one of my students and am waiting to see who The Professional Quilter decides deserves that honor. I also entered my first major quilt show and am anxious to see if my quilt makes it in.Quiltmaker has chosen another of my designs to publish later this year,(more on that later). And I have several classes and lectures scheduled so far for this year.

I also saw my friend Nicole a couple of weeks ago and showed her the angel block I designed in honor of her daughter who was killed by a drunk driver in early December as a fundraiser for her family. Nikki is an inspiration to me. I went to see her to comfort her and instead left comforted BY her. To date, the quilt shop that is making kits to make the block have "sold" about 150 kits and are still cutting more.

I have at least a dozen new designs nearly ready to be published so, with any luck and my new computer, they should be available soon. Its going to be a good year!

Angel Kits are Ready!

2011-01-14T12:17:00.002-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

LOCAL QUILT ARTIST DESIGNS COMMEMORATIVE BLOCK TO BENEFIT
THE CLELAND FAMILY FUND

PITTSBURGH, PA, JANUARY 12, 2011: Last month, many were devastated by the fatal car accident which took the life of 7-year-old Lexa Cleland and left her mother, Nicole, facing numerous surgeries and months of recovery. Local quilt designer and friend of the Cleland family, Sue Cook, realized she has a unique way to help the family and inspire others to do the same.

Sue is known for the extraordinary pieced pictorial work she offers through her company, Larkspur Lane Designs, and for patterns featured in numerous quilting magazines. To help her friend and to honor the memory of Lexa, Ms. Cook has designed a pattern for a beautiful foundation-pieced block appropriately titled Lexa’s Angel. This piece displays an ethereal angel, which can be finished as a small wall quilt or pillow. Several angels could become the centerpiece of an exceptional quilt. A kit for the block, including the foundation paper and fabric similar to Sue’s original is available from Quilter’s Corner in Finleyville for a suggestion donation of $6.00. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each Angel kit sold will go directly to the Cleland Family Benefit Fund to aide the family during this difficult time. Each completed block will help preserve the memory of a special child.

Contact Quilter's Corner at 724-348-8010 to get your kit.

Update on Lexa's mom

2011-01-07T09:32:00.000-05:00

To those of you who read my blog with any regularity you know about my friend Nicole's accident in December in which she lost her 7 year old daughter, Lexa. I received a short message from Nikki via Facebook last night in which she told me she likes my angel block, Lexa's Angel. I was able to go to her FB page and check on her progress so I thought I would update those who have asked about her condition.

Nikki had her 4th surgery earlier this week and will be moved to a nursing home soon to complete her recovery. She will probably be there for 3 to 6 months and her doctors are confident she will walk again someday.

For anyone that wants to help Nikki and her family financially there is a fund set up at the First National Bank, called The Cleland Family Fund. If you'd like to send a check their address is 2550 Brownsville Rd, South Park, PA 15129.

My favorite local quilt shop, Quilters' Corner in Finleyville PA, is also helping me with a project to benefit Nikki and her family. They are designing a small project based on my angel block and selling kits. The kits are inexpensive and all of the money raised by them will go to the fund. I will post the information here when all of the details are finalized.

Why I Design

2011-01-01T11:05:00.000-05:00

LEXA'S ANGEL

When Wayne Kollinger asked me to blog about why I design and to help inspire others to try their hand at designing, I was flattered...then I thought "Wouldn't that be like shooting myself in the foot?" But after a little more thought, I realized that even though I am a designer myself, I still like other peoples' designs and although I don't do it often, I still purchase patterns by other designers and I'm hoping others will do the same. So, here goes nothing!

Why I Design
The first reason I design is because I LOVE IT!
I love creating something from a thought, something that hasn't been done before or, even if it has been done before, doing it better. I have designed since I was a small child. I started out making dolls out of the wooden spoons that came with little cups of ice cream. My friends and I would draw faces on them and then make paper clothes. I sure wish I had saved some because I would love to look at them now.

I was fortunate to be chosen to take art lessons at our branch of the Carnegie Museum and did that every Saturday for about 3 or 4 years during grade school. When I went on to high school, I took only the required courses and then filled the rest of my day with art and craft classes. If I couldn't do something creative with my life I don't think it would be worth living!

Out of high school I went on to art school and earned a two year degree in graphic arts. My first job after finishing school was with a fine jeweler. After learning how to carve the waxes used in lost wax casting and to melt and pour the gold I was given the opportunity to do a little designing of my own. I worked in that industry for about 15 years before being bitten by the quilting bug.

COUNTRY CLAUS

The second reason I design is because I CAN!
Designing is the one thing for which I feel I have a talent. And I think we should all be using our talents to make other people happy and to make the world a better place.

For example, my design called LEXA'S ANGEL is my way of helping a friend deal with a recent tragedy in her life. My friend lost her 7 year old daughter Lexa in a car accident with a drunk driver December 6th, 2010. I made a small donation to a fund set up for her family and will continue to donate to that fund as I am able but my design abilities make it possible for me to help her in a bigger way and also to give others the opportunity to help her as well and get something in return.

The third reason I design is because I LIKE A CHALLENGE!
I will redraw a design as many times as necessary to make it as perfect as possible. My final version of LEXA'S ANGEL was the 11th version of that design. The original drawing was done about 4 years ago but I never did anything with it because there were other designs and deadlines that took priority. Now I'm glad I didn't use that design before because I think there was a bigger purpose for it.

The fourth reason I design is I LIKE THE ATTENTION IT GETS ME!
The feeling I get when someone tells me how much they like my designs or how much they enjoyed making one of my designs is amazing. Every once in awhile I'll get a card in the mail or an email in which someone tells me the story behind a quilt they made from one of my patterns, such as who it was made for and why and that can totally make my day!

Warning

2010-12-27T12:32:00.000-05:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with quilting but this is the only blog I write and I think it is important information so I will post it here. My friend's step-father just died last week and he had one of those policies that would/should pay for his funeral. Most people think you can sign the policy over to the funeral home and all the expenses will be covered. Maybe some work that way but this one didn't. They had to sign the policy over to an agency that will pay the claim in a couple of weeks but they had to pay the funeral home up front. They didn't have the money to pay so they were forced to borrow it from the agency at 40% interest!

This doesn't seem legal, moral or fair to me in any sense but when it comes to a dealing with the death of someone whose final arrangements must be taken care of in a timely manner you don't have many options. Funeral homes know this and I feel they take advantage of the family of the deceased. This is just my opinion but it makes me wonder how some people can sleep at night.

Read the fine print is all I can say.

My Newest Angel

2010-12-23T09:40:00.001-05:00

This is the latest version of my Angel pattern that I have sewn out. I have gotten such a wonderful response to the earlier version that I decided to work on the original design and have made some changes. Anyone that got the earlier version and would like to have the newest version can send me an email and I will send it out.

Anyone else that would like to make a donation to The Cleland Family Fund and receive my Angel pattern as a "Thank You" from me would be much appreciated.

Nicole Cleland is a friend of mine who was involved in a car accident earlier this month with a drunk driver. Her 7 year old daughter Lexa was killed in the accident and Nicole has more surgeries ahead of her and about 5 months of recovery. There is no telling when or if she will be able to return to work.

The Cleland Family Fund is set up at The First National Bank:
2550 Brownsville Rd.
South Park PA 15129
412-831-4800

Send me an email after you make your donation and I will email you the pattern for Lexa's Angel. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Thank you!
Sue

Kate's Angel

2010-12-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

This is my new friend Kate's version of my design, Lexa's Angel. My post about my friend Nicole's situation struck a chord for Kate as she has had her own family tragedy to deal with and she generously made a donation to help a total stranger. My friend Nicole was involved in a car accident a couple of weeks ago in which she lost her 7 year old daughter, Lexa.

I don't have any new information about Nicole's condition right now but I know she made it through her most recent surgery. I'm not sure how many more she will have to endure but she is holding her own at this time.

Nicole's car was struck head on by a drunk driver when she and her 2 daughters were on their way to pick her husband up from work. Her 11 month old daughter is being cared for by family members until Nicole is well enough to do it herself. There has been no indication as to when that might be, unfortunately.

If anyone would like to help Nicole and her family, there is a fund, THE CLELAND FAMILY FUND, set up for them at The First National Bank, 2550 Brownsville Rd, South Park, PA 15129, 412-831-4800.

Chautauqua Institution Summer Program 2011

2010-12-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

I got an email confirming my proposal to teach at Chautauqua Institution has been accepted! This will be my second year on the special programs faculty and I am really excited to be participating. This year I will be teaching 2 weeks instead of 1. My class will run the first week and again the sixth week and will be open to daily students as well as those that want to take all the sessions. I don't have all the details yet but will post them as soon as I can.

Last year my class was three sessions, 2 hours each and I taught my own design called Lakeview. It was a paper pieced design in which I had the opportunity to show how to get a directional piece of fabric into a quilt. I haven't decided what the project or projects will be this time around but I want to show the technique for directional piecing again as well as a paper pieced "Y" seam.

If you've never been to Chautauqua Institution you owe it to yourself to check it out. It is one of my most favorite places in the world! Their website is http://www.ciweb.org/

Snide or Truthful?

2010-12-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

There has been a discussion lately on a Yahoo Group for quilt designers about quilt magazines and whether they are worth buying anymore. Someone had criticized the magazines for lacking design inspiration. Another designer commented that if we, as designers, are looking to the magazines for inspiration we aren't working very hard at coming up with original and innovative ideas. Another designer took great offense to this statement and after I added my two cents (which maybe I should have kept it my pocket) personally emailed me and told me my reply was "snide" and she was leaving the group because she had had enough of snide comments. I simply stated that there are designers out there who change the color of a design and call it their own and there are designers out there who know a great design/idea when they steal it. But I think the kicker was when I said, "If the shoe fits, put it on." She took that as a personal attack, I think. I certainly didn't mean it that way and after we emailed back and forth several times, with me trying to apologize for offending her, I gave up. After all, the only people who would be offended by what I said are people with a guilty conscience or a lack of confidence in their design abilities.

I sent an apology to the group just in case others thought my reply was "snide" but I have gotten nothing but positive replies. I didn't apologize for what I said but more like how I said it.

Anyway, I'd love to hear what others outside of the design industry think about the quilting magazines. I think one magazine, in particular, has stepped up its game. The latest issue of Quiltmaker has some amazing quilts in it and their special issue, 100 Blocks From Today's Top Designers, is genius. I may be biased since I had a block in the first issue and might have one in the third, but either way, I think the concept is really great.

Do you still subscribe to magazines? Have you dropped some and picked up others? Are you more likely to buy a book or a pattern over a magazine? Do you scour the internet for free patterns? I would love to hear your thoughts.

A Christmas Angel is born

2010-12-07T09:09:00.002-05:00

In a season that should be filled with joy a tragedy is especially hard to understand. This past Saturday night, my friend Nicole and her 2 daughters were on their way to pick up their father from work when a 23 year old man who had just left a bar on the South Side of Pittsburgh crossed the yellow line and struck Nicole's car head on. Her 7 year old daughter, Lexa, was pronounced dead at the hospital later that night. Nicole's other daughter was treated and released to her family as Nicole is in critical condition and has several surgeries and about 5 months of recovery in front of her.

This young man was able to get out of his car and run away. He was found hiding behind a building not far from the scene of the accident. There are so many labels I want to give this "man", but it would be useless and a waste of energy since his own guilt and whatever punishment he is given by the courts will have to suffice until he is judged by God.

I have decided to try and help Nicole and her family instead of focusing on his lost soul. There is a fund set up for Nicole and her family that is accepting monetary donations and I am offering to send anyone who donates to that fund an emailed copy of my design, LEXA'S ANGEL, pictured above.

Donations can be sent to:
The Cleland Family Fund
c/o The First National Bank
2550 Brownsville Rd.
South Park PA 15129
412-831-4800

I know quilters are very generous people by nature so I hope if you are able to send anything, you will. I will be honest and tell you I have no way of knowing if someone actually sends a donation but I trust that people are generally good.

After you make your donation, send me an email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com and I will email you the pattern.

Thank you and God bless you,
Sue

Paper Piecing using the card method

2010-12-03T10:12:00.000-05:00

Madame asked me to post a picture using the card method for paper piecing so that's what I am doing! This picture shows the card (blue) which I placed on top of the foundation covering the number 1 segment and folding back the paper on the line between the number 1 segment and number 2 segment. I then line the 1/4" mark on my rotary ruler with the fold of the paper and trim the exposed fabric.

The next picture shows the same thing but using the Add-A-Quarter Ruler instead of a rotary ruler.

I hope this helps Madame.

Quilting Gallery Contest-VOTE NOW!!!

2010-12-03T07:39:00.000-05:00

Voting is open for the Quilting Gallery's weekly contest. This week's theme is stars and there are some amazing quilts being shown. Its worth checking out just to see these beautiful quilts. http://www.quiltinggallery.com/

This is a picture of my own entry called Chocolate Raspberry Torte, and although I am very proud of it, I can't honestly say its the best one there, so go take a look and see what you think!

Are you afraid of paper piecing? Here are some of my tips.

2010-12-02T09:47:00.000-05:00

So I admitted yesterday I don't know my way around a ruler very well (although I do have students who would disagree with that statement because I can fake it when I have to) how many of you are willing to admit you are afraid to try paper piecing?

When I teach paper piecing I call it quilting by numbers. The number sequence is so important to successful paper piecing. When I design a paper pieced pattern, I try to make the number 1 piece the biggest piece in the unit. It doesn't always work out that way though and I think that confuses people sometimes. They naturally want to start with the biggest piece and add the smaller pieces afterward. There are times when you can ignore the numbers a little bit but those times are not the norm. So my first piece of advice is to make sure you start at number 1.

The first piece of fabric always goes right side up on the blank side of the paper and should be cut larger than the space it needs to fill. It can be pinned or glued in place. I prefer flat head pins because it bothers me when I can't get all the paper out when the block is finished. I like the flat head pins best because I can lay a ruler on top of them and the ruler doesn't "seesaw".

The ruler I like to work with for most of the project is the Add-A-Quarter Ruler. When I first saw it, my thought was, "I don't need ANOTHER ruler!". But when I tried it, I knew I had to have it. It has a lip that measures a 1/4" so I don't have to worry about putting the 1/4" mark of my rotary ruler is the right place each time I have to trim.

After I have my first piece of fabric secured to the foundation, I turn the foundation printed side up so I can place a card on top of the number 1 segment lining up the edge of the card with the line between the number 1 and 2 segments. I fold just the paper back over the card right on that line. Next, I place my Add-A-Quarter Ruler on top of the foundation making sure the lip of the ruler catches on the fold of the paper. Now I can trim the first piece so it has a 1/4" seam allowance. The next piece of fabric is placed right sides together on top of the number 1 piece lining up the edge of the number 2 piece with the trimmed edge of number 1. I can pin this piece in place if I feel the need, but if I use a pin I make sure it isn't close to my sewing line. All of the lines drawn on the foundation are sewing lines so I make sure my pin doesn't touch the one I am getting ready to sew on. I lower my stitch length so I am getting about 15-20 stitches per inch. On my Bernina I set it at 1.5. On Babylock machines, where you have to choose between 1.4 and 1.6, I would choose 1.4.

The shorter stitch length serves a couple of purposes. The paper takes up some space so when it is removed you don't want your stitches to be loose. The shorter stitch length makes them a little tighter. Also, with more stitches per inch, the paper is more perforated and will be easier to remove later.

Now its time to sew! Turn the foundation over, printed side up, and sew on the line between the number 1 and 2 segments. Start stitching at least a 1/4" before the line starts and end at least a 1/4" after the line ends. It is impossible to sew too far in paper piecing because any extra stitches and fabric will be trimmed off before adding your next piece. This second piece of fabric needs to be pressed open and trimmed before adding the number 3 piece. If the sewing line for number 3 piece intersects the first sewing line, when you fold the paper back on the line the first 2 pieces of fabric will fold back with the paper. Simply grab the fabric and gently pull it away from the paper so the fabric will lie flat on the cutting mat and the foundation folds back neatly on the line. Use your Add-A-Quarter Ruler or rotary ruler to trim the exposed fabric to 1/4" and continue adding your pieces in numerical order.

Paper piecing is really a simple process and can give great results without making you want to tear your hair out. I have been able to use directional fabrics and make sure the design ends up where I want it. I can also get every piece of fabric into the project on grain if I think it is important to the success of the finished piece. I know of one quilter who won't take a paper pieced top because the grain line is all over the place most of the time. That isn't the case with mine. I can also paper piece a "Y" seam very easily. I will talk more about these techniques later so check back!

I LOVE PAPER PIECING!

2010-12-01T09:22:00.000-05:00

Ok, I admit it, I am math-challenged. I hate having to figure out measurements and worry about an accurate seam allowance. I'm a "ruler tapper". I don't trust the numbers I see so I have to count the squares with my finger to be sure. After 10 years of quilting, I can sew an accurate, or at least consistent seam allowance, but with paper piecing I don't have to worry about it.

The last class I took was about 9 years ago and was a paper piecing class. From the moment I learned the technique, I KNEW this was how I wanted to make every quilt for the rest of my life. Even if I want to make someone else's design, the first thing I think about is whether I can paper piece it or not. Then, if I decide I can, I redraw the design in my computer, print out the foundations and off I go. Most of the time, the design is actually simpler and can be done with less pieces by paper piecing than by rotary cutting the shapes. For example, I saw a pattern that was done with half square triangles that looked like diamond shapes when they were pieced. The design resembled the flights on an arrow, but by doing it with half square triangles, there were twice as many seams. That means more fabric, more matching and more chances for bad intersections when matching.

There are some patterns that really can't be sewn using any other technique unless you enjoy driving yourself crazy. Consider the Mariner's Compass. Can you imagine cutting all those points out with a rotary cutter and templates and thinking you will ever get it together right? I can't. Or the New York Beauty block? I love both of those designs but would never attempt either if it weren't possible to paper piece them.

What about miniatures? The quilt I posted a picture of in my last post had pieces that are less than 3/8" square. There might be someone out there who would be able to put that together with templates, but I can assure you, it wouldn't be me.

I think you owe it to yourself to at least try this technique. Its not for everyone, I suppose, but if you have a good teacher and the desire to learn something new, it might end up being your favorite technique, too.

Quilting Gallery Contest

2010-11-29T09:46:00.000-05:00

I have entered my miniature quilt called Chocolate Raspberry Torte in the Quilting Gallery's weekly contest. This week's theme is stars. If you like it I hope you'll vote for at: http://www.quiltinggallery.com/ Voting starts on Friday and runs through Sunday. Thanks!

New Pattern available soon

2010-11-24T09:45:00.000-05:00

While I was teaching at Millcreek Sewing and Fabric in Erie, PA recently, I got the chance to shop a little and found some great plaids which inspired me to create another version of my star-shaped Santa quilt. Instead of his old-fashioned hood and red suit I gave him suspenders, blue jeans, a flannel shirt and work boots. I still need to find some small buttons for his shirt but he is nearly finished, so I wanted to show him off. The quilt is only 4 blocks so it goes together quickly. You could also use the blocks on their own and create 14" pillows. I don't have a printed pattern ready yet with the beads, buttons and bells, but if you want to find your own embellishments, I can email the foundations, instructions and assembly diagrams for only $10. You can use Paypal and send me an email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com if you are interested in this design. Thanks!

Thank You

2010-11-09T10:04:00.002-05:00

Wow! Thank you to everyone who commented on my blog or sent a personal email to me! I was blowing off steam yesterday and I am so relieved that I am not the only one bothered by the lack of manners in the world today. I guess I will continue to try and "educate" people as nicely as possible about their lack of manners even at the risk of being punched in the nose. (I worry about that too, Staci!) And I will continue to teach my children by words and by my own example how others should be treated.

Do any of you remember that old commercial (for shampoo, I think): you'll tell 2 people and they'll tell 2 people and so on and so on.... Maybe we can start a revolution!

Today is my only real day off this week so I am working on a new quilt design that I need to get back to, so hopefully my next post will be "quilty" and not whiny (whiney?).

This drives me CRAZY!

2010-11-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

Can someone please tell me what is SO difficult about saying thank you? I am so tired of being treated like a doorman when I hold a door for someone and they can't even be bothered to say thank you! Even if its your job to hold the door you should still be thanked. What has happened to manners? Aren't children being taught them anymore? I know its going to get me in trouble some day, but I am one of those people who say "You're welcome" when I haven't been thanked after I've done something for someone. I keep hoping it will embarrass that person that a complete stranger just did them a favor and the next time someone holds a door or picks something up off the floor for them they will remember their manners.

I have had to stop and wait for my children because they have stayed at the door of a store or restaurant to hold it open for other people and I am very proud of them, but it bothers me that I haven't seen too many others take the time to do it, adults or children.

Is it because most young adults were brought up in daycare because their mothers had to or chose to work? I'm sure daycare workers do the best they can but don't have the time to teach something that isn't being reinforced at home. If that's the case, then these young adults won't bother to teach manners to their own children because they weren't taught them themselves. So it will only get worse from here, I think.

I know we all get distracted at times, but even at my most distracted, I don't think I have ever failed to thank someone for a kindness. Am I the only one bothered by this?

I know I must sound like a miserable, old lady but I needed to get that off my chest!

Great Day!

2010-11-04T21:29:00.000-04:00

What a great day! I spent today and am spending the next 2 days doing demos at Millcreek Sewing and Fabric in Erie, PA during their holiday shop hop. What an amazing place to hang out. The shop is wonderful, with an incredible staff and is such an inspirational place that I look forward to just walking through the front door. The samples that fill the store make you want to make at least one of each.

I was able to work on a new pattern today in the shop as I showed people how to paper piece and am so happy with the results that I can hardly wait to show you! But I will force myself for now. Soon, I promise.

If you are in the area, though, you can stop in and see what I'm working on!

Class?

2010-10-21T08:37:00.000-04:00

I have been teaching for a local sewing machine dealer for about the past 5 or 6 years. A job which I've loved and made lots of friends while doing, but I am in the process of branching out and teaching in other cities and other states. I would also like to teach more locally and have been trying to find a room somewhere that isn't too expensive to rent for a day. I'm not sure how many local people read my blog with any regularity, but if there are any out there who would be interested in learning my techniques for paper piecing or know of a place I can teach that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, I would love to hear from you.

The project I want to teach is my Bell Door Hanger, pictured above. It is a project that can be pieced in less than a day and finished quickly. It would make a great addition to your holiday decorating or a wonderful gift!

I am teaching this class in Erie and also Uniontown, PA but would love to teach it in Pittsburgh as well and possibly Columbus, OH or Westfield or Jamestown, NY. These happen to be places that I either have a friend I can stay with or some other arrangement where I wouldn't need to pay for lodging.

I would be happy to hear from anyone in these areas to try to get something scheduled before the holidays! You can email me at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks!

Sue

Sorry...And Thanks to Julie

2010-10-17T20:37:00.000-04:00

For any of you who have tried to comment on my blog lately and have been unable to, I apologize. Julie was kind enough to send me an email to let me know she tried to post and was not able to leave a comment. I had changed my settings on my blog to keep the spammers from being able to comment and leave embedded links in their comments and also so I wasn't constantly having to moderate comments. I have changed it back and anyone who wants to comment on anything will now be able to once again. I will still moderate all of the comments to try not to let any of the junk get through. I hope to hear from anyone with a serious (or not so serious comment) soon!

Thanks Julie!

Which do you prefer?

2010-10-13T20:13:00.000-04:00

The quilt on the right is my design named PRESSED FLOWERS. This is the color way I chose when I originally made the quilt but I am considering re-doing it in fall colors. What do you think?

Seams Like Home Retreat

2010-10-12T16:11:00.000-04:00

This is my new friend Carolyn and her almost finished version of my design SPOOKY LANE. I got to spend the past weekend once again at Seams Like Home B & B in Vanderbilt PA. This visit was even better than the last and makes me look forward to my next visit in November. Even though I am teaching when I am there I still manage to get some of my own projects done. There's just something about having someone else doing the cooking and cleaning up afterward that gives you the energy to really get things done! We had a great time and sewed to our hearts content.

Next month I am teaching my design CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING in Donna's quilt shop, Sew Special, on Saturday November 20th, but I get to spend Friday and Saturday nights at the B & B. I am getting to be so spoiled!

The class is filling quickly, so if you're interested, sign up soon at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA! If you need more info contact me via email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Quilting Around Chautauqua 2010

2010-09-27T13:22:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was my annual trek to Chautauqua Institution for Quilting Around Chautauqua. This year was a little different. My friend and I had the same spots and were surrounded by the same wonderful group of vendors as in the previous years and at least one new person whom I hope to see again next year (welcome to QAC, Peter!). But normally we have a couple of friends join us who help out in our booths and drink wine on my porch in the evening and they couldn't make it this time.

Needless to say, neither of us was able to leave our booths except for a restroom break, so there was no shopping for us this year. Call it a blessing in disguise. I was also unable to take very many photos this year but I have posted what I have. The photo at the top of this post is from my newest pattern called CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING. There are 3 projects in the pattern: Table Topper, Tree Skirt and Door Banner (shown in photo).

Show attendence was good, but purse strings were being held very tightly this time. Something simply MUST be done about our economy! What is the world coming to when quilters can't afford to buy the latest fabric and patterns?

We still had a great time and are already planning for next year so its time to look ahead.

Also regulars at the show are Donna and Rick Eicher who own Sew Special, in Uniontown and Seams Like Home in Vanderbilt, PA. Seams Like Home is the new bed and breakfast they opened and have begun hosting quilting retreats like the one I am teaching October 8th, 9th and 10th. For their show special they were offering a $75 discount off the price of my retreat and $50 off of any other retreat coming up. DISCLAIMER: I AM WRITING THIS FROM MEMORY OF A HURRIED CONVERSATION AT THE SHOW, SO YOU CANNOT HOLD DONNA OR RICK RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING I MAY SAY IN ERROR! Check their website for details or call their shop: 800-572-7570 or

724-438-1765. http://www.seamslikehomeretreat.com/

This house made me pull over and snap a pic. I think its my new favorite.

Quilts, Wine and Chocolate!

2010-09-06T21:10:00.000-04:00

What a great weekend!

I headed to my cottage in Westfield, New York, Friday evening. On Saturday, after a wonderful day of teaching at Millcreek Fabric and Sewing in Erie PA, my friend and I stopped to watch the sunset over Lake Erie at Noble Winery. We shared a bottle of wine and relaxed with the owners of the winery as the sun set. Saturday night was the last bingo of the season in the park where my cottage is located. My friend was a big winner with a total of 32 candy bars. Believe it or not, we actually had some left when we headed back home Monday morning! Westfield has such a small town, old-fashioned feel that it is a nice change from my "real life" in Pittsburgh.

We slept in on Sunday then headed out to visit a couple more wineries in the area along with some of the great cheese stores in the area. We also stopped at Bemus Point to see what was happening the last official weekend of the summer. There were a lot of sales and some live music on the floating stage. Our last stop was back at Noble Winery to discuss with the owner what type of quilt she wanted made to hang on the wall of the tasting room. I am so excited to be doing this project for her and can't wait to get started. It will be a collaboration between myself and one of my best friends so I think will be a lot of fun. I will try to show some pictures as the project moves along.

I usually don't make quilts for other people unless they are for family or friends or for a magazine, so this will be a totally new experience for me. I'm pretty easy-going about most things, so I think the process will be fairly painless. Has anyone reading this ever done a project like this? Was it as much fun as you thought it would be? Are you still friends with the person or people you worked with?

Designing?

2010-09-02T10:20:00.001-04:00

I think designing is coming up with something that hasn't existed before. I don't believe that taking an existing block and changing the colors or fabric used should be considered designing. I also don't believe a designer should design around a fabric line. A good design will work with many different fabric lines not just one. I'm not sure what to call people who do this sort of work, but I wouldn't call it designing. Marketing maybe, but not designing. I, for one, am tired of picking up a magazine and seeing the same quilt made over and over again and I would love to hear from others about this subject, even the "marketeers".

Comments?

2010-08-25T19:56:00.001-04:00

Feel free to send me an email if you'd prefer not to leave a public comment on my previous post at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

What would YOU do?

2010-08-25T16:46:00.000-04:00

Imagine this-- You have found someone you think you can trust with whom to open a business. The business is essentially 2 businesses in one where each of the "partners" buy their own stock. They each have their own code to ring their merchandise through. The hours the shop is open are split between the partners unless there is a special event and more than one person is needed in the shop, such as the opening of the shop. Now imagine that one partner has decided she needs to get her hair done before the opening the following day and doesn't show up until late in the afternoon the day before. The other partner has realized long before the opening that she is going to have to do more than her fair share of work to have the opening be a success, so she calls a couple of friends who drive almost 3 hours to help her get ready. The friends put in a full day's work staying until about 1:30 in the morning to get the store ready while the other partner has left hours earlier after working only about 4 hours and are back the following morning when the shop opens to help some more.

Fast forward a month or two. Things have fallen into a comfortable routine and only one person at a time is necessary to run the shop. When one of the partners is working alone, the sales are fairly even, but when the other partner is working, sales are severely skewed in her favor. To me, that would be a red flag that something is wrong, but would be very hard to prove.

Along comes another special event and the two friends that helped with the opening are asked to come back and help out again. The have to take off work from their own jobs to be there, but they make the trip. After working for 3 days and losing 2 days pay each from their regular jobs, they are ready to make the nearly 3 hour trip back home. Knowing they don't have enough gas to get home, they ask for gas money. Their request is met with a blank stare from one of the partners, while the other partner manages to scrape up $30 of her own money since she is not "allowed" to get it from the cash register before the other partner goes over the receipt tape with a fine tooth comb.

What if one of the partners finally had enough, decided to leave the business and take her stock with her. Stock she ordered herself and was responsible for paying for directly to the companies they were ordered from. The companies the merchandise was ordered from would have the right to contact her for payment but that should be the end of the parnership with no further need for communication between the former partners, in my opinion. But, what if one of the partners were so vindictive and bent on revenge, she managed to find a lawyer that would take a case that has no merit. The kind of lawyer who would sue the family of a child hit by a car for damages to the car. I know its hard to believe there are people like that out there, but I'm told there are.

What if the partner who left the business now finds out that the other partner has decided to go after her house, which is the only thing she owns other than her car.

Sounds like a nightmare, doesn't it. But what if it wasn't, what would you do? If you were friends with the non-evil partner what would you suggest your friend do?

Trunk Show at Millcreek Sewing and Fabric

2010-08-20T11:14:00.000-04:00

I will be spending most of the day tomorrow at Millcreek Sewing and Fabric in Erie, PA showing my quilts and demonstrating paper piecing. If you are in the area stop in and say hi. I will have at least 4 new designs with me to show and will add them to my website http://www.larkspurlanedesigns.com/ as soon as the patterns are ready.

Unfortunately, I have had to change some of my settings on my blog as far as comments are concerned. If you want to comment on a post you will need to become a follower of my blog. I'm sorry for the inconvenience but I have been receiving so many SPAM comments lately and I think this might be the only way to stop them. They come from a "no reply" address, so I can't block them as far as I know, but they often contain a link to another website that I am afraid to click on so I don't know where they would take me if I did.

Coming Soon!

2010-08-15T08:26:00.001-04:00

Just so y'all know I'm not sitting around playing Freecell all day, which I do play a lot, but it helps me think, (at least that's the excuse I give my husband) this is a picture of some of the new designs I am working on. Clockwise from the top are CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING, HAUNTED HALLOWEEN, PAPER SNOWFLAKES and CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TORTE. The Halloween quilt will be the first pattern available and will go to print next week, followed shortly by the bell table topper/tree skirt. I will be making a 16" square single block pillow of the Chocolate Raspberry Torte design and will include the foundation in the pattern for a bed size quilt. These designs will be added to my website http://www.larkspurlanedesigns.com/ as soon as they are ready but feel free to bug me about them if there is anything you are interested in right away. (I work best under a deadline)

You Just Have to See This!

2010-07-30T08:15:00.010-04:00

I saw the most amazing crazy quilt pillow the other day made by a customer at the sewing machine store where I teach that I just have to share! Unfortunately, the only camera available at the time was the one in my phone, so the pictures aren't the best quality, but I'm going to post them anyway.

Janine Franc did all the embellishments by hand and it only took about 2 months to complete the pillow. She had a contest deadline, so she really pushed herself, but it was worth it because she said she won.

Sewing Room Horror Stories

2010-07-21T20:44:00.000-04:00

When I teach a brand new quilter who has never touched a rotary cutter before, I make sure they know how dangerous a tool they can be. First I show them my scars and tell how I got them, then I proceed to tell them the horror stories I have heard or been witness to over the last 10 years. For instance, I have a friend that another friend has nicknamed "Nine Fingers". NF travels with my other friend and I on occasion to shows and helps us by cutting fabric for customers when we are busy. Within 3 months, she had cut herself 2 times. On the second accident is when she received her nickname. After we had her bandaged, she returned to the cutting table and picked something up. It was the tip of her finger.

I have left my rotary cutter open on the table, and since I am barefoot most of the time when I am home, when I knocked it off of the table, it landed on the top of my foot and cut me. From this experience, I now have a rule in the classroom. If I come by your table and your rotary cutter is open and you're not using it, you owe me a quarter.

I had one student who told me she left her cutter open on her table in her sewing room and her grandchild walked in and picked it up thinking it was a lollipop. I have forgotten the end of this story, unfortunately(maybe I blocked it out), so I don't know if she caught them in time or had to make a trip to the hospital.

I heard about a nationally known teacher who cut herself during a workshop she was teaching and asked for a needle and thread to sew her hand shut. Fortunately for herself and the workshop participants, the cut wasn't as bad as it could have been and the shop she was teaching for had butterfly bandages which did the trick.

Rotary cutters aren't the only dangerous tool in our studios. We have all seen or maybe own a tomato pincushion. How many needles do you think are lost inside of them? I'm betting close to 100. A friend of mine knocked hers off her sewing table and didn't notice until she stepped on it. She pulled about 80 needles out of her foot before she stopped counting.

Do you have any sewing room horror stories you'd like to share that I can include in my rotary cutter safety speech?

My Room at Seams Like Home!

2010-07-17T16:52:00.000-04:00

This is the Hydrangea Room at the Seams Like Home Bed and Breakfast in Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania, where I was scheduled to teach a quilting retreat this weekend. I was lucky enough to be able to bring a friend with me to enjoy all the ammenities at this brand new B & B, so I am sharing this room with one of my best friends and having a wonderful time sewing away. I have known the owners, Donna and Rick Eicher, for about 5 years now, so I almost feel like family anyway, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they will make all of their guests feel that way.

The building has been completely re-done from its former life as an office building, so EVERYTHING inside is brand new. This is the view from the balcony down into the entrance. See the quilt block in the floor? The next picture is another view of the foyer from another angle.

You can see pictures of all of the rooms, including the lounge, on their website http://www.seamslikehomeretreat.com/

I have to admit I started quilting simply because I wanted a quilt for my bed and after 10 years, I still don't have one, but every guest bed has a quilt made just for that room. If they'd just let me move in, I NEVER have to make one for own bed!

Chautauqua Institution

2010-07-06T07:51:00.000-04:00

What an amazingly creative place! I taught my first class yesterday afternoon and have 2 more to teach this week before I head back home to my regular teaching job. I am so inspired by everything else going on here, that if I could figure out a way to spend the entire season here, it would be a dream come true. I have so many new ideas that I can't wait to get back to my studio and try them out.

If you are ever in this area, even in the off-season, you would be so impressed with even just the grounds of Chautauqua Institution, it would be worthwhile to stop and check them out!

The people that volunteer here are friendly and helpful they make your visit even more enjoyable. The Special Studies classes being taught here are so diverse, you can come here and learn about almost anything, from Middle Eastern belly dancing to bridge, knitting to life casting, investing to yoga.

If I get the chance to take any new pictures while I'm here, I will post them soon.

Does anyone else have a place they know of that they consider "magical"?

My New "Toy"

2010-07-01T09:02:00.001-04:00

I am mainly known for paper pieced designs, which I love to do, but I am starting to venture into some applique. My most recent applique design is the mermaid I have been working on. Because of a recent event at the sewing machine dealer where I teach, I have purchased an Accuquilt Studio Cutter and have inquired about having a custom die made to cut out my mermaid pieces. I should get a quote today to see if it is possible for me to produce my mermaid as a precut applique and offer her for sale without having to remortgage my house first!

I didn't buy any dies with the Studio Cutter, since I only bought it to do custom dies, so it is set up in a corner of my studio, just waiting to be put to work. I hope it isn't waiting too long. I have a lot of students who want to purchase my mermaid applique and put her on all sorts of things, like tote bags, jean jackets or make a small wall quilt like my sample, so I am hoping I don't have to disappoint them or make them wait too long.

Lakeview

2010-06-25T07:49:00.004-04:00

This is a picture of the project I am teaching at Chautauqua Institution this year. It is a simple, paper pieced design I call Lakeview. This will be my first time teaching there and I am really excited! I hope I get the opportunity to teach there many more times.

Mermaids, mermaids and more mermaids

2010-06-13T20:59:00.000-04:00

My family and I stopped at a roadside shop and saw this amazing fountain. The best I could do is take a photo since I don't have any place to put her or any money to buy her. I also have a small mermaid in my cottage, here in New York, where I got to spend the weekend, but I will have to add her later, since this isn't my computer and I don't know how to edit my photos in Paint. I had a friend meet me here at my cottage, so I was able to drink some wine and talk quilting for the whole weekend. What a great time. Next time, we bring sewing machines and no husband or kids!

Adding Details

2010-06-03T10:09:00.002-04:00

Last night, I got brave and started stitching in a couple of details on my mermaid. She is only about 10" tall, so the most difficult part is deciding the scale of the details. I shortened the stitch length for the hair strands to 1.5, down from the default setting of 2.5. I also found a stitch on my machine that I thought mimicked fish scales and stitched some highlights on her tail. I think I will vary the width on the highlight stitching as it goes around curves when I re-do her, but for now, I am happy with the effect. Her face will be the most difficult part to do and I haven't decided if I want to stitch it or paint it yet. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Mermaid quilt started!

2010-05-31T22:30:00.005-04:00

I got to spend the weekend with one of my best friends, who happens to be an amazing art quilter, so I was inspired to start working on my mermaid quilt. I drew my mermaid on Saturday, then started to play with different fabrics on Sunday. She is done with fusible web applique and I am pretty happy with the progress so far. My husband told me my original sketch was "comic book" good, which I took as a huge compliment coming from him. You can't see any details yet in the actual quilt, but I am planning to do some thread painting and beading and who knows what else!

This is so different from anything else I have done and I hope I continue to be inspired by this project and will post pictures as I go along.

Quilting Gallery Contest

2010-05-21T09:16:00.003-04:00

I have entered antother quilt in one of the Quilting Gallery's contests. It is called Spring Showers and would really appreciate your votes! http://www.quiltinggallery.com

Thanks!

I have the best friends/students!

2010-05-18T07:16:00.002-04:00

I really do! Yesterday, one of my students surprised me with a gift. I have a lot of wonderful students that I now consider friends as well, and very often they bring me little gifts. It might be a fat quarter they think I'd like, a pack of needles, tin of buttons, or some little notion they picked up they thought I should try. But yesterday, this friend really went above and beyond. My friend Barb, had been in a couple of days after Mother's Day and we had been talking about the gifts we received. I got a lot of homemade gifts from my children, that I will treasure forever, and my 9 year old son even gave me his favorite "silly band" and held my hand out in public! My husband took me to the local nursery and wanted me to pick out a hanging basket of flowers but I couldn't find one that I liked that didn't cost and arm and a leg. So as we walked around the nursery, I saw Hydrangea bushes, which happen to be one of my favorites. But again, they were small and very expensive, so I left almost empty handed (my son was still letting me hold his hand).

Barb was in yesterday, finishing up a purse class with me and said she would leave when I did because she had something in her car for me. When I walked out to the parking lot and saw her standing there beside my car with a Hydrangea bush, 3 times the size of what I saw at the nursery, I couldn't believe my eyes! We stood there in the pouring rain trying to get it in my car and then I had to rush off to pick my children up from school, but not before I tearfully thanked her for her wonderful gift!

When we arrived home, my son brought his little red wagon up the driveway and helped me get the bush from the driveway to a spot where I think I want to plant it. If it wasn't still pouring, I would have made him pose for a picture with his wagon, but hopefully, I will be able to get a picture of the bush blooming later this summer! I might even be able to get my kids to stand next to it.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to know how much people appreciate what I do!

Summer Plans and a Request for a Favor

2010-05-16T08:58:00.000-04:00

I have several teaching jobs this summer, away from home, that I am REALLY looking forward to. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be home than almost anywhere else, but this is a big step forward for me and I am really excited about the opportunities.

The first one is at Chautauqua Institution in July. I will be teaching a brand new design in paper piecing. At the moment, I am waiting for my fabric to arrive so I can make my sample. I will post a picture or two as I go along.

The second one is at a Bed & Breakfast near Uniontown, PA. I only live about an hour away from Uniontown, but if I have the opportunity to stay at a B & B, I'm taking it! The B & B is called SEAMS LIKE HOME and the owners are wonderful people, so I think the name is fitting.

I will be teaching there in October, as well, and if Donna and Rick ever need someone at the last minute, I'm their girl!

I will be vending at Quilting Around Chautauqua again in September. This will be my fourth year there and something I look forward to as I get to see a lot of familiar faces each time.

One last thing: I have been getting some strange comments on my blog lately, but I'm not sure if it is intentional and I can't tell where they are coming from. If someone could post a REAL comment on my blog and it shows up as normal, I will know whether there is a problem with my blog or a problem with the person or people who are commenting. Thanks!

My Beginning

2010-04-28T07:16:00.003-04:00

For those of you who have never visited my blog or website before, I thought I would give a brief history of how I got into quilting. Well, it all happened by accident! I have always loved the look of quilts and when I was furnishing a new apartment, I came across what I thought was a quilt at J.C. Penneys, that I absolultely fell in love with and had to have. A few years later, I found out it was actually a patchwork comforter, which didn't make me love it any less, but lit a fire in me to acquire the genuine article.

I wasn't brought up around quilts, so I had no idea the work that went into making one, but decided I wanted one for my bed when my husband and I bought our house. We started pricing them and I realized, after seeing the look on my husband's face, that I was NEVER going to own a handmade quilt unless it was my hands that made it! To be totally honest, I would have failed sewing class in high school if it weren't for my sister sewing my projects at home for me, so I didn't know if this was something I was capable of or not. But I decided to check the phone book for a local quilt shop. As luck would have it, I found a great one not too far from me, Quilter's Corner in Finleyville, PA. The first class I took was a hand quilting class, since I didn't know there was any other way to quilt a quilt and I figured if I didn't like that part of it, there was no point in going any further. I liked hand quilting but knew I would probably not finish too many quilts if that was my only option. Fortunately, the quilt shop had so many beautiful samples that were quilted by machine and I realized there was more than one way to skin a cat.

My next class was a beginning quilting class, for which I needed a sewing machine. I thought a low end model would serve the purpose, since I was having flashbacks of my high school sewing class and didn't want to spend a lot of money on a machine I might never use again. I walked into the store, where I now teach, and walked out about an hour and a half later with a brand new sewing machine. It wasn't exactly low end, but I deserve the best, don't you?

I fell in love with piecing, but since I am math challenged, I didn't enjoy having to measure everything and having to be accurate so my stars have points. So my next class was a paper piecing class. If you have never tried this technique, Piecing By Number, is the best way to describe it. With this technique, you use a big piece of fabric, sew it in and trim it down to the right side afterward. Brilliant!

Soon after this class, I started thinking that I could design my own patterns using this technique, so I bought a tablet of graph paper and went to work. My first design was AND IN THE MEADOW and featured a snowman, tree, and star with a rail fence border as well as a polymer clay carrot nose and 3d scarf. I was thrilled with the result and when I took the quilt with me to the quilt shop to find a fabric for the binding, the employees told me I should publish a pattern for the quilt. So I did!

Larkspur Lane Designs officially came into being in 2003 when I started the company with a friend of mine. She and I have known each other since we were children and since our birthdays are one day apart in July, we named the company for the flower for July. Although we are still friends, Colleen left the business in 2005, but because of all her help in the beginning, I was able to keep it going on my own.

At this point, I think I have about a dozen patterns on my website, and have been published in magazines ten times, (including 3 times in Quiltmaker!). My patterns are sold by Clotilde and McCalls and also through my website: http://www.larkspurlanedesigns.com

I have probably a hundred designs in my computer waiting to be sewn out and just need to invent a time machine, so I can keep resetting time to get them all done!

Counting my blessings

2010-04-22T11:36:00.004-04:00

I guess the best time to count your blessings is when you start to feel like you don't have any. That is the point I am at now, so time to start counting.

1. I have 2 wonderful children and a husband who is an amazing father...when he is around. Regular readers of my blog know he has had to go to work in a city 2 hours from here and we only get to see him one night during the week, (if we have the money for him to fill his gas tank). He also comes home on the weekend if he doesn't have to do a personal appearance for the radio station where he works, which have been scheduled much more frequently as of late.

2. We have a roof over our heads in a nice, safe neighborhood.

3. We have food to eat, even if it is just grilled cheese sandwiches and noodles (which my kids happen to love, so they have no idea when we are broke!).

4. I have several jobs, that I love:
Teaching sewing, quilting and embroidery classes for a local sewing machine dealer. Most of my students end up being my friends, so that makes the job even more enjoyable than just sharing my love of sewing and quilting.

I have an aunt who has Multilple Sclerosis, who I help care for and am paid by the state. Its not much, but every little bit helps. My aunt is 2 years younger than I am and I have known her and have been very close to her her entire life. We have always spent at least one day a week together since she was diagnosed 16 years ago, but when she was told she could hire someone to help her, she chose me and one of her sisters. Between the 2 of us, we run errands for her, take her to her doctors appointments, clean her home, make sure she eats and do whatever else she needs done that she can't do for herself. She is an inspiration to me, since she is the one person I know personally, who has reason to complain about her lot in life, but NEVER does.

Then, there is my pattern company--LARKSPUR LANE DESIGNS. I started my company with a friend in 2003 with one pattern and at this time, I think I have a dozen on my website for sale. I have had 10 other designs published in several different magazines, which at some point, I would like to publish my own patterns for and add them to my site. It is such a joy to be able to do something you love and get paid for it! I wish everyone could have that.

5. I have great friends, who are there for me even when I'm not being a great friend in return.

6. My relationship with God. Even when things are really bad, I know they won't be for long because He is always watching over me.

I think I could go on forever with this list, but I have to get ready to go to work at one of my blessings!