Officially Spoiled!

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

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

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

Spring Angel Finished

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

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

Looking for spools

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

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

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

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

Its good to be back!

Three weeks without a computer and I thought I would go mad! My old laptop started to misbehave so I took back to the store where it was purchased. They sent it away to see what was wrong with it. The estimate to fix it was almost as much as it cost new so I decided to take it to a local computer genius and see what he thought. He told me the service people where I took it never even bothered to open it up but when he did, he said my laptop overheated and all of the solder melted. He also said it was a common problem with that model laptop. So needless to say, I purchased a new computer and I have a new IT guy in my life. If you live in or around Pittsburgh, Ryan McAuley of The Computer Stop, is a lifesaver! You can reach him by calling 412-616-8134.

In the meantime, I had lots of extra time on my hands and got a good bit of quilting done. My Spring Angel quilt only needs the sleeve sewn down on the back, a label and the crystals ironed in place. I plan on entering my quilt in the Three Rivers Quilt Guild show that is coming up in March.

I've got some new things happening but I need to wait until schedules are finalized before I post about them, so check back soon!

I am SO lucky!

I taught a couple of workshops at Sew Special, in Uniontown, PA on Friday and Saturday. I took a couple of photos, but can't upload them for some reason. I'll be dropping off my computer to have someone take a look at it and see what's going on, but I just had so much fun these past 2 days, I had to share!

The first class was on Friday and we worked from about 9am to 4pm. The class was small so each student got a lot of individual attention. After class, one of my friends, who came with me from Pittsburgh, and I got to stay overnight at Seams Like Home Bed & Breakfast. The B & B is owned by the owners of Sew Special.

When we got to the B & B, there was a group of ladies there who were all working on UFOs. My friend and I planned on ordering a pizza but were told by Rick Eicher, one of the owners, he would be serving a meal to the other ladies and wanted us to join them. We are so glad we did! The food was wonderful and the company was even better!

One of the ladies in particular I will NEVER forget! Ninety year old Naomi was such a joy to meet and so interesting to talk to I made sure to give her my contact information so we could keep in touch. I felt like I'd known her forever. I hope to be just like her if I reach my 90th birthday. I hope she gets in touch with me.

I will post a couple of pictues as soon as I figure out what is going on with my computer!

Spring Angel details added

I added blush to the angel cheeks and a crystal halo. I think a block of the month might be an interesting project using this block since there are so many wonderful fabrics out there to choose from! She could be done seasonally or for each holiday. I can see her with shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day or fall leaves for Autumn, seashells for Summer. So many possibilies! Thank goodness for my stash. I can hardly wait to get started. Now I have to decide whether to make one quilt or a seperate banner for each angel. What would you do?

Spring Angel

I just finished my first attempt at a Spring Angel except for blushing her cheeks. I like the fabrics but I'm not sure if there is enough contrast so I'm sure I'll make some more. In case anyone is wondering, this pattern is my original design and is available for sale if you want to make some of your own angels. The pattern sells for $10 and can be sent by email or regular mail. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Just finished another Christmas Angel!

I just finished this Christmas Angel block but I'm not sure how I want to use it yet. My next angel block will be a Spring themed one so I may save them and put them all together in one big quilt. Any thoughts?

This design is available as a pattern. The cost of the pattern is $10 and is available via email or regular mail. If you're interested in purchasing a copy of this pattern, send me an email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

My First Christmas Gift!

..This Christmas ornament came in the mail a couple of days ago from an amazing woodcarver who carves antique wooden spools into Santas! I met Richard Kent about 5 or 6 years ago at a maple sugar festival and fell in love with his little carvings. I bought a couple for myself that day and several more as gifts for my sewing friends over the years. This one arrived out of the blue with a little note that said "Thank you! Happy Holidays!". I haven't a clue what I did to deserve this wonderful surprise but I'm happy to add it to my collection and will treasure it just like the rest. I sent Richard an email to see what he was thanking me for but haven't had an answer yet. Richard also carves deer antlers that he "harvests" from the woods. He doesn't hunt the animals but finds the antlers on the ground. They are amazing, too, but I don't have one, yet, myself. Richard has a website where you can see his artwork and get in touch with him if you'd like to add one or more of these handmade treasures to your collection, too. http://www.kentcarver.com Make sure you tell him "Sue sent you"! Maybe I'll get one of those anters, after all!

Etsy store now open!

 I have just opened an Etsy store with my first item! I will custom make you an Angel quilt with your choice of colors and embellishments. Prices start at $100. Delivery time is listed as 2 to 3 weeks but if you would like one for Christmas, I will do my best to meet that deadline. I will be adding items over time so check back often as my pieces will be one of a kind!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CustomAngels?ref=search_shop_redirect

Update on Sara's Angel

I have just added the borders on Sara's Angel and I am so pleased with the progress I wanted to share! I don't know if I'll get her finished for Christmas but I'm going to try.

An Angel for Sara

 

There is a young girl here in Pittsburgh who is now home after numerous chemo treatments. I don't know her personally, but one of my friends wanted to use my angel design to make a gift for her. Due to some personal things going on in my friend's life, she had to put the project on hold, and since I had a little bit of time open, I decided to take the project over myself. Sara's Angel is almost finished! I found the perfect border fabric at Quilter's Corner in Finleyville, PA, yesterday, so I did my part shopping at a small, local business on Small Business Saturday. I still need to cut the borders and sew them on. After that, I'll do some quilting, add the binding and a sleeve. I've also decided to add some crystals for a halo and some BLING. I love being able to use my time and talents to make a difference in someone else's life, unfortunately, I won't get to see her reaction when she receives this quilt but I hope she likes it!

Final Day for Buy One Get One Free!

You can get the pattern for my Peppermints Ornament/Mug Rug, normally $6, for free with the purchase of my Lexa's Angel Pattern! Both patterns are available on Craftsy but if you purchase Lexa's Angel before midnight tonight, you get the Peppermints pattern directly from me via email. Go to http://craftsy.com to order Lexa's Angel. I will get an email telling me you made a purchase and will email the Peppermints Pattern to you. If you'd rather have a printed copy, send me an email so payment can be arranged. Postage will be added to the cost of the patterns if you want printed copies and I can only send them in the USA. My email address is larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Isn't this cute?

This is Sandie's version of my Jingle Bell block! Isn't it cute? Sandie was one of the people that took a shot at my riddle and received the Jingle Bell block foundation for the correct answer. She also found a mistake in my foundation, which she graciously let me know about so I could fix it! Thanks Sandie! Sandie blogs at http://crazyboutquilts.blogspot.com/

Head on over and check out her wonderful blog!

Ready or not, here it comes!

 Its time to get those Christmas gifts done! My projects, Lexa's Angel and Peppermints Ornament/Mug Rug, are quick, easy projects that you'll be able to make for Christmas. Lexa's Angel can be used to make a small wallhanging or a pillow and goes together quickly. The ornament has a pocket in the back where you can hide a small gift, such as a gift card or some cash. It would also look great tied onto a bigger gift box. The Peppermints Mug Rug would make a great teachers' gift! Just pair it with a Holiday Mug and a chocolate spoon.

I am offering both of these patterns for only $10. The regular price of Lexa's Angel is $10 so you'd be getting the Peppermints pattern for free. This offer is only available until Monday, November 12th until midnight. Lexa's Angel is available on Craftsy by download at http://craftsy.com or you can order a printed copy directly from me for the same price plus postage. After you purchase Lexa's Angel on Craftsy, send me an email so I can email the Peppermints pattern directly to you. If you have any questions, please email me at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Buy one get one free--Now through Monday

This is my design, Lexa's Angel, done in Christmas fabric. If you purchase this pattern ($10) from Craftsy today through Monday you also get my Peppermints Ornament/Mug Rug pattern for free ($6 value). http://www.craftsy.com  After you make your purchase, send me an email so I can email the Peppermints pattern directly to you. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Those that "got" it got it!

A couple of days ago, I posted a picture riddle and asked for answers to the riddle. I got several comments on my blog and a few emails, and because they were the right answer I didn't post them, but today I sent everyone that had the right answer a copy of my Jingle Bell block. The answer, in case your still wondering, is Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Rock.

 I told each of my winners I can't wait to see what they do with it! If you're interested in this block and you didn't win a copy, its available on Craftsy for only $3. http://www.craftsy.com

I also have a sale going on with 2 of my other designs--Lexa's Angel and Peppermints Ornament/Mug Rug. If you purchase Lexa's Angel you get the Peppermints Ornament pattern for free.You must email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com and let me know you saw this offer and provide an email address for me to send the free pattern.

I can also send printed copies via the Post Office but you will be charged shipping in that case.

Buy one get one free!

 If you're anything like me, you've already started making some Christmas gifts. Um, let me rephrase that, if you're anything like me you've already started to think about making some Christmas gifts. I like small projects this time of year, so I can get more of them done and not have to work on them up to the last minute. My design, Lexa's Angel is one of those projects. She can be made in any color combination, including Christmas colors, and look beautiful! She is paper pieced and can be made in a few hours. She's small enough that she doesn't need to be quilted if you choose not to. You can make 2 blocks and use them at either end of a table runner or make one and adjust the borders to make it into a 14" square pillow. This pattern is available on Craftsy and can be immediately downloaded.  http://craftsy.com

If you purchase Lexa's Angel for $10, I will send you the Peppermints Ornament/Mug Rug pattern, normally $6, for free. The ornament has a pocket in the back in which you can insert a gift card, or other small gift. I will email the Peppermints pattern to you after purchasing Lexa's Angel on Craftsy.

 

If you have any questions or don't have a paypal account and would prefer to send a check and receive a printed copy of the patterns, feel free to contact me via email at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

This offer is only available until Monday, November 11th., so don't wait!

Before you judge...

We had a terrible tragedy occur at the Pittsburgh Zoo yesterday. A two year old boy fell into the African painted dogs exhibit and was mauled to death. I have been to that zoo many times in my life and I can tell you it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. The exhibit is fenced but there is a raised area where you can walk out "into" the exhibit and view probably 240 degrees around you. A mom made a very poor choice by lifting her son up and placing him on the railing where he lost his balance and fell. The dogs attacked the boy and he was killed. Its not the dogs fault, its what they do. The blame lies with the poor choice the mom made and the way the exhibit was planned. Let's be honest--how many of us have made a bad choice that could have turned out much worse for our children and if it weren't for the grace of God, or luck, depending on your views, could have caused a situation that ended in tragedy. The goal of the zoo is to show animals in as close to their natural habitat as possible but being able to place a child on top of the railing is bad design and poor planning. I, myself, have seen many parents do or start to do the exact same thing at that exhibit.

My heart is breaking for the family but I am sickened by the posts on Facebook in which people are saying all of the blame lies with the mom. Its simply not true and instead of judging her for her tragic mistake, we should all be praying for her and her family. I don't know if I would survive something like this personally.

I am asking for prayers for this mom and her family instead of judgement. It isn't our job to judge, please leave that up to God.

If you "get" it you might get it!

 Just for fun, I am posting a riddle. If you can tell me what my pictures symbolize, you will have a chance to win a copy of my newest block, Jingle Bell. The block measures 6" x 10" and would be perfect for a mug rug or make several and you'll have a tablerunner. This block is also available on Craftsy for $3.00, but if you have a chance to get it for free, why not! Please post a comment with your answer to my riddle and I'll pick a 3 names from the correct answers to receive a pdf copy of the Jingle Bell foundation. Please don't answer anonymously because I won't be able to find you if you've won. You can also send me an email if you'd prefer to answer that way. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com