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

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!

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

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!!!

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.

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

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!

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



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

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!

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!

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?

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!!!

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

'Nuff said!

Why I Design What I Design

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!!!

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

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



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

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...

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

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)!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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!!!

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.

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!

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

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

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

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!

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!

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?

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

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?

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

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

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!

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?

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".