Lark Crafts

It’s the last week that our water-lovin’ animals will join us in quilt block form (courtesy of 45 Quilt Blocks Animals, of course!). So far there’s been a whale, a frog, and a crocodile.

This week’s block is one of my favorites. Even though he’s not as colorful as the rest of the gang, how can you not like that goofy grin and the eyes looking off to the side? He would make such a good addition to a quilt, forever amused at whatever you decide to stitch off to his right.

Download the project here and the templates here.

Every Friday, I post a set of project instructions. (Ahem. Except when I don’t.)

Maggie Meister’s Classical Elegance releases soon: August 2. It’s already available online and in some stores, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it! In the meantime, though, here’s a Lark Jewelry & Beading blog exclusive: a project you won’t find in the book! We saved these Fiore Earrings—modeled on the flowers in an old Italian garden—especially to give away as an online treat. Click here to get the instructions for these wonderful earrings.

And check back next week for another bonus project from Maggie Meister. On offering will be her Liternum Brooch, inspired by a classical column. You can also grab some great content we’ve already posted on this blog: pick up a PDF of Maggie’s Artemisia Earrings right from the book, and read (and share!) a great interview with Maggie. And please join Lark Jewelry & Beading on Facebook!

This time of the year when the heat and humidity are wearing me down, making me feel like I could just collapse on the spot into a bedraggled mess, there are some quintessential elements of Summer that help to remind me that this time of the year does indeed have its merits. Sunflowers are one of those shining beacons of hope and joy at a time when we all need a little lift.

Usually standing quite tall in stature with its large, round flower head opened wide like a sun motif. These absolutely remarkable plants feature heads consisting of 1,000-2,000 individual flowers joined together by a receptacle base. Long a source of food for both its seeds and oil, the sunflower plant (helianthus annuus) is also a truly spectacular decorative bloom to add to any floral arrangement. I myself prefer to grab a handful from a local farmers market this time of the year and simply let them hog the spotlight alone in a vase. I guarantee you they will bring cheer to any room.

And so, in need of a little cheer myself, I took to Etsy in search of sunflower joy. What follows are some hand-picked (ouch!) items that I thought captured the singular beauty of this warm weather wonder. Be sure to check out the larger images and links to the seller’s shops after the jump.

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You may have spotted a whale or a frog on the blog recently…that’s because we’re posting a few of the quilt blocks from 45 Quilt Blocks Animals. Since it’s summer, we’re sticking to the ones that love living and playing in the water!

This week, we have another one ready for some time in the blog limelight. She’s green like last week’s, but quite a bit bigger–and she has some big teeth too! Can you guess what she is?

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Chances are sometime in your life you’ve gone to a beach. Beaches are one of those leisure spots sought after world-round. Who can resist wriggling their toes in the sand,  the soothing lull of the waves or just basking in the sun while you read a decadently mindless paperback? Then there’s the shells—those freebie gifts from the sea—just there for the taking. If you’re like me,  you’ve taken a select few home to serve as souvenirs. I always have grandiose plans to “do” something with them but they usually end up sitting around the rim of my tub. But this year was different; I had a plan. I was going to make a shell wind chime. Use my dremel to drill little holes, tie ‘em to a piece of driftwood with a length of string or line and viola–a bit of family beach vacation memorabilia for our mountain home porch. Three weeks after vacation progress report: well the wind chimes aren’t done yet, but then again happily, neither is summer.

If you’ve got a bucket of shells and need a little inspiration, read on. These talented ladies take shell art to a whole new level.

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Pack your suitcase, kids, we’re going on a ride. Where? Well, let’s just say that the journey is the destination. Before you begin sorting through your things, take a look at these awesome custom suitcases and travel accessories from the following Etsy sellers. It’s never too late to travel in style!

First stop: Another Jamie Davis. Check out this hand-embroidered train case.

Packing light? Take a look at these amazing mini pieces of luggage from Harts Desire Minis.

Racing to the airport? Check out this screenprinted vintage Saks suitcase with an old school racer stencil from Bright Wall.

Perhaps your pet would like to join you in your voyage. AtomicAttic can help with that.

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Oh summer. You pretty, lush, bright, hot, steamy, sweaty season. You’re so great for so many things, like swimming and cookouts and lightning bugs and extra daylight. You’re also lovely in that you allow us to eat simple, cool, and refreshing foods for every meal. (Am I the only one who sometimes eats cereal for dinner because it’s just too dang hot to think about anything else?)

Enter: popsicles. Quite possibly the epitome of cool, delightful, appropriate-any-time-of-day treats.

[photo of honeydew & lime popsicle by kaylacasey]

I went on a hunt for delicious and innovative popsicle recipes and discovered the creations listed below. Thanks to the talented folks who whipped up these beauties! I’ve personally experimented with the Key Lime Pie Pops over the 4^th of July and the Coconut Cream Popsicles last weekend. Both completely rocked my world, and both were eaten more than once as dinner. Amazing.

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Pineapple Coconut Cilantro Popsicles / from: Keep Your Diet Real

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Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles / from: Bakers Royale

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As you may have heard by now, this month we’re sharing quilt blocks from 45 Quilt Blocks Animals. But these aren’t just any quilt blocks. Since it’s summer, we’re posting the ones that love summer too–or at the very least they love hanging out in the water.

So what design will it be this week? I’ll give you a hint: You can find out after the JUMP…

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