Lark Crafts

If you’re searching for an antidote to April’s showers, then you’ve come to the right place! It’s Flower Friday at Lark, an occasion for celebration as we crack the covers on Jeffery Rudell’s new release, Paper Blooms: 25 Extraordinary Flowers to Make for Weddings, Celebrations & More—a book that’s certain to get you into the swing of spring.

In this delightful collection of projects, Rudell shows you how to make an array of flowers using his genius patterns and easy papercraft techniques. All of the classic blooms are included—poppy, sunflower, black-eyed Susan—along with a few surprises. Rudell has included step-by-step photos on how to assemble each, as well as tips on selecting paper and working with color and scale. From the big picture (creating table-worthy arrangements) down to the fine details (shaping petals and stems), Paper Blooms covers all the bases. Whether you’re making a simple spray or a statement flower, filling a buttonhole or a bud vase, you’ll discover springtime bliss in Paper Blooms.

In honor of Flower Friday, we’re offering a free how-to from the book. A quick way to get your flower fix (without getting your hands dirty), the Marigold project pictured above is a sure cure for spring fever.

Download the free project instructions here: Marigold. 

To celebrate the publication of Creative Lettering this month, we’re throwing a party right here on our blog, and you’re invited! This delightful book is full of lettering projects, ideas, and tips from 16 artists, but we’d like to bring more artists into the fold. We want to see what lettering work you’ve been creating. Maybe you’ve done a painting or drawing that incorporates lettering, or quilled paper letters, or lettering on ceramic, or collage letters decoupaged onto a pair of old fishing waders. Whatever it is, we hope you’ll share it with us. Please help us show your wonderful work to our community by posting a link to your online images in the comments section below on or before March 31st, and we will enter you in a drawing to win a copy of Creative Lettering, plus we might feature you and your work in a blog post next month*. We look forward to seeing all your beautiful work!

*As with all of our blog posts in which we feature artists and crafters, we will (of course) credit you in the post and link to your online store, blog, or Facebook page.

For many centuries and across cultures, the heart icon has served as a symbol of union, togetherness, passion, love, spirituality and even the essence of the human soul.

Who among us hasn’t spent time prepping a Valentine’s Day card featuring a heart shape cut from colorful paper? Is it even possible to look at a heart without softening just a little into a smile?

The evocative shape takes center stage in our book, FOCUS: Love, one of the books in our series showcasing digital photographers in their quest to see the world around them with perceptive eyes. Whether crafted by human hands, formed by nature or simply pulled together from our own need to make sense from the highly visual world around us—graffiti scrawled on an alleyway wall, the sloping curves of an iron gate, shapes cut from paper by a child, worn stones scattered on a forest floor—hearts can be found almost everywhere … as long as you’re looking. You’ll find 250 photographs by 150 photographers from 30 different countries within the pages of  this book.

Check out this fun little book teaser to view some of the book’s wonderful imagery.

We’re giving away not one but three (!) copies of FOCUS: Love. So, how do you enter for a chance to win? Leave a comment on this post by 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 23. Any comment is fine, but you’re welcome to leave a comment letting us know how you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. One winner will be selected at random and notified on Tuesday, January 24. Click here for  the official rules. And good luck!  This giveaway is now closed. We will be announcing our winners soon!

It’s been about six months since our book Mod Podge Rocks! was published, and we’re delighted at the success it’s had so far. Written by dynamo Amy Anderson, the book is a fun celebration of one of the world’s favorite craft brands and line of products and has therefore resulted in a huge (and growing) wave of attention from the craft and blogging world. People absolutely love their Mod Podge and embrace the opportunity to learn more about its vast creative potential.

To celebrate the book we wanted to offer up an absolutely huge giveaway to one very lucky winner. Whether you’re looking to add to your own personal crafting arsenal, or you’re seeking to bestow the gift of Mod Podge to someone else, why not throw your name in the virtual hat?

Here’s what the package includes:

* a copy of the Mod Podge Rocks! book

* Mod Podge Tee Shirt

* Mod Podge mini tote bag

* Essential Tool Kit (brayer and squeegee)

* Silicone Craft Mat

* Roller Applicator Kit

* Detail Tool Kit (pouch, ruler, distressing stick, squeegee, 3.5-inch scissors, 6.5-inch scissors, brush)

* Brush Applicator

* Hot Glue Finger Caps

* Rub-On Transfers

* Photo Transfer Medium with Brush

* Glow-in-the-Dark with Brush

* One-Step Crackle Medium with Brush

* Dimensional Magic (original + gold glitter + silver glitter)

* Tracing Templates (alphabet + shapes)

* Podgeable Papers (classic + travel + romance + nature)

* Podgeable Shapes (basic + designer)

* Sampler Set (six mini .44 oz. pots)

* Super Gloss (8 oz.)

* Original Gloss (8 oz.)

* Satin (8 oz.)

* Matte (8 oz.)

* Antique Matte (8 oz.)

* Paper (8 oz.)

* Fabric (8 oz.)

* Hard Coat (8 oz.)

* Brushstroke (8 oz.)

* Repositionable Glue (2 oz.)

* Craft Glue (2 oz.)

How can you enter for a chance to win this amazing giveaway? Leave a comment on this blog post by 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 28. Any comment will do, but why don’t you tell us how you like to use Mod Podge? One winner will be selected at random and announced on Wednesday, November 29. Click here for the official rules. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Emily from Louisiana for winning!

The work gathered in our exciting PUSH gallery series is some of the most interesting and innovative work done in contemporary craft today. With an exceptionally beautiful hardcover package and design, the series is a visual feast that will pique curiosity and spark inspiration for anyone interested in craft, intriguing personalities, and innovative ideas. The artists represented are considered mavericks in their fields, testing the limits in regards to both technique and subject matter while forging an even finer line between craft and art. Each book includes beautiful, full-color gallery images and short bios as well as Q&A style questions between the curator and each artist.

We’re celebrating the publication of the latest two books in the series PUSH Jewelry and PUSH Print by offering up a chance to win the entire four-book collection, which also includes PUSH Paper and PUSH Stitchery. Exciting!

How can you enter for a chance to win? Leave a comment on this blog post by 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, October 11. Any comment will do, but why don’t you tell us which of these four books you are most excited to see. One winner will be selected at random and announced on Friday, October 12. Click here for the official rules. Good luck! This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Clara, our winner!

This month’s publication of A Year of Pies has bakers and foodies everywhere excited to flour up the kitchen counter, grab a rolling pin, and bake up a bountiful bevy of buttery goodness.

Here is just some of the praise that has been coming in for the book:

“Well-thought-out recipes centered on seasonal ingredients…plenty of updated standards incorporating new ingredients or flavor twists.” – The Wall Street Journal

“Ashley English’s passion about pies is felt throughout her entire book…Her enthusiasm comes out through each and every recipe…It’s dangerous to read this book on an empty stomach.”  – About.com Baking

“A Year of Pies is a great resource, especially if you’re new to pie making.” – Barbara Bakes

“This is definitely one of the most comprehensive pie cookbooks I have come across & certainly a delight to read & look at.” – Blog Critics

“I like Ashley’s book for its seasonally-minded sections, her great how-to photos and descriptions for the hard parts of pie making and for incorporating all kinds of great guest recipes, including many gluten-free options!” – The Hip Girl’s Guide to Homemaking

“From fruit to nuts, and chocolate to whipped cream, you’ll find a perfect pie for every occasion in here and all the details you need to get it to turn out looking picture-perfect in your home kitchen.” – Baking Bites

“The layout and photos throughout the book are eye catching and very well designed.”
- Cute Everything

To further celebrate the publication of A Year of Pies, we wanted to provide a chance to win an autographed copy of the book. Just leave a comment on this blog post by 9 p.m. EST on Monday, September 3. Any comment will do, but why don’t you tell us your favorite kind of pie or a fond pie memory. One lucky winner will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday, September 4. Click here for the official rules. Good luck! This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Beth from Oregon for winning!

And don’t forget to check out my earlier post which provides a thorough overview of the book and the free recipe for the Fried Green Tomato and Pimento Cheese Tart.

One of the things that I enjoy most about making handmade books and journals is imagining what will fill their pages, especially when I give those items away as gifts. When I make a journal I always make the effort to create an artful, finished cover. I recently realized, though, that perhaps the end recipient would like to embellish and personalize the cover to their own tastes. Since it’s hard to find such a blank canvas journal I’m offering one up here for one lucky person.

As you can see below, I left an exposed spine so you can also show off the inside pages. It would be fun to match up the art from the outside in.

I also find that many art sketchbooks come with so many pages than I hardly ever get around to finishing a whole book that feels cohesive and focused on a central theme. So this journal only has a handful of pages to craft a short visual story.

And one last detail: I made these blank covers from recycling the boards of three ring binders, so they have that nice rounded corner. Let’s hear it for determined, creative repurposing!

To enter for a chance to win this handmade journal, please leave a comment on this post by 9 p.m. EST on Monday, July 2nd. One winner will be selected at random from among all eligible entries and notified by Friday, July 6th. Click here for the official rules.

In the spirit of our recent book Mod Podge Rocks! perhaps you would like to decoupage a design on the cover using one of the various Mod Podge finishes and their brand new Design Elements just launched this month. Or maybe you’re more into the creative exploration of collage. Then let The Collage Workbook be your guide. Whatever your medium or inspiration, we hope that whoever receives this journal will use it as a creative spark!

Our office has been absolutely abuzz the past few weeks over the publication of Mod Podge Rocks! The book is a fun celebration of one of the world’s favorite craft brands and line of products and has therefore resulted in a huge (and still growing!) wave of attention from the craft and blogging world. Okay, so perhaps we stoked the flames just a bit by partnering with our good friends at PLAID to offer up some really fantastic prize packages for select blog giveaways.

But we have saved the best for you, Lark Crafts readers.

That’s right, crafty friends. I have been stashing away a huge collection of Mod Podge goodies to offer up here to one lucky winner. There is so much in the prize collection that I was not able to fit all of the items in one photo. Believe me, I tried.

Here’s what the package includes:

* a copy of the Mod Podge Rocks! book

* Mod Podge Tee Shirt

* Essential Tool Kit (brayer and squeegee)

* Silicone Craft Mat

* Roller Applicator Kit

* Brush Applicator

* Rub-On Transfers

* 3D Adhesive Mounts

* Photo Transfer Medium with Brush

* Glow-in-the-Dark with Brush

* Dimensional Magic (original + gold glitter)

* Tracing Templates (alphabet + shapes)

* Podgeable Papers (classic + travel + romance)

* Podgeable Shapes (basic + designer)

* Starter Pack (five 2 oz. bottles)

* Sampler Set (six mini .44 oz. pots)

* Antique Matte (8 oz.)

* Wash Out for Kids (8 oz.)

* Original Gloss (8 oz.)

* Repositionable Glue (2 oz.)

* Jewel Glue (2 oz.)

* Craft Glue (2 oz.)

How can you enter for a chance to win? Leave a comment on this blog post by 9 p.m. EST on Sunday, June 24. Any comment will do, but why don’t you tell us how you like to use Mod Podge. One winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday, June 25. Click here for the official rules. Good luck! Congratulations to Nicole B for winning this amazing giveaway package!