Lark Crafts

Do your weekend plans include flowers? Whether you’re working in the garden, heading out for a hike, or spending your weekend in craft mode, we hope the lovely early summer blooms inspire you in some way! And if you do happen to be in craft mode, enjoy a free project from Suzann Thompson’s Crochet Garden.

Download the instructions here: Pasque Flower

Happy weekend stitching!

I’ve been a jojoba bean picker in the Sonoran desert, copy chief for a busy magazine in New York City, college writing instructor, and managing editor, editor, and author for Lark Crafts. But the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever attempted was teaching third graders.

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Looking for a teacher gift idea you can stitch up easily in an evening? Grab some felt and make Lisa Jordan’s sweet Apple for Teacher Brooch from our follow-up to Fa la la la Felt, Heart-Felt Holidays (now available for under $10 on amazon and B&N.com).

My nine-year-old niece Oona sewed one for her teacher last night between dessert and bath time.

Look how great hers turned out!

Download a free PDF with instructions and printable templates: Apple for Teacher Brooch.

What is the perfect way to show mom that you care, especially on Mother’s Day? Well, we’ve got some opinions on the matter. We think the proper gift involves one part handmade, one part help-mom-relax, a pinch of make-her-every-day-brighter, and a touch of creativity. These Lavender Tea Bag Sachets by Laura Howard (from Heart-Felt Holidays) fit the bill perfectly. Oh, and did we mention they’re made with felt – our favorite.

Download the project here: Lavender Tea Bag Sachets

Happy weekend crafting….for mom!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner on May 13. My mom loves flamingos so I’m usually in the throws of making something flamingo-themed – that’s a lot of pink and lime green, my friends! And almost being a new mom myself really has me in the spirit this year.

Author Cynthia Shaffer thought this mom-and daughter-apron set from Stash Happy: Appliqué would be the perfect gift to celebrate, whether you want the set to give to your best friend, your sister, or whether you’re the mom yourself!

To enter for a chance to win the aprons, please leave a comment on this post by 9 p.m. EST on Friday, May 4. Any comment is fine—though we’d love to hear what plans you have for Mother’s Day! One winner will be selected at random from among all eligible entries and notified by Monday, May 7. This contest is now closed – the winner will be contacted shortly! Thanks to everyone who shared their Mother’s Day plans and apron memories!

Click here for the official rules.

Like what you see? Check out some of other posts (and free projects) on Stash Happy Appliqué:

Take a peek inside the book here!

Free appliqued lampshade project available here!

Super cute mason jar cozy project available here!

And of course check out the book!

Freckles by Susan Brubaker Knapp, Photo by artist

We’re continuing our celebration of Art Quilt Portfolio: The Natural World with another sneak peek inside the book. And we’ve found a little inspiration outside our doorstep: spring is in full swing here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. And with it, zillions of brightly colored flowers! Also one of the brightest sections in the book, the flower gallery sections are full of lush color, vibrant tones, and all manner of expertly quilted details. And we’re sharing it with you – download a free section of the book below…and enjoy!

Download the flower galleries here: Flowers I and II

There are some of us who just can’t seem to ever have enough fabric. It ends up filling our shelves, getting tucked into baskets and drawers, overflowing from closets, and then some. The Stash Happy series answers that inevitable question many crafters face: what will I do with all of these scraps? So far we’ve embraced our stash passion with Patchwork and Felt so far. Now we turn our stitching attention to the accessible and versatile technique of appliqué.

With just a little bit of fabric, a few stitches, and Stash Happy: Appliqué you can create beautiful handcrafted items. Try a wide variety of techniques, including frayed raw edge, turned edge, needle turn, satin stitch, open zigzag, trapunto, and reverse appliqué. A thorough basics section, complete with step-by-step photos and helpful illustrations,  provide plenty of hand holding and tips that even the most experienced stitchers out there would appreciate.

Then it’s time to jump into the projects. Embellish store-bought items in need of a makeover (like cute Mary Jane shoes, a lampshade, or café curtains). Or make 100% original creations (like a fashionable tote, adorable little gnome doll, or a fabric wall portrait of your own house).

The appliqué motifs themselves also cover a huge variety: From kid’s drawings and text to coffee cups and pretty paisley. There’s truly something for everyone. Yes, even you.

And don’t just stick to quilting cotton (although there’s plenty of ideas for that) in your appliqué explorations. Try your hand at working with felt, flannel, jersey, linen, muslin, even wool or silk suiting.

Projects include step-by-step photography and templates, making stash busting not only fun but easy.

Stash Happy: Appliqué is a colorful and creative exploration of the stash busting challenge that will have you looking at your fabric collection in an entirely new way. Come back here in future weeks for exciting Stash Happy series giveaways and free projects.

Blowing out the candles on a bunny birthday cake

Today’s my birthday! When I was a little girl, I loved that my birthday was close to Easter (and sometimes fell on Easter). Apparently, my mother did, too, because every birthday cake for my first five or six years appears to have had an Easter bunny theme.

Another year, yet another bunny birthday cake

Bunnies played a large role in the holidays and celebrations of my childhood…even Halloween.

Guess who was a bunny for Halloween?

So it only seems fitting that my newest book with Amanda Carestio, Heart-Felt Holidays, has an Easter bunny on the cover. If you are a last-minute crafter (like me), then you won’t be daunted at the thought of stitching up Cathy Gaubert’s cute little guy (or Dana Willard’s bunny bunting) two days before Easter. Just download the PDF here and grab your felt stash.

Meanwhile, Amanda and I had a good time matching fabulous project designers with our favorite holidays and celebrations for the book. We’re both big fans of Talk Like a Pirate Day, so getting Laura Howard to design a parrot brooch and pirate eyepatch for the book was near the top of our wishlist. And since we seem to be in a big baby year here at Lark Crafts, the baby shower projects are coming in handy. 

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Welcome to the Jungle by Betty Busby, Photo by Allen Mitchell

Art Quilt Portfolio: The Natural World is a feast for the eyes…and the fingers and the brain and the soul. This week we’re sharing a bit of the book with you: the work and words of featured artist Betty Busby. Scroll down to download this free section…in the meantime, here’s a little glimpse of what to expect, in the words of juror Martha Sielman.

Pay careful attention—there are dangers lurking in the depths of the natural worlds celebrated in Betty Busby’s work. Even long-dead raptors may suddenly awake to take a bite out of their portraits. Busby’s strong desire for clean lines and uncluttered design leads to crisp, careful edges, but the crocodiles, eels, and carnivorous dinosaurs she depicts seem likely to erupt into a more natural chaos at any moment. Eschewing fur-covered mammals, Busby focuses instead on invertebrates, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. She finds their bodies more interesting and their lives more beautiful. Continual experiments with materials and techniques are part of Busby’s struggle to find the most effective way to communicate her passion for these often-ignored species of the animal kingdom. – Martha Sielman

Download a free section of the book here and read more about featured artist Betty Busby!