What? Me? Change my mind???

Yes, it happens. And at work, it happens ALL The time. Designing new products at L*K is the best part of the biz - so fun, spontaneous and a real creative high (most of the time).

But the designing process doesn't stop when I finish the design on the computer. The real creative challenge begins when I stitch the model. And yes, I do stitch my own models. Sometimes a model goes together flawlessly. I choose the colors and fabric and whiz through my stitching. Honestly, I can't remember the last time this happened, though. Most of the time it's a trial and error process involving lots of stitching, taking out, restitching...maybe even starting the whole thing over again after the fabric is getting thin and tired.

My selected thread palette (above) always starts out beautifully organized, but rapidly descends into chaos!

My motto is "I only have to get it right ONCE, even if that takes forever!". And I've learned it's wise to keep on trying until I'm satisfied. If I'm not satisfied and proceed to publishing, every time I look at that design I think "Wow, I should have made more changes".

The past few weeks I've been working on the next set of Inspiration Boxers. These little kits have been phenomenally popular, and I am very grateful. I have pored over dozens and dozens of inspirational sayings, trying to choose the ones that speak to me, and hopefully to my customers. Last week I selected the sayings (a couple of them are frequently requested) and did the designs on the computer. Then the fun part started...or did it?

I had barely began stitching, when I realized I wasn't happy. So I chose some different threads, took out sections and restitched. And did that over and over until I was really pleased with the results. But it took me a couple days to be "happy" and put me behind on my self-imposed schedule. Whatever...the design and it's matching BONUS designs are really "sweet and simple" (that's a clue to the saying I used!). Below is a pic of the BONUS designs that go with 2 of the new Inspiration Boxers. I found a beautiful little snippet of lace that I'll have my finisher add to one of the projects.

So armed with my recent success and more confidence, I started on the 2nd Inspiration Boxer, sure that I wouldn't encounter a similar color scheme problem. No, not a similar problem, a worse one! I stitched areas again and again, took sections out, laid out new threads and nearly drove myself crazy. So I decided a "consultation" was in order - maybe an intervention!!! I went to my local needlework shop to meet with 3 experts for their advice. And...WOW! Maybe I should consult more often. They had lots of helpful ideas, we traded some colors, even moved around some motifs. Several hours later...with lots of stitches removed and replaced...and more time making design adjustments on the computer...I was finally finished and HAPPY!

I am most grateful to Sherre, Debbie and Carol for their consultation/intervention that allowed me to finally finish this inspirational design. Ironically, the saying on this one is "LIFE isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain". How appropriate is that???

Mysterious summer of 2012!

It's going to be a "Summer of Mystery" at L*K, and we are SO excited to finally talk about it!!! Yes, we've been keeping a BIG secret, and it's finally out...WHEW!  Norden Crafts contacted us this spring and asked us to work with them on a Mystery Sampler and, of course, we said YES!

This project has been such a fun and unique challenge. When you've been designing for 16 years, it's wonderful to have an interesting, new needlework riddle to solve. I've been chatting with Katy Fong from Norden almost daily, bothering her with details, questions, thoughts and ideas. The process has been so exciting, I've lost sleep dreaming about it (or is that menopausal sleep loss?). Whatever...Katy  has been really flexible and helpful, and I'm so excited to reveal our joint project!

I decided on a Halloween theme, since stitchers are CRAZY for this holiday and I love Halloween colors and motifs! Summer is the perfect time to work on a Halloween project, too. Norden Crafts has just sent details to your local needlework shops, so check with them for specifics and pre-ordering info. Below is a portion of the promo card we sent to shops and they can forward to stitchers. You can catch a black/white glimpse of the actual project in the lower left corner.

The Mystery Sampler will be revealed in 3 parts, one each month this summer. There won't be the usual project photo on the front...hence, the MYSTERY sampler. The three designs will fit together to form one, tall spooky stitchery! Each design will come with it's own embellishments and a BONUS design (more about these later!). 

While looking through the piles of paperwork I've generated while working on this project, I found some original sketches I made. I always begin a design with a pencil sketch, before moving to the computer and the design software. Sometimes the finished design actually resembles my original sketch! It's interesting for me to look back on my original ideas and see how they evolved.

That's enough MYSTERY for now....stay tuned for more details and check with your local needlework shops for additional info. 

BTW, bacon lovers...the winners of the BACON contest were notified at the close of the contest and prizes were mailed. Thanks to ALL of you who participated in the blog contest. May your days be filled with happiness and BACON!

Is May Day an official holiday?

I loved May Day when I was a kid! The first day in May was a yearly celebration of May baskets, surrepticious door ringing and rapid running. Every year on May Day we got out the construction paper and stapler and created some cone-shaped baskets with little paper hangers. Then we raided the neighborhood flower beds for whatever flowers were blooming. We artfully arranged them in the paper cones (tossed them in), then the fun part began.

After you selected the May basket recipient, you snuck up to their house, hung the basket on the door handle, rang the bell, and RAN! We retreated to a nearby bush or other vantage point so we could see the perplexed neighbor answer the door. Hopefully they would smile as they found the flower basket. That's assuming we hadn't deflowered their own prize roses!

I remember a next door neighbor boy who was a constant source of torment for the girls in the hood. We loaded his May basket with dirt and rocks. It was meant to be an insult, but he probably thought they were "neat" supplies for his next annoying project.

Here's my version of a grownup May basket. I bought these beautiful flowers at the local Farmer's Market last weekend. The peonies are getting a little tired, but the scent is amazing.

So ...while my desk at L*K is overflowing with Halloween motifs, I'm firmly rooted in the beauty of spingtime in Kansas!

Final day to PIG OUT on our BACON contest!

WOW...you L*K blog readers are amazing! Your excitement for BACON has been beyond my expectations. I have read every comment, and they are hilarious, inspiring and hunger-inducing!  Who knew BACON was held in such esteem in households all over the US and around the world?!

Today is the final day to leave your comment and enter our BACON contest. Don't forget to include your email address when you leave your comment. Scroll back to previous BACON post for all the details! We'll determine the random winners over the weekend and send emails to notify.

Meanwhile, the BACON has hit the road! We shipped the new BACON BITS chartpak on Monday, along with several other new releases. See below for the tasty scoop!

Our chart #153 Bacon Bits has 4 BACON designs. Have fun, and don't "hog" them all for yourself - share your BACON!

YEA! These are the final 2 designs in our Less=More series. All four designs are now available! If you're stitching the series together, don't forget to download the FREE border and instructions from our website for combining everything into one long, inspirational sampler. The colors in this series are so lovely, and the antique sampler motifs are so fun, I had the best time stitching the original models.

Our final new release is the B38 Spread the Love Inspiration Boxer. Like the other designs in this series, Boxer kit comes with 32 ct. lambswool linen, pattern and embellishments. This kit also includes a BONUS design for the darling little needle roll pictured. Embellishments include beads for the needle roll, too. 

Many happy stitches, readers! 

Makin' the Bacon BLOG CONTEST!!

Doesn't the word BACON just make you smile? Everyone is always asking me where I get the inspiration for my L*K designs. Honestly, sometimes it arrives in the strangest ways. As I was in the breakfast buffet line at our recent Nashville Needlework Market, I tried to cruise right past that giant tray of extra-crispy BACON...but it was impossible!  A few yummy pieces jumped onto my plate, next to the healthy fruit and mini veggie omelette. How did that happen? Whatever...that BACON was super salty, crunchy and all-around tasty!

Which got me thinking...I should do a BACON themed design...or maybe 3 or 4. I've done designs about chocolate, coffee and tea...so BACON was a natural...right? Sort of the 4th in the L*K food group series! So I rounded up some fun BACON sayings and got to work designing and stitching models. I have to say, I was smiling my way through this marathon round of speedy BACON model stitching!

We'll be shipping the new BACON BITS chartpak next Monday, along with other new L*K designs. We haven't got it back from the printer yet, but here's a computer printout of the cover. We did the whole retro kitchen look with a red-checked tablecloth, plate and fork...I love doing this stuff!

When I went to the photographer to shoot the group last week. we gathered up a bunch of fun retro kitchen things. I brought my grandmother's iron skillet (and we added real BACON). Steve contributed some other cool props - this antique flour scoop....

and this ultra-cool antique egg weigher - check it out on the left of the photo below. I tacked one of the designs on an apron I already had for a fun finish.

So, we're having so much BACON fun, we decided to have a BACON BLOG CONTEST!  To enter, just leave a comment with your favorite BACON-y food, or a (short) memorable bacon story. Don't forget to include your email address so we can contact you if you are a winner. All the details and prizes are detailed below!

Show us your BACON pride and enter now!  We're achin' for more BACON!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE
6 Bacon Bits Chartpaks and surprise BACON goodies!

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this page and tell us your favorite bacon related food or story.
Required: You must include your email address in the comment form. I'll need it to contact you should you win.
Deadline: Fri., April 20, 2012 at 11:59PM Central Time

The Fine Print: No purchase necessary to enter. One entry per person. Winner will be selected at random by Lizzie*Kate using random.org. All entries received after the giveaway closing day and time will not be considered. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to confirm receipt of the email. If the winners do not reply within 48 hours, another winner(s) will be selected. Giveaways will be mailed to the winners' homes.

What is a bunting?

No, it's not something to bundle a baby, it's not a baseball term...it's a cool banner sort of swag thing! I'm sure you've seen them in magazines and shops recently. They're old-fashioned, but suddenly they're popular in a fun, retro sort of way.

Last weekend when I was in Savannah with my girlfriends, we admired a cute bunting in a shop. My friend said "oh, I've pinned one of those on my Pinterest account. I think we could make that."  I got very excited, because I love doing no -needlework craft projects ...and so it began.

My friend, Glenna, is my go-to craft project buddy. She can do ANYTHING, and regularly does all sorts of cool stuff. When I live and breathe needlework everyday, I really enjoy doing something different with my hands and exercising some different creative muscles. So even though neither of us had thoroughly unpacked our suitcases from the previous weekend (priorities, priorities!) we met last night after work. Armed with a short supply list, we slogged through a torrential thunderstorm for a Hobby Lobby run.

With Glenna's iPad in front of us for step by step instructions and photos, we got to work. We decided on our text "Springtime" and cut out 10 little triangle shaped banners from scrapbook paper. Then we each freehanded some letters and glued them on with a glue stick. (There are lots of other ways to download letters but we were lazy and this was quick).

The final step was so easy and efficient, we were surprised. We used Glenna's old Kenmore sewing machine (not quite as old as my Kenmore from high school), but it felt like my machine. We used double fold bias tape to zig zag stitch the pennants together. Just insert the edge into the folded tape and start sewing! 

You can see the happy results above and below. We hung Glenna's bunting right away on her kitchen fireplace, next to some antique Easter decor she has on display.

I hung my bunting in my L*K office this AM, so I could admire it's beautiful colors (and pat myself on the back) while I work. I'll transfer it to the dining room for Easter dinner, since I'm hosting the family. 

Glenna and I had so much fun on this project, we can't wait to make another special occasion bunting. It took about 2.5 hours, from start to finish, including our very wet supply run. We found lots more cool pics and projects online...definitely more buntings in our future!

Here's the link that got our creative juices flowing!

http://navybeanonline.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-make-bunting.html

Savannah!

I just returned from a long girlfriend weekend in lovely Savannah.  I've wanted to visit Savannah for a LONG time, so when I had the opportunity to go, I WENT!

Savannah didn't disappoint!  The beautiful old homes and buildings in the historic district and the neighboring Victorian area were stunning. We managed to fit in a lot of activities, and still work around my slightly diminished walking ability with my recovering knee (thanks, dear friends!).

Between the 4 of us, we took a zillion photos, but here are a few of my photo highlights!

We were delighted with our brownstone we rented (Thanks, Glenna!), right in the heart of the historic district. There was a really famous restaurant tucked next door, nearly at the bottom of our staircase, called Mrs. Wilke's Boardinghouse. The first day, we were baffled at the line forming outside our front door!

Yes, it's the beautiful church from the movie Forrest Gump where the wandering feather floated down and down and down...and landed in the pretty park next door.

We toured 4 historic homes (loved them all) including the Mercer Williams Home. You might recognize this gorgeous beauty from the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". Another house we enjoyed was the Juliette Gordon Low house. You former Brownies and Girl Scouts will remember Juliette as our beloved founder. Who knew her nickname was "Daisy"? Suddenly I understood why those cookies are called "Savannahs"!!

We drove to beautiful Tybee Island, where we played on the beach in the unseasonably warm temps and visited this lighthouse.

We "Kansas girls" were fascinated by the abundance of real Spanish moss, dripping from the live oak trees. It was the first time I'd seen Spanish moss, outside of the bag from Hobby Lobby!

We ate outdoors whenever possible...what a treat!

Last, but not least, a photo of my new passion - chocolate PRALINES! These sweet treats combined 2 of my favorite flavors...chocolate and brown-sugary goodness. I won't post how many times we visited the Savannah Candy Kitchen to restock, but I had to photo this one before it disappeared!

Thanks to Glenna, Cheryl and Julie for an unforgettable weekend in sunny Savannah! WARNING to husbands...we're already plotting our next adventure!