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Lilybet Designs |
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Designer's Name: Kay H. Cavnar (Kay is on the right, her sister Kathy is on the left) |
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Location: Carrollton, TX
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It’s a pleasure having you as our Friday Feature this week Kay! Would you share your stitching background with us and how you first became a stitcher?
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At what point did you decide to become a professional cross-stitch designer and how did you come up with the name “Lilybet Designs”?
Several years ago a national needlework magazine had a sampler contest. I was manager of a needlework shop here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area at the time and one of the ladies that worked with me encouraged me to design something for submission. Well to my surprise, I won! I decided that this was something I wanted to pursue. Many people ask me, "Where did the name Lilybet Designs come from?” About the time I was considering names for my company, my niece Marren Elizabeth was born. Her daddy referred to her as Marren Lilybet, which I thought was such a sweet nick name. As her godmother, I knew I had to name my design company Lilybet Designs.
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You have a very nice collection of designs which include samplers, ornaments, houses, and even a couple of punchneedle designs. Are there any particular designs or styles in your portfolio that are more to your liking than others? That is a very hard question. I think that question is like asking a mother which is her favorite child…..it’s hard to say. I guess if pressed, I would have to say the “Lady House” series. (Lady Gray, Lady Scarlet, Lady Violet and Lady Champagne) I just adore houses! I love the mixture of modern architecture with a taste of sampler flare in the motifs and alphabet. Plus it was the first series my sister, Kathy, worked on with me. Yet there is that whimsical side to me that comes out in some of the fun pieces. My favorite there has to be the Halloween Trio and Pumpkin Row. I had Kathy’s input on those too.
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New From Lilybet Designs... Pumpkin Row The latest design from Lilybet Designs couldn't have come at a better time! No need to put off getting started on your Halloween stitching. These little guys are eager to come to life on your fabric! Stitch count is 182 x 77 and the suggested retail price is $7.50. |
When you have an inspiration for a new design, what are the steps taken to get that idea graphed and published? When I have a design idea, I usually go directly to the computer and start working in my charting program. Sometimes, especially when working with Kathy, we/she sketches on paper and we chart from those ideas. I take those charts and decide on fibers and linen colors. That to me is the best part of designing. Sometimes it is a fiber or linen color that will trigger an idea for me. Once all those decisions are made, I stitch the piece and have it photographed. From there, I compile on my computer, a finished file for printing publication. Then off to the shops and into the hands of the stitchers. Most people don’t realize the hours and amount of work that goes into a piece from conception to the store shelves.
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Where are you originally from and/or where did you grow up? I was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin (yes, there really is a town named Sheboygan!) I was a transplant to Texas when I was in grade school. I spent childhood summers and many holidays back in Wisconsin where I still have family. I make sure I get back up north every summer to see family and escape the Texas heat. I don’t consider myself a Texan...too many upper Midwest roots that run very deep!
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I understand you come from a creative family…could you tell us a little about them? Wow, my family is great! I am so blessed to have a very supportive family and creative too! A few members of my family are involved in creative design in some way or another. My father, George, and sister, Kathy, are architects and my brother, Kevin, is in media production. I've always had the example of my father looking at every building, roofline, window, stone wall, landscape, etc. and creating with those ideas. We always have some idea we are working on in our heads. Kathy and I are on the phone a lot bouncing our “creativity” off one another. I guess you could say it’s in the genes!
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When you’re not working with a needle and thread, what are some leisure activities that occupy your time? I am an avid sports fan! I am a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan (no not Dallas Cowboys). I adore football, hockey, and basketball (especially March Madness). Since I’m watching a game of some sort most evenings and weekends, I have plenty of time to stitch, crochet, and knit. (I have just recently taken up knitting) When the TV is off, I love to read. I always have a book or two going. I do some scrapbooking and cardmaking too. My husband and I enjoy music and we have a large collection of jazz, standards, and contemporary Christian music. In my time away from the house, I’m involved at my church with woman’s ministries and the church library.
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What are a few things you enjoy about being a part of the cross-stitch industry? I love being around other creative people. I have attended Nashville markets and getting to meet and visit with the shop owners and other designers is delightful. On a different note, I am so happy to be able to create something that will bring someone enjoyment in their creative process.
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Independently owned needleart shops are the life blood of our industry and many of them having a very difficult time making ends meet. Do you feel this is because we have a shortage of people stitching right now or are the chain stores taking a lot of the business? Or something else? I say “yes” to all of it. It all plays into the equation. My opinion is that with the internet, people don’t rely on their local needlework shops like they used to years ago when I managed a needlework shop. I feel that the selection and personal attention that a stitcher receives at an independent needlework shop is so much greater than the chain stores can hope to provide, and there will always be a need for that in some capacity. There are many people, like me, who need to touch and feel and see the true colors of a thread or a piece of linen and you cannot get that via the internet. I love going to my local shops! I hear from many people that they just don’t have the time to sit and stitch anymore due to the “busyness” of life. If they do have a little time to be creative, they want something quick and simple to complete in a short amount of time to achieve that sense of accomplishment. Cross stitch can sometimes be time consuming and I see people turning to other crafts. It’s a shame, it’s a needleart that I would hate to see decline. That is why I feel it is important that we teach this art to our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.
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We always end our Friday Features in the kitchen…would you mind sharing a favorite recipe? Ok, I will admit that I hate to cook. Kathy and I laugh about the fact that we both want recipes with 4 ingredients or less. You can imagine our struggle! I have this great Key Lime Pie recipe. I can’t remember where I found it, but every time I serve it, I’m asked for the recipe. Key Lime Pie 1 – 8 ounce tub whipped topping (Coolwhip) 1 – 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk) 1/2 cup Key Lime juice (NOT lime juice, it has to be key lime) 1 ready made graham cracker crust Thaw the tub of whipped topping. In a large mixing bowl combine the whipped topping, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice. Mix together with electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Spoon the mixture into the graham cracker crust. Chill for at least 4 hours. Slice and serve. Enjoy!
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