Movie Nights in the Park

June 24, 2013 by carina

We introduced our kids to The Neverending Story on Friday at Millcreek Movie Night. (Pictured here is Siri, cousin Lola, Felicity, and Charlie—who is busy eating a flip flop—good parenting at work here.) I love these outdoor movie nights that the county offers. I became friends with the fabulous lady behind it—Aimee McConkie—when we all lived in Minnesota. So much work goes into these events. Oh ya, and she does it for free. Just because she believes in community. She’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

This has been a different summer for me since Josh is home and we aren’t a slave to the billable hour. Here’s what we have been up to:
+ I go to work early and come home early. It’s lovely!
+ Josh has been in charge of the kids.
+ Turns out Josh is super hard core about the girls doing reading time, workbooks, and chores in the morning.
+ Siri and I have been taping a new Create and Make class. It has been so intense!
+ I’ve been taping and writing a new chalkboard class and paper class.
+ I’ve started work on fall sewing patterns. I.can. not. believe. it.
+ I started work on a new free quilt pattern for my new fabric line Evening Blooms.
+ I have been crazy about decluttering the house and yard.
+ I think I might finally be making some headway.
+ And will yard sale it all in a couple of weeks.
+ We have been to Lagoon
+ And will probably go a lot this summer since our kids are not getting real vacation (or any camping).
+ I finally feel like I have time to read again. Obsessed with a Coco Chanel biography I have been reading.
+ I’m trying to get serious about diecutting files. More on this soon!
+ Siri and I filmed another CGTV episode. It’s not up yet. Sigh.
+ Somehow my office/warehouse got small overnight.
+ That’s what happens when four people come to work all at the same time.
+ I’ve a few more things coming out this fall for Deseret Book. I’m so excited about them!
+ I’m finishing up my 2014 fabric lines. Think “boy” wink, wink.

And with that, I am off to finish up some photos and head to Lagoon.
Happy Summer!
Carina

Summer Begins

June 3, 2013 by carina

Hello! It’s Monday morning, bright and early, and I very happily set to work this morning on my 2014 fabric lines. There has been so much going on these last few months that I am welcoming a moment to really sit down, draw, and think. There aren’t many moments like this since the office has also been pretty busy these days. Two new little summer interns (my sister-in-laws) and a new warehouse manager come into the office daily now. The office is pretty tiny so having that many people in and out makes things a little tight, but we are all making do and having fun with it all.

To accommodate everyone’s comings and goings as well as to get ready for summer, I started a new schedule. I try to get into the office by 6 or 6:30am. It means I go home pretty early in the day so that I can hang out with the kids and Josh.

I wish I was one of those people that could work with white noise, but I can’t. I like the silence. So coming in early to work helps me a lot. It’s nice feeling like I have accomplished so much by 9am and even better when I go home at 3pm to help with Siri’s harp lesson and make dinner.

In the summer, I hope to be able to jump on my bike to head home around 1pm so I get to savor summer too. I have the best commute ever. I’m not sure if it is even a block. It’s definitely less than a 5 minute walk. But I like taking my little cruiser because if I need to run home for a second to help out or grab something, I can.

Hoping for a fabulous summer with lots of camp outs, bonfires, gardening, swimming, and some good ol’ fashion sitting (my favorite thing to do—usually in the sun, on a porch, and holding my Charlie). The kids’ final day of school is Wednesday and I suspect there will be some festivities (possibly the traditional camp out in the backyard).

Are you as ready for summer as I am?

Carina

Spring Quilt Market Review 2013!

May 28, 2013 by carina

Instead of my usual photo review of Quilt Market, I have a special treat for you! In one day, we did 15 interviews with different designers/products to give you a taste of Quilt Market in Portland. I had a such a great time seeing everyone’s new stuff. Here’s who I talk to in the video:

Joel Dewberry, Amanda Herring, Pickle Pie Designs, Patty Young, Amy McClellan, Cluck Cluck Sew, Camille Roskelley, Kim Christopherson, Heather Bailey, Rashida Coleman-Hale, Bari J., Shari Butler, Ruffle Fabric, Generation Q, and Miss Rose Sister Violet.

I hope you enjoy!

Happy sewing!

Carina

5000 Facebook Fan Giveaway

May 23, 2013 by carina

Hang out with me here: https://www.facebook.com/carina.gardner.designs

Well Played!

May 18, 2013 by carina

While I’ve been at Quilt Market, my new line Well Played was announced at Carta Bella! I”m so excited for this scrapbook line! It’s modern and upbeat! It’s game board inspired but has enough great patterns in it for everyday use. I plan on using it for all my kid layouts. Hoping to get a chance to play with it this week.

This line ships in June. Check out the whole line (and the awesome sticker sheet) here.

XOXO,

Carina

Fabric Design Begins Next Week!

May 14, 2013 by carina 1 Comment

I’ve been working day and night to finish this new class. I even just updated the syllabus to give you even more details on what we are doing in this class. It is 20% off for this session (because of the Grand Opening sale), and I hope you take advantage so I can see you in class! I’m going to show you how I print fabric from home, create repeats for production, get sketches and painting vectorized, and a whole lot more. I just finished editing the videos with Creative Director Jina Barney, designer Amanda Herring, designer Shari Butler, and designer Deena Rutter. Believe me, it’s going to be fun!!!

I know in future sessions I plan on interviewing more designers. Those who take this first session will also get any interviews I do forever after since I plan on just adding them into the class as we do new sessions.

The best is that the Fabric Design class comes on the heels of Quilt Market. I’m heading out tomorrow and trying to wrap up my schoolhouse and make and takes. We are also taking all the audio and camera equipment to do a CGTV episode! Yes, I know it has been a long time, but whewww! It’s been busy!

Instagramming for QM begins NOW!

Cheers!

Carina

Mother’s Day Weekend and Dishware Debut Recap

May 12, 2013 by carina

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Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day! The first half of my day was spent at Deseret Book signing dishware. A big thank you to everyone who came to visit me at the Fort Union Deseret Book to catch the debut of my dishware collection! It was such a treat to chat with you and give your children cookies. For those of you who did not make it and avoided the excessive sugar, I managed to snap a few photos so you could see the display.

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I knew exactly what to do with the cookies that were not eaten—I had Siri try to pawn them off on the neighbor kids. (She tried to sell them but I told her I would pay her the 10 cents for every kid who walked by and took one.) We still managed to have enough cookies for the family party that evening and the children at church the next day. Umm, I think I over-ordered. (photo below—Siri happily selling cookies.)

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The second part of my Saturday was spent with Josh’s family cleaning out his grandmother’s yard. Dinner followed at his mother’s house. (Above-Josh’s brother Nate and Nate’s twins London and Quinn).

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It was the most beautiful day for yardwork although, other than hacking at a rose bush, I mostly played with Charlie (photos above and below). At least it looks like there is some yardwork being done behind me!

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My niece Lola rakes for a moment (photo below) and Josh stops his pruning for a moment to chat (photo below). I’m guessing the photos I didn’t catch (in particular of my mother-in-law Mary planting all the flowers) was were all the real work was happening.

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Having a family chin-dig on Saturday was so nice because it meant our little family relaxed (and I slept in-the perfect mother’s day present) today.

This week Josh and I are off to Portland for Quilt Market. I plan on posting lots of photos. I’m not doing a booth and instead plan on spending some time filming, talking to other designers, teaching schoolhouse, and doing make and takes at the Riley Blake booth. I’m so looking forward to it!

Cheers!

Carina

Winner of the Little Playdate Outfit Sample

May 12, 2013 by carina

And the winner of the Little Playdate Sample outfit by random selection is Alisinwnderlnd.

Alisinwnderlnd says:
Cute! Love! Oh wait, you mean my daughter. She says they are adorable and her “Diamond” and “Kit” would be darling in them. (I wish you could hear her voice saying this–too cute.)

Congrats Alisinwnderlnd! I will be sending you an email tonight to get your address so we can send it right off to you!

Thank you everyone who entered. Susan has been preparing our next giveaway for you and I’m hoping to have it up this week! So check back for more yumminess!

Carina

Dishware Now Available Online!

May 10, 2013 by carina 1 Comment

Dish-Set_PG24_detail My dishware line has officially hit the Deseret Book Online Shop! I might be a teensy-weensy excited:).

Dishes
Large Serving Bowl
Three Piece Tray
Tray

I’ll also be heading to the Fort Union Deseret Book tomorrow from 11am-1pm to hand out treats from my new line and sign packaging. Come join me along with authors Gale Sears and Kathi Petersen who will also be at the event!

MAY 11, 2013, SATURDAY 11am -1pm
Fort Union Deseret Book
1110 Fort Union Blvd.
Midvale, UT 84047

Other than that, this weekend is all about Mother’s Day (which means I will be getting breakfast in bed right, Josh?) and hanging out with family. I know we are headed to Josh’s grandmother’s house for some Mother’s Day gardening and I’m on the spot with presents this year.

Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day and I hope to see you tomorrow!

Cheers!

Carina

PS The giveaway for the sample of the Little Playdate Outfit ends today! Make sure and enter by leaving a comment HERE.

Introducing the new Spring 2013 Sewing Patterns

May 7, 2013 by carina 75 Comments

It’s here! I get to introduce you to our brand new line of Spring 2013 Sewing Patterns! To top it off we are GIVING AWAY one of our Little Playdate Outfit (for the 18 inch doll) Samples for your 18 inch doll! Details after I introduce the new patterns (below).

I’m happy to introduce our very first 18 inch doll sewing patterns! They are so incredibly fun! Our final two patterns are part of my brand new BEGINNER series. All of these sewing patterns are available NOW in the shop. Kits for certain outfits will follow this week!

So without further ado:

CG011_LPDOoutsidecover_front Little Playdate Outfit

The outfit comes with the blouse, dress, capri, and shorts options that are also available in the little girl version. These dolls are dressed in the Dainty Blossoms™ and Remember™ fabrics.

It’s cute as a button and ready for some fun! This 18 inch doll pattern is based on the Playdate Outfit Sewing Pattern (sizes 2T-8 | pattern sold seperately).

A LITTLE PLAYDATE OUTFIT KIT will be available in the shop sometime this week and will include the materials needed to complete an outfit.

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CG010_LERDoutsidecover_front_web Little Love Nest™ Ruffle Dress

This ruffled confection is a modern take on a sophisticated doll dress. Simply sweet, it is the perfect accessory to your little girl’s Love Nest™ Ruffle Dress (pattern sold separately). Dress fits an 18 inch doll.

This doll is dressed in the Remember™ fabrics.

A LITTLE LOVE NEST RUFFLE DRESS KIT will be available in the shop sometime this week and will include the materials needed to complete an outfit.

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CG012_LMNoutsidecover_front_web Little Meadowlark Nightgown

My first nightgown pattern! This little nighty is sophisticated and sweet all at once. A little elastic in the elbow and wrist makes the sleeve puffy. The perfect traditional piece made modern by fabulous fabrics.

Give this traditional nightgown a modern twist with fabulous patterned fabrics!

These dolls are dressed in the Remember™ fabrics.

A LITTLE MEADOWLARK NIGHTGOWN KIT will be available in the shop sometime this week and will include the materials needed to complete an outfit.

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Our two other patterns are the debut of a new pattern series for beginners. We tested these on beginners and perfected them for easy construction! We have two levels: Beginner and Beginner Plus. We put a chart (below) on patterns that are included in the series.

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Bella Stash Bag-Beginner Pattern

This little beauty is the perfect on-the-go carry case. From ballet shoes, books, or electronics, this stash bag is a sweet treat for mom, tween, or little one. The bag pattern and instructions are easy to put together for beginning sewers. With help from a grown-up, this bag is the perfect project for tweens and teens too!

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Tulip Park Pinafore-Beginner Plus Pattern

It’s time to tromp through the flower garden, paint, or bake in this pretty little pinafore! This perfect apron dresses up an outfit and works hard at the same time. This pinafore fits sizes 4-10 and is one size fits all. This is a beginner plus pattern meaning that it is a fast project for intermediates and an easy-to-sew project for beginners.

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IMG_0276_1_web_1 To top it off, we are giving away one of the samples we have of the Little Playdate Outfit with the pink top and gray bottom. That’s right! This little outfit could be yours! All you have to do is tell me what sewing pattern you like the best in the comments of this blog post, and you will be entered. The giveaway ends on May 10th at 5pm MST. Winner will be announced on May 12th here on the blog!

I’ve also linked this giveaway at the Sew Mama Sew site where there are A LOT of amazing giveaways going on right now. Make sure and go check it out!

Introducing Carina Gardner Embroidery Files

May 6, 2013 by carina 2 Comments

I’m so excited to announce my partnership with Pickle Pie Designs! They have come up with embroidery designs using my fabric lines. The first is this darling flower from my Dainty Blossoms™ Line. It’s perfectly paired with my newest line Remember™ for Riley Blake. The most fabulous thing is that the entire bag is made from start to finish in the hoop of your embroidery machine!

I’ll be seeing Lisa of Pickle Pie Designs at Quilt Market in just another week and plan on giving you the inside scoop on this little gem.

Quilt Market is in Portland, Oregon this year and I’m so excited. Josh is coming with me with camera in hand so we can get footage of the Riley Blake booth, meet with designers, and more! I am teaching a Schoolhouse (if you are coming, please come see me at 1:55pm, Rm A109 !)

I’ll also be announcing my new sewing patterns….da, da, da…TOMORROW!

Jumping with excitement,

Carina

Upcoming Events—Come See Me!

May 5, 2013 by carina

MAY 11, 2013, SATURDAY 11am -1pm
Fort Union Deseret Book
1110 Fort Union Blvd.
Midvale, UT 84047

Come see me at the Fort Union Desert Book where I will be serving treats on my new dishware line! I’ll also have make and takes with my new fabric line Remember, which will be upstairs in Mormon Handicraft. I’ll even be signing my Carina Gardner™ packaging if you are purchasing any of the dishware.

MAY 16, 2013, THURSDAY 1:55pm-2:55pm
Quilt Market Schoolhouse Room A109
Portland, Oregon
How to Use Sewing Patterns to Attract Beginner Sewers
Not for available to the general public.

MAY 17, 2013 FRIDAY 4:00-4:45pm
Make and Takes at the Riley Blake Booth with Carina Gardner
Quilt Market
Portland, Oregon
Not available to the general public.

We will be making the flower pattern from my new 18 inch doll patterns. Fabric and embellishments provided. Come join me!

JUNE 12, 2013 WEDNESDAY 11am-1pm
Desert Book/Mormon Handicraft Shop Hop
Make and Takes with Carina Gardner
Fort Union Desert Book
1110 Fort Union Blvd.
Midvale, UT 84047

We will be making the flower pattern from my new 18 inch doll patterns. Fabric and embellishments provided. Come join me!

JULY 22-25, 2013
Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show
Create-n-Connect
Las Vegas, NV
I will be at the Carta Bella Booth with our mid-year releases!

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 TUESDAY EVENING
Find Your Lula
Park City, Utah
Visit this event’s site
I will be talking about being Carta Bella’s Creative Director and the in’s and out’s of scrapbooking.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 TUESDAY EVENING
Find Your Lula
Park City, Utah
Visit this event’s site
I will be talking about being Carta Bella’s Creative Director and the in’s and out’s of scrapbooking.

Template Design Class Begins Next Monday!

April 22, 2013 by carina

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Thankfully, all the sewing patterns were sent to production last week, and I’m well on my way with finishing Carta Bella’s summer releases. By the way, did you see our beach line Beach Boardwalk and our new Giddy Up lines? Serious awesomeness, if I do say so myself.

The sewing patterns you will see in the shop around May 15th. We should have information for retailers and distributors on the site this coming week. Thank you to those that have already emailed and called in for these new patterns! If you are a retailer and need access to the wholesaler site, please email Susan at susan@carinagardner.com. I am so excited by the response and hyped to show them at Quilt Market! We will have five new patterns—3 doll patterns and 2 beginner sewer patterns. I plan on incorporating the beginner sewing patterns in the Mom and Me Crafting Co. Class that Siri (my nine-year old) and I are teaching this summer. It’s going to be so fun!

Speaking of classes, it’s the last week to register for Template Design! I’m thrilled to be teaching a class like this since it incorporates a number of different techniques that I have never taught online before. I’m especially excited to be showing you how I create interesting shapes like banners and brackets. It’s so useful whether you are just making invited for your kids or making a logo. (FYI, image to the right from my instagram feed this last weekend.)

Will pop in soon with some sneaky peekys!

Carina

My First Class!

April 15, 2013 by carina

My first class on my new site starts today—Illustrator Basics CS6 Course 1. It’s a foundation course for all the design courses I plan on teaching. I’m so excited to have everyone in class! We are going to have a good time and I hope everyone learns a lot of Illustrator!

I myself have been working in Illustrator pretty intensively the last month. I am finishing up our five sewing patterns in the hopes of getting them to print by Wednesday so we get them for Quilt Market. If you follow the instagram feed, you’ve had a sneak peek into what I have been up to. Full reveal to come in a couple of weeks.

I’m also trying to finalize our June line for Carta Bella as well as finish our August and Christmas lines. A lot going on around here.

I also just preordered Evening Blooms for our shop. I was thrilled to design Riley Blake’s black and white line. I’m more thrilled to sew with it.

For now I’m enjoying all the sewing projects I have with Remember.

See you in class!

Carina

Digital Die Cutting Files

April 9, 2013 by carina

Heads up! Digital diecutting files are now available in the shop! At 75 cents a pop (or even less if you buy a bundle), these little goodies are easy to use and great for cards, scrapbooking, home decor or more! I include seven types of files to download: svg, ai, dxf, pdf, png, jpg, and studio. Use the file that works best with your machine for an fabulous paper or fabric shape!

Right now we are frame heavy in the shop, but we plan on having several freebies coming to the shop soon along with A LOT more designs. We are working through my more than 500 products to pull the best shapes !

I think you’ll love how intricate these shapes are! I made mine smaller on my Silhouette machine while testing them and they turned out beautifully! I plan on using these with some of my scrapbooking layouts in future.

Hope you get a chance to play with them!

Carina