A Lot'o Halloween Crafts
While we are working on a lot of NEW Halloween Crafts for the season, check these great project we did over the last couple of years with Haunted™ and Spider's Web.
A Lot'o Halloween Crafts Read More »
Pinfeathers Rosetta Wreath- Free Download
My sister-in-law walked in as I was making this wreath and said, "Weren't you just complaining about the number of wreaths you have?" Ummm, yep. I might have too many wreaths. But this one is just SOOO cute! (justification, justification).
So this is definately a time-consuming project but with only a couple of steps. I recommend doing it in front of a really good movie (We were watching Howl's Moving Castle when I made this one).
The final result is so adorable that I could get a little crazy with this idea—cone shaped trees, ornaments...okay, I'm just going to stop right there.
Download the instructions by clicking on the photo!
Have fun! -Carina
Pinfeathers Rosetta Wreath- Free Download Read More »
John Denver
I'm allowing myself a personal moment. I can do that on my blog, right? Yesterday at the library I happened across a John Denver CD. I haven't listened to John Denver in an age, but it always reminds me of the huge music book we had sitting on our old player piano growing up.
So today, while cutting vegetables for stirfry, I popped in the CD and turned it to Annie's Song. It's like all the memories from my childhood came to the forefront—the memories that I had somehow stifled in the past years. The happy memories of childhood. Running in from school and getting a snack at the kitchen island from my mom. Learning how to cook with my mom (and hating all the cutting). My mom in the kitchen making bread while I practiced the piano in the dining room.
Before I knew it was crying over the chopped carrots. The irony that I was making stirfry wasn't lost on me (my mother is Chinese). Turns out... Annie's Song reminds me of my mom.
And it's a bit unfortunate, but I don't have the kind of relationship with my mother that allows me to just call her up and tell her I love her. Let's just say, it's complicated. Which probably had me crying even harder.
I hope to goodness that my daughters will be able to call me whenever they want to tell me how much they love me. (Ya. That probably made the sobbing even worse).
Well, if you ever read this, Mom, I love you.
Essentials Plus
I was browsing through my creative team's layouts that feature my new digital scrapbooking line Essentials Plus. I'm amazed at the way they are using the line! Even though I did intend it to be a paper-meets-elements line, it is way more versatile than I thought it would be. Most of these layouts use ONLY the essential papers (thank you fabulous creative team!).
Layout by Carey Bridges
Layout by Laurel Flechtner
Layout by Susan Haglund
Layout by Stephanie Andre
Baby Bib and More Tutorial from Pink Chalk Fabrics
I spotted this darling tutorial over at the fabulous Pink Chalk Studios using my Baby Safari line. It includes a bib, baby booties, baggie, and taggie. For the full set of instructions and pattern check it out here:
As for me, I'm finishing up Art of Digital Design 2's critiques today. I might be losing my voice. Thankfully next week's critique is written!
Oh, check out this blog post over at Riley Blake if you get a chance!
Happy Sewing!
Carina
Baby Bib and More Tutorial from Pink Chalk Fabrics Read More »
Flannel and Oilcloth
I went to check my strike-offs yesterday at Riley Blake for Dainty Blossoms™ and found out some exciting news! Not only will cottons be available for the line, but oilcloth and flannels! The oilcloth and flannels will be in the large floral (the left-hand corner fabric in the digital magazine) and all the dots. I was practically jumping for joy!
In other news, my little Flissa started preschool this week. With Siri in school and Flissa in morning preschool, it's the first time I've had the opportunity to work during the day. It's pretty exciting as I've been hoping to get rid of my late-night design binges! heehee! Fliss has been SO ready to go to school (with big sister out of house and the entire neighborhood in kindergarten, there is only me to entertain her—not the coolest prospect).
So I'm going to happily (and hopefully) finish our new sewing pattern line this coming month (look for all the sneak peeks in the October newsletter) and finish teaching the Art of Digital Design 2 (It's been a blast!).
We're also finishing up the final touches of our new workshop this winter! Be sure and check it out! We've been so excited about the interest and would love to see you there for this design marathon! Bring your husband along to ski while you hang out with the girls!
Please note that this workshop has a cap of 20 students. Make sure and reserve your spot to attend this event.
XOXO-Carina
Flannel and Oilcloth Read More »
I am reading...
Just My Type by Simon Garfield. It's laugh out loud funny for those with a type-sense-of-humor!
Exciting New Upcoming Events!
There are two spectacular events that I plan on attending in the coming months. The first is Spraguefest!
This is an annual event hosted by Jessica Sprague to further build (the already awesome) community. I know there are going to be a lot of awesome people at this event, and I'm pretty excited to attend! I'm teaching a class on color (it's going to be messy!).
Spraguefest is October 7-10, 2011 and there is a registration fee of $80 for classes and materials. I know there are going to be goodie bags (yum) and some fantastic teachers! This year we are in Las Vegas and I'm sure that whatever happens in Vegas will stay in Vegas. That means a lot of late night craziness. Oh alright, maybe some daytime craziness as well (I might have done a little dance in the street last year).
The second event is my brand new Paper and Digital Designer Workshop! Think elegant girls-trip-meets-intense-design-school. Yep, it's going to be that kind of weekend!
We'll be in Salt Lake City working on your paper and digital designer skills (and possibly your shopping skills, manicure skills, nunchuck skills...). It's going to be a super intense experience that will help you explore your creativity! We are staying at the Little America Hotel , who will also be catering nearly the entire event. The Little America is well known for being a luxurious Four Diamond Hotel and their menus and decor are impressive! Get ready for a glammed-up girls weekend that will also define your design career!
Registration for this event is capped at 20 people and is first-come, first serve.
Check out our workshops page to learn more and register!
I hope to be able to hang out with you at one or both of these events!
Exciting New Upcoming Events! Read More »
Bike Basket Tutorial
Check out my bike basket tutorial on Celebrations blog! I made these for our bikes for the Gardner family reunion/triathlon. A triathlon, you say? Yes, I feel like I should explain that it is not a REAL triathlon. It kind of goes something like this:
Run, Eat, Bike, Eat, Swim (it seems like we should eat after that too)
Really, it's an amazing extended family event to help us all get in shape. And we do eat between all the event (Run at 10am, Lunch, Bike at 2pm, Dinner, and Swim at 7pm).
Anyway, back to the bike basket. In order to have Siri and Felicity participate, I ordered them bike connectors. Felicity and I did 8 miles. Josh and Siri made it the entire 12 miles. I was pretty proud we made it as far as we did because it was a horribly, hot day and I managed to get sunburned (go figure!).
Thank goodness for the baskets holding our water and goodies!
Fabrics shown here are from my Pinfeathers collection.
Bike Basket Tutorial Read More »
The Jolly Jabber
The fatquartershop is now sporting the Baby Safari, Dress Up, and Pinfeather's lines. Check out their feature on the Baby Safari line on their blog, the Jolly Jabber.
Favorites
Here are some of my favorites taken from the photoshoot with Susan that didn't make it into the newsletter. I hope you enjoy too!
Getting ready—I was pleased when Susan walked into my house and said it wasn't as bad as she expected it to be! (We fixed that only moments later).
Years of girls' camp practice and having three younger sisters finally pays off!
This one just warms my heart.
Secrets, secrets...
Hmmm, could Felicity have jumped into this photo at the last minute to give us a cheesy smile? Yes. Yes, she did.
Someone thinks she is SO funny.
Obviously, bribery is in order. (You can't see it, but I'm wearing a ring pop to stick in her mouth between photos).
]
Bribery is apparently not working.
Okay, it's obvious we are going to need to focus on someone else willing model. Meet Sophie. One of next door neighbor's daughters. She was a perfect angel on this shoot. I MIGHT have started making her dress two hours before the shoot. Ya, it was that kind of day.
This is Paige, Susan's daughter. I don't think we got a bad shot out of her.
Speaking of the devil—here's Susan herself.
My other child (much more willing, but not by much) to let us take pictures.
There's that ring pop!
I adore this one!
Dainty Blossoms for Riley Blake Designs
If you missed it, the fourth issue of the newsletter announced my move to Riley Blake Designs for all my new fabric lines starting with the release of Dainty Blossoms™ in January 2012. I am so excited for you to see the work I have been doing with them! All of it is so beautiful and will make the most amazing sewing patterns!
I don't think Dainty Blossoms™ is up yet at the Riley Blake website, but it shouldn't be too long before you see it up for presale (for quilt shops only). So my digital maggie on this is even more of a sneeky, sneeky peek. Check it out!
Today I also started my new Art of Digital Design 2 class. It's going to be a blast, and I'm so excited about the group of students taking it!
Going to take a break from my computer now to get things going around my house. We just got back from a little family get together at Bear Lake and my house is in need of some TLC.
Happy Monday!
Carina
Dainty Blossoms for Riley Blake Designs Read More »
Carina Gardner Quarterly Newsletter (Issue No. 4)
FINALLY! We've finished our fourth issue of our newsletter! Better late than never, right?
I think this is our best issue so far. First of all, there are a LOT of photos. And tutorials. And photos. And an announcement (which links to ANOTHER digital magazine). And did I mention photos?
It's seriously delicious!
Susan has already posted a bit on getting ready for this crazy photoshoot (see it here). I can tell you right now that we had so many amazing photos that I'm not going to be able to resist posting them.
But first, click on the newsletter to the left here and take a peek at all the fun we were up to in the studio.
https://carinagardner.com/newsletter/carina-gardner-newsletter-issue-no-4/
More photos to come!
Carina Gardner Quarterly Newsletter (Issue No. 4) Read More »
Hair Accessories
These darling flowers were made out my Baby Safari, Dress Up, and Pinfeathers lines by Poppies Pretties. I was completely smitten with them (as I am sure you are too)! You can check out her etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/poppiespretties. I'm sure she'll have accessories using the fabrics shown here for sale in the near future.
We used a couple of these accessories in our photo shoot yesterday (I'm jumping up and down with anticipation to show you all the results!). I'm almost finished with are newsletter and my new fabric line coming out in January. Oh yes, it's going to be good!
Now that I am finished writing and taping Art of Digital Design 2, I've got a little more time to play with all this great fabric. More to come...
(Baby Safari fabric shown here)
____________________________________________________________
(Pinfeathers fabric shown above)
(Dress Up fabric shown above)
(Pinfeathers fabric shown above)
Pinfeathers Birdie Lace Up Tutorial
Get ready for a whole lot of fabric fabulous-ness! It's been a lot of midnight sew-a-thons around here to show off this fabulous fabric. Susan and I have been hard at work! Here's the first tutorial from the studio!
This is a really cute skill-building toy for preschoolers as little fingers will work on gaining their fine motor skills by lacing the strings through the holes! It also makes a darling decorative display item in the home or is a great project for a child's birthday party.
Materials
- Carina's Partridge Bird Pattern-Free Download
- ⅓ yard heavyweight fast2fuse, thin piece of cardboard, or heavyweight Wonder Under.
- 1 fat quarter for a single-sided bird or 2 fat quarters (for an alternate fabric) for a double sided bird
- Colorful shoelace or cording ⅛' to ¼" diameter. Length will be vary depending on the size of your bird.
- Fabric glue
- Paper punch
Instructions
1. Your first step is to download the PDF of the partridge from Carina's Partridge Bird Pattern. At this point you can decide how large you want your lace up project to be. The smaller the child the larger you may want to make the bird so that they will have something substantial to hold in their hand and lace up!
2. Adjust the percent for the size you need and print your bird.
3. If you are using the Fast2Fuse, you will fuse your fabric onto the Fast2Fuse according to the manufacturer's instructions on the Fast2Fuse packaging.
4. Trace the bird patterns onto the fused fabric and cut them out.
5. Use a good hole punch to punch the holes for the lacing.
6. Knot one end of the the shoelace and lace it through the first hole pulling it to the knot.
Alternate method
You can also make a Pinfeather's Birdie Lace Up using a very thin piece of cardboard. Tracing the bird onto the cardboard, you cut out the bird's shape. Then trace the bird pattern onto the fabric. Use spray fabric glue to glue the fabric to the thin cardboard bird. Use a hole punch to punch holes. Finally finish the project with step #6.
Pinfeathers Birdie Lace Up Tutorial Read More »
Deadlines
I've managed to put myself under a number of deadlines in the next couple of weeks, so what do I decide to do? Oh ya, write a blog post. It's an attempt at procrastination that will only end in a night filled with editing class videos.
Part of my problem is that when I plop myself into my chair, I have a gorgeous view of all my new fabrics—just sitting there, begging to be sewn, cut, cuddled on, worn, quilted, and any other number of things you can do with such glorious amounts of fabric.
It's killing me.
It would kill you too right?
I'm not just being dramatic am I?
All right, well, enough of the whining and back to business. I get to spend the entire weekend working with that wall o' wonderfulness.
Hope to be back with some eye candy soon!
Hugs-Carina
Fabric Arrives
And the fabric begins to arrive...
Two collections down, one to go! The sewing has commenced...
Playhouse to Clubhouse
We got a Costco playset in April, which has kept my kids outside most of the summer. I had this idea that I was going to make it more of a "clubhouse" by making curtains for it.
Fast forward to yesterday (aka 4 months later). I picked up Amanda's red polka dot laminate at Riley Blake's warehouse. I was so excited that I stayed up late into the night to pound grommets into the curtains (much harder than I anticipated). I'm hoping the laminate holds up okay outside. I'll probably pull the curtains down before winter and bring them inside for a good washing.
I might have given in and decided it was time to just buy a drill (instead of borrowing the neighbor's) to install the curtain rods. Maybe I was tired of digging in someone else's garage. Or maybe I decided that a girl just needs a drill of her own. The three of us headed to Home Depot this afternoon to get some hardware for installing the Tacksam Curtain rod sets from Ikea ($3.99 a rod).
_________________________________________________________________
Now Siri can sell in her "shop" better than ever. Although she has informed me that they will still be making potions down there (but now they can close the curtains so that the non-witches will not steal the recipes).
Playhouse to Clubhouse Read More »
It's Been A Week
I think it's been a week at least since I have blogged. I'm too lazy to go back and check the front page to see how long it has been. Or too tired. Which is ironic since my kids got a sleepover with cousins last night and are getting a sleepover with grandma tonight all for the sake of work. How I can be so tired seems ridiculous given that I'm getting so much help at the moment!
Mostly, I have been working on Art of Digital Design 2. While the class has been fully written and all the images drawn, it's the videos that have been time consuming. And while students don't make the exact paper set I make in class (the class is technique and theory based), I couldn't help but show you what I've been up to. For those of you taking the class, get excited! (Or I'll just get excited for you since I know what you will be up to!)
I'm going to keep plugging away at these videos!
In fabric news, I'm told that my three new lines are on route. My quarterly newsletter hasn't gone out because we have been holding out for those lines! So June-July won't get to you until August.
That's the way we are rollin' these days.
And by the way, WHERE is summer going? August is a couple of days away and I can feel myself going into shock. Hoping I can squeeze in a couple of visits to the pool and zoo this coming month.
Hugs-Carina
Typography
I've been knee-deep in writing Art of Digital Design II. That means wading through my library of typography books. Trying to pick out the essentials for a single lesson (when I usually teach an entire semester) is certainly a challenge.
In the midst of writing last night, I popped over to my friend Melissa Esplin's blog and noticed that she had an awesome post on type. It's very fun! She also references this post on type from Goodlookcookbook. Type-nerdiness! It warms my heart!
Here's my addition to their lists—my personal favorites that I wish I saw more of!
Summertime Fun
Some of the things we have been up to:
The day before Fourth of July at Grandma Mary's for dinner and sparklers
Bike parade and backyard birthday party
All braided up for a hike up to Silver Lake
This manly guy wearing a pink backpack.
And the adventure to get out of the canyon (we saw three moose in total on the way out!)
Carina Gardner Sewing Pattern Giveaway at the Boutique Cafe
At Quilt Market this last May I had the opportunity to visit with Daria at the Boutique Café. She has the interview up and a giveaway of one my sewing patterns. You'll notice I make a big announcement about where my fabric is going at the end of the interview (did you catch it?). We will officially announce and show you some yummy samples of the new fabric line in our next newsletter.
Speaking of sewing patterns, I'm in the middle of finishing up two more patterns! I hope to have them finished up by the end of the month (waiting on my Pinfeathers, Dress Up, and Baby Safari to arrive to finish them up!). I can't wait to show you! So back to the sewing machine for me!
Carina Gardner Sewing Pattern Giveaway at the Boutique Cafe Read More »
Le Petite Paperie Digital Scrapbooking Collection
Today is the debut of my July collection Le Petite Paperie at Jessica Sprague.com. I feel like this is a line that sort of takes me back to my roots—super sophisticated, super grungy, and easy-to-work with.
(Layout by Susan Haglund)
I'm excited for you to see this collection revealed every week the rest of this month! Check out the release sale of 25% off on Mondays. Enjoy!
Le Petite Paperie Digital Scrapbooking Collection Read More »
Art of Digital Design 2
I'm so excited to finally announce my new class for 2011! Art of Digital Design 2 is my online advanced course on digital scrapbooking design. It starts August 22nd and runs 5 weeks.
I'm so excited to get to teach an advanced course like this at JessicaSprague.com. This is not a class for the faint-of-heart because we design like MAD and I cram as much as I possibly can into these 5 weeks. You know, like vocabulary, rules to design by, design concepts, critiques, smart financial ways to build designs, marketing strategies, making the transition to paper and fabric, dealing with taxes, making your workflow faster, and all of my personal tips for designing in the digi world.
For me, this class is the merging of practical know-how and design theory. Once you leave this class you should be able to TALK and THINK like a designer. One of the things I find in the design world is that even really amazing designers who haven't had training don't have the vocabulary to discuss or market their designs.
This class is instructor led with 5 assignments (1 a week) and 5 critiques (verbal and written). I've been asked when this class will be offered again, and the answer is, I simply don't know. I doubt we would run the class in 2012, but I think we would run the class again in 2013. I know that seems like a big break, but we have a lot of crazy, wonderful things planned for 2012 (yes, I know it is still only 2011, but we are working that far in advance these days).
If you want to read more about this class, please check it out here. The class syllabus will be available to registered students on August 1st.
Hugs! Carina
Art of Digital Design 2 Read More »
Pinterest-My New Favorite Site
I am new to Pinterest, but I'm already a big fan. Why do I love it? It's like a virtual board for lots of great inspiration. Instead of spending all my time tearing out pages from my magazines, I can simply "pin" up my favorite inspirational pictures. The best part? It keeps track of the link so I can go back and remember where I got the idea.
It's also the most gorgeous, visually-fun experience. I find myself meandering on friend's boards and checking out all the goodies that others have found.
Why hasn't anyone thought of this before (either that or I am sorely behind the times). Feel free to "pin" with me by following me here.
Hugs!Carina
Pinterest-My New Favorite Site Read More »
Pulled Back
Last week I went to a party and decided that I might as well try throwing my hair up.
Confession: I hate doing my own hair. I purposely have long hair so I can pull it into a ponytail everyday if I need to. I love doing Siri and Felicity's hair (when they let me which isn't very often).
This took five minutes and while it's maybe not the most sleek updo, it worked for me. Just start halfway down your hair with a loose french braid. As you get a few braids down just start twisting it and tucking it underneath (super scientific, I know). I used 5 or 6 large bobby pins and I was done.
I hope everyone enjoyed ths Bloghop this last weekend! It was fun to see all the other designer's goodies and all the fun stuff they made! I was adoring all the fun hybrid projects (I'm a sucker for those) by the CT team!
Now, I'm looking forward to 4th of July. I think we will be heading to Huntsville, UT again for our smalltown firework show. We took up the tradition after moving to Utah and missing our Stillwater, MN Fourth of July.
Do you have any great plans for this weekend or the 4th?
Hugs! Carina
This is the 10th Stop on the Jessica Sprague Bloghop Freebie!
Thanks for making it to my stop on the Jessica Sprague Birthday Party Bloghop! Just click on the image below to get your freebie for me that coordinates with all the other designers at JS!
If you have stopped here first, you can find the beginning of this blog hop at Jessica's blog.
Be sure and check out the awesome sale going on including 35% off all the digi shops and 20% off the classes.
Once you've gotten your freebie here, move on to STOP #11.
THIS FREEBIE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THIS WILL BE IN THE JS SHOP JULY 11, 2011.
This is the 10th Stop on the Jessica Sprague Bloghop Freebie! Read More »
June Salt Lake City Shop Hop
If you are in the Salt Lake area, you should check out the Wasatch Front Shop Hop going on this weekend. Fourteen shops (listed below) are participating and it's a total blast! I had a chance to drop by Mormon Handicraft over by Fort Union Blvd. on Wednesday to check out their display of my sewing patterns. Thought I'd take a moment to share some quick photos I took!
It makes me so happy!:)
All the shops participating have their shops decorated with the theme "The Greatest Quilt I Ever Read." Here are the shops participating the Wasatch Front Shop Hop:
American Quilting (Orem), Mormon Handicraft (Midvale), Sew Sweet (Tooele), Broadbents (Lehi), Pin Needles (West Jordan), Stitching Corner (Orem), Corn Wagon Quilt Co. (Springville), Piper's Quilts and Comforts (Salt Lake City), Thimbles and Threads (Draper), Elaine's Quilt Block (Cottonwood Heights), Quilter's Haven (Bountiful), Village Dry Goods (Brigham City), Quilts Etc. (Sandy), and Whimsy Cottage (Holladay).
I believe the shop hop runs from June 15th-18th. Hope you get a chance to drop by one of these wonderful shops!
XOXO-Carina
June Salt Lake City Shop Hop Read More »
Huge Jessica Sprague Sale!
JessicaSprague.com is FOUR! To celebrate, they're throwing a HUGE Birthday Bash & Summer Sale. From June 13-26, you can save 20% off of every self-paced class (think Illustrator, hehe), and 35% off of ALL digital products. In addition, grab all 27 episodes of Jessica's amazing Photoshop Friday tutorials for just $1 each before they're retired on June 26! As part of the celebration, starting on June 24, you can participate in an incredible 47-person blog hop (including a great freebie from me!), picking up a sweet digital freebie at each stop! Best of all, on June 26 Jessica will be making a special announcement of a brand new class coming up in July. We only put our site on sale two times a year, so don't miss out on this GREAT savings opportunity! For all the info on the Summer Sale, Photoshop Fridays, blog hop, and the new class, just click here!
Off to finish off my new pattern! Be in next week with my freebie!
Hugs! Carina
Huge Jessica Sprague Sale! Read More »
A Little More Conversation
I never get to post on my blog as much as I'd like to. That's sad, because there are always so many fun things humming along in the studio! Sooooo, my amazing assistant Susan and I decided it might be fun for you to check out some of our projects in process. We'll both be posting, but when I'm all tied up, she'll be able to give you some of 411.
Check out her blog at http://onesquirrelonawire.blogspot.com/. She's a photographer, which makes her site all the more fun! (This one is of my pushing Siri on our neighbor's tree swing).
Enjoy!
Carina
A Little More Conversation Read More »
It's That Time of Year
Graduations, field days, and dance recitals. Summer vacation is so close...
It's That Time of Year Read More »
A Bit Ruffled
...in the best way possible of course! Susan says I get bonus points for the pom poms on top (They are kind of hard to see on the top of the lamp in these photos).
This lamp shade is a breeze to make. I think I got the shade from IKEA (a couple of years ago) and the lamp from a consignment shop. It takes two 5" x 43" strips of fabrics to make each ruffle (I have 5 ruffles here using my Love Nest™ fabrics). Hot glue ruffles, pom poms, and a ribbon on top and you are done. How easy was that? Into my girl's room it goes!
Riley Blake's 80s Party
Crimped hair, jellys, and awful blue eye shadow...classic 80s. Here we are on our way to Riley Blake's 80s party. My brother-in-law said that Josh looks like Glenn Gulia—the resemblance IS uncanny.
I haven't posted for a while so here's a few things going on:
+ I have been working hard on Art of Digital Design critiques. I hope to have them finished this coming week!
+ Art of Digital Design 2 will be up at JessicaSprague.com sometime this coming month. The class will start August 22nd. Plan on some serious designwork and a series of assignments that will help take your skills to a whole new level!
+ If you are a sewing superstar, check out my 3 fabric lines coming out June-July. Of course, we will have free quilt patterns and projects on the blog and newsletter.
+ Along with new fabric lines, comes sewing patterns! Expect 3 more patterns shipped to stores in July! I am SO excited about the new children's clothing we are introducing! Hopefully, you've had a chance to get your hands on one of our current patterns & checked out the beautiful packaging and easy instructions.
Happy crafting!
Carina
Riley Blake's 80s Party Read More »
Spring Quilt Market 2011
I was a happy girl at Quilt Market this weekend. Susan and Emily walked the show with me and we have a fabulous time! It was nice to have market in town (here in SLC). Here's a sampling of my Friday (prepare yourself for a long and picture-heavy post!):
This was fun! My little bio at Northcott and a few of my patterns on display at The Pattern Peddler's booth.
The absolutely delicious Riley Blake booth! And I feel silly because I completely forgot to take pictures of the Little Miss Suntop and Skirt model & the High Tea Soiree Dress model while I was hanging out. I'll get photos of them when I pick them up.
(You know that Riley Blake is giving away this Beach Cruiser, right?)
Susan was cracking us all up with her enthusiasm! Here she is getting a Moda tattoo. Classic Susan!
And me forcing her to pose in a window frame.
Those gorgeous hats (above) are a new pattern by Amanda of the Quilted Fish. Seriously, adorable!
Here's one of my new favorite people-Rebeckah Merkle. Here booth was fab and she was sweet too! She has a new line with Timeless Treasures.
This fabulous footwear belongs to Anna Marie Horner's daughter. Anna Marie passed on some serious style to her daughter.
If you attended market, you might have joined in the All Dolled Up contest that was going on. This fabulous quilt was at one of those booths. And that flower...well, how could I NOT take a photograph of it? Of course, I have no idea what booth it was in.
Me with the extremely nice Joel Dewberry. The amazing frame and mini quilt are by Gigi's Thimble.
Emily in total bliss as she picks up EQ7!
These lovely ladies (Megan of the Brassy Apple and Daria of the Boutique Cafe) are giving away one of my Ruffle Dress Patterns! Check out their podcast interview with me in a couple of weeks at the Boutique Cafe!
Finally, I had to show you a little goodness from the Seven Islands booth. I think Susan was drooling...literally.
That's a pretty decent sampling of my two days at market. Hopefully, I'll get some pics up soon of Josh and me in our 80's gear for the Riley Blake party. If I haven't scared you away yet, that post might do it.
Happy sewing!
Carina
Spring Quilt Market 2011 Read More »
I'm Not Having Fun At All!
A preview of what I did today at Quilt Market Spring 2011!
Much more to come, but for now I need to plop myself into bed! (If you are wondering we are at designer Amanda Herring's booth-She is just as lovely as her designs!). Pictured here-Emily, Susan, Me, and Amanda.
I'm Not Having Fun At All! Read More »
Our Family Photoshoot
We did our extended family photoshoot on Saturday and they turned out beautiful. The lovely Heather Telford shot it for us—no easy task with so many kids. It was a beautiful day (thank goodness)! I can't wait to see all the photos.
Tomorrow is the start of my Quilt Market fiesta! I promise lots of photos and commentary. Susan, Emily, and I will be walking the floor starting Friday (tomorrow is a drop off to Riley Blake, meetings, and dinner with my dear friend and fabric designer Ro Gregg.)
Will check back in soon!-Carina
Our Family Photoshoot Read More »
Machine Quilting Show
On Saturday, I did a quick run down to the Southtowne Expo to visit the Machine Quilting Show. It was a busy day, but I'm so glad I had a chance to go. My friends Emily and Laura spotted my Love Next™ fabric in this darling quilt...it made my day!
I'm pretty excited about this coming week...it's Quilt Market! While you won't see me with a booth at this one, you will be able to catch me part of the day on Friday at the Riley Blake and Northcott booths. You'll be able to check out my next three lines due out this summer at the Northcott booth. I'll also be wandering the show. Feel free to stop me and say hello!
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Easter Sunday-A Week Late
I'm finally getting around to posting photos from Easter. I've been making models of our first line of sewing patterns because the first samples I made are my girls' favorite to wear (and therefore not suitable as models due to the daily wear and tear.)
Here they are sporting a couple of the sewing patterns with their Coquette™ church bags made from the ballet bag tutorial (photo above).
Flissa was being a stinker about taking photos, but Siri posed prettily. Mostly I just caught photos of them from behind as we walked to church.
I start work on our second set of patterns this week. They won't be due out until July so they can be sampled up in Pinfeathers, Dress Up, and Baby Safari. I'm also hoping that I'll get a chance to enjoy the sunshine and sit aimlessly outside a few afternoons this week. Fingers crossed!
XOXO-Carina
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Sewing Pattern Packaging
I spent part of this week sewing up samples for Quilt Market. This Love Nest™ Ruffle Dress is made in Cindi Walker's fabric from Riley Blake. I still have to put in the zipper and make the ruffle flower. I'm so happy with how it turned out! Those coral flowers are divine!
If you get a chance to go to Quilt Market, be sure and drop by the Riley Blake booth to check out my pattern samples! I'll be walking the show on Friday morning, but should be hanging out at the Northcott and Riley Blake booths too. Hope you get a chance to say hello!
We've also updated our distributor list and online retailer list. I also know that you will be able to check out the patterns at The Pattern Peddler's booth.
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This has been the first time since shipping out the patterns, I've had a chance to make more samples. I completely forget that a website is a really difficult way to check out this packaging and after experiencing it first-hand, decided I'd better take a couple of pics for you to see how fantastic the packaging it.
If you haven't had a chance to get your hands on one of these gorgeous patterns yet, then you haven't seen how functional the packaging is yet. The heavy-duty package is the best way to keep your cut-out pattern safe and ready for use the next time you sew. I've got my patterns all folded up and tucked into each of these ready-to-go the moment I start a new outfit.
More sewing for me this coming week... I'm looking forward to it!
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Pinwheel Coquette Quilt by Emily Harris
This quilt was made by my good friend Emily Harris (the same that made that amazing chocolate bunny cake!). These gorgeous little pinwheels were made with a fat quarter bundle of Coquette™. Isn't it wonderful? It makes me want to pull out the sewing machine right now and start working on a quilt!
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Flissa's Birthday Bash
My baby turned four yesterday! Because it was Easter weekend and spring break, we celebrated with an Easter egg hunt and pizza party in our backyard. My good friend Emily, offered to make this amazing bunny cake {see photo below} ("I want a BROWN bunny, mommy," says Felicity) and sweet little strawberry cupcakes.
It was probably the easiest little party I've ever thrown since the kids painted one little project, ate cake, hunted eggs, but spent most of the time playing on our new Costco playset.
I was thankful for the good weather and being forced (gulp) to get a few things cleaned up in my backyard. This is our first year of having a real vegetable garden. I've planted veggies before in our plot in student housing a few years back, but this feels different since I actually have a garden bed and munchkins to help me plant and water our sprouts.
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The race for Easter eggs is on!
Hope you are having a sunny and bright holiday as well!
Hugs-Carina
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