DESIGN Archives

A Digital Scrapbooking Sale at Design House Digital

I’ve been putting out Fresh Picked for a couple of weeks now and after seeing the spring and summer collection, you had to know that autumn and winter were going to follow, right? So tomorrow, you can check out those collection at Design House Digital along with the mega kit that includes all 16 kits.

What’s the big deal about the Mega Fresh Picked Kit (try saying that 3 times fast!)? Well, all these kits alone would cost you $63.84, but the mega kit is only $39.99. Add the 30% off for release day (Thursday only) and that whole jumbo kit is only $27.99. It’s pretty much a steal.

What do I like about Fresh Picked? Well, other than the solids (I like having a huge stack…I mean, I tried 3 green backgrounds on this layout before I settled on the correct one!), I like that it’s a collection I can use for any season.

Also wanted to mention my new little Facebook page. Yes, I’d love you to join; Yes, I feel silly about having one; and Yes, I will have a Facebook freebie on there soon (I just couldn’t think of any “no’s.” If you don’t want to join now, just look over on the sidebar for the link. I’m hoping that this page will make it easier for you to hear about sales, blog posts, and design news coming from my little corner of the world.

Products used in the above layouts all created by Carina Gardner | Green Layout: Fresh Picked Summer Borders, Spring Solids, Spring Stamps, Summer Solids, Summer Florals, and Autumn Stamps

Blue Layout: Fresh Picked Winter Papers, Winter Stamps, Winter Titles, Autumn Tickets, and Design 365 Color Kit 1

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MeadowLark Featured at Two Peas in a Bucket

2 Comments / My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking, Two Peas in a Bucket / carina

Kristina’s Picks at Two Peas in a Bucket this week is a full review of MeadowLark™. I was thrilled to see the papers, cards, and die cuts shown in detail! If you’ve been hankering to see the line up close, check out the video by clicking on the image below!

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Designer Get-Together for Design House Digital

5 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love / carina

I just got back from a lovely weekend retreat with Design House Digital designers in Midway, Utah. We laughed, listened to Glee, worked, and chit chat. Who was there? Jen Allyson, Deena Rutter, Melissa Esplin, Mary Shaw, Gennifer Bursett, and Spencer Nugent (who showed up at Hi Mountain Drug in Camas at the end of the retreat). It was wonderful hanging out and getting to know these awesome girls a little better!

Here’s a run down of what we were up to:

Thanks ladies for all the fun!!!! I’m excited to get to know you all better and steal your headbands (um, thanks Melissa!), decorate with the new birdie plate (I love you Jen!) and force you to help me pick out shoes (everyone had to at least LISTEN to that).

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On the Subject of Family

3 Comments / Design House Digital / carina

Sunday night we got together as a family at Liz and Tim’s house. It was fun, the food was good, and the company was excellent. Liz also had me up late to help refresh an old chair. I couldn’t help but show it off here because the final result was amazing. I should have taken a before photo. Just know that old white washed wood was dingy and the old faded cream textured fabric was ragged and dirty. I was glad we gave it new life with this geometric fabric and white finish! The contrast of the antique chair with the bold geometric made me pretty happy.

I also promised an update on my sister who has adopted a darling little boy! SuiKim and Steve has had new baby Grant for a couple of weeks now. It seems as if he has always been here! Siri coos over the baby and asks when we are getting a baby brother. Um, not any time soon, darling. Sorry to disappoint. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who bought Baby Mine! It was a wonderful success!

SuiKim was over at my house yesterday and I had a darling package from one of our Decorators from Design House Digital, Heather. She had used the Baby Mine kit to make two adorable sleepers (which she sewed!!!). SuiKim and I were touched! Thank you Heather for the generosity! Grant is going to look stunning in sleepers! I was also impressed with this darling baby card Heather made (I need that script font!). The tininess added to the intimacy and sweetness. You are best Heather!

On the Subject of Family Read More »

interNational Scrapbooking Day-Freebie

18 Comments / Design House Digital, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love / carina

All the hail and sleet the last couple of days gave me some extra “inside time” to get this freebie together for you in honor of interNational Scrapbooking Day! Otherwise, I’d still be in my yummy lime green gardening boots planting ranunculus in my front yard!

So here’s some of the fun going on at DHD: There is a HUGE site-wide sale happening, chats all day on Saturday, May 1st, and freebies to be had. I’m jumping the gun a little by posting a day early with this freebie, but I say let the fun begin! Be sure to drop by HERE at 9am MST for my chat at DHD (hint, I’ll have a little exclusive freebie:).

So why is this kit called Paisley v2? Because you can download Paisley v1 by signing up to be a fan of Design House Digital on Facebook! When the fan page hits 2000 fans, this freebie will be given out.

Okay! Here’s Paisley v.2. Just click on the kit to download it!

interNational Scrapbooking Day-Freebie Read More »

ABC Book Template

2 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking / carina

I’ve been working on this new hybrid ABC Book for a couple of days now. It’s a little present for my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day…shhhhh! Don’t tell! She even gave me a little time to work on it while she hauled my kids to the aquarium for a little “grammy” time yesterday. I had to share because I made this little book from MeadowLark™ and my new ABC Templates that will be out tomorrow at DHD. The mini illustrations are so sweet! Think Mother’s Day (or in my case, Grandma’s Day). The bonus? It’s pretty easy to make.

The templates all fit on a 4 in x 4 in photo (I get 4″x6″ photos printed at Costco and leave the extra space blank). All I did was take my “ABC photos” and dropped the templates on top (the digital kit comes with both white and black versions-52 files in all).

Once they are printed, you only have the fun part left! This little book is 5 in. x 5 in. You could make your book any size though. When I make my photos 4″ x 6″, I tend to make a 5 in” x 7 in” book. I was loving the black and white papers because it made the photos really pop. I added red ink to all the paper edges as an accent and some fun MME rub on letters to the cover (the other elements on the cover come from the MeadowLark™ die cut accessory sheets). Oh ya, and my favorite way to get things bound? A quick trip to OfficeMax to let them spiral bind it for me. I’m okay with the hand off on this part of it!

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Design House Digital Designer Blog Hop Freebie!

22 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

If this is the first post that you are hitting for the DHD Designer Blog hop, then you are in for a treat! If you’ve hit this blog from one of the other designer’s blog, then WELCOME! I’m happy to give you one more piece of the DHD Designer Blog Hop Freebie!

So what is the DHD Designer Blog Hop? It’s an opportunity for you to check out each of the Design House Digital designer blogs and get to know your favorite designers! And what better way to do it than by giving you a little freebie to boot? Well, little is maybe a bit of an understatement, heehe. To get the entire kit above (can you believe how big it is?) simply click on the icons below with the designer’s name and hop from blog to blog, downloading as you go! (Hint, if you just click on the right hand icons you’ll hit every designer going one way, if you click on the left hand icons, you’ll hit each designer going the other way!)

Download my 6 digital papers from this gorgeous kit by clicking on the icon below. I’m totally loving the colors (spring is calling to me!)! Enjoy!

While, I’m here, I ought to mention that I’ve made a few changes to the blog and studio sites. A little easier navigation system (if you want to see designs in fabric, paper, digital, and courses, all you have to do is click on DESIGNS & RELEASES now.) It’s also easier to find the free downloads and the newest releases (under DESIGNS & RELEASES). Check it out up top! And my final little bit of news is that the ladies over at My Mind’s Eye’s blog have been doing some FABULOUS stuff with my new Meadowlark™ line, so check it out if you get a chance!

Okay, ready pick up the rest of this delicious kit? Check out these designer’s blogs:

Design House Digital Designer Blog Hop Freebie! Read More »

It’s a Project Day

2 Comments / Digital Scrapbooking, My Minds Eye, Stuff I Love / carina

Ahhhhh! I love a good project day! I’m off the computer designing for a day (after finishing up my new collection Daisy Jane™ for DHD last night) and getting paint on my face! I found a steal of a deal at Tai Pan the other day, and it’s been waiting for me to give it a fresh coat of paint. Of course, Felicity helped as only a toddler can (that’s her little hand painting in the photo!). I’m also hoping to get out those new MeadowLark™ papers to work on a little project. That’s this afternoon (with the girls…they love a good art project as much as I do).

Speaking of projects, I have to show off these amazing projects by one of DHD‘s new Hybrid Decorators: Jane Beljo (click on her name to see more). These cards use the Baby Mine kit (proceeds go to a good cause—see the post below!). You can see her helpful hints for making her cards at Design House Digital (her first post is here).

Oh ya, and I’ve been meaning to give a little shout out to Hi Mountain Drug Store in Kamas, Utah. Our little family stopped by to see DHD’s Digi guru Gennifer Bursett on our way back from a spring break vacation last week. It’s no wonder that the burger joint there has won so many awards! I inhaled that delectable philly burger with the refreshing limeade in a ridiculous amount of time. Yes, my mouth is salivating just thinking of it. Gen, watch out…I may be back sooner than you’d like!

Okay, backing away from the computer now :).

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Winner of Color Kit 3 Giveaway is…

Design House Digital, Giveaways / carina

from random.org is Comment # 8

Rhadonda says:

Children truly are a gift and a blessing. Congrats to your sister. I will be back to buy the kit to help your sister. Hobby…..new to digital scrapbooking and loving it. I also love to sew and smock (kind of like embroidered hand stitch) little girl dresses. The new color kit looks awesome too. Thanks for the opportunity.

Congrats Rhadonda! I LOVE smocking (not doing it but looking at it:). You’ve won Color Kit #3. I’ll contact you to get you a link to download this fab kit! I know this giveaway was short notice, so thank you to everyone who participated! Be sure and check out DHD today and pick up Baby Mine or Color Kit 3 if you get a chance!

Winner of Color Kit 3 Giveaway is… Read More »

A Super Post- A Free Download, A Giveaway, and A Good Cause

18 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Giveaways, Stuff I Love / carina

I’d like to start with the good cause because, well, it’s the most exciting for me! My little sister SuiKim (pronounced “Sweet-Kim” without the “t”) and her husband Steve found out a couple of weeks ago that they have been chosen to adopt a little baby boy! I’m especially happy for SuiKim and Steve, who are just about the nicest, kindest couple of people around. They have spent most of their marriage wanting to have a child, and haven’t been as fortunate as many of us. If you’ve gone through this process, you know how heartbreaking and difficult it is. I’m so grateful that this opportunity has come for them and wanted to share my joy with you.

Without going into my family history, I’ll just tell you that my family as suffered a bit of heartache the last few years (a story for another time). Because of this SuiKim and Steve don’t have many financial resources. I wanted to help the best way I know how. So the digital kit above, BABY MINE, will go on sale on Thursday, April 8th, at Design House Digital with all the proceeds going to help pay for the adoption. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity in helping me get this new little family started. I’ll be sure to post pictures of the little one when he arrives (camera will be waiting in hand!). (BTW, the pic on the side is my sister Yanni (right), SuiKim (center holding Yanni’s son Tad), and me).

If you don’t digital scrapbook, or just want to help, I’ve included a donation box here for you to send money to them.

Please Donate To SuiKim and Steve’s Adoption

Powered by The-Online-Quest

Thanks again for all your help in this effort! I’m excited to see this little family get their first baby!

Okay, on to the next thing! A giveway. Yes, I know you like giveaways and I do too! Due to hit Design House Digital on Thursday is a new Color Kit. I’ve been getting emails about this, and FINALLY I got to it! Want to win it? All you have to do is leave me a little message in this post about your favorite hobby—Are you scrapbooker? Quilter? Avid crafter? Obsessive organizer? I love hearing about others’ obsessive need to create! I’m right there with you.

Here’s little peek at Color Kit 3. I’ll post the winner Thursday morning, bright and early so leave me some love sometime on Wednesday.

And finally, a little freebie for you! It’s a little party card download made from the Baby Mine kit. Use it for a birthday, baby shower, baby housewarming party, or (in my case) “Baby’s Here!” party. If you aren’t a “digital person,” no worries! This card is already positioned on an 8.5″ x 11″ paper so all you have to do is download and print. You may get a download window, or the image may appear in a new screen (if this happens just right click on it and SAVE IMAGE). It’s a high quality jpg that will print beautifully for you! Enjoy!

A Super Post- A Free Download, A Giveaway, and A Good Cause Read More »

Pinfeathers Sale

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Family, My Minds Eye / carina

I started this morning with an Easter egg hunt and brunch at my house with family. I was just thankful that weather’s little April Fool’s joke had mostly melted away. Brunch was still held inside, but we held the hunt in the backyard. I was just telling Siri how much I loved Easter egg hunts as a kid. I even remember one year we found eggs hanging on the tree in our front yard with all sorts of treats. My parents said they didn’t know who put the eggs up and the mystery made it even more wonderful. I was just thinking about it last week and realized that my PARENTS were the ones to have hung the eggs. I guess it only takes 20 years to figure something like that out.

I hope you are also enjoying your Easter weekend! We start spring break and I hope to spend most of my week just hanging out with the kids and having a little family holiday. A break is much needed!

Before I drop off for a week, I thought I’d better let you know about a couple of things. First is that at DHD there is a designer sale going on this weekend only on my PinFeathers Collection. You should check out the freebie, $1 item, and the 20% off that is happening Sat-Sun only (April 3-4).

Second, I wanted to mention that Meadow Lark is officially on sale at My Mind’s Eye. Go check it out! It’s part of the Spring Release that also includes So Sophie (which is to die for!) by Jen Allyson and Deena Rutter.

Pinfeathers Sale Read More »

Sick baby

2 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Family, Illustrator, Jessica Sprague, My Minds Eye / carina

I’ve been dealing with the croup for, well, not even the last 24 hours. My poor little toddler started hacking last night and got to a point where she couldn’t catch her breath. It was probably overly anxious, but Josh had dialed 911 before I knew what had happened. Of course, by the time the ambulance arrived, she was breathing steadily again. After a horrible night of sleep, lots of loads of laundry (because who knew all that gagging would result in so much vomit?), and an elevated fever, I ran her up in InstantCare. I’m in for the long haul for a couple of more nights.

Of course, my baby is most important, but during the periods of her little naps or Josh’s trips to McDonalds (that’s all she will eat right now-terrible, I know), I’m trying to stuff a few more things into my new Drawing Class currently being sold at Jessica Sprague (It’s also now being sold at a discounted price as a bundle with Illustrator 101). I also wanted to let you know that I will be doing a one time only WebCast for the class on April 15th for everyone who has registered. I’m excited for you to begin illustrating!

Here’s a few other things happening! Expect to see my new paper line, Meadow Lark, showing up from My Mind’s Eye soon! You’ll also like to know that you’ll be able to find two glitter books from me at Hobby Lobby and Michaels in the coming months. Yum Yum! And finally, I’m suppose to finish out this week by sending tons of files to China for my new Halloween paper line for My Minds Eye. I’ll announce it and give a peek as we get closer to summer releases!

Okay, one last thing before I run. This weekend, DHD is beginning their new designer releases, which begins with yours truly! Check it out because one of my kits will be free and a collection will be one sale. Oh, and I promised the decorators I’d get a Color Kit out. I promise, I’m working on it!

For now, I need to get back to tending my little one so we can be back on track for a festive Easter!

Sick baby Read More »

A New Illustrator Class: Tips and Tricks of Drawing

Jessica Sprague, My Minds Eye / carina

I know you’ve been waiting patiently! So I’m here to announce that my new Illustrator class for Jessica Sprague goes on sale on Monday! It will be available to take on April 1st. It’s a two week course of intensive drawing for beginners. I include two of my favorite tricks. I hope you enjoy this additional mini class for those of you learning how to illustrate your own work!

In other news, you are going to see two new glitter books from me soon (at Michaels and Hobby Lobby) and of course my new line for My Minds Eye, Meadow Lark™ which should be coming soon! Right now, I need to get back to work on refining my new Illustrator class. Here’s a link for a sneak peek! It’s the introduction to Lesson 1.

https://carinagardner.com/studio/INTRO.mov

**New info! The Illustrator 102 Drawing Class will be 10% off until April 1st. I will also be doing a special webcast for everyone who has registered before April 15th.

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Digital Art

Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking / carina

I’ve had numerous requests for these digital tidbits and I’ve finally had time to get them formatted for digital re-production! Tomorrow on DHD, the Alpha and C’est La Vie digital prints will be up for sale. I first showed them off last October when I was working on my daughter’s bedroom. I made the alpha set to go over their shelf (see in the pictures above). All you have to do is choose which color you want and print. Yep, it’s that easy (I can only handle east these days!) The C’est la vie print is hanging in my studio (no pictures yet as it is still a work in progress!) So be sure and check them out tomorrow in the shop!

Here’s a sneak peek:

Digital Art Read More »

$6 Sale For You

2 Comments / Design House Digital / carina

The March 365 Album is finally in the shop! And I have a coupon code for you. On Tuesday and Wednesday only, you can buy this $9.99 kit for $6 off! This 5 page album is really wonderful for 365 OR for any multipage layouts you want (and the grungy grids are soft and neutral all at the same time!). So drop this into your shopping cart and at check out be sure and enter this code:

$6 Sale For You Read More »

New Collaborative Collection with Crystal Wilkerson

Design House Digital, Jessica Sprague, Stuff I Love / carina

Just a quick drop in before I leave for a leprechaun hunt. Just wanted to let you know that I have a new collaborative collection on sale at Design House Digital and Jessica Sprague. OH BOY! was created with designer Crystal Wilkerson. I know you don’t see many boy kits out of me, so you’ll have to take advantage of it! As always, Thursday release days are 30% off (making getting the ENTIRE collection super cheap).

Hope you all like it! I have to run to my leprechaun lunch (hence the little man pb&j sandwiches). We don’t want them to get away!

New Collaborative Collection with Crystal Wilkerson Read More »

A Quick Hello

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Jessica Sprague / carina

Just dropping in for a quick hello! Sorry blog, just been so busy! The very best kind of busy. I’ve been working on Pinfeathers for Design House Digital (expect to see elements to the collection this week!). I’ve got a lovely new line coming out in paper with My Mind’s Eye coming out for Spring Release (think chic:)). I’ve also been working on a fabulous collaborative collection with Crystal Wilkerson which is bound to hit Design House Digital and Jessical Sprague this week. I’ve also made time for the FABULOUS weather we have been having here in Utah (bring on spring!). My neighbors may not say it is fabulous, but since we moved from Minnesota 2 years ago this is, well, pretty amazing! The girls and I have spent a bit of time outdoors and I’m hoping to break out my light blue Madsen Cycle this week to pick Siri up from school. I might have also stayed up extra late last night watching The Bachelor with friends (which always means staying up late!). Ahhh, some guilty pleasures simply cannot be given up!

Hope you are all doing well and that spring is coming to you too!

A Quick Hello Read More »

How to Create a Layout From A Quick Page or Album in Digital Scrapbooking

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking, Tutorials / carina

Here’s a easy 7 minute tutorial if you want to see how to use any of the quick albums. My quick pages and albums can be found at Design House Digital. This tutorial shows you how to drag and drop photos on pre-made quickpages, how to size and crop photos, and shows you some general use instructions for using albums. The video is 7 minutes long and is demonstrated in Photoshop CS3. If you are interested in the products used in this tutorial, the links are here:

The Ultimate Album-Mocha

Distressed Collection-Pastels

I hope this tutorial helps you so that you can make pages quickly when you are in a pinch! Want to watch it bigger? Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3VGn8Jlxow

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New Releases at DHD

Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking / carina

If you haven’t checked out the $1 Sale going at DHD, you are missing out! There are some fabulous things that are only $1 for the month of February. They will all go off sale to their original prices on March 1st. My very cool, super neutral Grungy Grid Papers are over there for $1 (normally $3.99). I’ll also have several things coming out a couple times a week so check it out (here’s the link to all the $1 items).

It’s also release day and I’ve got a new goodie to make my life easier: The Ultimate Album. It’s currently sold in two colors (blue and mocha) and have matching mask sets. I’m a mom who knows something about crazy busy and I made for myself some super simple layouts to reach for to scrap with when things are just too busy. For me, I’d rather get those photos into books (I can see myself doing a lot of back tracking with these albums…like all of 2008 and 2009!) so I have them then continue to leave them on the computer where no one can see them.

Today, I’m going to be finishing up decluttering my house and making cards for my upcoming Annual Chinese New Year Party. Oh, and hopefully get that red chandelier hung in my studio (the photo is of my office desk that I painted to turquoise and distressed over the weekend). The studio also got a rearrangement so that my kids can now easily scooter into the studio without hitting anything from the hall.

New Releases at DHD Read More »

Coolest Sale!

Design House Digital / carina

If you haven’t heard about it yet, I thought I’d better tell you about it! Design House Digital is having $1 Days for the entire month of February. That means new products everyday that premier for $1. All of the products will go back to regular price on March 1st. So go check it out!

Coolest Sale! Read More »

Bear With Me…

7 Comments / Design House Digital, Fabric, Family, Stuff I Love / carina

Bear with me as I take a moment to get a little personal. Today something wonderful happened to me. Something I have been waiting to happen for a long time. Today, I went into my day job as an Communications and Event Director and walked out as a freelance designer. I have been transitioning for the last several months in the job so I could design full-time from home.

And now, I can concentrate on other work: being a mommy, being a wife, and being a designer. I have managed to stretch myself too far these last few months, and now I have a chance to concentrate on the people and work I love the most.

What does this mean? More designs and projects from me, of course! I’ve been loving my new digital home with Jen Allyson at Design House Digital. Things are rocking along for my two new fabric lines, Coquette and Love Nest. I’ve got a lot of fun sewing projects waiting for me to get going on. We’ll also be opening a Carina Gardner™ Shop sometime this summer with limited supplies of the new fabric lines. I’m also planning some new classes for Jessica Sprague’s site. It’s a new year, and an exciting new time! I hope you join me as things get swinging around here! Check back for more giveaways, more releases, and well, just a whole lot more!

(BTW, the photos are from a modge podge project I did at a church activity with my Love Nest Glitter papers. I picked up the hearts from the Wood Connection in Salt Lake City. )

I’m going to spend my weekend getting my studio cleaned up, hanging that chandelier (I hope…this one’s on you, Josh), and painting. A perfect way to get things underway for my new life.

Bear With Me… Read More »

Giveaway Announced!

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Giveaways / carina

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Color Kit 2 Giveaway! It was such short notice and I loved seeing what you all liked from the new fabric line and from DHD. I will certainly be giving away more kits in the future and some fabric once I get orders in! So check back for that!

OKay, the winner is:

Donna says:

January 27, 2010 at 8:36 am (Edit)

I found you, and DHD purely by accident and had the Color Kit #1 in by Kaboodle for so long. Everytime I thought I had some spare change, I’d go back to it and contemplate buying it, but then would decide to wait and save a few more pennies. Well, I kept pulling up the page over and over again – the colors and simplicity just drew me in. I have in and purchased it and have not looked back. I’m in love with it! Now, I eagerly await every one of your editions to the Color Kit stuff. I got through 2009 365 about 75% before I ran out of steam. Here’s to 2010 – my 365 is going to rock your stuff!

Congrats Donna! I’ll be emailing you a link today for your downloading pleasure!

Thanks again to everyone who participated and I’m going to post pics a little later of my project with my Valentine’s Glitter Book Love Nest!

Giveaway Announced! Read More »

Project 365 Giveaway! Who Doesn’t Like Free?

27 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Giveaways, Scrapbooking / carina

I haven’t had a giveaway for a while so here’s one that only lasts a day! It starts NOW and ends Thursday morning at 9am Mountain Standard Time. It’s from my popular Design 365 Color Kit Series (yum, yum!) and is normally $9.99 in the store (but will be 30% off this Thursday only). I’m giving away Design 365 Color Kit #2 (see to the right) to someone who makes a comment on this post on their favorite fabric from my Coquette fabric line, which is will hit quilting stores this June OR their favorite digital kit of mine from Design House Digital.

I just started making layouts from this kit tonight and I’m pretty happy with how versatile it is. Here’s a layout made with only products from this kit I made of my daughter Flissa.

So just make a comment in this thread and I’ll do a happy random dance to tell you all the winner on Thursday morning.

Happy Scrapping! XOXOXO

Project 365 Giveaway! Who Doesn’t Like Free? Read More »

Valentine’s Day Card for Kids-Free Download

4 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Holiday Projects, Scrapbooking / carina

I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day. And while we are still three weeks away, I’ve got some great little projects put together for this very pink holiday. If you haven’t picked it up yet, the Love Nest glitter book is available at Hobby Lobby, and I’ll be doing a few projects with those papers and my new Affectionate papers at Design House Digital.

First up, getting my daughter’s Valentine’s Day Cards together. And you can download them too! These sweet little cards ar 3″ x 4″ and I’ve even already assembled them onto a 8.5″ x 11″ sizes paper for you. So all you have to do is print! I’ve made the boxes “chubby” for my kindergartner’s fat letters. We’ll cut them out and let her write on them in advanced.

You can also check out my Valentine’s Day Kiddie cards from 2009 (also a free download!) if you want lots of different cards (and birdies:). Those cards are also set up on a 8.5″ x 11″ paper so all you have to do is cut! Easy-peasy!

Valentine’s Day Card for Kids-Free Download Read More »

Affectionate

Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Holiday Projects, Scrapbooking / carina

Just wanted to give you a quick peek at the new Valentine’s Day line at DHD! It will 30% off tomorrow only. There are 5 packs and one mega pack. I’m just dreaming up all the neat hbrid projects I plan on doing with these papers and accessories (can anyone say Valentine’s Day Cards?).

Affectionate Read More »

Craft Project-How to Make an Easy Octopus Costume

1 Comment / Design Lessons, Digital Scrapbooking, Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Holiday Projects, Stuff I Love, Tutorials / carina

Yes, my daughter wanted me to make her an octopus costume for her birthday. So how could I refuse? I kept it simple by buying a t-shirt (with the gems already on it) and women’s long socks. Add some filling, a t-shirt transfer kit and my sewing machine and I was set. The only problem? Once I made one for my oldest daughter, I had to make a second one for my youngest daughter. Thankfully, it’s project that can be done in a couple of hours.

Here’s the basic idea. Take a t-shirt and iron-on one of my adorable octopus stickers. Or skip this step entirely. Then stuff 6 women’s socks with filling and sew them to the ends of the t-shirt. Grab a beanie hat (add a flower for fun) and put on a pair of shorts and a final pair of socks (so there are 8 legs in all). Instant octopus!

Want the full instructions and photos? Just download this pdf with my instructions for creating this easy craft project!

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Easy T-shirt Project-How to go from Digital Product to Iron-On

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Design Lessons, Holiday Projects, Stuff I Love, Tutorials / carina

Creating great projects from digital products is easy! For example, my daughter’s birthday party was last week and we did an underwater theme. So my gifts to all the little guests were mermaid shirts with matching hair color for each girl. My daughter wanted to be an octopus, so I simply ironed-on an octopus illustration I made onto the simple costume I created for her (to see how to make the octopus costume, please visit the octopus costume post).

So here’s how I created this cute little gift idea.

1. I bought a package of Dark T-shirt transfers and a few t-shirts in blue and dark pink. I picked them all up at Target but many places would have these goods.

2. Choose an illustration from your favorite digital kit…stickers work best because they are png (no background). I used my Tiny Mermaid line for this project.

3. Print your illustration onto your Transfer Sheet (follow the instructions from the back of tha package.). I just used my inkjet printer at home and bought inkjet transfers. If you want to maximize space, create a 8.5″ x 11″ document in Photoshop and place several stickers to cut out.

4. Cut out your printed transfer VERY CAREFULLY. Because it is on a dark T-shirt, you will want to cut out all the white and get as close to the edge of your design. For example, on the octopus sticker, I had to cut out a couple of the legs seperately because they were seperate from the body and I didn’t want white to show up between the legs.

4. Follow you transfer paper instructions to iron on the design to the t-shirt. For mine, I laid down a pillow case on a hard surface and laid a sheet of paper (provided by the iron-on packet I bought) down over the t-shirt and ironed for 1-2 minutes.

And that’s it! I great project that my children adore and made Siri’s party special.

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Project 365-January Album Kit Now on Sale!

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking / carina

I finally finished a full week of photos! I’m really liking the Project 365 challenge because I am starting to get a sense of what kind of album I’m going to end up with this year. You can sort of see it in this layout—an album full of details, not just the big events and some real insight into what we do as a family.

The one thing that is going to be tricky is keeping the layouts neutral so that the photos shine. I’m using my Distressed White on White papers here. And just to make my life easier, I went ahead and finished out all my layouts ahead of time for the entire month of January so all I have to do is insert the photos and journaling.

One thing I’m noticing is that along with the 365, I want to do pullouts of events. So I created myself 4 layouts for multiple photos that are just for those events (siri’s birthday party, ice skating, and sledding). I wanted them to match my 365 layouts, so I used the Distressed White on White papers for them as well.

And if life is crazy, busy (when isn’t it?), you can just pick up my new January album (released today at 30% off) and insert your own photos without the hassle of actually making the layout. How easy was that?

I’m just glad that for the rest of January all I’ll be doing is snapping photos!

Want to check out my 365 challenge at DHD? Go here.

As for me, I’m working on getting together a new instruction pdf for you on how to make my easy-to-make octopus costume. Sounds silly? My six year old does have some silly demands and sometimes her mama gives in. Keep you posted!

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Project 365-I’m On It!

Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking / carina

When I decided to head the Project 365 at Design House Digital, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. First off, remembering to take a picture every day is a little harder than I thought it would be! Secondly, I am really proud of myself for moving forward with this—more than I thought I would be. I am excited to really have an entire year of photos of my family wrapped up in a sweet little book. It gives me the opportunity to really give my children something that they will love and enjoy and I can reminisce about in years to come.

Want to check out my 365 Challenge? Go straight to the forums here or go to the DHD blog post here.Want to see my first layout blog post? Go here.

So here’s my first layout of my first two days (I am choosing to do layouts by week-Sunday through Saturday. So this is Friday and Saturday Jan 1-2.) of 2010. The great thing about me doing the layouts is that I am making all of these great little papers and elements for myself to use (and then, of course sharing with you!). I found myself really wanting subtle neutral backgrounds so that my photos could speak for themselves. I also wanted to do a alot of journaling which resulted in journaling and timeline kits. More layouts of 365 coming soon!

I also wanted you all to know that DHD has decided to have two release dates during January! Now you will see new releases on Thursday AND Monday. All the new releases those two days will be 30% off. How fab is that? DHD released 70 kits today! It’s that nuts?It’s only been open 6 days and there are 210 products in the shop.

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New Year’s Resolutions-A Day Late

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Design Lessons, Digital Scrapbooking, Fabric, Family, Illustrator, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love / carina

I’m just getting around to posting my New Year’s Resolutions. Not that they aren’t the same as most of yours…get in shape, give more time to myself, my family, document our lives (I’m hosting a 365 at DHD)…yada, yada, yada. Mostly, I just wanted to post because I am so EXCITED for 2010. It’s going to be a fun year. I can feel it. And I hope it will be for you too.

Here’s what’s on the horizon for designwork this year:

* Two fabric lines will hit quilting shops this year. Coquette will arrive in quilting stores in June (call your quilt shops this month to ask if they will be stocking this beautiful line from Northcott!) and Love Nest will come out later in the year. All of the fabric samples are up for your viewing pleasure!

* A brand new Carina Gardner™ Shop will be opening up! We will be offering limited quantites and fat quarters of the new fabric line and will also eventually carry all kinds of goods from my designs in scrapbooking and fabric. The Shop is set to open in June 2010. I’ll have more information on it as it gets closer.

* I’m at a new digital shop! This has already happened but it is such an exciting venture for me as I get to participate in Jen Allyson’s newest venture! She’s a pleasure to know and a fabulous designer! I think you’ll see that Design House Digital will be the fastest growing digital shop in 2010. It already has had some astonding traffic! I’m just proud to be apart of such a wonderful group.

* I’m pleased to be teaching again. It’s been two years since I stopped teaching at the University of Minnesota. I never thought that teaching would happen to fast for me again. You can find my newest adventure with Jessica Sprague teaching a self paced course—Illustrator 101.

* Keep checking back for my Paper Lines with My Mind’s Eye. I’m sure we’ll have several in the works this year.

And while there might now be a bullet point on this one, if you know me, there will be plenty of other good things happening in 2010 on this blog. I’m already working on a great craft project for my daughter that I’m excited to share with you (give me a week to finish it up!)! And with all the fabric hitting my studio in May, you know we will be sewing like MAD around here!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend and may you be happy in 2010!

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Clipping Mask Tutorial in Photoshop Elements

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Tutorials / carina

It’s the opening of Design House Digital today. Check out the plethora of new products I have over there. Oh ya, and a couple of tutorials! Check out my clipping mask tutorial (you can also watch it below) and a little bit of design theory (a little lesson on the Golden Mean) to boot!

You might also want to check out the amazing 30% off sale going on at DHD this weekend on the ENTIRE shop. It’s a heck of a deal! Nice Grand Opening, eh?

I’m also pretty excited because my class at Jessica Sprague starts today!!!! Hooray for Illustrator 101!

I hope you are having a very happy first day of the year! I’m looking forward to 2010!

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A Merry Christmas To You From Me

2 Comments / Design House Digital, Family, Holiday Projects / carina

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas/Holiday weekend! I just barely (gulp!) got my Christmas Cards mailed (as shown here:)) and have had some time to reflect on what a wonderful and exciting year it has been for my family. I have been talking to my girl Jen today and I am just amazed at how excited I feel everyday for the things happening in my life. There are too many things to name, but certainly one of those things is going to Design House Digital with Jen. She has officially announced herself as a designer and as the brain behind the site today (go check it out!). We have more designer announcements to come and I’m just happy to be a part of such a spectacular crew.

I’m also getting more and more excited for 2010! I have so many things in the works right now for fabric, online classes, and more! Everyday is so exciting for me. Thank you for keeping in touch and I hope that in this holiday season you are also happy, healthy, and of good cheer!

Merry Christmas!

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Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody, Everywhere

1 Comment / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Fabric, Family, Scrapbooking / carina

Which is what we have been singing at our house for the last couple of days. First, because I think a spick-n-span house for Christmas is nice and second because my girl Jen (aka: the project girl) is coming into town tomorrow! I even bought some fantastic green boxes from IKEA and got my studio organized (quite a task since I have had a dozen projects all over the floor and desk). We have a tradition of going to the Cheesecake factory when she comes into town for some girl time.

I’m doing the happy dance right now because I’m so excited to see her!

The cleaning hasn’t stopped at our house…you should check out my studio site as it is completely updated with all my new ventures coming in 2010. I will be getting up the fabric samples for the line Coquette in a couple of weeks and you’ll see all my secret digital stashes coming out at Design House Digital in just 2 weeks!

Today the girls and I will be putting together our neighbor gifts and will have the download and photos of our project up tomorrow (yes, I’m sharing my download with you!:)). It’s all about easy elegance this year.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season! Can you believe Christmas is around the bend?

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Sweet Update

1 Comment / Fabric, Family, Holiday Projects, Illustrator / carina

Thank you to everyone for the positive response to the Illustrator class! I’m excited for you guys to all get your hands on it!

I’ve had a design marathon this week trying to get together some Christmas lines. I also found out that two new fabric lines are in the the works (yes, and I know you haven’t even seen Coquette yet). A line called Soiree and another called Love Nest. The artwork from Love Nest will all come from the Glitter Book currently sold at Hobby Lobby. So you have a mini preview by just flipping open one of those books.

In the midst of of all this , the girls and I made gingerbread houses today. Nothing like the good-ole-store-bought gingerbread kits for me….what, you expect me to make it by hand? Hey, I’m not superwoman! So, we had a wonderful time messing up the kitchen and leaving most of it for Josh to clean up.

Okay, done with the blog break and getting back to it!

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There Are Going to Be Some Changes Around Here! Illustrator Class & New Digital Scrapbooking Site!

8 Comments / Design House Digital, Design Lessons, Digital Scrapbooking, Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Illustrator, Scrapbooking, Tutorials / carina

It’s a season of change around my house. Josh started work with a new law firm, Siri has lost tooth number 2, Felicity has been trying out her new potty, and I’ve got some great new projects in the works. The first is this brand new online class for Illustrator, which goes on sale TODAY at Jessica Sprague.com! After teaching Illustrator at DSE, this last September, I was overwhelmed by the number of people asking for an online course. So here it is folks! A four week long Illustrator course that is completely self-paced and easy to use. The videos are broken into smaller tasks so it’s easy to go back to a tutorial. I’ve also included 3 Bonus lessons, digital scrapbooking kits, and vectors in the course.

While I created this course initially for digital scrapbookers, I would recommend it to anyone who is even thinking about getting into design. I’ve incorporated everything I would teach on Illustrator in a university-level introductory graphic design course.

So want to see what the class is going to be all about? Go straight to the Jessica Sprague site to see the introduction video, purchasing information, and the Lesson break downs. You can also go to YouTube to see the video. I recommend watching the video because it will show you a short tutorial of a class lesson along with everything you will need (aka technology requirements) to take the course.

With all change, there is also some sad news. I have decided to move my digital scrapbooking store from Two Peas. You will still be able to find all of my 2008-2009 digital designs there, but I will be moving to a new store come January 1st, 2010.

I’m pretty excited to have been asked to come to the new store (which isn’t even open yet) because it will be site with designers that are so amazing! The name of the site is Design House Digital (http://www.designhousedigital.com/) and the list of designers going there is UNBELIEVABLE! I can’t spill anything yet, but you ought to check out the place holder blog to grab the newsletter freebie (it’s FABULOUS!). And while you are at it, sign up for twitter https://twitter.com/designhousedigi since I was told that people will get updated with the new freebies and store updates there.

Well, that’s it for now. I’m working away at a christmas line for fabric and paper and enjoying my little ones during this holiday season. Hope you are having a happy December too!

There Are Going to Be Some Changes Around Here! Illustrator Class & New Digital Scrapbooking Site! Read More »

Christmas Calendar Cones—Free Download

14 Comments / Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Holiday Projects / carina

I promised a Christmas goodie and here it is! An advent calendar that you simply clip to a line. Add treats to the cones so your little ones can take one out everyday. This is a LARGE download because all of the 8.5 inch x 11 inch files are PRINT READY (300 dpi).

All you need to do is print (I printed from my home printer) and cut out. Tape each piece into a cone shape and hang on a line by clipping with a laundry clip. I hung 4 strings in one of our front room windows and clipped 6 cones (and seven on the last one) across the string.

I’ve also included a Santa that you can stick in the cones to show your kids what day it is.

We’re getting in the Christmas spirit at our house: We’ve got our tree up and we are heading for the Heber Creeper (AKA The Polar Express) tomorrow for my birthday. I think the kids will love it (which means I will love it…there is nothing quite like the excitement of children at Christmas). Go ahead and download this goodie and it’s okay if you get it up a few days late…your kids will still love it!

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25% Off Sale

1 Comment / Digital Scrapbooking, Family, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love, Two Peas in a Bucket / carina

I can’t believe it is the week of Thanksgiving! My, how time flys! I have two events to report. The first is that my 2 year old and 5 year old officially started fighting over who got what cereal box to look at as they ate breakfast this morning. Do you remember doing that as a kid? I mean, what was so GREAT that we all had to stare at the back of the cereal box at 7:00am in the morning?

The other big event is that Siri has her first loose tooth! I officially feel old (although it may just be the impending 30th birthday that is one week away).

In celebration of just, well, life…my digital scrapbooking store at 2pe as is having a 25% off sale all this week. Yep, all 213 products. Not a bad deal.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’m planning on lounging in pjs for the parades and then an early family dinner. Oh, and I have a great Christmas project I am working on this week that I will post over the break! Yes, that means some free goodies for you! So stop by between your shopping schedule for a great download.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Spider’s Web Papers – Batty Wreath

20 Comments / Digital Scrapbooking, Holiday Projects, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love, Two Peas in a Bucket / carina

Halloween is just a week away and I finally have finished my Spider’s Web Bat Wreath. I used my paper version (produced by My Mind’s Eye), but you can also pick it up digitally. I picked up this wreath from Michaels. These twig wreaths are relatively inexpensive ($4, I believe). I then had my silhouette machine cut out these bats for me. I few hot glue gun sticks later, and I was in business!

My kids are going to be a witch and a pumpkin this year (if I can convince her). We are in a new neighborhood, and I excited for the kids to trick-or-treat in this super kid-friendly street.

Hope you have a happy halloween!!!!!

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Love Nest at Hobby Lobby – Glitter Happy!

2 Comments / Digital Scrapbooking, Fabric, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love, Two Peas in a Bucket / carina

It’s glittery and oh, so pretty! My darling Love Nest Glitter Pad that you can grab exclusively at Hobby Lobby! This is my first glitter pad and I am so excited about all the projects I have waiting for me! There are 18 patterns and 54 papers in all! You can also grab the digital versions of Love Nest (for all you digital scrapbookers!!!) in the Sweetheart, Love Nest, and Love Nest 2 Paper Sets (although some designs have been changed for print). You like this in paper? I’m going to let you in on a little secret…I’m currently getting love nest ready for FABRIC! Northcott will be producing the line (which takes a year to manufacture so this is very early news indeed), but I wanted you to look forward to this happy little line that I will certainly be making lots of little girl’s goodies out of!

Oh, and I haven’t forgotten about Halloween. In fact, I already finished my batty wreath using Spiders web…just need to get around to taking a picture of it! Spider’s Web can be picked up in digital or paper.

Love the Spider’s Web line? Be sure and check out the My Mind’s Eye Blog! They’ve added some of the most adorable projects on that site using the line including some scrap-happy layouts and a haunted house fold out album! It’s all so very yummy!

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I am…

Digital Scrapbooking, Fabric, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love / carina

…getting settled in my new house.

…loving my new dark wood floors.

…finishing up love nest for fabric (BTW, you can now find love nest in a glitter pad at Hobby Lobby!).

…admiring the awesome new Halloween projects on My Mind’s Eye blog.

…finally ordering myself the Cirrus flatware set that I supposedly got for Mother’s Day.

…loving that the holiday season has commenced (new digi stuff for the holidays from me here).

I am… Read More »

The Digital Scrapbooking Experience

7 Comments / Design Lessons, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love, Two Peas in a Bucket / carina

Finally! After a crazy two days I have a chance to write about DSE! Thursday afternoon I taught an Illustrator class at the Digital Scrapbooking Experience in Provo, Utah. Jen Allyson flew in from San Francisco to help me out.

I had a WONDERFUL time with the students! After teaching 5 years of college, I had completely forgotten how wonderful it was teach students who are eager to learn (and everyone in my class was!). Thank you ladies + Gary for participating in my class! I’m glad I did it because it opened my eyes to what people can do with a little bit of education on the programs. I’m constantly asked about becoming a designers and I may have just had my eyes opened to some new possibilities for these people. I’ll let you know on the developments.

I also hosted a table with a cute little flower make-and-take, candy, and my papers from My Minds Eye (and if you haven’t figured it out yet, papers that get printed can also be bought DIGITALLY from me). Jennifer Allyson and Garden Girl Gennifer Bursett both helped me. In fact, I probably owe Ms. Gennifer since I managed to forget my camera and I all these photos are hers! I showed off my digital book that was printed from My Pic Tales and Silhouette Machine, which made all my make-and-takes (and I couldn’t live without at this point!).

You can make our make and takes too! All you need to do is go to the Paper Flower Wreath post and download the pdf. The flower shape we used can be used as a pattern and hand cut out, or I also provide .gsd files for you to use on your own silhouette. Here’s photos of Jen and Gen sporting the barrette version you could make. We also had laundry clips and pipe cleaner for attaching to badges or making wristlets. The papers we used for the table all came from my Paris and Co. and Bella Bella Paper Pads that can be bought exclusively at ACMoore.

Some of my favorite moments at DSE? I loved meeting the other instructors (I was so happy to see Crystal Wilkerson there!), I throughly enjoyed Jessica Sprague’s Keynote address, and (my most favorite moment of all) when one of my students (of whom I will refer to as the “Atlanta Gelato Queen”) slipped a chocolate gelato onto a box I was carrying out.

Thanks for all the fun everyone! I could only go to one day of DSE (sorry everyone! I just couldn’t get up there yesterday and today is packed!) because we closed on our house yesterday! Yippeee!!!!!! And now, the work begins…or might I say, the true Project Mania begins! September might end (and I have a few projects yet to finish up!) but in October I’ll be posting all my house fix ups.

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Printing a Digital Book

Design Lessons, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking / carina

I finally did it! I printed my very first digital scrapbook. I remember when I use to explain digital scrapbooking to people, they’d say, “Digital?…does that mean you just look at them on the computer?” And I’d have to tell them you could but the point is to have it printed and have a BOOK. I mean, it is called scrapBOOKing even if there is the word “digital” in front of it.

So after not quite 2 years as a digital designer, here I am with my very first book. I kept it really cohesive by only using certain colors and elements. I stuck to the Sproutlets papers & accessories, the Imprints collection, and the PhotoCuts collection. I was COMPLETELY impressed with the quality of the book (even the hard bound outside looked AMAZING). I had it printed at My Pic Tales. I’ll be sure to be doing a lot of printing with them in the future. I need to do a few books for Christmas and senidng out for books through these guys was a snap!

I got the book just in time for DSE, Digital Scrapbooking Experience! If you haven’t registered for Tips and Tricks in Illustrator, but are attending the event, you can register at the door. I’m also gearing up for Digit Alley on Thursday night. We’ll be doing a fun make-and-take at my table. I’ve been busily having my lovely silhouette cut out little flowers for me. Another surprise? Jen Allyson will be showing up to help me with the class and the make-and-take table!

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