With all the new fabric files hitting my Silhouette Shop, I thought it would be helpful for you to see how I sew with the Sewable Interfacing. I show you a couple of my tricks for sewing with the stuff and how I set up my mat. Enjoy! -Carina
Episode 8: How to Use Sewable Interfacing with your Silhouette Machine Read More »
I love costumes that are homemade and quick to put together. You may remember Siri’s favorite Octopus Costume that was made from socks and a t-shirt. For Halloween this year, my kids chose costumes with stuff we already had around the house and in the dress up clothing. Felicity will be a little Chinese girl, and Siri asked to be Medusa. Other than making a snake tiara for Siri, it’s going to be an easy year for costumes at our house!
Charlie is going to wear this little skeleton bones outfit that I made using my Silhouette machine. You can get my new Skeleton Bones diecut for this in the Silhoutte Shop for 99 cents! Not a bad price for a costume if I do say so myself.
I have tips for working with this diecut on my extremely-oh-so-very official silhouette page here: https://carinagardner.com/silhouette/. Susan and I are hoping to tape a video for that page sometime next week to teach you a few awesome things about your machine! Be on the lookout for that!
And if you are looking for more from me, this week we also released the following diecuts (for 99 cents as always!)
Halloween Skeleton Bones (above)
Cupcake Pencil Case
Monster Pencil Case
Halloween Bat Accordion Album
Sweet Life Accordion Album
Dahlia Fabric Flower
Monster Life Set 1
Monster Life Set 2
Monster Life Set 3
Fabulous Frame Set 1
Will show you a little more on the pencil cases soon! What are your kids going to be for Halloween?
Carina
Easy Costumes on a Budget Read More »
That’s right! My big news this week is you can now find my diecutting files at silhouetteamerica.com. How cool is that?
This week was the first week we placed files on the silhouette site. You’ll see this darling halloween scalloped bag, fabric flowers, the my life album set, and more! Yesterday I put together a myriad of new projects for the shop that will come out next week! More fabric stuff and great paper shapes. And some monster surprises for Halloween.
Speaking of Halloween, I thought I would point you in the direction of some happy Halloween fun.
Last year, I did a Witch and Wizard Party. It’s fun, full of ideas and was a total blast. Photos and inspiration here: https://carinagardner.com/2012/10/17/witch-and-wizard-party-kids-halloween-party/
And of course, there has been the ever popular free banner download that I hung on my piano: https://carinagardner.com/2010/09/10/how-to-make-a-halloween-banner-free-download/
If you want ideas of easy bat art and free silhouette cutouts (and a video to boot!), there are free silhouette files here: https://carinagardner.com/2012/08/15/episode-4-all-hallows-eve-decor-video/
Want to make a batty wreath? Here’s the free pattern to make it: https://carinagardner.com/2009/10/23/spiders-web-papers-batty-wreath/
Last but not least, the Halloween Advent class is on sale for $3. That’s right! Take advantage of this sale while your can! http://www.carinagardnershop.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=162&category_id=37&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2
Going to get up all my Halloween decorations this week! Wish me luck!
Carina
Carina Gardner Silhoutte Diecutting Files Now at SilhouetteAmerica.com Read More »
Have I mentioned that there are digital diecutting files in the shop? Oh ya, I don’t think I have.
When I opened the shop last March, we were so busy trying to figure out how to run a retail shop (not an easy endeavor!), that I didn’t have time to actually design many diecutting files.
That’s officially changed. We have been uploading lots of great new files in the shop and you can get your hands on some free diecuts. We change these out pretty often so grab them when you can!
We also implemented a brand new category called NEW DIECUTS. We should be releasing new diecuts every Tuesday so be sure and check that category for the brand-spankin’ new goodies!
The diecuts come as a zip download and is available immediately (free diecuts can take up to 24 hours to show up in your inbox). It includes several files including svg, ai, jpg, dxf, png, and pdf. Yep, we’ve got you covered for whatever machine you are using. Don’t have a machine? That’s why we put in a jpg and png. Simply cut it out.
Probably my favorite product right now are the MY LIFE folder inserts.I plan on cutting some out for my kid’s school folders. I’m also going to play around with making them smaller (they are sized for 8.5 x 11 folder—be sure to use the svg file to keep your size from shrinking). I think they would make a darling album!
I’m actually working on next weeks digital die cutting files right after this blogpost. What are some diecuts you’d like to see?
Happy Crafting!
Carina
Silhouette Files at CarinaGardnerShop.com Read More »
I just got back from CHA yesterday and am hoping to have photos up of all the scrapbooking goodness up sometime next week. In the meantime, I am so excited to announce that Evening Blooms™ has now hit quilt shops! This is my first black and white line. I also threw in a fun gray and yellow colorway to mix it up a little.
To top it off, I have a free quilt pattern for you! I was inspired by the colorways to create a vintage camera quilt pattern. You can grab the instructions, yardage information, and pattern from the shop here. This pattern is for intermediate quilters (there are a lot of tiny pieces).
I should have more projects to show you with this fabric line because I am making many of the patterns for Fabric Fest (sneaking up on me!). Below you can see my Siri-girl dressed up in the Love Nest Ruffle Dress with her look-alike doll in the Little Love Nest Ruffle Dress. It’s always refreshing to see the patterns in new fabric!
As always, I have a lookbook for you for this fabric line. Check it out here: https://carinagardner.com/fabric/evening-blooms-fabric/
Carina
Evening Blooms Fabric Collection Read More »
While I’ve been at Quilt Market, my new line Well Played was announced at Carta Bella! I”m so excited for this scrapbook line! It’s modern and upbeat! It’s game board inspired but has enough great patterns in it for everyday use. I plan on using it for all my kid layouts. Hoping to get a chance to play with it this week.
This line ships in June. Check out the whole line (and the awesome sticker sheet) here.
XOXO,
Carina
And the winner of the Little Playdate Sample outfit by random selection is Alisinwnderlnd.
Alisinwnderlnd says:
Cute! Love! Oh wait, you mean my daughter. She says they are adorable and her “Diamond” and “Kit” would be darling in them. (I wish you could hear her voice saying this–too cute.)
Congrats Alisinwnderlnd! I will be sending you an email tonight to get your address so we can send it right off to you!
Thank you everyone who entered. Susan has been preparing our next giveaway for you and I’m hoping to have it up this week! So check back for more yumminess!
Carina
Winner of the Little Playdate Outfit Sample Read More »
Tomorrow we end the Wallpaper Giveaway and today we start the instagram giveaway! Persnickety Prints is offering up 50 4×4 prints to one winner who posts something that inspires them! It could be anything—a favorite quote, a beautiful moment you capture of a child, something you have made—we want to feel inspired! Make sure and add #carinagardnergiveaway to your post so you are entered! We’ll randomly choose one person to win on April 8th (next Monday!). Enter as many times as you want! Can’t wait to see your photos!
Make sure and follow @carinagardner and @persnicketyprints if you get a chance!
Hugs,
Carina
Instagram Giveaway Starts Today! Read More »
+4 ROLLS OF PRE-PASTED PVC FREE WALLPAPER (Covers 8 ft W x 8 ft 3in L)
+2 SAMPLES
+ SHIPPING
Good luck! We’ll post the winner on facebook at 5pm MST!
Last Day to Enter the Wallpaper Giveaway! Read More »
It’s finally here! After several delays, I am finally opening my online shop! It’s been a lot of late nights, stocking inventory, and video taping classes, but I’m so excited to offer some of my products all in one place.
I’m probably most excited for the release of my new Wallpaper Collections! I created a lookbook to make it easy to glance through our offerings of wallpaper. We plan on having a quarterly release of new wallpapers so be sure to check back often to see this home decor candy!
I would love to know what your favorites are and what types of wallpapers you are interested in seeing in the future. No promises…but I am curious!
We also have an awesome color customization service available with our wallpapers. So if you don’t see the right color or if you want a color match, we can do a color match to Pantons for $15 per color. Read a little more about it in our FAQ.
Of course, since it is a Grand Opening, we had to make it grand, right? So here is the grand sale going on in the shop for the first month!
* 75% off Illustrator Basics CS6 Course 1
* 20% off my 2012 Fabrics
* 20% off my Sewing Patterns
* 20% off my NEW Digital DieCutting Files **Please note the diecuts will not be available for a few more days so we can fine tune the download process.
*20% off Template Design and Fabric Design Classes
and
* 20% off my NEW Wallpaper Collections!
The sale goes on until April 30th, 2013! And to top it off, we are doing some AMAZING giveaways over the next month as well.
We are kicking it off by giving away 4 ROLLS OF PRE-PASTED PVC FREE WALLPAPER + 2 SAMPLES + SHIPPING. This giveaway is worth $331.00! This wallpaper will cover an 8′ x 8’3″ wall.
In order to be entered into this giveaway, you need to create an account/register in our new shop. That’s it! We’ll draw a name from everyone who has registered and the winner will be announced on facebook on April 2, 2013!
Throughout the month, we have some fabulous giveaways on Instagram, Facebook, the Blog, and on the Shop site. Some from us and some from our favorite folks! You’ll have to check back to see what we are doing because it’s going to be a good month.
Make sure you enter the wallpaper giveaway!
Cheerio!
Carina
Grand Opening and Wallpaper Giveaway! Read More »
There is so much awesomeness happening at Carta Bella these days. So to kick off the awesomeness, I am giving about 3 kits each of True Friends and Well Traveled on Instagram. To enter, just follow @carinagardner on your Instagram feed and add a comment to the “Instagram Giveaway” photo. Invite a friend and you may both win. How cool is that?
Winners will be announced on Friday, Feb 8th!
For a little added fun, I’m also going to give away 3 So Noted Kits! To enter into this drawing, you need to leave a comment on my facebook page . Tell me which is your favorite paper from the line! Winners will also be announced on Feb 10th for this giveaway. How fun is that?
Instagram Giveaway & Facebook Giveaway Read More »
I’m back from Winter CHA in Anaheim and a sweet family trip to Disneyland. I’m trying to wrap my head around all the things that are about to happen this coming month. You should check out this link for a peek of things to come.
But back to the things that are NOW. You’ll want to check out Carta Bella’s new releases, namely True Friends, Well Traveled, So Noted, and Cool Summer. I’m so ecstatic about our spring line up. And if you are one of the lucky ones to have Devoted, I’d horde it if I where you. We’re nearly out and not reprinting it. I didn’t even see it in RL (that would be Real Life) until CHA because I had my head buried in my computer keyboard for 2 months.
Now, I’m home, snuggling my baby, hanging out with my girls, and excited for all the new good, stuff to come. 2013 is going to be wonderful.
More on just how wonderful later.
Carina
PS That is Mr. Lindsay Moore himself in the photo above…if you where wondering who I was hanging out with.
Back from Winter CHA Read More »
In the midst of the Carta Bella madness, I took a break and went to (and sponsored) Becki Crosby’s Smashball (you know her as the genius behind Whippy Cake). Susan, aka the fab assistant, so graciously came along with me for a night of scrapping and gabbing. I pulled the camera out so rarely throughout the night that I fear that you will be better served by instagram (@carinagardner). Don’t have an instagram account? Check out the feed on my sidebar.
Here’s what I did catch:
Table disaster or creative chaos?
This just makes me laugh. Susan is to my left and Becki to my right. I shouldn’t post it but I.can’t.help.myself.
The cute gal who won one of my giveaways (3 sewing patterns and 3 yards of Songbird fabric) and a pictures of Becki’s AMAZING swag bags. There might have been a little something in there from me…
This girl has so much energy.
Quite the group
It was fun to meet new smashers and reunite with old acquaintances (I had lunch with Rhonna Farrer four years previously when I started at Two Peas…it was SO fun to see her again!).
Thanks ladies for the fun night and for pulling me away from my computer!
Carina
Smashball 2012—Utah Edition Read More »
Happy One-Day-Before-Thanksiving! As I write, I’m brining my monstrous turkey. I’m 12 hours into it and need to go pick up more ice to keep it happy until tomorrow morning.
My Pre-Thanksgiving present to you is another episode with Lindsay and myself showing you how to make an advent calendar using the Christmas Day™ and Merry and Bright™ collections from Carta Bella. There’s also a fabulous giveaway (as always). To enter the giveaway, you need to go here.
Ready to make this advent calendar yourself? DOWNLOAD THE ADVENT CALENDAR PRINTABLES.
Here’s Episode 5! Enjoy!
Carina
UPDATE: Carina also shared this tutorial using the printable for giftcards on Good Day Utah FOX 13 News on December 23, 2012. You can see that video here:
Christmas Advent Calendar—Free Download and Printable Read More »
Saturday I threw a Witch & Wizard Party for my kids. I have to admit that I didn’t come up with the idea. My niece Caroline gave Siri a card inviting her to a pretend witch party a couple of months ago(which btw never happened). But the idea got stuck in my girls’ heads, and they asked if we could have a witch party. How could I say no?
This party was relatively easy to plan and prepare for. I used a few of my own ideas as well as ideas I found online. I’ve given you links and recipes here in case you decide you want to have your own witch party.
(WARNING: This is a photo-heavy post and if you show your kids, they WILL want a Halloween party too!)
The main activity for this party was potion-brewing. “Making potions” has been a popular activity in our family ever since Siri read Ivy and Bean. There is something so magical for kids about mixing, pouring, stirring, and imagining up spells! Grandma and cousins all have been into the “potion-making,” which has sometimes resulted in the most amazing messes. If you want an activity that your kids will completely adore, you will want to try potion-making at your party!
DECORATE
I basically created two areas for this party: the game area and the potion brewing station. The games were played on a quilt under a tree in our backyard and the potion station was on the patio. Here are some of the highlights:
1. My new favorite idea: Using wrapping paper as a table cloth. I used a black and white polka dot that I found at Home Goods. The great thing about this paper? Also great for other parties that are not halloween themed.
2. I purchased a couple of skulls from my local craft store to place on the tables for added “spookiness.”
3. I dislike silk flowers except at Halloween. These black hydrangeas were cute on the food table.
4. I used my Carta Bella All Hallow Eve’s Line for place mats. Easiest place mats ever! Add a Swizzle spoon (usually for cocktails…I got mine from the World Market) and a green glass bowl (aka caldron) from Tai Pan Trading and we are ready to mix!
5. I used glass vases I had from around the house and mixed in some little bottles with corks from Michaels and more green bottles from Tai Pan Trading. I placed them all in the center of the table with the skulls and some flowers.
6. I set up a quilt and decorative crepe paper balls (purchased at Tai Pan Trading) under a tree for all our games and activities. Plus, it felt way more witchy!
7. I used a number of different food colorings to make the potions more inviting. Just pour a single drop of food coloring at the bottom then pour in water.
8. This fancy feathered own is a witch or wizard’s best friend. Purchased at Michaels.
(Photo above) Paper from All Hallow’s Eve is used as a place mat for potion brewing. (Photo below) The table is set with all the potions in the center of the table and food on a side table. Siri, Felicity, and Eva check out the bottles before the rest of the guests arrive.
EAT
There is nothing like kid-friendly food that is as fun to look at as it is to eat. Here’s what we had:
1. Bloody worm tonic. Recipe: Sprite + Maraschino cherry syrup + Pick with a gummy worm
2. Mummy hot dogs with baby carrots. The Mummy hot dogs are made from puffed pastry wrapped around hot dogs.
3. Witch Cupcakes. Idea from of Martha Stewart.
4. Candy Corn flower Cupcakes. This is a simple way to decorate your cupcakes with m&ms and candy corn.
5. Microwave Witch Carmel Corn (Recipe below) I used All Hallow’s Eve stickers on the bags.
6. Oreo spiders.
MICROWAVE WITCH CARMEL CORN RECIPE
Ingredients
4 Microwavable bags of Blast O Butter Popcorn
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margerine
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 tablespoons of black food dye
M&Ms
Instructions
Pop the popcorn using the instructions on the bag. Place all the popcorn in a large brown paper bag.
Over medium heat, mix all the other ingredients except the M&Ms. Once everything is combined, cool for a few minutes (2-5 minutes).
Pour syrup over the popcorn in the bag. Roll down the top once or twice to close the bag, and shake to coat the corn. Dump the popcorn out onto waxed paper, and let cool until coating is set. Store in an airtight container.
GAMES
To make life easy, this party was kept simple by starting with games on the quilt, moving to the potion station on the patio, then having dinner (also at the potions table), and then ending with a movie in the house (we watched The Nightmare Before Christmas).
1-3. BINGO: We played Bingo using the Haunted Digital Bingo Card Printables and Candy Corn. Once you got bingo you could eat the row of candy corn!
4-5. TREASURE HUNTING: Yes, witches like to dig for treasure too! The tubs were purchased from Michaels (for 99 cents!) and sand from Home Depot. Rings, jewels, and other little trinkets were hidden in the buckets.
6-8. BOBBING FOR DONUTS: Hang a donut in a tree and the witches will happily try to eat them. This is a great activity to start with as guests arrive.
(Photo left-above) Felicity works hard as she “bobs” for her donut. (Photo right-above) The best surprise with when Grandma Mary showed up dressed as a witch as well!!! Best grandma!!
(Photo left-below) Gracie is still looking for treasure as the bigger kids play bingo. (Photo right-below) I call out the numbers for bingo as the kids place their candy corn. The simple decorations make this spot in the yard feel festive!
POTIONS
When I asked my kids what their favorite part of the party was, the answer was unanimous—Potions! To set up your own potions table, here’s what you will need:
Glass bottles (I used clear and green ones in different sizes)
Bowls or cauldrons (the green bowls were nice because they were festive but the kids could still see what colors they were pouring in).
Spoons for mixing
Food coloring (red, black, green, blue, yellow)
Other mix ins (At this party I bought Halloween sprinkles and candy like candy bones, orange & black sprinkles, gummy skulls, candy bats, and leaf sprinkles. We have also in the past used flour and sugar for making potions.)
A pitcher (to refill empty bottles)
As the kids mix the potions, the adults refilled the bottles (so keep the food coloring and pitcher nearby). I just let the kids dump their potions into the grass next to patio when they were ready to start a new potion (yes, it makes a mess but that’s why I chose things the kids would either eat, would wash away, or I could throw into the trash).
(Photo above) Siri is excited to start potion making. While “brewing” the kids were saying things like, “Will you pass me the dead toes, please?” (Photos below) Eva, Siri, and Felicity play on the blanket under the tree. My niece Lola mixes her potion.
(Photo above) Felicity brews a rather nasty looking spell! (Photos below) Felicity and Lola pose for my Instagram picture (@carinagardner)!
Hope you were inspired and you have a Happy Halloween!
XOXO—Carina
Witch and Wizard Party—Kids Halloween Party Read More »
I know it’s only August, but this Halloween video is meant to get you excited about the approaching season. I love fall and adore Halloween. With school starting next week (eek!), fall is just around the corner. I know there’s a lot of sentimentality about new beginnings and freshly sharpened pencils when school starts, but I actually feel that fresh starts CAN happen in the fall. I probably feel it more so this year than others since baby boy will be coming to us the day after school begins (7 days and counting!).
Lindsay Moore, Sales Director for Carta Bella joins me in my studio to introduce the All Hallow’s Eve line. We show you how easy it is to make home decor crafts from this line (Most of it is either just “cut out” and display or “stick” and display!)
We obviously have a good time, and you’ll definitely want to enter to win our Hot-Off-The-Press Giveaway.
As promised, I also have silhouette files and jpgs of the silhouettes and bats I mention in the video. Download them here: All Hallow’s Eve Projects.
If you are looking for the Bat Wreath I mention in the video, you can find it here: Bat Wreath Post
And finally, here is the video of Lindsay and me dressed up and having a good time:
Episode 4 All Hallow’s Eve Decor Video Read More »
I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but I tried to create a video of us putting up the tradeshow booth. Before I had ever participated in having a booth, I always wondered what the process was. Sooooo…here’s a time lapsed video of the two days we put together the Carta Bella booth. It’s two days squished into 3 minutes. It’s so fun, and I hope you enjoy my commentary!
Enjoy! Carina
Summer CHA Tradeshow Booth Video (Episode 3) Read More »
Many of you will recognize the booth as my Quilt Market booth. It was fun to see it filled with paper this time around. It’s also fun to compare that baby belly after two months of baking (only a month left!).
Here Lindsay and I pose on Day 1 of set up. I hardly had to lift a box because everyone was so concerned (I think they just didn’t want to deliver a baby).
Set up was also fun because it was a Carta Bella and Echo Park team effort. It was nice to have that many hands putting together the two booths. Check out Andrea (CHA Coordinator for Echo Park and Carta Bella) putting up the Carta Bella sign (below) and Lindsay bolting together the walls.
____________________________________________________________
There were a lot of darling projects in the booth! This advent calendar was made by Deena Rutter who also designed Merry & Bright for Carta Bella (ships September 2012).
I made this Beautiful Moments lamp below. I HIGHLY recommend having a silhouette machine for this project. It turned out darling but took a lot of time to put together.
Samantha Walker put together this fabulous display of silhouette pieces using her Paris Girl Collection.
So many darling cards made by the design team!
Here are my All Hallow’s Eve bottles that you will see in the upcoming Halloween video Lindsay and I do. It should be posted sometime next week. Any guesses on what we dress up as?
I made this banner using the Alphabet Junction Collection by Melanie Ritchie.
Here’s Miss Melanie herself with her first collection! Love the Vanna White pose!
Me and my belly.
Shimelle (from 2Peas in a Bucket), with Melanie and myself. Too bad we aren’t having fun.
Here’s dinner with Lori Whitlock (designer for Echo Park) and Andrea (CHA Coordinator for EP and CB). Matt (THE sticker guy and serious foodie) chose this awesome place. The food was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. If you go to Chicago, it’s worth getting the beef tenderloin (and all the desserts) http://www.carnivalechicago.com/.
Look at the amazing light fixture! (Which also accounts for the bad photo lighting).
Well, there it is! A few photos from CHA and a little of what we were up to. I’ll admit, I was happy to get back home to my own bed. I’m at the most uncomfortable stage of this pregnancy, and it was nice to snuggle into bed last night. Josh and my girls are in Sun Valley at the Bar Convention (therefore making it possible to get all my blogging in before they come home). They should be showing up tonight so I will have my little darlings to snuggle.
Be back in a second with our tradeshow booth video!
—Carina
Summer CHA 2012 Review Read More »
I’ve been meaning to post this tutorial for a month now. My kids took a neighborhood art class and the night before I had the hair-brained scheme that they both needed new art bags. After making them, I sketched up the steps for anyone else who is interested in experimenting with these said “hair-brained” schemes.
I’ve sketched up a similar tutorial for my girls’ ballet bag, but this time the bags are substantially larger, made of laminates, and have a single strap. I used the Dainty Blossoms™ laminates (shown in the photos).
Working with laminates was not as hard as I originally anticipated. I like to use Lila Tuller’s oil method for running laminates through my sewing machine. It works like a charm!
A few notes about the sketches for this tutorial:
* They are by no means comprehensive:). That means that I give you sizes, and you can customize as you wish.
* Yardage for the bag does NOT include the “cutout” (in my example I show an ‘S’). Either use a scrap of contrasting laminate or skip altogether (see more notes on this below).
* You may want to adjust the strap’s length for the intended use of the bag. My strap is meant to comfortably fit across the chest.
* I don’t use fusible material for the letters/cutout. I simply carefully laid the letters on the front of the bags and 
appliqué stitched the letters directly to the front. It was absolutely an experiment in progress since I had never used laminates like this before. Amazingly, it worked (but was not easy!)
After a month of use, turns out these bags are pretty strong and can take a beating. I attribute it to the laminates, which helped my wipe away all the paint my kid’s left undone in the bag. Perfect art bag.
Hope you also get a chance to experiment!
—Carina
Laminate Bag Tutorial Read More »
I just finished editing Episode 2 for the new CG TV Channel. Today’s episode features guest Lindsay Moore, who is the Director of Sales at Carta Bella Paper. I hope you’ll check out because we show off the Paris Girl Collection for Carta Bella Paper Company and making this darling card (see left).
Watching this video, you’ll see why I love working with Lindsay. He keeps me on my toes and has me laughing through the entire thing (and BTW, So You Think You Can Dance IS better than America Idol…just saying, Lindsay).
We also continue our Hot-Off-The-Press Giveaway. Check it out and see what you have to do to be entered!
As promised, here are the dimensions of the card for your scrapbooking pleasure!
* Main Envelope—5 inch x 12 inch (fold)
* Contrasting Paper—4 inch x 5 inch
* Insert—4 inch x 5 1/2 inch
* Ribbon—3 inches of a satin or grosgrain
Enjoy! —Carina
Carina Gardner TV Channel—Episode 2 Paris Girl Read More »
Today I have been getting production files ready, getting ready for CHA, and a lot of other general fun stuff for Carta Bella. I also announced two new lines for Carta Bella. Go check out my blogpost for that reveal here.
In the midst of getting the new lines ready, I managed to take the girls to the park for a couple of hours. They have been asking since April to play in the creek (it was too cold then and I wouldn’t let them dip their toes in). So today was an indulgence.
To be honest, my only goal this summer is to get out for a couple of hours a day so that the girls and I can relish in our last summer of freedom (ironic because of my current working schedule). Either way, it’s our last summer of “big girls only” and I want them (and me) to really cherish it.
The girls playing in the creek today reminded me of growing up in Tennessee. It seemed like we used to play in creeks a lot and explore the woods behind our backyard. Oh, and catch fireflies at night. I tried to explain that to the girls the other night, and they asked when they would get to catch fireflies. I had to explain to them that we didn’t have fireflies to catch in Utah. It made me a little sad.
It also reminded me to lug my camera around a lot more this summer. First because I need to make sure the girls have photos of what we did this summer. And second, because I have an awful lot of scrapbooking papers to use up!
So here’s to fireflies and rambling! Hope you are enjoying your summer too!
Carina
Beautiful Moments™ shipped this week! Ironically, I haven’t even had a chance to let it sink in because I have already moved on to the next 5 lines. Today, I’m sqwanching (is that word?) paper and tying up twine to take photos of the Halloween line. And I took photos and made layouts for our July release earlier this week.
You are in for some eye candy!
Click on the image to the side here and you can see our Beautiful Moments™ Catalog. More of these catalogs to come…
I’d recommend following my instagram (just follow carinagardner) to see what “secret” projects I’m up to in the day to day. You may even get a sneak peek at what I’m working on at this very moment.
Now back to hot gluing…
Carina
Beautiful Moments Ships Read More »
So here it is—Episode 1! I’m excited that my first video introduces the Beautiful Moments™ Collection for Carta Bella Paper. You get a sneak peek into my studio where I film the videos and get to see me grow around the middle every month to boot!
As a kick off to the new videos, there is an awesome new giveaway in this video—so be sure to check it out! The winner will be announced on the Carta Bella Facebook Page on Monday, June 4, 2012.
As promised, here is the free download of the album bracket and flowers I show in the video. I’ve included the following in this zip:
ALBUM BRACKET AI FILE
ALBUM BRACKET DXF FILE (FOR SILHOUETTE CAMEO)
ALBUM BRACKET JPG FILE
BASIC FLOWER PATTERN AI FILE
BASIC FLOWER PATTERN DXF FILE (FOR SILHOUETTE CAMEO)
BASIC FLOWER PATTERN JPG FILE
Sadly, this project download DOES NOT include instructions for making the album shown here. It simply includes all the fun templates for you to create an album like this one.
Enjoy!
Carina
Carina Gardner TV Channel—Free Download and Giveaway Read More »
I am currently packing for our trip to Quilt Market and am running around (perhaps not like a chicken with it’s head cut off, but it’s close) completely nervous I’m going to forget something (as evidence of the lengthy schedule I’ve handed out to several family members). I’m only a day away, and I know the moment I get to Kansas City, I WILL have forgotten something, and it’s going to be just fine. But until then, I will worry.
I didn’t hop on here to tell you about my worry-habits or even to show off how cute my big girl is becoming (an indulgence on my part), but to tell you that there is a happy bundle of fabric being given away at Carta Bella. Expect a little from Samantha, Deena, and myself. It’s the final day of prizes going on at the blog and facebook since our launch a couple of weeks ago (my, how time flys!). Hope you get a chance to win it! I believe there will be another giveaway towards to the end of the month so you might as well join now!
Will be in soon to tell you all about QM!
Carina
You’ve been waiting, and I will not disappoint! I have TWO announcements for you today. I’m going to let you in on my family news first—and that is we are expecting baby number 3!
After a five and a half year gap, we have decided to head back into diapers, teething, and night feedings. (It has been long enough that I have forgotten how little sleep I will get and have created a blissful illusion that I will be happily snuggling a baby in my very tidy house 24 hours a day). To top off our joy, we also found out that squirt #3 is a boy! Guess I’ll be making more boy lines, huh?
My pregnancy secret better explains this or even this, don’t you think? You guys are lucky that I skipped posting on bagel week (yes, I ate bagels every day for every meal.)
Baby boy is due at the end of August. This is my first summer baby so if you want to give me some advice for staying cool, I will gladly take it!
To throw a whammy into all this new-found baby fun, today is the announcement of a brand-new company—Carta Bella. Some of you sneaky folks have managed to find out all about this scrapbooking company before we have even had a chance to announce it!
This has been a big undertaking, and I’m so excited for you to be a part of this new venture! Our sister company Echo Park made the transition from “conceptual” to “actual” a wonderful process. Getting to work with the EP team has made the process a pleasure. Second of all, I get to work with the brilliant Lindsay Moore, who is the Director of Sales at Carta Bella (Seriously, have you met Lindsay? He’s fab!). And as if I wasn’t having enough fun, I am the Creative Director over a fabulous team of designers many of who you know already.
So what’s so special about the Carta Bella brand? Other than the amazing crew, the awesome talent, and all the hard work everyone has already put in? All of our papers are TEXTURED! I can’t tell you how beautiful this makes the lines. (I wanted to add 4 exclamation marks there, but restrained myself.) I can’t help but run my fingers over the samples at my house every time I pass them. And you’ll love all the great stuff we are doing with alphabets and elements. Get ready for some serious scrapping!
Our very first collection is Beautiful Moments™, which I designed specifically for the launch (check out that little cutie in the layout! I think I know her…). I know there may be a way to win it through the facebook page although I’m not sure when (details to come!). I also happen to know there is a SERIOUS week of prizes coming up soon to those who are part of the facebook page. Don’t miss out on it!
+ Want to check out more on Carta Bella? Visit the new website here: http://www.cartabellapaper.com.
+ You can check out the first blog post here as Lindsay and I introduce the company.
How’s that for some big news? Lots of paper loving coming your way!
Yours truly,
A happy, fat pregnant lady
PS. If you don’t subscribe to my facebook page, I made the announcement that we are having some troubles with the email feeds. This meant completely starting over with a new feed. Please re-subscribe in the top-right hand corner of the blog by adding your email or you will no longer receive the blog emails. Thanks!
Surprise, Surprise! Read More »
Today you can learn how to make my Reversible Blouse and Dress Pattern that I created especially for beginning clothing sewers! This is such a fun and easy pattern! I’ve created instructions and a 8.5″ x 11″ printable pattern! All you need to do is tape the patterns together. How easy is that?
This pattern comes in both the dress and blouse sizes with my typical sizes of XS-XL. I use the same Child Measurements Chart that I use on all my sewing patterns, which is also laid out in the downloadable instructions for this pattern.
Need more of a visual? You’re in luck! My big news today is that I have done a video on Riley Blake’s Cutting Corners with Cindy Cloward showing the steps for creating this outfit. There are examples in the Paris and Company™ and Dainty Blossoms™ fabric. Check out the video by going here! NOTE: This video has been postponed and will go live May 1st.
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Aren’t these girls darling? Gweny and Mae are two of my good friend Aimee’s children who happily agreed to pose for me! I’ll have samples of this outfit in my booth at Quilt Market in my new line Songbird™ (which I will reveal fully soon!).
Big news to announce tomorrow afternoon (yes, don’t get antsy but I won’t be announcing until the afternoon).
Hope you enjoy the pattern!
Carina
Reversible Blouse and Dress Free Download and Video Read More »
Heavens knows there is a lot going on these days! Susan has even been forced to come over for some late night work sessions (and we certainly try very hard not to have too much fun). I’m only a couple of weeks away from the big reveal. Be sure and check back for the good/big news on May 1st. But in the meantime, feel free to check out my new tab Design Firm for a sneak peek at the designers who have been working with me on this new venture.
In the meantime, I have a pincushion tutorial and pattern available on Friday of this week both here and at Riley Blake’s Cutting Corners. I’m also heading down to Riley Blake on Wednesday to tape my first Riley Blake How To Video. I’ve been working on a little girl’s pattern that is easy enough for a beginner (with no buttons or zippers!). The results have been amazing. I’m so excited to share the pattern and instructions for this fab new pattern.
To top off the fabric-y week, we are expecting to get my next line Songbird™ on Friday so we can make preparations for Quilt Market. I can hardly believe we are only a few weeks away from it, and I am frantically trying to get together another free pattern (it’s been a month of that!) to give away at SchoolHouse. If you are coming to Market, come see me for my quick little introduction to Songbird™, the most recent free patterns we have giving away, and a look at the sewing patterns. And if you want to see our very not-so-secret booth, I have even have a booth number for you: #1529—right across from my favorite folks, Riley Blake.
Waiting patiently, patiently…
Carina
As promised, the Dress Up™ Quilt Pattern in a more “bite-sized” pdf. You can also see it shown in our 6th Newsletter Issue.
I wish I had more fun things to show you, but other than a fun stop down at Riley Blake earlier this week (to grab some Paris and Company for a photoshoot & talk about a new line) and the quick recover of my kitchen table in Dainty Blossoms™ laminate (shown through instagram on my facebook page), I’ve been doing the thing I dread most…my taxes.
There’s something about having to sit over my computer crunching numbers for my tax consultant that makes me feel like Bean (boring, boring, BORING!)—that’s the second grader in me speaking.
Thankfully, we are making the transition in software this year, and I’m hoping that it limits the time I spend hunched over my computer in March.
Wait, did I say March? My how time flies when you are having fun!
Enjoy the quilt pattern!
XOXO—Carina
Dress Up Quilt—Free Quilt Pattern Read More »
You’ve waited patiently for it and now it’s done! Our sixth issue of the newsletter has really become a digital magazine with all the stuff we try to pack into it!
This issue includes a new quilt pattern using Dress Up™, the inside scoop on Designer Workshop, tutorials from the Creative Team, a fabric tutorial on making a camera strap and so much more!
Visit the Carina Gardner Newsletter Issue No. 6 here.
Many of you have requested that we make the newsletter downloadable (which makes sense for those of you needing to print the patterns!). I made sure that this issue and all the previous issues now include the download button for your convenience. I also plan on getting smaller bite-sized downloads of the Dress Up™ Quilt, the Pinfeathers™ Quilt, and the new Dainty Blossoms™ Camera Strap Tutorials available soon.
Some of you saw my early picture of the Dress Up™ Quilt on Instagram (check my sidebar). I usually piece together all my quilts, but my mom helped me on this one. Things have been a bit busy and it’s such a blessing to have a quilting mama! She’s also planning on flying out a couple of weeks before Quilt Market to help me out with the tremendous amount of sewing we will be doing for my booth. The pattern instructions for this quilt are included in the 6th issue, and I hope you get a chance to make it! It’s simple and so sweet!
I’ll be back soon with my favorite way to cut bias strips and all those easy downloads!
Enjoy!
Carina
Newsletter Issue No. 6—Free Quilt Pattern, Tutorials and All That Jazz Read More »
Enjoy! Carina
Mini Travel Album
NAME Laurel Flechtner
FROM Norfolk, Virginia, USA
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE THIS PROJECT OR WHO DID YOU MAKE IT FOR? We took a trip to NJ & NYC to see family and I always make mini-albums of each of our trips.
MATERIALS
Carina Gardner Well Traveled Paper Set 1
Carina Gardner Well Traveled Paper Set 2
Carina Gardner Well Traveled Paper Set 3
Carina Gardner Well Traveled Paper Set 4
7 Gypsies black binder ring
Cricut & Sure Cuts A Lot 2 for cutting album pages
Adobe Photoshop CS5
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut and adhere a front and back paper for each page of the album.
2. Select, print and adhere photos
3. Add embellishments and journaling
Well Traveled Mini Travel Album Read More »
XOXO-Carina
Well Traveled Scrap-o-Dex
Name Joyce McCall
Hometown Oklahoma City
Inspiration for the project... I am inspired by inspiration! I like having altered art and dimensional memory keepers around me so I’ll see them even when I’m not pulling out an album to look through.
Digital Supplies:
*Carina Gardner Well Traveled papers and elements
Other Supplies:
*Claudine Hellmuth sticky back canvas
*Matte presentation paper
*Adhesive and embellishments
*Tiny alphabet stickers (Making Memories)
*Tim Holtz ornate plate with brads
INSTRUCTIONS
1.Print desired patterned papers onto sticky-back canvas. Use software to size your pieces to 4X6
vertically/portrait orientation. You’ll need 4 total. Adhere to the base unit of the scrap-o-dex.
2. For the cover card print patterned paper at 4X6 horizontal/landscape orientation. Add stamped
title and attach ornate plate to frame it. I also added a travel path to the map with a marker, and I
added glossy accents over the compass on the patterned paper. Cover the back of the card also!
3. Select patterned papers for the chipboard cards. Embellish with digi elements before printing, or
with physical elements after printed, or do a little of both! 4X6 horizontally was the right size for
mine. On the tabbed cards, add a small strip of patterned paper to the tab before adhering the main
piece. Use a craft knife to trim out the bottom notch. Sand outer edges if you have paper that
overhangs. Use alphabet stickers to add titles to the tabbed cards. (tip:cover fronts, sand edges,
carve out notches, THEN work on the back sides.)
4. Assemble your finished chipboard cards back into the scrap-o-dex!
Well Traveled Scrap-o-Dex Read More »
This last weekend was the Paper and Digital Designer Workshop. I obviously wasn’t thinking straight when I scheduled it the weekend after CHA. Despite the back-to-back scheduling, we had a fabulous time and it went off without a hitch.
Truthfully, it doesn’t matter how many classes I have taught, I always get a little nervous about getting in front of a group. Thankfully, the group dealt with all the Illustrator techniques I, ahem, made them participate in relatively well!
I was so impressed with the doodling, papers, textures, techniques, and elements that these ladies came out with during this workshop. (I was equally amazed at the amount of food I managed to eat during the two days.) The group was a wide range from beginners to industry designers. You’ll recognize some faces and names from this group (and might I suggest some up-and-coming designers?). Though I was the teacher, I learned so much from them as they shared their tips and tricks.
A huge thank you to Riley Blake who donated fabric to the swag bags. We had a number of Riley Blake designers in attendance, which made the event that much more fun! I also need to thank Susan Haglund for taking all of these pictures over the two days of the workshop.
Lots of thinking, thinking, thinking (picture below). Mostly of how we could all get Diet Coke IVs inserted. Since Roxanne came up with the idea, I’m expecting a patent from her soon. You’ve gotta love Samantha Walker’s monster computer screen (she was banished to the back row)!
A few of the ladies posing in one of the Little America Hotel Rooms.
The picture above looks pretty serious. That’s the only reason I included it.
I know that all these pictures give the illusion that we had our heads stuck in our computers the whole time. However, there was a lot of unruly behavior from the blonds at the back of the room (aka mischief-makers assistant Susan Haglund and Heidi Swapp). It seemed like every time I left the room to do a portfolio review with someone, those two had everyone in an uproar.
Other surprises? That Samantha Walker can tell a great embarrassing story on command.
We had lots of locals (Deena Rutter was in-and-out since her boys were battling it out for the hockey state championships.) as well participants from as far away as Canada (Thank you for the maple syrup, Melanie Ritchie!). Meg Stocks, a mentor at JS.com, came all the way from Atlanta (I do love my southern girls!).
I was also thankful that Pam Meeks and Rachel McPeek (do you like how their last names almost rhyme?) made it in right before the Colorado snowstorm hit. I was also grateful that it didn’t make it’s way up to Utah! Kathy Sierra-Fernandez came from Washington and became our resident Illustrator expert (we all learned a thing or two on how she magically builds patterns!). Roxanne Bergener of Close to My Heart cracked us up with her wit and dazzled us with her industry experience.
The picture above is of Audrey Hanks (traveled from Wendover) and Christine Chodil(traveled from Chicago). It was fun to chat with both since they came from your non-typical designer backgrounds (Christine’s degree is in Musical Theater and Audrey has a MA in Mathematics).
Heidi Swapp gives her two cents on our typography exercise. We will certainly take her two cents along with any other change she has on her.
And who knows what I am explaining here? Obviously something to do with the itsy bitsy spider.
Don’t let the cool appearance of this one fool you (Kasey, Casey, Kasie, Casee…who knows how to spell her name?). She’ll slice you with her witty comments. And putting her next to Heidi wasn’t our smartest move.
You gotta love the work of Lori Whitlock. I just felt lucky that she came!
For our final dinner, we let a few guys crash our girl party. I’m pretty sure that I’m saying something extremely important here (photo below). Thank goodness for that pretty damask pattern behind me.
First off, there was no possible way to shrink down the picture of this slice of cake (scroll down, it’s hard to miss). Secondly, I thought it best for you to see the size of it in relation to Susan’s head.
Yes, we ate like that for many meals the entire two days. And yes, I was sick afterwards.
Lori Whitlock’s husband Doug, Eric Swapp of JessicaSprague.com, and Jody Hunt of Echo Park overseeing our picture-taking.
In review—we ate a lot, designed a bit, had a number of “aha” moments (even me!), and had a pretty fantastic time.
Cheers to girl-design-time,
Carina
Paper and Digital Designer Workshop Review February 2012 Read More »
I really didn’t even plan on going to CHA until the last minute with Designer Workshop being just around the bend. So I was in-and-out in a jiffy (I flew in Saturday morning and left Monday bright and early). However, I still managed to take a plethera a photos. This is easily the longest post I’ve ever done. I tried really hard to tell you whose booth I took the photo at so that you can go check out their new products. So much fabulous stuff at this show!
I know some of you are going to ask, so here it is…there are NO products from me at this show. That’s right. But don’t worry. I’ll let you in on the fun in just a few short months.
I spent a good portion of the weekend hanging on with fellow Riley Blake designer Samantha Walker. Love Samantha and love her design work. She has stuff at Creative Imaginations and Spellbinders.
n 
Here’s me happily Hanging out at the Waverly booth of crocheted chairs. We managed to read AFTER I took the picture that you weren’t suppose to sit the chairs. Oops. Sorry Waverly. The felt bear, monsters (photo below), and puppets (photo 2 below) are from the Kunin Group.
I failed to grab the name of the yarn company that had this adorable crocheted animal photo.
Once again, I dropped the ball on both of these. I usually take a photo of the company logo right after the image but I can’t find any such photo for these two. The paper flowers are gorgeous and I love the white frames and layouts!
October Afternoon and some Prima.
This is Lori Whitlock, who designs for Echo Park and Riley Blake. It was a blast to finally meet her in person.
Here’s Laurie’s new line This and That. Totally adorable!
The cupcakes were from Echo Park and the photo of paper flowers from Making Memories.
Lots and lots of accordion flowers at this show.
Paper chains adorned Glitz Design’s booth.
More from Glitz Design and then a fun photo of Heidi Swapp and me.
I can’t rave enough about how awesome Heidi’s products are. I love the embellishments especially the newspaper-y banner pieces. These folders and papers can be colored any color and they have the pattern color resistant. It makes for some amazing layouts.
Like this one (love!).
More of Heidi’s products below and a gorgeous table set up by Pink Paislee.
This was the funniest thing I saw at the show. And of course I can’t remember the name of the company. These are CHAIR SOCKS! Aren’t they hysterical?
Sei had some awesome displays.
More Sei and crayons & glue from a cool company EcoGreen Crafts. I was really impressed with their kid-friendly products.
Adornit created this darling banner…
and accordion flowers.
I was loving this from Maya Road….wooden spools! I just bought a jar from an antiques shop but I need more for my tradeshow booth at Quilt Market. This may be a way to supplement!
I believe this is Tim Holtz.
More October Afternoon (paper and cute jars below).
Prima
I have so many pictures from this booth but have no idea what company it is. But examples were fabulous!
More accordion flowers. I thought this one was clever though with the use of several papers.
This was Tim Holtz but for a different brand.
DCWV had great paper trees.
This is from Paper Quilt Creations. I thought the concept was really cute.
A little Anna Griffin.
I loved this company—Little Pink Ladybug. They make bow templates that were seriously so impressive! other than being an ultra nice company, I thought the product was pretty amazing. Check them out if you get a chance!
The bird paper is from October Afternoon (love!) and the layout came from somewhere near that booth:).
And that’s all I’ve got! Putting together the blogpost felt longer than the actual time I spent in California. Hope you enjoyed and sorry if you fell in love with a product that I managed to forget who made. A girl can only do so much when surrounded by such awesomeness.
Hope you have a crafty day! Carina
CHA January 2012 Review Read More »
Thank you all for your comments on the kitchen countertops. It’s definitely made me rethink my color choice. I’ll let you know what I decide…
Okay! To the giveaway! Thank you everyone for your comments. The winner of the pinfeathers fat quarter bundle and sweetwater frame is comment #21:
Ava-J says:
Absolutely yummy fabrics, thanks for the chance! 
Love your Christmas family photo too.
Congrats Ava! But because I’m in charge here, it’s almost Christmas, and because I have a couple more fat quarter sets laying around I’m also sending a blue Pinfeathers set to:
Oooohhh….lets hope I win, because I just learned how to use my sewing machine!!!
and a pink Pinfeathers set to:
erica K says:
That’s a beautiful family portrait. And the stockings on the piano, it’s all so lovely. Wish me luck!
Hope you all get a chance to sew in this busy, busy season! Please email me your address at carina@carinagardner.com.
I posted photos of my Christmas tree here because 1. I couldn’t think of anything else to post, 2. I just took pics of my tree yesterday, and 3. It seemed festive.
Every few years I pull out these frames and fill it with photos from the year…sort of as a way to remember the past year. And I always place my tree in a huge pot. It’s filled with bricks to hold the tree up. I love how easy it is to place presents under (and how it makes it easy to sweep the needles out from under it).
Hope you are having a wonderful final week before the big day!
The countdown begins…
Winner of Sweetwater Frame and Pinfeathers Fabric Read More »
Monday morning after a long weekend of fun (tomorrow I’ll post about it). But for now, I wanted to help you win some more fabric and a lovely frame from Sweet Water Frames.
On the giveaway table today is a full fat quarter set of Pinfeathers Peacock Blue fabrics (9 fabrics in all) and Sweet Water Frame’s 3×3 Rasley Ornament in Green apple (shown below). All you have to do is leave a comment on this thread to be entered to win BOTH of these.
I believe I have talked about Sweetwater Frames here before. Last week I finally ordered our family pictures for the custom 24″ x 36″ frame I purchased from them. It looks amazing over my antique piano (See my frame below). I purchased the Powell in antique white, but I’m so in love with the black frames, I can see myself coming back for more!
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That green apple is ADORABLE isn’t it? And my frame isn’t bad either:). Btw, because I know you are going to ask, the family portrait was taken by my lovely assistant Susan.
So leave a comment to get the green frame and some Pinfeathers!
XOXO-Carina
PS. This giveaway ends on Sunday, December 18th!
Pinfeathers Fabric and Sweetwater Frames Giveaway Read More »
Thank you to everyone who entered the Baby Safari Giveaway! Reading what everyone was doing this holiday season was so inspiring and touched my heart! I had a horrible time deciding, and I implore you to continue to enter the giveaways during this month since I wanted so badly to give every one of you a fat quarter set!
Here are the winners from the blog:
Rosemary says:
This is THE BEST pumpkin pie I’ve ever tasted. It’s the one my family requests to have for Thanksgiving from now on. Happy Baking {Pumpkin Praline Pie Recipe in the comments! I might have to give this one a try! Thanks for sharing Rosemary!}
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April says:
This holiday we are trying to have a homemade Christmas. One of my daughters is helping me make quilts for almost everyone . . . a big project. It is hard to find things to make for men so we are really thinking hard on that one. We have a new baby in the family so I thought your fabrics would be fun to do something with. Have a great holiday and thank you for sharing your creativity with us and all your fun ideas and art work.
That’s a big project April! Men’s fabrics are so DIFFICULT (Believe me as I have been trying to work on a fabric line for “big boys.”) Hopefully, these fabrics help a bit with the “little boys” in your life!
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Vanessa B says:
A few years ago we started a new family tradition in the spirit of giving and the holidays that each one of us would do at least 1 good deed and then speak about it during Christmas Dinner…so Im looking forward to the holiday meal and hearing what each has done out of the kindness of their hearts for someone they know or a complete stranger. Turns out my family is very kind, even to strangers I would luv to win these fabrics, Thanks for the chance!
Vanessa, your family tradition melts my heart! Oh, if we all could just be a little kinder during the hoildays (and throughout the year!). What a sweet tradition!
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Martine says:
Hopefully ithis year it will be a fertile Christmas…Just before Christmas our IVF program will end, maybe next year there will be a small family under the tree!
Martine, I’m wishing you the best of luck in this!!!
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Here are the winners from the Facebook Page:
Jasa Clos says:
We will just be enjoying having Jake home this year, he was in Iraq for Christmas last year and opened gifts over skype. I have a new little neighbor that sure would enjoy a new quilt and the fabrics are just great.
Bless your heart! So happy for you will have Jake back and I hope you enjoy the fabrics!
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Gemma Robillard says
Beautiful – what a nice giveaway!! I would love to give these to my mom since she’s a new quilter and making gorgeous quilts. Hey, that’s a nice Christmas gift! ;).
How sweet are you? I hope you both get to enjoy them!
Winners: Please email me at carina@carinagardner.com with your address and we will have these sent out ASAP!
Thank you again for all of your comments—for sharing how you plan to slow down, your recipes (Meg, I WILL be trying to make that apple crisp!), how you are going to cuddle with the ones you love, travel, and play in the snow! (We are also enjoying the recent downfall here in SLC.)
It was so hard to decide on who to choose for this last giveaway, that the rest of the upcoming freebies will be chosen by the random number generator:). lol. Less pressure on me! Just keep those wonderful, inspiring comments rolling!
This week I’m giving away two FULL sets of Dress Up—yep, that is 11 juicy fat quarter fabrics in each set! This giveaway will end on Friday. (That would be Nov. 25, Black Friday, Sale Day, National Standing-in-Line Day, Left-Over Turkey Day, and any other name you can give it..)
Tell me your favorite Thanksgiving Food in the comments below to be entered!
Winners of Baby Safari and Giveaway for Dress Up Fabric Read More »
Last year, we did a thankful tree on Thanksgiving day. This year, the girls have a jar of leaves that they can write or draw on whenever they want to add to this banner in our kitchen.
I’m hoping it’s a great way for them to see what their parents are grateful for and encourages them to remember to be thankful too.
This is the simplest banner to make, and it changes as you add more leaves or birds! I hope ours is squished to the brim when the month is over.
I threw on a little glitter mist because it was lying around (so it’s completely optional). I liked the Forever Red Perfect Pearls Mist for the brown and orange leaves and the Tattered Angels Glitter Mist in Sweet Clover for the olive green leaves.
If you aren’t into the Glitter Mist, just let your little ones scribble away to add their “thanks.” Get bigger kids to help you cut out the leaves (or sit in front of your favorite show as you cut them out).
Hang the banner in a place that you’ll see often (ours is in the doorway between our living room and kitchen) so that you’ll see it often and remember to add to it.
I’m hoping ours is an opportunity to really remember what this month is about (rather than a jump start on Christmas). If it’s successful, we may just change up the colors for Christmasand use it place holder for “good deeds done” during December to encourage friendship and giving.
Here’s the full tutorial plus pattern for you to download! Hope you have fun and are able to give thanks at the same time!
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Giving Thanks-Free Thankful Banner Download Read More »
It’s November, and I’ve told myself that this year the holidays are going to be a little different. Instead of the rush, rush, rush, I’m hoping to really live in the present this holiday season and remember to be grateful for what I have. I’ve cleared out my schedule of any “hard” deadlines and while I certainly will be working, I hope to work at a more relaxed pace.
So maybe it’s a change in attitude about the holidays?
Either way, I have been thinking alot about being grateful and generously giving. And as always, my thoughts have turned to this blog and how I can share with you—make your life a little more pleasant or a little more beautiful.
…and that’s when I decided that I wanted to spend the next couple of months sharing with you more craft ideas and more “stuff” on this blog.
So there you have it—it’s officially the season of “giving” here on my blog. And to kick it off, I have 6 fat quarter packs of Baby Safari that I am giving away! Four packs (there are 6 fabrics in a pack) will be given away to comments on this blog post and two packs will be given away on the Facebook thread that links this post. Tell me what you are doing this holiday season. Maybe it’s a tradition or something new. Maybe it’s a scrumptious holiday recipe or the time you plan on cuddling with grandbabies. Whatever it is, share it! Winners will be announced on Sunday evening on both the blog and facebook page.
More fat quarter packs to come, announcements of new sewing patterns, more holiday craft tutorials, and lots of eye candy!
Hoping you also find a lot of joy this holiday season! -Carina
We’ve had such a tremendous response to the hybrid section of the Quarterly Newsletter that I have decided to open it up to anyone who would like to submit projects they have done using my fabric, digital, or paper. This is very exciting for me since I love seeing everyone’s creativity!
Our first deadline is for Issue No. 6 Dec 2011-Jan 2012, which we expect to release mid-January. Submission Forms are due by December 15, 2011. Please download the form and look over the project guidelines. You can also check out previous hybrid projects done by the Creative Team in Issue No. 5.
Deadlines for future issues will be published on the Newsletter Page (as well as the download forms).
We’d love to publish your fabulous fabric, paper, and digital work so submit!
Hugs! Carina
Hybrid Project Submissions Now Open! Read More »
Wheww! Here it is! Our fifth issue of the newsletter. This thing just gets bigger and bigger! This one is 39 pages long with a huge section on Spraguefest, an introduction to Susan, a quilt pattern, a coupon code for Designer Workshop, and tutorials galore!
Be sure and check out the calendar at the end…it’s a sneak peek into the “big stuff” coming up the next few months here in the studio.
Here’s you link to Newsletter Issue No. 5:
https://carinagardner.com/newsletter/carina-gardner-newsletter-issue-no-5/
Enjoy!
Carina
Issue No. 5 of the Newsletter—Spraguefest and Tutorials Read More »
A Lot’o Halloween Crafts Read More »
