Glamper Recap on Quiltique

IMG_8229_webI’m a bit behind since I need to recap the last two glamper stops. This has been taking up a lot of my time recently. Feel free to “like” that page because I am going to have A LOT more on that later along with a number of giveaways and beautiful images come time to launch.

So here’s my photo recap of our Glamper Stop at Quiltique.

First off, Little Ark is in shops! (Yaaay!) Quiltique had these darling bundles available for sell. I also spotted some Evening Blooms pre-cuts in their shop. If you are in the Las Vegas area, Quiltique is a must-visit shop. I love the glass windows into the classroom and all the quilts hung above the shop. There were some darling displays and of course, an abundance of fabric.

(photo below) Quiltique is a family-owned business. We happily all posed in front of the glamper in the Las Vegas heat!

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The number one question I get from people who come to see the glamper is, “So do you use it?” The answer is always, “YES! Open a cupboard, and you’ll see all the food still in it from the last trip!” At this stop, this was even more true since I had to get up bright and early to clean the glamper. My family had been living in it for spring break as we traveled down to Nevada from SLC.

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(photo below) Since it was Quiltique’s birthday weekend, I was excited to meet Me and My Sisters Designs (Moda Fabrics) who happen to be teaching in the shop the same day!

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(photo below) This little cutie is one of my college roommate’s daughters who dropped by to see me!

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I had an amazing time at Quiltique and loved seeing their shop! Thank you to all of you who dropped by to see Lucy and me!

XOXO—Carina

 

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Evening Blooms Quilt Tutorial with Andy Knowlton

photo 1Today I have a special treat for you! Andy Knowlton of
A Bright Corner created this beautiful quilt using my Evening Blooms fabric collection. To top it off, she has agreed to give you all a tutorial on how she made it. There is even a pdf download at the end (scroll to the bottom to download).

So without further ado, here is Andy:

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I love the timeless look of classic black and white and these fabrics don’t disappoint! This quilt is made entirely from half square triangles (HSTs) but don’t let that deter you! I have a fast and easy way to make a ton of HSTs in no time at all.
First I’ll show you how to make your HSTs then I’ll show you how to assemble one block. I’ll add a quilt layout diagram at the end and you’ll be on your way to finishing your own Evening Blooms quilt!
First of all, here’s what you’ll need:
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1/4 yard of 7 various dark prints
1/4 yard of 5 various light prints
2 yards of white/background fabric
1/2 yard binding
3-1/2 yards backing fabric
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From each of the prints (7 dark and 5 light) cut 3 squares that measure 8″. You’ll need 36 total.
From the white/background fabric cut 8 strips that are 8″ x width of fabric.
Subcut those strips into 36 @ 8″ squares
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To create your half square triangles, pair up each print square with one white square. Match edges, keeping right sides together.
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Sew around all four outer edges using a consistent 1/4″ seam.
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Using your rotary cutter, cut diagonally through each block twice as shown in the photo.
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Being careful not to stretch it, press each HST. I prefer to press the seam allowance toward the print. Trim the little tails off of each HST.
If you are consistent with your seam allowances and careful to not stretch the HSTs you should not need to square them up. If you find your HSTs to be varying in size, then square them each up to the same size (either 5.25″ or 5″ each).
Create all of your HSTs and then move on to the block layout.
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Layout all of the HSTs you need for one block. Notice in the quilt layout diagram that not all blocks are the same. The dark and light prints are alternated for the main part of each block and the corner HSTs are different depending on where in the quilt the block will be located.
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Sew together into rows using a 1/4″ seam.
Sew rows together, matching seams.
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Your block is done!
Now use the layout diagram to make the next 8 blocks.
In the layout diagram I used just two prints – one dark and one light so you can clearly see the placement of each HST.
Evening Blooms layout diagram
You can find a printable version of this tutorial here Evening Blooms Quilt Tutorial

 

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Kimono Skirt Cuteness

carina-gardner-kimono-skirt-front Happy Halloween! I have a bit of eye candy for you today! Andrea from Knitty Bitties put together my Kimono Skirt pattern in my Evening Blooms and Songbird fabrics.

How cute is her little niece modeling this skirt? Something about an itty bitty darling wearing those fun fabrics makes me smile. I can’t help it.

I love this pattern because it cuts like a quilt. Yes, that’s right. I’ve never done a pattern quite like this before but it is meant to be simple, sweet, and quick to sew up.

And have you seen how cute the double band of elastic is on the back of this skirt (see photos below). Probably my favorite part.

Go over and check out her post on it here.

As for me, you can check out my crafty doings for Halloween over at my instagram feed.

Today we are preparing the warehouse for tomorrow’s big sale. And I mean BIG! You won’t want to miss it! More info coming to you via social media tomorrow!

carina-gardner-kimono-skirt-tiesTrick or treat!

Carina

 

 

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Fabric Fest with Riley Blake Designs 2013

IMG_3881_1It’s taken me a few days to recover from Fabric Fest with Riley Blake Designs in Vegas. As always, RB put on a classy event. They fed, fed, and fed us some more. There were some fabulous classes, but mostly it was nice to reconnect with other designers, shop owners, and people I love.

The photos to the right and below are from the dinner and fashion show on Tuesday evening. I spent the few days before Fabric Fest quickly getting these outfits together. I loved how they turned out!

(shown in the photos from left to right are Evening Blooms fabric line, Tulip Park Pinafore, Bella Stash Bag, Playdate Outfit, Little Playdate Outfit, Love Nest Ruffle Dress, and the Little Love Nest Ruffle Dress).

 

 

 

 

 

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I drove down to the event with designers Samantha Walker and Lori Whitlock (also at Carta Bella and Echo Park with me).  Every time I get together with these girls I am more amazed at all they do. (Photo below from right to left: Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs, Samantha Walker, myself, and Lori Whitlock).

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This was my first time meeting Sue Daley. Other than being a bubbly and positive personality (with a darling Australian accent), I was loving that she was wearing all of my fabric during the entire fest!!!! Look how darling she is in Evening Blooms (photos below)! Even the darling piping on the dress to the left is pink Dainty Blossoms. I took Sue’s paper piecing class and learned so much. I am a total fan!

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That messy table of tchotchkes is my little booth in the vendor hall. We sold out of most of the samples the very first night.

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I took the Halloween Advent Set to show people (FYI, did you know that the Lunch Love Notes and the Halloween Advent Classes are only $3 each until Halloween? Get them while they are hot!).

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Me pretending to be Vanna White with my latest line Evening Blooms.

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fabricfest_1And how could I not adore all of these lovely ladies? (Kris and Kim of the DIY Dish, Kimberbell Designs, and My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shop, Lori Holt, Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs, Melissa Mortenson of the Polka Dot Chair, Lindsay Wilkes of the Cottage Mama, and Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter)

Ask if I finished ANYTHING at the conference. Oh, ya. I was 0 for 5. I came home and finished Melissa’s Retro travel bag (and hand-bound the inside bias strips) just in time to see everyone this coming weekend at Sewing Summit. September is turning into my official sewing month! Especially with sewing patterns due out by October 1st. Eek!

Heavens knows I have a few fun surprises for you in the coming weeks! For more pictures on fabric fest, check out my instagram feed at http://instagram.com/carinagardner.

Sew happy,

Carina

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Fabric Fest Around the Corner

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Fabric fest begins on Monday evening, and I’m heading to Las Vegas with Lori Whitlock and Samantha Walker! I’m so excited to hang out with the Riley Blake crew and learn some new techniques! This last week I’ve spent sewing some lovely samples for the fashion show on Tuesday night (photo above is of the Tulip Park Pinafore and Bella Stash Bag Sewing Patterns). I love these two patterns because they are part of our “Beginner” sewing series and sew up fast! I also made a Playdate Outfit and coordinating 18 inch doll Little Playdate set along with a Love Nest Ruffle Dress and coordinating 18 inch doll outfit. I can’t wait to photograph them at the show for you. (All of the samples are made in my Evening Blooms fabric line).

Oh, and I needed to pass this little bit of information along:

There is a art/fabric/sample sale portion of the event that is open to the public on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 from 4pm-9pm at

South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa
9777 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89183

Hope you have a chance to come check it out! I’ll have a little table with patterns, samples, wallpaper samples, and scrapbooking goodies that I’d love for you to check out!

Vegas bound,

Carina

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Evening Blooms Fabric Collection

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carinagardner2013_cameraquilt_webI 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!

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As always, I have a lookbook for you for this fabric line. Check it out here: https://carinagardner.com/fabric/evening-blooms-fabric/

Carina

 

 

 

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