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All New: The Gathered Fabrics Lookbook!

Bonnie Christine Design | August 3rd, 2018

Today I'm proud to announce the release of the new Gathered Fabrics Lookbook! It's filled with over 60 pages of projects, patterns and inspiration.

>> Click here to jump right in <<

To celebrate the launch I thought it would be fun to share a few of the questions and answers from a recent interview with Art Gallery Fabrics over the collection. Read the full interview inside the Lookbook!

AGF Q: Hi there, Bonnie! Congratulations on releasing your latest fabric collection, Gathered! We understand you drew a lot of inspiration from gardening. Can you elaborate on how this green thumb inspiration translated into fabric prints?

A: Thank you! You’re right, I love to garden and couldn’t help but let it shine through in this collection. The garden is the heart of our home, and a place where I love to spend time. It’s a quiet place where I can go to renew my mind, but also a place where I my children can be fully intwined. They help me plan the garden, start and transplant seedlings, pick flowers and harvest the veggies. I always let them choose their favorites and I love seeing the wonder in their eyes as they watch everything grow! Plus there’s something extra special about grabbing a snack straight from the garden. It’s for all these reason that I love digging in the dirt, and wanted to incorporate it into this collection.

Q: There’s a quote from Impressionist Claude Monet found on two different prints! How did his words make their way into this collection?

A: This quote, “I must have flowers, always and always” has always sat well with me. It’s not only lovely, but it’s been true for me nearly my entire life. My mother grew flowers for me by request when I was a little girl, and I can remember being the only one in school that kept flowers at my desk. Today, I grow them so that I can keep vases of fresh flowers by my work desk. I think it’s the best way to breathe life into a room!

Q: What would you love to see makers sew with Gathered?

A: I will never tire of seeing what beautiful things talented makers create with my designs. I suppose my favorites are alway the ones that mark milestones or might be kept as heirlooms. Quilts for loved ones, swaddles for young ones and the special things that we make and cherish for ourselves.

I hope you'll find that this collection is, as well. Whether you share my same passions or have your own, I wish you more of whatever you love to gather, or more time with whoever you love to gather with.

More details:

Looking to purchase? Gathered started shipping to stores all over the world just this week. Shop one of the Online Retailers or see if your nearest independent quilt or fabric shop is currently stocked with it.

Shop the full collection online now at the Fat Quarter Shop and Hawthorne Threads.

Using Gathered? Share your projects by using the hashtag #AGFGathered on Instagram!

Download Art Gallery Fabrics app to view all the collections, shop online and find a store near you. Download here: Apple or Android

August 2018 Calendar Collection

Monthly Calendar Downloads | August 1st, 2018

Hello, August! I've been looking forward to this month for a long time, because I knew we would be on the road! We're currently in the middle of month long road trip and I'm writing you from southern Wyoming. It's so beautiful!

This print is called is called 'Simple Living' from my new fabric collection, Gathered. Art Gallery Fabrics recently asked me a few quetions about the collection for the upcoming Lookbook Release (coming this week!) and I thought I would share one of the questions with you here:

AGF's Q: In your print titled “Simple Living,” how did you narrow down all the elements used in it?

A: To me, simple living means that life goes by more slowly because we’re living it with intention. The icons that made their way into this print all represent things that inspire us to live more simply - growing our own food, flowers and herbs, reading and sewing. A few of my favorite ways to live slowly, like sipping on tea with honey, made their way into this print as well!

What are a few of your favorite ways to live simply?

August 2018 Calendar Collection:

↠ Click to download the digital desktop background

↠ Click to download the digital smartphone background

↠ Click to download the printable PDF Desk Version

↠ Click to download all of the above as a .ZIP file

Here's a little glimpse at our month. If you'd like to follow along with all the fun, I would love to meet you over on Instagram!

Please note: all images, patterns and designs are © Bonnie Christine. You may not reproduce, re-create or sell in any way, but please feel free to download for your own personal use. If you share on your own blog (I'd be delighted!) please direct your readers to this post to download the file. Thank you!

Meet Miss Marjorie: Airstream Tour

Home Decor | July 27th, 2018

Ever since we got married, David and I have dreamed of owning an Airstream. For 10 years, we casually looked at them, sometimes more serious than others. This spring we decided it was the right time for our family to do some traveling, so we went on a mission: to find an older Airstream that had already been updated (we weren't quite up for a full renovation), but something that I could make our own.

On Easter weekend, we found the perfect match. A 1962 26' Airstream Overlander. The previous owner had done a complete shell-off restoration, so it already had new axles, updated plumbing and electrical, new cabinetry and several improvements. She was the perfect blank slate! We scooped her up, and while looking through the original paperwork, found that a Miss Marjorie was the original owner and had bought her in 1962. So in honor of her beginnings, we decided to name her Marjorie.

My family and I are currently traveling in her on a month long road trip. Bear and Ollie are on the adventure of a lifetime and loving every minute of it! These photos were taken at our first stop in Colorado. We're currently in Wyoming and next we'll be visiting Yellowstone, Oregon, California and Arizona before returning home to North Carolina. Follow our travels on Instagram (#MarjorieTheAirstream) and be sure to honk if you see us on the road! ;)

The Kitchen

The kitchen is delightfully functional and as long as we have water hook-ups, I've been able to cook regular meals in it every night. We were hoping to use the original stove, but after finding a small gas leak decided to replace it. Though I loved the original, I'm so thrilled with the new oven - it's a dream to cook on!

The tiny backsplash is perhaps my favorite addition. I think I did more research on flexible grout than I have on anything before. We ended up using Tec AccuColor Unsanded Grout mixed with Tec Acrylic Grout Additive for increase flexibility, and so far so great.

Kitchen Resources:

Cabinet Hardware by Emtek
Faucet: Delta Trinsic Faucet in Champagne Bronze
Cabinet Color: Light Blue by Farrow and Ball
Backsplash: Salt Wood Chip by Mudtile
Walnut Countertops: locally made by Adam Garret Designs
Oven: Dometic Range
Kitchen Sink

The Sleeping Space

There are two potential places to sleep in Miss Marjorie, one is where the table is, but our favorite is where the two sofas are. I installed a small ledge right beneath the cushion and had a piece of wood cut to match it's size. It lives underneath one of the cushions and at night, we slide it out to make a bed. The back cushions fit side by side on top of the wood to make it a complete king size bed!

I had the cushions recovered in a rich green velvet-like fabric that makes the space feel so luxurious. As a surface pattern designer, I also wanted to give a nod to the father of surface design himself by using a William Morris wallpaper. I find it so inspiring!

I also worked one-on-one with Worley's Lighting for all of the lights in the Airstream. After working with Shelli on some of the lights for our home, I knew she was my 'go-to gal' for the Airstream. She made a few of the backplates and light lengths custom to fit the space just right.

Bedroom Resources

Upholstery Fabric: Gentle Dream Cargo by Robert Allen
Rose pillow: vintage
Wallpaper: Pimpernell by William Morris
Leather wall pouches: handmade
Lighting: Worley's Lighting
Macrame Mirror
Hardware by Emtek

The Bathroom

I believe that 26' Airstream is the shortest camper that comes with a full bathroom, and it's possibly my favorite part! Aside from being incredibly functional and helpful, I love that it's in the back of the camper (many are in the middle, now). The curved roof makes for some interesting decorating and cabinetry, but with two small closets it has ample room for storage and clothes.

After falling in love with the tile in this bathroom, I wanted to use a variated pennytile with dark grout for a similar look (on a miniature scale!). I ordered no less than 12 samples of variated penny tile before I found the perfect one, and I love how it makes it almost look like the inside of a jewel box!

Bathroom Resources:

Cabinet Hardware by Emtek
Lighting: Worley's Lighting
Faucet: Delta Trinsic Faucet in Champagne Bronze
Shower Faucet: Delta Adjustable Hand Shower
Tile: Lounge - Lyric Wafer Penny Tiles
Mirror: (currently unavailable from anthro, this is similar)
Turkish Towels from Togar Rugs
Bathroom Sink
Brass Towel Holder
Wooden Tray
Walnut Countertops: locally made by Adam Garret Designs

The Dining Space

The little dining space is where we spend most of our time, and it's both functional and comfortable. Though the table does fold down to make a bed, we have found that we prefer to sleep in the sofa area and leave the table in tact. It's where we eat and work, and the kids play and draw!

Dining Space Resources:

Cabinet Hardware by Emtek
Lighting: Worley's Lighting
Flooring: Oak Fortress Rochesta by Kaindl
Baskets
Upholstery Fabric and Pillows by Joybird
Walnut Tabletop: locally made by Adam Garret Designs

Overall, I couldn't be happier with the end result and how it flows with our family needs. I loved designing such a tiny space, the littlest things can make the biggest impact!

I know I had a TON of questions as I was going through this process - so let me know if you have any questions in the comments below! I'll do my best to answer them. :)

July 2018 Calendar Collection

Monthly Calendar Downloads | July 2nd, 2018

Hello, July! Whew, summer is already flying by. We’ve been busy working on projects for the upcoming lookbook for my new fabric collection, Gathered for Art Gallery Fabrics, and I can't wait to show you more! This month's calendar is inspired by one of the prints, and it has begun arriving in stores worldwide!

We're also gearing up to take off on a cross-country camping trip later this month and I'm excited to explore with my family. I love re-discovering the world through my children's eyes!

July 2018 Calendar Collection:

↠ Click to download the digital desktop background

↠ Click to download the digital smartphone background

↠ Click to download the printable PDF Desk Version

↠ Click to download all of the above as a .ZIP file

Here's a little glimpse at our month. If you'd like to follow along with all the fun, I would love to meet you over on Instagram!

Announcing: Gathered Fabrics!

Bonnie Christine Design | June 18th, 2018

It is with much anticipation and great delight that I get to announce the release of my newest fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics: Gathered!

Gathered was inspired by finding joy in the simplest things. Gathering food from the garden on a summer day, gathering wild flowers along the roadside and best of all, gathering with the ones we love most. I hope it will inspire you to savor the small things, live a simpler life and cherish all the moments you have with your loved ones.

As I began dreaming up this collection, I pulled straight from my heart and the simple things that bring me the most joy. Growing flowers and food has always been a passion of mine, and now that I get to do it with my littles it's even more so. I find that connecting with the earth in this way, picking flowers that we've grown and eating food directly from the seeds we've sown, is endlessly inspiring.

More details:

Shop the full collection online now at the Fat Quarter Shop and Hawthorne Threads.

Using Gathered? Share your projects by using the hashtag #AGFGathered on Instagram!

Download Art Gallery Fabrics app to view all the collections, shop online and find a store near you. Download here: Apple or Android

The New Cricut Maker – Part I

Creative, Handmade | June 8th, 2018

This is part one of a two part post, stay tuned for my project reveal!

Last fall while exhibiting at International Quilt Market, I zipped by Cricut's booth display and had to take a second look. I whirled around when I saw this magnificent machine, cutting all sorts of materials I didn't think was possible with a cutting machine: leather, thick felt, balsa wood, chipboard, sequined fabric and even that super soft 'furry' fabric that can be difficult to handle. I had the honor of getting a complete demonstration of how the all new Cricut Maker works, and let me tell you: it's sensational!

Here's why I fell in love: the Maker comes with a rotary blade that cuts fabric for just about any sewing project – without backing material. With its gliding, rolling action, the rotary blade cuts through virtually any material (literally hundreds) quickly and accurately. And their all new Knife Blade even cuts through thicker materials like chipboard and balsa wood with ease.

My next favorite feature is that the Cricut Maker automatically detects the thickness of the materiel it's cutting, so there's no more guesswork in figuring out the blade depth. Hello!

I have several projects already planned, the first of which I'll be sharing with you next week, so stay tuned!

Tell me: what would YOU make with the Cricut Maker?

This post is sponsored by Cricut, who asked me to give an honest review of the Maker. It also contains affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are honest and purely mine.

June 2018 Calendar Collection

Monthly Calendar Downloads | June 1st, 2018

Hello June! May was beautiful and filled with projects of all sorts - I've been working hard in the garden, preparing for a summer filled with blooms and veggies. We're also remodeling a 1961 Airstream (see a peek below) and planning a big road trip this summer with the littles.

But possibly most exciting of all, has been the release of my newest fabric collection called Gathered for Art Gallery Fabrics. This month's calendar is inspired by one of the prints, and it begins shipping worldwide today!

↠ Click to download the digital desktop background

↠ Click to download the digital smartphone background

↠ Click to download the printable PDF Desk Version

↠ Click to download all of the above as a .ZIP file

Here's a little glimpse at our month. If you'd like to follow along with all the fun, I would love to meet you over on Instagram!

Announcing: Answer the Call Workshop

Creative, Education | May 22nd, 2018

It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here! I'm happy to share a dreamy idea I’ve been working on for the last nine months with two of my favorite people. My in-person workshop: Answer the Call is coming to New Orleans, LA!

Answer the Call was created for women with big dreams: artists, designers, visionaries, shop owners, service providers and goal-getters like YOU. If there’s a vision on your heart that has been whispering (or shouting) at you for too long, learn from three way-showers how to finally answer that call and make it happen.

I am co-hosting this event with a couple of amazing ladies (and leaders) in the creative industry. I think you’ll recognize them: Lisa Jacobs of Marketing Creativity and Kara Benz of Boho Berry.

Come reimagine your life. It’s a one-day intensive for a group of one hundred women. The workshop will take place the gorgeous and serene Botanical Gardens of New Orleans, LA.

Come Away with Us

Come away with us to connect with like-minded women. Come to escape the hustle, reset your focus, and breathe new life into your dreams and plans. Come away to spend the weekend with people who speak your language. Come to bust out of your comfort zone, enjoy new ideas and a fresh perspective.

As your presenters and hosts, Lisa, Kara, and I will be offering an honest and transparent look inside the making of our careers and the courage it took to answer our own callings. We won’t sugarcoat, nor will we water it down. No question will go unanswered, no struggle will go unheard. We’re there with one purpose: to show you what it takes to create the vision of success you never thought possible before.

We’ve each prepared talks, handouts and resources to help you take your ideas to the next level, but we’ve also left plenty of space in between our scheduled sessions to let the idea-generating, action-planning magic unfold.

Save the Date

Meet-ups like this are a huge step away from your comfort zone. We know the decision is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. All you have to do right now is save the date.

Write it down in your calendar: Thursday, October 4!

Next week, we’ll be sending more details your way on how to purchase a ticket via a newsletter - you can sign up to receive it right here. I hope to meet you in New Orleans!

>> Click here to jump right in <<

More details:

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Let's connect!