Lets play with Chalk & Paint!
I had the privilege to be apart of Caroline Hulse’s blog tour featuring her newest line with Art Gallery Fabrics: Chalk & Paint. Caroline is an amazing pattern designer and now this is her 3rd line of fabric for AGF under her business name “Sew Caroline”. I even did a little interview so we can all get to know Caroline a little more. I am day 2 on the blog tour, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing bloggers. Be sure to follow me on instagram for more inspiration @SLPco and @SewCaroline to see many more amazing projects using C&P.
I made a ton of outfits using Sew Caroline’s new line and I cant wait to make more. I actually just got my order of Chalk & Paint in the mail yesterday and I am dying to cut into it! I think my favorite part about the line is that the colors are sweet, perfect for little girls but they also have a pop of super vibrant color in most of the prints. It’s a win win for me and my girls!
As some of you know, I have 4 little girls and LOVE sewing them pretty little outfits. When Carloines line was released, I just couldn’t wait. These prints are full of fun and whimsy, my girls adore the colors and the fun prints. I made the Brenda’s Bow Back Top paired with Breanna’s Peekaboo shorts. I also made a simple Cheyennes knit top paired with Tilly’s Double circle skirt. And my current favorite dress pattern, Lexi’s Strappy back dress.
My daughter Rayann (my 4 year old) even changed the way she draws flowers now- she saw one of the main prints from the line and now does “swirly flowers” hehe.
Okay – lets get to the good stuff…. I did a little interview with Caroline, so we can all know what her life is like as a new mother, pattern designer & fabric designer. (isn’t she just so cute! I am a hot mess when I am in my sewing room – not even when I try to get ready do I look this put together… haha) (pictures of Caroline & Tinsley used with permission)
SLPco: So, you are a pattern designer, fabric designer, new mom… spill the beans…How do you do it all?
Caroline: Oh gosh! Let me tell you about it… it’s hard. Much harder than I had anticipated. I am typically a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, so when I first had Tinsley I basically was just winging it. After realizing quickly that that wasn’t going to work, I had to start going by a schedule. I have childcare help (my mom + MIL) two days a week where I can knock out 8ish hours of work in one sitting (my FAVORITE way to work) and then the rest of the week I do my best to work between feedings and naps. It’s a balancing act and I have to remind myself each day that it is a fun and hard SEASON of life that I will one day miss. Being a mom is my favorite part of my job =)
SLPco: Do you think having the cutest baby has influenced your design? (Doesn’t Tinsley just put a smile on your face?!?!)
Caroline: I definitely find myself wanting to make clothes and quilts for Tinsley more than I had thought I would. David (my husband) and I decided to be surprised by her gender until her birth, so I didn’t have a slew of time to sew up cute outfits. And honestly, I was convinced she was going to be a boy, so my hopes of sewing cute things were slim. BUT, now that she is here it is SO MUCH FUN to sew her a cute headband or dress or whatever I fancy. I find myself looking at fabrics differently and coming up with fun designs for her in my head constantly. If only there were more hours in the day!
I love this picture of Tinsley – so tiny… oh uh… I feel a little baby fever coming on…
SLPco: Who/what has influenced your fabric design?
Caroline: I am so inspired by being outdoors, learning about other cultures, reading magazines, strolling through retail stores, scrolling through instagram, etc. I find inspiration for my designs from ready-to-wear clothing, wall art, nature, unusual color pairings, etc. I try to find inspiration all around me and take notes/screenshots when something really stands out – even if I don’t know why in the moment!
SLPco: What hobbies do you enjoy? (this answer made me giggle – I think all moms out there can relate – right?!?!)
Caroline: One of our favorite things to do is to have brunch at a restaurant on the river on Saturday morning, bring our dog with us, and spend the morning/early afternoon walking on the trails. We basically just love being outside! We also really enjoy going camping. And naps. I freaking love taking a nap.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, be sure to enter Carlines giveaway!!! details below. There are many other talented ladies on this blog tour, be sure to check them out too (listed in the picture at the top of this blog post).
Sew Caroline is giving away a FULL fat quarter bundle of Chalk and Paint fabrics on instagram.
- Giveaway will last 2/22 through 3/7
- Open domestically (U.S.) only
- Public accounts only, so we can verify entries
To enter:
- Post/repost your favorite image from the blog tour (any photo from any blog post) crediting the maker/photographer
- Use the hashtag #chalkandpaintgiveaway and tag @sewcaroline
- People can enter once per day
Be sure to check out Art Gallery Fabrics HERE for all the latest lines – The look book for chalk and paint will be available later this week. You can find that HERE when it is uploaded.
Don’t forget to check out Sew Carolines blog and shop HERE
