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In this episode, Susan welcomes Carina Gardner, a renowned fabric designer and CEO of multiple companies. Carina, who has designed fabric for Riley Blake Designs, dies for Silhouette, host of the Make and Design Podcast, creater of Design Suite, and is the founder of the University of Arts and Design, shares her journey and strategies for building a thriving creative business.

The episode covers Carina's latest exciting project, her new office 'the barn,' and its role in her content creation and family life balance. Carina also delves into the significance of niche marketing, follower engagement, and the real metrics of success. She discusses her approach to content creation and her notable achievement of founding the University of Arts and Design, offering comprehensive design and business education. Carina emphasizes listening to her community, pivoting based on needs, and the importance of impactful time management. Packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring creative entrepreneurs.

01:04 Introducing Carina Gardner

02:26 Balancing Family and Business

07:29 Content Creation Strategies

12:21 The Importance of Niche and SEO

18:48 Design Suite and University Programs

26:51 Building a Lasting Legacy

30:10 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?

Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.

For more information and to sign up, visit our website.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

Join me at QuiltCon 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona! I had the pleasure to speak with vendors, attendees and teachers, and recorded them to share with you. Find out more about them below:

Hollyann of String and Story

• Website - https://www.stringandstory.com/

Kristin of Laurastar

• Website - https://www.laurastar.com/

Lorelai Kueker of Pigs in a Blanket Quilting

• Website - https://www.pigsinablanketquilting.com/

Cheryl Koranda - Longarm League

• Website - https://www.longarmleague.com/

Natalie of OESD

• Website - https://oesd.com/

Amy Chappell

• Website - https://amerooniedesigns.com/

Karlee Porter

• Website - https://www.karleeporter.com/

Elizabeth deMoo of Brown Bird Designs

• Website - https://brownbirddesigns.com/

Enjoli Strait with BERNINA

• Website - https://www.doodlequiltingstudio.com/

Sew Becca -

• Website - https://sewbecca.com/

Melissa Renfrey of Storyteller Stitchery

• Website - https://storytellerstitchery.com/

Chelsie of Pink Door Fabrics

• Website - https://www.pinkdoorfabrics.com/

Blair Stocker

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?

Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.

For more information and to sign up, visit our website.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

In the latest season of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once,' we dive into the world of creative entrepreneurship and quilting. Join me as I welcome Amy Smart, of Diary of a Quilter, a well-established quilter and fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs.

Amy and I discuss her journey from blogging to designing fabric, the evolution of her business, her strategies for maintaining balance, and insights on the quilting community's changes over the years.

Learn practical tips for managing a creative business, the importance of taking breaks, and the benefits of outsourcing.

Plus, hear about Amy's inspiring trip to Mexico City and her upcoming fabric line with Riley Blake Designs, 'Mary Catherine.' It's an episode packed with valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned creative entrepreneurs.

Visit Amy at the following places:

• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook

00:00 Introduction to Season 5

01:03 Guest Introduction: Amy Smart

02:19 Current Projects and Business Insights

04:08 The Evolution of Blogging and Social Media

09:33 Balancing Business and Personal Life

20:30 Outsourcing and Delegation

22:59 Becoming a Fabric Designer

28:17 Inspiration from Mexico City

34:46 Conclusion and Farewell

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?

Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.

For more information and to sign up, visit our website.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

In this episode, I welcome world traveler Kim Caskey to the podcast. You can find out more about her from her website at www.kimcaskey.ca and more about her world tours at www.kimcaskey.ca/tours as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

Kim has the enviable job of coordinating and organizing textile tours around the world, including Ireland, Scotland, France, England, Wales, Japan, France, and Italy. Kim frequently likes to tie in quilt festivals into these tours, as these are great ways to explore the different styles and subjects of the quilts of the world.

I'm excited to announce that I'll be joining Kim on her July 2025 Birmingham London Tour!

Kim's cohost will be Paula Rafferty, an Irish quilter, who is a certified judge, and part of the tour will include her guiding the tour participants through the Birmingham Quilt show through the winning quilts through a judge's eye.

In September of 2025, Kim will be joining special guest Pam Holland in Australia!

Several special guests in Australia will include Jen Kingwell and Kathy Doughty.

Visit my blog to download the brochures

00:00 Introduction to Season 5

01:07 Guest Introduction: Kim Caskey

02:27 Quilting Tours Around the World

05:02 Upcoming Birmingham and London Tour

13:35 Exploring the Australia Tour

15:01 Kim's Journey into Quilting

26:14 The Art of Custom Quilting

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?

Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.

For more information and to sign up, visit our website.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

In this episode, I emphasize the importance, as I see it, of collaboration over competition. It's a beautiful thing when our quilting community shares knowledge, celebrates others' successes, and seeks help without fear. I advocate for giving proper credit to original ideas and designs, ensuring a supportive and vibrant and sustainable creative industry.

Tune in to learn how generosity can form a strong foundation for a prosperous, creative business. When we work together, it not only improves our projects but improves the entire community!

00:00 Introduction to Season 5

01:03 The Power of Collaboration in Quilting

02:20 Overcoming the Fear of Sharing

03:58 Honoring Originality and Giving Credit

05:27 Fostering a Collaborative Community

07:16 Conclusion and Call to Action

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?

Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.

For more information and to sign up, visit our website.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

In Season 5 of Measure Twice, Cut Once, the focus shifts to the business side of quilting and creative entrepreneurship. The season aims to share personal experiences and host guest discussions on building a thriving creative business.

The opening of the episode introduces Heather from PurpleHobbies.com, who designs custom 3D printed sewing tools. My favorite is the binding third hand. But whether you want to organize your bobbins, or find the perfect pin holder, or tag and label your quilt in progress, her custom tools are like having a secret weapon in your crafting arsenal. Use the code SBS15 for 15% off any items in her online store. Head over to PurpleHobbies.com and see how Heather is bringing innovation right to your crafting table.

If you haven't had a chance to, listen to Episode 94 of Measure Twice, Cut Once with Casey Brown.

The core topic for this episode explores the fair pricing of creative work, emphasizing the need to value the experience and skills artisans bring to their projects. Practical advice is given on calculating hourly rates and overhead costs, supported by a spreadsheet provided to help listeners price their work accurately. The episode also highlights common overlooked costs and offers a challenge to track all aspects of a project for better pricing evaluation.

Grab your pricing calculator spreadsheet here.

00:00 Welcome to Season 5

01:04 Introducing PurpleHobbies.com

01:57 The Art of Pricing Your Work

06:27 Understanding Overhead Costs

09:01 Practical Pricing Strategies

13:58 Tracking Your Time and Costs

16:12 Final Thoughts and Challenge

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials

Send us a text

Creative Entrepreneurship and Pricing with guest Casey Brown

In this episode of Measure Twice, Cut Once, I introduce to you my special guest Casey Brown, a pricing expert and author of 'Fearless Pricing' and founder of Boost Pricing. Casey's TED Talk can be viewed here. Casey talks about helping artisans command the prices they deserve and shares insights on pricing, valuing one's work, and building confidence as a creative entrepreneur.

The discussion covers practical steps for setting price floors and ceilings, overcoming the fear of pricing, and improving negotiation skills. This episode aims to empower creatives to confidently monetize their crafts while staying true to their passion.

Interested in learning more about Cleft Care International? You can do so here.

00:00 Welcome to the New Season
00:29 Introducing the Season's Focus
01:29 Meet Casey Brown: Pricing Expert
02:40 Diving into Pricing Strategies
10:25 Understanding the Floor and Ceiling in Pricing
18:01 Building Confidence in Your Value
31:32 Casey's Inspirational Journey
34:31 Conclusion and Farewell

Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going.

Are you looking to ADVANCE your machine quilting skills?

Machine quilting can be very solitary, especially on a longarm. It's just not that easy to pack up your machine and head to a friend's house for the day, right? But it's important to have that community - that sharing of ideas and tips, encouragement and motivation.

For more information and to sign up, visit our website.

Support the show

------------------------

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here.

Resources:

ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership

FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course

ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class

And here's where you can find more of my work:

YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes
Website - for more information on classes and quilting services
Facebook - current projects and photos
Instagram - current projects and photos
Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials