Giving

November 15, 2011 by carina 70 Comments

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

Sewing Pattern Winner

April 4, 2011 by carina

Thanks for your comments! I’ve been so excited to see the patterns up in shops online today! We still are getting our list together and I’ll let you know the moment it is ready on this site.

Okay, from random.org we have our winner of a sewing pattern! The winner is #9:

Jenbreeze says:

My daughter is thrilled that I’ve let my sewing stuff overtake our dining room. It would be fun to sew one your patterns with her! Thanks for the chance to win.

Congrats Jenbreeze! Send me an email at info@carinagardner.com and choose which pattern you’d like me to send.

Thank you to everyone else who participated!

Sewing Pattern Giveaway

March 29, 2011 by carina 51 Comments

This week we are shipping out the first round of patterns. I am hoping to have our online retailers up on the sewing pattern page for your shopping convenience.

So, for the fun of it, I’m doing a giveaway on this new line. For every 100 comments, we will giveaway a sewing pattern. Those that win can choose from 1 of the 4 patterns we currently have available. How sweet is that?

This giveaway ends on Monday, April 4, 2011. Go ahead! Comment away!

Happy Sewing! -Carina

Love Nest Giveaway Winner and Sneak Peek of Summer Releases

January 17, 2011 by carina 3 Comments

I know you have been patiently waiting all day for me to announce the winner of the Love Nest fat quarter set! I am finally here…so here we go! Drum roll please.

The winner by random.org was jeanie who said:

love it and with a new granddaughter being born in March this would be great to make her some things…thanks =0)

I’m also awarding an honorary fat quarter set to Kelly O who said:

After finding your fabrics yesterday I called my LQS and begged her to carry them!
she said she’d look into it
you have amazing talent!
I’m sorry I missed out on coquette initially–now I’m scrambling to get some

Congrats Jeanie! I hope you are able to make something fabulous for your new granddaughter. And a big thank you to Kelly for calling your local quilt store! A little designer like me appreciates it so much when people like my work enough to make the call! Please email me at info@carinagardner.com so I get those bundles in the mail to both of you!

And now, a little begging of my own. This summer there will be not just one or two, but THREE of my fabric lines released. I got a happy little package today with samples! These three lines are currently on sale to shops ONLY (to stock for summer 2011). If you like the lines, would you mind giving your local shop a ring for me? These goodies are on sale now for summer shipping. Take a look at the full lines here: Baby Safari, Pinfeathers, and Dress Up.

Love Nest Giveaway!

January 10, 2011 by carina 146 Comments

Well, these gorgeous bolts have been arriving at my house for the last couple of weeks, and I finally have a bit of time to sew! Hooray! To jump off all this sewing fun, I’m giving away a Love Nest™ fat quarter set. All 12 luscious fabrics mailed right to you…how’s that for fun? Leave me a comment in this post to get entered into the drawing. Winner will be announced in a week on January 17th.

Happy Sewing!

Carina

Haunted Giveaway Announced and Freebie!

October 11, 2010 by carina

I’m hopping on tonight to announce that the winner of the Haunted™ paper set is: #24 Amber Robbins. Email me at info@carinagardner.com, and I’ll send off that set! Congrats!

Two more things before I turn in for the night. First, Good Things Utah covered my Halloween line (Click on the picture on the right). Amber Packer has some awesome ideas when it comes to working with the line! Check them out on her blog here.

The second thing is that if you sign up for the newsletter, we are adding a digital scrapbooking freebie to the first issue (which will be sent out this weekend). Be sure and sign up for it here so you can get your free copy of my Little Princess Digi Kit. If you have never digi scrapbooked before, this is a great way to see the kinds of files and goodies you get in a kit. I’m also pretty partial to this kit because of my two little princesses.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about the newsletter. It’s almost done and my cup runneth over with happiness about how cute it is!

Coquette Crazy

October 4, 2010 by carina 32 Comments

If you saw my studio, you’d know exactly what I mean. There is fabric everywhere! This morning I had a meeting with photographer Susan Haglund as we mapped out the photoshoot this weekend. Lot’s of stuff a-cookin’. This is my quick stop into my blog to say, “hello!” and let you know about a couple of things.

1- First, it’s the beginning of October and I have one more paper pack (and brads and stamps and vinyl) of Haunted™ in my studio. It’s up for grabs, just leave a comment in this post, and I’ll announce the winner next Monday.

2-We’re hyping up in the studio for our brand-spankin’-new quarterly newsletter. This isn’t your typical newsletter…I promise it won’t disappoint! Our very first one will be coming out in a couple of weeks with lots of eye candy. I’ll be sure to announce new classes coming up, new designs, and show you what we have been up to in the studio. Be sure and sign up!

3-You’ll notice that there is a new navigation bar up top! That’s because we have simplified the website in the hopes that you can find anything your heart desires very quickly. Be sure and refresh you blog page to make sure you get the most up-to-date links.

4-I’m anxiously waiting for my Coquette quilt to come back this weekend…I’ll keep you posted!

Hugs-Carina

Coquette Giveaway Winner Announced

September 23, 2010 by carina

Hello all! I know you have been anticipating today’s post. I won’t delay it by telling you that I finally finish my Coquette™ quilt and was thoroughly amazed at how long it takes to get it machine quilted. So give me a few weeks and I’ll get the pattern, instruction, and photos up for you.

In the meantime, someone gets to enjoy some of this giveaway goodness. And that person is (according to random.org): Shelly Garcia

Shelly Garcia says:

September 18, 2010 at 11:35 am (Edit)

I love the Coquette fabric! I have the perfect pattern for them. Fall is probably my favorite season of the year but it can be dreary with the leaves falling off the trees and everything getting ready to sleep for the winter. I love this fabric because it will help brighten things up without looking out of place! Did I mention I love this fabric!

Congrats Shelly! email me at info@carinagardner.com and we’ll get you all set up!

Thank you to everyone that entered! There may be one more giveaway for an extra packet of Haunted™ I have lying around the office in the near future…

A Big Ol’ Fabric and Paper Giveaway

September 14, 2010 by carina 153 Comments

You can image how excited I was when Coquette™ came to my door today! It actually got dropped off at my old address and has been sitting there for 4 days! I’m so happy to have it at my house now, filling up my tiny studio. It’s amazing!

You can find Coquette™ by going to Northcott’s website and checking out were it is being sold (click on the sidebar for locations). If it’s not near you or you need an online resource, you can check out the Fat Quarter Shop or eQuilter.com.

I’m also giving you a chance to win it here! I have fat quarters (all 13 fabrics!) already cut and ready to be shipped! How’s that for fun! Coquette™ is 100% cotton and will happily be made into anything your heart desires!

What’s better than getting these juicy fabrics? How about a paper pack, epoxy brads, and acrylic stamps from my Haunted™ scrapbook line? I also have a pair of simulated diamond earrings from Diamond Earring.org (they sent me a pair too and they are very cute), and a Picture Keeper USB for you (have you tried one of these? It automatically downloads all your photos from your computer by just plugging it in!). I’m throwing all of it into a package and sending it to someone who leaves a comment on this thread. I’ll do a random drawing and announce the winner on Friday, September 24th. Be sure and comment for a chance at this!

Want to always learn about giveaways like this one? Be sure and sign up for my newsletter either in the post below or the side bar.

XOXO, Carina

MeadowLark Giveaway Winner Announced and A Bit of Favorite Friday

May 14, 2010 by carina 3 Comments

I haven’t had a Favorite Friday post in an age, but I thought I would give you a little Favorite Friday today by sharing my never-fail, absolutely-easy, dessert-of-choice for parties I throw. What is it? It seems ridiculous that I by-pass the best pastry shops and go straight to Costco for their chocolate cake. It’s affordable, rich, and feeds a crowd! After serving and preparing a big dinner, I always try to opt out of cooking dessert, and this is the way to do it! I served it at my Annual Chinese New Year Party this year (which I STILL haven’t gotten around to posting photos of!) and it fed 20 people (with left-overs to spare). I like to serve it with fresh strawberries. It’s such a treat and perhaps even better because I didn’t slave over a hot stove to make it !

OKay, enough Favorite Friday! I’m sure you are itching to know who the winner of MeadowLark™ is! First, thank you to everyone who made comments about MeadowLark! It was fun to read what you might use the collection for! I get a kick out of reading your comments and the more comments this blog gets, the more fun it is to post giveaways and freebies! Let people know so I can continue to do so! And the winner for this giveaway by random.org was:

Patti Hutchinson says: I just love the idea of a neutral black and white line for all of my spring and summer flower pictures. I also think it would make a great mini album for just about anything!

Thanks Patti for your comment and I’m excited to see those photos! I just need you to email me at info@carinagardner.com and I’ll get this lovely collection shipped out to you right away! Not a bad way to end the week, huh?

As for me, I’ve got some serious designing to do this weekend because I’m gearing up for Quilt Market next week in my home-of-six years, Minneapolis! My first line Coquette™ will be premiering there. I’ll be sure to give you all a report and LOTS of pictures!

Winner of Color Kit 3 Giveaway is…

April 8, 2010 by carina

from random.org is Comment # 8

Rhadonda says:

Children truly are a gift and a blessing. Congrats to your sister. I will be back to buy the kit to help your sister. Hobby…..new to digital scrapbooking and loving it. I also love to sew and smock (kind of like embroidered hand stitch) little girl dresses. The new color kit looks awesome too. Thanks for the opportunity.

Congrats Rhadonda! I LOVE smocking (not doing it but looking at it:). You’ve won Color Kit #3. I’ll contact you to get you a link to download this fab kit! I know this giveaway was short notice, so thank you to everyone who participated! Be sure and check out DHD today and pick up Baby Mine or Color Kit 3 if you get a chance!

A Super Post- A Free Download, A Giveaway, and A Good Cause

April 6, 2010 by carina 18 Comments

dhd_carinagardner_babyminePREV1

I’d like to start with the good cause because, well, it’s the most exciting for me! My little sister SuiKim (pronounced “Sweet-Kim” without the “t”) and her husband Steve found out a couple of weeks ago that they have been chosen to adopt a little baby boy! I’m especially happy for SuiKim and Steve, who are just about the nicest, kindest couple of people around. They have spent most of their marriage wanting to have a child, and haven’t been as fortunate as many of us. If you’ve gone through this process, you know how heartbreaking and difficult it is. I’m so grateful that this opportunity has come for them and wanted to share my joy with you.

sisters Without going into my family history, I’ll just tell you that my family as suffered a bit of heartache the last few years (a story for another time). Because of this SuiKim and Steve don’t have many financial resources. I wanted to help the best way I know how. So the digital kit above, BABY MINE, will go on sale on Thursday, April 8th, at Design House Digital with all the proceeds going to help pay for the adoption. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity in helping me get this new little family started. I’ll be sure to post pictures of the little one when he arrives (camera will be waiting in hand!). (BTW, the pic on the side is my sister Yanni (right), SuiKim (center holding Yanni’s son Tad), and me).

If you don’t digital scrapbook, or just want to help, I’ve included a donation box here for you to send money to them.

Please Donate To SuiKim and Steve’s Adoption

Powered by The-Online-Quest

Thanks again for all your help in this effort! I’m excited to see this little family get their first baby!

Okay, on to the next thing! A giveway. Yes, I know you like giveaways and I do too! Due to hit Design House Digital on Thursday is a new Color Kit. I’ve been getting emails about this, and FINALLY I got to it! Want to win it? All you have to do is leave me a little message in this post about your favorite hobby—Are you scrapbooker? Quilter? Avid crafter? Obsessive organizer? I love hearing about others’ obsessive need to create! I’m right there with you.

Here’s little peek at Color Kit 3. I’ll post the winner Thursday morning, bright and early so leave me some love sometime on Wednesday.

dhd_carinagardner_365_color3PREV

And finally, a little freebie for you! It’s a little party card download made from the Baby Mine kit. Use it for a birthday, baby shower, baby housewarming party, or (in my case) “Baby’s Here!” party. If you aren’t a “digital person,” no worries! This card is already positioned on an 8.5″ x 11″ paper so all you have to do is download and print. You may get a download window, or the image may appear in a new screen (if this happens just right click on it and SAVE IMAGE). It’s a high quality jpg that will print beautifully for you! Enjoy!

Giveaway Announced!

January 28, 2010 by carina 1 Comment

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Color Kit 2 Giveaway! It was such short notice and I loved seeing what you all liked from the new fabric line and from DHD. I will certainly be giving away more kits in the future and some fabric once I get orders in! So check back for that!

OKay, the winner is:

random

Donna says:

January 27, 2010 at 8:36 am (Edit)

I found you, and DHD purely by accident and had the Color Kit #1 in by Kaboodle for so long. Everytime I thought I had some spare change, I’d go back to it and contemplate buying it, but then would decide to wait and save a few more pennies. Well, I kept pulling up the page over and over again – the colors and simplicity just drew me in. I have in and purchased it and have not looked back. I’m in love with it! Now, I eagerly await every one of your editions to the Color Kit stuff. I got through 2009 365 about 75% before I ran out of steam. Here’s to 2010 – my 365 is going to rock your stuff!

Congrats Donna! I’ll be emailing you a link today for your downloading pleasure!

Thanks again to everyone who participated and I’m going to post pics a little later of my project with my Valentine’s Glitter Book Love Nest!

Project 365 Giveaway! Who Doesn’t Like Free?

January 26, 2010 by carina 27 Comments

dhd_carinagardner_365_color2PREV I haven’t had a giveaway for a while so here’s one that only lasts a day! It starts NOW and ends Thursday morning at 9am Mountain Standard Time. It’s from my popular Design 365 Color Kit Series (yum, yum!) and is normally $9.99 in the store (but will be 30% off this Thursday only). I’m giving away Design 365 Color Kit #2 (see to the right) to someone who makes a comment on this post on their favorite fabric from my Coquette fabric line, which is will hit quilting stores this June OR their favorite digital kit of mine from Design House Digital.

I just started making layouts from this kit tonight and I’m pretty happy with how versatile it is. Here’s a layout made with only products from this kit I made of my daughter Flissa.

dhd_carinagardner_365_color2_layout_sm So just make a comment in this thread and I’ll do a happy random dance to tell you all the winner on Thursday morning.

Happy Scrapping! XOXOXO

Free Download During Chat Tonight!

July 28, 2009 by carina 2 Comments

carinaandjen_2ps_pinklemonadefreebieprev As a fun gift to everyone who joins the chat, Jen and I have put together this darling little freebie! You will need to post in the chat tonight and we’ll send you a peamail with the link which will only be downloadable during the chat. Be sure and drop by and get it! Visit us in the CHA Summer Forum at 10pm CST.