DIE CUT PROJECTS (SILHOUETTE & CRICUT) Archives

Pinfeathers Rosetta Wreath- Free Download

5 Comments / Fabric, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Sewing, Tutorials / carina

My sister-in-law walked in as I was making this wreath and said, “Weren’t you just complaining about the number of wreaths you have?” Ummm, yep. I might have too many wreaths. But this one is just SOOO cute! (justification, justification).

So this is definately a time-consuming project but with only a couple of steps. I recommend doing it in front of a really good movie (We were watching Howl’s Moving Castle when I made this one).

The final result is so adorable that I could get a little crazy with this idea—cone shaped trees, ornaments…okay, I’m just going to stop right there.

Download the instructions by clicking on the photo!

Have fun! -Carina

Pinfeathers Rosetta Wreath- Free Download Read More »

Essentials Plus

Digital Scrapbooking, Jessica Sprague, Scrapbooking / carina

I was browsing through my creative team’s layouts that feature my new digital scrapbooking line Essentials Plus. I’m amazed at the way they are using the line! Even though I did intend it to be a paper-meets-elements line, it is way more versatile than I thought it would be. Most of these layouts use ONLY the essential papers (thank you fabulous creative team!).

Layout by Carey Bridges

Layout by Laurel Flechtner

Layout by Susan Haglund

Layout by Stephanie Andre

Essentials Plus Read More »

Exciting New Upcoming Events!

2 Comments / Design Lessons, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love, Tutorials, Workshops / carina

There are two spectacular events that I plan on attending in the coming months. The first is Spraguefest!

This is an annual event hosted by Jessica Sprague to further build (the already awesome) community. I know there are going to be a lot of awesome people at this event, and I’m pretty excited to attend! I’m teaching a class on color (it’s going to be messy!).

Spraguefest is October 7-10, 2011 and there is a registration fee of $80 for classes and materials. I know there are going to be goodie bags (yum) and some fantastic teachers! This year we are in Las Vegas and I’m sure that whatever happens in Vegas will stay in Vegas. That means a lot of late night craziness. Oh alright, maybe some daytime craziness as well (I might have done a little dance in the street last year).

The second event is my brand new Paper and Digital Designer Workshop! Think elegant girls-trip-meets-intense-design-school. Yep, it’s going to be that kind of weekend!

We’ll be in Salt Lake City working on your paper and digital designer skills (and possibly your shopping skills, manicure skills, nunchuck skills…). It’s going to be a super intense experience that will help you explore your creativity! We are staying at the Little America Hotel , who will also be catering nearly the entire event. The Little America is well known for being a luxurious Four Diamond Hotel and their menus and decor are impressive! Get ready for a glammed-up girls weekend that will also define your design career!

Registration for this event is capped at 20 people and is first-come, first serve.

Check out our workshops page to learn more and register!

I hope to be able to hang out with you at one or both of these events!

Exciting New Upcoming Events! Read More »

Carina Gardner Quarterly Newsletter (Issue No. 4)

2 Comments / CRAFTS, Fabric, Scrapbooking, Sewing, Sewing Patterns, Stuff I Love, Tutorials / carina

FINALLY! We’ve finished our fourth issue of our newsletter! Better late than never, right?

I think this is our best issue so far. First of all, there are a LOT of photos. And tutorials. And photos. And an announcement (which links to ANOTHER digital magazine). And did I mention photos?

It’s seriously delicious!

Susan has already posted a bit on getting ready for this crazy photoshoot (see it here). I can tell you right now that we had so many amazing photos that I’m not going to be able to resist posting them.

But first, click on the newsletter to the left here and take a peek at all the fun we were up to in the studio.

https://carinagardner.com/newsletter/carina-gardner-newsletter-issue-no-4/

More photos to come!

Carina Gardner Quarterly Newsletter (Issue No. 4) Read More »

It’s Been A Week

4 Comments / Digital Scrapbooking, Jessica Sprague, Scrapbooking / carina

I think it’s been a week at least since I have blogged. I’m too lazy to go back and check the front page to see how long it has been. Or too tired. Which is ironic since my kids got a sleepover with cousins last night and are getting a sleepover with grandma tonight all for the sake of work. How I can be so tired seems ridiculous given that I’m getting so much help at the moment!

Mostly, I have been working on Art of Digital Design 2. While the class has been fully written and all the images drawn, it’s the videos that have been time consuming. And while students don’t make the exact paper set I make in class (the class is technique and theory based), I couldn’t help but show you what I’ve been up to. For those of you taking the class, get excited! (Or I’ll just get excited for you since I know what you will be up to!)

I’m going to keep plugging away at these videos!

In fabric news, I’m told that my three new lines are on route. My quarterly newsletter hasn’t gone out because we have been holding out for those lines! So June-July won’t get to you until August.

That’s the way we are rollin’ these days.

And by the way, WHERE is summer going? August is a couple of days away and I can feel myself going into shock. Hoping I can squeeze in a couple of visits to the pool and zoo this coming month.

Hugs-Carina

It’s Been A Week Read More »

Carina Gardner Sewing Pattern Giveaway at the Boutique Cafe

1 Comment / Fabric, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Interviews, Quilt Market, Sewing, Sewing Patterns / carina

At Quilt Market this last May I had the opportunity to visit with Daria at the Boutique Café. She has the interview up and a giveaway of one my sewing patterns. You’ll notice I make a big announcement about where my fabric is going at the end of the interview (did you catch it?). We will officially announce and show you some yummy samples of the new fabric line in our next newsletter.

Speaking of sewing patterns, I’m in the middle of finishing up two more patterns! I hope to have them finished up by the end of the month (waiting on my Pinfeathers, Dress Up, and Baby Safari to arrive to finish them up!). I can’t wait to show you! So back to the sewing machine for me!

Carina Gardner Sewing Pattern Giveaway at the Boutique Cafe Read More »

This is the 10th Stop on the Jessica Sprague Bloghop Freebie!

75 Comments / Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Jessica Sprague, Scrapbooking / carina

Thanks for making it to my stop on the Jessica Sprague Birthday Party Bloghop! Just click on the image below to get your freebie for me that coordinates with all the other designers at JS!

If you have stopped here first, you can find the beginning of this blog hop at Jessica’s blog.

Be sure and check out the awesome sale going on including 35% off all the digi shops and 20% off the classes.

Once you’ve gotten your freebie here, move on to STOP #11.

THIS FREEBIE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THIS WILL BE IN THE JS SHOP JULY 11, 2011.

This is the 10th Stop on the Jessica Sprague Bloghop Freebie! Read More »

Huge Jessica Sprague Sale!

Digital Scrapbooking, Illustrator, Jessica Sprague, Scrapbooking / carina

JessicaSprague.com is FOUR! To celebrate, they’re throwing a HUGE Birthday Bash & Summer Sale. From June 13-26, you can save 20% off of every self-paced class (think Illustrator, hehe), and 35% off of ALL digital products. In addition, grab all 27 episodes of Jessica’s amazing Photoshop Friday tutorials for just $1 each before they’re retired on June 26! As part of the celebration, starting on June 24, you can participate in an incredible 47-person blog hop (including a great freebie from me!), picking up a sweet digital freebie at each stop! Best of all, on June 26 Jessica will be making a special announcement of a brand new class coming up in July. We only put our site on sale two times a year, so don’t miss out on this GREAT savings opportunity! For all the info on the Summer Sale, Photoshop Fridays, blog hop, and the new class, just click here!

Off to finish off my new pattern! Be in next week with my freebie!

Hugs! Carina

Huge Jessica Sprague Sale! Read More »

Sewing Pattern Winner

Giveaways, Sewing Patterns / 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 Winner Read More »

ABC Class Starts Today!

ABC Class, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking, Sewing, Sewing Patterns / carina

Today we start our second session of my ABC Inspiration Class. It’s fun celebration of our everyday lives in the forum of a digital scrapbooking album. I’m pretty excited to see what this new class comes up with!

Today must be “ABC” day because I also have a set of ABC Templates up in my digital scrapbooking shop. It’s 25% off (as all my new products are on Monday). I mention the templates because I recommend seeing my original blog post on these templates, which has a couple of yummy photos of the book I made.

Today I’m shipping out more of my new sewing pattern line. You’ll be able to purchase this line from your favorite online retailers pretty soon. We are hoping to have the list up by the end of this week. You should also see them at your local quilt shop within the month. Hip Hip Hooray!

ABC Class Starts Today! Read More »

Sewing Pattern Giveaway

51 Comments / Fabric, Giveaways, Sewing Patterns / carina

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

Sewing Pattern Giveaway Read More »

Free Digital Scrapbooking Kits

3 Comments / Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

I have a couple of new free kits that I am giving away to everyone. I love digital scrapbooking, and I haven’t had a lot of time to work on layouts recently! Making these new kits did a world of good for me as I “shabbied” paper to my heart’s content.

Spring Fling is the kit I am giving away to everyone who is part of the Facebook CG Page. Join up and when we hit 1200, I am going to send it to everyone’s inboxes. After that, it will go on sale at Jessica Sprague with the rest of my digital products.

My second kit coordinates perfectly with this Spring Fling kit. It’s called Hippity Hop (do you see the springtime theme going on here?) for the little bunny that made it into the papers.

________________________________________________________________

You can download this kit for free at my upcoming Designer Sale at Jessica Sprague. The sale and free kit will be available from March 25- 27 (Friday through Sunday).

Okay, listen to how good this sale is…All of my products will be 25% off, my Hybrid Projects will be $1, and my Desktop Calendar class will be 40% off! And then of course, you ought to get on and download this happy little free kit!

Hope you all have a chance to download these kits! I loved making them and making myself a couple of layouts for my scrapbooks (that seem to always be incomplete).

Will be around to blog soon!

XOXO-Carina

Free Digital Scrapbooking Kits Read More »

Valentine’s Day

Fabric, Family, Holiday Projects, Scrapbooking / carina

Just dropping in for a second to report our very, merry Valentine’s Day. Seriously, my kids made out like bandits…I swear it could have been Halloween! Both were happily going through their candy /valentine cards after school today. I think Flissa tried every sucker and opened all of the Fun Dip a child could eat in a year.

Siri made her Valentine’s Day box with Aunt Baily this year and used my Love Nest glitter paper and fabric, beads, ribbon, and silk flowers. I was a pretty proud mama. She was also excited to wear her ” Valentine’s Day shirt” from Love Nest. She was pretty cute modeling it for me. Ya, ya, I know. Proud mama again.

Tomorrow I’m heading into Siri’s first grade class to help the kids make a quilt to donate for their class project for their Arts Night Fundraiser. I’ll tell you how it goes…

Valentine’s Day Read More »

Love Nest Flag Quilt – Free Download

11 Comments / Fabric, Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

After a weekend of quilting, I finally have the Love Nest™ Flag Quilt instructions for you! It’s a such a beautiful quilt (if I do say so myself) and the flags make it fun and modern. I’ll be making a second one this weekend (both girls want one). In fact, Siri liked it so much that she stole it off of Flissa’s bed once the 3-year-old had fallen asleep. Sneaky!

All of the patterns and measurements for this quilt is included in the pattern. Happy Quilting!

XOXO-Carina

Love Nest Flag Quilt – Free Download Read More »

Love Nest Giveaway Winner and Sneak Peek of Summer Releases

3 Comments / Fabric, Giveaways / carina

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 Winner and Sneak Peek of Summer Releases Read More »

Love Nest Giveaway!

146 Comments / Fabric, Giveaways / carina

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

Love Nest Giveaway! Read More »

The 2010 Carina Gardner Blog Summary

CRAFTS, Digital Scrapbooking, Fabric, Jessica Sprague, Scrapbooking, Sewing / carina

2010 zipped by, didn’t it? Looking back, it was such a big year for me: a little first grader, a brand new preschooler, my first fabric line, getting comfy in our new home…it was a fun year and to celebrate, here are some of my favorite blog moments from 2010. Enjoy!

1 – Iron-on graphics on T-shirts for Siri’s Birthday Party favors

2 – How to Create a Layout From a Quick Page or Album in Digital Scrapbooking. My first freebie video tutorial!

3 – I still love and use these cute canister labels!

4 – It was the Designer Blog Hop with a super fun free digital scrapbooking download for International Scrapbooking Day!

5 – My Chinese New Year Party revisited!

6 – My first free pattern download – the Felicity Fabric Flower

7 – My first Quilt Market! Back to Minneapolis!

8 – Sew Important – My mom gives my daughter a lesson in sewing.

9 – CHA in Chicago along with fun at Spraguefest! A boat tour of the city, sewing fun, and a trip to Navy Pier I’ll never forget!

10 – The first CG Newsletter is released! Eye candy for all!

11 – Download for the Halloween Banner for my paper line Haunted™. I’ve been asked if that piano is just for display, but the answer is “no.” I actually play that thing!

12 – My first downloadable quilt pattern using Coquette™. A great beginner quilt!

13 – My move to Jessica Sprague.com. A new Desktop Calendar Class, Hybrid Project Fridays and One Dollar Wednesdays!

14 – A quick ballet bag using Love Nest™.

15 – A Partridge Pattern

16 – A Merry Christmas to You!

The 2010 Carina Gardner Blog Summary Read More »

Partridge Bird Pattern – Free Download

2 Comments / CRAFTS, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Sewing / carina

As promised, here is my cute partridge birdie pattern. I’ve got these little darlings sprinkled all over my Christmas tree this year, but I see a future for these birds in other rooms in my house. And not just in felt. Oh no. These birdies will be perfectly pretty in fabric…

Pattern and instructions can be downloaded below! Happy sewing!

XOXO-Carina

Partridge Bird Pattern – Free Download Read More »

It’s Beginning to Feel Alot Like Christmas

CRAFTS, Digital Scrapbooking, Holiday Projects, Scrapbooking / carina

It’s not even Thanksgiving… and my house and studio are buzzing with all sorts of Christmas fun. We are getting ready for our 4th quarter newsletter, which should be out sometime next week. We might even have a wicked little goodie for you…so be sure and sign up so that you can get access to the newsletter the moment it goes out.

Want to see what kind of fun you are missing out on? Check out our first issue (3rd quarter) here.

Also wanted to be sure and mention One Dollar Wednesday and Hybrid Project Friday at my digital scrapbooking shop. To be totally fair with everyone, you’ll notice that I release only new products on One Dollar Wednesday and New Release Monday. That way, if you buy it on Monday, you won’t suddenly see it on One Dollar Wednesday (ya, that would suck).

There is a 6-12 month lag period on all my products ever hitting a $1 day (and many will never hit the $1 day). So to help you all out, I’ve instituted 25% off on all my new releases on Mondays for the rest of, well, forever. You’ll see this start in January (you’ll want to check out the site-wide sale in December at Jessica Sprague).

As for my new releases in December, can we say Christmas please? I have a new line (featured in this week’s Hybrid Project 4), Santa’s Sleigh that will hit next week.

Now, to buckle down and finish a few projects before Thanksgiving weekend…

XOXO-Carina

It’s Beginning to Feel Alot Like Christmas Read More »

Reversible Ballet Bag Tutorial

6 Comments / Fabric, Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Tutorials / carina

I woke up this morning and ached for a bit of sewing. Just a little. I just wanted a quick little project that would brighten my two little girls’ day. Here’s what I came up with:

Using the samples I have from Love Nest™ (due out Jan 2011), I made both Siri and Flissa a reversible ballet bag. It was ever so easy and would also make the perfect church handbag, travel bag, goodie bag,… (you get the idea).

You don’t need much fabric (remember, all I have are tiny samples). It does help to have two fun coordinating fabrics so that you can flip the bag inside out for a little change-a-roo.

When I say “simple” I really mean it. You basically need 4 pieces of fabric (a piece for the outside, a piece for the inside, and two straps). My girls love it and I loved getting in a little project this morning.

Here are my little notes if you want to make this bag with a few extra pieces of fabric you have lying around your house:

_________________________________________________________________

Here’s a picture of the birdie-brown bag reversed out (the blue flower calico print) and a peek into Flissa’s heart-circle baggie.

I think I counted 10 straight lines to sew to make this bag. In the words of Ina, “How easy was that?”

XOXO-Carina

Reversible Ballet Bag Tutorial Read More »

Coquette Quilt-Free Pattern

3 Comments / Fabric, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Tutorials / carina

It’s taken me a little longer than I wanted it to, but here it is! Instructions for putting together the Coquette™ Quilt. It’s meant for the beginner to intermediate quilter. I love this quilt because it is very forgiving for us newbie quilters. None of the seams line up and all of the blocks are nice and big.

The final patchwork is very pretty and sweet without being pink. Not that there won’t be a lot of pink in the future….

I have to admit that this is the first big quilt I’ve made. I desperately have been wanting to make a queen-sized quilt for my own bed and have been waiting for Coquette™ to come along.

What a little flirt of a quilt! The two of us snuggle very happily now as I watch Glee or Project Runway (I’m so excited about tomorrow’s finale!)

Of course, you can mix and match fabrics (especially if you are having trouble finding Coquette™ at a local quilt shop near you). It’s a very easy patchwork with fairly large blocks.

Download the instructions for this quilt below. I hope you have as much fun with it as I did!

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Coquette Quilt-Free Pattern Read More »

Haunted Giveaway Announced and Freebie!

Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Giveaways / 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!

Haunted Giveaway Announced and Freebie! Read More »

Coquette Crazy

32 Comments / Fabric, Giveaways / carina

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 Crazy Read More »

Haunted Paper in Action

1 Comment / Holiday Projects, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love / carina

My neighbor Tausha does these incredible gift shows and she used my Haunted™ Paper Collection when putting together her goodies. It’s so cute, and I was totally inspired. If you are in Salt Lake, you can check out her booth at the Jenny Gochnur Autumn Art Show (At the Holladay City Building at 4580 S 2300 E), which starts tonight and goes until Friday (I believe 6pm-9pm Wed, 9am-9pm Thurs, and 9am-5pm Fri). Check out Tausha’s cute booth if you get a chance!

Haunted Paper in Action Read More »

Coquette Giveaway Winner Announced

Fabric, Giveaways / 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…

Coquette Giveaway Winner Announced Read More »

How to Make a LumJum Body Pillow-Free Download

5 Comments / Fabric, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

What IS a lumjum you might ask? Growing up with a Chinese mom meant that we had some pretty weird words for some of our favorite things. However, the most loved item that my mom made each of us was a lumjum, aka a cylinder body pillow.

Growing up, this was the lovie we all took on every vacation with us (skip the pillow, bring the lumjum). My siblings can attest. You didn’t leave home without your lumjum-it would mean a bad night of sleep.

Even today, I take my lumjum with me. When I don’t I have to have 5 pillows to take it’s place (ask Deena and Jen). Ya, more information than you wanted I’m sure.

Mine is a little extra long with super easy instructions. You use ever bit of fabric, and it is fun for movie night or a cuddle. You can tell we’ve had some serious sewing time during the last couple of days. Oh yes, all these projects are made with my brand new bolts of Coquette™. The project madness has just begun…

Also wanted to give a reminder that the giveaway for my debit fabric line ends on Friday (a couple of days away) so be sure to put in your comment in the Coquette™ Fat Quarter post soon!

Click on the image below for the downloadable instructions for this easy body pillow.

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photographs in this post by Susan Haglund

How to Make a LumJum Body Pillow-Free Download Read More »

A Big Ol’ Fabric and Paper Giveaway

153 Comments / Fabric, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Giveaways, Scrapbooking / carina

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

A Big Ol’ Fabric and Paper Giveaway Read More »

How To Make a Halloween Banner-Free Download

74 Comments / Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Holiday Projects, Scrapbooking / carina

There have been spooky things happening at my house recently: Crows cawing, moss creeping, and mice scurrying along the old piano. It’s just enough to make you want to shout, “Happy Halloween!”

The spookiness has been so much fun that I made this banner using the Haunted™ Line. The instructions and pattern are below for you to download.

Another sweet creepy but easy Halloween project is just to tie pieces of Haunted™ paper with twine to dried branches. It’s cheap, easy, and chic all at once. Who knew Halloween could be chic?

Be sure and download the Halloween Banner tutorial below (all you will need is one pack of Haunted™, hot glue, black tissue paper, black ribbon, and black construction paper…it’s a whole lot of black:). I also have Illustrator files for those of you with a cutting machine. See below to download.

So what will I be working on next? My daughters have decided to be Sailor Moon (yes both of them) and I will be recreating a pair of red, white and blue outfits (hmmm, sounds patriotic). Let’s hope (for my sake) they don’t change their minds.

Illustrator File Downloads:

Halloween Flag Illustrator File

Halloween Pattern 1 Illustrator File

Halloween Pattern 2 Illustrator File

Download the Instructions:

You can also paste this link into your Internet Browser: https://carinagardner.com/2010/09/10/how-to-make-a-halloween-banner-free-download/

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How to Make a Halloween Countdown Calendar-Free Download

3 Comments / CRAFTS, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Holiday Projects, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking, Tutorials / carina

carinagardner2010_halloweencalendar_MP_banner

It may seem a bit early, but Halloween has come to my house this last week. I’ve been happily crafting with my Haunted™ Paper Line. Lots of white pumpkins and scarecrows are visiting my living room (Photos coming soon!).

Here’s a fun project that you really need to do (and can easily do) in advanced. You will specifically need the Haunted™ Line because the reason it is so simple is because the journaling page in this line has this Halloween Countdown already to go! (simply cut it out!)

Once this fun little calendar is finished, all you’ll need to do is let your kids stamp a fun shape (The Haunted™ Acylic Stamps will be what we are using. I’m thinking we will be using white ink and that creepy, crawly spider.) or just draw a mark on each day as you countdown to a very spooky Halloween! It will be a fun way to start October 1st!

I have the tutorial for you to download below (seriously, this is a 20 minute project at best and the hardest part is making sure you have a photo of your family to add!) and you can certainly expect some more haunted crafting happening ’round here this week. Those cute, um, I mean spooky crows just love getting photographed!

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How to Make a Butterfly Chandelier-Free Download

31 Comments / Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Scrapbooking, Stuff I Love, Tutorials / carina

I made this fun little chandelier for my girls’ room a month ago using my Back to Basic’s digital line. It’s been a cute addition to their room, and it was pretty easy to make. Check out the tutorial below.

Want to cut it with your silhouette machine (or any other machine that cuts Illustrator files?). Download the ai file here (not for commercial use or resale).It’s already set up with 6 butterflies to a sheet.

ILLUSTRATOR FILE DOWNLOAD

If you want a pdf version of all six butterflies already setup for you (if you need to cut them out by hand), don’t worry! I’ve hooked you up too.

PDF FILE DOWNLOAD

Download the tutorial with instructions here:

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Craft and Hobby Association Tradeshow (CHA) Chicago 2010, Supershow, and Spraguefest Wrapup!

4 Comments / Jessica Sprague, My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking / carina

I had every intention of blogging while at CHA, but somehow I never got around to it. So here’s a quick review of the week in Chicago. I have oodles and oodles of photos, so this does not begin to cover the “happenings,” but as always, things are crazy around these parts so here’s my Friday-midnight report.

This photo was taken by Meg at Spraguefest by the Bean. Why I was wearing a sweater (even a short sleeved one) in that heat is a mystery to us all. Thankfully, I had a chance to jump around at Millennium Park.

1-Deena Rutter and I promoting our Halloween lines at CHA.

2-Haunted™ comes with acrylic stamps, epoxy brads, and flocked vinyl. Yum!

3. The fab My Mind’s Eye Booth. Seriously, it is so cute!

4-Crystal, Deena, and I headed to the city for a little Bandera, shopping, and sightseeing.

5-A sightseeing tour with the Spraguefest group had me happily sliding down the Picasso and racing Kelly and Crystal.

6-It looks like ice cream doesn’t it? It’s actually a caprese salad. Everyone thought I had ordered dessert first. I didn’t want to let them down, so for the next dinner I did (ummm, cannoli!).

7-Just to prove I was, in fact, in Chicago.

8-I’m caught doing a little sewing at the CHA Supershow. I tried out my flocked Haunted line on this sewing machine.

9-Crystal and I made matching bubble skirts! And this was Crystal’s very first time sewing. I make a motion for her to buy a sewing machine. Second?

10-Transformers 3 was being filmed. Unfortunately, you will have to ask Meg and Gary for their photos of Patrick Dempsey. I managed to miss that one.

11-My favorite night out!!!!! A few of us hopped over to Navy Pier for a little throw-up-inducing rides and ice cream (which was closed so I had to beg the manager to let all 8 of us in. Please, please, please?). BTW, don’t sit with Crystal on the swings. While you are clutching to the chain links for dear life, Crystal will be pretending to fly and wobble you all over the place. You will never get on the swings again.

12-The new Sprague booth at the CHA Supershow. It was PACKED the entire time. There’s lovely Jessica herself.

13-Kari from iKari. Also known to lose her voice from talking ALOT and clapping at everyone to show her support. This picture is proof.

14-A wonderful night of laughs with Crystal, Joan, Meg, and Gary. The waiter made it all the more fun. You can’t tell by this picture but the dessert was the size of my head. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But not by much.

And that is my very-short review (aren’t you glad I didn’t give you the long version?).

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Soooooo Soft and Haunted

5 Comments / My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking / carina

I have yet to see my new Haunted line, but I’m excited to see it next week when I’m in Chicago for CHA. It will be so soft with all it’s lovely flock-ed-ness (is that a word?).

I happily discovered that Amber Packer on the MME blog had gotten her hands on some and made this darling layout. Yummy vinyl flocking…how I long to see you in person!

See it bigger by clicking on the image below:).

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Haunted Paper Line for My Mind’s Eye

6 Comments / My Minds Eye, Scrapbooking / carina

I’ve been working on finishing up a couple of fabric lines tonight, and I opened my email to find out that my new halloween line is up! This halloween line is like nothing you’ve seen before. It is FLOCKED!!!!! And there are epoxy stickers, flocked vinyl stickers, stickers, and a flocked accessory sheet.

I can’t wait to show it off in Chicago in a couple of weeks!

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Designer Weekend Sale—Daisy Jane and Informed

2 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

Today is release day. I have a couple of new releases today (30% off today only), but my favorite is my Americana, which I made in honor of Independence Day.

If you’ve been looking for a digital scrapbooking sale from me, here it is! My designer sale going on this weekend at DHD. There will be a free kit (You’ll want to jump on and download it!), and two $1 kits. All of Daisy Jane and Informed with be 25% off on Saturday and Sunday ONLY.

I also have a special code for my blog readers! This coupon code is for 25% off the FRESH PICKED MEGA COLLECTION on Saturday and Sunday only! Your code at check out is: BLOGLOVECG

And finally, come join me for a chat in the DHD Scrap Room at 9am MST on Saturday, June 26th. If you’ve ever wanted to see the pure mayhem of chatting through a forum for 1 hour, you should come join in for it!

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Happy Birthday—Free Download

2 Comments / Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

It’s just a silly, little thing, but worth it for the birthday girl! Print out silly faces of the birthday girl (or boy) and place a birthday hat on their head. Add a toothpick and you have a very fun (and thoughtful) birthday cake (even when your birthday cake is having a landslide problem. Next time don’t attempt a third layer, Carina)!

Just click on the image (and “Save As” to download) if you want to use this little template for your own birthday hat silliness!

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Dirty and Clean Dishwasher Tag—Free Download

10 Comments / Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

I’ve been meaning to make this for myself for sometime now—A magnetic dishwasher button that tells everyone else in the house if the dishes are clean or dirty. Here it is for you too (should you also have the problem of everyone asking you if the dishes are clean or dirty). I’m going to laminate mine, glue to thick paper or board, and add a magnet to the back. A pretty simple project. If I had a button maker, I’d probably make it into a button instead. If you do cool things with this button, be sure add the link here or add it to our Flickr group.

When your dishes are clean, simply flip the “Completely Clean” side up and when they are dirty, flip the “Disgustingly Dirty” side up. I even included 4 colors here so you could decide which worked best in your kitchen:).

Download below!

Here’s a few other things to check out:

+ If you wanted Pretty Posy, you only have a few more hours to join the Facebook group. I extended giving out the freebie until tonight.

+ Coquette™ will be arriving in the next couple of weeks, and I’ve already started getting a quilt design together for you! I’ve also got all sorts of other crafty ideas for you with the line.

+ A few updates to the studio site was made including the addition of Love Nest™ to the fabric section. If you want to see this line at your local quilting shop, be sure and email the link to the web brochure to them! You can also check it out on the sidebar on this here blog.

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Funny June Weather

3 Comments / Family, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables / carina

After a few beautiful days, we got this yesterday:

Someone needs to explain this weather to me. Today I put in my herb garden. It was freezing and the wind was crazy. Silly me for trying to garden!

If you haven’t signed up for the facebook page yet, there’s still time to get the free kit! We are SO close to 500 people and once we hit it, I’ll be sending out a link to everyone with a download of this beautiful kit.

Happy Saturday!

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A Few Baby Safari Digital Scrapbooking Layouts

4 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking / carina

Here’s a few Baby Safari layouts to inspire you!

Layout by Candice Palmer.

Layout by Susan Haglund

Layout by Candice Palmer

Layout by Candice Palmer.

Layout by Mindy Hanson.

Layout by Joyce McCall.

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Facebook Fan Freebie

4 Comments / Design House Digital, Digital Scrapbooking, Free Digital Downloads-Freebies-Free Digital Printables, Scrapbooking / carina

I recently started a Facebook page so that you can keep up with blog posts, sales, and freebies. So here’s one of them! Once we hit 500 people, I’m going to give away my new Pretty Posy digital scrapbooking kit to everyone who joins! Once we hit 500, this kit will go on sale at Design House Digital. So take advantage of getting it free now!

Here’s a cute little layout I did of my friend’s daughter, Isn’t she adorable?

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A Busy Morning

1 Comment / Family, Scrapbooking / carina

I always wonder were my days go. So this morning I had camera in hand while we did our “stuff.” Sure, not a typical day for us in some ways (Siri was home from school because she’s had a fever the last couple of days and we didn’t want to infect anyone). And super typical in other ways (there’s always some kind of craft-making mess in our house).

Paper crafting, anyone? (Of course, only after I actually managed to clean my studio)

More projects with the paper (Siri chose MeadowLark™ for her wings this morning).

Why do these darn kid sprinklers ALWAYS break?

The view from my backyard. We anticipate seeing this for the next few days. You can just barely see our next-door neighbor directing the bulldozer guy.

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