Welcome 2011, and a free download...

Hi Everyone!  I hope you all had a fantastico holiday with your family and friends!  It's no secret among my friends and I that New Year's is my all time favorite holiday.  What can I say, I love a fresh start and a clean slate!  I am really excited about all the possibilities for this new year, are you??  I always like to think that putting goals, and dreams out into the universe in some tangible way brings us one steps closer to making them a reality.  Please feel free to share one thing that is on your horizon for this year!  I always love to hear what people are up to, and get a glimpse at a different way of viewing the world.  I'll start.  This year I am really concentrating on my brand.  I plan to make all decisions asking myself, "Is this right for my brand".  It is so easy to get pulled in a million different directions!  Sometimes out of fear of missing an opportunity.  This year I am choosing to focus more concentrated energy on the things that will really take me closer to my goal.  I am committed to having the courage to let some things go if they are ultimately not right for my brand.  After all, a girl can't do everything at once right??2011 goal download

All that said, is anyone on goal overload yet??  I mean I am really excited and fired up, but wow, there is so much to do!  It's not surprising that I want to and feel like I have to do everything at once.  Since that is not at all possible, my plan is to break things down by each month - much more manageable.  How about a free download for you to do the same?  This little print out has three different colorways in one pdf.  Use one per month, or one for different areas of your life.  Whatever makes sense for you!  Enjoy, and cheers to 2011!  In case you missed my very exciting announcement over the holidays, you can check it out here!

free printable gift tags!...

Happy Monday all!  How about some free printable gift tags to start the week?  Hope you love them!  Just click here or on the image to download. (Just for you. Not for resell. Don't be a meanie during the holidays!)

high society giveaway!...

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm giving away a FQ of High Society in Hannah!  This giveaway if for the FB CROWD ONLY (hey, why not shake things up a bit?)  So head over and check it out already! :)  Leave your comment under the three pics of the fabric on the FB PAGE! Have a great weekend all!

Mon Sheri Fat Quarter Winner!...

Congratulations to lucky number 12 - Stitch-n-Lounge!  Please send me your address, and I'll send over the fabric!  Hooray!  Send to info@khristianahowell.com.  Thanks for all the feedback guys!

Mon Sheri Giveaway!

I have a fat quarter of Mon Sheri left from the wonderful samples made by my friend over at Hey Baby Studio!  It's lonely, and needs to find a home!  This collection was named after my constant inspiration my mom, Sheri, so I hope you love it as much as I do!

So, here's what you do.

1. Follow @surfacedivine (that's me!) on Twitter or join the peeps on Facebook.

AND

2. Leave a comment here letting me know what you would like to see more of in this space.  If you instead want to share what is inspiring you right now, I'd love to hear about that too!  :)

Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Monday!

Happy Birthday to me! Free download for you!

Today's the day!!  Today I am turning the big 3-0!!  Guess that means the training wheels are off, and I am really, really an adult!  Wow, how strange is that?!  There have been a lot of 30 before 30, or 30 while...kinds of lists going around, and that is great fun.  I've decided to keep things a bit more simple.  In honor of my big day, I've decided to work on three really important things this year, and maybe one to grow on too!  :)  This year I will strive to...

1/  Be a better friend.

2/  Be a better daughter

3/  Stop neglecting the things that deeply feed my soul (the French language, salsa dancing, and yoga)

Let's face it.  This year has been totally crazy!  Getting a business off the ground, going to my first trade show, writing an ebook, these are no small tasks.  My work life balance has pretty much been out the window.  Obviously, I have been having so much fun building my business, but all work and no play...well you know how it goes.  My friends and family have been sooo very supportive in the last few years of my new independent adventure, I want to be sure to spend more quality time with all of them.  So this is my commitment to myself (in a very public forum so you all will hold me to it!) - this year, I restore the balance.

And here is my gift to you in the form of a pretty cute printable if I say so myself!  Click the image and it's all yours - blank for you to fill in of course!  Hooray for all the Virgos!

what is there to fear? - free download...

Happy Monday all! Did you know that September is my favorite month of all?! AND its my birthday month? AND I am turning 30?! Oh yeah, we are celebrating all month long over here! I have a great new project in the works (details to come, promise!), and I am just on top of the world with all my fabric collections FINALLY hitting stores! How about a free download to start the week? A little question I ask myself whenever, I want to start something new, or just get nervous about the future. I know we have all been there. Here is a friendly reminder there is really nothing to fear. Two colorways to choose from. Enjoy! Just click the image for your FREE DOWNLOAD! Here's to a great week!

sightings - high society for anthology fabrics!...

Hello this Saturday!  I know you are not used to seeing me today, but there are so many exciting things happening, I just couldn't wait until Monday to share!  My second fabric project is finally ready and hitting stores as we speak!  Yep, I have not one, but two great new lines available now!  Anthology Fabrics is a new group who made their debut with one of  my collections this past May at quilt market.  They have actually been providing quality fabrics to the fashion industry for over 25 years, so the quilt division seemed a natural progression.  My first line, High Society is available in three colorways, and is full of really contemporary  modern prints (if I do say so myself!)  :)  Here are a few places that are already buzzing about the line!  Be sure to keep scrolling down to find out about a GIVEAWAY happening this weekend only!  Thank you to all these wonderful shops for carrying and posting about High Society!!

Rock Paper Scissors in New Jersey!



Hannah colorway



The Fabric Quarter Quilt Shop

Sew, Mama, Sew is hosting a giveaway through the weekend!  Winner will be announced on Monday!

hooray for fall! free download...

September!!!  My favorite month ever!  It's my birthday month (VIRGOS are the best!). The month I got married. AND we FINALLY get some relief from the heat!  I love this time of year because I feel like I regain my focus.  I don't know, somehow it is just harder in the summer.  Anyway, this is truly a special September for me...  That's right I am an '80 baby!  Soooo, that means I'm turning the big 3-0!  Yes, I just told you all my REAL age.  So I'm not a kid anymore, feels kinda good.  I am declaring today that I will always be one of those women who is very proud of her age.  I will also be celebrating four fabulous years married to the most wonderful man on the planet.  Not to mention fabric lines (yes, plural!  More info on that to come) make their debut, and some really great surprises for you along the way.  Look out September because I am recharged and ready to go!  :)  In honor of this wonderful time of refocus, I thought I would offer you a free download to get you motivated.  How about a pretty little to do list?  Hooray for fall!

the four week foundation...

Happy Monday all!  Hope everyone (state side) had a great holiday weekend.  I was busy cooking up an awesome new freebie!  The Four Week Foundation is a sister of sorts to the summer lovin' series.  This printable download gives you four goals to complete over four weeks to get you jump started on your trade show goals. Hooray!  No more feeling stuck or overwhelmed about where to start!  All you have to do is sign up to get Parapluies et Soleil in your inbox, or if you just want the occasional newsletter, that's cool too!  Here's to a successful week!

giveaway - let's have a race!...

hey guys! let's have a race! the next my next 50 twitter followers & 50 facebook fans, will be entered to win a free valentine's day gift from me!


double duty will get you TWO entries! contest will end feb. 5th so I can get it to you before the big day!  winner can choose from two sizes 8.5x11 or 11x14 (larger one shown here)

and the winner is...

We have a winner for the giveaway (winner generated by random.org)!  The winner has been notified via email.  Thanks for everyone who participated and for your lovely feedback.  You will be able to find some of these images in my shop coming early next year!  Thanks again and happy holidays!

giveaway - allmodern.com...

Happy Friday everyone!  The folks over at allmodern.com have been kind enough to celebrate the new look of parapluies et soleil with a great giveaway!  Win one of these great pieces of wall art by Inhabit entitled Plankton.  Pick from either of these fantastic colorways.  Also, be sure to stop by thier sister site for great living room furniture and other wonderful decor finds.  Scroll down for how to enter!

Big thanks to allmodern.com for celebrating with us!  Here's how to enter!



1/  Check out the new khristianahowell.com!  Leave a comment here letting me know which print or photo you would love to see as wall art (or if you have a great idea for another application, please let it out!)  Maybe you will see it in my new shop coming early next year!

2/  Not required, but it would be nice if you would follow @surfacedivine on twitter and tweet the following.

Great Parapluies et soleil giveaway! Follow @SurfaceDivine and go here http://bit.ly/59IxF4 to enter by monday 3pm EST! #khristianahowell

Bon chance!  Winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday!

One entry each please.

Entries accepted until Monday 12.21.2009 3pm E.S.T

Winner will be announced on Tuesday 12.22.2009

Please note I have no affiliation with allmodern.com or livingroomsdirect.com and have not received payment for this post.  We just thought it would be nice to collaborate and giveaway something fun!  After all tis' the season!!