Showing posts with label felt owls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label felt owls. Show all posts

Monday, June 25, 2012

Meet Monday with Royal Regards

Please meet Sara and her Etsy shop Royal Regards



Handmade with love, Sara provides handmade cards for a birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, new baby or set of blank cards.

Now let's discover Royal Regards

What is your first creative memory?

The first creative memory I have is of coloring all the outfits in character coloring books as a young child. It drove my Mom crazy that I would only color the clothes and nothing else in the pictures. I have always loved fashion!

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

 A friend of mine introduced me to Etsy a few years ago and I thought it was such a neat place to shop. I have only been making cards for a couple years but I knew as soon as I fell in love with the craft that I eventually wanted to open up my own Etsy shop.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I wanted something catchy for my shop name and I knew I wanted "Regards" in there somewhere because I sell cards. My husband suggested Regal Regards but there is already a business with that name. Finally, I thought of Royal Regards and it was perfect. I love crowns because Sara means princess so marketing with crown images really appealed to me.





Describe the items in your shop

I have many different types of cards in my shop from all the different holidays, to birthdays, weddings, thank you cards, etc. I also make place cards for weddings and baby showers and really enjoy making those and coordinating thank you cards. It makes me happy to make something that is going to be used on someone's big day. My favorite cards to make are embossed cards. I love the different textures and think they are very elegant looking.


What inspires you?

I draw inspiration from many things. I love color, especially pastels. All 4 seasons here in Michigan inspire me as well and I absolutely love the beach! I have some starfish decor in my card studio to draw inspiration from on a daily basis.




What do you watch or listen to while you are creating?

I usually listen to a mixture of music from iTunes playlists when I create. I love a little bit of everything from country and classic rock to rap. I also often watch t.v. shows or movies on my iPad while i'm working in my studio. I love watching shows like Felicity, Dawson's Creek, Melrose Place, The Wonder Years, etc. that I watched when I was younger. 

Please share a favorite recipe

One of our favorite recipes this summer is for homemade pico de gallo.

-Dice 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
-Dice 1/2 red onion
-Dice 1/4 cup cilantro
-Dice 1 ripe avocado
-Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix everything together really well.
We eat this on tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and nachos. It's a really fresh and tasty recipe!



Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Wanelo

Now please go Sara some love and visit her Etsy shop Royal Regards and come back and tell us your favorite handmade card!


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Salutations Sunday with i HartFelt and a GIVEAWAY

Please shout out your salutations for Heather and her Etsy shop i HartFelt




Full of whimsy and creativity...Heather offers unique gifts that are sure to charm your "hart."

Receive 10% off of your purchase by entering coupon code: SUMMER at checkout. HartFelt has also offered a great GIVEAWAY...please find all of the details at the end of the interview.

Now we are off to discover i HartFelt

What is the first creative memory you have?

My earliest memory would have to be my mom and I sitting in our craft shop preparing for a holiday bazaar one year. We had a garden where she grew tons of amazing flowers that she would dry in our shop and make gorgeous flower arrangements and I made birdhouses out of recycled cardboard from cereal boxes. I wish I had kept one of these treasures. I am a lucky girl in the fact that I have two very special crafty grandmas.

 One grandma (my dad’s mom) taught me to embroidery and knit! It has stuck with me to this day. I can still envision us sitting on the couch like it was yesterday, she patiently teaching me the ins and outs of embroidering and knitting. Embroidery is still my most favorite. My other grandma (my mom’s mom) had a wood shop and a craft room. I remember she had supplies galore that she collected from garage sales & she then stored everything so neatly and organized in her craft room. She had any supply in any color you could think of. In her wood shop I once used a piece of her scrap wood to make a cat ornament by painting, nailing, and wood gluing. I still have it to this day and use it on my tree at Christmas time.

I hope to provide my children and grandchildren creative memories too! I think it is too important not to share these artistic handmade qualities with the next generations.




What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

Lots of support from my husband who believed in me and is inspired by my driven, motivated personality to get things done! I first heard about Etsy from a dear friend who is like a sister to me, and the most creative lady I know. We met in Kindergarten but became friends around 4th grade, and still remain friends to this day even though we reside in different states. Check out her amazing art & coasters in her shop: Art by Julia: www.skerry.etsy.com

How did you come up with your shop name?

I knew right away I wanted to come up with something that meant ‘from the heart.’ I believe that anything handmade comes from the heart (&soul). My husband and I together late one night came up with HartFelt by iHart. HartFelt means ‘from the Hart’ and iHart means ‘I love.’ I also wanted to incorporate the word ‘Felt’ in my shop name because that is what all my softies are made from. Hart‘Felt’ it became. I shortened the name to ihartfelt for Etsy so it would be easier to remember and find. I also intentionally misspelled Hart to be as unique as possible.



All my original softies come with a handmade felt tag with an ‘i’ and a ‘hart’. This has become my most unique feature found consistently on all my softies. I have heard the most inspiring comments on how cute the tags are.





Describe what creations you have in your shop

I specialize in all things felt: ornaments, baby mobiles, softies, and party favors for special occasions and home decor.

My designs reflect originality, charm, special attention to detail, and creativity - my intention is to offer a great alternative to mass produced dime a dozen gifts.

I create everything by hand, the patterns, cutting out the felt, and stitching all the pieces by hand.

What insprires you?

My inspiration comes from my toddler son who is now three years old, my supportive husband, nature- birds are my favorite, seasons- I love the fall, holidays – Valentines, Halloween and Christmas being my favorites, & love. I am truly blessed!!


What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I am almost always watching a movie with my husband in the evening while I do a lot of my sewing, cutting, and stuffing. I love action, drama, and comedy the most. I do like to listen to music too.

Please share a favorite recipe

Pear Nutella Muffins

2 C. stoneground whole wheat self-rising flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ C. brown sugar
1 egg
¾ C. reduced fat milk
2 T. canola oil
2 large pears, peeled and grated
¼ C. Nutella

1.Preheat oven to 375* and lightly grease 12 muffin tray

2.Sift flour and cinnamon into a large bowl and add in the husks. Add the sugar, combine, and make a well in the center.

3.Place the egg, milk, and oil in a jug or bowl and whisk with a fork until combined. Add to the dry ingredients and fold in with a large metal spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Do not over beat. Gently fold in the grated pear.

4.Spoon half the mixture into the bases of each muffin tin, then place 1 tsp. of Nutella in the center of each. Top with the remaining mixture. Bake for 20 minutes, until risen, golden and firm to a light touch. Leave in the tins for about 3 minutes, then lift out onto a wire rack to cool.

MAKES 12 – To freeze muffins, cool them completely then wrap individually in aluminum foil. Place them in a large airtight bag, and seal. Allow to thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.





Where else can we find you?

Blog
Facebook
Pinterest
E-mail: ihartfelt@yahoo.com


NOW LET'S SEE WHAT ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE!!!



 
HartFelt Fourth of July Stuffed Hanging Owl Party Favors by iHart - Set of 3

***SHIPPING IS INCLUDED TO ALL ENTRANTS

These sweet owls are a perfect touch to your baby shower or birthday party decorations, can be used as a party favor for your special party, or hung in your baby nursery or toddler room.

Party Favor Owl was designed with LOVE & careful attention to detail: hand drawn, hand cut, handstitched, some smaller pieces hot glued, & stuffed with 100% polyfil.

Mr. Party Favor Owl measures approx. 2" by 2" wide.

NOW TO ENTER...please remember you do not have to to do all of the entries...but keep in mind the more you do the more chance you have to win!!! Good luck

a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

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