Sandy a la Mode
Women + Kid's Fashion and Lifestyle Blog
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Sponsor Love + Giveaway – Ahoy! Graphics

{website} {shop} {facebook} {twitter}

Thinking about starting up a shop but don’t have a clue about design?  Looking for a new design for your handmade business?  Would you like to update your blog/twitter/facebook with a new fresh look?  Making sure your business has a great, cohesive, “first look” is extremely important for marketing your brand and Ahoy Graphics is your one stop shop for it all!!  Specializing in print, shop, and social media design, Kristen can help you with you come up with the perfect custom design!

{MEET KRISTEN}

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a bookbinder, graphic designer, painter, art educator, owner of two amazing Jack Russell Terriers and a proud Navy wife. Originally from all over the Middle Tennessee area, I currently live in an oh-so-sunny San Diego with hopes of moving closer to home one day. Soon after we were married, my husband was laid off and I gave up the start of my teaching career to support him in his new career in the Navy. We felt God’s peace about the decision and followed the path being laid out for us. Since then, I’ve been working for myself using all the knowledge and skills I could muster as we move from state to state to keep one thing steady and constant in my new mil spouse life.

2) How did you get into design?
I’ve always been drawn to designing ever since I was a senior in high school. Computers, the internet, and emails were all becoming more common and all the rage. I started out as a Graphic Design major in college but went Art Ed when I couldn’t decide which studio I was more in love with. As an Art Ed major, I knew students were learning Photoshop in high schools and I needed to learn myself before I graduated. I enjoyed every minute of it!

I then went on to work for a copy center for a few years where I learned how designs could be help or hurt your prints. I only had Office and Publisher available to custom design for customers, right there on the spot, so I learned how to manipulate something as simple as a Word Processor to be a make-shift for Photoshop and to work FAST. Man, I learned so much from that one job!

Pretty soon, I caught the attention of a venture company when I was submitting group guidelines and site artwork for a wedding market I was trying to start on their site. You can imagine my surprise when one day he called upon me to start working for his company as a Design Consultant! That position catapulted me to where I am today with a great looking portfolio and experience to boot.
And then along came Ahoy! Graphics, the brain-child of myself and a friend back in May 2010. By August I was open for business and working for myself as a freelance designer. Ever since, it has been a wild and awesome ride! I think the best part of my job is meeting all these amazing hand-crafting artisans and small business owners all day long—I love my job!

3) What are your favorite fonts?
Oh man… I’d have to wade through almost 700 fonts to start thinking about that, ha! With that many fonts in my pocket, it’s hard to choose but I always love a handwritten script, like Antrokas or Baker Script. I also love a good slab font, like Helvelow or Alexandria. And when I’m in need of a San Serif, Gotham is always my first choice along with my new-found love, Marlowe.

4) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite ice cream flavor is homemade banana ice cream 🙂

{GIVEAWAY}

One lucky winner will receive a $30 credit to the Ahoy! Shop, good for any one A La Carte custom design or can be placed towards the total of their purchase! Must be used within 6 months of receipt.

How to enter:

1. Leave a comment with up to 7 words that describe your company’s style—try to go beyond words like “modern” and “feminine” and find words that uniquely describe your business. (hyperactive, bold, avante garde, industrial, social, etc)

For additional entries, leave a separate comment for each action.  If you already follow the blogs/twitter, you can still enter by letting me know in your comment.
2. Follow this blog with Google Friend Connect
3. Heart (Add to Favorites) Ahoy! Graphics on Etsy
4. Follow @sandyalamode and @AhoyGraphics on twitter
5. Tweet about this giveaway (make sure to use @sandyalamode and @AhoyGraphics in your tweet) in your words, or mine:

Need a new design for your shop? Enter a #GIVEAWAY for $30 credit to @AhoyGraphics on @sandyalamode! http://bit.ly/eNEDkD

This giveaway is open until Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 12PM CST.  Good luck!

Entries for this giveaway have been closed, thanks for entering!


107 Comments

  1. Megan
    January 19, 2011 / 3:15 pm

    Ecclectic, emotional, vivacious, silly, awesome, bright and serendipitous.

  2. Megan
    January 19, 2011 / 3:16 pm

    I follow via GFC.

  3. Lindsay @ Aisle to Aloha
    January 19, 2011 / 3:16 pm

    Oh gosh, this is a hard one. Let me think– bright, bold, modern (had to do it), clean, simple

    I’d love to get some branding done! 🙂

  5. Ashley Hasty
    January 19, 2011 / 3:17 pm

    Eeek! Okay…7 words to describe me (aka my business)

    1. Sophisticated
    2. Unforgettable
    3. Feminine
    4. Engaging
    5. Charming

    I can only think of 5.

    <3 Ashley
    http://www.ahastylife.com
    ashley dot hasty at gmail dot com

  6. Megan
    January 19, 2011 / 3:17 pm

    Serendipitous, bright, eccelectic, peaceful, joyous, vivacious, laid back.

  11. Megan
    January 19, 2011 / 3:19 pm

    Ok, if this has gone on more than once, I apologize, I keep hitting submit!

    1. Eccelectic
    2. Bright
    3. Serendiptious
    4. Laid back
    5. Vivacious
    6. Homey
    7. Breezy

    PS. I’m a mil spouse too! YAY!

  14. Diana Mieczan
    January 19, 2011 / 3:31 pm

    What a fantastic giveaway, my dear:)
    Wish you a relaxing, fun and cozy afternoon
    Kisses and hugs

    Ps: I am hosting a natural cosmetics GIVEAWAY today! Hope you’ll join in 🙂

  15. Rachel
    January 19, 2011 / 3:34 pm

    My 7 words . . .
    1) Now
    2) Smoochable
    3) Cozy
    4) Comfy
    5) Flair
    6) Different
    7) Prompt

  16. Rachel
    January 19, 2011 / 3:34 pm

    Following you both on twitter!

  17. Rachel
    January 19, 2011 / 3:35 pm

    Etsy heart love 🙂

  18. hiyaluv
    January 19, 2011 / 3:37 pm

    i follow your blog:)
    gina

  21. hiyaluv
    January 19, 2011 / 3:38 pm

    oh how fun! confident. stylish. you. comfortable. sustainable. pretty. girly. :)gina

  24. SarahB
    January 19, 2011 / 4:09 pm

    5 words to describe my business:

    1. inspirational
    2. pure
    3. urban
    4. graceful
    5. vibrant

  25. SarahB
    January 19, 2011 / 4:10 pm

    i <3 Ahoy!!

  26. SarahB
    January 19, 2011 / 4:11 pm

    tweet tweet too!

  27. SarahB
    January 19, 2011 / 4:12 pm

    following on twitter too! Love the designs!!

  28. EliseKayEm
    January 19, 2011 / 4:18 pm

    Well it’s not a reality yet but what I have in mind encompasses an antiqued, jane austen goddess-like motif with a modern city dwellers twist… does that make sense?! LOL That’s the best translation for what I’ve got going on in my head!

    Thanks for a great giveaway!! 😀

  29. EliseKayEm
    January 19, 2011 / 4:18 pm

    I follow via GFC!

  30. EliseKayEm
    January 19, 2011 / 4:20 pm

    I heart Ahoy! Graphics on etsy!

  31. EliseKayEm
    January 19, 2011 / 4:20 pm

    I follow you both on twitter!

  36. Somer
    January 19, 2011 / 6:34 pm

    SomerKnits is
    Comfy
    Interesting
    Bold
    Fun
    Ever-evolving
    No boundries

  37. Somer
    January 19, 2011 / 6:34 pm

    I am a follower

  38. Denise
    January 19, 2011 / 7:10 pm

    oh gosh…….vintage, unique, cottage garden, textured, old world charm. I am also following your etsy site….

  39. Cathy @ SpritzofYellow
    January 19, 2011 / 7:19 pm

    I’m planning to start an Etsy shop soon, so this would definitely come in handy! Let’s see…7 words to describe my shop would be:

    1) Fun
    2) Eclectic
    3) Lovely
    4) Cute
    5) Creative
    6) Geometric
    7) Modern

    <3 Cathy

    http://spritzofyellow.blogspot.com/

  42. Rachel
    January 19, 2011 / 9:08 pm

    1. Sharp
    2. Eclectic
    3. Moody
    4. Natural
    5. Geometric
    6. Malaysian
    7. Gray

  43. Rachel
    January 19, 2011 / 9:08 pm

    I twitter you =)

  44. Laura
    January 19, 2011 / 9:50 pm

    Sweet, simple, delicate, surprising, modest, whimsical, God-filled.

  45. Laura
    January 19, 2011 / 9:50 pm

    Of course I follow your blog girl!

  47. Laura
    January 19, 2011 / 9:52 pm

    I added Ahoy! Graphics to my favorites.

  48. Laura
    January 19, 2011 / 9:52 pm

    I follow you both on Twitter.

  49. Laura
    January 19, 2011 / 9:53 pm

    I twittered.

  51. Karen Davis
    January 20, 2011 / 3:08 am

    hmmm this is tough!!! whimsical, quirky, simple, eclectic, fresh, God-honoring, true

  52. Karen Davis
    January 20, 2011 / 3:09 am

    I follow your beautiful blog 🙂

  53. Karen Davis
    January 20, 2011 / 3:09 am

    I <3d Ahoy on Etsy!

  54. Karen Davis
    January 20, 2011 / 3:10 am

    I follow the pair of you on twitter!

  55. Karen Davis
    January 20, 2011 / 3:12 am

    tweeted! @kdaviscreates

  58. hiyaluv
    January 20, 2011 / 9:17 am

    i follow you both on twitter;)
    gina

  59. hiyaluv
    January 20, 2011 / 9:17 am

    i tweeted along with some commentary.
    :)gina

  60. Mandy
    January 20, 2011 / 10:12 am

    Energetic, sassy, bold, silly, rigid, organized, crazy

  61. Jacqueline Presley
    January 20, 2011 / 11:12 am

    Our blog:home & design inspiration & ideas

  63. Katie
    January 20, 2011 / 2:06 pm

    I am so sorry! I just posted the comment above on the wrong post! Sorry! I can’t figure out how to get rid of it!!!

  64. kim
    January 20, 2011 / 2:22 pm

    I just started a new blog, but I want to start a food photog blog…
    beautiful bites in the details

    (Maybe that’s what I could call the blog…beautiful bites…

    hmmmmmm

  66. erin aka bows & sparrows
    January 20, 2011 / 3:41 pm

    I already follow @AhoyGraphics and @sandyalamode on Twitter – cause I love you ladies.

  68. erin aka bows & sparrows
    January 20, 2011 / 3:47 pm

    I don’t have a shop, but I do need a button for my blog. Here are my seven words to describe my blog:

    elegant, classy, minimalistic, legit, brazen, covetable, and sometimes crass.

  69. Angela Morgan
    January 20, 2011 / 3:50 pm

    I tweeted this giveaway @SouthrnFriBride

  70. Angela Morgan
    January 20, 2011 / 3:51 pm

    I follow @sandyalamode and @AhoyGraphics on twitter
    @SouthrnFriBride

  71. Angela Morgan
    January 20, 2011 / 3:52 pm

    I follow this blog with GFC

  72. Angela Morgan
    January 20, 2011 / 3:52 pm

    I’m entering not for a company graphic but as an idea for a wedding graphic!

  73. rachael
    January 20, 2011 / 10:46 pm

    Okay seven words:

    1. Unique
    2. Vintage
    3. Sassy
    4. Classy
    5. Modest
    6. Well-Made
    7. Bold

    Rachael

  74. Kaci
    January 21, 2011 / 6:08 pm

    fresh, bright, fun, joy

  75. Kaci
    January 21, 2011 / 6:09 pm

    Follow with GFC as “birchmodern”

  77. kim
    January 22, 2011 / 4:48 pm

    one-of-a-kind, functional, affordable, stylish, colorful, fun, wearable, love-able (ha).

  78. kim
    January 22, 2011 / 4:48 pm

    i follow your gorgeous blog via GFC, woman. 🙂

  79. kim
    January 22, 2011 / 4:48 pm

    i heart on etsy.

  80. kim
    January 22, 2011 / 4:49 pm

    i follow both of you on twitter!

  81. kim
    January 22, 2011 / 4:49 pm

    and i tweeted!

  82. Whimsy Being
    January 23, 2011 / 11:48 am

    Whimsy, girly, art, eclectic, personal, fashion, and fun. 🙂

  83. Whimsy Being
    January 23, 2011 / 11:49 am

    I’m a follower on GFC 🙂

  87. wendy sue
    January 24, 2011 / 10:04 am

    quirky, colorful, fun, girly, whimsical, fresh, fashionable, happy

  88. wendy sue
    January 24, 2011 / 10:04 am

    also I follow via GFC

  89. wendy sue
    January 24, 2011 / 10:04 am

    I hearted Ahoy Graphics on etsy too! Would love a blog badge among other items!

  90. Jana
    January 24, 2011 / 10:38 am

    Glitz, Glam, Chic, Fabulous, Bright, Girly, Posh! 🙂

  91. Jana
    January 24, 2011 / 10:39 am

    I’m a follower!!

  92. Jana
    January 24, 2011 / 10:41 am

    I heart Ahoy! Graphics!!

  93. Jana
    January 24, 2011 / 10:41 am

    I follow both on Twitter!!

  94. Jana
    January 24, 2011 / 10:42 am

    Tweeted!! 🙂

  95. Ashley
    January 24, 2011 / 10:57 am

    unsuspecting color, unusual materials, fresh & affordable

  96. Ashley
    January 24, 2011 / 10:57 am

    following!

  97. Ashley
    January 24, 2011 / 10:58 am

    following on twitter!! 😉

  98. Piper
    January 24, 2011 / 11:05 am

    I’m a follower on GFC!

  99. Holly
    January 24, 2011 / 1:10 pm

    Ohh this is hard! Any time someone sees what I’m doing, they always say “that is so YOU!”, so, I’m going to say “Holly!” Hahahaha. I can’t really describe my style!

  100. Holly
    January 24, 2011 / 1:11 pm

    Just tweeted!

  101. Holly
    January 24, 2011 / 1:11 pm

    Definitely a follower!

  102. Holly
    January 24, 2011 / 1:11 pm

    & on twitter!

  103. Holly
    January 24, 2011 / 1:12 pm

    And I hearted her shop!

  104. Grace
    January 25, 2011 / 10:46 am

    I have a blog -authentic, sweet, cross cultural, fresh, real, calm, safe, transparent

  105. Grace
    January 25, 2011 / 10:47 am

    I follow on GFC

  106. Grace
    January 25, 2011 / 10:48 am

    I follow on twitter

  107. Grace
    January 25, 2011 / 10:49 am

    I hearted her shop!