Sandy a la Mode
Women + Kid's Fashion and Lifestyle Blog
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Sponsor Love + Giveaway – Hoot Designs

Entries for this giveaway have been closed!

{shop}{blog}{photoblog}{twitter}

I first met Chrissy on Twitter over a chat AND I’m soo glad that I did!  🙂  She has an adorable shop full of notepads, camera strap covers, wreaths, photography, accessories and more.  One look at her shop and you’ll come away smiling because of all the fun colors.  And you know what else I love about Chrissy?  She shares a passion for photography like me (but she’s so much more pro than me) and has lots of great tips for beginners (like me)!  Well, let’s get to it, you know the drill… read on to get to know this doll a little bit better and head on down to enter a giveaway!  🙂

{MEET CHRISSY}

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself?
A little about me, let’s see… I live outside of Atlanta, GA
I grew up in Northern Virginal
I’m an only child, my Husband is an only child too
I have one Daughter, Shea
My first job was on a farm – eeks – I still can’t believe it either
My second job was at Bloomingdale’s – that’s more like it
First car VW bug (the original), Second car VW bug – Super beetle
I met my husband, Chris, in Richmond – we both worked at the mall we only said “hi”
5 years later he recognized me in the parking lot of the apartment community we lived in, in Annapolis, Maryland – coincidence or fate?
6 months later we moved in together, 6 months later we got married – alone in Bermuda
He’s an only child too
I’ve always crafted rubber stamping, making cards, thrown pottery, stained glass, sewing, scrapbooking, you name it. I have supplies out the wazoo for everything
My Husband and I owned a Toy Store for 3 years,
playing Santa was amazing every Holiday season.
I’m a professional gift wrapper – 1000’s and 1000’s of gifts wrapped at my store

2) How I decided to open an Etsy Shop?
I love making things and friends would ask to make it for them, so I decided to sell to others too. I was a big ebayer back in the day but when Etsy came along it was the perfect new home for my handmade things.

3) Along with owning a shop, you also take beautiful photos! What camera equipment do you use?
I am new to photography. I bought my camera in April 2010 as a birthday present to myself. I have read and taken classes to learn everything there is to know. I’m a Canon girl and have an entry level Rebel Xsi. Many say it’s not the camera but the lens and the composition that results in a great photo. I started my www.hootphotography.com blog to share my photos and what I have learned with others posting tips and soon to offer classes. I’m not a big Photoshop fan but love Lightroom as my editing program. A photo tells a story and I don’t like to change what has been captured, but jazz it up with lighting and presets which is the beauty of Lightroom. My favorite lens is my nifty fifty (50mm 1.8) currently it’s the only lens I shoot with, the photos are that good! Everything on my photography blog is shot with this lens unless otherwise noted.

~one of my fave hoot photography photos~

4) Where do you draw inspiration from?
I love fabric and paper and the color stories within. I can see a 12×12 piece of great scrapbook paper or fabric and imagine it refashioned as many different things. Magazines are great too – I have piles to clip for inspiration folders. A store that I love is Anthropology they have artists and designers who create the amazing windows and displays. I asked one day how they come up with their displays and she said, sometimes we have a plan to follow but often we are sent a box of stuff and our team has to make it into something great for the store. Sometime I go there not to buy but just to see what the new windows look like and all the little clever creations on the tables and displays within.

5) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I love chocolate ice cream with almonds and coconut. I Love Cold Stone Creamery because you I get it all the time made special for me!

{GIVEAWAY}

Chrissy is giving away $20 credit to her shop, what a hoot!! 😉

To enter:

You must be a Google Friend Connect follower of Sandy a la Mode

1. Visit Hoot Designs shop and leave a comment with your favorite item!

For additional entries, leave a separate comment for each action.
2. Be a Google Friend Connect follower of Hoot Designs blog
3. Follow @sandyalamode and @chrissy217 on Twitter
4. Blog, facebook, or tweet about this giveaway (make sure to include @sandyalamode and @chrissy217 in your tweet) and include the link (one entry each)

Feel free to use this tweet:
#GIVEAWAY ALERT! Win $20 credit to @chrissy217’s Hoot Designs shop full of clutches, notepads, flower pins and more! http://bit.ly/fjRpbS

This giveaway is open to U.S. readers only and closes on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12PM CST.  Good luck!

Don’t want to wait?  Take 20% off your order with code “Hootlove20”!

Entries for this giveaway have been closed!

 

109 Comments

  2. Melissa
    March 16, 2011 / 4:21 pm

    I love the camera strap. I need it!

  5. Rachel Dell
    March 16, 2011 / 4:40 pm

    i follow you…but not in a creepy way.

    Also i want to own a toy store. also i want to own a cute store that sells cute things. one day (and i don’t mean on etsy i mean a real life store)
    PS: good job on your photography, purty good.

  6. morgan
    March 16, 2011 / 4:41 pm

    i LOVE the spring burlap wreath!

  7. Jenna
    March 16, 2011 / 5:15 pm

    My favorite are the Flower Posie Pins!

    xoxo
    Jenna

  8. vicki
    March 16, 2011 / 5:28 pm

    great interview!!! 🙂 xo

  11. Rebecca T.
    March 16, 2011 / 6:07 pm

    I follow the hoot designs blog and your blog via GFC!
    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

  12. Rebecca T.
    March 16, 2011 / 6:08 pm

    I follow both of you via twitter…@tigg1990
    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

  13. Alexandra DiGiorgio
    March 16, 2011 / 6:14 pm

    I’m a follower via GFC (lexacd) and my favorite item is the kiss lock purse! So cute!

  14. Alexandra DiGiorgio
    March 16, 2011 / 6:15 pm

    I’m a follower of Hoot Design’s Blog via GFC (lexacd)!

  15. Wendy T.
    March 16, 2011 / 6:21 pm

    She owned a toy store and gift wraps as a job? How awesome is that! 😀 I love her Personalized Embroidered Key Chain Key Fob Wristlet!

  16. kinsey french.
    March 16, 2011 / 6:33 pm

    I love the Gift Card Mini Stack Notepad Spiral (Starbucks)!! =D

  17. kinsey french.
    March 16, 2011 / 6:34 pm

    I am a GFC follower of Hoot Designs!!

  18. Somer
    March 16, 2011 / 6:37 pm

    This kiss lock purse is my favorite for sure!

  19. Somer
    March 16, 2011 / 6:38 pm

    following you both on twitter

  20. Somer
    March 16, 2011 / 6:41 pm

    Tweeted!

    @SomerKnits

  25. Krysten
    March 16, 2011 / 7:40 pm

    How cute! My favorite item is the Zebra Kiss Lock Purse.

  26. Krysten
    March 16, 2011 / 7:41 pm

    Following on Twitter!

  27. connie
    March 16, 2011 / 7:47 pm

    Love the camera strap cover! I was just thinking about how mine was really uncomfortable.

  28. connie
    March 16, 2011 / 7:47 pm

    I follow you both on twitter! @daydreamincolor

  29. connie
    March 16, 2011 / 7:49 pm

    I now follow Hoot Designs’ blog!

  30. Stephanie T.
    March 16, 2011 / 7:55 pm

    I would definitely put it towards a camera strap!

  31. Stephanie T.
    March 16, 2011 / 7:55 pm

    I now follow Hoot Designs via GFC!

  32. Stephanie T.
    March 16, 2011 / 7:56 pm

    I follow both of you on Twitter! @MrsStephanieT

  33. Stephanie T.
    March 16, 2011 / 7:56 pm

    I tweeted! @MrsStephanieT

  34. Jess
    March 16, 2011 / 8:01 pm

    I love this interview, especially the part about photography. I took my 1st photography class earlier this year and hope to take more in the years to come – I am fascinated by it!

    xo Jess

    http://cheapbutchicclothes.blogspot.com/

  35. Ashley Krieger
    March 16, 2011 / 8:04 pm

    wow such a talented lady for sure!

  36. Beth T.
    March 16, 2011 / 8:10 pm

    Really cute things in her shop. Those covered button bookmarks are calling out to be stocking stuffers–which I shop for all year. Thanks for the intro and the chance to win some!

    I follow you via Google Friend Connect.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

  37. meghan
    March 16, 2011 / 8:38 pm

    I LOVE little notebooks. I wan’t one of hers!!

  38. Elisabeth
    March 16, 2011 / 8:51 pm

    I love her personalized keychains

  39. Elisabeth
    March 16, 2011 / 8:52 pm

    I follow hoot designs blog!

  40. Elisabeth
    March 16, 2011 / 8:53 pm

    I know follow you both on twitter!

  41. Elisabeth
    March 16, 2011 / 8:58 pm

    I tweeted – @calleighsclips

  42. Meggy
    March 16, 2011 / 9:02 pm

    I’m a follower and I would LOVE the DSLR Camera Strap Slip Cover.

    Meggy from Chasing Davies

  43. Meggy
    March 16, 2011 / 9:03 pm

    I am a twitter follower of you both! @ChasingDavies

    Meggy from Chasing Davies

  44. Nikki
    March 16, 2011 / 9:04 pm

    What a neat work space! I love the zebra kiss lock purse. Fun giveaway!
    Nikki

  45. Cole
    March 16, 2011 / 9:44 pm

    Such a cute shop! I love the kiss lock purse!

  47. Katie
    March 16, 2011 / 10:30 pm

    I love the flower posie pins set. So cute.

  48. Rebecca
    March 16, 2011 / 10:32 pm

    I love the kisslock purse. Too cute!

  49. Ashley
    March 16, 2011 / 10:52 pm

    I am your newest follower! Thanks for stopping in to my blog so I could find yours, it is super cute!

  50. Ami
    March 17, 2011 / 1:17 am

    I think my favorite is the pebbles print.. so pretty!

  51. Ami
    March 17, 2011 / 1:17 am

    following Hoot designs on GFC!

  52. Ami
    March 17, 2011 / 1:18 am

    following you both on Twitter @hunnybunny727 🙂
    P.S. thank you for following my blog 🙂 🙂

  53. alely
    March 17, 2011 / 5:58 am

    love the kiss lock purse!

  54. Kel
    March 17, 2011 / 7:18 am

    I love the posie pin set!

  55. violet
    March 17, 2011 / 9:34 am

    My favorite item from the shop is Gift Card Mini Stack Notepad Spiral (Starbucks) Johathan Adler

  56. violet
    March 17, 2011 / 9:35 am

    I am following hootdesigns on Google Friend Connect as Viorela

  57. Adelyn
    March 17, 2011 / 9:53 am

    omg. i. adore. her. shop.

    I have 3 favorite items. I cannot decide on just one so hang with me here.

    1. Zebra Kiss Lock Purse

    2. DSLR Camer Strap Slip Cover

    3. Flower Posie Pins Set of two fabric and felt

    adelyn
    http://www.randomnessfromtheaddiecorner.blogspot.com

  58. Adelyn
    March 17, 2011 / 9:54 am

    I am a follower of the Hoot Designs blog.

    adelyn

  59. Alison
    March 17, 2011 / 10:50 am

    The “rustic crab apples” photo is my favorite!

  60. Alison
    March 17, 2011 / 10:51 am

    I follow you both on Twitter.

  61. christy
    March 17, 2011 / 1:39 pm

    i like the starbucks gift card mini stack notebook

  62. christy
    March 17, 2011 / 1:45 pm

    i follow Hoot Designs on GFC

  63. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:00 pm

    I love the key fobs! What an adorable shop!

  64. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:01 pm

    I am a follower of hoot designs!

  65. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:02 pm

    And ofcourse I follow sandy a la mode!

  66. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:03 pm

    I am following you both on twitter!!

  67. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:03 pm

    I am fan of hoot designs on Facebook.

  68. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:06 pm

    I tweeted about the giveaway

    @SimplySara83

  69. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:06 pm

    And facebooked about the giveaway too!

  70. Simply Sara
    March 17, 2011 / 7:07 pm

    And last but not least I hearted hoot designs on etsy…

    Oh my Facebook name is Sara Haga Gore

  71. Rozen
    March 18, 2011 / 11:57 am

    I love the little notebooks! I’m such a sucker for any form of paper products…

  72. Shea
    March 19, 2011 / 2:24 pm

    Mmm, cold stone! I love it too! And I love her flower posie pins–they’re so fun!

  73. EliseKayEm
    March 19, 2011 / 8:26 pm

    LOVE the camera strap!! 😀

  74. EliseKayEm
    March 19, 2011 / 8:27 pm

    I follow you both via twitter!

  76. Maria
    March 20, 2011 / 9:56 am

    I love love love the flower posie pins! So many things that you could do with them. The kiss lock purses are super adorable too!

  77. Becky
    March 20, 2011 / 4:53 pm

    I like the Target mini notepad!

  78. Rhian
    March 20, 2011 / 9:07 pm

    My favorite item is the DSLR Camera Strap cover. I have a good photographer friend that I would love to gift it to!

  79. Rhian
    March 20, 2011 / 9:09 pm

    I am now a Google Friend Connect follower of Hoot Designs blog!

  80. Rhian
    March 20, 2011 / 9:10 pm

    I already followed @sandyalamode but now I follow @chrissy217 too!

  82. Cait
    March 21, 2011 / 4:56 am

    ohmygosh i love this 🙂 i follow on twitter! 🙂

  83. Katie
    March 21, 2011 / 6:41 am

    The button bookmarks are precious! I totally need a new bookmark, come to think of it.

  84. Katie
    March 21, 2011 / 6:42 am

    I follow you both on Twitter – @SheLikesRuffles

  86. Jenni
    March 21, 2011 / 8:43 am

    I love the burlap spring wreath!
    AZinAugust {at}gmail{dot}com

  88. jacqueline v
    March 21, 2011 / 4:24 pm

    i like the Gift Card Mini Stack Notepad Spiral (Target) jmmccarr@gmail.com

  89. Sandy
    March 21, 2011 / 4:59 pm

    I love the ocean pebbles (heart) photo.

  91. TatiAbaurre
    March 21, 2011 / 10:12 pm

    Hi! I follow via GFC and on twitter as TatiAbaurre and my favorite item from the store is the “Spring Burlap Wreath Polka Dots and Flowers”, so cute!

    Thanks

  92. Mary
    March 22, 2011 / 12:04 am

    GFC follower mearnold115 and I love her Personalized Embroidered Key Chain Key Fob Wristlet!

  95. Mary Myers
    March 22, 2011 / 12:40 am

    My favorite item from her shop is the Kiss Lock Purse!

  96. Mary Myers
    March 22, 2011 / 12:42 am

    I’m a follower of Hoot Design’s Blog!

  97. Jayme
    March 22, 2011 / 12:46 am

    I really like the DSLR Camera Strap Slip Cover! 🙂 <3

  98. Jayme
    March 22, 2011 / 12:47 am

    I follow Hoot Design’s Blog!

  99. Jayme
    March 22, 2011 / 12:48 am

    I FB about the giveaway! 😀

  101. Kimberlee
    March 22, 2011 / 10:24 am

    I’m your Google Friend!

    I love the Kiss Lock Purse

  102. ♥Lola
    March 22, 2011 / 10:53 am

    The Zebra Kiss Lock Purse is my favorite.

  103. ♥Lola
    March 22, 2011 / 10:54 am

    I’m following Hott Designs’ Blog.

  104. ♥Lola
    March 22, 2011 / 10:54 am

    I’m following you both on twitter. (@SingNightingale)

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