Friday Feature No. 38 -- Featuring Pretty Pear Designs

Happy Friday! It's been a good week for me. I hope it has been for all of you as well.

Today, we are featuring Amy, from Pretty Pear Designs. Amy has a unique product, that I know I haven't seen anywhere before. She makes fabric stationery....and it's SO cool! Let's hear a little more about Amy.

TDB: How did you get your start making fabric stationery?
Amy: I started making fabric stationery, because apparently I had issues collecting fabrics that I thought were pretty. I would buy a yard here and there because it made my eyes happy. I was convinced that someday I would do something with it. Well, one night I just had this huge to make something, anything. I pulled out my stash of fabrics and started thinking what could I make that does not involve pulling out my sewing machine ( with a 2 yr old and newborn at the time, I knew that sewing projects were out of the question for me). I stared at the pretty fabrics and they reminded me of my mom. I started to think about my mom, and thought I would love to send her a card with some of these pretty fabrics.
It was an hour of what if I did this, and then tried this, and this printed this, what would happen? That was the start of my first fabric card. I sent out a few cards to all the important ladies in my life for Mother's Day knowing they all loved handmade items, and well that was the start of it.


TDB: What other creative abilities do you possess?
Amy: It depends on who you ask. I got my degree in art education with a concentration in pottery ( so I am a secret potter ). When I let my mind and inhibitions go I can paint a little. I love to design and decorate, and I am always playing around with making different things when I have time.

TDB: What does "a day in the life of Amy" look like?
Amy: Yikes! A day in the life of Amy is not so exciting. I am up by around 6:30 am and start my motivational round up of getting kids ready. My daughter is 5 and in kindergarten and my 3 year old daughter is home with me. I get my 5 yr old ready to go on the bus (an ongoing battle of remotely staying on task, so we can catch the school bus). After she is gone to school, I have my breakfast and coffee with the computer. I use the morning hours to do Etsy, twitter, blog and try and do my online promotions. I can only do this for a little while and then it is time to clean-up the house a bit and entertain the little one.
My day is a balance of mommy and work, grocery shopping and fresh air. I do not do much actual cardmaking during the day. I have to save that for the evenings when I know I will have no interruptions. I love making stationery and these cards, but I am also very aware of how precious this time is with my girls when they are young like this, so I try to spend a lot of time with them.

TDB: What are three things in your life that you just can't do without?
Amy: Right now I feel like I cannot live without my computer (sad), I can't live without water - seriously if I don't drink water throughout the day I am so tired and I get headaches, and not to sound cliche but hugs, I need them.


TDB: If you had the power of tele-transportation, what would you do with it?
Amy: If I had the power, I would transport myself to Crested Butte, Colorado to snowboard whenever I felt like it. I would see my mom more, and when I was in the mood for some wonderful food I would go to NYC for an evening out with my friends. Oh, and we would take our girls to Disney World, because right now with the way the economy is going not sure if we can do that now.

TDB: As a young child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Amy: Ok, here I go. In this order, from when I was very young through High School - Miss America, Veterinarian, Architect and Interior Designer, and Wildlife Biologist (with a concentration studying grizzly bears).



TDB: Who has been the greatest influence in your life, and why?
Amy: My mom and dad. My dad because he passed away from Leukemia when I was 15 years old, and from him I learned the greatest lessons in life that keep me balanced and happy. I learned to live your life without regrets, to understand the seriousness of life, but to not take life too seriously. I learned from him that family, love and relationships are what are most important, not material things. That time with your kids are precious and that it is more important to create memories then to buy them. From my mom I learned strength and courage. I learned that women are the silent rocks of every family. I learned from here to appreciate what is beautiful and to laugh even when you don't always feel like it.

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Today's giveaway from Amy is this fun white, green, and blue polka dotted fabric stationery. It is a boxed set of 8 notecards.

To enter, please visit Pretty Pear Designs and then come back here and comment on your favorite item from Amy's shop. Please make sure to leave a valid email address with your comment.

For an additional entry, you can blog about our giveaway. Please leave a separate comment with the link to your blog post.

For another additional entry, you can follow us by clicking on "Follow this blog" up at the top right of this page. Please leave a separate comment letting us know you're a follower.

Deadline to enter is Thursday, January 29 at midnight PST. Giveaway is open worldwide.

Have a great weekend!

Angie