my first giveaway

I'm so excited to host my first giveaway!

I met Gina through the blog world and was excited to learn

we have quite a lot in common.
[we both work in higher ed, love baseball and our dogs]
We also share an appreciation for Twitter
& the power of tweet chats.
Gina hosts a weekly chat for handmade shop owners,
you can read more about it here.
You may recognize Gina from Growing Sweet Pea's blog,
as she recently got this fun cartoon done

So, I asked Gina a few questions...

When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging in October 2009 because I wanted to write
about learning how to cook. (bwhaha-my how times have changed!)
I love that as I have evolved and grown, so has my blog.
It is like an online diary of interests that I can go back and relive.
I also love meeting new people and have found great friends and
an amazing community to be apart of.

When did you open your Etsy shop?
I opened my etsy shop in May 2010
but I didn't really start listing things that I'm truly passionate about
until Fall 2010. Now I wish I had more time {errr full-time} to create
new wares as I have a bazillion ideas but zero time.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from beauty all around me.
I am always thinking about what I need or want and
if I could make the item.
If so, I jot it down in a notebook and hope that I will have time to do it.
Right now, I am sketching a new line of handbags that I hope to sew up
and reveal sooner than later.
For the line of handbags, I was inspired by a life event!

What is your favorite city?
My favorite city would be London.
I studied abroad in college and lived there for 6 months.
I would have stayed longer had I not be in a committed relationship

 at the time. When I came back to the states, we broke up.
I should have stayed in London! HA!

...and the moment you've been scrolling down to find:
Gina has graciously agreed to giveaway a $25 shop credit!
Aren't her designs lovely?

How to enter

{mandatory entry}

You must be a follower via GFC of dot...in the city,

visit Gina's Etsy shop and tell me your favorite item,
and leave your email address if it's not linked to you GFC profile.

More ways to enter the giveaway

2 - follow Gina and me on Twitter
3 - Tweet or blog about this giveaway
4 - Heart Hiya Luv Handmade on Etsy
and tell me your Etsy username

feel free to use this tweet: 

enter to win $25 shop credit from @hiyaluv

on @bbgoad 's blog http://tiny.cc/3wq26 

Giveaway runs through Friday, February 25 at 12noon EST
and is open INTERNATIONALLY