Quick: what was the first field trip you went on? 

I remember mine very well. I was in kindergarten and my class got to take a trip to the pumpkin patch right before Halloween.  We all had so much fun picking out pumpkins and little gourds!  I still go to the same pumpkin patch to this day -- and have pretty much every year I've lived in this area.

But today, I'm snowed in.  Thanks to the "Blizzard of 2010" as the media likes to call it.  And while I can't take a real field trip, I can take a virtual one.  Want to join me as we get to know Amy of Handmade Evolution and her brand spanking new shop, Field Trip.  (We've got extra credit in the form of a giveaway once you get to the end of the interview. So read on...)

How did you get in to graphic design?

When I got married – 4 and a half years ago – I enjoyed the process of designing our wedding so much. Everything about our wedding was made by hand and designed by me: favors, invites, programs, etc. I loved working on these things so so much – and I realized from there that it was something I was very passionate about. 

And the rest, as they say, is history!

What's your creative process like? Do you start with sketches or do you go straight to the computer?

I get an idea but usually I’m not sure exactly where it’s going at first. I love it when the idea hits me; that’s probably my favourite part of the whole process. So far every design is different. Sometimes I start sketching in pencil and work through the idea. Other times I’m on the computer and work through it creatively that way. At that point I’ll usually take a breather from the piece and I come back to it in a couple days or even a few months and work on the colors and see if I still like how everything is looking.

When did you start selling your prints online?

Just this January – I’ve been working on my shop since this summer off and on.

Can you give us a sneak preview of what new stuff you're working on?

I have about 4 ideas for prints I’m working on right now and I’m dying to have several hours to work on each of them. I also have some designs in “the vault” that I need to decide if I’m happy with and want to release. I can’t give a sneak peak look but I can let you know I’ve got a series of posters for kids in the works. And I’m also looking to add more “texture” to some of my new posters.

You're also a blogger at Handmade Evolution.  What's your top tip for bloggers?

Have fun and believe in what you’re doing. Sounds silly maybe – but I think if you’re not having fun it’s not something you’ll want to stick with. I think for it to be fun you’ve got to get to know other bloggers and Etsy shop owners (if you blog about handmade for example) – at the end of the day that’s what makes it really great!

I completely agree with you on that last point, Amy! Thanks so much for taking us along on a little field trip inside your creative process.

Now, onto the giveaway! Amy's giving one lucky person two prints of their choosing from her shop.  Here's how to play along and enter to win:

1. Stop by Field Trip on Etsy and tell us which prints you'd pick if you won.  (Two of the same, different colors? Or two entirely different prints?) 1 ENTRY.
2. In a separate comment, tell us about your first field trip. 1 ENTRY.
3. Tweet about this giveaway on twitter and leave a separate comment with your twitter name.  (Click on Share Article below and select Twitter for a quick way to retweet this post.) 1 ENTRY.

You can enter up to 3 times.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Giveaway is open through Feb. 13th, with a winner randomly selected and announced on Feb. 14th.  How sweet.