Who's That: Along for the Ride (and a giveaway!)-CLOSED

First things first, it's time to announce the winner of the Freckled Bug giveaway.  The lucky lady receiving Andrea's super-cute hair bows is:

#7-Stephanie from Coupon Clippin' Mommy!

Congrats, Stephanie!  Shoot me an email by Monday so I can you and Andrea in touch!

I'm so excited to introduce you all to Laura from Along for the Ride today.  She and I are doing a blog swap and she was gracious enough to let me "interview" her!  I hope you all enjoy getting to know her as much as I have!

Could you tell my readers just a little bit about yourself?- I have been married to a cute, funny, kind man named Kyle for a little over a year. We have a little kitty named Jupiter. And we live in a residence hall with 400 college students! I am a hall coordinator- I have a masters degree in higher education and hope to work at a college forever! Kyle just started his masters in library science this fall. We love working with college students and watching them grow!

Tell me a little bit about your blog.  What prompted you to start Along For The Ride and why? I started along for the ride as a way to stay connected to our family back home. Then I was introduced to the world of craft blogs...and I started crafting more myself. I love sharing my projects  and being inspired by others. I host a weekly craft party on Saturdays called Saturday is Crafty Day. Since I started it last fall, my blog has turned into a space where I share my love of crafting, love of my family and my job, and my love of Jesus Christ.

What inspires you?  What type of things do you find yourself being drawn to? I am inspired by women who lead simple, God-filled lives, who love their families, and relish in the little things. On the crafty side of things, I am inspired by bright colors, flowers, and all kinds of jewelry.

What are your favorite things to create? My first love is jewelry! I have recently gotten in to sewing and love making coffee cozies. I also really love making decorations for the different holidays and making our apartment nice and festive.

What have you enjoyed most about blogging? I love meeting new women who have similar interests as I do in faith, family, and crafty endeavors. I feel like we're a little family. I also really love readings others' blogs and getting inspired.

What do you hope your readers take away from your blog? I always hope that I bring a little sunshine to my readers. I also hope that my faith will shine through. And if they pick up a craft idea or two, that's great too!

If you could blog swap with any one person for a day, who would it be and why? I would love to blog swap with Lisa Leonard. I just love her blog and her pictures and her story. What a beautiful heart.

I collect quotes for my blog.  Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share? Currently my favorite is

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." Mark Twain

What one skill do you wish you were better at? Sewing!

How would you describe your personality? I think I'm a bit quirky, sparkly, and down to earth.

List your 3 favorite blog posts that you've written. A post I wrote for my husband on our one year anniversary, one about my 90 days of kindness challenge, and one about my favorite bible verse.

What is your favorite product that you have reviewed? I haven't really reviewed any but would love the opportunity.

What advertiser would you like to work with given a chance? I'd love to work with DaySpring. I love their items and their message. 

What is one thing you wish you had known before you started you blog? What a time commitment it can be. It can literally take all your time if you let it. My husband always tells me "your run your blog, your blog doesn't run you." I've gotten a lot better at not feeling guilty if I don't post every day or don't return every e-mail super quickly.

How do you balance blogging, family and free time? Some days better than others. My job is very unique (i'm a hall coordinator and live and work in a residence hall) so family, free time, work, and blogging is quite a balancing act. I have never been one to silo my life into different compartments and the various roles I play bleed into one another. That's how it is for my blog. I don't just write about one thing. I try to keep my readers on their toes!

Thanks so much for letting me pick your brain today, Laura!  

And as if that weren't enough, Laura is giving away this adorable cozy to one lucky Scraps and Scribbles reader:

Want it?  Here's what you do to enter:

*Mandatory Entry-Be a follower of Scraps and Scribbles and show me your lovely face on my sidebar.  Then head on over to Laura's shop and tell me what tickles your fancy (please leave in all in one comment!)

For additional entries, you can:

*Become a follower of Along for the Ride

*Follow Along for the Ride on Facebook

*Follow Scraps and Scribbles on Facebook

*Follow Scraps and Scribbles on Twitter

*Blog, tweet or Facebook about the giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for additional item you do, it makes it easier for me when it's time to choose  a winner : )  The giveaway will end Tuesday, August 24th at midnight EST and the winner will be announced August 25th!  Good luck!