DIY

Story and photos by Emily Olson

Embroidery hoops have found their way into home decor in many ways other than their intended purpose. One of the most common craft decor ideas is to use the embroidery hoop as a wreath form. The hoop “wreath” in this project creates a perfect pocket for a bright display of spring stems. It only takes a few supplies, and the best part—no sewing is necessary! You can leave the envelope hoop up all year long and switch out the stems to complement each season.

SUPPLIES

• 10" embroidery hoop

• 12” x “12” piece of linen fabric

• 12” x 6 1/2” piece of linen fabric

• Hot glue gun

• Artificial floral stems DIRECTIONS

1. Create a crisp edge on the pocket by folding over the rectangle fabric 1/2 inch, making the overall rectangle a finished rectangle 12” x 6”. Press down the 1/2 inch fold with an iron to keep it in place.

2. With the folded side down, align the rectangle fabric on top of the square fabric, aligning the sides and bottom of the fabric.

3. Loosen and separate the hoops.

4. Place the stacked fabric over the inner hoop so that that it is centered.

5. Align the outer ring with the tightening mechanism centered above the envelope and push down to sandwich the fabric between the hoops.

6. Tighten the mechanism to hold the hoops together, keeping the fabric taught.

7. Turn the hoop over and trim off the excess fabric, leaving about 1/2 inch allowance around the ring.

8. Fold over the trimmed edge and hold it in place with hot glue. Where the fabric is doubled, each layer will need to be glued down separately.

9. Add artificial floral stems to fill the envelope.

10. Hang from the tightening mechanism with a small nail.

Photos by Kelly Middlebrooks

Deciding to switch banks when you have had a long-standing history with your current bank can seem like a daunting task. Recently, Blend Interactive went through this transition when they left their long-standing bank to partner with American Bank and Trust. “We were comfortable with our previous bank,” said Karla Santi, Founder of Blend Interactive, “but we were starting to realize that we needed a banking partner that was more in line with our values and had the ability to adapt quickly to our rapidly changing business environment.” So, on April 2, 2020 Karla reached out to longtime friend Julie Nelson, Senior Vice President of Development for American Bank and Trust, with a proposition. “What would it take to move Blend’s entire operating account to American Bank and Trust in order to proceed with applying for a Payroll Protection Plan Loan?” Julie’s response was, “We would be happy to take care of you.” Within a week, American Bank and Trust (ABT) moved Blend Interactive’s operating account, applied for, and approved Blend for a PPP loan, and their newly established account was funded. AB&T made the transition painless for Blend’s current clients to set up new wire templates and ACH transfers for Blend’s current clients. A week or so after receiving approval for their PPL, Blend was contacted by other banking institutions notifying them that their PPP Loan was open for application. Having already received their notice of approval for a PPP loan with American Bank and Trust, and knowing they were served ahead of the curve, brought Blend peace of mind during the uncertainty of partnering with a new bank. While in retrospect, the time it took to make the conversion was relatively short. The decision to make a change in banks was an overwhelming undertaking. Being a digital agency that specializes in web strategy, design, and development, most of Blend’s transactions with customers are digital. The bank they selected needed to have the technology and the online tools that Blend relies on to conduct its business. “We have great relationships with many banks in our area, but the decision ultimately came down to the online banking applications and ease of use paired with a caring team of people that had our best interests in mind. People + Priority + Programs.”, shared Karla. American Bank and Trust checked all of those boxes. “They are small enough to have trusted relationships, but large enough to handle situations that require complex solutions. They care about my business because it reflects upon them as well.”

Fast forward to today, Karla couldn’t be happier with the decision to bank with AB&T. Shortly after moving Blend to AB&T, Karla moved her personal banking as well. “We also refinanced our home, set up checking and savings accounts for our kids, and joint checking accounts for our family. They made the process simple and straightforward. The best part is most was done online without needing to meet in person to complete the transactions.” Karla appreciates having a trusted partner in banking. The employees at American Bank and Trust know her by name and truly care about the wellbeing of her company. “They proactively reach out for multiple reasons – from ensuring we’re aware of any new opportunities for federal funding, to congratulating us on any company achievements. One day I called in to have a certified check created and upon pulling up to the drive-up window downtown to pick it up, I was welcomed by name and they asked me to wish my husband a happy birthday.” It’s American Bank and Trust’s commitment to developing successful long-term relationships that set them apart from the competition. A business model not unlike Blend Interactive, AB&T is small enough to be agile, allowing them to be responsive to the needs of their customers.

Both companies value the relationships and partnerships they have with their clients to create successful relationships that last. Any small business looking for a bank that is committed to the success of your business can relish the same benefits Blend Interactive received in selecting American Bank and Trust.

“Every room has its own voice; we’ll help you give it the perfect accent.”

NEW SEASONAL DECOR ARRIVING WEEKLY!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 775 10th St • Rock Valley, Iowa 712.476.2945 Mon–Fri: 9–5 Sat: 9–3 or by appointment