hibernation!

Dear Readers,

Is there any chance you could still be out there? It may seem like I abandoned you, left you to finish your own craftiness alone; however, I have some GOOD excuses.....really, they're pretty good! First, you are were all so loyal over the holidays that I was quite the vinyl elf through the end of December. January came and I promised my little fingers that I would let them rest one WHOLE month! Well, during that magical month of January a little something else decided to require my rest & it continued to demand my rest through March! Have you guessed what this little rest hog might be? You're right! A BABY! We're beyond thrilled to bring another baby our way; however, my body was not thrilled for the first 3 months & continues to somewhat struggle with the idea of having this baby :). That's a pretty good excuse for such a break though, right?

I hope that soothes your feelings of vinyl loneliness. If not, let me bribe your love with one adorable idea for Mother's Day! (a super THANKS goes to Kristin for the pot, so sweet of her) We planted our seeds last weekend and watch every morning for something so peak through. However, you could start with a plant in your pot- giving immediate satisfaction! I spray painted the pot blue, but the options are endless! Let your cute kiddos paint it for Grandma, do hand prints, or do your own unique design!

The saying, 'Mother, all flowers remind me of you!' comes from my favorite favorite Primary Song. It is sang often in our home! Please continue to return for more Mother's Day, Graduation, Wedding, & home decor ideas! We're back in business around here! Remember to place orders through my email; cottagequotes@yahoo.com

Fala la LAla la LA la laaaaaa

Here are just a few Christmas Designs to help welcome the season:

(we're getting out decorations this Sunday...there's excitement in the air)

I have big plans for the 'peace' 'noel' & 'joy'. Tomorrow I am heading into the Thrift Store to find 3 lovely frames to place the vinyl on. Then these Christmas beauties will be hanging with big red bows on my front door!

Pumpkin Patch (vinyl style)

We have a few more weeks of fall to enjoy before winter weather softly blows in! These adorable pumpkin designs can help us hold onto fall a little longer! The crafts to be done with these lovely pumpkins are endless. Here are just a few ideas:

This is a tile I made for the ladies that I visit teach. I plan to put them on some picture frames as well! I cannot cut the pumpkins smaller than 5x5. The above pumpkin is Pumpkin A.My mother is in LOVE with fall. It is her signature season! I sent her a bunch of pumpkins in red, brown, and beige- all different sizes. She came up with this beautiful design & placed it directly on her wall. It turned out fabulous- thanks for sharing my love for vinyl, MOM! Side pumpkins are Pumpkin B and middle pumpkin is Pumpkin C!

Place orders soon! Christmas Crafts & Gifts are right around the corner!

count your many blessings with the Gratitude Jar.

Even though my mind has been racing with Christmas crafts- I just can't get too ahead of myself. So let's begin with Thanksgiving! My mom-in-law has a Christmas tradition where we each write down some of our many blessing and put them in the jar/basket/bowl. We love the reminder of how richly blessed we have been & love the tradition; however, I figured it is just as well suited for Thanksgiving. So the 'Gratitude Jar' is dedicated to my mom-in-law!

I attached the paper with a metal ring- so there would be NO excuses for not writing your blessings (ahem....boys of the family).

The 'GIVING THANKS' design is available for sizes 6x6 ($4) and larger. I have a few plans to stick this adorable design on some tiles and small plates! Place your order for the "GIVING THANKS' design by OCTOBER 31st and receive $1 OFF (making a 6x6 only $3). Prices are for vinyl only. A finished 'Gratitude Jar' costs $10 (plus shipping) . If ordered by OCTOBER 31st the cost is $8 (plus shipping)! Email me at cottagequotes@yahoo.com for orders!

My mother also had a fun way of helping us remember our blessings during this fall season. My next craft will be dedicated to her! Also, I have some adorable NEW pumpkins to share- so STAY TUNED!

Introducing my new 'Christmas List'.....oh, and of course- the giveaway winner!

The long over-due winner of my giveaway is:

Tiffany Hanson

Hooray Hooray Hooray

(email me at cottagequotes@yahoo.com to claim your prize)

And now to take care of some 'BUSINESS'! I am closing my giveaways for the rest of 2009; but don't cry yet. I am OPENING my new line called 'Christmas List'. The holidays are in the air- I can almost smell them & with this being my most favorite time of year, I need some more time to dedicate my crafts to them. My hands have been itching to get some holiday decorating done.

We'll kick off our 'Christmas List' (which will also include Thanksgiving....what? being grateful can be on my Christmas list, right?) by spotlighting some vinyl holiday decor ideas! Soon we'll follow with Christmas GIFT ideas....I'm getting jollier just typing it! I have lots in store for this upcoming season so make sure to check the blog often.

Make sure to get your holiday orders in SOON (they tend to pile up fast) and come December 1st my elf work shop will be closed :).

We're BACK!

After taking a few month off, we're back and ready to dive into my mile-high pile of crafts! However, first we must get back into with a GIVEAWAY!

My little one started kindergarten this year! After doing some backpack shopping we walked away disappointed. We didn't love anything that we saw....sooooo....we decided to do our own thing! We bought a cute (but plain) purple backpack and rushed home to stick some vinyl on it! Here is how it turned out:

I love that it was her design, I love that she has a one-of-a-kind backpack, I love that she doesn't come home with someone's twin backpack, and I love a new reason to use vinyl!

So here's our School Style Giveaway: (your choice of one and your design)

1 10x10 backpack creation

or

1 10x10 School Creation for a classroom of your choice!

Leave a comment or email me at cottagequotes@yahoo.com This giveaway will be open until October 1st! That gives you time to sign up, spread the word, and think of a design!

Good LUCK!

Mucket Winner....

is.....

Jill Wray

Congrats! Email me at cottagequotes@yahoo.com so we can decide delivery options :). For those who did not win, but would still like to make their own Mucket....email me as well for an order. Thanks to our readers for keeping up with our blog! Stay tuned...