THOUGHTFULNESS

Usually my days just go by in a string of easy, enjoyable, creatively filled hours.  But, as with everyone, sometimes you have a couple days where things aren't so easy and enjoyable.  I guess it takes days like that to make you fully appreciate the simple days.

For a "simple" day, nothing beats a morning of looking at some pretty shops, and lunch in a charming little retro diner with a friend of almost 30 years . . .

 . . . who greets you a little pack of assorted teas, a beautifully decorated cookie from the bakery, and a hug.

There is just nothing like a simple, uncomplicated day.

DOWNLOAD ANGEL PDFs AND MAKE YOUR OWN TAGS!

There is a new addition to my Etsy shop, Gillyflower Cottage.  You can now order the PDF to download, print, and make your own Angel Gift Tags.  Last winter I did some drawings of angel statues.  These tags are made with those drawings.  All you need to do is print, cut them out, punch a hole for the tag string, and you're done!

After printing the tags and adding a tie of burlap fiber or string, you can add a little glimmer with some Diamond Dust glass glitter or use them as is.  Or, gather them up in a neat little bundle tied off with some baker's twine and a pretty seal.  

 You can make BATCHES of them for some very inexpensive hostess gifts. Fill up some gift bags NOW with a bundle or two of angel tags and a sweet smelling Christmas votive, and you'll have some useful (and inexpensive) little gifts all ready to go!

A SALE AT GILLYFLOWER COTTAGE

Just a quick post to let you know that there are a lot of new items in my Etsy shop, Gillyflower Cottage.   To kick off the Christmas shopping season, for one week (October 18-24), you may enter the coupon code 

SHOPGILLY

during the checkout process and receive 10% off your entire order!  If you are not familiar with coupon codes you can read about how to use it by going to Etsy's help page.  The 10% discount includes any custom orders taken during the sale week (i.e. table runners in different lengths than those given, or tags with alternate script)- so send me a note for your custom order idea through the contact email given at the shop if you'd like to take advantage of the sale.

Stop into Gillyflower Cottage to see multiple views and close-ups of each item.  

ANGEL TAGS FOR CHRISTMAS

It's that time of year when I start thinking about Chrismas.  Mid-October, with crisp mornings and some dark, ominous looking skies.  Christmas shopping, getting the tree, sending Christmas cards, and wrapping your gifts!  

Well, I was looking through some of my angel drawings from last winter, and decided to make some vintage looking gift tags using my own drawings to tie on gifts this year.  These were drawings I did with various angel statues for inspiration.

Then I thought, as long as I'm printing these out I should also print some sets of tags for my etsy shop.  So here's a little preview of what was added to Gillyflower Cottage.   

A serene angel tag bearing the word "Noel".

A small angel who appears to be looking down on the manger scene with script proclaiming the excitement of that first Christmas morning.

Another elegant angel with the symbolic star in her hair.

Large Hare gift tags (3 1/2 x 8 inches).  The design on this tag is not my own drawing -  this graphic comes from an antique dictionary page and would work for any occasion from Easter to a baby gift.

Neatly bundled and ready to make someone's packages extra special.

If you're looking for Santa Claus and snowmen on your gift tags, this is not the place.  But if you're looking for quiet and serene gift tags that speak to the beauty of the true meaning of Christmas, you should stop by Etsy and check them out!

DOOR COUNTY LUMBAR PILLOW

Door County is one of our favorite spots to go in the summertime.  If you're not from Wisconsin or the Midwest, you may not be familiar with it.  It's a charming and quaint area filled with B&B's, restaurants, shops and cherry orchards.

We are especially fond of Door County because we spent our honeymoon there 23 years ago, and we continue to drive the 3 hours north every June to celebrate our day every year.  

I know a lot of people love this spot as much as we do.  So, I decided to make one of my "Name Your City/Burlap Lumbar Pillows" with the name of this great place on the front.  I went to the fabric store looking for a sturdy, colorful, and happy print - with one more qualification. 

It had to have cherries in the print!

So here's what I found.  I love it and I know I'll have to make one for myself as a reminder of our yearly trips to Door County.

The words "Door County" are printed with fabric ink, heat-set, then sewn onto a strip of the cherry print.  This lumbar pillow measures 12" x 16, which is a bit shorter than my Name-Your-City Lumbar Pillow.

 

The back of the pillow is made of the same cherry print and has an envelope closure.  I hand felted a Golden Rainier Cherry "button-ball" to hold the pillow casing closed.  I think that might be my favorite part of the pillow!  

The pillow looks pretty on the front AND the back!

So now I'm thinking, what other destinations have we enjoyed that I could print on a pillow like this? Fish Creek (in Door County)?  Sanibel Island?  McKinney?  The Whistling Swan (our honeymoon B&B)?  White Gull Inn (our new favorite)?  Suggestions?  I think the especially beautiful colors this fall have inspired me to sew more than ever!

Check out my new pillow at Gillyflower Cottage.

  

FLOWERS, MORE FLOWERS, AND A TUTU

This post is all about some new paintings in my Etsy shop, 

Gillyflower Cottage.  

That's it!  Just photos!

Poppies - 24" x 36"

Purple and Chartreuse Tulips - 24" by 36"

Pink Tutu - 30" x 40"

BIRDS AND THE BEES . . . AND A FEW SHEEP

If you have a "make it" blog, or even if you just like to make things, then you understand how I'm feeling.  I kind of feel like this every day, actually, but sometimes you get specific creative urges.

You just want to use your hands to make something.

Sometimes you have the urge to sew.

Sometimes you feel prompted to paint - and that's the way I feel.  It's windy, sunny, and pretty chilly today.  A good day to stay inside, light a couple great smelling candles, make a fresh pot of coffee, and use that bright sunshine coming in the window to work on a painting project.  

I have a couple of great photos of some sheep that I've been saving for a day like today . . .

Aren't they awesome?

So it's time to get out my supplies!

Also, for the "birds and the bees" part - I have a few new paintings in my Etsy shop to share today.  

A Green Honey Creeper

 A couple bees . . .

 . . . and a Nuthatch.  They were part of a little painting challenge I took part in a while ago.

Thanks for stopping!

BIG RED FLEW THE COOP

"Big Red" has been purchased from Gillyflower Cottage, and he is now headed to Palm Springs, California.  

What is it with California?  I have two pillows, a ring bearer's pillow, four table runners, and a painting, now residing in California.  They seem to be my best Etsy customers.

Anyway, I got him all wrapped up and taped shut and then realized I didn't take a photo of him before I sent him away.   But you can see a full shot of him here.

Being a Nebraska native, my husband gave him his name, which is very appropriate.

He had the best "eye" I've painted so far!

Seeing him go, makes me want to paint . . .

GRAIN SACK RUNNERS

 I have another custom order from Etsy/Gillyflower Cottage to feature today.  This was for four custom grain sack style runners that are going to be used to top some tables for an engagement party on the beach in California.  The runners have a stenciled design on either side of center, leaving plenty of room for a centerpiece on these 10 foot runners.  

They are made of natural 100% cotton Osnaburg and bear a stencil that advertises an actual bakery in the middle of Paris, France.  The stencil has beautiful, intricate details done in a black, permanent, color fast ink.

With mitered corners and the bride and groom's initials on the "drop" at either end of the runner they'll be a lasting reminder of their engagement celebration.

                             

Packaged up and on their way to sunny and warm San Diego, California.  It's fun knowing that my runners will be a part of this special occasion in such a beautiful location!

GRANDPARENT SUBWAY SIGN PILLOW

A few days ago I received a custom order for a Subway Sign Pillow.  

Normally, these pillows bear the name of a favorite city.  Subway Signs used for home decor are pretty popular right now, especially when they're personalized to fit your town or favorite spot.

But this was a request for a pillow with a different twist - a Subway Sign Pillow with a phrase that proclaims a very happy occasion - the birth of a new grandchild! 

  I've made 5 pillows with the striped linen strip, so that fabric is no longer available, but this one has a lovely turquoise/brown upholstery strip and I love the way it turned out.  The color and texture is a great contrast to the nubby, natural open weave of burlap.

 This was so fun to figure out and make, especially knowing the joy that is coming to this family any day now!

Custom orders can be taken at my Etsy shop:  Gillyflower Cottage.