Cottage Nest - Crafting A Handmade Life: November 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Thankful...

Last night, I thought about how 2015 is winding down and how much has just happened alone in this year. Our twins arrived, we lost our dog, Pepe, and Cat, Sophie, and just yesterday I hit a milestone of 5 years cancer free since my diagnosis. And our store...considering I never thought I'd live to see another 5 years, its been amazing and emotional seeing the store full and sparkling!

This year, to celebrate, we're hosting our biggest after Thanksgiving sale ever! In store, on Black Friday, we'll hold multi-tiered discounts throughout the day beginning with 20% off the entire store starting at 9am. Small Business Saturday we will host our ornament sale geared to collectors or ornament exchanges -- buy 3 get the 4th free. And all weekend long - spend $25 in store and receive a special gift.

Of course, not everyone can get to tiny Ponchatoula, LA - so I've launched our online sales today lasting through Cyber Monday.

Etsy shop - 15% OFF your entire purchase with coupon code CYBER15
Main website - 20% OFF your entire purchase with coupon code SAVENOW20
Spoonflower - FREE shipping on fabric and paper orders placed on Fiber Monday - check out my shop with my newest Louisiana State of Mind design (Mardi Gras is already the most popular!)

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Louisiana State of Mind...

Finally, I can reveal a fun project I've been kicking around for months that is now complete...a nice little fabric collection based from my Louisiana Home Sweet Home design in most Louisiana football home team colors, plus Mardi Gras (obviously, right?!)

It's a simple design, yet I wasn't finding anywhere...so, voila! Most importantly, I wanted it to be non-directional to be used easily from a fun scarf, tote to a dorm room pillow.

Teams and schools in the first batch are:

Saints
LSU (my alma-mater)
Tulane
ULL Ragin Cajuns
and Mardi Gras

All of these fun fabrics live in my Spoonflower shop (where you can actually turn these into gift wrap and wallpaper too).

To see my coordinating Louisiana Home Sweet Home collection, visit our shop in Ponchatoula, LA to see the full collection or check out my online listings for a select items:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/243019505/louisiana-home-sweet-home-towel?ref=shop_home_active_19

https://www.etsy.com/listing/245696769/louisiana-home-sweet-home-silk-screened?ref=shop_home_active_16

Louisiana Home Sweet Home Towel on etsy
Louisiana Home Sweet Home Tank Top on etsy

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Quick DIY Christmas Gifts & Decorations

Christmas is less than 40 days away...I know, I know, it's always a surprise. Especially for us in South Louisiana where most of Fall temperatures have been in the paltry high 80's.

Fear not, though...because I've got a super collection of vintage cut and sew panels featuring some great and quick Christmas projects. All would make great gifts or a fun keepsake for yourself to cherish each year.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/256917952/vintage-vip-cranston-textiles-old?ref=shop_home_active_6

My favorite, a Gingerbear card holder and ornaments...this one is two fun projects on one panel! Available here.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/256919190/vintage-vip-cranston-textiles-old?ref=shop_home_active_5

A Christmas mailbox for cards, candy or presents! I'm loving the Christmas holly calico fabric for the interior and if your an avid birder like me, then you'll appreciate the chickadees on the front panel too! Find it here.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/256919884/vintage-vip-cranston-textiles-old?ref=shop_home_active_4

A soft sculpture of Santa for decor or as a special gift for a child. This 1/2 yard panel is packed with info and includes some fun extras! Get it here.

And there's more!

Vintage Santa Tree Skirt Cut and Sew available on Etsy
Liberty Santa Soft Doll Cut and Sew Panel on Etsy

Thursday, November 12, 2015

It's almost that time of year...

Christmas? Nah! It's almost time for Downton Abbey to run it's finally season here in the States! It's pretty emotional for me as I've enjoyed meeting so many people worldwide that have really enjoyed my cross stitch pattern. Downton Abbey is so epic that I'm sure it will continue to find an audience for the ages...but I will miss the excitement of a new season and the expectation of each new weekly episode.

Our local PBS affiliate will once again give a free preview screening next month...I am already signed up with babysitter scheduled! I highly recommend checking to see if your PBS offers this as I've gone twice and its so much fun!

And here's a bit of good news in regards to my much loved pattern I'm Down with Downton Abbey. I am now offering it at a wholesale cost for independent needlework shops through ICG Crafts. Please look for me under Cross Stitch Designers with my combined businesses names: Nest Interiors/Cottage Nest. You'll find a few of my other popular designs too!

And for retail customers, I still have this design available digitally in the usual places. These are all automatic downloads and available worldwide!