I'm in Etsy's Gift Guide!

What a surprise today to find that my wedding hearts banner is in Etsy's wedding decor gift guide!

A Little More Organized

Some things are just hard to find a spot for! I have been making banners and garlands like crazy and had just about run out of places to hang them. But today, I turned around and saw the empty side of my gift armoire and a light went on! I hooked them right on the edge and they all dangle straight down.

This way I don't have to worry about all the little hooks getting tangled - I hope! And I can't "lose" one!

Tenth Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

Did you know that tin is the traditional gift for a tenth wedding anniversary?
Me neither - I just found out!
While some might think this is a rather odd, and perhaps boring, element for a gift, I have rounded up just a few of the many wonderful handmade and vintage tin delights on Etsy.

Earrings - by Shixie

Tray - by KimchiandClover
Bird Art - by LittleBlackRabbit
Mold - by Susantique
Napkin rings - by TinWorks
Bracelet - by AmyACarlar

I know I would be thrilled to receive any of these for my anniversary - coming up soon!

Summer Decorating

It is so hot in the South, I have been dreaming of hitting the beach! Thought I would share some of my Coastal / Beach cottage style creations!

You can click the photos to find them in my shop.

Hope y'all are staying cool! Happy summer!

Hey Andrea!

The TV cabinet/armoire has finally made it out of the garage!

Doors and hinges have been taken down and loose shelves have been removed!

I am halfway through the second coat of primer, and then will start with the pink? yellow? - haven't decided yet - paint to transform this bright "boy" furniture into a piece with a soft, girly, vintage-y, shabby feeling. (I will re-assess the bun feet after everything is all painted.)

Unfortunately it is so hot here that the primer is almost dry before it leaves the brush. I hope I won't have too much trouble with the paint finish. Wish me luck!

Fourth of July Decorating

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. We always decorate bikes and wagons days in advance of the local parade and come home for a short rest and clean-up before heading off to a close friends house to share Fourth of July treats and watch fireworks from atop a hill.

We now use curling ribbon instead of crepe paper to decorate our bikes since one year it actually poured rain, but crepe paper still always makes me think ... Parade! So, I couldn't resist sharing this fun idea I found in the July issue of BetterHomesandGardens magazine. If you are really industrious you could use this idea to decorate a whole table or make your own parade float out of your red American Flyer wagon!

And of course, you could use the idea in different colors for any and every special occasion! Isn't is amazing what you can do with crepe paper.

(You can click on the photo for more bhg ideas.)

A Banner Week for Cottage In The Sun

I'm so excited -three of my banners made front page!
I have been on Etsy's front page a few times, but never several times in just 3 days! And the best part is that one was a treasury of our whole Cottage Style team!

A huge thank you to BrambleandVine and IlluminatedPerfume and, of course, Etsy!

Talula on Etsy

Today I just have to share one of my favorite sellers on Etsy.
Talula is also a Texas girl and is so sweet!
I love her style - everything is so vintage-y, and aged, but absolutely gorgeous!

I purchased this fabulous necklace before Christmas and wore it constantly with some of her too-cute antiqued brass bell earrings.


This spring, I was so disappointed because I could not find a spring pair to match up with the necklace. So, I sent an "emergency" email to Talula asking for some that "matched, but didn't match." She knew just what I wanted.


After just a few hours, she had a pair just for me! And they "matched" perfectly!

If you click on the photos, you will find that I have linked them to similar finds currently available in her shop!

What's Your Sign?

I just had to share some photos of these fabulous signs that I purchased from SignsByDiane on Etsy! One was for my own birthday and one for my daughter's friend's birthday.

At first glance, they may look like typical signs that you can get at your local store, but these are really special! They are nice and chunky signs, no wimpy, flimsy fake wood here! And not only are they hand-painted with real paint, they have amazing details!

I love the beadboard on the Cottage sign and the subtle colors and layers of paint. And did you notice the sweet little swirls in the corners?

The cupcake sign is equally precious - crackly paint, multi-sized polka dots and a perfect little ribbon flower in the corner!

Diane is super-sweet to work with and each sign is packaged with care before being sent on its way. What kind of sign are you looking for?