Good Tidings to You and Your Family

Luke 2:1-20 (King James Version)

Luke 2

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Inspiration Cottage presents it's Christmas Supplies slideshow! Come visit our shop and see
many more items to inspire your gifts and decorations. We hope you enjoy the slideshow!!
http://www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com/

The Frost Is On The Pumpkin

The frost is on the pumpkin and it's really cold outside this morning! The sunshine is shining brightly on the leaves that are quickly starting to change. It is so pretty! I thought this morning I would post another vintage image for you to enjoy. These images are wonderful for making cards or invitations but, I also like to use them with t-shirt transfers and put them on fabric to make ornaments or favors. For Thanksgiving I ironed the images on little muslin bags and filled them with candies for favors. Everyone enjoyed them, even the men, because they brought back members of time past. I would love to hear or see what you plan to do with the images I post!

Enjoy Creating!

Make something wonderful by using this vintage image.

Just right click and save. I will be sharing more vintage

images in the next week, so why not follow my blog

so you won't miss any. I would love to have more followers.

Create with Autumn Colors

I hope this slideshow inspires you with all kinds of ideas for your fall crafting. The items in this slideshow are available at Inspiration Cottage and The Supply Station on Etsy. Enjoy the show!!
http://www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com/
http://www.thesupplystation.etsy.com/

Happy October!!

I just love this gourd vase with the beautiful mums!
It would be a welcome sight to your kitchen table or desk.
Mums give your yard a splendid autumn touch but, don't
forget to decorate your home inside as well.  Enjoy the wonders
of autumn! Remember it's only here for a short time!
Picture credits to bhg.com

Apple Cider Donuts!

Yummy supplies from the Etsy Supply Street Team!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=69362

The Most Beautiful Time of the Year

I just love autumn and am so happy it's here. The cool crisp air and the changing of the leaves seems to give energy to me.  I have always wished autumn would last much longer than it does. Yet, if it did, I don't think the splendor of it all would be appreciated as much. I think of all the wonderous colors we enjoy and just praise my heavenly Father for them all. God, the most magnificent artist of all!

 Don't let the time slip by without you enjoying the colors and the sound of rustling leaves. Enjoy the leaves as they swirl in the autumn breeze. Celebrate the autumn nights around a fire with some warm apple cider and the ones you love! Tis a cozy time of year!

Autumn Cottage Style

This is my newest treasury on Etsy. Please enjoy all the wonderful items from the Cottage Style Street Team. Just think how wonderful these items would be in your cottage home this fall.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=81350

Welcome September!

September already, where does the time go! Here at Inspiration Cottage we have added some new products to our shop and also some new colors of the tiny pom pom trim. We have lots of goodies to get you creating beautiful items for gifts or for your home. We will be adding new products regularly so please come visit us often. www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com

August Weekend Shopping Extravaganza

The Etsy Supply Street Team - ESST - is proud to announce the "August - Weekend Shopping Extravaganza".

The August event will be Saturday, August 1st and Sunday 2nd, 2009.

Come and Join us. Post a comment and link your shop.

ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums. This will be a “Shopping Event” similar to a Public Marketplace. There will not be a "Overall theme" since Etsy is a Global Marketplace hence, the seasons, cultures, holidays, etc. can vary quite a bit. Although not required, we do strongly encourage shops to have a feature, theme or sale as this can pique interest and help you to draw people to your shop. You do not have to participate for the whole weekend simply join in when you can on the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums. You can search for the official thread - “AUGUST WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA 8/1-8/2”.

Here is the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums: Will be posted once the Extravaganza has started! The only requirement is that you have a shop on Etsy and help promote by joining in and bumping the thread throughout the weekend. Talk about your shop and what you have to offer our shoppers. Those of you who blog or twitter can post and/or tweet about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us. It will provide the Etsy community with publicity, making our shops more visible, and hopefully creating a monthly event shoppers will look forward to. If you have any questions please convo http://www.etsysupplystreetteam.etsy.com/.

Merry Christmas in July

How many times have you told yourself "I'm going to start early next year"? If you're like me every year right? Well, now is the time. Plan out your holiday projects, collect your supplies and start creating. I think we loose the enjoyment in our crafting when we wait till the last minute.

Crafting for me is a big stress reliever. Instead of worrying about the things I can't do anything about I do something that makes me happy. Don't you love the feeling you get after finishing your project?

Here is two vintage images for you to use in your Christmas crafting projects. Let me know if you enjoy the free images so I know whether or not to post more!

The Cottage Style Street Team celebrates Christmas in July

These are just a few of the listings from the Cottage Style Street Team promoting Christmas in July. If you would like to see more search here http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=all&search_query=cssteam+and+Christmas+&order=date_desc&ship_to=&page=1
I have to add an apology that should read AntiquesGaloreGal! I'm so sorry for the typo.

Christmas in July

It's such fun to celebrate Christmas in July! Lots of shops on Etsy are offering Christmas products and supplies. It's never too early to start shopping for that special gift or better yet make that special gift for your loved one. Visit Inspiration Cottage and see our Christmas in July section! All our sections are filled with pretty supplies to make that perfect Christmas gift!

www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com

Enjoy the vintage graphic for free and start thinking about the projects you would like to create!

Presenting The Supply Station

The Supply Station is another wonderful supply shop on Etsy! It is filled with all kinds of different supplies, beads, beaded trim, ribbon, fabric, raffia, iron on appliques, jewelry findings, charms, cotton webbing, key fob hardware, jewelry wire, mdf blanks, wooden crates, etc. So if you are looking for something out of the ordinary The Supply Station is the shop for you! The slide show gives you a taste of what awaits you there.
www.thesupplystation.etsy.com

2ND ANNUAL YART SALE ON ETSY

The “2nd Annual Yart Sale” will be held from Wednesday June 10th-Sunday June 14th, 2009. This year the “2nd Annual Yart Sale” will be sponsored by the Etsy Supply Street Team (Team ESST). Although not an official Etsy event, it is Etsy supported as evidenced by the Storque article.

A “Yart Sale” is an artistic spin on the traditional Yard Sale: Art + Yard Sale = “Yart Sale”. There are many art museums, artists, and groups that have Yart sales annually to raise cash.

All Etsy shops are invited to participate. Choose to participate in your Handmade Store, your Supply Store, or your Vintage Store. If you have more than one shop you can participate in all of them.

To join the sale, simply post the following Yart Sale Announcement in the Shop Announcement section of your Etsy Shop and please include a short description of how you will be participating in the sale:
“I am participating in the Yart Sale on Etsy sponsored by Team ESST”.

Team ESST invites you to come, post, chat and shop on the “Official Yart Sale” thread in the Promotions Section of the Etsy forums. A new thread will be posted daily at 7:00 AM EDT beginning on Wednesday June 10th by the Etsy Supply Street Team with the forum title:
“SECOND ANNUAL YART SALE sponsored by Team ESST – June 10th, 2009”

Participating in the daily forum thread is a way that shoppers can find your shop. Simply post what you are offering. You could also encourage visitors to search “Yart” in handmade, supplies, or vintage. Even if you are simply offering a discount, it would be to your advantage to place Yart somewhere in at least a few of your titles or tags in your shop to draw those searching for items to your shop.

We look forward to your participation in the Yart Sale. It is a fun event with much enthusiasm, energy and creativity! So get ready and we will see you there! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Team ESST!

It's Raining Violets....

Here's my newest treasury on Etsy! It features artists from the Cottage Style Street Team. Visit the treasury by clicking on this link. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=61889

Pretty As A Picture

Click here to see the treasury.

These lovely pictures are the ones in my newest treasury west on Etsy. This is just a few of the talented artists and sellers on the Cottage Style Street Team. To see more wonderful items listed by the team click here http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=all&search_query=cssteam There are over 7300 listings by the Cottage Style Sreet Team

May First Weekend Shopping Extravaganza

The Etsy Supply Street Team - ESST - is proud to announce the "May - First Weekend Shopping Extravaganza".

The May event will run from Thursday, May 7th - Sunday, May 10th, 2009. ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums.

This will be a “Shopping Event” similar to a Public Marketplace. There will not be a "Overall theme" since Etsy is a Global Marketplace hence, the seasons, cultures, holidays, etc. can vary quite a bit. Although not required, we do strongly encourage shops to have a feature, theme or sale as this can pique interest and help you to draw people to your shop.

You do not have to participate for the whole weekend simply join in when you can on the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums. You can search for the official thread - “MAY FIRST WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA MAY 7TH-MAY 10TH”. Here is the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums: Will be posted once the Extravaganza has started!

The only requirement is that you have a shop on Etsy and help promote by joining in and bumping the thread throughout the weekend. Talk about your shop and what you have to offer our shoppers.

Those of you who blog or twitter can post and/or tweet about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us. It will provide the Etsy community with publicity, making our shops more visible, and hopefully creating a monthly event shoppers will look forward to.

If you have any questions please convo http://www.EtsySupplyStreetTeam.etsy.com.

Dogwoods in Bloom

The spring brings so many beautiful things for our eyes to behold. One of them is the blossoms of the dogwood. The dogwood tree is so graceful and it's blossoms so lovely. Here in Central New Jersey they cover the landscape everywhere you look. My favorte is the one that's blossoms are dark pink! Hopefully, the gloomy days will go away this week for me to get some photos to share. In the meantime, here is a pretty vintage image of lovely pink dogwood blossoms. If you would like the image just right click and save to your computer. Think of all the lovely things you could create with these pretty flowers!

Welcome to Rose Arbor Cottage

I would like to invite you to my newest shop on Etsy, Rose Arbor Cottage. I have decided to have two shops so I could seperate my handcrafted items from the supplies I sell. Inspiration Cottage will still carry all the pretty supplies for you to create your own treasures! Here is a slide presentation of some of the items at Rose Arbor Cottage. Please enjoy!!

Click the link below to take you to the shop!
www.rosearborcottage.etsy.com

Soft and Delicate

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55313

Here is my latest Etsy treasury. I just love all the soft and delicate items that were created by members of the Cottage Style Street Team!! This is just a few of the members. If you would like to see more beautiful items from the team when you go to Etsy www.etsy.com use their search box. There will be a drop down list and you click on "All Items" and then in the other box type in cssteam. Then click on search and you will be taken to all the wonderful listing from the Cottage Style Street Team. This is a fantastic team and I'm very happy to be a part of it!!

My Favorite Colors

I love the colors pink and green together! As I was browsing the web I found this picture of a bedroom that I just loved. The toile fabric is so lovely and delicate. This would make a wonderful guestroom. This lovely picture is credited to BHG.

Some of Our New Products

We are always searching for new items to inspire you to create. Here is a slide presentation of some of them. We will be adding more this week! Also in this next week we will be introducing our new Etsy shop!

Please pick the flowers!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Easter. The sun is shining so pretty here in New Jersey and the trees are blooming so pretty! I love the weeping cherry trees when they bloom.

I have decided to post a free vintage floral image for today. I hope you will enjoy it and make use of it. It would look so pretty on a card! Please post comments and let me know if you are enjoying the images so I know what to plan for the future.

Happy Easter!!

May the joy and hope of Easter bless you and your family!!!

Saturday's Vintage Image

Enjoy today's image! I'm sure you're all going to be busy today with your Easter preparations. I know I have many things to do today. Have a wonderful time creating, baking, cooking, dying eggs, filling Easter baskets but please take time to remember the real meaning of our celebration and let your heart rejoice!

On A Hill Far Away Stood An Old Rugged Cross

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I hope on this very special day you will remember what the Lord has done for you and me!

Easter Celebrations

How are your plans coming for your Easter celebrations? My family will be spending Easter at my parents home. My sons and daughter-in-laws will be there with my grandchildren and my brother with his sons. It's always wonderful to be with family.

As usual we are behind on getting things for the grandchildren's baskets. We don't like to give them lots of candy so we try to come up with some new ideas. Our one little grandson has a peanut allergy so we have to be extremely careful what we pick for him. Hubby went to Toys R Us today and really didn't find what we wanted. For my granddaughter we have lots of handmade goodies for her, decorated beanie hats, hairbows, clippies and some felt food for her to play house with.

I still have to decide what I'm going to make for dessert. I also roast onions with butter and rosemary as one of the many vegetable dishes. This week has flown by and I need to get all these things done so it's going to be a busy four days. I'll let you know what I come up with!

Don't forget to get the fourth free vintage image that's featured above. I would love to see what you all make with them. Please post comments and let me know if you are enjoying these so I know whether or not to do this again. Thanks.

Happy Wednesday!

This is a such a sweet vintage image!! I hope you will enjoy it! Create a pretty Easter card or decoupage the image on to a lovely box for your daughter, granddaughter or friend. Remember, when decoupaging a graphic image printed on your home printer you need to spray it with a sealer so the ink does not run when putting on the decoupage medium. To save the image right click and save to your own computer. If you want the larger image first left click on the image and it will bring up a larger one that you can then right click on to save. Enjoy!!

Inspiration Cottage's Etsy Shop

Come visit my Etsy shop and see all the wonderful goodies waiting for you. My shop consists mostly of supplies but there are handmade gifts sprinkled here and there. I love to embroider and the Rose Arbor Pillow is one of my favorites. Please enjoy the slide show, it gives you a little glimpse of what is in my shop. Right now there is 190+ items listed, so grab a cup of coffee and take a tour. My welcome mat is out just for you!!!

www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com

Enjoy Creating!

Here is another adorable vintage Easter image. If you would like to use it you can, right click on image and save to your own computer. If you left click on the image it will give you a larger image to save. I really love these vintage images! They make wonderful cards and tags. I have also printed them out on t-shirt transfer paper and ironed them on little muslin bags for favors. Just fill the little bags with wrapped candy and your guests will love them. Have fun creating, I'll have another image up tomorrow for you to enjoy!

Memories of Easters Past

It nice to take time and travel back in your memories to times past. Remember Easter when you were little? The little girls wore their frilly dresses, white gloves, and their Easter bonnets. The little boys were all dressed up in suits with their colorful ties and their shoes all shiny. We celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord at church and then went on to spend the day with family. I always went to my grandparent's home and spent a special day with my family, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family was so very important!

This week I will be sharing some vintage images with you. Please feel free to right click and save the images to your own computer.

Glorious Spring

In just a few weeks it will be spring!! I know so many of you are waiting for the warmth that spring brings. Then there is all the colors that accompany spring. I enjoy making slideshows so here in another one to celebrate the glorious spring!!

You can find all these products at my shop Inspiration Cottage on Etsy.

www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com

Welcome March!

I waited the other day for the big snow storm they said was coming our way. Some say March came in like a lion so it will go out like a lamb. I say with the few inches of snow we got March came in like a lamb so it will go out like a lion. Again the forecasters were wrong. I remember watching the weather reports as a young girl and it seems like they were right more often back then and they didn't have all the fancy gadgets they have today.

My family loves snow! My Mom always said they weren't snowflakes they were little dollar signs coming down. My Dad owns a snow plowing business. So the next time you are unhappy about having snow remember it's the bread and butter on others plates. I am still waiting for a big snow storm this year. I guess I'll probably have to wait till next year.

German Glass Glitter

It was exciting to receive my new shipment of German glass glitter this past weekend. The colors are so pretty and will look lovely on Spring projects. German glass glitter gives a wonderful vintage look to your projects. Glass glitter is made up of crushed glass so you need to take care when using and never use with children or on children's projects. You will find the German glass glitter on sale in two of my shops that you can find here:

www.inspirationcottage.etsy.com
www.inspirationcottage.artfire.com

I am looking forward to using this glitter on my new spring projects. I think it will look especially nice on my decorative Easter eggs!

German Glass Glitter in Spring Colors