Decorative Flags for your Garden

Your garden is a great place to display your garden flags and it's time to get started.  For earlier blooms or veggies now is the time to start planting seeds.  It may be too early for some of us to plant outdoors yet so we can start them indoors to give them a head start.  Check on the seed packets first though, it will usually say if the seedlings can be transplanted or if you should wait and plant them directly in the ground. Things around the house can be repurposed into pots. You can check online how to make pots out of newspaper and I've also used egg cartons and plastic fruit containers. Just make sure there are holes in the bottom for drainage. 

 I am lucky that I had a small greenhouse built for me several years ago, but before that I started the seeds inside on top of my refrigerator and hung a plant light from the ceiling over them.  When the seeds aren't there, I replace them with a good size house plant so the light doesn't hang there neglected.

Once your plants are transplanted to the garden it will be time to put out your new Spring Garden Flag. It are some good choices.

This Inch by Inch Garden Flag is one of my favorite. The cute inch worm is much more welcome on the flag than in your garden.  This flag would look great in any size garden.

This Personalized Grandma Garden flag lists grandma's favorite people, her grandkids. This is perfect for a Mother's Day Gift.  This flag can also be made for grandpa making a great Father's Day Gift.

Provencale Garden Applique Flag showing a variety of garden tools seems it was made for putting in a garden. Spring and summer is the best seasons for this decorative flag

Personalized Welcome Flags for Summer Homes

Warmer days are on their way and soon people will be opening up their summer homes. Whether you rent it out or keep it all to yourself, a Personalized Welcome Flag would add a welcoming touch to the front yard or porch.

Bare Feet Welcome Summer Garden Flag & Beach Chair Garden Flag are good flags for a beach house. These decorative flags can be purchased with or without personalization.

If a  Personalized House Flag is what you are looking for to decorate your home on the sea, Flip Flops in Paradise would be a great choice. Flip Flops In Paradise Makes A Great Summer House Flag For Your Home Or Summer getaway.   It Features A Colorful Pair Of Flip Flops Hung Over A Beautiful Water Scene.  Very Representative Of Fun In The Sun.  This Decorative Summer Flag By New Creative Measures 28 X 20 Inches And Is Sure To Brighten Your Outdoor Summer Decor

If the river is where you would rather be, this River Rules Personalized Garden Flag is the one for you.  It is Custom Made just for you with your family name.

River Rules Garden Flag Is Personalized With Your Family Name.  This Is The Perfect Flag To Display At Your River Getaway.  Greet Your Family And Guests With These Rules That Will Ensure A Fun Time At The Lake.  This Flag Measures 12 X 16 Inches And Is Printed On One Side Only

Keep in mind when looking for a gift for someone special, these flags like all personalized flags make great gifts

Looking ahead to warmer days, Custom Flags and Gifts thanks you for reading.  

Valentine's Day Decorative Flags

Valentine's Day Garden Flags are a welcomed sight in the middle of the dreary winter.  With their cheery hearts and fun characters these decorative flags are fun to display and at FlagsandGifts.com you can find a very nice variety.

Some of the flags can also be personalized for that special touch.

Looking for a special gift? We have personalized mugs  that make a useful gift that will last for years.

Check out this Personalized Valentine Camping Mug.  A very unique gift for your favorite camping partner.

Garden Flags for Everyday and Any Day

Where did Summer Go?  Kids are going back to school and fall clothes fill the stores.  I swear every year, summer goes faster and faster.

You are probably starting to feel like the beach garden flag displayed out front really isn't suitable anymore.  Since the days are still hot and the leaves still green, fall garden flags with colors fall colored leaves , pumpkins and scarecrows, wouldn't be fitting either.  It is time for those everyday flags.  The flags that are good for everyday and any day.

There are many country folk style flags that would be perfect for this time of year.  There is a huge variety of welcome pineapple garden flags.  This decorative pineapple welcome flag by Carson is a perfect example. It also comes in both the garden size and larger house size.

Patriotic and Military Flags aren't just for patriotic holidays.  They are a welcome sight any day of the year.  Military flags especially are wonderful to display to support  men and women serving our country.  A personalized military flag is even better.  Have the name of a loved one put on a flag that represents the branch they are in and show how proud you are.

Let's not forget the Back to School Flags.  They are not, of course, an everyday flag.  In fact, you probably want to only leave it up a few weeks.  But they are such fun to display and absolutely perfect for this time of year.  Let's welcome kids and teachers to a brand new year of learning.  Since they do stay up such a short time, your favorite back to school flag should last more than one year and they add more variety to your displays.

Thanks for reading.
Marilee and Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts

Frequently Asked Questions about Applique Flags

There are two main types of decorative flags; printed art flags and applique flags.

 So what is applique?  Applique is a form of needlework where pieces of fabric of different colors and designs are sewn together to create a picture or design.  Applique garden flags and house flags are made this exact way.  Because of the way these decorative flags are constructed they may have less detail than a printed flag, but they make up for it with other types of detail such as embroidery and other embellishments that often make them three dimensional.  For example, on this Just Married Wedding Garden Flag by Two Group,which is a double applique flag, they added some netting material for the  bride's veil

What is the difference between single applique and double applique?   Single applique is just one layer.  The pieces of fabric are sewn together with topstitch embroidery and the flag is hemmed so there are no raw edges, but it is a single layer. very often a single applique flag can be viewed correctly from one side only.  This Love Birds Garden Flag is single applique, but is a very lovely, well maded quality flag. A double applique decorative yard flag is basically two complete flags sewn together.

Why are double applique flags sometimes more expensive than other flags?   Since double applique flags are basically two complete flags sewn together, it is twice the material and twice the labor.  You do end up with a nice heavy durable flag, usually well worth the money.

What does it mean when it says double sided?  Double sided means the garden flag or house flag can be viewed equally from either side, including being able to read the text correctly from either side.  Double applique flags are almost always double sided.   With single applique it varies, but more and more, decorative flag companies are making an effort to make flags that are double sided.  Just check the description or ask the company if having the flag double sided is important to you. The Autumn Wagon Applique Garden Flag shown here is one of our heavy double sided, double applique flags by FlagCenter.  These are wonderful high quality flags. 

If you have any other questions about applique decorative flags you can e-mail us at info@flagsandgifts.com

Thank you for reading
Marilee & Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts

Late Summer Garden Flags

As summer is winding down with shorter days and cooler nights the beach themed and flip flop garden flags in our front yards just don't seem as appropriate as they did a month or two ago.  It's still not time though, for fall garden flags with pumpkins or leaves of autumn colors.

There are lots of decorative flags that do suit this time of year.  Flags with late season flowers such as sunflowers and marigolds, neutral monogram flags and welcome flags. There are also a lot of bird flags that fit well with this time of year like this Heron Applique House Flag or the Birch Tree Songbirds Garden Flag.

Many flags with a country folk feel to them are also good for displaying in between seasons, like some of the pineapple flags and this Peace and Grace Applique Garden Flag that can also be made inot a personalized flag.  

So check your flag collection or browse the thousands of flags online for a new one to perk up your yard or garden.  We invite you to browse our selection at FlagsandGifts.com

Thank you for reading.

Marilee and Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts

Personalized Back to School Garden Flags

Summer is flying by so quickly.  Back to School time is just around the corner so it is time to get your Back to School Garden Flag to display in your yard to welcome and support all who are starting a new year of learning.  There are many different decorative flags to celebrate this occasion from many different brands such as Custom Decor and FlagCenter. There is the School Time double applique flag that is a silhouette cut flag and even has bells that jingle in the breeze.  Another decorative school flag is School Days Garden Flag by Premiere Designs. 

A Personalized Back to School Flag is another great choice.  We offer personalized garden flags for Back to School that thank a teacher or a bus driver and also a couple that display your school's mascot or cheer for a school football team.  These flags would be great to put out before a big game or just leave up all season. We also have a custom garden flag that we designed by request for a couple teachers who had their classrooms in outside trailers.  They were looking for a flag to put outside these trailers to help students and parents find the correct class.  We decided to go ahead and add it to our stock for other teachers with the same dilemma.

We wish all the students, teachers, bus drivers and support staff a wonderful and safe new school year. 

 

Custom Flags and Gifts 

Helping to Keep Wild Birds Healthy

I very much enjoy wild birds.  I have lots of vintage bird prints hanging in home and of course lots of my favorite garden flags and house flags are decorative bird flags. We try to cater to birds in our back yard.  We have cardinals that sit on the powerlines overhead that I swear are fussing at me until I put out food.  My favorite are the bird baths, we keep 3 or 4 full at all times.  I love to watch them splash around in the water.  They look like they are having such fun.
While feeding and offering the bird baths are great fun for us.  I started reading recently about the drawbacks of this after a couple years ago when House Finches started showing up at our feeders with a crusty coating that was affecting their eyes.  I found out it is caused by bacteria that is often picked up at feeders and bird baths.  It is so very important to keep these clean.  Bird droppings and molding seed contribute to this bacteria.  Cleaning feeding and watering containers and the area around them, including picking up old seed from the ground, helps to prevent the spread of all the contagious diseases birds carry.  Here is some good information and tips from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

While you are enjoying your backyard birds here are some nice bird garden flags to add to your outdoor decor.  These can all be found at Custom Flags and Gifts.

Celebrating Birds with Decorative Yard Flags

We are well into spring now and as it slowly turns to summer, it is a busy time for our backyard birds.   It is a great time to show your love of birds by displaying one of the many great decorative bird flags that are available. 

We have so many birds nesting in our yard right now.  I enjoy watching the baby birds as they hop around clumsily so unaware and waiting for mom or dad to return with food. Thats why I love our Tweet Tweet Applique Bird Flag , which we carry as a garden flag or house flag.

This adorable applique yard flag depicts a family of birds in their nest after a baby has just hatched. 

Another of my favorite bird flags is the Squirrel Dilemma Garden Flag by Carson.  This is a humorous flag which depicts the constant battle at the birdfeeder of squirrel versus bird.  

 

The Cardinal Applique Spring Garden Flag is a heavy double applique flag.  It is beautifully sewn depicting a cardinal on the branch of a blooming dogwood branch.  This is a high quality flag that will hold up to the outside elements.    

These are just a sampling of the great decorative birds flags you can find.  Come see what we have to offer at Custom Flags and Gifts. 

Enjoy your birdwatching!  We sure will.

Thanks for reading.
Marilee & Josie



Pineapple Decorative Yard Flags

Pineapples, which have become a universal symbol for hospitality, are such a diverse element for decorations in both indoor and outdoor decor. They are perfect on garden flags and house flags as we most often use our decorative flags as a way to say welcome to friends, family and neighbors.  Pineapple flags come in a huge variety of themes. There are some that are designed for particular holidays or seasons and some are appropriate to display any day of the year.  A decorative yard flag or house flag ,that versatile ,is great to have around to fill in between special ocassions and holidays.

You can shop for decorative flags at FlagsandGifts.com where these and other pineapple flags are available.

Folk Pineapple Garden Flagheartfelt welcome pineapple garden flagwinter holiday pineapple house flag

Flags that support Earth Day

This year Earth Day is Tuesday April 22nd.  First celebrated in 1970, the goal of this day is to create  support for environmental protection through events and informational campaigns that take place throughout the world.  By participating in the events you can gain valuable insight on how you can help by doing your part. Here is a website I found that listed 50 small things everyone can do to help, many of these, I never thought of.  http://www.50waystohelp.com/

 You can also help with awareness simply by displaying one of our environmental garden flags in your yard.  A decorative flag can be a small billboard letting friends and neighbors know that you support Mother Earth.  Here are a couple of our environmental flags that would be perfect for Earth Day.  These yard flags were designed in our shop and you won't see them anywhere else.  Their design  also has a playful charm that will interest children.  Teaching children and getting them interested in conservation and environmental issues is more important now than it has ever been.

We also have the personalized We Recycle Monogram Flag.

 

 

So let's celebrate Earth Day next Tuesday and all do our best to help protect and clean up our environment.

 



Thanks for reading.

Marilee and Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts

Personalize your Easter Flag

Easter Sunday this year falls on April 20th.  To assure the best selection, the time is now to shop for your decorative Easter Flags.  There are so many designs available.  You may choose one with a religious theme or one a little more playful with Easter bunnies and baby chicks.  Even though there are lots of different designs for Easter Yard Flags, some designs seem to be more popular than others and its not unheard of to see the same flag in a neighborhood more than once.

One way to make sure your flag is always unique is to buy a personalized flag.  Many of the garden flags and house flags we offer at Custom Flags and Gifts can be personalized. Here are a couple of our Easter flags that can be personalized. 

We also offer a Custom Easter Flag that displays the scripture John 11:25

 

Thank you for reading and we hope you find your ideal Easter Flag to enhance your Easter decor.

 

Decorative flags for Everyday

Sometimes we get so involved in the holidays and all the special occasions in our lives and the decorative flags that go with them, that we forget about the wonderful everyday things that are really the base of our lives.  To enjoy and share those everyday things we have in between everyday garden flags and house flags that come in so many other themes than just the holidays.

There are so many monogram flags that can be displayed any time of year.  Our glitter monogram garden flag is one example.





There are also lots of decorative flags that say "Welcome" or "Home Sweet Home" . Many of these may have holiday themes, but there are many that do not. Like our "Warmth of Home" house flag or several of our pineapple flags.




Besides these, there are many other themes of  everyday yard flags including gardening, pets, and military flags to name a few.

Visit the wonderful world of decorative flags at our Custom Flags and Gifts web store and find a  perfect flag for every day.

Thanks for reading.
Josie and Marilee

Hook a friend on flags

We all have a friend or family member that is next to impossible to buy for.  As their birthday draws closer you have to rack your brain every year deciding what to get them.  Its always in your own best interest to get them something that has lots of accessories or uses things that either wear out, get used up or can be collected. 

The new instant coffee machines are a great example.  It offers tons of gift packages of pods in different types and flavors that replacements will always be needed for.  Another example would be to get someone started in scrapbooking by buying them an instruction book and some supplies.  The scrapbooking department in craft stores has an endless possiblilites of future gifts for a scrapbooking addict.

Garden Flag Starter Set

Getting someone hooked on decorative flags might be the very best route to take. A garden flag lover always welcomes a new flag.  There are always themes they don't have covered or well loved flags that are worn and need replaced.  Just start with the flag stand and one relevant flag for whatever the season may be and you will know what to get this person for years to come.  You will feel so clever and all the while they will be very appreciative.  There is also an available starter kit that is sure to get them wanting more.  It is a garden flag stand and four decorative flags, one for each season.  They will immediately be looking for birthday flags, welcome flags, holiday flags and more.


Thanks for reading.
Marilee and Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts

Garden Flags for Frogs

I have always loved frogs and a number of years back  was so thrilled when our tiny pond started attracting them.  Along with our decorative flags they were a great addition to our outdoor fun.  Every year there were more of them in all sizes, babies to rather large adults..  I loved watching them and hearing them at night. 

A few years back , rather abrubtly the numbers dropped to only a couple and even those you could tell were not healthy.  I started hearing about the plight of frogs and did a little reading.  It is really rather shocking.  According to SavetheFrog.com :

"Amphibians are without a doubt the most endangered group of animals on the planet: nearly 1/3 of the world's 6,485 species are on the brink of extinction. There are six major factors negatively affecting amphibians, and all are due to human activity: habitat destruction, infectious diseases, pollution & pesticides, climate change, invasive species, and over-harvesting for the pet and food trades. "

You may want to check this site out.  It is filled with information and ideas on what you can do to help. 

By displaying one of the many frog garden flags that are available you may make someone else fall in love with frogs and take an interest in taking steps to help save them.  Here are the flags we have at Custom Flags and Gifts.

Hanging Tree Frog Garden Flag

Mr Holiday Frog Christmas Garden Flag

Frog Welcome Garden Flag

Thank you for reading.
Josie and Marilee
www.FlagsandGifts.com

Garden Flags for In Between

Although Labor Day marks the end of summer in so many ways REALLY summer is not over till the Autumnal Equinox sings, which this year is Monday September 23rd.  So its not quite time for fall flags yet.  Maybe you are ready for a change though, maybe that summer garden flag has been up for a while.  You are ready for a new In Between decorative flag.  A flag to fly between the holidays and between when a season is in full swing.  There are many to choose from at Custom Flags and Gifts.

Most of our Custom Monogram Flags would work except for perhaps our Flip Flop Monogram Flag.  There are several bird flags good for this time of year and several Pineapple Welcome Flags.  Plus I always tell people, there are no Flag Police.  If you want to hang a summer flag in the middle of a snow storm, then do it!  Garden Flags are a way for you to express yourself to fly what you want.

When shopping at www.flagsandgifts.com be sure and create an account so you can receive your points from our new Customer Rewards Point System.

Birchtree Song Birds

Welcome Pineapple FlagsPineapple Welcome Flag

 

 

As always, thank you for reading.

Marilee & Josie

Custom Flags and Gifts

National Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is Sunday September 8th.  Surprise them with a special gift of a personalized garden flag.

Grandparents Day was founded by Marian McQuade, a housewife in West Virginia.  Her main motive was to champion the lonely elderly in nursing homes and hoped to inspire grandchildren to develop more of a relationship with their grandparents and take advantage of their knowledge and wisdom.  In 1978, Jimmy Carter proclaimed National Grandparents Day would be celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Custom Flags and Gifts has a great variety of decorative flags and custom flags that can be personalized to make great gifts for grandparents.  We also have photo gifts that would make keepsakes for years to come.  Any personalizations shown can easily be changed to suit the situation.  Grandma can be changed to Grandpa, Grandparents to Grandma, etc.

Grandma's Favorite Monster Decorative Photo Tile

Grandkids Loved Here Garden Flag

Grandkids Spoiled Here Garden Flag