Winter Solstice 2013

Even though I've already had enough cold weather, winter hasn't even officially started.  This year the winter solstice is Saturday December 21st at 12:11 PM (EST).  Although, obviously, I am not a fan of winter, I do look forward to the winter solstice as I know its uphill from there.  As that is the shortest day of the year, I know from then on the days will be getting longer.

As the holidays come and go and the decorative holiday flags come down it will be time to put up our winter garden flags .  This category of decorative flags is very versatile and many can be displayed from Thanksgiving right through Valentine's Day .  We even have one of our very nice mini flags actually called Winter Solstice.

As ironically as it is, even though we have already had frigid temperatures this year, the weather people are predicting temperatures in the 70's for us this Saturday on the winter solstice.  So put on your shorts or coats, depending on the weather where you are and shop our decorative winter flags at Custom Flags and Gifts.  Also stock up on Christmas flags for next year as they are all still 10% through December.

Happy Solstice and Happy Shopping.

 

 



Visit our store to buy our decorative yard flags to enhance your outdoor decor.


Winter Solstice Garden FlagWinter Solstice Garden Flaghttp://www.flagsandgifts.com/winter-solstice-appliqued-garden-flag

Spook-tacular Halloween Garden Flags

bThe Halloween season is definitely upon us. People are so creative with their yard decoration for this holiday as I see more popping up each day and it is definitely time to put out the Halloween garden flags.  Decorative flags for this holiday are great fun and there are so many to choose from.  Or if you are someone who doesn't like to have to change out your flags real often there are plenty of fall flags that are suitable for Halloween and all season long.

At Custom Flags and gifts not only do we have seasonal flags by favorite brands, we also have a brand new custom Halloween flag that is very fun and unique and has been very popular.  Come visit our garden flag store and see what holiday goodies you can find.

Custom Halloween Garden Flag

 

 

Trick or Treaters Garden Flag

Decorative Fall Garden Flags

Fall Feathered Friends Garden Flag



 

Although I continue to be in denial that summer is over , it doesn't stop the fact that the Autumn Equinox is just days away.  It is time to shop for fall garden flags for your yard.  Autumn flags, like the season itself, are very colorful.  Many of them can be hung all the way from the end of summer to to Christmas like our Fall Feathered Friends Flag.  We have this flag in both the smaller garden flag size and the larger house flag.



 



  Our Happy Fall Custom Photo Flag from our line of Custom Flags could also be hung all season. This flag features a picture of your family that you provide and wishes all who see it a happy fall.










There are so many more autumn garden flags.  I will show you more next time.  To see them now and to shop for your new decorative fall flag.  Visit us at www.FlagsandGifts.com

Thank you for reading.
Josie and Marilee
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

Decorative Yard Flags - For the Birds

We had the privilege over the last few weeks of watching a pair of House Wrens in action.  From a window in our house we have a perfect up close view of one of our birdhouses.  Several weeks ago we watched as a pair of house wrens started busily bringing building materials , they worked tirelessly.  As time went on we assumed they had layed and were setting on eggs.  Eventually we starting hearing lots of little tweets that started out very small and weak and gradually grew stronger and louder.  Finally we were able to see their little eyes and beaks, but mostly beaks.

 You could look out into the birdhouse and see nothing but opened mouths. 



Hungry baby House Wren
 

Again the mom and dad worked long and hard all day long feeding what we finally figured were four mouths. 

Then the time came to leave home and again we were lucky enough to be able to witness them leaving the safety of there home to venture out in the dangerous and huge outside world. 







There are  many garden flags and house flags that display the wonderful world of birds.  By displaying these decorative yard flags you promote awareness of their beauty and remind people to help and protect these delicate yet resourceful creatures.

The Birch Tree Songbirds garden flag by Custom Decor shows many different breeds of birds in all there gloriour color.

Birch Tree Songbirds
 





The Squirrel Dilemma Flag  by Carson is a humourous flag that anyone who likes to feed birds can relate to.

 

 

This great applique flag comes in both the small mini flag size and the larger house flag so you can have a matching pair. 

Check out all our great bird flags we're sure you'll find something you love.

Thank you for reading.
Marilee & Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts



Decorative Yard Flags 101

When I first started working at a flag store a few years ago, I didn't know the first thing about decorative flags.  Not that its rocket science but just like with anything else there are a few basic things you need to learn just so you know what you are buying.

Decorative Flags can be two sided, those can be viewed equally from  either side, or one sided.  Depending on how the flag is going to be displayed, often the one sided flags work just fine.  Next, these yard flags are made in two basic ways.  They are either printed, usually through a process called sublimation or they are appliqued.   Applique Flags are pieces of fabric sewn together that create a design or scene.  A row of satin stitch is sewn around each piece to secure it and prevent fraying.  There are the heavy double sided applique and single applique.

There are two basic sizes of Decorative Flags. Garden flags or Mini flags are the smaller ones.  They usually measure 12-13 inches wide and 15-18 inches tall.  They can be displayed with a variety of flag stands that either go in the ground or some attach to a post or wall.  House flags or standard flags are the larger variety.  They usually measure 28-30 inches wide and 36-42 inches long.  These are usually displayed from a pole that slides into a bracket that is attached to the house.  There are some stands that will display house flags and go in the ground.

I hope I have helped to clear up any questions you may have had.  Please browse our site and see what we offer.  If you have any questions feel free to write us at info@flagsandgifts.com .
Thanks for reading and we look forward to hearing from you.

Marilee and Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts


Heavy Double Applique Ladybug Flag



Sea Turtle Printed Garden FLag

Backyard Makeover for the Love of a Toddler

Many things in my life have been changed and rearranged since the arrival of my grandson over two years ago.  I've had to ease up on my campaign against clutter as my sunroom and cupboards are cluttered with toys.  Dresser drawers once holding guest linens are full of tiny clothes and it doesn't stop there. The changes have slowly started taking place outside.

My back yard used to be adorned with all sorts of lawn ornaments including of course garden flags.  I had lots of small flower gardens dotting the expanse.  As soon as my grandson started walking it didn't take long to see he was an explorer.  He liked to investigate everything within his reach and needless to say typical yard decorations are not made for a toddler to play with. It also became quickly apparent, a flower bed is no different to him than the grassy areas as he tromps from one side of the yard to the other.  So I've made big changes over the last year or so. I've condensed my flower beds down to just a couple larger ones and tried to give them defined borders that he can learn to respect. Where other beds used to dot the yard we are now constructing a huge fort and swing set. 
I've kept my decorative flags that can be displayed within protected flower beds but other than that most of the yard ornaments have been removed .

I'm looking forward to this spring and summer playing with my grandson in my backyard and giving him a little more freedom to run.  Not having to constantly tell him "no" as he grabs on to things that could hurt him or break.  His "little years" will go by so fast I want to enjoy them.

When your child or grandchild goes in to your yard to play, wouldn't it be exciting for him to see his artwork proudly on display.  At Custom Flags and Gifts you can order a flag with your child's very own artwork on it.  What fun!  It also makes a great keepsake. 


Child's Artwork Cusstom Garden Flag
 

Please visit our website and see what other garden flags and house flags we have to adorn your landscape.

Thanks for reading.
Marilee and Josie
Custom Flags and Gifts