July 1, News

Ladybug Wreaths Newsletter
Brought to you by Nancy Alexander
http://www.ladybugwreaths.com

Hi !

In this issue of my free newsletter:
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1. Welcome Friends
2. Decorating Tip of the Week
3. Meet Amy & See Her First Wreath
4. Be Our New Featured Aspiring Designer
5. Ladybug Wreaths Forum (My Health - Your Health)
6. Yard Sale Treasures for Your Home
7.  Hot Deals & Specials
8. New Additions - Autumn Wreaths on Their Way!
9. The Marketing Educator (TME) Membership - FREE

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Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Feel free to pass this on to your friends…
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1.  Welcome Friends
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WELCOME!

It is very important for me to get to know you, and also as
important that you get to know the real me. So, no “formal” sales
stuff here. I just would like to give you useful information to
help you in your designing endeavors, while giving you tips and
bonuses along the way.

We are still very busy in our home.  Our new grandchild is due in 5
weeks, and Mom-and-Dad-to-be have just purchased a home they
are trying to remodel and move into before our sweet “Baby Girl”
comes.  Yes, we think “Baby Girl” will actually be her name - no
luck in naming her yet.  We are so very blessed they will be living
only 2 minutes away!

Our other son and his wife Stephanie, “The Newlyweds” have returned
from a wonderful Hawaiian honeymoon and are settling in very well -
so happy and so much in love:)

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2.  Decorating Tip of The Week
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Are you tired of your living space looking drab and ordinary? So
many of us find ourselves stuck in a rut when it comes to our
living space. We spend so much time in this room, entertaining
friends, hanging out with the kids, or curled up on the couch with
a newspaper that the decor is often overlooked for the sake of
comfort. Well, today is the day for change! Don’t worry - I’m not
talking about a drastic remodel here. Instead, I want to share a
few tips with you that can turn your tired, drab living space into
one that is inviting and relaxing.

A philosophy that I’ve lived by is to never place furniture square
against a wall. “Floating” furniture creates a nice flow in a room.
You can define this space with a rug, creating an environment that
encourages conversation and interaction. So many new homes are
being built with an open floor plan that is easy to get lost in.
When my husband, Steve, and I designed our home 6 years ago, we
wanted the living space to flow into the kitchen and dining area.
However, I didn’t want the seating to feel lost and out of place.
So, I arranged the furniture away from the wall and placed a large
area rug in front of the fireplace. I also angled the rug so that
it wasn’t square with the wall, but instead created visual
interest. Our couch, ottoman, and recliners are all arranged to
provide an inviting area for conversaion and relaxation.

Speaking of seating, my second tip is to add an upholstered chair
to your living room set. You can spice up your living room with the
addition of a comfortable and colorful chair. Cover the chair in a
fabric that goes well with your sofa, but doesn’t match exactly.
Just as a printed scarf or textured belt can add “umph” to a
simple outfit, an upholstered chair can do the same thing for your
living space. If you already have a comfy chair, getting it
reupholstered can significantly change the look of your room. Look
for out-of-date wing chairs at yard sales that can be recovered with
a modern fabric. If your budget can’t include a new piece of
furniture, simply add some throw pillows to your sofa in different
colors and fabrics. Another way is to add a colorful slipcover!

As you can see, it’s easy to refresh and update your living space!
Try moving around your furniture and area rug from boring and square
to angled and fun! This weekend I’ll be searching through yard sales
looking for great deals and exciting steals. Get up early with me
and you just might find a great chair that will take the style of
your living room to a whole new level!

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3.  Get to Know Amy - See Her Beautiful First Wreath
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AMY’S FIRST WREATH

Amy Says:  I felt compelled to write you and thank you.  I always
knew that I had this creative God-given talent and I think I was
just too scared to expand my horizons and try new things.  I stuck
to decorating the inside of my own house and assisting friends now
and then.

My husband has been encouraging me for years to do “something” with
this talent for a living.  However, I just never took the big step.
Probably out of fear of failure.  Anyway, I bought your book and
all of the supplies you suggested, replacing a couple here and
there when I could not find what you suggested.  I was so nervous
that my wreath would not come out right, and would lose hope.  Then
I would be forced to stay in the 9-5 job I am currently in and give
up my dreams of working from home and doing what I love.  My
husband and I are planning on having children and would love for me
to be able to work from home so I could raise them.

Well… I LOVE my Wreath!  And this experience has given me the
confidence to start making wreaths and selling them.  I already
have 3 people that have seen mine and have “placed orders”!!  We
have local craft shows here every month so I thought I could start
there.

Thanks and God Bless…. Amy S.

See Amy’s First Wreath

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4.  Be Our New Featured Aspiring Designer
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SEND IN PICTURES OF YOUR NEW WREATH

If we select yours as the “Feature Of The Month”  you will receive a
PDF E-Book Version of your choice absolutely free!  All right
ladies, from the emails I’ve received, I know there are a few of
you who have been making your own wreaths! Well, we all want to see
them!  Don’t be shy, I’m sure they are all beautiful…. and seeing
yours might inspire someone to jump right in and make their very
first wreath!

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5.  Ladybug Wreaths Forum (My Health - Your Health)
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HAVE YOU VISITED OUR NEW FORUM YET?

I hope you have gone to the Forum, registered and taken a look
around. We have members who are posting questions, and we are
answering them. These questions cover all kinds of floral and
interior design projects - wonderful information here! There are
lots of new ideas and plans for the Forum coming up soon!  If you
have any questions, this is the place to post them!  Make sure you
read responses to other questions also.

There is a new “Free” Section to the Forum….”My Health - Your
Health”.  If you have read any about my story, you know about my
battle with fibromyalgia since I was 29 years old.  I am now 57
years old, and am doing better than I have in years.  I receive so
very many emails from customers, and new friends wanting to know
what I have done to make such a big improvement in my life.

In this free, or public section of my Forum, we will be discussing
issues such as diet (A Biggie!), vitamins, minerals, and
inspirational motivation.  We will share and help each other as we
battle this disease together.

The public section: “Open Discussions”, is just what the name
implies - open to the public. The private section of the Forum is
Home Decorating, Wreath Design, and Bow Making with Nancy.
 A lot of customers and friends are getting answers to many
questions about making their own wreaths and decorating their homes.

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6.  Yard Sale Treasures for Your Home
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Saturday is finally here, I get up at 5:30 and grab the morning
paper and see if there are any yards listed for today.  I glance
over the paper, and yes, I have a list of about 10 - so I plan the
best route to cover all of them without wasting any early morning
time.  I look to see how close they are and if I think they are in
neighborhoods I usually frequent looking for my “Treasures”.  I
jump in my car and speed off to search for my secret find.  Well,
speeding is maybe too strong a word, but I am in a hurry to be the
first one there - I want the deals.  At the first one, I find the
cutest wooden side table…. small and square…. just the right
size to go beside the bed in my guest bedroom.

It is strong - sturdy - made many years ago, but the finish on it
is atrocious.  But that doesn’t stop me…. no… I rush back home
and get out my white paint.  Now, this isn’t just any white paint;
it has a sort or creamy touch to it.  Years ago, I took the drawer
out of an old armoir which belonged to my dear great-grandmother,
and had the color matched at the paint store.  I named this color
“Granny White” because, you see, her last name was White.

So, I put two coats of “Granny White” paint on this precious table.
The paint really starts to show off the cute bend in each leg as it
meets the floor.  The slight design on each corner really starts to
grab my attention - I didn’t see that before the table was painted.
 Oh How Precious!!!

Now, it’s dry, and perfect - almost.  I get out my palm sander and
begin to distress each edge in the places where “wear and use” would
have shown up on any old table.  I add a clear coat of matt finish
polyacrylic and it dries almost immediately.   Now, it is PERFECT!!

Everyone who visits my home wants to know the story behind each
piece of painted furniture.  They all want to know how I do it.
Well, it is very easy, and in my new blog and on my website, we’ll
start discussing some of these yard sale finds.  I’ll show you what
was done with each one to make it fit into my “eclectic” home.  I just
know you’ll enjoy this!

Read More in Our New Blog:  “Nancy’s Ramblings”

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7.  Hot Deals, Specials, & Money Saving Coupons
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1.  Oh, by the way, how would you like to receive Free Shipping on
Wreaths in my Store until 7-31-08?  Samples of Wreaths For Sale 

2.  If you’re interested, here’s a link to a special coupon for
$15.00 off the Double  DVD   Set:  “Welcome to My Garden” - Learn
Wreath Design.

3.  You might want to check out my new Video: “Wildflower Wall
Basket”

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8.  New Seasonal Additions
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WE ARE NO LONGER DESIGNING AND SELLING WREATHS FOR THE JULY 4TH
HOLIDAY - THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET THOSE TO YOU TO
ENJOY FOR THIS HOLIDAY.

We will, however, be glad to make Patriotic Wreaths which you can
display proudly on your door.  This is a wonderful way to show your
support of our troups as they protect our country.  Also, if you
have a friend or relative who is in service right now, what a
wonderful way to
honor them!

Look at Examples of Patriotic Wreaths

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9.  The Marketing Educator (TME), FREE Membership
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FOR THOSE OF YOUR WHO ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING
AN ONLINE BUSINESS, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!

Debbie Songster, author of The Marketing Educator, (TME) is a dear
friend, and really is “Internet Savvy!”  If you are interested in
starting a business online as I have, she is the one to go to.  TME
offers so many products and services for those just starting out.
You can find anything and everything you need right there in one
location.

She sets up websites - just as she did mine - and will host it for
you for a VERY reasonable fee.  She is the real deal!  So,
definitely contact her if you need any help fulfilling your online
dream!
http://themarketingeducator.com/

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Nancy Alexander
LadybugWreaths.com….”Where Every Wreath Is Special…”

http://www.ladybugwreaths.com/
http://ladybugwreaths.com/bows/
http://ladybugwreaths.com/wreathgarden/
http://www.ladybugwreaths.net/forum
http://nancysramblings.com/
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About the Author:  Nancy Alexander and her team design beautiful,
one-of-a-kind wreaths and wall baskets for their loyal customers.
Custom Wreaths, as well as Character Wreaths are very popular!
With her 20 plus years of experience in floral design and interior
design, she has created 4 e-books on wreath design, and four videos
on bows, wreath design, and wall basket design.