Tips & Tricks for Specialty Vinyl

One of the things that sets Uppercase Living far above our competition is our large variety of color choices. Our expressions come in 39 colors of matte interior vinyl, many of them exclusive to our company. But our matte vinyl is just the beginning of our color story. We also offer several types of specialty colors and finishes. Here are some descriptions and tips for each type to help you make an informed choice next time you place an order:

METALLIC VINYL - Just like our matte interior vinyl, the color of our metallic vinyl goes all the way through. It is applied the same and "behaves" the same. There is no additional charge for metallic colors.

SHIMMER VINYL - Shimmer Vinyl has separate color and shimmer layers. It is not the same color all the way through and therefore cannot be manufactured in a mirror image. Shimmer Vinyl is a little more delicate than our standard matte vinyl and requires a bit of a gentle touch; it is easier to accidentally stretch out during installation, so be careful pulling off the transfer tape. There is an additional charge for Shimmer Vinyl.

ETCHED GLASS - Our Etched Glass color has been consistently popular since it was introduced. It has a stronger bond than our standard matte vinyl and is therefore not recommended for painted surfaces. We do recommend using Mistick wet application solution for applying Etched Glass (and all our vinyl) to glass and other nonporous surfaces.  An additional charge applies to Etched Glass expressions.

Etched Glass embellishments applied to drinking glasses.

PREMIUM BOND - This is the unsung hero of our color palette. Premium Bond vinyl is intended to withstand most weather conditions, making it a perfect choice for outdoor use (think mailboxes, store windows, and signs). It is considered a permanent addition and definitely not intended for painted surfaces. The stronger adhesive will likely take some paint with it when it is removed. However, you might just decide to use it on one of our Foundations pieces because of its glossy finish. There is no additional charge for Premium Bond.

Of course, I am always available to help you choose just the right type of vinyl for your project. Don't hesitate to contact me to brainstorm how using Uppercase Living specialty vinyl can help your vision come to life.

For You Lovers of Pottery Barn: Everything Is Coming Up Roosters!

Earlier this year, when Uppercase Living introduced our brand new Decorative Prints, I kind of scratched my head and wondered about them including a rooster set among the first few designs. Of all the possible choices, I thought, why start with something as random as roosters? Imagine my surprise when I opened my latest Pottery Barn catalog and saw a number of different items using, you guessed it, roosters! Once again, it seems that the UL designers were ahead of a trend by including those and all the other roosters in our catalog.

As it turns out, roosters are a symbol of luck and good fortune, and who doesn't want some of that good fortune represented in their home decor? Tuscan legend has it that one rooster's crow once saved an entire village from danger.

The tremendous variety in Pottery Barn's roosters lends them to lots of different decorating uses. From bright and whimsical, to understated folk art; from small details to large pieces, there's a way for everyone to include this cheerful trend in their decorating.

Whether you're ahead of the trends, have always loved roosters, or you'd like to add a little French Country flair to your home for the first time, Uppercase Living also has a choice for everyone.  Of course, the most vivid are those original Rooster Decorative Prints. The artwork on these is beautiful and the feathers are so lifelike. The touches of red would tie in beautifully with any other red items in a room. You can use these guys as a set or scatter them throughout your kitchen, living room or entry. I think they would look really cute on a back splash or just hanging out right above the baseboard. They come in 3 sizes to give you lots of options.

The rooster motif is also available in our matte vinyl. This choice gives you almost unlimited versatility for not only are these two rooster styles available in all of our 40+ colors, but they also come in sizes ranging from 3 to 18 inches. The smaller sizes can be applied to individual tiles in a back splash, used to create a border or applied to our coasters to create a decorative accessory or gift for a rooster lover. 

The larger size can be applied alone or in a grouping right to the wall.  It can also go on a tile or board to create a decorative accent. Here, a rooster in Whipped Creme is shown on our new Punched Metal Tile in Berry. You can continue the French Country theme by looping a ribbon through the holes and hanging it from our new Fleur de Lis medallion.

A more subtle effect is achieved by applying the rooster embellishments in Etched Glass on a glass kitchen door or cabinet front. Another idea is to use the Welcome Rooster in the black square Frameworks, as shown here. This is another idea of a great piece for your own home or for a sweet gift. The red vinyl picks up the tones in the cabinetry without being a perfect match.

For something completely different, try our brand new Barnyard pack, part of the Erasables line. Also available in dry erase vinyl, this set lends true country charm and whimsy to a kitchen. But it's just as cute in a child's farm themed bedroom, playroom, or even a classroom.

I have to admit that even I've been surprised at the versatility of roosters in decorating. With a few accessories and a vinyl piece or two you can play with this fun trend without making any permanent changes or major investments. Sure, you could buy a $400 ceramic rooster, but you can spend much less on Uppercase Living roosters and have a lot left over to decorate the rest of your home too!

Inspired By Today's Creative Blog

So many of us visit Kim at Today's Creative Blog (that's her button on my sidebar) for our daily dose of awesome inspiration and her unique way of presenting it. Recently she posted a giveaway for a machine that cuts vinyl, among other stuff, and the bajillion comments she received inspired me to post some ideas for her readers. Plus, I'll take any chance to play with our MyDesign tool.

So, if you're here visiting from TCB, Welcome and thanks for the inspiration. I'm Torreh, an old online friend of Kim's and an Uppercase Living demonstrator. If you haven't yet heard of Uppercase Living, we're a direct sales vinyl decor company doing business in the US and Canada. All of our vinyl expressions are removable, customizable and very, very affordable. You can order directly from my website or contact me for help with a custom design or to host a local home party or catalog party.

Before you start looking around, you should know that all of our vinyl is currently Buy One, Get One FREE. That's right. No limits, no exclusions, no minimum. Now, here are some ideas for you crafty TCB readers:

Mom2twosd:
Here are some reusable full-color vinyl flowers for your daughter's room. These come in several color options. With so many in the set, you can layer them, scatter them, and spruce up some other accessories in the room, like the lamp in this picture.



Heather & Renee Richins:

This set of toy bin labels would work great for your classroom or any child's room or play room. They don't even need to be able to read to help put their toys away!

Jackson's Mommy:
How about this for your Pretty Girl?

Of course, I think this would look so much more amazing with a Photo Print of your daughter. Imagine her face up there with that beautiful saying.

Su:
What a cute idea to scatter birds throughout your home. They're so popular right now. Here are a couple of ours. Available in sizes from 2" to 18" you can use them to decorate just about any space. I think our own Kim needs one, don't you?





Nancy H.:
If it's Welcome signs you like, take a look here!

Alicia, Jamie W & MrsJoseph:
Here are some great reusable party items. The banner comes in 2 colorways and the Pin the Tail on the Giraffe is sure to be a hit year after year.


To start the excitement well before the party, look at this fun magnetic countdown kit:



Cassandra:
Do you think this would help your husband find the hamper?
Nicole, Lori, Artbrat and Forsythe liked this one too!

Tiffany:
Wedding ideas abound here and here!

Leardonsbelle:
I love your idea. Here's my interpretation of it, although you can design yours however you like:


Katie:
Check out one of these frames for the house numbers on your front door.

Kim, Tabitha & Rebecca:
Here are some labels for your kitchen canisters. Psst....they also come in Etched Glass.




RV and MH:
Here's some bamboo for your daughter's office:

Gail:
Here are a couple of ideas for all your windows. I love old windows!

Jen, Mary, JeanMS & LHadgis:
Check out so many cute ideas for the Laundry Room.

maryjt:
I love the idea of using vinyl instead of a headboard. I did a room using the following design instead of a headboard. All of our expressions come in 3 sizes, so a small one can be used above a headboard, or a large one could take the place of one. Of course, this is just one of the hundreds of options.


Diane:
You're right that custom expressions can be pricey from some places, but check out the design I created from your quote:
I designed it in two pieces so it can qualify for the Buy One, Get One FREE special, and so it comes to just under $30! You can bring the price down even more by choosing a smaller font.


Ninja Panda:
Don't forget you can incorporate your new monogram in all of your wedding decor, then put a giant one on the dance floor!

Kelly H, Katie, Scrapycandy, Becks, & Lynda:
We have at least 23 ideas for butterflies, including this favorite:
Those of you prefer birds, or flowers, are also going to have a difficult time deciding!

This design, inspired by Kim herself, is for all of you have a furry member of your families that you love as much as she loves Mabie:
Etched Glass
So many of you mentioned that you love the idea of etching glass. Guess what: ALL OFF OUR DESIGNS COME IN "ETCHED GLASS" VINYL. That's right, the look of etched glass without the mess. So you can create projects like this:



Now, I wouldn't recommend putting them on dishes you plan to put in the oven or dishwasher, but for everything else, vinyl is the way to go! The coasters are a particularly good deal right now because they are 20% off and the vinyl is Boy One, Get One Free. And I hate to be grim, but as cute as that fishbowl is, what are you going to do with it when your goldfish goes to the giant pond in the sky? At some point, you're going to get tired of giving all of your fish the same name. Erin Wood Photography, I think you know what I mean.

Before you all jump over and start browsing my website for more inspiration, here are a couple of housekeeping notes: all vinyl is Buy One, Get One FREE. Everything else is 20% off! If you place an order and send me an email letting me know that you came over from TCB, I'll send you a mini assortment of vinyl words perfect for decorating votives, wine glasses, picture frames, cell phones, etc. If your name was mentioned here and you place an order, I'll double the number of words you get. Many of our designs are slated to be retired Mid-July. You can download the full list of retiring items here. If there is no possible way you can afford to buy everything you fall in love with, consider having a catalog party. I'll send you some catalogs and order forms, you collect orders from your friends and cash in on FREE and half-price products. And if you decide you love Uppercase Living as much as I do and want to become a demonstrator too, I can give you all the info you need, including how to get your Starter Kit for FREE. Finally, if you'd like to be on my mailing list, just leave me a comment and let me know.

I don't have to tell all of you how versatile and fun vinyl decor is. Personally, I'm cheap and lazy and don't want to spend the effort and money on cutting my own vinyl. I wouldn't want to buy a whole roll of vinyl in one color just to cut out something small. There's no way I could swing buying a Cricut or Silhouette machine these days, and knowing me, it would just sit there on my desk collecting dust if I did. So, for me Uppercase Living is the way to go. I love the products and I love the company. If any of you TCB ladies would like me to design an expression for you, just let me know. Knowing you guys, though, you'll just jump right on over to my website and do it yourself. I love that about you!

New Catalog Sneak Peek!!!!

You've been waiting patiently and here is your reward: the Spring/Summer 2010 Catalog Sneak Preview. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but there is so much new stuff to love inside. First and foremost, our newest product: decorative prints. These are full-color removable and reusable images in a variety of themes and designs. Like all of our other designs, they will help make your decor unique and one of a kind. I can't wait to see how you creative people will use these in your homes. Here's a look:
I love how one of the flowers was applied to the lamp shade to tie it in with the wall decor. Here's another:
What a great theme pack! I can see this used in so many different types of spaces! But these aren't the only designs. The ones available range from whimsical to elegant and will blow you away. Those of you with country kitchens will have a hard time choosing from a couple of different sets and might just get both. Who needs a muralist anymore?

Decorative Prints aren't all that's new in our upcoming catalog. You'll find our new Grande format: larger sizes of some of our favorite decorative designs. Shimmer Vinyl is also back in new colors perfect for spring decorating (and those little girls who can't get enough sparkly pink). And brand new accessories will be great for showcasing Off The Wall designs. Not to mention tons of new expressions to fit every style of decor. You will love this catalog!

Now, I'm sure you're wondering how you can get one yourself. That's easy. Just contact me to schedule your home show or catalog party. Our Inspirations Incentive is back with so many reasons to buy, host and join Uppercase Living in January. But you'll have to wait for a whole other post to find out about that. Just pick a date and call me, you'll be glad you did.

Photo A Day - Awesome Bathroom Idea

Vinyl aside, how awesome is this shower? I can hardly imagine not having 3 buckets of kids' toys in my shower, much less neatly folded towels and a live plant! I think that little plant actually ties in to the vinyl embellishments on the glass enclosure beautifully, and continues the botanical theme of bringing the outdoors in. The eucalyptus branches, which are on sale for 40% off, come in sets of 3 (there are 3 sets in this photo). Here they've been used in the etched glass color choice, which has a small upgrade fee. I love the idea of using a design like this to add privacy to a shower enclosure, bathroom window or front door, while adding beauty and keeping the light in. There are tons of designs in our 40% off sale that would be perfect for just that. And with FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more, you can do up a lot of spaces for a little money.

Tomorrow will be the last sale item photo of the day...but you know what's coming after that, don't you?

Sale Photo Link Tip: The links I've provided here show you the original price of the sale expressions. You will actually pay 40% LESS than the prices you see on my site.