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A New Adventure

By

“Daydreaming is okay, even better if you
can make something lasting out of it.”
―Leslie Dean Brown

***

Remember that daydream I shared with you a few months ago? The one about a lettered line of shirts, and a mission to help families hoping to adopt?

The Lettered Cottage T-shirts

Well, I’m finally getting closer to making it happen this week. I registered a domain name for it a couple of years ago, so I guess it’s about time, huh? 😉

Obviously I love letters, and I’ve really developed a passion for laying them out on shirts. (When I think “big picture”, I get excited about the idea of branching out into other kinds of items too- but I’m going to start with shirts and see what happens from there!)

Soooooo, I’m thinking I’d like to introduce one new t-shirt design each month, and I’m thinking it’ll just be a 2-day (pre-order) sale each month because I want to be able to manage it myself, and I want to make sure folks can get their shirts within two weeks.

I’m thinking each month’s design will come on a variety of colors, and will be available in:

– unisex shirts (like the “Daydream” and “Here I Am” shirts I sold back in May)

– ladies cut shirts (these are more form-fitting)

– children’s shirts

I’m also thinking crew necks, and v-necks.

And because God also gave me a passion for adoption, He’s also got me thinking that a portion of the proceeds from each month’s design will go to help knit 12 families together each year!

Here’s a sneak peek at the one I’m putting out there for August:

 

Glass Half Full T-shirt | The Lettered Cottage

It’ll be available in S, M, L, XL and XXL on blue, green and gray t-shirts. Here’s an example of those colors (with crew necks):

Glass Half Full t-shirts | Crew Necks

(Those are the ladies cut shirts, by the way, and they are very form-fitting. For example, I wear a small in the unisex shirts and a large in the ladies cut.)

And here’s an example of the design on crew necks:

Glass Half Full t-shirts | Blog Threads | V-necks

(I’ll post info and photos that show the unisex and children’s shirts on the website when it’s up.)

I’ve had a lot of requests for the “Daydream” shirt lately too, so I’m going to make those available again in the August sale as well.

I’m also going to include a third design because, well, let me just tell you this story.

This is 7-year-old Mati and her parents, Billy and Suzanne.

Life is not a Lemon T-shirt by Mati

Billy and Suzanne also have a (9-year-old) daughter named, Julianna. She’s on the tire swing on the right in the photo below:

Mati and Julianna Tire Swing

They are such a precious bunch, y’all.

We were eating lunch with them after church a few weeks ago, and Mati overheard me talking about my Glass Half Full t-shirt with Julianna. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her get up from her chair (on the opposite side of the table) and start to make her way over to where we were sitting. I was showing Julianna a picture of the design on my cell phone by the time Mati made it around to our side. “Can I see?“, she asked over my shoulder, just a little louder than a whisper.

I turned my cell phone toward her, and I swear, I could almost hear her creative gears kick into overdrive. Within seconds, she was headed back  around the table to her seat. When she got there, I heard her tell Suzanne she had an idea for a t-shirt. I saw her cup her hands around her mouth and whisper that idea into her Mama’s ear. I saw her eyes…no…her whole face light up as she waited for Suzanne’s reaction. And after that, I saw her get up from her chair and share it with her Daddy, the same way, too.

I was sooooo intrigued, and when there was a break in the conversation I was having with Julianna, I looked across the table and asked Mati what her idea was. In her little raspy voice she answered, “It would be a t-shirt with a lemon on it, and inside the lemon, it would say: Life is NOT a lemon.”

Boom.

She is 7, y’all!!! 😀

That was such an inspiring moment to see. (Can’t wait to encourage my own kiddo to be creative!)

She talked Billy into helping her lay it out on the computer that night, and I knew I wanted to have them printed as soon as I saw it.

So I did. 🙂

Life Is Not A Lemon T-shirt | The Lettered Cottage

All the proceeds from Mati’s shirt will go straight to Mati, and I’m so excited to have her as my launch pal in this adventure. 🙂

Life Is Not A Lemon

August’s sale will start this Wednesday (July 30th), and like I said, it’ll only be open for 2 days (July 30th and 31st), so that I can tally up the order and have the shirts printed and shipped by the end of next week. (August 8th)

I’ll share the name of the website in this Wednesday’s blog post, and you can find all the details about the new adventure and the t-shirts themselves over on the site when it’s live.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to try to make something lasting out of this particular daydream. ((hug)) I’m looking forward to giving it a heart-y whirl! 🙂

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Michelle

    So excited to hear the “Daydream” shirt will be available! (And will be ordering one ASAP!) As an adoptee myself, I am totally pumped to know that proceeds are going to go to help knit families together! You rock, Layla! 🙂

  5. janna

    I read but never comment – but I have to say that I LOVE the glass half full shirt. Mati’s design is also very cute and original!

  6. Sharon

    Love both tee’s but especially Mati’s, she is one smart cookie to figure it out at her young age – life IS what you make it. Way to go Mati!

    • Layla

      Hi Jeri!
      There will be S, M, L, XL, and XXL available again. Thank you for checking with me! 🙂

  9. Nicole

    Love this! Totally into life not being a lemon! Maybe in a sale sometime in the future could you offer some v-neck options? I would be all over that.
    Thanks for sharing your creative gifts with us!

    • Layla

      Thanks, Nicole! And, yes, (I mentioned up there but it was kind of buried in the middle!) there will also be v-necks available. 🙂

  11. hello haha narf

    happy girl SQUEEEEEEEEE! i have no need for another tee, but i see buying several in the near future. these are wonderful, layla!

    p.s. mati rocks!

  13. Beverly Palmer

    Layla, first let me tell you that I love how a small inspiration turns into a big AFFIRMATION. I can’t wait to order these shirts. Second, I’ve ordered the previous ones as gifts and have also worn them and people LOVE them. I like telling people where I got them and I love giving them out as gifts.

  14. Karie

    What a fun way to end the month of July! Mati is darling and something tells me this is not the last time we will hear about her. Thanks to you for encouraging such a smart young lady!

    Have fun!

  15. Ashley

    I cannot wait for the shirts! Also, I cannot get enough of Mati! That squished up nose, her big girl teeth coming in and those band aids on her knee! She is so beautiful and smart!

  17. Alison DePew

    Soooo great!! I only wish for a more updated style. I “did” apparel for a sports team for a few years, and discovered that there are some pretty nice shirts out there. Anyway, I love your idea!

    • Layla

      Hi Alison!

      What do you mean by “updated style”? Mammoth Printshop offers lots of cuts to choose from, (I just picked my two favorites) but I am totally up for looking into other options as well if you have some advice about that! 😀

  18. Meg

    I’m so excited for you, Layla! ((she says as she sits wearing her favoritest shirt ever — your “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” tee)) Seriously, I love it for its message, I love it for its supreme softness…my hubby even loves it! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with and buy, buy away!

    • Ra

      I love this so much. God is good. So I assume the V-neck shirts are the ladies cut sizing? I can’t wait to grab one Wed!

      • Layla

        Thank you!!
        The v-neck option will be available on both the ladies cut t’s and the unisex t’s! 🙂

  21. Laura S

    What a bright young lady, congrats to both of you. I’d love to have one of the day dream shirts but your sizes aren’t big enough. I hope you’ll include plus sizes as this venture grows. My great niece may bet getting the lemon t-shirt for Christmas.

    May God bless you & yours as well as this venture, good luck.

    • Layla

      Hi Laura!

      Thank you for your kind comment!
      I will definitely check with the t-shirt printing company about the sizes to see if they are available. I know they offer XL and XXL, but I will check with get back with you as soon as I hear from them! XO

  22. Tania Russell

    love love love! Cannot wait to buy the glass 1/2 full tee!!! yay, so glad you’re pursuing this venture! 🙂

  23. Adrienne

    Well, geez. Now I’ll have to buy another one of your shirts because I love the ‘Glass 1/2 full’ one! ‘Don’t quit your daydream’ is my favorite shirt to wear already!! Congrats on the new venture. 🙂

  24. Sandy A

    What a bright and creative little girl!! I see graphic arts possibly in her future. What a great design idea–because Life is not a Lemon…

  28. Donna Doble-Brown

    YIPEEEEEE! so excited for you! Can’t wait to order a new shirt! woot woot!

  29. Kate

    Congratulations Layla! Good for you! It’s so inspiring to see you following your arrow 🙂

  30. Lynne

    Love those v-neck shirts! Are those the ladies cut ones? Very cute. Can’t wait to see your monthly designs.

  31. Chris Ackford

    I have been following your blog for a few years now and think your
    shirts are wonderful. Are you in a position to just shove one into an envelope and send it to Canada? Would love to have one. Do hope you are able to get to Haiti soon.
    Blessings…
    Chris Ackford

  32. kristin

    AHHH! I have chills. I LOVE the “half-full” tee!! I love the idea of promoting positive attitudes/beliefs. I am so excited for you! I had this awesome idea for tees a few short years ago and with my Etsy shop never pursued it. I thought my ideas were brilliant and when you came out with the tees I thought “how can I do that?”. However, I had no following to share with like you. 🙂 So it sits. It’s all good, I am on a new journey now. SO…I really love this shirt but would hate to get one not big enough. Could you have a size chart for us? (Your explanation for fit on you is helpful though.)

  35. athy

    Can hardly wait until Wednesday. This is a great idea! I’m wondering what you’ll come up with for the holidays!?

  36. Jackie

    I so love that you’re doing this.

    And iiiiiiiiif you ever branch into having your designs printed onto hoodies or baseball shirts, I would SO love that, too! Just because I get more wear out of a hoodie than a tshirt. And because, well, baseball shirts are just so stinkin’ cute.

    (Just a thought!)

  37. Molly

    Yay! So happy you will offer childrens shirts! I want my kids to have creative inspiring words too!

  39. Sandra Kay Hayes

    So excited for your new venture!! You will be one fabulous Mom!!! Can’t wait till we hear you have your little one home with you!! These shirts look great!!God’s Blessings on you and your family!!!

  40. Dawn

    Layla,

    I am so excited about this! You are an inspiration to us all! I can’t wait to get another of your special shirts and be a part of something bigger than just me! I get compliments on my blue Don’t Quit Your Day Dream shirt all the time.

  41. Michelle

    I’m so excited! I love my Don’t Quit Your Daydream t-shirt and can’t wait to order both shirts on Wednesday. What a wonderful idea. By this time next year I will have a nice collections of t shirts.
    Mati is too cute and so is her sister. Love the big ole band aids on her knee. Looks like she is enjoying her summer.

  42. Erin

    I love Mati’s enthusiasm. And it’s fantastic that you captured her, band-aid and all. I have 6 and 9 year old girls. They are full of ideas and inspiration too! My girls will wake up one morning and say something like “It’s time we change things up a bit. Can we move some furniture around?”

  43. Sweetie Berry

    Please oh please consider long sleeved, or 3/4 sleeved t’s too! So many of the folks I work with doing cancer, burn wards, and dialysis cannot find cool tshirts to wear…and wish to not show all their scars unless comfortable…and these are precious!

  44. Carol H

    Will you be using the same company for your shirts that you did with the first ones? I found them to be fairly thin and they shrunk more than I thought they would!

    • Layla

      Hi Carol!
      Yes, we are going with the same printing company and the same type of shirts again. I just love how they feel and I was pleased with how little they shrink after you dry them. I’m sorry yours wasn’t what you had hoped! I’ll email you now about a refund.

  45. Lisa

    You are one of the very 1st blogs I ever read…and now follow you on Instagram! I am inspired by your passion and your heart…may God bless you as you launch your idea into reality! ( I shared your adoption story with my daughter…she and her husband are not in a position to adopt, Yet, but God can make a way!) I can not wait until your boy is in your arms! Blessings!

  47. Julie

    I’ve had compliments on my “Daydream” shirt, it’s so soft and comfy too. I’m so excited about your plans for other designs and can’t wait to place another order. I love that you’re following your own dream, and helping others get to theirs. And Mati is a ray of sunshine!