Archive for the ‘cottage’ Category

Custom Cabin, Cottage and Farm Signs Made from Canadian Cedar

Creating Your Custom Signs

When it comes creating a custom sign for your cabin, cottage or farm we have two different methods to suit your needs. Each option has its own advantages when it comes to western red cedar signs.  The first method involves a template for those not sure where to start and the second method works well for those that know exactly what they require.  Either choice gives you options that work within your budget and creativity.

Sign Templates for Custom Wood Signs

For those wanting to create a custom sign but needing a little assistance when it comes to the look of their sign we suggest choosing our Template option.

Just pick one of the sign designs at https://thesigndepotcottagesigns.com/collections/all and click on the preferred image.  When the webpage for that sign loads, fill in the Text on Sign field with the name and/or words you wish to have on that sign.  Above that choose the option of the Single Sided sign price or the Double Sided sign price and then click Add to Cart.  Finish the shipping and payment info and your sign will be shipped to you soon.  This is also a great option for gifts! Whether it is for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day or a Wedding Gift, a custom Canadian cedar sign is always appreciated for any occasion.

Fully Customized Signs

If you need a more customization than our template signs offer, then we suggest our custom crafted western red cedar signs as a better fit.  While they are a higher price-point than our template signs, a fully customized sign can be manufactured by our expert sign makers to fit your needs.  You select the size, shape, colours, images and text that you require on your wood sign and it is made to your specifications.  These signs are fantastic for cottage or cabin signs or for family farm signs to carry on tradition and highlight heritage.  To get started visit our CONTACT US page and email us your request.

       

DIY Backyard Games – Great Ideas For Your Cottage or Cabin

Crafty Ideas For Your Cottage / Cabin Life

Here at The Sign Depot we have become fast fans of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman’s Making It competition TV show.  Each week the show’s crafters, known as the makers, take on challenges to create unique items for each competition.

In essence, that is what our signmakers do here on a day to day basis when they are creating custom cottage signs and other unique structures.  This show has inspired us to connect with some bloggers about their DIY projects that can add some family fun to your cottage, cabin or even your backyard.  Below is a list of do it yourself backyard games that we think you will enjoy making and playing in the great outdoors.

DIY Backyard Games

DIY Nerf Target

See how to tackle this target at https://the-gingerbread-house.co.uk/2018/04/23/how-to-make-a-diy-nerf-target

Outdoor Patio DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Learn how to put this together at http://juliemeasures.com/outdoor-diy-tic-tac-toe

Ring Toss and other Carnival Themed Games

Check out this list of outdoor games like Ring Toss and Balloon Down at https://www.playpartyplan.com/fun-outdoor-games

More Outdoor Fun This Summer

For those that want to mix it up without too much crafting, check out these lists of outdoor games at https://www.onecrazymom.com/20-forgotten-summer-games-for-kids  and  https://www.playpartyplan.com/camping-games-for-kids-and-adults and https://thesoccermomblog.com/outdoor-games-for-kids

Even those with little ones can enjoy some outdoor activities with ideas from https://www.whatsupfagans.com/top-backyard-activities-for-four-year-olds

Many people can be put these games together with household items like tin cans, string, disposable cups, t-shirts, sidewalk chalk or even pool noodles to create obstacle courses.

We have been known to put together some fun games as well.  We have made CUSTOM CORNHOLE BOARDS and even some BRANDED PLINKO GAMES for businesses.

Getting Crafty at The Cottage

Is there a backyard game you have made for your cottage, cabin or backyard? Post about it in the comments! We love to get inspired by our readers’ crafting abilities.  Don’t have a unique backyard game? That’s okay.  Try one of the ones above and tell us how it turned out.  Let us know if you invited extended family or neighbours to try them out too.  To ensure they find your cottage with ease you should consider an address/lot marker or a sandblasted cottage sign like the ones pictured below.  To learn more visit our CONTACT US page and send us a note!

 

Best Campfire Recipes To Try Out At Your Cottage Or Cabin

Creating A Campfire For More Than Marshmallows

Now that the warm weather is here, many become weekend warriors and head for their cottage or cabin.  There are only so many roasted marshmallows that one can eat over the summer, so here is our list of the best campfire recipes for you to try this cottage season.

Best Campfire Recipes

Stock up on tinfoil and long bbq tongs, heavy duty metal skewers and oven mitts . It’s time to take campfire cooking to the next level!

Campfire Corn On The Cob

Leave the husks on your ears of corn and soak them in a bucket or cooler of water for an hour. Next with either use your long bbq tongs or heavy duty metal skewers (depending on grip or weight) to roast the corn over the open flame until the husk becomes a very dark brown.  Set roasted corn aside to let the steam to do the work and finish the cooking.  After that put on your oven mitts and remove the husks from the corn and serve.

Spider Hot Dogs

This brings a bit of fun to the typical weiner roast. Start by scoring cross or x pattern into the ends of the hot dog with a knife. You are begining to start the legs of the spider. Now slice into your scoring a bit but not too far into the weiner. You don’t want the legs to char and fall off.  Then insert your metal skewer into the hot dog and roast over the campfire.  As it cooks you will see 4 legs form on each end of the hot dog, because as the weiner roasts the ends begin to curl up.

Tacos In A Bag

Being that your are at the cottage/cabin chances are you plan on grilling some hamburgers.  Put a few extra on the grill and save the leftovers for this campfire recipe.

Start with a small bag of nacho chips (Doritos work best as their bags are foil lined and chips are flavoured already). Squish the bag a bit to crunch up the chips into smaller bite size pieces.  Next chop up your cooked burgers and taco toppings (lettuce, peppers, cheese etc). Open the top of the nacho chip bag, add the toppings, roll up the top and give it a good shake. Then use the bbq tongs to hold the bags over the fire so that the cheese melts.  Next set aside until the nacho chip bags are cool enough to hold. Slowly and carefully open the bags to let out the steam.  Then once the bag and toppings are cool to the touch, eat the concoction right out of the bag, splitting it down the side as you get deeper into the filling (or eat with forks).

Campfire Cones

Think of it as all the fun of s’mores in an easier to manage ice cream cone.  Begin with a sugar cone and fill with your sweet toppings, marshmallows, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, berries or any dessert toppings you like.  Wrap the cone in foil.  Use the bbq tongs to hold the package cone over the campfire to cook the ingredients.  After that, let it cool and unwrap this portable dessert.

Memorable Moments At The Summer Cottage / Family Cabin

We know that campfires are just one of the memorable moments at the summer cottage and/or family cabin.  Let us know in the comment section if you have traditions for your summer vacation getaways to the lake.  We want to know what makes it memorable for you.  You may even want to incorporate those memories into a custom cottage sign.

Our expert sign designers can craft a custom wood cottage sign with the text, colours and graphics that are personalized to your satisfaction. Visit our CONTACT US page for more information.

For additional Outdoor Living Ideas check out the One Big Outdoor Extravaganza post

Signs That Cottage Season Is Over For Another Year

Signing Off On Cottage Season

Being a company that makes custom cottage signs, we thought this news may come easier from us. We wanted to let you know that cottage season is once again coming to close.  While you may not want to believe it, we have proof.

 Signs That Cottage Season Is Over For Another Year

Normally the signs that cottage season is ending and fall is beginning include leaves turning red

and geese flying south for the winter.

This is not the case this year. In case you missed it, The Weather Network posted this image on their facebook page yesterday (Sept 10 2014) of the conditions happening in Calgary.

We think this is one of the biggest warning signs we have that it is time to prepare the cottage for the winter. Last year we provided you 5 Websites To Help You Close Your Cottage For The Winter and with the unpredictable weather we thought it would be best to give you some more places to look for information on winterizing your cottage.

More Websites To Help You Close Your Cottage For The Winter

1. Cottage Closing Electrical Safety Tips
2. Cottage Closing Checklist From Hydro One
3. Seasons from The Practical Cottager
4. Winterizing Your Cottage from Trusted Pros
5. Winterizing Your Summer Cabin Or Vacation Home

The tips above are give you a good idea about the workload ahead of you when prep your family cottage for the winter season. Our tip is to protect your exterior custom cottage sign from winter damage by following these steps

• Wash it with soap and water.  A mild liquid dish detergent will do the trick
• Let it dry
• Give it a polish with a spray car wax (ie Turtle Wax)

This will add luster to the wood sign and serve as a protectant against the winter elements.

So while we have you thinking of winter, we just want to remind you that Personalized Cottage Signs make great Christmas Gifts and it’s never too early to CONTACT US and get your order in!

Top Ten Things To Pack For The Long Weekend Road Trip

Bring on the Summer

With the warm weather days upon us, long weekends are full of fireworks, fishing, and fun which usually means road trips.  The best way to ensure a fun and relaxing time is by being prepared for the excursion.  Most travelers already carry a vehicle emergency kit with First Aid items, booster cables, a can of quick tire inflater etc.  To ensure that road trip is enjoyable for everyone,  here is a list of some items to be sure to pack for that long weekend road trip!

Ready for the Road

1. Bottles of water
2. Granola bars or something that can tide you over until your next stop
3. Baby wipes – great for those in car spills
4. Change of clothing – see above
5. Extra batteries or car chargers for music players/cell phones/laptops etc
6. Travel pillows & blankets (the comfy kind, not those crinkly emergency blankets)
7. Portable entertainment IE DVDs, deck of cards, magnetic travel games, hand held video games
8. Sunscreen (daytime travel)
9. Booklight (nightime travel)
10. Large Ziploc bags – great for garbage

In addition it is also a good idea to have a bit of cash (in case your next stop doesn’t take credit or debit), also make sure to bring a map in case your GPS signal is lost.  You want to make sure to find that “hideaway” without having to worry about where it is hiding!  If you’re are inviting guests to your cottage, make sure they can identify your getaway from the everyday by adding a custom sandblasted cedar cottage sign to identify your neck of the woods.

Enjoy the Long Weekend and remember to kick back and relax once the travelling part is done.   It won’t be long before you are on the road again, so be sure to stream our ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST Have any road trip tips you want to pass along? Make sure to add them to the comments, send us tweet or find us on facebook.