Favorite Finds- Holiday Style

via upscaledownhome

The Best Part About the Gotta Have It Shop Link Up

If you're like me, you enjoy window shopping and that's what I love about our Gotta Have It link shop link up party.  Since we're in the midst of the holiday season, I'm featuring things that have caught my eye that have a little holiday flair. 

Sit back and enjoy a little window shopping with me.

Oh-so-elegant curtain tie backs in pretty red with rhinestone accents from the lovely Sarah at UpscaleDownhome.  Don't you love the name of Sarah's shop?

via upscaledownhome

A small change out like your curtain tie backs, might be all you need to bring your living room up a notch for the holidays.

How about dressing yourself up with a little bling for the holidays? Look no further than 3pearls' beautiful crocheted bead bracelet.

via 3pearls

Marci from 3pearls is a peach of a gal, and it's always good to know you're not only buying from a talented person, but one who's super nice too.

Got a crafter in the family? A crocheter? A knitter? How about a little holiday style for them with this patchwork crafters bag by marvelous Meredith at........you guess it, patchworkcrafters!

via patchworkcrafters

Is there a gardener on your list? These organic pepper seeds would help any gardener get into planning mode for preparing their garden in the Spring.

via cubits

There's nothing like picking fresh organic vegetables from your garden when it all comes to fruition. Cubits has an awesome selection of organic seeds, to help you do just that.

If you want to do a little more window shopping, check out all the shops who have linked up in the Gotta Have It shop link party. Always plenty of neat stuff.

Is it really Wednesday already? How does that happen?  Carpe diem.



Blog Finds from Gotta Blog It & New Giveaway

Oh, The Places You Will Go

Hi guys. If you subscribe via email and didn't get the Muse yesterday, I'm really not sure why. Perhaps a glitch with blogger?  Anywho, you can access yesterday's post right here.  If you missed Sunday's, that's because I took a day off. That's allowed, right?

To the subject at hand, our last shop and blog link up brought lots of super things our way. I've posted about some of the entries in the Gotta Have It Shop Link Up before and thought it was about time I included some things I've found through the blog link ups we've hosted.  So, here we go..........

An awesome pillow project from the every crafty Laura at DesignShare!

Love this one. She used an old tshirt of her daughters to make this pillow pop.

Check out Laura's tutorial here.

It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to be thankful. I love Angela's positive attitude at Garden and Sea.

Check out Angela's thankful post here.

How about a cool Upcycled dog bed? On wheels no less?

Check out the scoop at Different Shades of Green.

Thank you to everyone who has been sharing their shop and blog links this time around!

Notice: Time for a New Giveaway

Here's a giveaway with a choice. Mercantile Muse's new giveaway is for

either your own set of customized monogram note cards, as pictured below OR

a 125px X 125px ad on the Mercantile Muse sidebar until the end of the year.

So, if  you have a shop or blog you want to advertise, you can reach new people with an ad on our sidebar, or if you don't have a shop or blog, or would simply prefer the notecards. You can choose these notecards.

Giveaway runs ONLY ONE WEEK through December 6th, 7am est.

Here's what you gotta do:

Here's what you must do to enter:

*Follow this blog (check out the right hand sidebar for ways to follow), and tell us how you're following.

*Visit Bates Mercantile Co. and tell us what your favorite item is.

(if you already 'follow' and 'like' Bates Mercantile Co. & Mercantile Muse, just say so in your comment)

Earn one extra entry for each of the following:

*Like us on Facebook, and let us know you did.

*Spread the word about this Giveaway (receive one extra entry for each way you share this giveaway):

            *Blog about

            *Tweet about

            *Tell your Facebook friends

            *Pin this on Pinterest

 

            *Stumble it on Stumble Upon

            *Tumble on Tumbler

Have a fantastic Tuesday. I'm about to do some raking.



Welcome To The Holiday Season

A Turkey Day Wrap Up

Here we are. At the start of the holiday season. My mission is to enjoy it as much as possible. Not get to caught up in the hustle and bustle, unless it's the good kind. 

Today, a little reflection on Thanksgiving. 

Number one, there is ALWAYS much to be thankful for even in the midst of the challenges that life throws at you.

Number two, it's nice to take some time, sit back, relax and enjoy a good meal with family and friends.

As I mentioned, sister in law Kel always sets a lovely table. This year she had a crystally theme, with a sparkly branch centerpiece (which I think she nabbed from her and her mom's store Backyardbirdsandgardenfrills).

It was carried to the top of her hutch with pretty little churches and the sweetest lit up birch tree, and pine bows with crystal dew drops.

What would a celebration be without shrimpfest, a little chese, and nephew Pat's buffalo chicken dip? SO good.

Niece Maddie showing off her first sewing project. A sweet jumper for cousin Sophia, complete with zipper which really impressed Grammy Lambert.

Nephew Pat, now 'Uncle' Pat with his niece and our great niece Sophia- aka Tail Feather Shaker. She loves to dance!

Mom and Dad sitting down to dinner and getting ready for grace.

The whole gang (except niece Alaina who was taking the picture).

Don't ask me how the guys escaped the wrath of my Mother's hand knocking their hats off at the table. I know Gar had his on because he desperately needs a hair cut.  Joe, Gar and Mikey, you're forwarned for next year!

Uh oh, time for Pie-A-Thon 2011!

Gar won. Don't ask me how, but he had a piece of each. Of course, he could barely eat a thing the next day........these are the 'rewards' of being the pie-a-thon winner.

I just went for my own apple pie with a dollop of ice cream.  Thanksgiving Heaven.


Sophia practicing her high fives with Great Uncle Bill.

A good day had by one and all.

Sunset Meadows York, Maine Style

The sunset on Thanksgiving was just beautiful. Too boot, it reflected in the pond next to Bill and Kel's house. So pretty.

I think this one would make a lovely Christmas card.

Enjoy your Monday. Check back tomorrow for the start of our next giveaway.

Don't forget, use coupon code FF11BF25 for 25% off everything in our store through tomorrow, Tuesday 11/29/11!!

ttfn

And The Winner Is..........

Drum Roll Please

Hi guys. Busy week for everyone, eh?  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving if you're in the states. If you're not, I just hope it was a great week all around, regardless.

I just had Gar pick a winner out of the hat, from all of you wonderful peeps who entered our most recent giveaway for our Grow Love print.  That hat was full because there were tweets, blog posts, facebook threads, pins and more promoting this giveaway.... thanks to all of you.

Unfortunately, only one can win, and I am happy to say, 'Yes, Leona, you can have your print now.'

Leona Weaver is the winner of the Grow Love print. Woohoo!! Yay!! Yippee!!

I will be contacting you for your shipping address so I send can this print on it's way.

I think that's enough excitement for today.

It's beautiful here. Putting my turkey soup on and then heading out to do some yardwork. Planning on getting a field walk in with the hound later. 

What are you plans for the day? Busy Saturday or are you taking it easy?

Ciao for now

BLACK FRIDAY SALE at the mercantile

Savings for YOU

It's Black Friday, as most of you know. I have to say, I'm not a rush out and be there at 6am kind of gal. In fact, if I take advantage of any black friday sales it will be from my keyboard. If you're like me, here's a deal for you........25% off storewide at Bates Mercantile Co. now through next Tuesday (I threw an extra day in there for good measure).

Use coupon code FF11BF25 at checkout and enjoy big savings on whatever tickles your fancy......perhaps the customizable notecards above?

Bird Is the Word

How Was Your Thanksgiving?

This pretty much says it all for me- brother Bill carving the bird.

More tomorrow.

Enjoy your day. I'll do the same.

See you on the flip side,

Ah, Thanksgiving.

Many Thanks To Give

I love Thanksgiving. It's a wonderful start to our holiday season here.  The food is out of this world.  It's a laid back time with family.  It's a day to remember just how blessed we are.  It's a day to give thanks.


I give thanks that my sister in law Kel and brother Bill who host Thanksgiving.  After years of my Mother being the host, they took over years ago and do a stellar job of it every year.

I'm thankful for perfect company and nice potholders. Just thought I'd mention that Kel.

Grateful for a perfect table setting.  Kel always takes care to make it special just like the whole day.

Truly thankful for a perfect bird.

I must steal some of the dark meat with a piece of skin as brother Bill carves the turkey. It's mandatory.  Looks like my niece Maddie is trying to horn in on my spot.

A closer look at the bird.............being de-stuffed.

The stuffing and turkey are my favorite part of the meal. Hands down. And I'll take mostly dark meat please.  Kel still makes my mother's stuffing recipe with bread, sausage, onions, celery..........heaven.  As you can see, our stuffing is cooked in the bird and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I am also thankful that we get to take the remains of the bird home. It'd be a terrible thing to waste. Tomorrow is 'making soup day' here.

The biggest question of the day........Who will win the Thanksgiving Pie-A-Thon this year? Patrick or Joe? Both nephews are obviously trying to recover here.  I think Pat's got the right idea on the couch. By the way Joe...........didn't Pat win last year? I think there was just one little bite of pie that Joe couldn't put away.  Some rugby player.....wait till the other guys get wind of that.

Alas, one of my favorite turkey pictures of all time. These birds are part of the Winnicutt Road Gang, hanging at Lone Tree Hill in the field across the street. Seriously. Do you think they can read?

A few more gratefuls:

*Good health. Without that, you ain't got much. 

*Thankful to Dr. Branton, Kristen and Lindsey who finally found a way to give my mother relief from horrible nerve pain from arthritis in her neck. SO thankful for that team. You're doing much better this Thanksgiving, huh Mom? Woohoo!

*Our servicemen and women, especially those who are away from their families at this time of the year. Their sacrifices are many.

*A roof over our head, a bed to sleep in, a pillow to lay our heads on, wood to put in the fire, and food on the table. I do not take these things for granted. Neither does Gar.

*I've said it before, and I'll say it again. We are truly blessed with the most awesomest (hey, I can make up words, it's my blog) people in our lives.....family, friends, neighbors, customers, coworkers. You know who you are.

*The hardworking G Man and my lazybones hound Lucan. My own little family.

What and who are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?  I'd love to know.

Don't eat too much and don't forget to breathe.

I have to get back to the potatoes, the pie and the parade.

Enjoy the day and all that it means,

PS-STARTING AT 12AM BLACK FRIDAY-shop at Bates Mercantile Co. and use coupon code FF11 to receive 25% off store wide 11/25- Tuesday 11/29. WOW, what a deal!!!

PSS- If you have an online shop on etsy or elsewhere, or you have a blog, don't miss our current link up which started yesterday! Join the fun.

FREE Vintage Deer Gift Tags and Time To LINK UP

As Promised.......Free Traditional Gift Tags 

Hi gang. Here's some more free printable gift tags for you. I said I'd design the next set with a more traditional twist, and I keep my word.

I just love this vintage deer. Isn't he great? 

Wouldn't your holiday packages look smart with one of these attached?

Right click image below and save to computer as jpeg, or you can download pdf HERE.

Gotta Have It Shop & Blog Link Up Party

It's time once again for online shop owners and bloggers to promote their stuff. For those of you who don't own shops, and don't blog, check out the links! It's a fun way to explore.

Now, get a glass of some noggy groggy, and add your shop or blog link if you got 'em.

It's pretty easy. READ THIS before linking:

*After you've linked up, take a look around Mercantile Muse. We'd love you to follow if you're so inclined. 

*Post one link. Two if you link one under Gotta Have It (for shops, crafters, artisans, vintage sellers) and one under Gotta Blog It (for bloggers).

*Check out other participants that catch your eye. You never know what may come back to you for taking a moment to support fellow participants.

*Share a link to Gotta Have It link up. If we all share, the party will get more traffic which benefits us all-- blog, tweet, facebook, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page)  and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome. 

*Feel free to leave a comment and be sure to check back Friday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It could be you!

Time to party! Would you like nutmeg with that nog? 

For those of you in the U.S., have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow and travel safely.  To all, I am very thankful that you take the time to be here.


Peace,

Stylish Gift Giving with Free Gift Tag Printable

via urbanbirdandcompany

Holiday Gift Wrapping Doesn't Have to Be So Literal

Over the years I have used a multitude of 'untraditional' wrapping which have included: plain white paper, newspaper, paper bags, plastic bags, dishtowels, cloth napkins, paper that I've embellished, raffia, jute, re-purposed ribbon, pine cones, holly - the list goes on.

via handmadeandheritage

I guess my take on gift wrapping for the holidays or other occasions is, as long as the wrapping makes the recipient feel like they're getting something special, then no other rules apply.

via joeymiller

There are always embellishments that can be added to make gifts holiday specific.

via whimsywhimsical

You could certainly add one bold pop of red, or subtle silver and gold, to tie in the holiday theme.

via myfuroshiki

Then again, you have the choice to introduce a new color you haven't used before into your holiday gift wrapping. One year I used lots of purple and it was gorgeous. 

via urbanbirdandcompany

In the spirit of making the holidays unique and special, here are some gift tags you can print and use.

Embellish how you see fit. I think they'd look extra special against white paper with a sprig of evergreen, a pine cone, or some silver ribbon.

Start your own tradition and wrap things up with the unexpected. Whatever you choose, have fun with it. Don't get bogged down by the usual choices. Make up your own. Just make it special.

Click on the image below to save image to you computer, or.......

click HERE to download a pdf of the tags.

There will be more free tags by the end of the week, and they'll have a little more traditional holiday feel.

Am I the only one that has thrown gift wrapping rules out the window? What are you favorite items to wrap with for the holidays?

A heads up, there is still time to enter our current giveaway and tomorrow is the start of our next Gotta Have It Shop Link up party for those of you who have online shops. For those of you who don't, it's a great place to find neat gifts all in one place.

Have one terrific Tuesday.  I'll do the same.  Thanks for being here.

Ciao for now