Tuesday, July 17, 2012

In Progress & A Small Surprise


Flowers & Rocks

First, the flowers. My garden is bloom which always leads to inspiration for me. I am going to add some more photographs to our shop, Bates Mercantile Co.  I am very neglect in updating the ones I already have listed.  I've had my archival printer since October, but hadn't adjusted my photo listings for new sizes and archival printing in-house.  I'm in the process of working on some new shots from the garden, and old shots (like the beach ones below) as well, in photoshop.  This all means I have to order some photo art paper. Thankfully, this is isn't a problem. I found a fantastic source for paper when I got my printer, Red River Paper. Their suggestions for paper for specific purposes, turnaround, and customer service have been great.

I haven't been as serious as I should be about the photographs in our shop, but I think it's about time I was.

Here's some that are in the works.




I named that fellow 'one legged Pete'.


Aaahhh, the beach. Heaven.

I've also been mulling over the idea of hosting a photo challenge like my etsy pal Elle Moss did a while back. I would post the subjects for each day of the challenge and people would submit links to their photos and I would also feature them, here on Mercantile Muse. What do you think?

I wasn't able to participate every one of the 21 days of Elle's, but the days I did participate were a great way to practice my photography skills, get to meet other people who submitted and see how each person had a different take on each subject.  It was very cool.

So, would you particpate? I don't think mine would be 21 days, but perhaps something a little more manageable. However, it wouldn't be much fun if it was just me.

And Now, All The Way From France.............

The best thing about blogging to me, is meeting new people all over the world. The same can be said for having a shop on etsy

Well, yesterday, out of the blue I got a package from my pal Cari-Jane of Hybrid Handmade. Sweet girl had remembered that I was smitten with the beach rocks she had featured on her blog a few times. She calls them 'time pebbles'. I just call them awesome.


Lo and behold, one made it's way to me from the seaside on the South coast of France. I'm so darn lucky.

The talented Ms. Hakes, draws the beautiful design on the rocks she finds at the beach near her home and then seals them.  Mine now sits on my little kitchen windowsill altar of sorts. The altar currently houses a picture of my great grandmother, one of Gar's little planters, a lucky trunk-up elephant, a toasting glass of my gram's and a wishbone. The candy dish in the corner was also my grams and contains more wishbones for whenever someone needs to make a wish.





This little stone made me so very happy. Thanking you Cari, my dear, thoughtful friend.

One more thing.  The lucky Leona Weaver, winner of the blogaversary giveaway obviously likes to give as much as receive. She was a sponsor of the giveaway as well as the winner. As such, she couldn't really send her lovely dandelion photograph to herself, so she sent it to me. Nice, yes?


As tempted as I am to keep it, I think it would be a better gesture to incude it in the next giveaway. If you are interested in particpating as a sponsor, please shoot me an email. I'm in the process of gathering things and it's sure to be another treasure trove of goodies, so keep your eyes and ears at the ready for details.

That's about it here gang. What's happening in your corner of the world today?

ttfn,


23 comments:

  1. Pam - I would totally do a photo challenge - sounds like fun! I'm an Instagram fanaholic :)...so more foto fun sounds great! Keep us posted! Beautiful stone!

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    1. alright! cool beans. Yay, you're on board. More to come. I'll start planning now!

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  2. Yes, I'd participate also!! Great idea to put the photo in the next giveaway!!!!
    :)

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    1. ooo, another taker!....thanks for sending the photo. you're so sweet. thought it would be best to save for the next giveaway since that was it's original intention.

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  3. I would love to try my hand at this! Any idea when it would start? How many days will we do this? I am really excited.

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    1. Hi lily Anne, I'm so glad you're willing to participate. I'm thinking it would start next week and that it would be about 10 days. The 21 got long to fit in everyday but 10 seems manageable. Then if we can always do another one!

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    2. We'll be away on vacay next week...which is great...and I will surely be taking lots o photos, but my wifi/internet connection there is not always very good...so if you do start next week, I will catch up when we get back! Just wanted you to know so that if you start and I am AWOL you will know why! :) I have 'stuff' to send you and will probably send it to you tonight or tomorrow :)

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    3. vacation! well, i never. just who do you think you are?

      ok, ok perhaps you deserve it. ok, you DO deserve it your organzing,working fool

      ENJOY!!

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    4. Thank you my dear...I will go away with a clean conscience now! :)

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    5. oh good, because i wouldn't want you going away with a dirty one. that would be awful.

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Lynette! Just posted the beach photo in the shop. Woohoo! Check that off the list.https://www.etsy.com/listing/104636744/beach-sun-beach-photograph-retro-beach?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=ConnectedShop&utm_campaign=Share

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  5. Gorgeous flower images; the sayings you added are perfect! Also, neat time pebble.

    -:¦:- Featured Photo: Sundial Portulaca -:¦:-

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    1. Look at you missy, you're ahead of the game! I LOVE it! off to check out your portulaca....maybe I need to start before next week. Everyone seems ready to go! thanks for stopping by. It means a lot.

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  6. I'm sooo glad the little pebble arrived and I'm chuffed to bits that you like 'him' so much! Photo challenge sounds fine and dandy to me - count me in!

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    1. i totally adore my 'time pebble'. but as you know, i've got a thing for rocks ;) wow, i guess i should have done a photo challenge eons ago. everyone is chomping at the bit.

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  7. Beach Heaven is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I think I need a vacation!

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    1. and it was taken in JANUARY! It was a beautiful 'new year' kind of day. There was even a quick snow burst. that's nh for ya. hey, come east....you'd love our beach. of course, i'm kind of partial since it's my home town. i was quite the little beach bum. was always down at the end of high street with my mom and the other ladies in their group of friends and all their kids. so lucky.

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  8. I am up for the photo challenge!! So long as it is is new mum friendly- every day for 21 would be hardcore!! Twice a week for x weeks or so could work. I promise myself a daily photo a while back Abd it isn't so easy !!

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    1. Hi andrea, I totally agree. the 21 days were very hardcore. I did my best, but then got so busy with work halfway through, that I couldn't finish. But here's one good thing.....if we do the challenge, you get to participate at will. If one day isn't good for you, no worries. It's not that strict! However, I was thinking along those lines......2-3 days per week for 4 weeks...........any input is welcome. Right now, leaning towards beginning next week if I can pull some things together. So glad you're here and that you're willing to give it a go.

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  9. The colors in Beach Heaven are beautiful. I have to admit that One Legged Pete is my favorite. We have a special seagull that we go and feed pizza to- at least we think it's the same one!

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    1. too funny bh, 'at least we think it's the same one'. that's the thing with birds - sometimes you think it's the same one, but isn't. One legged Pete though, he'd be hard to miss. He really cracked me up that day. Honestly could have cared less that I was taking his picture and that other gulls were swooping out and about. He'd found his one legged spot and he was staying in it. Happy you're here!

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  10. What lovely photos - glad I discovered you via Carri-Jane!

    http://www.inherentstylela.com/

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You comments make my day. Thanks for taking the time to visit Mercantile Muse and for commenting. I really appreciate it. ~Pam

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