Things I Found And Overheard At The Party

via etsy stalker, ring by Brooke Scarborough

A Beautiful Mess

As usual, the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is rocking.  Yeehaw cowgirl! You know what that means if you've ever hosted a party. It means there's a lot of stuff left behind. This party is no exception.

Thanks to all the etsy shop owners and bloggers who left a link to their awesomeness. A big high five to the Muse readers who stopped by the party to have a look around. That's what it's all about. Everyone getting to know each other.

Here's my picks from mingling at the party:

1. make up case via Lilach Oren   

2. Diane's beautiful hollyhocks via dsignsbyds

3. Brooke Scarborough's gorgeous ring via Etsy Stalker

4. classic teal blue ribbon from This and That Crafter

5. sweet girls skirt made by cikimot

6. blueberry struesel muffins (yum) via Color Canopy

7. very hungry catepillar cookies at little sugar tops

8. the loveliest lady via ArtdeLimaginaire
9. a great way to say congratulations from always pretty paper

10. a charming belleek tea cup via myvintagebluebird

See what I mean? I really don't mind picking up behind the guests at these little link up parties. Not. At. All.

If you were featured today, or at any other time, I've added a new 'I've been featured on Mercantile Muse' button in the side bar, complete with code. Grab it for your blog if you'd like.

Did you think you were lost?

Yup. You're right. I changed my header. It's been in the works. I'm still not sure if it's a done deal, but I wanted to see how it feels. That's design for you....work at it, step back, take a look, make some tweaks and so on.  I changed my shop branding and want them to both be consistent. Though I think both might need a 'little' more tweaking.

It's still lil' ole' me though. Me and my musings.

Hey, if you're participating in the photo challenge, get me your entries for 'self portrait' today if you haven't already. What? You don't know about the photo challenge? Check this out.....it's fun, it's low pressure and it's a way to practice your photo taking skills. Everyone is welcome to join the challenge at any time.

Be sure to be here at the Muse tomorrow. It's start of the August giveaway (how on Earth did that happen?) and it is simply not to be missed.

Thanks for being here. It would be awful lonely without you.

Ciao for now,

Photo Challenge Day 2

via bridgitsbell

Vast

Happy Monday gang. I hope you had a good weekend. We worked on organizing all day yesterday and made good headway. More to do, but isn't that always the case.  Today is day 2 in the Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge. I love today's theme of vast theme and just new it would brings some beautiful shots.

Ashley captured this shot. I love all the textures going on in this.

'Sea Level', via ashely croyle, papyrusaurus

Karen looks she might have snuck down for a walk at my beach (am I right Karen? North Beach, Hampton?). I know, it's not exactly 'my' beach. However, when you grow up a mile from it, and spend a gazillion hours on it growing up, you kind of think of it that way. Thank goodness I only live 10 minutes away. 

'Golden Sand', via Karen Traversy, Bridgits Bell

Another from Karen. One bird and one big blue sky.

'Soaring', via Karen Traversy, Bridgits Bell

And one more from Karen. Soft, muted tones. 

'via 'Peach Over Sea' via Karen Traversy, Bridgits Bell

Thank you Emma for making me feel like I'm standing there with you, looking at the Smokey Mountains. Stunning.

'Blue Smoke', via Emma, MyBojuLife

My beach. Wink wink.  That's Gman next to the rock.

'Beach Shine', Pamela Bates, Mercantile Muse/Bates Mercantile Co.

Gar may be on the beach, but I think Traci might have been on the water.

'Sailing Away', Traci, All Things Luci Rae

Check out the rainbow above the center catamaran. Not sure if it was a real rainbow, looks like too nice a day for that. Maybe a sun spot? Looks awesome either way.

Wow. Bonnie from PaperKeeper was lucky to be a witness to this beauty and thanks to her, we get to share in it.

'Deepest Blue', via Bonnie, Paper Keeper

That deep blue water is amazing.

Such a wonderful way to start the week.

Thanks for playing along gang. Really enjoy getting your submissions. If you haven't heard about the Photo Challenge yet, you can learn more here.  All are welcome to join in the fun. Next theme: Self Portrait. Ugh. Why did I include that one? Get me your shots asap....I'll be prepping it tomorrow. 

Self portrait or no self portrait, here's something that will surely make you smile.....we're only a few days away from the start of the Mercantile Muse August Giveaway!!! This one is really gonna float your boat.  Here's another tease........

Even better news.......that's not all. I've got fantastic sponsors for this giveaway and you guys will surely want to enter this one.  Soon my dears. Soon.

Ah, the beginning of a new week. All full of promise of the things you'll get done. My list is pretty long but I feel so so happy to be starting my week off with a clean and organized office. I'm pretty tempted to do the Snoopy Dance!

What about you? Is it a really full week? Will you be able to squeeze in some 'you' time? We have part of our Dublin family coming for a couple of days at the end of this week and it's nice to have that to look forward too.

Happy Monday,

Almost Silent Sunday

Campfire Saturday Night

Despite the rain that came in yesterday, we had a campfire last night.  Figured if we had been camping we'd still be round the fire.  We put a grate over the fire and cooked up some dogs and refried beans. We don't have hot dogs often, which I think makes them taste even better when we do have them.

Gman, looking a little frazzled from the rain, but ready to enjoy the hot dog regardless.

Then he dropped mustard on poor Lucan. Just not right.

Lucan knew there was something there, but couldn't reach it.  I did him a favor and wiped it off.

Our plans are: mission organization. Whoop whoop. It's still raining so it's a good day for it. First though, I'm going to jump in the pool. Yup. Who cares if it's raining. It's muggy, so in the pool I go.  Got any plans for the day or are you just chillin' like McGillian?

If you're participating in the next photo challenge, be sure to get me your submission today so it can be included in tomorrow's post.

Happy Sunday,

My Week In Pictures

Well, Some of It

Pooltime. As often as I could.

We travelled to say goodbye to our cousin-friend Gail. Sister Di had an Almond Joy (which Gail loved) in her honor. I know she's looking down from heaven saying....Almond Joy? Nice choice Di.

Our Rose of Sharon popped. Gorgeous.

So did the Kale. Yum.

The chard still has a ways to go, but it's looking good.

Lucan lounged. What else is new?

Enjoyed a campfire last night.

Woke to fog this morning.......

.....and a message from my egg.

The plan today is to get some stuff done at my desk. Then I'll be helping Gar organize his studio. If all goes well, that will be followed by a friend's birthday party, some pool-time and another campfire.

What's your plan for this Saturday?

If you are participating in the photo challenge, remember to get me your submission for the second theme- vast- tomorrow. The earlier in the day the better, so that I can include it in Monday's photo challenge post which I'll be preparing tomorrow.

Have you linked your shop or blog in the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Party yet? What are you waiting for? And for you non-shop owners and non-bloggers, take a look at all the great stuff getting linked up. I'm going to have a hard time picking what to feature onTuessday.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Ciao for now,

Photo Challenge Day 1 and Freeform Friday

via paperkeeper

Summer

This is going to be good. The photo challenge that is. I'm already impressed with the first submissions.

I had to post Andrea's first, because she had the biggest challenge being on the otherside of the world down under. It's Winter there, which means Summer is a little hard to come by. By the way, these are lovely flowers a friend sent Andrea as congratulations for her new bundle of boy.  You must drop by her blog to see the picture of Mr. Man in his own little baby hammock. Precious. 

'I'm sure it's Summer somewhere', Andrea Hamaan, Strong Southerly

Ms. Cari-Jane Hakes is in London at just the right time. She caught the Summer Olympic fever and a shot of the torch. Personally, I love the Olympics. It's one of those things that pulls the world a little closer for two weeks.

'Passing The Torch', Cari-Jane Hakes, Hybrid Handmade

Mine is pretty straightfoward. It's all about where I spend my time in the Summer......in the pool.

'pool noodles', Pamela J. Bates, Mercantile Muse

Juicy, sweet, watery....hence the name. Watermelon. Thanks for making me drool Emma.

'Summer In A Bowl', via Emma, MyBoJuLife

By the way peeps, Emma is a new blogger. Stop by and show her some love,  won't you?

Flowers, flowers everywhere. One of my favorite things about Summer. And I really love when they bloom in mass, like these that Karen captured.

'Heavenly Meadow', via Karen, Bridgit's Bell

 

Reshma was inspired by her daughter's zeal for Summer, and I am too. 

'joy of summer', Reshma Sandell, Color Canopy

Kristen, of Milo and Molly, got a shot that reminds me of my parent's backyard in Summer. Marigolds. They almost always have some planted.

'Marry Me If You Have Gold', Kristen Skelton, Milo and Molly

The {PaperKeeper} herself, my pal Bonnie Burnell, is enjoying some downtime. So is her family. 

'fine day for a bike ride', Bonnie Burnell, {PaperKeeper}

Ah, behond the might sunflower Ashley Croyer of Papyrusaurus. It's screaming Summer. Big, beautiful burst of yellow. Just like the Summer sun.

'Screaming Summer', Ashley Croyer, Papyrusaurus

More sheer Summer happiness. Oh how I love to swing. If I walk by a playground I'm still apt to take a few moments to get the legs pumping just like Traci's little one, Luci Rae.

'Swing Time', Traci, All Things Luci Rae

Full disclosure, I made up the titles. That's just the way I am.

Way to give us some summer guys. Great job. We'll have to remember this when we're in the midst of Winter. Well Andrea can look at it now and see what she has to look foward too.

If you want to join the photo challenge, here's the lowdown:

The Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge runs Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 7/27 through  8/22. If you'd like to participate, email me (pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net---- just avoiding spammers gang) a link to your photo submission (blog link, flickr link, facebook link, or what have you) by noon the day prior (well, I'd love it by noon, but sometime the day prior works too) if you want your photo to be included in the photo challenge post the next day. Next photo challenge post is Monday which means you need to get me a submission on Sunday.

Why not join in? Afterall, it's just for the fun of it. All of the topics are about how you interpret them. There are no steadfast rules here people. Well, except for the fun.

One more thing.....the current link party is still going on for anyone who has an online business or blog. Stop by and link up. If you don't have an online shop or blog, check out all the great stuff people are linking up.

Freeform Friday

Here's a classic Summer song for you. A little Mungo Jerry. If you don't know Mungo, you should when you hit play. If you're reading by email, click here.

Hope you have good plans for the weekend. Mine is, yup, you guessed it.....some quality time with my pal the pool.  Of course, there are other things on the list, but that's at the top. What about you?

Have a good one,

Did someone say party? Get your cameras out!

via bhg.com

Poof. It's gone.

One wrong key, and the post I was about to post is gone. So......begrudingly....here it is again...as long as I don't hit the wrong key again. Don't you just hate that? That's certainly not going to stand in the way of our celebration! Time for another Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party....where we celebrate the independent business and blogging movement. If you have an online shop or blog, this is the place to link them up, reach new people, meet other independent shop owners and bloggers and have some fun. Not a shop owner or blogger? No worries. This is where you get to find some really neat shops and blogs, all collected in one place. A ton of fun, all right here.

So, take time to smell the flowers....

 via bhg.com

......grab a drink

via bhg.com

......get a bite to eat......

via bhg.com

.....and party on.

One more thing before we get started. Tomorrow the Innaugural Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge begins.

This is a no-pressure challenge. It's about challenging yourself. The winners? Everyone who participates.  So why not join in the fun?  If you'd like to join the rest of us, get me your first submission today as soon as possible. You can learn more about it here.

Now, onto the party.

Please read the Rules of the House, before linking:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of particpants and receive an e-mail from me (from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net) when the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, shouldn't you follow too? I'd love it if you did. There are several different ways to follow in the sidebar to you're right, if you're not following already. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter. It'd be great to connect with you there too!

*Don't link and run, be kind and check out each other's links. Sure, this is all about celebrating your shop or blog, but it's also about paying it forward and making new connections. You won't believe the wonderful people you meet here on Mercantile Muse. Seriously. They rock. So please have a look around at other links. 

*Share a link to the party, 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, share on your etsy team if you're on one, 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.  I know we can make this the best one yet, with your help!

*Check back next Tuesday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It could be you!

And away we go (if you're reading by email click here it will bring you to the party). 

Thanks for being here,

Caught My Eye

via beccastadtlander

Different Places

Found a few things that caught my eye, all from different places. 

This totally awesome idea came to me through StumbleUpon recommendations.  Do you guys stumble? I do, but not as often as I could.

Check this out...........a cell phone holder made out of an old lotion bottle. Holla.

via makeit-loveit

You can find out how to make this simple bit of brilliance at makeit-loveit. Lotion bottle, scissors, modge-podge.....simple, cute and it wrangles everything. I may have to try this one.

Had to include this one I found through a stumble upon recommedation too because my mother has been using nailpolish to distinguish keys forEVER. Right Mom?

a bubblylife

Super easy, and pretty darn cute to boot.

The wonderful art of Becca Stadtlander came to me by way of Frankie Magazine. If you haven't checked out Frankie, you should. It's an Aussie pub and they always find the neatest stuff. 

Isn't Becca's work fantastic? I love this one because it could be my breakfast other than the french press. I'd be having a cuppa tea.

via BeccaStadtlander

'Bell jar'. Sweet.

via BeccaStadtlander

And another one for Mom, aka Maggie The WasherWoman. 

via BeccaStadtlander

She's great, don't ya think?

Photochallenge

The Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge begins this Friday. So if you're joining in, remember to get me your submissions for Friday's topic, on Thursday. Email me (pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net---- just avoiding spammers gang) a link to your photo submission (blog link, flickr link, facebook link, or what have you) by noon the day prior if you want your photo to be included in the photo challenge post the next day. Join the fun! 

Have a great day.

Ciao for now,