FREE Friday: Printable Pastel Polka Dot Gift Tags

Make Someone Happy This Spring

Hello Spring.

Where have you been all Winter?

There is still a chill in the air here, but the sun is trying its best and beggars can't be choosers. Regardless, I've got spring on my mind and it conjures up notions of pretty pastels, hyacinths and tulips and daffodils scenting the air, and Easter celebrations.

So, what better way make your Spring gift giving even more memorable? Why FREE printable pastel polka dot gift tags of course. There is just something about polka dots that make me downright happy and I'm here to spread a little happiness with these free printable gift tags.

I simply combined them with some wrapping paper I easily created with white paper and sharpies. That sure was easy.  Happy, happy, happy!

They'd look equally sweet as Easter basket gift tags or chocolate bunny.

They are designed 6 large and 3 minis to an 8.5 x 11 sheet. Printing on a heavier paper stock, works great. I used 110 lb plain white.

I'm sure you can think of a bunch of different ways to make your presents pop with these free printable gift tags.

You can download them here.

And by all means, spread a little happy.



FREEFORM Friday

I am ready for the weekend. It has been a busy week.  One of the best thing about the weekend is letting your hair down and having a few laughs.  Check out this post by my blogging pal Diana over at exPresso. So, to join in, here's a laugh or two for all of you. Carol Burnett is one of my favorites. She always makes me laugh. This is a classic skit that I'm sure some of you remember.........."I saw it in a window and just had to have it."  Gets me every time.  Click here if reading via email.






Here's Carol taking questions from the audience. I love seeing comics interact with live audiences and you see just how quick they are. And the Maude ringer sleighs me. She rocks. Click here if reading via email.






I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. I can't say we have anything planned.  Perhaps a campfire out back tonight or maybe a little youtube dancing and singing. You know that's the way we roll around here. I'll surely be looking for a Sunday drive which gets me away from my desk.  Other than that, we'll take whatever comes our way.  What about you? What's hot for the weekend?

Ciao for now,

FREE Friday- Printable Gift Tags

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags-Oh Deer

Hey gang. How goes it?

It's feeling like winter here. Cold! There is snow in the air. Tomorrow night they're predicting a storm that could drop a few inches, but it's been flurrying on and off today.

So we are definitely full on into the holiday season now, Winter is just around the corner and all minds turn to celebrations.

Here's a free printable for you that will make your gift giving completely festive. (note: no deer were injured in the designing of these free printable gift tags)

Festoon a ribbon to a tag, put them on a package or a bottle, and you are good to go. Instant festivity.

Download gift tags here.

And by all means, have some fun giving gifts this year using these free printable gift tags!


FREEform Friday

Time to get in the holiday mood. Sort of. This isn't necessarily a Christmas song, but the performance is on the streets of Dublin at Christmastime and it makes me miss our family and friends in Ireland and abroad. Yes, I'm a sentimental fool. This is one of our favorites and yes, we sing along every time we play it.  If you don't know Irish music, this is a classic. Oh to be in Dublin at Christmastime.....it's been awhile. Click here to view (embedding has been disabled on youtube).



Can you tell I'm utterly relaxed today? Well. I am. I had a neck, face and shoulder massage last night. Hello heaven! It was a gift last Christmas from my sister in law and I gotta tell ya, I'm ready to book one every week. It was unbelievably awesome.

I'll be working on putting the first edition of the muse to bed this weekend. Fingers crossed it will launch at the beginning of the week. I'm running behind schedule, because my desk is incredibly busy and most of all, because I want it to be stellar! So hang tight. It is coming.

Any parties or celebrations this weekend? None for us, so we'll just hunker down for the 'storm' and see how it pans out. The wood stove will be cranking to be sure.

Have a good one.

Ciao for now,

Getting In The Spirit: Holiday Decorating

Simple & Natural Christmas

Soon we will be full with turkey and stuffing and pie, and then we will be full-on into the holidays.  So I've been gathering ideas for my Christmas decorating theme for this years holidays.

I've decided on a simple and natural Christmas decorating theme this year. One that is easily put together and carried out and one that reflects my love of nature and Christmas.  I'm thinking I'll reserve our lounge room for the collections of snowmen and penguins I have amassed over the years, many given by family and friends.  I'm too sentimental to not put them out.  Beyond that, I'm going to be select in what comes out of the Christmas decorating boxes this year. Other than our colorful Christmas tree adorned with my ornaments I've been collecting since I was a just a wee lass, I'm going to focus on natural colors with a pop of red.

Luckily, the Internet is full of really great decorating inspiration.  

sources:

*noel photo via remppahaikara

*glass jars and pinecones photo via Marianne@songbird

*red stars and light strings via rhbabyandchild

*pinecone trees in terra cotta via founterior

*hanging branch berry cones via annetta bosakova

*square berry wreath via perfectly imperfect


Now, the red light up stars can be purchased, but I think you could easily come up with your own version and make them yourself, just like all the other decorations.

How simple is the tray with glass jars? (I knew I'd been saving all my food jars for something) - a pinecone here, a candle there, an old picture to add to the charm. Just perfect.

The Christmas craft I'm planning on making will be part of my theme (and no, it's not a pomander, though that's a good idea too) and I'm hoping to pull it together next weekend once the turkey and fixin's have settled.

It remains to be seen how I will do in my editing what's in the boxes in the attic.  I've had this mission other years, and I always cave to sentimentality.  Wish me luck.


Did you catch the free printable gift tags in Friday's post? They'd make a great addition to any gift package now or throughout the year.  And if you're looking for some easy recipes this holiday season, yesterday's Sunday morning potatoes are it.  So good.

Hope you're doing great on this Monday. It is absolutely frigid here. Blame it on the wind chill.

Ciao for now,

FREE Friday

Free Printable

As we head into Thanksgiving week here in the U.S., it's the time of year for giving thanks and giving presents (or free printables ;).

Make the gifts you give even nicer with these free printable chalkboard gift tags.

I hope you like them.

Click here to download.

Ready. Set. GIVE!

Freeform Friday

This is from one of my all time favorite albums, Rumors. I spent hours in my room with headphones on listening and singing along.  Oh Lindsey. Swoon.  Click here if you're reading via email.



Any plans this weekend? Nothing big on our horizon. Low key chilling, starting with hanging with the neighborhoodlums tonight, and that works for me.

Enjoy yours.


Ciao for now,

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

Be Our Guest: Stacey from A Sort Of Fairytale

Be Our Guest: Vintage Playing Card Tags

Hello Mercantile Muse Readers, I'm Stacey, from A Sort Of Fairytale and Maggie Jane's Vintage, and I'm so happy to be here Guest Posting today!  

I'm a I'm a Flea Market, Estate Sale, Thrift Store, Vintage Lovin' Wife and Mom. We just bought our first house and I am busy trying to make it the vintage style home of my dreams on budget (a word I wish was not in my vocabulary).  My Etsy shop, Maggie Jane's Vintage, is where I sell vintage and handmade decor, gifts, and supplies.  I also sell at local flea markets (am a total flea market junkie) and vintage markets/events.  I host an Etsy and Online Shop Link Party on my blog, every Thursday, so if you have a shop you would like to promote, come on over and join!  My full time job is Stay-At-Home Mom and my part time jobs are blogging at and selling vintage, and I can honestly say that all three jobs and my life itself are definitely a sort of fairytale!

Today, I have a little crafty tutorial for you!  Do you have any vintage playing cards that you think are pretty, but don't know what to do with?  I just love the images and illustrations on vintage playing cards, they're like little pieces of art!  They also make really good tags for gifts and pretty much anything you want to label.  Here's how to make your own:

Vintage Playing Card Tags

 Supplies:

Vintage playing cards - available on Etsy and in Thrift Shops

Scissors

Hole Punch

Ribbons, Lace - new or vintage

Scrapbook Paper

Paper Punch

Adhesive

Punch out paper shapes with your paper punch, I chose a 2.25" scallop

punch by EK Success.  These shapes will be the labels you attach to the cards.

(Note from Pam.......don't let not having a paper punch stop you, you can cut out whatever shape you like with scissors and use that!)

Use adhesive on the back of your paper punches to secure the punch to the playing cards.  I chose a tape runner adhesive, but you can use any type of adhesive you like (i.e. double sided tape, rubber cement, elmer's glue, hot glue gun, etc).

Affix the paper punch to the center back side of the playing cards.

Using your hole punch, punch a hole at the top center of the card,

I just eyeballed it, but you can measure if you like.  

Cut various styles of laces and ribbons into blank 13 inch lengths, or 

to another length you would like it to be.

Fold ribbon or lace in half and feed through the hole punch and bring

the ends back through the loop, then gently pull tight,

so it looks like this...

Back view of finished tag.

That's it, you're done!

I was also thinking you could add buttons, cabochons, etc. to embellish 

the tags and make them extra fancy.

This is a super easy craft that is full of vintage cuteness, and is a nice way to recycle/upcycle vintage items.  With the holidays coming up, this would be a fun way to embellish all of your packages!

Thank you, Pam, for letting me guest post on your lovely blog today!

Pam: No, thank you Stacey............Love that tutorial and certainly something anyone could tackle. Thanks so much for the time you took in preparing and sharing your vintage playing card tutorial on Mercantile Muse!  I am definitely pinning this great tutorial on pinterest!  (Remember,if you are a pinterest finatic, you can easily pin anything on the Muse via the pinterest link at the bottom of any post).

I encourage you all to stop by Stacey's wonderful shop to see all the goodies she's got in store!

2nd 'Gotta Have It Link' Party & Prints Coming Soon

First, I'd like to say that I was overwhelmed with the response to our link party.  Since so many shop owners stopped by and linked up, I want to give you all a heads up that tomorrow is the start of our second  'Gotta Have It' Shop Link Up Party. Be sure to stop by and add your shop to the party and spread the word!  If you don't have an online shop, no worries. Stop by anyway and do a little window shopping. Browse through the shops that have linked up. I promise, you won't be disappointed-- there is sure to be a wonderful variety of things.  It's just plain fun to look around.

On another note, we are currently waiting on a new printer that will allow us to offer museum/gallery quality archival prints of my illustrations at Bates Mercantile Co. I'm very excited about the new printer given previous feedback from many of you, and our customers, about wanting prints as an option. The printables that we offer just aren't for everyone as they can be a little intimidating for those who are a little less tech-savvy.  We are REALLY excited to be able to offer high-quality, archival glicee prints........just as soon as the new Epson R3000 printer arrives.  Anyone have any paper suggestions? Input always welcome.

Wishing you all a super Tuesday. I've got a long list to take care of including the dreaded bookwork (is there anyone out there who likes it?), as well as putting new items in the shop and printing off and preparing new note card sets to go into the shop. Add that to my 3D business list and my head is spinning!  Feel free to stop by Bates Mercantile Co. later in the day to see what I've accomplished.  What's on your list?

It's a little brisk here today. If you were worried about the dog being cold, don't be. He's staying all warm and cozy, curled up on the couch with his blankie.  It is a dog's life afterall.

Roasting Romas & A FREE Printable/Missoni Inspired

More Missoni Inspiration

Chevrons on my mind.....sounds like a song. They are on my mind, so I created another design with them.  This one is for you. And it's FREE. Cool, huh?

These gift tags are colorful, hip and a little bit retro. 

Any package would be honored to have them attached. At least, that's what I've heard. I think they'd be really cute on a package wrapped in white! But, that's just me. You do whatever you'd like. 

Talk about fun!

Here you go:

Click on picture above, save to computer or copy and paste. These gift tags are set up to be printed on an 8.5 x 11 paper. I also have an idea running around my head for note cards using one of these designs. Stay tuned for an update, as I'm hoping to have them in our store, Bates Mercantile Co., later today.

The Heavenly Smell of Romas Roasting

Finally, the Roma tomato post.....I'm a few days behind on this one. Sorry about that. If you have Roma tomatoes growing in your garden like we do, or can get your hands on some at farmers' market, you need to try this. You won't be sorry.  I had no idea I could roast and freeze my tomatoes until my friend Carey (aka Martha) told many years ago. I've been roasting them ever since, and there is nothing like being in the middle of the winter and being able to add garden tomatoes to a dish for some wonderful flavor.

Here's the scoop (and yes, I know I spelled caramelizing wrong above, but I'm too lazy to change it now):

* you need enough Romas to fill a cookie sheet- if they're big, you can cut in two

* I use a well seasoned cookie sheet- that is to say, one I've roasted a lot of veg on with olive oil. Or one you don't care about 'becoming' well seasoned.

*this is a slow cooking process, but one that doesn't need a ton of tending to

*Romas are the tomatoes of choice for this because they are a meaty tomato with not a lot of seeds. I do also throw some cherries in there too if i have them.

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F. Cut Romas in half if they're on the larger side. Leave them whole if they're on the smaller side.  Grease the pan with extra virgin olive oil. I give it a good glug over the sheet and then spread with a paper towel. Sprinkle pan with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Place tomatoes on cookie sheet and sprinkle with more sea salt and pepper.  Pop in oven and let them do their thing. Check about once every hour and turn. It takes several hours on low heat for them to first, caramelize, and then start looking more like a sun dried tomato. There's no golden rule here, do them until they are done how you like them. I'd say at least until they caramelized and start to brown on the edges.  They do stick a bit due to oil and the natural sugar in the tomato, just use a spatula to flip. I have a little metal one that works great. I like to finish them facing up so that they get a little dryer.  That's it. The flavor is out of this world.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.  If you can stop yourself from eating them all right then and there, let them cool and you can pop them in a freezer bag. Make sure all the air is out, seal and throw it in the freezer. Take out in middle of Winter, and remember why you do all that work in your garden or why you like farmers' market so much. If you have a home office like I do, you can do them any day. If not, the weekend is a great time to do this when you're hanging around the house.

So delicious. Trust me.

Sunset Meadows

Gorgeous day yesterday. 84F. We won't see that much longer, supposed to drop tonight. May have to cover my tomatoes because some are still ripening. 

I caught the sunset before I hopped into the pool last night. I've got to get in while I can. It was out of this world......74F and glorious.

Back to the sunset.  Beautiful streams of light.

A big, bright.................

.........ball of fire.

Hot, but very cool.

Thursday already. How'd that happen? Make it a great one in your little corner of the world.

Peace out.