I'd Like To Introduce You To Some Friends Of Mine

via oBo creations

People You Should Know

It's time for this month's sponsor spotlight. Why you ask? Because these people are so generous and talented, I think it's important to introduce you.

Just so you know, there are mere hours left to enter this month's giveaway, which is again, quite ridiculous.  This months sponsors are all part of the $175 in handmade awesomeness that is going to go to one lucky person. One. If you haven't entered, you won't have a chance. If you do, so excited you act like Tom Cruise on Oprah's couch. Except your excitement might last longer than his. Just sayin'.

I can't tell you how thankful I am for the support of these wonderful people. I hope you take a moment to check out their shops. They rock. Of course, you can also check out their other links and connect with them in different ways. It's worth it. There are great people to know. Just look at what they're giving away for pete's sake!

Studio Mucci makes whimsical LUXURY PAPER DECOR out of high quality tissue paper. Whether you’re planning your wedding, birthday party or redecorating, Studio Mucci products can be used to brighten any event or transform your home into something magical. Everything is hand-made with love, and a great deal of care. Based in Stillwater, Oklahoma Studio Mucci serves a global market, which includes both direct customer sales and retail distribution to the world's fashion elite.

You will find Studio Mucci here:

etsy shop/facebook/twitter/pinterest/tumblr

Foothill Fibers 'n Photos

Kate is a busy lady. She has two shops on etsy, one of them Foothill Fibers 'n Photos where she offers one of a kind creative crochet, photography and patterns. Clutches, bags, sunsets, and beach scenes all live harmoniously at Foothill Fibers 'n Photos. Kate also sells patterns to you can crochet awesome pieces too.

You will find Foothill Fibers 'n Photos here:

etsy shop/ Kate’s Other Shop- StoryTellers Vintage/facebook

Papyrusaurus

Ashley plays with paper in a variety of ways which sometimes turn into fun, sometimes hillarious papergoods, Papyrasaurus has bookpage print  for your walls to handmade stationery, and whimsical ornaments . She's a crafter who makes book page prints, cards, ornaments and more. Many of her items show off her playful, funny side.

You can find Ashley & Papyrusaurus here:

etsy shop/ facebook

oBo Creations

oBo offers colorful OOAK hand painted jewelry by Olga. Her signature style is a "dragon skin" pattern which she creates using a special technique and paint that results in magical unpredictable shapes and color shades. Each piece is unique. oBo’s range includes pendants, rings,  bracelets, necklaces, and bobby pins.  Olga has plans to expand her line to include non-jewelry itesm such as key chains and portable mirrors etc. - all  painted in her ‘dragon skin’ style.

oBo Creations can be found here:

etsy shop/facebook

Lucky Cat Handmade

Mafalda makes the loveliest accessories including purses of varying sizes and cases for your glasses and phones.  She works with beautiful fabrics to create designs that will cheer you up whenever you use them.  You’ll find that Lucky Cat Handmade only uses the best fabric and hardware, ensuring that each piece is made with love and care.

Lucy Cat Handmade can be found here:

etsy shop/facebook/blog

Hybrid Handmade

Cari-Jane is always finding inspiration around her, especially from nature and incorporates that into her designs.  She is a trained architect, but works away in her Hybrid Handmade atelier as a metal-smith making jewelry.  Her architectural influences can often be seen in her works, as well as her love of nature which most often inspires her. She works in series, exploring different themes and is currently creating new works in her Into The Wild range. Hybrid Handmade jewelry is a lesson in details, often unseen except by those who wear it. Her aim is to create pieces which have a power to transform an ordinary outfit into something extraordinary.

Hybrid Handmade can be found here:

etsy shop/facebook/twitter/pinterest/flickr

The other two sponsors are me and the Gman. You'll find our stuff in Bates Mercantile Co. and more on Gar's studio here.

I'd love it if you got to know these shops a little better. I don't think you'l be disappointed.

(if you're receiving by email, I apologize if there are no pictures. Blogger is playing games. I'm off to try to outsmart it!).

Have a great day,

Pam

ps- don't even ask about the formating! It's doing it's own thing there too. Argh!

 

Photo Challenge: Day 5

via myboju life

Retro Groove

The Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge is in full swing and a has been a ton of fun. What a hoot it's been seeing everyone's take on one theme. Still plenty of challenges left if you want to join in.

From the streets of London to aMAZE-ing Hawaii, retro grove can be found in all corners of the globe. That doesn't even make sense, seeing as how a globe is round. However, retro groove is everywhere.

While on vacation recently, Bonnie got to visit this neat museum. A time capsule of sorts.

'gonna sit right down and write myself a letter', via Bonnie, {paperkeeper}

For good measure, Bonnie sent this one of her mom and friends looking ever so glamourous at the beach. Fabulous!  Bonnie's Mom is styling the longer curls on the left.

'bathing beauties', via Bonnie, {paperkeeper}

The 70s grass cloth wallpaper in Kristen's home has been the bane of her existence for a long time. It's down, but it took a lot of effort. I kept telling her, I kind of liked it.

'keep off the grass', via Kristen, Milo and Molly

Maybe I'm just a nut, but I actually think the other wallpaper Kristen had to deal with is kind of groovy too. Kristen? Not so much.

'if these walls could talk', via Kristen, milo and molly

This one is killing me. Emma, that pineapple really suits you.

'ahola `oe', via Emma, mybojulife

You must read about Emma's pineapple maze skills. Not all was lost Emma, you got some great shots, right?

Kathy's shot forces me to date myself. I'm here to tell you, I was a cheerleader and I wore saddle shoes.  We might have been the last squad to do so. I think they're still in my Mom and Dad's attic.  I thought they rocked. 



'saddle up', via kathy, double nickles and beyond

I'll admit something else. I have never mastered the hula hoop. I think I can can get them going now, but my problem is I always use too much hip.

'70s swing', via Pam, Mercantile Muse

Love everything in this vignette from Traci ....the ginger jar lamp, the camera, the scale, the suitcase. Well, you get the idea.

'classics in their own right', via Traci, All Things Luci Rae

This 'see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil' picture from Karen makes me want to know more of the story. Where was this? When was this? Were you at a concert? Were these you high school or college pals?

'what were they up to', via Karen, Bridgit's Bell

Harken back to a gentler time and place.....around the May Pole of course.

'rainbow ribbons', via Karen, Bridgit's Bell

Came across this mint condition el camino in our yard sale travels last summer.

'cherry red', via Pam, Mercantile Muse

I only have to look out my window to see my neighbor's barn.

'nice view', via Pam, Mercantile Muse

Ashley's dh's totally groovalicious tie collection. I would seriously be stealing these from my husband.

'fit to be tied', via ashley, papyrusaurus

How'd you like to cruise around London in this classic Ford Popular? Well, that's what Cari-Jane and her husband have been doing, now that he got this baby running.

'toot toot', via Cari-Jane, Hybrid Handmade

According to Cari, 'people STARE, take photos and you get to feel like a celebrity (except that it is the car that is the celebrity).   The horn goes 'toot toot' and the indicators are little flags that pop out of the side.'  Other than the olympic flags in this shot, this could be London many moons ago.

Oh how I'd love a ride in that baby.

Fantastic submissions as usual. Thanks for joining in.

Other fantastic things? It's Monday. Start of a fresh, new week.  Yesterday's pop-up drenching thunder/wind storm only rained on 5 pieces of clothing instead of an entire wash like last week (I was too fast with the laundry basket this time).  The giveaway is going strong and has some of the best stuff around, all for you to win. To top things off, there's a little bit of networking happening on our facebook page. Stop by and share a link to your shop and/or blog and meet some new peeps. If you're not a shop owner or blogger, stop by and 'like' us anyway. I post a lot of neat stuff that you won't necessarily find here on the Muse.

Make it a great week. Don't forget to get your submissions for Day 6 of Photo Challenge (eency weency) to me by end of day tomorrow.

Ciao for now,

Ever Have One of Those Days?

via BatesMercantileCo.

The Story of the Clothes That Wouldn't Dry

We've had a few days of intermitent showers. Yesterday seemed to settle a bit. Gman threw a laundry in yesterday morning and I hung it out on the line.  Like mother like daughter. 

It was a huge load. Told Gar to a go a little lighter next time. God love him for throwing it in though. However, it took up the entire line and then some.  It was drying quite well with the sun shining on it.

I was sitting at my desk when everything became dark and the skies opened up. I mean opened up.  The driveway became a lake, and the river extended from the drive all the way down the side of our yard, creating a lake at the far edge of the backyard as well.  I thought the extra grill gas tank was going to float away. 2" of rain all in the matter of 10 minutes.

Ah, the laundry. What can I say?

via Bates Mercantile Co.

It's really, really, really clean now. 

I also found the inspiration for the illustration above. Not a terrible rain storm after all.

A Treasure Trove Of Good Things

If you haven't entered the August Giveaway yet, you must. There is simply too much stuff to want and win. Remeber, you can't win if you don't enter and let me tell you, you will want to win. At least I think you will.

If you've been around, you've probably noticed I'm tweaking the blog...header change and some changes on the sidebar including easy little buttons beneath my profile for connecting all sorts of ways. I just love that. The changes are a work in progress so 'fair warning'. Does anybody out there know how to reduce the padding between the widgets on the sidebar? If you do, please email me (see aforemention buttons on sidebar beneath my profile). Ready to pull my hair out on that one, and I'm not sure that would be a good look for me.

If you are taking part in the Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge, get me your Day 4/Dark of Night entries today please. That is if you want them to be included in tomorrow's post. 

How'd your day go yesterday? Was it a 'deluge on your laundry' kind of day or did you roll merrily along?

Today will be better. Family coming in from Dublin. Yay! 

Peace out friends. I'm glad you're here,

Happy August. Time For A New GIVEAWAY!

via starlight woods

You Are Not Going To Believe This One

All I can say is, lucky you! You are going swoon over the loot you can win in this giveaway.  Probably wouldn't be right for me to enter my own giveaway, huh? But if I could, I would. Are you sitting down?

Without further ado.............

Can I get an h to the e to the double l yeah? Holy guacamole. Someone is gonna hit the payload.

Thanks to my sponsors:  Starlight Woods (facebook, twitter, website), DreamPillowZzz , {PaperKeeper} (facebook, twitter, blog), Bleu Oiseau Photography (website, facebook, twitter, blog, etsy FPoe team blog), Lia Artisan Concrete Designs, Lee's Whimsy (facebook), and Hayley's Paper Love (facebook, twitter). 

Now, you do have to do a few things to enter, but really- it's a no brainer. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wishing you the best of luck! Now onto the Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge.

Photo Challenge Day 3: Self Portrait

Honestly, I apologize to those participating in the Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge (anyone can join in) for this one. Ugh.  You all look quite lovely, but personally I must have taken at least a gazillion shots and didn't like any. Go figure.

Does Emma have to be so darn cute?

via Emma, mybojulife

Cute. Cute. Cute.

Here's the craft queen herself.....Traci, watching herself become the first loser on Craft Wars. She's killing me. In a good way, of course.

via Traci, All Things Luci Rae

Oh yeah, this girl knows how to style a dust mask and paint.  Traci's usual 'uniform'.

via Traci, All Things Luci Rae

By the way, could her teeth be anymore perfect? Just sayin'.

The lovely and talented Ms. Cari-Jane Hakes, embodying the classic beauty of Audrey Hepburn.

via Cari-Jane, Hybrid Handmade

I have never looked this good with a headscarf on in my life. I'm gonna have to work on that.

I'll let you all in on a little secret. Bonnie is not nearly this serious. Then again, maybe I don't need to say that since she captured this cool shot in the loo.

via Bonnie, {PaperKeeper}

How did you do this never ending repeat photo? Off the bathroom mirror? Very good.

Um. Rock star material. Yup, it's Ashley.

via Ashely, Papyrusaurus

Lastly, moi.

One more of me in the pool in all my glory, or not. Just because I talk about the pool so much. Missy Franklin I am not. 

Thanks to all of these brave women for putting themselves out there. Hopefully the next challenge, dark of night, will be a little easier to capture. Get your submissions to me by end of day Thursday (there is a nice new little email button in the sidebar at right), so I have time to prep the post for Friday. If you're not playing along, you should.

Super long post with the Giveaway and the Challenge. It's all good though. Thanks for sticking with me to the end. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Ciao for now,





What You've Been Waiting For - GIVEAWAY TIME!

It's Here!

In celebration of my '1Year Blog-Aversary' next Friday, we're kicking off the celebrations with one totally **%^#* spectacular giveaway! In fact, it's fantastically wonderful. I'm not just saying that either. There is more than $180 worth of goods at stake here people. Can I get a 'Holla'?!  The good news is, there are lots of ways for you to earn entry points, so have at it. The more points your earn, the more chances you have to win.  Sa-weet. The winner will be announced next Friday, June 22nd.....on my Blog-Aversary! So psyched to celebrate this way. 

You may want to sit down for this. What? Oh. You're already sitting down. Well then, no time like the present (get it? present?).

Wouldn't you like to win all of this?

Enter away!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


I must thank all of the ladies and the gentleman who so kindly jumped at the chance to sponsor this **%^#* giveaway. It would be so great if you visited them wherever they can be found on the web. You can even earn points for visiting their shops! Get to know them a little better....they all just happen to be awesome.  After all, without them, this giveaway wouldn't be nearly as
fa-shizzle shaZAM as it is.

Kristen from MiloandMolly:  blog, twitter    

Duni from PeriDotbyDuni: blog

Angela from Garden and Sea: blog, twitter, pinterest

Paige from Little White Chapel: blog, twitter, pinterest , flickr

Bonnie from {PaperKeeper}: blog, twitter, facebook 

Leona from Lee'sWhimsy: facebook    

Amy from MaisonDecor: blog

Garrett (aka G-Man, Gar, dh) from Lia Artisan Concrete Designs: website

You guys (or gals and a guy) ROCK!

One more thing, if you missed the party yesterday, you didn't really miss it. It's still going on! So if you have an online shop or blog- link up, or if you just like to browse, check out the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party. It's a good way to avoid that work in front of you.

Freeform Friday

Yes, you heard me right people. It's Friday. Got a little groove on last night with my Champagne Ladies thanks to DJ T-Roo spinning the old school vinyl. So why not start the blogaversary celebration in the same fashion?. You can up  get up now if you're still sitting (once you hit play of course). You know.....to dance. Click here if you're reading by email.

Thanks for being here today!

Ciao for now,