Gotta Blog It Hop

 

Time To Discover New Blogs

 

Hi guys.  I mentioned that I was considering splitting up the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up for a couple of reasons. Number one and foremost, there hasn't been as much participation by bloggers in the link up as I'd like. Why is this important to me? Well, just as it's important to me to support fellow independent shop owners, artisans and crafters, it's just important to me to support fellow bloggers.

 

This is the thing............there are some AWESOME blogs out there. Some have a good following, some have a tremendous following and others are yet......well, sort of undiscovered.  This is a way to discover them all. I mean, people are writing and creating seriously read-worthy content that includes the likes of daily inspiration, exploration of their creative process, nature, history, just for laughs, cooking up a storm, pretty things and so much more. So, let's get discovering!

 

Welcome to the first dedicated Gotta Have It Blog Hop.

 

I hope if you have a blog, you'll join in and link up and perhaps share a link to this blog hop (the button is available on the button page).  The more the merrier, right?  FYI, the Gotta Have Blog It Hop will be live for a week, so bloggers can add their links until next Thursday.  AND, if you add your blog link, you have the chance being featured here next week on the Muse. So, leave a link!

 

If you don't have a blog, I hope you'll take a look around a follow some links. I think you'll enjoy discovering new blogs.

 

Just a few things before we get started:

 

 

Remember, even if you don't blog, you should still take a look around! 

*****If you are linking up your blog, please read before linking.*****

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, I'd really love it if you followed too. There are plenty of ways in the sidebar.

*Don't link and run. Be kind, hop around and follow links others have left behind.

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr. I'd love to connect!

*These blog hops can't be a success without your help. Can you share a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share wherever you can? If you  inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome. Everyone is welcome - tell your fellow blogger pals. 

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.} I'll let you know when the next hop is underway and about other happenings at the Muse.

*BY ALL MEANS, feel free to leave a comment. Share a little more about you, your shop or blog. Need help to get started? 'How'd you get started blogging?'

 

 

 

 

Thanks for being here and joing in the fun. It really makes my day!

Ciao for now,

 

Things I Found At The Party

The Guests Make The Party

In case you didn't know, when it comes to the success of a party it's not the appetizers you serve, it's not the bar, and it's not the music, although all of them certainly add to the atmosphere. When you get right down to it, it's the guests that make the party.

That said, the current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is chock full of awesome people.  Talented crafters, artists, bakers, collectors and storytellers.....the list goes on.

Is it OK if I introduce a few of them to you?

top row: Dept of Agriculture Victory Garden poster via The Sunshine Grove; polka dot bolero via fox burrow vintage

middle row: necklace via Katie Bug Creations 4 U;  vintage Irving Berlin sheet music via Art's Old Sheet Music;

via Arts Old Sheet Music

bottom row: homemade strawberry ice cream via pamela’s heavenly treats;

pink and gold roping via This and That Crafter

 

How great is that vintage agriculture poster? The Sunshine Grove did a fantastic post on Victory Gardens. What? Never heard of a Victory Garden? Hop on over and learn a thing or two.

I love Brittany's fun style posts over at Fox Burrow Vintage. This girl knows how to piece together on-trend outfits with vintage pieces and she knows how to pick classic vintage that doesn't look dated. She's got some great new polka dot pieces in her shop to. Have I told you lately how I love polka dots. I 'borrowed' a black and white polka dot dress from my sister Gloria once......I never gave it back. I had this great wedge spectator pumps. I'll hazzard a guess I was the only kid in high school wearing a 50s style polka dot dress with spectator pumps. I SO loved that outfit.  Hmmmm, wonder if the pumps are still in my mother's attic. {Mom, get down from the attic!!!!}

Pearls are like polka dots....they never got out of style either, especially when they're in an elegant necklace like the one from Katie But Creations 4 U. Swavorski pearls set off with pretty blue and gold. Just lovely.

I've told you before that my musical tastes run the gamut. You'll find everything in our collection from the Sex Pistols to Irving Berlin. I'm a sucker for Irving Berlin. Art's Old Sheet Music has some very charming vintage illustrations and beautiful sheet music. My parents have quite the collection of vintage sheet music and have framed a few of them. The pictures on many of the covers are works of art.

I'm not just a sucker for Irving Berlin. I scream for Ice Cream. It's my favorite dessert.  As Pamela at Pamela's Sweet Treats proves, making homemade strawberry ice cream can be fun for the whole family.

Talk about sweet treats, how about a giant lolli? Gotcha. That's just Arlene's (of This and That Crafters) way of showing off her pretty pink and gold roping.  Cute, huh? If you need crafting supplies, Arlene has a bunch including some totally retro patterns.  She also happens to be one of the leaders of the treasury team I captain over on, Treasury Island.  So basically, I think she rocks.

Have you had a look at what people left behind at the party yet? You seriously do not want to miss out. Tons of great stuff and wonderful blogs and some really nice people to meet too. If you haven't linked up, it's still alive and kicking. So if you have a shop or blog, swing on by and join the fun.


Go On............Guess What It's Been Doing

Well, as they say, a pictures worth a thousand words.

 It's been snowing. Another Nor'easter. It's just stopped and we got about 12 inches, more than they thought, but we didn't suffer the brunt. The coast is getting battered by very high tides and there is another tonight that could cause serious problems for people.  Plum Island just to the South of us in Massachusetts, has already lost one house to the ocean this morning and two more are headed in the same direction.The storms this season have just been too powerful and have washed away any barrier sand and dunes that were there. So sad for those people. Tons of flooded neighborhoods as well. I really feel for them.

 

Funny how the season started slow with storms and now it just won't let up.

 

Freeform Friday

 

No big plans for the weekend. Just work around the house. Will probably hook up with the neighborhoodlums tonight. Tomorrow, hoping to catch the matinee Bruins game at noon. We played a great game last night and came away with the win.  Call me crazy, but I love a good physical game of hockey....well, as long as I'm not the one on the ice.  We got back into the groove of playing our brand of old school hockey, and that always makes me a happy girl.  Of course, sometimes we're a little more refined and that's good too.

 

Here's the Zman (coming through center ice #33). Zdeno Chara, our captain, who stands 6'9" and is the tallest NHL player.  Don't think he can do ballet? Oh yes he can. (And oh how I love the way Jack Edwards calls a game. The guy kills me.)

 

 

 

And to kick Friday into high gear...........here's a little something that's been a Bruins tradition for years. Boy does this bring back memories of watching the Bs on channel 38 when I was a kid. Nut Rocker.

 

 

 

OK, enough sports nuttery. Time to get some work done so I can play later.

 

Happy Friday gang!

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

PS- if you haven't joined in the Epic Childhood memories here and here, you should. I LOVE reading everyone elses epic memories....be sure to check them out in the comments. So great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It........First Party Of The New Year!

Out With The Old, In With the New

Almost. It's a New Year....and the button above reminds me that it is way past time to update that graphic. Alas, time is all I need to accomplish that task. However, none of that changes the fact that it's PARTY TIME! I know, this news just wiped away all the worry your were having over when I would be able to squeeze in a new button design. Thank goodness.

If you're new to Mercantile Muse and the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Party here's the digitty dig details.

You probably already know about etsy (where we have a shop) and the handmade  movement, resurgence of everything vintage and the explosion of blogs by little peeps like me. Behind that movement are a gazillion creators, pickers, photographers and bloggers who run their own shops and blogs, competing against all the big guys who have gigantic marketing budgets. These little people don't and it's important to me, for a variety of reasons, to give these hardworking people a leg up on the big competition anyway I can.

That brings us to the link party.

The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link party is a place for these shop owners and bloggers to share links and introduce new people (like you) to their wares and their blogs.

It's not just for them though. It's for you. It's an all-in-one free for all where you'll find a great variety of products and blogs, just waiting to be discovered by you.

Plus, it's a party. What more can I say?

Shall we?

 

1. black shrug by MIRIMIRIFASHION  2. ‘masquerade mask by monkey thumbs

3. new year banner by mulberry creek  4. treble clef stencil by Cosmic Emotions
5. champagne glasses by amys vintage decorium  6. customized champagne bucket by Susabellas
7. white chocolate and raspberry fudge by SadiSweetShop  8. friendship sister painting by Sascalia

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******If you're linking up your shop or blog, please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, please follow too. There are plenty of ways in the sidebar.You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. Be kind and follow links others have left behind.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others.

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr. It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I've said it before, but I can not stress enough that I can't make these parties and success without your help. Can you share a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome. Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.} I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway so you join in again, and about other happenings at the Muse.

*BY ALL MEANS, let us get to know you better. Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog. Need help to get started? 'What did you do to ring in the New Year'

Time to get down! (If you're reading by email, click here to go to the party). 

Have a great day. The wind is wild here. Balmy though, so this is good.

Ciao for now,

I LOVE A Party!

via jack smooth

If Not Now, When?

That's right. You heard it here first. It's time for some serious quantities of holiday cheer.  You're up for that, aren't you? I certainly am.

This little party is all about making new friends and supporting the handmade movement, vintageers (as I like to call them), and small business owners in general.  It's a way for small business owners and bloggers to reach new people and promote themselves since none of them have large marketing machines doing it for them like the big guys do.  It also happens to be the last party before Christmas. 

Whether you're a shop owner, a blogger or neither, remember that this party is about having a blast.

So come on in and make yourselves at home.  Shop owners, if you'd kindly leave a link at the party below and help spread the word, this party is an open house. The more the merrier. Other guests, you will not feel left out here...........take a look around, follow the links and find some new things that are sure to go on your wish list. You're going to meet some really nice and very talented people. Everyone, take some time to get to know each other. That's what parties are for, right? 

I do hope you all wore your dancing shoes because it's not really a party without a little dancin'!

1. retro invites via Believe Papergoods
2. red seqin cocktail dress via Bad James Vintage

3. cocktail shakers via Ohio Picker
4. cocktail picks via jack smooth
5. fagottini mozzarella pouches via orobianco
6. tomato jam via copper pot traditions
7. robert goulet via Erma Jewels Vintage
8. ‘dancing’ print via matte art

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******Please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up, please follow too. There are several ways in the sidebar.You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. Follow links others have left behind. People have made sales because of these parties, but in the end, it's about supporting each other.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr.  It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I want these to be the best parties around, but I can't do it without your help. Will you help me by sharing a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.}  I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway so you can promote your shop and blog again, and about other happenings at the Muse. 

*BY ALL MEANS, let us get to know you better. Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog.  Need help to get started? 'What at the top of your wish list this year?'

Time to pah-tay! (If you're reading by email, click here to go to the party).

I'm so glad you're all here at this last party before Christmas. I trust that you are all making your holidays merry and bright.

Thanks for being here.

I'll see you on the flip side,

Things I Found At The Party

via once upon a time

Gifts Galore

Are you all busy find gifts for the ones you love? I'm nearly done. I say that, but I probably have more to do than I realize. If you're still looking for the right gift, there were certainly many possibilities left behind at the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link party last week. Shops are still linking up...it's a happening party to be sure.  There is still time if you haven't linked already, and if you haven't browsed, take a break and have a look around. A big thanks to everyone who has linked up, you help make it a party nobody wants to leave.

The places these parties take me.....so much to see, so little time.

Just look at some of the things I found!

1. White and gold chevron tray via Long Eared Designs. Wouldn't this tray look marvelous serving champagne to celebrate the holidays? I think it'd be perfectly wonderful. Or even to coral things on a desk. Either way. Pretty pretty.

2. Fortune cookie calendar via Messy Bed Studios. My favorite 2013 calendar I've found so far. Guy, gal.....everyone can use a little fortune cookie wisdom.

3. Infinity cowl via Garden and Sea.  Can you even stand that color? POW. Know somebody who likes to stand out?

4. Blue beaded bracelet via Leah Beloved. Again, this color is speaking to me too. Like the ocean in Winter. Deep blue. This would look pretty on any of the ladies on your list.

5. Silver dish via Upon a Dream Designs.  The details on this dish are simply lovely. Is there a vintage lover you're buying for? Someone who likes things that have a bit of history? Check them off with this dish. It doesnt' have to be just for candy. It would look equally nice on a ladies dresser holding earrings or on a man's desk holding paper clips and such.

6. Handwoven baskets via Bright Expectations. Any of your loved ones like to go berry picking? Well, these are perfect for that and so many other things. 

7. Groovy, swirly clutch via Eyelah.  Is there a girl on your list who is a fashion queen. One with extra style? This clutch is screaming her.

8. copper bow via A Bow for Momma. Want to make that big gift you bought look even more impressive? Top it off with this beautiful copper hand tied bow.  Of course, it would look great on a wreath or at the top of your tree too.

Imagine the things you could cross of your list in one fell swoop!

Our bout with warm weather has ended. It was a little weird.  It left with full force when the winds picked up yesterday afternoon, dropping temps from the mid to high 50s, to the high 20s overnight. What? That's just craziness. The good news is, the sun is still shining and the wind dried the two loads of laundry we had on the line.  Now I just have to put it away.............

Did you enter the December Giveaway yet? I can't get over all the fantastic things.....I'd love to win, but can't. It'd just be so tacky to win your own giveaway, don't you think? However, it would not be tacky for you to win. Give it a try, somebody has to win, it might as well be you. 

Today I'm in email marketing design mode for clients.  There will be a lot of that the next couple of weeks, as well as ad design. It's all good.

What about you? What are you working on today?

See you on the flip side,

A Party To Give Thanks

via let them eat pie

A Heaping Helping of The Holidays

Honestly, where does the time go? I simply cannot believe that a week from today is Thanksgiving.  Even if Thanksgiving isn't a holiday in your country, it doesn't mean you can't take something away from this special day.  Take time next week. Cook a nice meal. Gather some people you love. Most importantly, give thanks for all you have.  I think it's a great way to start our holiday season here. The sentiment of thanks should be carried all through the season and into the new year. Shall we begin?

I am very grateful that you're here today, whether you're here to link up your shop/business or your blog, if you're a regular reader of Mercantile Muse, you just found your way here, or are simply browsing through the things people have left behind. It's all good. You all add so much to my day.

Today I'm hosting a link party on Mercantile Muse. It's my way of supporting other small independent handmade artists, crafters, vintage sellers and fellow bloggers.  There are a lot of great people who might be under the radar, but are creating and doing great things. I'd like to change that. The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Party is is the place to discover wonderful things.  [If you're reading Mercantile Muse via email, click here to stop by the party.]

1. landscape photograph via moonlightphotography

2. autumn bunting via peony and thistle

3. appetizer tray via redemption art

4. linen napkins via laurelsusanstudio

5. silver plate spoon via red truck designs
6. grace via LASERolio

7. wine rack via rchristopherdesigns
8. apple pie in a jar via let them eat pie

Ready to Party?

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******Please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up the party, please follow too. There are several ways in the sidebar including via email, Google Friend Connect, Network Blogs, and Bloglovin'. You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. You're linking up because you want new people to discover your shop? You'd love to make a sale, yes? Well, please follow some of the links others have left behind. People have made sales because of these parties, but in the end, it's all about supporting each other.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr.  It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I want these to be the best parties around, but I can't do it without your help. Will you help me by sharing a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams your on? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you will go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.  I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway and about other happenings 'round these parts.

*BY ALL MEANS, let's get to know you better! Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog.  Need help to get started? 'What is your favorite thing about the start of the holiday season?'

and now, the party..............

Don't forget, Monday I'll be showcasing my picks I found through links left behind at the party, so be sure to be here.

I'm hoping you have a great Thursday in your corner of the world. Mine is cold, but bright and sunny and I stocked the fire so well last night it was still going this morning. This makes me very happy.  That baby is cranking.

If you missed yesterday's post, check out the rainbow pictures and the sunset.  Just scroll down or click here for an nice little break at your desk.

I'm in the midst of a mega pile of bookkeeping, you know....my favorite thing to do. Not really.  Don't let me fool you. However, I will be very glad to be organized and to have my desk clear when I'm done.  I'll also be taking some pictures today because I've got good light, planning some new products for Bates Mercantile Co. for the holidays and getting things listed. I'm also pulling together the next giveaway which will be a holiday giveaway, if you're interested in being a sponsor, drop me a line and let's see if we're a good fit for each other (there's an email button below my profile). Add to that some printing of prints, packaging, shipping and my Speakeasy stuff and it's a full day.

Ciao for now,

Things I Found At The Party

via strum and sparkle

So Nice Of You To Come To The Party

The link parties on Mercantile Muse are always such a pleasure. So many goodies to search through.

Finding what people have left behind, is like finding little hints that lead you to different paths and different places.  I followed the trail you all made for me, and just look at the things I found:

1. upcycled silk dress via delight worthyn2. blue rag rug via handmade michelle
3. mermaid ornaments via easy street gallery

4. wristlet via with love and luck5. tea stained thank you tags by strum and sparkle6. hawaii photo via from paradise with love
7. bird print via tangram

I'm glad that so many of you linked up at the party, and I'm eternally grateful to those of you who took the time to support small independent business owners by checking out the links they left behind. So awesome!  In case you are a small handmade/vintage shop owner, or blogger, and haven't linked up yet.....the link party is still live. So be sure to link up. This party is a great way to reach new people.

In Case You Didn't Hear

Today is election day here in the states.  Finally, no matter what side you're on, I bet you'll be glad you don't have to watch or listen to all the negative advertisements after today.  I bet it's one thing we can all agree on.

Please get out and cast your vote today. Remember the people who have fought, and some who have died, so that you can go to the voting booth. Think of all the people around the world who are still fighting to gain that right.  It matters not who you vote for, what matters is that you exercise your right to vote. In case you need me to hit this point home, here's a little reading about 'The Night Of Terror' during the women's suffragette movement in the United States. Think of this happening ten-fold, or 100 fold, all over this world at different times during history, including right now. 

Just. Go. Vote.

Please.

Have a great day. I'll see you on the flip side.

  

Are Your Costumes Ready? It's Time to Get Our Party On!

via dahlia house studio

Halloween/All Saints & All Souls/Dias De Muerte Style!

It's the time of year for ghosts and goblins, trick or treat, and remembering the saints and the mere mortals who have passed.

Did you wear your costume? I mean, it is a costume party after all. This weekend at the neighbr's barn party Gman and I dressed as The Old Man and the Sea (I know, so literary)- he was the old fisherman and I was The Sea.  Then Sunday night I went down to my sister's to hand out candy. I dressed as a pajama party.  It's one time of the year when we can just let our imaginations run wild. More on all the Halloween hoopla tomorrow.

More importantly, it's time to party at Mercantile Muse!  These little 'link parties' are my way of supporting somethings I really believe in. Small business people, the handmade movement, vintage goods and bloggers. It's a place for independent shop owners, business people and bloggers to link up their stuff, show off a little bit and get to know each other and you.  It's a virtual helluva good time. So by all means, join in the fun.

1. day of the dead invites via lucky lady paper
2. ‘waiting to be picked’ via Rosemary Jordans
3. victorian dress via Edgar and Annabel
4. sugar skull necklace via mrd74
5. gold skull swizzle sticks via GnomeSweetGnome
6. haunted house poster via wallpost
7. white chocolate pumpkin bread via Simply Divine Desserts
8. ‘evening celebration’ via dahlia house studio

Ready to Party?

Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******Please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up the party, please follow too. There are several ways in the sidebar.

*Don't link and run. You're linking up because you want new people to discover your shop? You'd love to make a sale, yes? Well, please follow some of the links others have left behind. People have made sales because of these parties, and it's all about supporting each other.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter.  It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I want these to be the best parties around, but I can't do it without your help. Will you help me by sharing a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, share on any etsy teams your on? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you will go on the Mercantile Muse maillist. Corrsepondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.  I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway and about other happenings 'round these parts.

*BY ALL MEANS, let us get to know you better! Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog.  Need help to get started? 'Did you dress up for Halloween? What was your costume?'

One more thing before we rock on.  Would you like to see these Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up parties every Thursday or do they work for you on an every other week basis? You input means a lot.

Let's party!

Thanks for being here.

Have a fantastic Thursday and I'll see you on the flip side,

Things I Found & Overheard at the Party

The Party That Keeps On Giving

Hey guys. Hope this Monday finds you all well.  I'm a little tired because this party keeps rolling on. I love mingling with familiar faces and meeting new people at this little soirees.  It brings a smile on my face to see the neat things you've left behind and what's up on your blogs.

Here's what has tickled my fancy from the current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party (by the way, if you haven't linked  your shop and/or blog yet, the party is still going on so feel free to add your stuff):

1. & 2. notebook & mixed media art from messy bed studio

('my amazing thoughts'- what a great cover for a notebook!)

  3. bunting via quilted bliss by nadine

(thanks to nadine for the heads up on the erroneous link in my email party reminder)

4.  story of Fred Bear’s Hospital Visit via Coldham Cuddlies Calling

(How much do you love that Isobel takes care of patients who need mending)

5. Friendship bracelets via SunFlowerFreckles

(remember making these?)

6. Thrift Score via 20 north ora

(apparently I wasn't the only one who 'scored' this weekend)

7.  kitty cat softies via must have been the cat

(cute kitties from down under...wonder if they have an accent?)

8. & 9.  arrowhead ring and summer vacation link up via blue eyed owl

(have you been blogging about how you spent your summer? stop by liz's place an link up!)

10. gibbe hat via yankee burrow creations

(fabulous vintage hat! I could rock this for sure)

11. 6 things I made via trees.hides.

(funny thing is shirley found this fun little list link up via the content housewife and I found it via Ashley’s She Makes A Home- I plan on participating later this week. ***if anyone else wants to jump on this bandwagon, let me know and I'll link to your post from mine)

What did you find at the link party that went on your list of good stuff?

As I said above, the link party is still live, so if you know any other online shop/business owners or bloggers who are looking to get the word out about their stuff, can you point them this way? I want to support other handcrafters, artists and bloggers as much as possible, and the link party is one way I can pay it forward.

Of course, as always, if you were one of the shops or blogs highlighted today, if you have a blog, you can grab a 'featured here' button over in the righthand sidebar. 

So happy you're here today. It's at the top of my grateful list this first Monday of Fall.

Ciao for now,

Celebrate Summertime

via southernliving

SummerTime is PartyTime

No matter what the commercials want me to think, and no matter what etsy merchandising wants me to think, no matter what back-to-schoolers want me to think, I'm hear to tell you that Summer is not over. (Of course, this is only relevant if you live in this hemisphere.) I am not giving up on Summer. It's here for another month people and I intend to eek every last ounce out if it because I love it and because I know what's coming.  [Talk about eeking out Summer, there is still a little time left (only 13 hours!) to enter the August Giveaway for $150 of handmade. Yup $150! So if you haven't taken a moment to do so, there is no time like the present.]

via studio mucci

In honor of the beloved season of fireflies and starry nights (I know it will be hard to believe for those of you new to the Muse), it's time to do one of my favorite things.....PARTY!  Let's celebrate summer and all the places we go to explore and enjoy it.

via potterybarn

This is the the kind of party where indepedent artists and shop owners, bloggers and crafters alike, can celebrate their stuff.  It's the kind of party where other guests have a look-see at everything people brought to share and let it take you where it may. It's the kind of party where guests have a chance to mingle, get to know a little bit about each other and leave friends.  Are you game?

Step up to the buffet for a bite to eat, in honor of mine and Gar's Summer vacation, the fixin's for a NY chopped salad.

via the pioneer woman

Think of this as you wander around the party.....it's one of my shots from NY. 

via Bates Mercantile Co.

Oh I almost forgot. DO NOT MISS the cocktails! It would be downright silly of you to leave without having Summertime In A Glass. Whoever came up with this idea is my new favorite person.

via southern living

Most of all, enjoy what's left of Summer.

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If you are linking up, please read the Rules of the House, before doing so:

*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.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends. 

*Check back next Monday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It might even be you.

Time to get our party on (if you're reading by email click here it will bring you to the party). 

If you're not linking up, won't you have a look around at all the wonderful things left behind? I don't think you'll be disappointed about sticking around this party.

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Did you get a chance to travel this summer? Where'd you go? If you didn't get away, where are you dreaming of going?

As always, thanks so much for stopping by the party. I love it when we get together this way.

Here's wishing you more fireflies and starry nights,