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,

Things I Found & Heard At The Party

via literatepackrat

CleanUp Can Be Fun

Following the start of each new Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party, I post take a look around and post things that participants have left behind. There is always such a great bunch of links, that it doesn't make my job easy.

That said, here are my picks from last Thursday's party (which is still going on if you haven't linked up yet).

Krista, from Block.Paper.Scissors  linked up to one of her photo blocks. What a great idea. Add the burlap and you've pushed my love for this item over the top!

via Block.Paper.Scissors.

Think you know what this little worry bird is made of? Go ahead, guess. Go on, I'll give you a second. OK, that was a second.

via literatepackrat

Ready for this one? Junk mail. The secret is out. Have you ever seen junk mail look so cool? Katrina (my neighbor to the north by about 20 minutes), or Literate Packrat, shreds and boils down her junk mail to make her own special 'green' paper mache. Honestly, can you believe that?

One of the things I love about vintage, is the story of ingenuity vintage pieces often tell. This clothes dryer rack from Kathy of The Shop Up North (another granite stater!) is all about efficiency.

via TheShopUpNorth

Folds out when in use, folds away when it's not. Somethings just don't need to be improved upon.

How about a little beauty times three.  One strand of tourmaline wasn't enough for my etsy teammate and pal Marci of 3pearls, so she made three.

via 3pearls

So lovely. 

There was no ignoring this link. Quite simply, because lilacs are my aboslutely favorite flower.  Rosekraft made this lovely bouquet from finds in her yard.

via rosekraft home & garden

Just look at the glorious peachy colored hydrangea tucked in underneath the lilac. The benefits of living in California at this time of year.

Follow the link from OffOurWall gallery, and you'll find the amazing mosaic art of Ernest Amaral. 

via offourwall

Need a book suggestion? Stop over to LayOffTheBooks. Cathy has a few picks that she gives full reviews of, always nice to get someone elses take before you choose your next read.

via layoffthebooks

See what I mean about cleaning up after the party being fun?

Enjoy your Monday in your corner of the world and I'll do the same in mine.

Ciao for now,



What I Found & Heard at the Party

via knitwedding

Who Told You I Was a Party Girl?

OK, the cat is out of the bag. I love a good party. The start of our current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party is not exception to the rule.  The first link had me drooling on my keyboard.

Thanks go to Lynette for dropping by with Cauliflower Prosciutto Casserole. Love cauliflower, love proscuitto. Add to that some cream and cheese and now I'm in heaven.

via sweetposydreams

Gar's eyes rolled back in his head when I mentioned this recipe. We'll be excited to try this one. You can get the recipe from Lynette on her blog Sweet Posy Dreams!

Isn't the color of this knit lariat by knitandwedding fantastic? Coffee Milk.

via knitandwedding

Whatever you call it, it's one fantastic neutral. Knitandwedding also has a wonderful selection of lovely shawls and shrugs. I think this one is perfect for spring and summer over a tank.

via knitandwedding

Delicate enough to be cool over a tank, but still keep you warm on as the evening air sets in. Plus it looks way too cute with tank and jeans (not that there aren't other ways to wear it!).

Check out this eency weency book pendant from HaleysPaperLove! Teeny tiny always ups the cute factor as far as I'm concerned.

via hayleyspaperlove

Hayley started making these after being urged by friends and customers at the last craft show she attended. What a great way to use up scrap paper!

Leslie, from 925Maille, makes use of chainmail in her pieces and I really adore it. Whether it's a chunky chainmail bracelet set with a delicate pearl, or a more substantial accent like this abalone, it all works together beautifully.

via 925Maille

The lines of the chainmail bracelet, combined with the opalescent waves in the  the abalone have me saying gorgeous.

Talk about a happy tote. Oh, I know why.......

via minminsa

Yasmin, of MinMinsa lives in Barbados! Hello sunshine. Hello island life. Hello happiness.

Update. Barbados isn't the only place producing bright, happy colors! So is the South of France! Lovin' this new line from Cari-Jane Hakes of HybridHandmade. Cari's shop and blog are among my favorites. 

via hybridhandmade

I wait with baited breath for her What I Caught In My Net posts. Always amazing.

The party brings lots of guests and one cool things is we all get to meet new people.  Alas, Beccra found her way from Darwin, Australia, to Louisiana and then to Mercantile Muse.

via trueblog

I love the way the world wide web makes this all possible.  Stop by Beccra's place Trueblog and show her some blog love, won't you? And while you're there, if you have a remedy for fire ant itch, would you please share it with Beccra?

Thanks for linking up everyone. It wouldn't be a party without all of you!

Makin' Me Smile

Kat Ezat, was nice enough to pick my print as one of her four faves from her blog's StockTake link up!!! Thanks Kat! Be sure to add your latest shop item to Kat's StockTake and you might find yourself among her favorites next month. Cool stuff.

Have a fantastic Tuesday. The sun is shining here. I started my day with tea and brekkie and then a little early more raking before hitting my desk. It's a Spring ritual. The snow drops are up, the purple vinca is blooming in spots, and tiger lilies and other things are already pushing through the earth..........this too makes me smile. 

Ciao for now,

Things I Found & Heard At The Party

via storytellersvintage

It's Amazing The Things People Leave Behind!

In no particular order, here are some wonderful things I discovered at our current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party.

What do you think of this chalcedony necklace from contempojewels? I'm in love.  

via contempojewels

I think the blue is absolutely stunning. You're sure to make a statement with it  around your neck.

I am a huge fan of wood, and letting the natural grain be the star. The smell of sawdust actually makes me happy.  I guess it stems from my Dad's workshop in the basement.  Well, fellow Granite Stater Ron, from RJM Woodworks really knows how to bring the beauty of a piece of wood to life as shown by this cherry scarf pin.

via RJM Woodworks

Ron also makes wooden spoons that would be absolutely perfect for making the best risotto!

Your cuppa coffee would look so sweet 'wearing' one of these coffee cozies from another Granite Stater, SelkieMum.

via selkiemum

The bonus? You'll actually be able to hold that hot cup!

Personally, I love hearing a kid laugh. When they get the giggles? Even better. Debbi over on Yankee Burrow Creations (formerly our home to yours) gave me my laugh of the day with this video. A boy and his Grampa. You just gotta love it.

Traci of All Things Luci Rae, thought this project was taking a turn for the worse and that it would become an epic failure. In the end, she rocked this redo.  Just love the wine rack on the side!

via allthingslucirae

In addition to wood, I have a thing for gold lame.  Is there anything more glamorous? 

My mom had a purse very similar to this one from StoryTellersVintage. Had being the keyword. It's now mine.

What did you find at the party? Did you discover a new shop, a new blog or something that speaks to you?

Share away.

It's Monday and the sun is shining. We'll take it. Make it a great one.



Things I Found & Heard At The Party

via starlightwoods

Over the moon and the rainbow about hosting!

I really enjoy hosting the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It shop and blog link up.  It such a fun way to support independent shop owners and bloggers. There's also many wonderful links to check out, and you just never know where they're going to take you.

Oh the places I've been and the things I've found so far, and there are still people linking up!

Let's start with these wonderful plates. That starburst in the center is a really lovely detail, as are the scalloped edges. So very pretty.

via sweetposydreams

By the way, sweet posy dreams also has a blog you should check out.

Speaking of blogs, don't miss Angie's bathroom makeover at knickoftimeinteriors. It's something else. She left no stone unturned. No floor undone. Seriously, great ideas in this reno!

via knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com

Guess what? Angie also has a shop. Funny how that works.

The lead up to Valentine's Day brought lots of hearts to the party.

A sweet lavender sachet from KatEzat.

via katezat

Love those hombre style stripes. (On a side note, look at those strawberries! I want to just reach out and grab one!)

How about a little chalkboard style from layoffthebooks.

via layoffthebooks

And you guessed it, both layoffthebooks and katezat have blogs too. We're talking busy, busy people round these parts........creating, crafting, selling and blogging! Not enough time in the day.

OK, always enough time to sit down and have a snack like this. Um....Yum.

via cubitsorganics

Cold Morning Carrot, Zucchini and Raisin Muffins from Laura at Cubits Organics. If you're looking for the seeds to grow your own ingredients for these, check out Laura's shop.

I just love these stoneware jars from cottagy. They remind me of the polo ground mugs my parents have had on the breakthrough forever.

via cottagy

Need a little spice drawer makeover? Kristen at differentshadesofgreen has really great free printable labels to help you out.

via differentshadesofgreen

So much cuter than the store containers, don't you think?

I just love this necklace by starlightwoods. How could you not be smiling if you were wearing a rainbow?

via starlightwoods

This necklace also shows me where Hailey from melonheadbookmarks (who I blogged about last week) gets her talent and eye for color from........her mom Lisa, the artist behind startlightwoods (love both of those shop names girls)!

As you can see, there is just so much to be found at the shop and blog link ups.  It really is too much fun.

Speaking of fun, who doesn't like to win something? There are still a couple of days to enter our current giveaway for the Louis Louis in Pink print. If you haven't yet, it's easy!

What are you waiting for?

Have a great Monday in your corner of the world. I'm still on Mission Organization and will be for awhile. It's all good.

Ciao for now,