Better To Give Than Receive and Take A Walk With Us

Grow Love Giveaway

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

A quote from the song Nature Boy, featured in Moulin Rouge and sung wonderfully by Ewan MacGregor (just had to get that in there because he's on list), seems appropriate to go along with our latest giveaway- Grow Love.  This fine art print is the newest original illustration by me (Pamela J. Bates) offered at Bates Mercantile Co.  The winner of this giveaway will receive an archival 8.5 x 11 art print of Grow Love. Yup, I'm already putting that new printer to work.  

Notes about the illustration:

*printed in our studio using on an Epson R3000 printer using Epson Ultra Chrome K3 Archival Pigment Inks

*printed on 8.5 x 11 Aurora Archival Natural Art Paper- lovely paper
(100% Cotton rag content, acid free, 13.5mil card weight)

*the image measures approximately 7.30" x 9.50"

*it fits perfectly in a 15" x 19" frame/mat that I picked up at Target (pictured)

*you will receive an archival print, frame is shown as only an example

*the archival inks and paper used will ensure this print lasts for 100+ years

This giveaway will run 11/10/11 until 12:00 a.m. on 11/25/11 e.s.t.

Here's what you must do to enter:

*Follow this blog (check out the right hand sidebar for ways to follow), and tell us how you're following.

*Visit Bates Mercantile Co. and tell us what your favorite item is.

(if you already 'follow' and 'like' Bates Mercantile Co. & Mercantile Muse, just say so in your comment)

Earn one extra entry for each of the following:

*Like us on Facebook, and let us know you did.

*Spread the word about this Giveaway (receive one extra entry for each way you share this giveaway):

            *Blog about

            *Tweet about

            *Tell your Facebook friends

            *Pin this on Pinterest

 

            *Stumble it on Stumble Upon

            *Tumble on Tumbler

Be sure to comment below to let us know how you entered (i.e. I follow via google friend, I 'Liked' you on Facebook, I blogged about and tweeted, I Pinned this giveaway, etc).

Good luck!

Take A Walk With Us

I didn't get out yesterday with the dog as I had hoped, and it's not looking good for today as there is rain coming. However, we did get out Tuesday afternoon.  We were off to the field.

It was a lovely, warm afternoon. Despite the snow we had on Halloween, Fall has blessed us with a few wonderfully warm days in a row.

Sunset Meadows

When we got to the field, the sun was already starting to go down.  It cast a lovely hue.

Nice, huh?

Reminder- if you haven't linked up your online shop or blog (if you have one), be sure to do it. Taking part of our Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up is a fun way to reach new people for free.

Have one heck of a fantastic Thursday. Right now the windows are open (before the rain gets here), the birds are singing and there is work to be done. All is well in Stratham.

See you on the flip side.

Art Prints Are HERE and Gotta Have It Shop/Blog Link Up

Business Before Pleasure: Ready To Print and Roll

I am happy to say, that after much rolling around under my desk, moving computer, rearranging wires, reconnecting wires, setting up the new printer, ink and drivers, we are in business.  Our first art print rolled off the production line yesterday. It was printed on our new Epson R3000 with archival Epson Ultra Chrome K3 pigment inks with vivid magenta, on beautiful Aurora acid free art paper and it looked fabulous.  Can I get a whoop whoop? Perhaps a Hallelujiah? It's been a long-time a-comin'.

I'll be signing all of my original illustrations on the back, so you know that you've received something directly from the aritist.  I am now busy trying to update the listings in Bates Mercantile Co., our online etsy store, to reflect that we now carry prints, in addition to our printables. 

One thing about the whole set-up process. If we can put a man on the moon, why or why must we have this knarly mess of wires attached to computers?  Just wondering.

Onto the party.........did someone bring the salt for the margaritas?

Gotta Have It Shop and Blog Link Up Parties

I'm a pay it forward kind of gal (if you missed yesterday's Favorite Finds post, don't miss the shops I included this time around). I like supporting small business owners like myself. We need all the help we can get. So, in that vain, here are our Gotta Have It Shop and Blog Link Up Parties.  They're a place for fellow online shop owners and bloggers to promote their shops and blogs for FREE. So join in and link up!

It's pretty easy. Really. Here's all I ask:

*Consider following Mercantile Muse if you like our blog. On the righthand sidebar, there are several ways to follow.

*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)-- be sure to scroll down further for the Gotta Blog It link up.

*Please 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/Gotta Blog It if you can. The more traffic the link ups get, the more it benefits us all. Much appreciated if you blog, tweet, facebook about the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It.

*Leave a comment...(how's the party is working for you, how you found it, and did you get traffic from the last party).  

*If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button for this free promotion link up party from Mercantile Muse's button page and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome. 

Time to party! Oh man, someone spilled their drink already..............

Now for the blogs......Gotta Have It Blog Link Up. Post 'em here!

Have a great Wednesday. The sun is shining here. Will do my best to get out and about with the hound at the end of the day. 

Be sure to stop back tomorrow, as I'll be announcing our next giveaway.

ttfn,