It's time to interrupt this hiatus (bad blogger!) to bring you . . .

a little peek at our May Release - on sale tonight at midnight central time zone!

By Ms. Becky. . .

 By Ms. Dina. . .

This month's kit has already been claimed as a favorite of the Design Team.  It has so many beautiful colors, but on a muted scale.  I am in love with it!

This month's Project Kit is a fun Portfolio project (I LOVE these vintage can labels from Belgium).  We use one, but you get two blank Portfolio's!

Add-On Kit #1 - "Flea Market" . . . 

And Add-On Kit #2 - "Farmer's Market". . . (how will you choose)??

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what the Design Team creates with this one!!!

Hope you had a happy Easter. . .

We spent the day with family and friends, my first time to host Easter dinner.  The weather was lovely and the food was yummy. 

Our hens are getting big - should be laying by late summer.  We go through alot of eggs at our house so it will be nice to not have to buy them at the store. 

And just in case you wondered about this kid (and in case you thought I favored the older one) - he refuses to cooperate with his mother lately.  I'm hoping its just a phase!

I'm working on some major deadlines this week, but will be back at some point soon to share my great estate sale story and finds from this weekend!

Play Day . . .

Been working on several projects this week (with a few more to go), including the May Project Kit for Mercantile. I used a 7gypsies Portfolio for the base.  Here's a little peek . . .

I am also working on my first on-line class series through the site.  I have what I think would be a really fun idea but I'm still trying to develop it more.  There's just never enough time in the day.  Do you know that feeling?

A Re-Cap of Texas . . .

Well it's been almost a month ago, but better late than never!  Here are a few highlights. . .

 

A little glimpse at the weather on most days (some light rain, but no downpours fortunately). . .

Some of the sweet cows we pasted everyday. . .

Inspiration overload . . .

 I'm not sure what this is. . .

 A Texas sized burger (and me in the boots I scored for $20). . .

Architectural inspiration. . .these things wouldn't fit in our truck (and my pocketbook couldn't handle them either). . .

Happy Monday!

The 15th is tomorrow and you know what that means!

New Vintage Product and Limited Edition Kits for sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. central time (and a Sale, but Shhh. . .blog readers get to know about it first)!

We have several new vintage items going up including n new Antique Album Page, Vintage Crate Labels, a rare find of unused early 1900's cabinet card stock and the following:

Sweet vintage metal license plates in the palest of peach/pink with red accents (would make an awesome journal cover accent) . . .

Vintage Bath Soap Boxes with wonderful graphics (could hold decorated cards for a great gift). . .

and vintage rolls of French linen cord . . .

I have been collecting more vintage Dennison label boxes ever since I taught this class at Donna Downey's event a year or two ago. I finally pulled together enough and am offering the original project for sale on the site although I had to make a few changes to the original (as some products were out of stock).  It is one of my favorite projects ever (I love working on tiny details)!

I also decided it was about time for another jewelry kit (at the prompting of one of our wonderful loyal customers!!).  This one is made with all vintage parts except for the chain (new stock, Nunn Design).  It is simple to make - you will just need some metal glue and basic jewelry pliers.

We have also put several kits on sale (6 to be exact), some at more than 50% off!  While supplies last - I have less than 8 on most of these.  Below is last year's Travel Kit.

Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. central - see you there!

Want to come and sit a spell?

This is what becons me everyday . . . taunting me to come and rock for awhile.

Afterall, there should be a reward after climbing all of these stairs!

Happy Tuesday!  Hope yours was as beautiful as ours was. 

Playing catch up . . .

after our big sale on Saturday!  We had a great turnout - it was great to catch  up with many of our Vintagefest attendees and to meet some new friends.  If you came by, thanks for coming and I hope you enjoyed unpacking your treasures later in the day!

And I hear the crop was a blast.  I made it home that night and marched straight to bed.  Break down after a show is the pitts!

Just a quick note tonight to mention that my Mega Meet and GASC classes have either sold out already or are very close.  I have been working with both events to add classes.  If and when that happens I will let you know here.

Also, my class at Donna Downey's studio is sold out but I believe there are still a few seats left in my mini workshops at the Inspired Event.

Our busy travel season is about to start  - I'm trying to enjoy the calm before the storm!

Big Day On Saturday!

Don't forget that this Saturday is our one day only Warehouse Sale here in Mt. Juliet at the Holiday Inn Express!  The fun begins at 9:00 a.m.  I have been busy, busy, busy, pricing all of my Texas finds!

If you were considering driving in, here's a little something to sweeten the deal!  I found out this week that the Watertown Mile Long Yard Sale is going on on Saturday as well!  This is just about 13 miles up the interstate from us.  It's more than 12 miles (don't let the "Mile" title fool you) and ends in the town square.  Always great antiques and collectibles along this route.  We can tell you a little more about it at the sale.

And for my friends far and away, the girls have put together a fun on-line crop (you can find out more at the Inspiration Blog ) and I am planning a special on-line sale as part of the release on the 15th.  I didn't forget about you!! 

A Really Dirty Puppy. . .

Someone got herself in a little trouble today, can you guess who? 

Do you think the groomer will charge extra for this?

Is There A Doctor In The House?

My new obsession (okay, 1 of my new obsessions)!  Not only does this vintage doctor's bag have great bones and a sleek look going for it, it passes my stringent test for usable storage AND it has a monogram (extra cool).  I bought this one for me a couple of weeks ago and found one in Texas with a great plaid lining (and twice this big) for resale at our upcoming shows. 

And speaking of Texas, I want to post some photos of our trip but I need to get Jared to send them to me from his phone.  I walked out the door and forgot my camera of course.  I did have the Flip however and took some inspiring video for my Big Picture Class (only 2 more days to sign up)!  Hope to get that post up soon!

My Big Picture Class Has Started!

Hey guys- just a quick reminder that the first week of my Big Picture Class, Re-purpose, Re-think, Re-invent started yesterday!  The last day to sign up for this 12 week course is next Wednesday the 6th. 

I am still loading new content for later in the course (including a fun new video from our trip to Texas).  If you love everything old and want to know what to do with it - this course is for you!

Have a great weekend!

No April Fools Here!

Let's get right to it because this is a BIG night y'all!

There are hundreds of possibilities with this months Papercrafting Kit - from more muted and neutral layouts to the brighter side.  So many fun things to play with.  I really spent a lot of time at CHA trying to find some unique bits for the kits, and this one has some good ones, including those sweet molded flowers I found in bulk.

I decided to try something a little brighter this month for the Project Kit - and I got out my needle and thread!  I loved the results.  Mine is hanging on my old hotel key holder in the dining room.

Our first Add-On Kit is called "Good Day Sunshine" (thank you Doris!) and is filled with golden yellows and bright reds.

Our second Add-On Kit is called "April Showers" and is filled with more muted colors and includes these AMAZING XL "Just Rite" vintage wardrobe hangers that I happened upon in bulk a month ago.

April begins second quarter and as such, the introduction of a new Dime Store Kit.  Doris has already had great fun playing with this one and it's such a deal!

We don't normally introduce additional kits/vintage items on the 1st but the 15th would be too late for Easter Crafting so we have loaded all of our Vintage Easter goodies including this kit for two large treat cones (I had so much fun making these)!

And . . .vintage Easter postcards, vintage brass crosses, antique German scrap, German Foil chicks and more!

And as if that wasn't enough, the entire JBS winter release is now available in our General Store!  Yep - everything. . .Be Our Guest papers and accessorises, spools, tins, stickers, chipboard, rub-ons, Hodge Podge Books and more!

Everything goes live tonight at midnight central time zone!

And thanks to everyone that commented on my last post - its always nice to know you are not alone!

Reality Check . . .

Life is messy sometimes.  Although you typically see photos of my studio with a clean desk, swept floor and "everything in it's place" facade the truth is that is often not the case.  Same with the house in general.  Although the dining room may be clean and decorated, you don't see the door closed behind it leading to the guest bedroom with the paper shades (still after a year), dresser with one changed drawer pull, dead plant, and broken frame waiting to be fixed.

Struggling a bit today with the balance of it all.  I have so many interests, so many relationships, so many responsibilities pulling me in every direction that I just don't feel like I do anything "well" (sound familiar)? 

In having said that, I really began to recognize that my presence on the Mercantile site had been lacking for a few months.  In theory, I didn't go anywhere, but I found myself just going through the motions.  I was putting together the kits, creating projects - but with less heart than I used to have.  But that has changed as of late. . .

You may have already noticed the beginning of some changes (mostly thanks to my wonderful team)!  Site cleanup (with more to come), new easy-to-use message board, member benefits, new kits, new finds (consistently) and a new focus on the content of the kits with a more varied presence of the industries coolest companies.  We have also introduced videos (with some exciting introductions in the next few months) as well as kits designed by our award winning design team.  In the next couple of months you will also see new and exciting exclusives and a new kit structure that will bring more focus back to traditional scrapbookers while continuing to up our offerings of vintage finds and kits for "lifestyle" crafters.  I can also tell you that in the past month I have been beating the pavement (and the internet) and have assembled the largest and most unique inventory I have ever had of vintage and antique crafting supplies with a long list of exciting projects planned.  I am so excited and I hope you are too!  There has NEVER been a better time to be a part of our community.  I am thankful for each and every one of you and I promise not to let you down.  I hope you come along for the ride!

RestaurantWare

Can't you just image the chicken fried steak and potatoes served on these plates?  I don't know who Ed was or where he served up the grub, but I like his style!  I started collecting Krystal and Steak and Shake mugs for my kitchen just before we moved and have been expanding a bit (and as always, I buy to sell what I love so I am stocking up for the Country Living Fairs).  Last week Jared and I met one of my connections from Florida as he was coming through TN and I picked up a set of Delta Airlines plates (1st class baby!) and some sweet scalloped coffee cups.  Logos are such a weakness.

I also want to mention tonight that we have partnered with the incredibly talented Kerry Lynn Yeary who will be creating a series of kits for Mercantile.  Her first one just went up for sale tonight.  Be sure to check it out here.  And remember. . .the March Madness boxes are still for sale, but only until the end of March so you may want to check those out too.  It's a great deal on some classic products.

Happy Monday!

Mark your calendars - this is gonna be a big one!

We are going to have a one day sale next month on April 9th from 9:00a.m. - 5p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Juliet, TN just off of interstate 40.

We have double the space then we normally have and here's what we plan to bring with us:

- the super cool vintage and antique items you are used to finding at our Vintagefest shopping events (displays, knick knacks, ephemera, trinkets and treasures).  I have been shopping for months and this will be our first sales event of the year

- discounted past kits from the Mercantile site of all kinds

- discounted individual products leftover from Mercantile kits

- and NEW to this sale, many discontinued JBS stickers, rub-ons and papers at reduced prices!

I will take some teaser photos the week of the sale AND we will plan something fun for our on-line friends as well.

Do you recognize these people??

For all of you Country Living fans, you may have been perusing your latest issue (just like I was) and came upon a familiar face!  Although I was aware that they were taking photos, I had no idea that we would make it to the ad as the sole representatives (at least living, breathing ones) of the Fair.

Just a few little behind the scenes notes:

- Jared and I did NOT set out to match that day (we never do but it happens quite often).

- I had some super cute red ballet flats that I WAS wearing just 5 minutes before this (who knew my feet were gonna make it to a national magazine).

- We were fortunate to sell alot that weekend but we did not sell that sweet cherry themed lotto card.

- Editor Sarah Gray Miller also filmed a piece for TLC's "Dinner And A Movie" in our booth.  Don't know exacatly where that ended up but hopefully a link will pop up at their site soon.

- We will definitely be back to the Atlanta Fair this year and have our fingers crossed tight for Ohio.

We have had some interesting "opportunities" pop up here lately but I don't think I can talk about any of it yet.  I will be sure to share as soon as I can though!! 

I could post about a million things today. . .

but since we have an AMAZING release planned for tomorrow morning, I suppose that should be at the top of the list!

Tomorrow is the 15th and that means a long list of vintage additions and our first ever March Madness JBS Product Box (the best deal ever)!  Below is just a sampling of what you will find tomorrow, March 15th, at 10:00 a.m. central time.

The release includes. . . these "happy" yellow thread spools.  They are extra large and would make a great photo display with stick pins like I did here for the photo (saw something similar in the latest edition of Flea Market Style).  Or of course you could actually use the thread which would be cool too!  I recently purchased boxes full of spools in different styles, types and colors and will list different ones in the coming months.

I have several of these sweet vintage porcelain hands (ready to hold all of your tiny treasures). . .

I also have 3 different types of these Vintage Large Bird Prints, ready to frame or use in collage projects.  Also look for restock on German Gold Foil Alphabets and Butterflies (and a new addition)!

And last but not least, here's a little peek at the March Madness Box!  We will offer this box through the end of the month or while supplies last.  For the full list of contents and pricing information (more than 60% off of retail) check it out tomorrow!

We have just a handful of this Month's Kits left - check out the Design Team gallery for some amazing inspiration.

Happy Monday!

The sun will come out, tomorrow. . .

And it did.  After rain, rain, and more rain, finally, a day of sunshine.  Our sweet puppy has been sunbathing all day on the driveway.

This is a little peek at one of the new projects I have been working on exclusively for my Big Picture Class.  Sign ups are still going on.  I've been in my studio most of the day (except for the lunch break to Five Guys).  That is very unusual by welcome!

Completed my second YouTube video today too.  Once Jared gets it edited and loaded I will let you know.  It goes over the specific techniques associated with this month's Mercantile Project Kit.  EDITED:  It's up!  Here's the link

Have a great weekend!

Tiny Treasures. . .

are my favorite treasures.  These were awaiting transfer to their new homes in my studio after recent shopping trips.  I couldn't help but snap a shot.

We have an exciting 15th coming to Mercantile.  Lots of new vintage finds and the elusive March Madness JBS product box I have been referring to.  More info on that tomorrow!  And. . .I'm shooting another video tomorrow so I will let you know when that is posted as well.  Have a great night!

Vintagefest Announcement . .

Thanks so much for the inquiries on our little annual event!  We love to put this on and see our old friends and make a few new ones. 

We have decided to offer the event only once a year instead of twice and with the extension now of our local Flea Market for at least another year, we have decided to try a different time of year all-together and are  going to do it this fall.  The date will be announced in May.

However, we are going to have our first ever one day warehouse sale in April.  I will announce the date next week.  We will have all of the stuff we normally have for sale at Vintagefest but with more discounted and discontinued product - lots of great deals!

I promise to share all of the details soon.

And for those of you not in our neck of the woods, we are going to have a March Madness sale box coming on the 15th.  More details on this by Friday!