New Kits at Mercantile tonight!!

Just got back into town and it's already time for another month of kits!  Our Papercrafting Kit sold out in the first week last month so be sure to snag one up quick (and you won't want to miss this one). . .

Here Keisha has used two of my favorite things from the kit, the EXCLUSIVE Medallion Clear Stamp and the XL Vintage "First National Bank" Blank Receipt Page. . .

And here's is a little detail shot of all that is included (check out the super cool vintage "Queen Seal" label and the sweet paper doilies from GCD . . .

In honor of our amazing county fair starting in just 2 weeks, I have completed a "Blue Ribbon" ATC sized album for the Project Kit this month.  It has a ton of pages with simple, but elegant details.  I really enjoyed putting it together. . .

 Beginning this month, we have altered our Add-On Kit offerings a bit.  We now have the aptly named "Antiquarian Kit" for the vintage lovers. . .

And the aptly named "Artisan Kit" for those who love details and want more coordinated embellishments and alphabets. . . Thanks to Ranjini for coming up with the super cute names!

All 4 kits go on sale tonight at midnight, central time!

Just remember. . .

the next time you think about taking off those super cute shoes and replacing them with something a little more practical (but not so cute), you may just have someone take your picture that then becomes part of an ad campaign, including this HUGE version printed on a million postcards.

Lesson learned . . . the hard way!

We are back from CHA, barely, but off again for some R&R.  I promise my sloppy blogging will end once school starts again (August 1st, can you believe that)?!?

A little secret. . .

Although we have always released product in between shows, we decided to actually show the mid-release for the fall this time at CHA-S and take preorders (as a "split-ship if you will.  These items will ship Oct. 1st).  This product of course consists of an extension to our classic Red/Black line (my favorite yet!) as well as a few other goodies that have been secret until now. . .

Introducing my full size, divided, reproduction Cigar Box!!  It comes fully wrapped with the vintage imagery you see pictured below (and last photo), although the bottom of the inside of the box remains kraft color.  It is perfect as-is for all of your studio storage needs or would make a GREAT gift box for a teacher, etc., filled with goodies!

However, my favorite use of course,  is to alter it!  This is my sample for show (using our new extension papers).  I created everything you see but I LOVE that you can add bits and pieces from your collection of vintage goodies too (like the flower frog and the old stamp pad shown here).  The box is not wood, but it is a very heavy board and is very sturdy.  And I love the fact that you could close this up and put it away easily for storage (image one for Halloween, one for Christmas, one for Valentines, etc.)!

I'm so very excited about this.  I hope you are too!!

Tomorrow is the 15th!!!

And you know that means some great vintage treasures coming your way over at Mercantile!  Tomorrow morning, Friday the 15th, at 10:00 a.m. central time zone. . .

We were able to put together a few more of these "Seed Packet Envelope Book Kits" from my Petticoat Junction weekend.  Lots of vintage goodness here! 

We have vintage, colorful Belgium fruit labels in a set. . .

Awesome old-stock shirt button cards that were never used . . .

Sweet vintage coffee bags with a cute farm scene (I love these type of bags to use as gift bags). . .

Another Antique Album Page offering, this one with sweet cherub decorations. . . 

Hardcover vintage hymnals. . .

Softcover vintage hymnals. . .

Sweet old-stock candy store paper bags for Lemonade Drops. . . 

Very cool and old "Member" pins - a very small handful of these available. . .

And finally, cute "Royal Seal" flour sacks - love the graphics on this!!

See you tomorrow!!

Petticoat Junction

I spent a wonderful Saturday this past weekend with these lovely ladies at the Petticoat Junction Retreat House in Normandy, TN.  It was such a relaxing place to learn and play.  I'm hoping the ladies enjoyed it as much as I did.  We set up our little shop in the parlor and everything just seemed to look right at home in the there with the beautiful fireplace and surround.  Bonnie was a great hostess and the food was AMAZING.  Seriously - if for no other reason you should go just for the food!  She books private retreats all year long.  There are themed rooms to stay in and a crop room where each person gets their own area.  And I'm not sure how it works otherwise, but for this event the classes, board and food for 3 days was included for an unbelievable price.  If you live in the area and have any interest in booking for your group, you can find out more information here.  I know she books early for the fall.  We plan to try to do this again next year so stay tuned!

Thank you ladies for a wonderful day!

A new layout with some new product!!

So finally I can show you some of our new summer products and I thought the most fun way to do that would be in the form of a layout!  I was so happy to have some time in my studio on Sunday.  I can't tell you how long it's been since I did that.  I even took the time to re-thread my sewing machine which I never allow myself time to do. 

So can you spy the new products??  I don't want to spoil all that is going on this week over at the Mercantile Blog, but I can tell you that here I used the following:

- NEW Clear Backed Foam Stamps (I used one from the "Classic" set and one from the "Borders" set here).
- NEW Ranger Paint Color (Weather Vane)!
- NEW Alterable Chipboard Numbers (we have alphas too.  They are a matte finish with screened back patterns, perfect for altering with our Ranger Inks to any color your heart desires)!
- NEW Doily Flowers (I have died and gone to heaven!  These are a flexible plastic material.  TONS of applications for these.  You can mask with them, cut them, paint them, etc.  They are perfect for jewelry making as well).
- NEW Decorative Brads (one is shown here - from our "Rhinestone" set).

And there's even more to come!  Stay tuned!

A Big Bash. . .

This past Sunday we had our first ever Forth of July party!  Our friends from Boston came in with their beautiful children to stay with us.  Steve was Jared's childhood friend and neighbor and they are as close as brothers.  In fact, both families were very close and still are.  So. . . we decided to do a little reunion so Jared's entire family came as well as Steve's parents for the day.

There were so many things that needed to be done inside and outside of the house.  It is so NICE today to sit back and have those burdens lifted even though it about killed us last week getting ready!

Even the chicken coop got decked out. . .

and the porches. . .

and all of the nook and crannies inside. . .

I knew it was going to be hot that day so we made a little trade with our friends who own a jumpy business and got this awesome water slide that kept the kids cool all day.  We have well water however with a high sulfur content at times so they were a little smelly but they were cool!  Christian is in the middle with my nephews David and Maddox.

Here's Noah with my littlest nephew, Jonathon. . .

We had an entire desert bar including cupcake ice cream cones that my sister-in-law made.  Sweet Ella enjoyed hers very much.  I already miss her "Good Morning" every morning, even when it may have been 5:30 a.m.!

Our friends that stayed with us, Steve and Nicole . . .

Jared and his sister (this one is for you Melinda!). . .

We had an old coke cooler on the deck filled with sodas (I can't believe I forgot to take a picture - I love that thing!).  We weren't sure if it would still work but it did!  The kids helped themselves to it all day long as you can see from Jonathon's upper lip!

 

And of course our Go-Kart path was run down by the end of the day.  Nicole wanted to go for a ride - doesn't she look a bit scared??!

 

We ended the day with fireworks of course, the biggest we have ever done.  We had such a great time and hope to do it again next year.  We miss everyone so much already - its so quiet around here!

Aside from this, I have been very busy with our July release!!  Look for the previews to start this week here and on the Mercantile blog.  And just a little spoiler. . . it includes a holiday line for Christmas and Halloween - a first for us.  I'm so very excited to show you!