September Party Time!

I'm bringing back Party Time here at The Yankee Burrow Life!

Twice a month I'm going to host a linky party...one for handmade and one for upcycled and vintage items.  Here are the rules...they are so simple.

1.) Post a link to a handmade item you have for sale...from any site.  Etsy.  The CraftStar.  

Handmade Artist.  Zibbet.  Artfire.  And especially your own website.

Or

Post a link to your blog post (not your blog URL) featuring a handmade item, or a DIY project.

2.)  Visit the other shop/blog links and like your favorites.

I will then do a special feature on the most liked link.

3.)  SHARE...SHARE...SHARE!

Share this party on all your social media sites.  And come back often to see what's new from others, and to even post more for yourself.

Please remember...this is a family friendly site, so no mature items please.

Are you ready????

Let's go!

Be blessed,
Debbi

I'm such a party gal

There was a time when I would host a party every Saturday.  No, not a "real" in my home party, but a blog link up party.  These are the best kind of parties because you never know who is going to show up.  Well, I haven't hosted a party for quite a while, mostly because I've been busy going to other people's parties.  Today I want to invite you to come with me to my favorite party hang outs.

The party I've been going to the longest is the Shop Hop hosted by Pixel Berry Designs. This hop happens twice a month, and Tarissa accepts links from any selling venue, but it's only for handmade items.
I have seen some amazing thing at her parties.

The next party I joined was Pam's from Bates Mercantile Co.  Pam does up her party!!!  She sets out appetizers on the good china, and invites not only handmade items, but also vintage.  We love vintage!  She actually has 2 parties at the same time, you can link up your shop, and then go to the next party and link up your blog.  Speaking of blogs, I like hers....great reading, lots of fun, and I can get my snow fix vicariously through her. hahaha.  This party starts new every month.

Every Tuesday you can hop on over to Angie's vintage link up party.  Every Tuesday I love to go to that party to see the amazing vintage (and vintage inspired) items and projects.  She also offers great vintage graphics and do it yourself projects from her blog, and then don't forget to visit her shop where you can benefit from her great salvage shopping skills. :0)

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Here's another Angie...and she hosts a fun themed blog and shop hop once a month.  I love the theme idea, and to see what the others party goers bring to the party to fit the theme.  You can also find links to other great parties from her party.  And don't forget to visit her shop.

Now if you like to party...a lot...the Meet and Greet is perfect for you.  It's every Friday but only lasts for the weekend.  Here there are 2 hosts...Kim from 2 just B you and Laurie from Created by Laurie.  Every week you will also meet a new co-host, and featured host.  This is a fun and very interactive hop.

The newest one I found is Inspiration in Progress.  It's a weekly party and starts every Thursday.  This is a covers most everything party...link up your blog, creative project or item, and even your pinterest page.  Lots of fun here.  This party is hosted by Amy from Consider Me Inspired and Amy  from Clippie Dips.

To make it is easy to remember which party is when, I recommend you sign up  for the email notifications.  And don't forget to visit the other blogs and shops, and bring friends of yours to the parties.  Because the more the merrier!

Be blessed,
Debbi

The 10 day you challenge!

There is a challenge going on over at BlogLoveTherapy.  BlogLoveTherapy is a great place for bloggers to get together for support and fun.  So here is what is going on this week...



 

Here are my 10 secrets...

1.) I have a shoe obsession.  Of course if you have ever seen my closet, you already know this secret.  BUT I have found that as I get older, my shoes have become more sparkly and with higher heels.  Which hubby is not crazy about because now I am taller then him. lol

2.)  I dream of being an author.  I have dreamed about this since high school.  So to make my dream a reality (hopefully) I started writing short stories on my blog here, and last night Amanda shared with me a link to Amazon's National Novel Writing Month. 

3.)  I love to read, and I do my most reading in my bathroom, with the door locked. (yes, I have kids).

4.)  I dislike cooking.  But I do like to bake.  And I hate to clean up after both.

5.)  My blonde hair comes from a bottle.  My blondness comes naturally.

6.)  I am not afraid of snakes, but spiders make me scream and run.

7.)  Despite growing up in snowy Buffalo NY, I can neither skate nor ski.

8.)  I do not wish to learn to skate or ski.

9.)  I have imaginary conversations with myself.  Sometimes I find myself having them out loud, and when I get caught, I pretend I have one of those bluetooth phones.

9.)  I wear a size 16, but I feel like a size 6.

10.)  I am naturally extroverted, so thinking up 10 secrets was very difficult.

 

There...done...now it's your turn.  Blog about your 10 secrets, and then link it up at BlogLoveTherapy.

 

Be blessed,

Debbi

we've been too long apart, so let's party....

It has been many months since I've hosted a link up party....it's time to start again.  So please feel free to link up your blog, your shop, your fan page, your pinterest, you get the idea.  All I ask is no mature items please.  To get the party started, here are a few of my favorites links from past parties.

Connie has the greatest blog on island living....I love learning the history that she shares, and the cool vintage items that she offers in her Etsy shop, Redemption Art.

One of my favorite artists on Etsy is WatercolorsNmore.  Love these geese!

I love, love, love these Hippo couple from yalesplace on Etsy. It's a cake topper!

Now it's your turn, feel free to link up and share any family friendly blog, shop, or site (Etsy, Handmadeartists, Zibbet, Artfire, Craftstar, etc).  And then take a moment to visit with the other guests.  Come back next week, and we'll have another party.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Owen gets the giggles

Before I share with you one of my many videos of Owen, let me tell you about a wonderful blog...Mercantile Muse. Pamela writes a blog that is simply wonderful.  She loves to share not just her own life and creations, but the creations of others.  And she has a linky party, and y'all know how I love parties!  I was very pleased and honored to have one of my creations featured on her blog, and I would like to share that with you.  Just click here, and after you've read her post, don't forget to become a follower, so you won't miss anything!

Now, I bought my hubby a remote controlled helicopter for Christmas, and Owen would just sit and watch Grampa make it fly.  Well, these small helicopters are hard to control, and after crashing numerous times, the back rotor stopped working correctly.  So Chuck started to let Owen work the controls.  Well, Owen has more fun with this broken then he ever did when it was new....I love listening to his laugh.

I hope you got the giggles too, and I'll see y'all tomorrow.
Debbi

Saturday Shopping Link Up - your happy place

Yesterday I blogged about the HP computer that I just fell in love with, which gave me the theme for today's linky party....your happy place.  I have many happy places; my studio, the beach, the woods, my living room, church, outdoors, indoors.  Our happy places are whereever we CHOOSE to be happy.  We can dwell on sadness, or we can dwell on happiness, so let's dwell where we feel good.  Another place I am happy is window shopping, so let's see what I found today that put a smile on my face...

Beads make me happy.  I love looking at them, and rubbing them, and stringing them.  Aren't these Polymer Clay Lentil Beads just breath-taking? I was blessed to be included in an Etsy treasury with these beads, and I just can't stop staring at them.  The bright colors just get my creative juices going....and when you visit the shop Polymer Clay Beads...you will most certainly find beads that would make you happy too. 

On Zibbet, I did a search with the keyword orange, because orange makes me think of Mom and while I'm sad she's gone, my memories of her life make me happy.  Now this original oil painting by jennylee, titled Hawaiian Orange Sunset hit 2 of my happy places...orange, and Hawaii, a place I always wanted to visit.  And I will someday, it's on my bucket list, along with getting my own motorcycle.

And hats make me happy.  I'm a bit of a throw back...I love the styles and looks of past centuries, and I love to wear hats.  I have almost as many hats as I do shoes.  I will buy a hat or a pair of shoes first and then shop for an outfit to match.  It makes Chuck crazy...lol.  Now this Red Beautiful Wool Felted Hat has a bit of a flapper feel to it, and since I don't have a flapper outfit...you got it, more shopping for me. 8~D  So pop over to Beata's Soul at Handmadeartists and check out all the great fashion accessories she has, surely you will find something to bring you to your happy place.

 

Now it's your turn, click on the link below to add your happy place item and/or blog.  Because it just takes too much energy to be unhappy!

Debbi

Saturday Shopping Link Up - man toys

Sorry, I'm late...I overslept, hahaha.  Ok today's linky party is all about hubby's new toy.  You can read about it here.  So, what do you have that says "big boy toy"?  Link it up.  And enjoy what I found for your man...order today and you still may get them in time for Valentines Day.

I found these really cool guns at KcSoapsNmore on Etsy.  No, they are not real, they're soap!  A 4 piece made-to-order goat's milk and glycerin soap.

And to keep your man warm, how about this grey and purple striped hat by

Glory S Chapa over at the Handmadeartistsshop.

And over on Zibbet I found this

ultimate campfire gadget.

Grate Outdoor Solutions calls this the Rotis-a-prong.  (That name makes me giggle).  You stick a hotdog, or marshmallow, on the end, then twist the knob to get all the sides nice and brown. heehee.  For the outdoorsman who has everything.

Ok, now it's up to you...link up, and then invite your friends, and their friends, and their friends, to our party!!!  And remember, please no mature items...this is a family loving blog!

Have a blessed Sunday, and I'll see y'all Monday.

Debbi



Saturday Shopping Link Up - Nana's orange

First, I want to apologize for missing my linky party last Saturday....it's been a little chaotic lately.   I talked about mine and Amanda's runaway day on Thursday, but I didn't talk about what else was important about Thursday.  This past Thursday, my mother, aka Nana, would have turned 82.  She went home to glory back in 2000, and I still miss her and want to talk to her, but I don't grieve as the world grieves, for I know the future, I will see her again the day I go home to glory.  But until then, I have my memories, and I searched out some pictures I wanted to share with you.  The first is my favorite.

You see, my mom was an artist.  And I have soooo many memories and stories of the times we spent at various art shows.  This picture is from the Allentown Art Festival held in Buffalo New York every year.  This was probably 1971 or 1972.  Some day I'll have to share about the time we had a Vietnam War protest, complete with the SWAT team in riot gear.  As a kid, I thought is was pretty cool.

When Mom became Nana, she was thrilled, and was the most doting, and fun, grandmother ever....every holiday and birthday, and even just weekends, were filled with excitement for her grandchildren.  Here we have my oldest son Greg, and my nephews Chris and D.J. dressed and painted as Indians, complete with fur vests that she sewed, shields that she helped the boys paint, and of course...war paint.  And she passed her artistic creativity on to her grandchildren, encouraging them to express themselves thru paper and paint.

She also played with adults, lol.  Always laughing and joking, I don't ever remember her yelling or getting angry, but I'm sure she did.  After all, there were 6 of us kids, growing up in the wild 60's and 70's.  There were many times she probably should have yelled at us, heehee.  We grew up roller skating in our dining room, having food fights in the living room, and bringing home strays....cats, dogs, and friends!  My mother was strongly independent, a single mother who managed to stay friends with her ex-husband.  There are so many things I could say about her, but the word the come to mind is...amazing.  My mother was amazing.  So to honor her, and your own mother, this linky party is dedicated to them.  Link up what ever reminds you of Mom, and if you can't find something that reminds you of your Mom, link up something orange.  That was Nana's favorite color!  And when you're done, if you are blessed enough to still have your mom around, call her and tell her what she means to you.  Don't wait till it's too late.

Debbi

a relaxing Thursday.

Amanda and I did something today that we haven't done in a very long time...we took the day off!  No kids, no work, no laptops.  Just her and I and the open road.  Ok, I admit, I took along a crochet scarf to work on while she was driving, but that's not "real" work, lol.  Amanda found a dresser she liked on facebook, so we went on a search to Curiosity in Blowing Rock, NC.  First we got a little lost, but getting lost in Blowing Rock is fun....this summer it will be time for another trip to walk the Main Street to see all the new shops.  Anyway, the shop Curiosity has some really neat items there, and next door to it was another neat shop, The Incredible Toy Company....that totally deserves another trip after payday.  I am one of those people that prefer educational board games.  Then my wonderful daughter treated me to lunch at Applebees, their 2 for $20 made it a great deal, we were stuffed.  During this time together we just talked and laughed.  It's great when your daughter is also your friend!
But now it's back to work, I jumped on a Blog/Fanpage Hop hosted by Theresa at Chatter from Texas, so if you're looking for some new blogs to follow, or are looking for new followers yourself, join me there.

 

I've put a permanent link to this Thursdays Get Together on my linky-party tab, so you can come on over anytime.  And I'll see you all tomorrow.

Luv ya's,

Debbi

 

Saturday Shopping Link Up - country trips

I love me some John Denver....YEEEHAAA!

This weeks party theme is country life and/or motorcycle trip.  If you're wondering why, read yesterdays post here.  Now Chuck didn't come home with the tractor, yet, so we still have time to save my vacation...and when we do I think I'll wear this...

I love this Pink Dots Western Jumper Halter dress! But I just discovered that it's a child's dress, so I can't wear it, hahahaha. I wonder if the creator behind the Lil' Bug Clothing shop could enlarge this pattern....a lot!  Probably not...so I'll just have to order it for one of my great-granddaughters.

I now have a shop on the HandmadeArtistsShop site as well as on Etsy, and it was there that I found this great Leather Handbag in the shop of Woods Saddlery.  This handbag (or purse as us yankees would call it) would not only look great when I go sightseeing in Baton Rouge, but the style is just enough to let every one know that I'm just a country girl at heart.

And since I want to take this trip on our motorcycle, (haha no room for children) I had to add a bikers touch to this post, so I vroomed over to Zibbet (I have an empty shop there, lol) to see what I could find, and I found this Coat Rack Silhouette by Cabin Hollow.  I like this one because this is pretty close to what our bike looks like, plus I can hang my new handbag / purse on it. :~D

OK, now it's your turn, link up your choice of blog and/or shop item, and please feel free to link up more than one.  Be sure to share this party with your friends, because the more the merrier!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see y'all Monday!
Debbi

my dilemma

Good morning, friends....I need some help.  As you know we have a horse.  Actually Hannah has a Shetland pony that she doesn't ride, so in reality, I have an oversized dog that follows me around and looks for treats in my pocket.  And you would not believe the amount of manure one smallish pony can make; and there is my dilemma.  I have been planning (dreaming of, hoping for) a motorcycle trip (no kids, yea!!!!) to Baton Rouge LA for the Jimmy Swaggert Easter Campmeeting in April, but yesterday, Chuck informed me that since Tater Tot (the pony) has a favorite spot to use as his restroom, the manure has gotten thick.  And our tractor is old and dead.  So now he's looking to get a new/used tractor.  Which means no money for LA.  "That's just NOT FAIR" I cried (in my best little girl voice), but to no avail, he's looking for a tractor.  So do you think he would accept any of these tractors from Etsy so we can keep our money for the trip?

Antique Farm Tractor from Katwelder,    Apple Farm Tractor 2 from Simply Superior,    Antique Tractor from Puzzimals. 

No?????  How about if I wore this???

 

Farm Tractor Garter from Sheer Satin and Lace

So, here's where I need your help.  Tomorrow come back for my linky party, and link up all your items or blogs that have anything to do with farms, tractors, horses, motorcycles, trips, Louisiana...you get the idea!

Love y'all!

Debbi

Saturday Shopping Link Up - relaxing

With the fun, and stress, of the Christmas season, what do you do to de-stress and relax?  I personaly like to sit with a nice cup of tea and a crochet hook (or a game on my laptop).  Here are a few items I found to help us all relax...

This relax pillow in charcoal grey looks so comfy...snuggle up against it with a good book, or a good blog...and if the color is not for you, hop over to the shop Honey Pie Design for other great pillows to complete your home decor.

And speaking of tea, we have personally ordered from the loose leaf before, I got Amanda some tea for her digestive track, and she enjoys it.  So if you don't sleep well, try this Organic Skullcap tea for your insomnia.  Your loose tea comes with a reusable cloth teabag.


Now let me show you relaxed....Owen spent the night last night and stayed up late to watch Wipeout with Gamma and Poppa.  Yes, he has our off-center sense of humor.  Then he got up at 6am when the other kids left for school, so by afternoon, he was tired delirious.  We had to take Hannah to an appointment, and there was an oh-so overstuffed and comfortable couch in the lobby.  Here is how Owen waited for his aunt...

He started sitting up, but when I nudged him, he just fell over...poor kid, I laughed!  And I'm sorry for the poor quality...I took these with my cell phone, and then I couldn't get them off the phone to my laptop, so I had to email it to myself. heehee.

Ok, so now for our party...as you know, the theme is relaxing...so link up anything you sell, or even your blog posts, that you find relaxing.  You can even go ahead and link up someone else who helps you relax.  Then share, share, share!

Debbi

Saturday Shopping Link Up - Owen and Nancy

I'm mixing up my post for the day, I found a wonderful shop on Etsy and I took Owen to the mall yesterday.  I can't decide which to talk about, but since they both make me smile, I decided to combine them.  First the shop....Nancy's Craft Nook.  I found Nancy thru an Etsy circle thingy (actually she found me first) and when I went to visit her shop, I was greeted by these 3 little guys.

These needle felted Pink Elephants made me laugh out loud when I first saw them.  The details Nancy added to them are amazing.  I just now noticed how the one peeking out from his fingers is looking at the other two.  And the picture of their backsides shows their way cute little curly tails.  These were not created to be toys, but I'm sure Owen would love to play with them himself.  Now these elephants are way too cute...

...kind of like Owen trying to eat one of those frosted cookies you can find at the mall.  He likes to eat the frosting first, so he just plasters his face in the cookie top.  This is what I have a video of, but can't share it.  Owen loves sweets, but hates to get sticky, and he had green frosting everywhere, and he was trying his best to pick it off his fingers.  I couldn't get him to lick his fingers, and I got laughing too hard when he got green frosting up his nose!  Ok, back to Nancy...she is married to a Denver Bronco's coach...knows nothing about football, and loves the Beatles.  Like her I know nothing about football, but Owen loves to watch sports.  We are Buffalo Sabres fans here (hockey) and Owen will shout "HE SCORES!" complete with some arm pumping.  Of course, he doesn't care which team is scoring, lol.

Nancy also has a 2 dogs and 8 canaries...and her love for birds could explain this wonderful birdhouse!  This is now on  my favorites list, and come spring....I may be placing an order myself.  So if you want it, get it now.  And how about this sock monkey chair for Owen's time out chair?  Or would that just make time out too much fun, hahaha.

 Here are 2 places in the mall that Owen does like to sit in, as long as I didn't turn them on.  He's not crazy about items that move under it's own power, lol.  And he wouldn't go near Santa!  He just watched all the other kids, and I'm sure the ones that screamed and cried only reinforced Owen's reluctance to get close, hahaha.  You can find Nancy and her amazing creations at the above links, and you can like her facebook page here.  Now for our linky party...I know I missed last week, and I do apologize...so this week, let's share whatever makes you smile!!!!  Just click on the linky frog below, then share this post with your friends.  And since you won't hear from me tomorrow, Amanda and I would like to wish all our friends a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!!
Debbi

Saturday Shopping Link Up - old is new again

I've been reading a lot about Googles new Panda algorithm, which is the newest way Google searches and crawls blogs and shops and everything.  It seems to me that Google is now looking not only for newer links, but also pertinent and interesting subjects.  All the more reason to blog a variety, and more often.  And with everyone trying to get Google to find them, and renewing all the time, I thought that this would be a good time to get some of our oldest items back out there for the world to see!  So that's what I want you to link up, the oldest item in your shop....and to that end, let me share with you some old listings from some Etsy, Arfire, and Zibbet vintage shops....

You know, I really hate how things I grew up with are now considered vintage! hahaha.  But I did have a name bracelet like this one, they were very much the rage in the early 70's.  I found this in the Etsy shop  Diament Jewelry.  

I found this Sarah Coventy Bracelet in the Artfire shop lovebeadsdesigns.  These were also very popular back in my teen years, not that teens wore them much, but our mothers did, and this jewelry was sold at home parties, much like Tupperware.  I loved looking thru the catalogs, and I even had a piece myself, it was a mesh belt and buckle bracelet.

Now, lets jump up a decade to the 80's and check out this great wide silver cuff bracelet.  Just look at the detail, and look at the other items in the Zibbet shop of Sweetie2Sweetie. 

So now it's your turn, link up any vintage item you may have, or just link up the oldest item in your shop.  Link up more if you like, then share this page and invite your friends to this weeks linky party.

Debbi