My sweet friend Lisa McQueen {aka Queenie} sent over this picture of some new pink tin hearts she has.  Each one is cut from tin ceiling tile and has the just~right amount of vintage patina.  A small crystal tied to the bottom of the heart with pretty ribbon makes these hearts the perfect gift for baby girls, mamas to be, and even homecoming which is frighteningly near…

The hearts are priced at just $12 to $22 each.  Give Queenie a call to order one today!!  812-236-5911  OR shoot her an email:  lisa@queenietin.com  OR visit her website HERE.

** Click HERE for more from QUEENIE **

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As we settle into the heart of t-ball season I thought I’d pass along this link for a DIY baseball from The Buffalo Billfold Company.  Yep, make your very own baseball, folks.  How is that for a fun summer afternoon project ~ might make a good gift for coach??

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Summer is due to arrive any moment which means time for outdoor soirees, neighborhood picnics and company barbecues.  Whether you are due to be a host, or perhaps the guest to one of these events, then I have just the thing for you ~ Custom Rustic * Western glassware from Etch O Sketch {also called Imaginetch}.  This distinct etched glass has innumerable options…

Guests at the Ranch ~ whether you live on a 40-acre spread, or on the 40th floor of  a downtown high rise, we all love a stiff drink and a great gift.  These rocks glasses do double duty ~ they’re the perfect hostess gift to take to summer parties.  {pssst… don’t Father’s Day gifts!!!}

Cowboy Cookie Jars ~ a necessity for after swimming snacks.

Cowboy Pitcher ~ a no brainer for serving cold iced tea.

 
Pedestal Bowl ~ My favorite dish to take to a party is my Layered Salad.  OK, it’s not really mine, it’s just layers of yummy veggies & delish salad dressing… it can be yours, too… add a little bacon & blue cheese crumbles to the top.  Lordy, lordy, I’m ready for a bar-be-que.  I’m pretty sure the Layered Salad would be even more yummy if served out of this bowl!!

Custom Glassware ~ There is a Gallery of Patterns that you can peruse, but you can also imagine your own design and the folks at Etch O Sketch can custom make just the right thing for you ~ or your party guests.

 
Etch O Sketch also offers metal signs, stepping stones and custom tiles.

 Traci is the owner, but you can call her Catfish.  Whatever you do, just call her… she can hook you up with all of your summer glassware needs.  It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas either!!  Geez, did I just really write that??  Contact info for Catfish is RIGHT HERE.

** Click HERE for more **
Rustic * Western * Vintage Tableware

** Click HERE for more **
Rustic * Western * Vintage GIFTS

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Planning a summer vacation??  Don’t forget to get some fresh new PJs to put in your suitcase!!

There’s nothing that makes you feel prettier on a summer night than a brand new pair of pjs, bare feet, an ice-cold drink with mint, and a big ol’ front porch swing… listening to crickets and watching the lightning bugs. Ahh, summer ~ how I love thee.

** Click HERE for more from our WISH LIST **

** Click HERE for more FASHION **

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It’s that time again… Mother’s Day is NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010.  I just went back and looked at our Mother’s Day Guide from 2009 and it seems like I just wrote it last week.  Amazing how much can happen in a year and yet it flies by so, so fast… 

Last year I wrote a little diddy about how lucky I am to have THREE Mamas ~ a blessing I’m always sure to say my thanks for ~ My“real” mom who continues to be the most generous and compassionate person I know.  My “stepmama” who is wicked smart and taught me what true love is all about.  And my “mom~in~law” whose style mirrors my own to perfection.  I love each of them so very much…

So whether you’re shopping for your own Mother, wife, sister or daughter ~ or just that special woman in your life that makes you SMILE ~ here are a few ideas to get you started.

Hand-Stamped Necklace from Bella Merce
These hand-stamped jewels are all the rage these days and Bella Merce does a phenomenal job at it!!  They have a great selection at crazy good prices, and of course they can make custom anything you can dream of.  I’m hoping for a copper bracelet that says “FOR THE BOYS”…

Charmed Life Burnout Tee from the Junk Gypsy Company
What MAMA wouldn’t love a tee from Gypsyville??  The Junk Gypsies are the true soul sista’s that remind all us Soccer Moms that there are still wide open spaces…

Blooming Plant in Talavera Planter
Our tradition for Mother’s Day is a trip to Lowes or Home Depot for FLOWERS.  When I moved to the Midwest from Texas {and lived in a house with a  yard for the first time in my entire life} someone told me that you should never plant flowers until Mother’s Day ~ I’ve taken that advice to heart and we spend most Mother’s Days buying & planting flowers. I love that tradition.  I also love the flowers below…

Baby Blues Locket Handmade Necklace from Ruche
 A little locket… so sweet and pretty.

Kenneth Print Alarm Clock
Vintage clocks are the perfect antithesis to our hustle~bustle busy days, a reminder to Mom to slooooow dooowwwnnn…

Western Vintage Revival Pendant
Made from china old and new, Vintage Revival creates exceptional jewelry that cannot be duplicated.  A great gift for the woman in your life is to take a chipped piece of Grandmother’s china and have a necklace, ring or bracelet made for all of the girls in your family.  It is another beautiful way to Reuse * Recycle * Re~LOVE the pieces of our past.

Horse Haven Ranch Sign
These signs are darling and what makes them even better is that you can custom order them just for your family… available on wood or metal.

My Kid Rocks Pendant from Whatta Waist
I love the girls from Whatta Waist and alllll of their necklaces and belt buckles and killer jewels ~ but the “MY KID ROCK” kinda’ takes the cake.

All About Me
This is a book about her ~ by her.  It is an opportunity for a little self discovery, but also a gift for her children, and their children.  Give your woman the chance to pen her own legacy ~ and learn more about her in the process. Questions include “Name a friend you should not have kissed.” ~ ok, so maybe you don’t want your kids to see this one…

Care packages for Haiti from At West End
There is a catalog company called At West End that sells WONDERFUL products for your home, and also offers great gift ideas…  You should DEFINITELY go to their website right HERE.

That said, the owners of At West End, Doug and Susan, have been doing business in Haiti for over 22 years and have developed many friends there.  Here’s what they’ve put together to benefit the families that were devastated by January’s earthquake ~ “We both feel a bit helpless not being able to do more, faster to help. So after much consideration we have come up with a care package that we know will be handed directly to the people that need it most. Having travelled to Haiti for over two decades, we recognize what is considered necessary in helping start up a new household. This ’startup bucket’ consists of items that will be packaged small enough so each recipient can handle it easily. All donations given will go towards the purchase of these supplies and other bulk items. Any donations go 100% to the cause and are tax deductible.”

THERE’S NO GREATER GIFT TO A MOTHER THAN TO HELP ANOTHER MOTHER.

** Click HERE for more GIFT IDEAS **

Peace & Love y’all ~ and Happy Mama’s Day… luvya,fancy

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I’m not a huge fan of pink. And Valentine’s Day has always seemed a tad hoakey to me… That said, I’m feeling the love this year so I decided to bite the bullet and pull off a Valentine’s GUIDE. It’s only a little bit cutie-patootie and there is no pink. So there.

Side Saddle Necklace: Lucky In Love
from OutWest Marketing

Cupid’s Arrow of Love Earrings
from ChristineDomanic’s Etsy Shop

Tin Hearts from Queenie Tin & Mirror Co.
These are super sweet for a baby girl gift…

Loving the West by Dave Newman

The Equestrian Prep Heart Locket
from Cosmic Girl’s Etsy Shop

Etta James – At Last – Typography Print
from Lyrics and Quote’s Etsy Shop
This one is for my hubs, ’cause he really loves this song and I really do love him most.

Kelly Buntin Johnson Winged Heart Necklace
available from Missouri Bluffs
Hand made by Kelly from leather that she paints and then beads. It is strung with glass chevron beads and other glass beads.  Kelly’s necklaces are truly one of a kind and will be a very special part of any Rustic * Western * Vintage Jewelry Collection. 

Cactus Dish Garden
Forget the roses, a diverse selection of succulents is all this girl needs. 
{NOTE: sunflowers & tulips are also a good way to get lucky}

Fly Me Away Mosaic Buckle from Whatta Waist

*** pssst… Whatta Waist is going to be at the Cactus Creek Store for a BIG-O Trunk Show on Feb. 20th!!!!!  {plus a couple more} wee-haw, be there or be square. ***

Tribute To Jack Briggs Blanket
from Pendleton

Wrapping this up with a classic blanket that will keep your Valentine wrapped in your love all year long…  Happy day!! xo,fancy

** Click HERE for other Merchandise GUIDES **

** Click HERE for more Rustic * Western * Vintage GIFTS **

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Eucalyptus Drink Coasters
Set of 6 for only $18!!

Buy a bunch & stock pile them for hostess gifts.  Seriously… cute, clever and well-priced ~ all of our favorite things.

** Click HERE for other GIFTS **

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OK folks… it’s time to be officially done.  The only thing you should be worrying about today is stocking stuffers.  The best kind of stocking stuffers are the UNDER $6.85 kind.  Here’s three I’d love to have my stocking stuffed with…

Southwest Mittens  $6.80
from Forever 21

Boss Lady Lip Balm   $6.00
from Cowgirl Shop

Cowboy Bookmark   $5.99
from Montana Gift Corral

** Click HERE for more GIFTS **

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Many of you are already knee deep into the holidays… traveling to your loved ones, trying to beat the snow, celebrating with co-workers, still trying to find the perfect gift. 

Our official celebrating will begin tomorrow evening with Christmas Eve chili & soup.  After dinner we are planning to do some PUZZLES… a tradition that was a big part of Husband’s youth ~ I’m thinkin’ it’s high time to resurrect this oldie but goodie.  We might also play a few rounds of rummy which is how my family used to spend evenings together.

What’s your family’s after dinner TRADITION??  Here are a few games that might get the bonding back & start a new tradition for your little peeps…

Operation from Back to Basic Toys
A classic that will give you the sillies…

Desktop Dodgeball
Just make sure to take the mashed potatoes off the table for this game begins.

Dining Table Ping Pong
I don’t even know what to say… other than you better not tell your mama that this was my idea!!

** Click HERE for more GIFTS **

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So most of these are CUSTOM signs which means it’s just not going to happen by Christmas morning this Friday… but you can always place the order, print off the picture, and tape it to a pretty card.  Husband and I have exchanged many o’ pictures over the years.  Sometimes we follow through on the gifts, sometimes it’s just a “if I had the dough I’d get you this, babe” kind of thing.  Anyhoo… three SIGNS that make me sigh with adoration.

Custom Hand-Lettered Shop Sign
from Three Potato Four
Do you know about this website??  Holey cripes, it’s amaaaazing!!!  These signs can be painted with any name and any subject.   Cupcakes, Sno-cones, Go-carts… give ‘em your name, pick your subject, & they’ll whip it up for ‘ya.

The KID Slept Here
from Cowboy Brand Furniture
They can add a name if you prefer not to call your kid “the kid”.  Unless your kid’s name is Billy, then it works either way.  

Build Your Own Sign from Junk Revolution
You pick the letters, they’ll attach them to reclaimed barnwood for a bright, colorful sign that can’t be duplicated.  Mine’s gonna’ say “SMOOCHES”.

** Click HERE for GIFTS **

** Click HERE for more Wall Art ** 

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