Afternoon in Mystic Seaport, CT

This past weekend my husband and I drove to Connecticut for a little get-away. Our first destination was the beautiful seaside community of Mystic Seaport. This is an historic area known as the center of shipbuilding since the 1600's. More than 600 vessels were constructed along the Mystic River from 1784-1919 during the boom of the American maritime industry. Towards the end of this period, and as a result of the Civil War, there became a decline in wooden shipbuilding... sailing gave way to steamships and railroads and the wooden boats were soon turned to firewood. As the nation's seafaring history was disappearing, three residents of Mystic banded together to preserve the history and, in 1929, they created the Marine Historical Association known today as Mystic Seaport.

In the 1940's, Mystic Seaport acquired the Charles W. Morgan which was the country’s last wooden whaleship from the Yankee fleet. The Association moved in historic buildings from across New England and before long Mystic Seaport was developed into an authentic seaport village. During the next 50 years, Mystic Seaport grew tremendously and collected over 1 million images of maritime photography, nearly 500 boats, and two million maritime artifacts. It is now recognized as the nation's leading maritime museum.

Today, Mystic Seaport is a beautiful destination filled with history, great restaurants and shopping. As it turned out, last weekend there was a food festival filling one of the downtown
streets where local restaurants were selling tastes of their most popular dishes. Unfortunately, we discovered this after we had just eaten lunch - but no complaints, the restaurant was fantastic, our table on the deck was right on the dock so a fantastic view, awesome drinks (my favorite Strawberry Daiquiri for a warm day), and amazing food (lobster & shrimp crepe, seafood topped potato skins, lobster roll (me), baked seafood medley (my husband).

After lunch, we decided to cross the draw-bridge to get to the downtown shopping. As quickly as we started walking across, the lights started to flash, the bells rang and the barriers started lowering. A little nervous, we started running so we would make it and all we could hear was the laughter of people on their boats yelling "Hurry, Hurry, HA HA!!" We were a little embarrassed by the attention but we made it and the downtown shops were great.

After spending a beautiful afternoon in Mystic, we descended upon Foxwoods Casino for the night. Let me say that we are NOT gamblers but the place is such an experience it is fun to go to every now and then. We had gone about a year ago (my first time there) and actually won several hundred dollars on the slot machines. As I quickly found out this weekend, that experience was obviously beginner's luck to draw us in because I had put that money away and we lost it all in no time flat this weekend. Won't be going back there in a hurry but we still had a great time!

Last Day of our FrenzySpecial Event!!

Today is the final day to take advantage of the super deals being offered by the wonderful sellers that make up our Promotional Frenzy Team!!  Many of these shops very seldom offer the fantastic discounts like the ones they are offering here and several others usually don't offer discounts at all.  Short and sweet, if you snooze, you lose!!

1) JQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com - 15% off all items over $20

2) Galla15.etsy.com - 30% off all items over $20

3) SymbolicImports.etsy.com - 25% off orders over $10 (some exclusions apply)

4) CalliopeAZCreations.etsy.com - 20% off everything in the shop

5) KrystalsJewelry.etsy.com - 20% off orders over $20

6) SunnyCrystals.etsy.com - 'Summer Special Offer' section - items already reduced plus buy 2 or more of my 3D Decoupage Cards and receive 10% Discount (refunds via paypal)

7) CrochetedbyCharlene.etsy.com - 20% off all orders

8) NewCreationz.etsy.com - 20% off everything Plus free gift Plus entry in to a draw for a voucher to my shop

9) DellCoveSpices.etsy.com - 5% off everything in the shop

10) BountyofBeads.etsy.com - 20% to 25% off Lampwork Beads, Sterling Silver and Polymer Clay Beads (no coupon coded needed, I am using etsyonsale)

11) PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com - 15% off these sections - BLANK CARD SETS, MATTED CARDS and FRAMED CARDS (also using etsyonsale, no coupon)

12) Bijibijoux.etsy.com - Use coupon code frenzyspecial for 10% off any purchase $8 & UP PLEASE

13) TurtleXIII.etsy.com - 15% off entire purchase, NOT INCLUDING destash which is already super cheap

14) delightfulprints.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop, does not include custom orders

15) CrimsonHill.etsy.com - 15% off any order over $10, before shipping with team code.

16) nangatesdesigns.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop

17) Sewinggranny.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop

18) MoanasUniqueDesigns.etsy.com - 10% discount on orders $20 and under, 15% discount on orders over $20

19) lindab142.etsy.com - 10% off of all combined purchases over $15 dollars (except destash and paper items)

20) prodigycrafts.etsy.com - 20% off everything in my shop

21) cigarboxbeads.etsy.com- 20% off everything over $30.

22) vervecolor.etsy.com - 20% off everything in shop before shipping

23) rabbitdogprints.etsy.com- 20% off everything in shop before shipping

24) bloomandbling.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop before shipping

25) Prittyfy.etsy.com – 15% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

26) iaFlowerPower.etsy.com – 20% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

27) Camillescloset.etsy.com- 15% off any order.

28) TheMayFlower.etsy.com - 20% off on any item in shop (sale price already applied! no need for a coupon code!)

29) Five0101.etsy.com - 15% off on any item in shop.

30) PowersOfLove.etsy.com - 25% off your purchase.

31) BellaTheBead.etsy.com - 15% off purchase of $20 or more (excluding shipping)

32) IdeasBloom.etsy.com - 15% off purchase before shipping

33) KrisKraftnMore.etsy.com - 10% off photography prop orders (before shipping). Buy three patterns get one free.

34) CrystalPhotography.etsy.com - In stock section is 30% off. (Prices already reduced via etsyonsale). Coupon code frenzyspecial gives an additional 10% off your entire purchase!

35.) cindydidit.etsy.com - use FRENZYSPECIAL to enjoy 20% off

36.) RomanticThoughts.etsy.com - 15% OFF everything in shop, before shipping

37.) Impactjewelry.etsy.com - 15% off all purchases (before shipping)

38.) ToyStoryNutty.etsy.com (Kater's Acres) - 10% off store prices before shipping

39.)  justByou.etsy.com - 10% off everything in our shop

40.) desertshinejewelry.etsy.com - 15% off everything in our shop before shipping

41) TheCraftingPlace.etsy.com - 20% off everything in our shop OR Free shipping on orders $20 or more (order must still be $20 or more once coupon is applied)

42) Galla15whatnots.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders over $25 dollars!

43) AshlynDesign.etsy.com - up to 20% off all in-stock jewelry designs (coupon not needed, prices are already reduced)

44) GlitterbirdGlamour.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders

45) craftycreations81.etsy.com - 10% off all orders

46) www.etsy.com/shop/TownandCountryVntage -25% off any item (before shipping and DOES NOT include clearance items).

47) kellyjsorenson.etsy.com ~Kelly Designs~ 20% off all PreMade Logo Designs! Prices already reduced, no coupon needed :)

48) babypenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

49) laugingpenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

50) magdamagda.etsy.com - 25% off anything in "ready to ship" section plus free gift

51) IsabellesAttic.etsy.com- 15% off everything! 

52) uniquecozytreasures.etsy.com- 5% off everything over $25. All orders receive FREE my eBook, "Vintage Ice Creams". 

New Items for Back-to-School

It is back-to-school time and I thought I would feature some of my new pencil cases/pouches that will keep the kid's backpacks and teacher's desks organized this fall....

Bright Floral Pencil Case

Pink and Green Peace Signs Pencil Case

Floral Peace Pencil Case

Pink & Green Dots Pencil Case

More fabric choices will be added over the next couple of weeks and, as always, if you have a favorite fabric choice from my shop that you would like please contact me.

Our PromoFrenzy team sales event is still going on throughout the month of August.  Receive a 15% discount from all purchases in my shop with coupon code "frenzyspecial". 

Click on PromoFrenzy Specials for links and to view all the great discounts from our many fabulous team shops.

Treatboxes for Troops - Auction Starts Today!

Treatboxes for Troops is a non-profit organization which raises funds to help cover the costs of mailing treatboxes to our troops.  As written on it's facebook page, the organization's mission:

"to help a soldier whether he is in a foreign land, or just learning the ropes at boot camp, getting something from home and knowing that people are thinking about them is a huge pick-me-up. Many Soldiers don't have someone that can do that for them! We want to put a smile on that soldier's face that doesn't ever get a package"

The positive response from these efforts is overwhelming and very much appreciated by the men and women who are so generously serving our country.

Many Etsy shops have donated items to be auctioned off to help raise funds to mail the treatboxes and you can check out the photo album for the current auctions here.  

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.167554399982294.41781.134075476663520

 I have donated one of my black and white damask wristlets.

The auction runs from August 10th - 16th and instructions on how to bid are on the facebook page:
www.facebook.com/pages/Treatboxes-For-Troops

Thanks for checking this out!!

MEGA PROMOFRENZY SPECIALS!!!

For the entire month of August, our PROMOFRENZY TEAM  on Etsy will be having MEGA PROMOFRENZY SPECIALS!!! 


Over 50 team members are offering a variety of super specials in their Etsy shops during this mega sales event.  There's absolutely no better time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping!

To shop on Etsy, search promofrenzyteam or click on the shop names on my sidebar.   There are over 4000 items on sale from our wonderful shops!!  


When you make a purchase remember to use Coupon Code frenzyspecial at checkout to receive that shop's particular discount.   


Click FRENZYSPECIALS  to see a complete list of shop specials.


I am offering 15% off your entire purchase (not including shipping) from my shop. 

Red and White Poppies Clutch

And here's a sampling of the super specials and gift ideas from some other team shops....


www.JQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com - 15% off any purchase over $20

www.SymbolicImports.etsy.com - Take 25% off of all orders OVER $10 dollars (before shipping)! (Custom soap favors and wholesale orders excluded)

www.NewCreatioNZ.etsy.com - 20% off entire shop

www.RabbitDogPrints.etsy.com - 20% off entire shop

www.galla15.etsy.com - 30% off all orders over $20

www.vervecolor.etsy.com - 20% off entire shop (before shipping)

Happy Shopping!!

July Coupon Sale - 1 Week Only!

July 25% Coupon Sale! - If you've had your eye on a particular item, or items, from my shop (and I hope you do!!) then now is the time to go for it!   For one week only, customers may enjoy a 25% discount on all purchases from my shop (not including shipping).  This sale is only offered a couple of times a year so there's no better time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping or purchasing that special item for yourself!

To take advantage of this sale, visit www.nangatesdesigns.etsy.com and simply enter JULY25 at checkout.  This discount will be in effect July 6 - July 13.

Happy Shopping!!

Here are examples of items you could get at 25% off!

Promo Frenzy Team Amazing Team Giveaway!!

My Promo Frenzy Team on Etsy is trying to win the Handmade Top 10 contest. We really need your facebook LIKES for our team page! To promote this we are having a huge GIVEAWAY with over $300 worth of donated prizes from our team members. Go to this blog post for details on how to enter the sweepstakes and how you can LIKE our page! 

galla15.blogspot.com/2011/06/facebook-like-giveaway.html