Finished Brooches

I finally finished these brooches.  I had wanted to play with transfer paper and have been very pleased with the results.

The images are from vintage cards and things that I own that were edited some via Picmonkey, printed off on transfer paper, ironed onto felt pieces, then stitched onto other felt pieces.  The embellishing is the fun part to me.

 The images turned out crisp and full of color.  Hopefully I'll be able to work on some ornaments soon...but you know how time gets away sometimes.  Hope you like these.

Tea Tastes Better...

...in a pretty teacup, of course!  I have SO admired the pretty patterns of Cath Kidston products on Pinterest (Greengate is another line I adore!).  I've gone all over the official website wishing the company and items would come to America.  Oh, I know we can order the items...but for a a price.  Besides, there is nothing quite like actually going to a brick-and-mortar and looking at things.  We visited Victoria, British Colombia this past summer, and while no official store was anywhere close, a tea shop we went into was carrying this beautiful tea mug.  How could I resist?  I'm convinced my tea tastes better in it!

Getting a Second Chance

I had found this teapot on Etsy a number of years ago and fell in love with it...but not with the price.  I just couldn't justify getting it.  You know the whole story...can't justify getting it, too expensive, don't really need it, etc.  I pinned it on Pinterest.  I kept watching it.  Finally it sold, and I regretted not getting it despite all of the excuses.  I looked for it all over forever after that--at thrift shops, at antique malls and stores, on Ebay, on Etsy.  I saw others similar...but they weren't THIS one and weren't as pretty to me.  Then...I walked into the thrift shop a little while back, and there it was sitting there waiting for me.  The price was great.  It is in perfect shape.  I'm so glad for second chances.  As silly a thing as it is, it was such a blessing to find.  I'm thrilled!  It is a such luxury not to mention something that I've wanted and looked for for quite some time.  I'm thankful that God is good...giving us second chances on things even in very little and, in the scheme of life, insignificant ways.

A Good Morning for a Cup of Tea

Burrrr!  I woke up this morning to a very cloudy day with the wind howling and the cold rain (is that snow mixed in?) falling.  I guess November is truly here.  The leaves are off the trees for the most part, and it is very dismal out.  It's definitely a good day to stay home and sip tea!

This box of teas was given to me as a gift.  I had never tried these teas before...and they are little packets of loose teas.

I'm a teabag girl--clean and neat tea for me!--so this was an awkward experience for me.  Thankfully I had one of my grandmother's old tea balls to use.  It really wasn't that hard after all to use the loose tea.  Anyway, I'm slowly going through the packets.  The flavors of these are *tangy* and strong. They may be better suited in a teapot so that they are weaker in flavor.   Perhaps today I will try another flavor--the apricot is a possibility.  It is fun to try new things, and it is such a kind thing for someone to think of me by giving me such a fun gift!

Teatime Pretties and Happy Spring

First of all...happy spring!  Yes, it is finally here.  What a winter it has been!  That is one thing I like about March...the hope of spring (among other things!). 

 

I go shopping and rarely buy anything for myself.  I'm either looking for things for other people, or just shopping for necessities, or shopping for things to either resell or to make into something to sell.  Well, these pretties I actually bought for me. 

 

 

 

The teacup/tea mug is from a gift shop.  It reminds me of a Cath Kidston print, though this is not related to Cath Kidston at all.  I've been greatly admiring all things Cath Kidston lately--the flowers, the colors, the prints--on Pinterest and elsewhere, and this tea mug was just perfect (in fact, I'm drinking tea from it right now).  The mug really does make tea taste better....really!

 

This little single-cup teapot is from the local antique mall.  I had had my eye on it for awhile, picking it up every time I went by it.  Remembering the old motto "Buy it or you wish you had", it made its way into my hands somehow.  Now it is mine!  It is very small.  Chintz patterns have always been a favorite.  I'm delighted to say the least. 

 

The Lamp....Again

I really was content with the lamp I found at the thrift store a few weeks back.  I truly was content.  THEN...we went to a thrift/charity shop yesterday, and I found the **perfect** lamp for a song. 

It is the exact style I was looking for, only I think this is prettier than I imagined.  The glass shade looks like a flower.  The brushed brass goes with our living room rug.  It is the right size--small but with a good, strong light.  I'm thrilled!!

On the way out of the store with lamp in hand, and a few other ladies were commenting on it wishing they had seen it first!  Yes, I'm very pleased and feel like I will be doing my needlework in the evenings in style.

Also, this tin was at the same store.  I have a few of these (in red, blue, and green), only not in this color (brown) nor large size.  It's about 6" tall.  It was only 25 cents.  What a deal!

New Teacup and Saucer

I really wasn't looking for a new teacup and saucer.  I was actually looking for a teapot--the perfect teapot with fruit on it to be exact.  However while at a flea market a few weeks back and while looking for that teapot (which I never did find, by the way), my eye immediately noticed this beautiful teacup and saucer.  Isn't it pretty?  The price was right, and I bought it. 

It is "Tapestry Rose" by Paragon.  While I was checking it over for cracks and chips, the man thunked the edge of the teacup with his finger and it "rang".  He said that that is the way one checks for hidden cracks.  If it does not "ring" and instead "thuds" it has a crack or chip somewhere.  I didn't know that!  So not only did I have a pretty teacup and saucer, but I learned something new too.

Stitching

I've been having a grand time stitching lately.  Unfortunately I can't stitch fast enough to keep up with the ideas that keep coming. 

Most of my stitching time is when we are driving somewhere.  Well, we've been driving around a lot less, and it is getting darker earlier now.  Anyway, I've been able to complete a few things.  They are made of felt, and I've embellished them with embroidery stitches, felt pieces, and beads.  I like how the beads add extra sparkle.  Here is an example of something recently finished and is listed in my Etsy shop. 

Simple Cream Scone Recipe

We had a ladies tea at our church today, and I made these yummy, simple scones for the event.  The recipe was in a book from a friend.  It is a simple recipe to make up, and the scones are best warm, right out of the oven.  They are good both with homemade strawberry jam AND lemon curd.   Enjoy!

2 cups flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. sugar
6 Tbsp. butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup cream, milk, or half and half

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.  With a pastry blender cut in butter.  In a separate bowl combine eggs and cream until well blended.  Stir cream mixture into dry ingredients until they are moistened.  Gently pat down dough on floured surface and cut out with flower cookie cutters.  Brush tops with cream and sprinkle on sugar.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until just browned. 

Much Loved Tea Kettle

Found this tea kettle at the thrift store this past weekend.  It has been re-soldered and was certainly used, but it "spoke to me" instantly.  I love the brass color and all of the detail.  Thought the picture needed to be taken by our old chest...looks almost like an old painting by a Dutch Master.  Enjoy!

Hot Tea Month Giveaway

As promised, I'm having a giveaway in honor of January--Hot Tea Month.  It certainly has been cold here lately in Wisconsin, and today we are expecting more snow.  This is definitely a day for a hot cup of tea (or two...or three).  I'm giving away a pretty teacup and saucer found on one of my hunts for vintage treasures.   It has pretty scattered bunches of flowers and roses on a white background. 

The package of hot tea is new, of course, and is a yummy red tea that I recently discovered (I take mine with a dollop of honey).   Finally I've made four thumbtacks.  Three are reproduction tea labels and the fourth is a 3-D vintage brass teacup charm with a brown glass cabochon in it to look like it is full of tea. 

Here are the details:  Due to rising postage prices, I'm so sorry to my out-of-country friends, the giveaway this time is for US addresses only.  I will choose a name randomly on Monday, January 30.  Please make sure I can contact you to get your address for shipment; otherwise, I will choose a different name.  You may enter once or up to three times total by doing the following:  1)  Leave a comment below to enter.  2)  Blog about this and leave a separate comment with a link to your blog post below telling me you did so.  3)  Go to my shop--HERE--and tell me something you especially like from there in a separate comment below.  Thanks for entering!

Tag Book and Box Swap

Jean at Lilac Lane Livery hostessed a tag book swap.  We had to make a pretty box and place inside a tag book.  My partner was the very talented ValeryAnn of It's an Alien Life.  ValeryAnn cracked her wrist during a fall, and I was amazed and pleased that she still held up her end of the deal and came through with creating a book and box despite this.  Many thanks and kudos to you, dear swap partner! She did a wonderful job creating a box and book in pinks and roses and with plenty of tea prints.  I just love it.

Didn't she do a fabulous job?  She included everything I like and enjoy.  Thank you SO much, ValeryAnn!  Below are pictures of what I sent to her.  Jean was very sweet to help me out in showing me what a tag book was.  I sort of guessed on putting it together.  I had bits and pieces of vintage things that I included to give the box and tags interest and texture including buttons, labels, feathers, stamps, lace, etc.  Enjoy!

Thank you also, Jean, for hostessing this fun swap!



Hot Tea Month

Yes, January is Hot Tea Month.  I made this Etsy treasury this morning to celebrate that.  To further celebrate, I'll be announcing a giveaway shortly....not sure exactly when...just shortly.  Can you guess it will be tea related?  Until then, relax with a hot cup of tea and please enjoy the treasury and the pretty things these Etsy sellers have to offer (feel free to click on the pictures to see up close anything that you take a particular fancy to). 

Kitties Having Tea

I'll tell you, children can be sooo sweet in how they do things.  My husband had saved this round, wooden spool that wire came on (it's been around down in the basement for years--he saved it from the dumpster when the house was wired years ago).  We were cleaning out the basement a few weeks ago, and it was decided that our daughter could have the spool to play with.  Well, she painted it--red at first.  Yikes!  Too bright!  With a suggested wash of ivory paint, she obtained this pretty pink color (she did a good job for an 8 year old).  A small table cover that my grandmother made and a doily were the perfect table toppers.  I was later invited to her room to see that she had her little kitties all set up around her best tea service.  An on-going tea party has been the norm ever since!  

Teapot Pin

I love tea and anything associated with it...as you know.  This little pin was great fun to stitch.  Do you like the steam coming from the spout?  I'm really trying to think up some more tea related things to add to my shop since I know there are plenty of other tea lovers out there too.

Tea Time Magazine and Beautiful Chintz

I just KNEW when I opened my mailbox and saw the July/August issue of TeaTime magazine that I'd love it. I love chintz and quickly flipped over to the article "A Summer Hat Tea Party" that the front page was taken from.  It is just lovely!  The chintz tea set is beautiful.  I enjoyed reading through the recipes as well--especially the summer hat peach pies (adorable) and the blueberry buckle.  I tried the blueberry buckle recipe this past week.  We enjoyed it for breakfast for two days (we liked it better cold).  It was not only easy but super yummy.  Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of it.  Just trust me....it was good.  Anyway, the magazine was a great issue.  I learned a lot about Darjeeling (very interesting), spoons (looking forward to the next feature on miniature and soup spoons), and found some ideas on tea party themes.  I made some scones for hubby's work from a previous issue of TeaTime (raspberry lemon scones).

They were a little involved to make and had rich ingredients but turned out really well and were very tasty.  I liked that the recipe used fresh raspberries and had a sugary lemon topping that was tart/sweet on the top and had pretty flicks of lemon zest.  I send them off with lemon curd.  Yum!  Check out their website http://www.teatimemagazine.com/ if you'd like to find out more information, get some free recipes, or perhaps order their bimonthly magazine (*credit* The picture at top is the front cover of TeaTime magazine and is their work and property.).

William and Kate Royal Wedding Swap From Kathleen

As said in my above post, my partner for Heidi's William and Kate Royal Wedding Swap was Kathleen from Set to a Tea. Kathleen has an amazing tea themed business, and she sent me an amazing box filled to the brim with wonderful things--tea, royal, and British!--from her business.

It all started with a pretty card complete with a tea bag. Isn't it just beautiful?
This is the complete picture. What a swap! She included a tea cozy, tablecloth, cookies, tea, fillable tea bags, and royal plates, cupcake liners, and two-tiered tray.






You may find these pretty things on her website. Hop on over for a visit at Set To A Tea. Thank you so much, Kathleen, for such a delightful swap. I shall enjoy everything you sent. Thank you also to Heidi for being the hostess for this enjoyable swap.

William and Kate Royal Wedding Swap from Me

Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric, and Folly hosted a "William and Kate Royal Wedding Swap". My swap partner was Kathleen of Set to a Tea. We were supposed to spend a certain amount and put together a swap with a royal, wedding, and/or English theme. I had a great time scouring antique malls for pretties for Kathleen. I know Kathleen has a tea related business, so I tried to think of different things for her that she could not get through her business (other than those Walker cookies, I suppose...but can one have too many shortbread cookies?). What better things than those that are vintage and/or one-of-a-kind handmade.
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First of all, I wrapped everything up in gold boxes and pink tissue paper tied with English garden style floral organza ribbon. I made a card with two postage stamps (compliments of Jan from England and my nephew, Luke, from New Zealand), a rhinestone crown, and big sapphire rhinestone to mirror Kate's ring.



The show piece is this beautiful vintage teacup and saucer. It was pink on the saucer and outside the cup and had a beautiful fruit pattern inside. After I bought this, I really wanted to keep it because it is so pretty...but I sent it along to Kathleen.


Here is a porcelain rose pin from England--a vintage find--and a pair of vintage white gloves. Also, I had great fun making especially for Kathleen this British and wedding themed zipper/purse clip. It has tiny jewelry pieces in it all secured with resin--rhinestones, faux pearls, a cameo, a crown, and a pretty piece of teacup.


This is a "Woods of Windsor" vintage powder tin and a souvenir handkerchief from England.


I made these "royal jewels"--vintage jewelry thumbtacks in rhinestones with pretty jewel tones as well as an old piece with a crest.

I hope Kathleen enjoyed receiving her things as much as I enjoyed putting them together.

Teacup Trade from Me

Sharon at Faith, Hope, and Cherry Tea sponsored a teacup trade on her beautiful blog. I had wanted to share both what I gave and what I received on this post...but my dear partner has been delayed. So...I will just share what I sent her in this post. I sent a small parcel, actually, but thought that it has some very pretty things. The first thing, of course, is the teacup. This was a teacup from a friend...which has now been passed on to a new friend...that being Dolly from From my Cherry Heart, of course. She likes roses and pinks and burgundy colors...so I thought this would be just to her liking. Next, one must have pretty napkins in order to have a proper tea...and these are some of my favorites...pretty in every way.

Of course, you can't have tea without, well, without tea...and this box of yummy Raspberry Royale tea I thought would make for a wonderful cup (and I like the color of that box too!)

And finally, I sent along a little treat from my Etsy shop--a pretty vintage image pin featuring a tumbling basket of roses with lots of glitter.

It was fun to put all of this together and send it off. Thanks, Sharon, for such a wonderful idea!