Exchange Cards - May - Late

I am late with my Exchange Cards for May. 

I used supplies from the card order I delivered today to whip up cards so they can be mailed this afternoon.

A warm green (Pear Pizzaz) card base in the landscape orientation. 

I cut designer paper from K&C Company - K Classic - McKenna 12x12 pad.  I taped the piece together then ripped the bottom edge.  I wrapped a piece of ivory & gold metallic organza ribbon across the join and taped the ends to the back. This layer was adhered to the card front. 

I created the greeting layer with another sheet of the designer paper cut to 2.5 inches.  I stamped the greeting in Always Artichoke with the Stampin Up Sincere Salutations stamp set.  These were layered together and then adhered to the card front over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

The second card is an ivory card base with the dusty blue and ivory designer paper from Frances Meyers - Suzanne Nicoll. Trimmed to leave a small border and adhered to the card front.

Wrapped a piece of organza ribbon across and taped the ends to the back.  It was adhered to the card front. 

I added a pink balloon card stock punchie (MS) adhered with 3D foam tape.  I tied a warm blue string to it and cut to the length of the card.

The greeting is a large oval in navy blue layered with a ivory and blue greeting.  These were layered together then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

They are addressed and going in the mail right away!

Share Your Cup - This Week

This was breakfast this morning.  I made Raspberry Rhubarb Compote yesterday from frozen fruit.  It's time to empty the freezer so there will be room for the upcoming bounty. 

I added a dollop of plain yogurt and a splash of cream.  I placed three cranberry citrus thins on a white salad plate. 

I choose a pink napkin to repeat the color in my bowl.

This is a new cup to me.  I generally do not buy cups made in Japan but this one had a dramatic color scheme. It features hand painted pink roses with black and gold rim.  You can see the rose is repeated on the inside of the cup.

I am drinking Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea.  A nice hot tea into which to dip my thins.










This is the book on my night stand this week.

An inspiring collection of more than 50 true stories, fictional short stories, and poems by 37 writers whose work is distinguished by honesty and vulnerability, combined with encouragement and hope.

I discovered that there is a companion Discussion Guide for personal reflection for group exploration.

I am enjoying the short stories before I fall asleep.

I have been enjoying making tea related cards for a week long challenge at Coffee Loving Cardmakers - Summer Blog Hop.

Submitting to
Sharing Your Cup #254 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson.

Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth at Antique and Tea Cups.

Bernideen's Tea in the Garden.

Sidewalk Sale - Saturday

I will be participating in the Sidewalk Sale held at the Center for Visual Arts on Saturday.  I will be launching my 2017 Photo Calendars - Tea Time & Owl Art.

I will be clearing old stock of greeting cards so the prices on those will be good.

I have several pieces of mixed media art of sale.

I would love to see you and get in on the deals. 

Share Your Cup #203

I've come up with a way to remember how many times I've steeped my loose tea.  Most teas you can steep at least 2 times, some more. 
I chose to re-purpose an item already in my house.  I made these glass markers years ago and sold many of them.  They were designed to sit on the stem of a glass and each guest would have their own color. and therefore able to remember which glass was theirs.
These were still in my stash so I decided to add one to the handle of the tea pot each time I made tea.  They are pretty and useful.  Works for me. 

Does anyone else have the problem of remembering the number of time tea leaves have been steeped?  How do you handle it?  Leave me a comment.

This is one of the books I read over the last three weeks.  The ideas are not new but a reminder is always good.  The three principles are:
1. What you resist persists and grows stronger.
2. You can only be exactly as you are in the moment.
3. Anything you allow to be exactly as it is completes itself.
The idea for number 3 is: If you are facing something difficult face it head on and let it be.  It will run it's course and disappear. Many times we avoid, procrastinate, deflect issues based on our fears which just make them last longer.

I celebrated a birthday last week.  You know one of those that end in a zero.  It was a big one.


A good friend took me out for supper, a trip to an antique mall and DQ for dessert on my actual birthday.
I received several phone calls and emails from family.
I was out for steak dinner last night thanks to a good friend.
Another birthday supper is planned with a friend in about 10 days.
I am truly blessed to have such great friends and family.

Of course, I always share my birthday with Father's Day!

I found these Tea Cup Silicone Cupcake baking cups this week.  I love them and they will make a great addition to my tea accessories collection.  I use silicone liners for my muffins all the time. The black ones from Pampered Chef have not discolored probably because of their color.  The ones from Steeped Tea Morning Glory Dessert Cups have discolored so I don't think I will be baking cupcakes in these.  I want to keep them pretty.  I think I will use them for jellied or frozen desserts.  I can see pudding topped with fresh fruit in them.

Here's a wonderful yellow!! casserole dish which I received as a gift recently.  I love it!

I was able to purge a couple of old Pyrex pieces put this one in their place in the cupboard.  One in one out is a good rule to live by.  One in two out is even better.

I'm serving lunch on Friday so I think I will make a rhubarb crisp for dessert. 

Submitting to Share Your Cup #203 hosted by Carol at Art & Sand. 

Share Your Cup - Cards, Original Paper and Tea

I'm joining Share Your Cup hosted by Carol at Art and Sand.

I've been busy already this year.
I am working on a card order for a client and here are a couple of the cards I have made so far.  I have quite a few more to make.  I will blog the collection with it is complete.







I create some decorative paper for cards to replenish my supply of Unique Cards at the gallery. I made 15 sheets of paper with various colors.  This blue makes me think summer and blue ocean water.







I have been relaxing too!  I started enjoying the several loose teas I received at Christmas.  I received a Christmas Tea, Masala Chai and this Christmas Collection of herbal teas from Tea Desire.

Refurbished Cards

We all receive a wonderful array of cards from family and friends including card makers through card exchanges etc.  What to do with them?  My box was overflowing and something had to be done.  I refurbished many cards over the weekend. I added inserts and new envelopes. Cleared out a corner of the craft room.   They are on their way to a seniors center where they will have another life. I'm really happy!