Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 2

K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet 2025 - Week 2

I added a teapot, tea cup and a lacy tablecloth to my stitching piece this week.

I chose a teal colored floss for these items.  Stitched with the stem stitch.  Teapot based on the one I use at home every day.

I added some brown stitches for my tea in the cup and some steam coming off the cup.

The lace I just stitched on the background just along the base of my tea items.

I am happy with the results.

Oil Diffusers - One of a Kind - Set 3

Another set of One of a Kind Oil Diffusers

Marble Cube

This diffuser features a cinnamon colored marble cube with an matching insert with a hole.  I have placed wooden rods in the hole which will be the diffuser. I have placed a piece of felt under the insert to catch any drops.  The sticks are held together with a bit of jute.

This diffuser would fit nicely on a desk, in a man cave, or near a favorite chair.  The outside cube will protect your furniture.

Place a drop or two of pure essential oil on the wooden rods and enjoy your favorite scent. 

Amber and Gold 

Glass beads in gold and amber have been strung on this crystal glass square.  

I have placed a chocolate brown felt under the beads which is the diffuser.  Place a drop or 2 of pure essential oil on the beads which will makes their way to the felt.

Sit back and enjoy a time of rest in your favorite personal space.

Greek Tea Cup

I have used an old tea cup made by Pratt Potteries with the Greek design featuring beautiful horse and lady image on the front with key stone pattern around the inside edge of the cup.

I have added a black felt stuffie in the cup with a vintage button and bronze thread embroidery which coordinates well with the metallic accents on the tea cup.

Place 1 or 2 drops of pure essential oil on the black felt and relax in your favorite spot.  The cup will protect your furniture from any stray drops.

Will fit into any favorite spot as you enjoy a cuppa.

Small Gifts - Oil Diffusers - One of a Kind - Set 3

I am loving this creative process of making cool felt diffusers for these diverse type of containers. 

Here, I have a two inch square crystal napkin holder laid down flat with the hole facing up.  I made a different type of felt flower for this one.  You can find the tutorial for this flower here. 

Teal Blossom - I chose teal felt and cut six 2 inch circles then a yellow one for the center of the flower and a green one for the base.  I thought the green one suggests leaves without having actual leaves imposing onto the edge of the glass. I really wanted to be able to see the 4 corners of the napkin holder.

The video suggests hot glue but I chose to stitch this flower together which makes a cleaner end product.

I then stitched it to a white felt ball which helps the flower stay in place on the napkin holder.

This flower design is full and very easy to put together.

On the right is a photo of the top. 

With the oil being placed on the yellow center it will keep any discoloration to a minimum.

With Love Cup - This is a beautiful Mikasa - With Love pattern ivory bone china cup from the early 1980's.  

I decided to make the diffuser an ivory felt stuffy decorated with a  round petal pattern. 

I found this Petal Pattern video on line. The opening of the cup measures 2.75 inches but I needed to add some for seams and for puffiness. I cut 2 ivory felt circles measuring 3.5 inches in diameter and sewed them together with a 1/4 inch seam leaving an opening to turn it inside out. I then stuffed it with cotton batting and slip stitched the opening closed.  I then created the petal pattern according to the video using warm rose yarn to match the cup.

To accent the center I added a warm green circle topped with a gold metal filigree accent which was stitched on with the same yarn. 

I have created a spacer to place under the petal to keep it at the top of the cup.  I could keep the drops of oil to the center to lessen an discoloration of the ivory felt.  This diffuser would fit in nicely in a kitchen, a dining room, a reading nook or even on a bedside table. 

Time to Unwind - A ball of variegated yarn to encompass many shades of brown and reds which brings in the colors in the basket as well.  I created the ball by hand to be just the right size for the basket.

I created custom sized knitting needles from skewers cut down to about 4 inches.  I glued wooden beads to the blunt end.  Once the beads were dry I used Distress Ink of Antique Linen and Vintage Photo to add some color to the needles to be more in keeping with the overall color scheme. 

I added the More Mustard tag which was color printed and punched with the 2 inch circle punch.

Perfect quiet time to enjoy the aromatherapy of essential oils.

Triangular Trio - A set of three felt flowers with white pom pom centers set in a triangular bottle.

The flowers are purple, grey and light blue.  Each has a yellow fringe surrounding the white pom in the middle.

Each flower has a twisted silver wire stem which is terminated at the bottom with a iridescent ebead just before the end curl.

I have wrapped a length of yellow grosgrain ribbon around the neck of the bottle to repeat the yellow in the bouquet.

The essential oil can be applied to either the felt or the pom pom. The essential oil may discolor the white centers.

I wanted a less flowery option in a diffuser.

Tiny Beer - This diffuser started with a vintage etched crystal shot glass with a nice handle. It measures 4 inches tall. 

I rolled a piece of ginger colored felt to be the beer and placed it in the bottom of the glass.

Now I needed to create the frothy foam at the top of the drink.  I rummaged through  my yarn stash to find a messy white yarn which I wrapped around a white pom pom.  I secured the head to the beer with hot glue.

I think it looks great!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

We had an April snow storm on Saturday.

 It started about mid afternoon and  went into the late evening.

Heavy wet snow and you can see the wind was blowing pretty hard as well.

The sun on Sunday melted a lot of it but there was still some around this morning.

It will provide nice slow drink for the earth so that is a good thing.

Check out these beauties!  I found these at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago.   These were sold in Teavana stores.  A teapot and 4 cups and saucers. 

Teavana Yellow Bone China Tea Cups & Saucers - Noble Poppy with Gold Trim.  The set sold for over $100 which explains why I never purchased it.

I was thrilled to find these in perfect condition for under $10.  I have paired them with my French Cobalt Blue glass plates and gold tea spoons.  Perfect!

I have finally culled my frame collection down to what I need.  

I found this beauty during the process.  This was painted by my aunt many years ago.  

Beautiful watercolor and I have missed enjoying it because it was in a box and I did not even remember having it.

It has been framed and put up to be enjoyed.

 

 

Here's my latest choice for snacks.

Yummy yogurt with no sugar added and in just the right size!

Blueberry and Banana.

Perfect when I want a bit of sweetness after my meal.

 

I still make greeting cards and during a conversation with my sister we talked about these new embossing folders by Stampin Up. 

The one she wanted was on clearance so we should order right away or she may miss it.

I chose to purchase a couple of them for myself. 

Loving the 3D Painted Texture one.  I have already used it.

Will try out the scripty one tomorrow. I have too much cardmaking tools as it is but I broke down and bought a couple more.

The challenge at Flickr Macro Mondays this week was pairs.  Here I have photographed a pair of yellow earrings. They look maybe '50s or '60s style.  You can check out what I submitted on my Photostream (SMDPics)

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #126 and with 

Mersad who hosts Through my Lens #284.
 

Have a great week!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Spring is here!

The birds are pairing up, preparing nests and getting ready to have nestlings.  

I hope this pair selects this nest so I can observe them raising their family.

I can see it from my living room window.  

Here's hoping!

I finished this book on the weekend.  The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. I can always count on this author for a good read.

The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend.

They have both experienced challenges in life and now in their mid forties are asking the "what if" questions. 

I enjoyed the book and as usual there is a surprise ending! 

Easter spent home alone again this year!  This is getting old.  I get it as we are in our third wave of COVID pandemic and the numbers are rising like crazy due to the variants of concern.

I made corn flour pancakes with egg and cheese.  I treated myself to a Earl Grey tea - which I may be sorry for later.  It's early in the day.  I served it in a newest bone china tea cup by Teavana.

I was lucky to find 2 of the Noble Poppy Yellow Bone China Tea Cups at the thrift store on Tuesday.  Works really well with my French Cobalt blue dishware.

 

I have some new to me art for my walls.  This is a painting by my aunt.  You can find her art here.

She was clearing out some old paintings and put the word out.  This is the one I selected. 

It is hanging in my front hall.

I colored some eggs for Easter.  

I used Nick Bantock acrylic ink in Prussian Blue, Damson Purple and Chrome Yellow.  I filled small glass holders with color and placed the egg in it. I put a glass plated on top to keep them submerged.

I put them on a metal grid plate to dry.

I placed them on a small saucer to photograph them in my studio.

Flickr Macro Mondays' challenge was Trash this week.

This was a very interesting challenge.  In the photo on the left I have a pear sticker, onion skins and a lemon which I squeezed to make Lemon Vinaigrette.

You can check my Flickr photostream (SMDPics) to check out the shot I submitted.

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #125 and Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #283.

Card - Library Tea Break

Another card for the Coffee Loving Cardmaker Spring and Summer Blog Hop.
 

I printed the Tea and Book graphic on white card stock.  I trimmed it to 3.75x5.00 inches.

I chose a blue purple card base in the A2 size in the portrait orientation.

I chose a piece of warm caramel card stock to accent the main element.  I placed 2 pieces  - one in the top left and one in the bottom right corner leaving a small border. They were adhered with double sided tape.

The tea cup layer was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape leaving a small border.

I added a photo corner punchie in the top right hand corner made from the same warm caramel card stock.

I spattered the front with a bit of denim blue watercolor. 

August Birthdays

A couple of cards for folks celebrating August birthdays.  

 My aunt will receive this card.

 

 

A friend will receive this card.  It is one of my photo cards featuring a bright green heart tea cup with a pink rose.

 

Recent Photos

I treated myself to a new tea cup last week.  Sunflowers are my favorite and this cup has a scalloped edge which was great.

The mark says Sixth Kiln Royal Collection but there is not much on line to document it.  The trademark was registered in Australia in 2011 and lapsed in 2012. They manufactured porcelain and bone china. I have found several flowers in the collection.

I believe it is bone china but cannot be sure.  The white raised dots adds dimension and texture to the pieces which is very unusual for china.

Loving it!


I finished this book Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy one of my favorite authors.
I enjoyed the book about young people as they start their lives by going on to higher learning or working in the family business.  Takes place between Dublin and Knockglen small Irish town.

It took me to the last few pages to be reminded that I may have read this one before.  Enjoyed it again.

I went to visit my sister on the weekend.  We attended the fish fry fundraiser in the evening.  I knew that snow was in the forecast but I was not ready to see the amount on Saturday morning.

I decided to stay an extra night was was great to have more visiting time.  We played games each night.  There was even a pancake breakfast after church Sunday morning.

We cut die cuts as we borrowed dies from each other.  May as well share rather than duplicate sets.

I was able to drive home in glorious sunshine Sunday afternoon with dry highways but the ditches were full of new snow.  They received about 8" of snow.

I tend to eat my meals in bowls rather than plates so I was looking for a couple more.  I found these in the perfect colors of navy and yellow.

Ironstone made in Italy - Pagnossin.  There wide and shallow so stack nicely with the others I have on the shelf.

It is important that they live within the space I have.

Loving them.

I will have to a declutter of stuff again and sent stuff off to new homes.

I have a new to me set of Nike runners for exercise.  I have been doing walking videos 5 days a week since January!  It has become a habit.

I started out slow but I am now at 2 miles a day which is about 40 minutes.  They always have great warm ups and cool downs.  I have been including a bit of muscle building and stretching as well.

I really needed a new pair and these worked out well.

Boredom is one of the challenges with my exercises.  I have my favorite Leslie Sansone which I have blogged before.  It will let me grow to 5 miles if I want.

I decided to get some more of her videos as folks are dumping videos for streaming apps.  My eagle eyed sister found this trio of DVDs during our visit to the local thrift store.  Yeah!  I was so happy and the cost of $3.00 was excellent.

I will have a great variety of miles to last me for a while.  Now with another 5 mile option it will stand me in good stead for keeping up with this activity through the summer and fall.

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #70 at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf.





The challenge at Flickr Macro Monday was cutter which provided a lot of options for subject.  Knives, scissors, wire cutters, rotary cutters, paper punches, cookie cutters and lot more!

You can check out my Flickr photo stream to see what I submitted.  I did photograph about 5 different cutters.

You can check out what others photographed at this link for Flickr Macro Mondays.

Have a great week.

Tea House Visit

I recently visited the Tea House in a couple of towns away from where I live.  I was out of town and it was near by.  It is only open on the weekends and likely managed by volunteers. It is housed in a summer cabin which was built in 1922.  It was moved to this site in 2000 and opened as a tea house in 2003.

Here's the baker's rack that houses all the china tea cups and you get to choose the one you would like to use.  I selected a roses and yellow pennant one by Paragon. 
Based on this mark it was likley made in the early 1920's.

I selected Earl Grey tea which was served in as small tea pot.







I ordered Hamburger Soup and the Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp which was served once I finished my soup. The hamburger soup was home made and very good.  I was able to just relax and enjoy my meal as the lunch rush was over and there were just a few of us in the tea house.





I managed 3 cups fulls of tea from the teapot which hit the spot.  I loved the scalloped shape of the bowl of the tea cup.  The roses had a black background but it was not overpowering.  The yellow triangle pattern in between was very charming. 

You can see the subtle pattern in the china itself in this saucer as well.

Dessert was again homemade.  I was not expecting the ice cream but it was excellent with the Raspberry sauce on top. 

It was an overall excellent experience and I will be back.

Check out the Pioneer Tea House if you are in Stony Plain.

Sharing with Share Your Cup #300 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup Mrs. Olson.

Spring Tea

My first tea on the balcony!

It was Earl Grey tea with savory tea biscuits served butter and saskatoon jam.

The teacup showed up Tuesday and I paid more than I usually budget but it was the perfect color.

As you can see it fits right in.  It is by Cauldon and it is a marriage of 2 patterns. The cup is pansies and the sauce is leaves but it works.  I bought a yellow one from the same company about 1 year ago. I think it has a tulip pattern.
I served the biscuits on the saucer of my heart tea cup set.  Made tea in the small true blue teapot and used a placemat I made myself which complements these items well.

The weather has turned and I am looking forward to having tea on the balcony for the next few months.
My Window Sill Art for today.  They are golden yellow grasses stems.  I found this glass cruet a few days ago which provides some variety of shapes I can have on the sill.
The sparrow was doing acrobatics on the bird seed bell in the crabapple tree this morning. 

I am glad I don`t have to stand on my head to get my breakfast.

The neighbour down the lane had some beautiful tulips on the front porch.  It is getting passed their season but the color was a breath of fresh air.

I wish you a happy day!

Sharing with
Bernideen
Ruth

Recent Photos

My window sill art for this morning.  It's nice to spend a few minutes putting together small arrangements to enjoy through out the day and week.  My trip to the thrift store added the small green vase to this sill.  You can check out this post for the details on how I discovered this art.

I finished this book this week.  It is about a female war photo journalist who followed in her father's foot steps.  After her father passes away she goes through his large collection of photos to produce a book of his work.  She discovers some interesting photo which leads to the secret the family and friends have been hiding from her.

The locales of Venise, Nice, and New York make for some terrific back stories.  Who would not love to live in a large house in France with a house keeper.

The relationship with the 3 sister was interesting but I found the love relationship was to tumultuous for me.  He is a war correspondent as well which adds wrinkles.






This morning was a breakfast of yogurt, rolled oats and saskatoon berries.  I had some Rooibos Chai tea steeped in a cute leaf green tea pot.

The green plate under my cereal bowl is very old and dates back to the 30's  by the Stanley Potteries in England.  I bought it because it reminds me of dishes my Mom had when I was a kid.

I was very fortunate to put away several bags of saskatoon berries last summer.  Delicious.

The white tea cup and saucer is by Johnson Brothers - White Regency.

I have 4 set which can easily be paired with my Blue Nordic or blue "Hunter".  The Rooibos Chai is a great tea and I discovered in my cupboard a bag which is several years old but having been stored in Tupperware still tastes great.

Sharing with
Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson who hosts Share Your Cup #288
Bernideen who hosts Friends Sharing Tea
Ruth who hosts Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea Cup Set Card

I had a request from a friend for a card made with this tea cup set.  Here's the first card I made with this photo.

I trimmed the photo to 3.5x3.5 and added a light pink layer.  I printed the greeting on the same card stock in dark green ink.

The square element was adhered to the card front.  I ripped the top and bottom edge of the greeting and adhered that below the photo.

With the number of colors in the tea set the card colors I can use are varied.

She bought a few Christmas cards as well.