Mosaic Monday - Tea Infusers

I thought I would look at tea infusers.  I have acquired a few.  Some work better than others.  There are the ball infusers which have a receptacle for the tea and a connection to a charm which allows you to retrieve the infuser when you are ready to drink your tea.  When using a tea ball infuser make sure you do not fill it more than half full because the loose tea leaves will expand to fill the ball.

This infuser has a secure clasp and is mesh on both top and bottom which allows the water good access to the tea leaves.

This is my most special tea ball infuser because it was given to me by a dear friend who attends my card making group each month.

I believe the infuser is from Steeped Tea and she had engraved with "Card Lady".  In the fall it will be 12 I have been teaching a card making class at my church.  I started with a Christmas card class in 2005.  I have been teaching card making, paper making and general craft class for many more years than that.

This ball infuser is stainless steel.  It only has mesh on the bottom which I believe will make it less effective in allow the steeping to take place.  The plate allows the ball to sit in the hot water while it rests on the cup edge.  When turned over it provides a rest for the tea ball. I thought quite clever.
I have to confess at not ever using this one because getting the 2 halves apart is very difficult and I don't want to damage the mesh half.  It was a gift from another dear friend so i have not given it away.


This is a ball infuser as well.  It is not mesh so only provides holes for the water to access the tea leaves.  I expect this one is effective but would take longer.  It screws apart nicely and is secure to keep the tea leaves where they belong. It comes with its own little bowl to hold it once removed from the tea cup.

Will certainly keep your tablecloth clean.

This is a tea ball infuser as well but it comes in the shape of a very cute house.  It has its own small plate to rest the infuser once you remove it from your tea cup.  I believe stainless steel as well.  I love the holes punched into it which spells TEA and a door.  It will take longer to steep a cup of tea in this one because the less access to the tea leaves.


This is a cup tea infuser.  It is very large as it measures half the size of the cup.  It is mesh so it provides a lot of space for the tea leaves to expand and the water access to the leaves to steep.  The mug comes with a lid which will help keep the heat in during the steeping process.  Once taken off it provides a place to rest the infuser.  Very good design.

This is a silicone tea leaf infuser which fits in most cups.  It come with its own lid which serves as a rest when you are ready to drink your cup.  It is large and allows a lot of room for the tea leaves to expand and therefore provides a good steep.  The holes are a bit big for some of the loose tea and I found bits of leaves in my tea depending on which tea I was using.  It folds flat which is nice when storing or using when traveling.

The is an infuser designed for this tea pot.  It has good size to be able to steep enough tea for a pot.  Plenty of room for the leaves to expand and mesh to allow the water maximum access to the tea leaves and therefore a good steep.  The down side of this one is that there is no notch to keep the lid in the tea pot so one has to be careful when pouring tea to place a finger on the lid so it does not end up in someone's tea cup.  I loved the color so I was willing to accept this drawback.

I am sharing this with Maggie at Normandy Life who is host of Mosaic Monday #35.

Ornament Trio - Challenge

I designed this card with the challenge at Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge.  I was very happy to find this challenge blog as a couple of my regular challenges have shut down.

I started with the digital ornament trio which I designed.
I drew the ornaments and then  added some of my own digital paper paste backgrounds into the them.
The branches was designed from an actual pine tree branch photo.
The polka dot - snow background is another of my own elements.
The words are added digitally as well.
Once printed onto white card stock this layer was trimmed to 3.75 x 5 inches.  I then cut a layer of black card stock to repeat the color in the outline of the ornaments.  This was cut to leave a small border.  It was adhered to the card front of a warm medium green card.  I then adhered the ornament layer with 3D foam tape.  
To add a bit of sparkle to the card I spattered it with Iridescent Pearl Mist by Maya Mist.  It's great to create a quick card with my own designs.



Submitting to Merry Monday Christmas Challenge - Branches.

Share Your Cup - This Week

This is a plain ordinary office file sorter but the color is what made it come home with me. 

I am using it to hold the cookbooks I use all the time which live on top of the fridge. 

I was challenged by a video on Youtube the other day where a lady living a minimalism life style suggested getting rid of cook books and looking up recipes on line.   I think I will look at the books on the bookshelf and evaluate whether I really need them.

These are my regular cookbooks.  The Purity Cookbook I received as a high school graduation present. It's cover has gotten separated from the book which I don't remember how that happened.  I am usually very careful with books.
I use a couple church/community cookbooks I have collected over the years because they contain the great old recipes. 
The fat one on the right is a "Fill with your favorite recipes" kind of book.  It is very interesting what recipes I used to use and now I have new ones that are favorites.  I should have written down the year they were written into the book. The information is lost. 
Are you asking yourself ? "Does she have paper stuck to the center of the kitchen cupboard doors?"  Yes, I do.  I am looking to update the kitchen a bit and after a discussion during my sister's visit it crossed my mind that I could just paint the center of the doors.  Late at night I decided to put white paper in the center to see what it would look like.  It brightens up the kitchen which has no windows a lot.  I'm not ready to paint just yet but I am leaving the paper up because it makes such a difference.  Updates will come in later posts.

The book this week is Evening Class by Maeve Binchy. 

A teacher at a school is having a life crisis, he got passed over for a promotion, his wife doesn't seem to know he is alive, and his 2 grown daughters have their own lives.  He gets the opportunity to offer evening classes at the school where he works.  He has always wanted to return to Italy where he spent his honeymoon.  Fortunately, in the community a lady who spent nearly 25 years abroad in that country returns to her roots in Ireland.  She is willing to teach a class in conversational Italian, as well adding a dash of culture and food from the area.

The class is a huge success and we get to know several of the students who are studying Italian with Signora.  Most of their lives cross paths at certain points.  It's been a bit hard to remember all the connections but I have enjoyed the book a lot.

I found these napkins a while back and they contained the colors I wanted to use with my true blue dishes.  In the end, I could not use them as napkins because being 100% cotton a crease had been formed into the center which I found unsightly.  I went on a search for fabric to match and yesterday I found some.  I cut the back in the yellow and placed a strip of the yellow across the crease mark.  It provide an accent for the place mat and gives me a place mat that I can use with my blue dishes. I have 3 napkins so I will make another and maybe some teacup coasters.

This was tea today with Bengal Spice in the cup. 

I'm really happy with how well the colors match. 

Sharing with Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson who hosts Share Your Cup #243.

Summer Colors

I brought out my summer colors - Turquoise and Sunshine Yellow.  I skipped spring as I don't have enough decor to make that happen.  Despite the snow this morning which has all gone now I'm feeling the warmth.  I wore my sandals yesterday for the first time this season.

I bought this small vase recently to go with my turquoise summer dishes.  I dug through my collection of silk flowers and found some that would fit in perfectly.














I bought this cookie cutter on discount to make goodies for when I have friends over for tea.  It happens to be turquoise to it fits the theme for my mosaic.

I brought out my crystal cookie jar which holds my yellow and turquoise potpourri.  It's been sitting on the sideboard for the winter.  It's been dusting and polished up for the summer season.


We need nice bright napkins to work with the theme so out of the storage room came the turquoise ones.  I alternated the color in the napkin holder.
 

I had a friend over for tea today.  I set out the turquoise dishes.  I had myself some Earl Grey tea. 

The water pitcher had turquoise ice cubes but I forgot to take a photo.







Sharing with Maggie at Normandy Life who hosts Mosaic Monday every week.

Christmas Card Challenge - April - Scallop Circle Purple

This is the card for my monthly blog Christmas Card Challenge.  The theme for April is Scallop Circle and Purple.

I started with a tall top fold card measuring 4.25 x 11 inches. I printed the greeting onto the card front and folded it at 5.5 inches. I then selected a thin die from the Spellbinder Nestabilities Scallop Circle set and cut a hole in the card front. 
I used my Tim Holtz Distress Stain background method to make the sky paper with purples and blues.  The colors used are Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord and a bottle which changed colors over time so it's a turquoise like color.  Ranger replaced the bottles but if I am not aiming for a certain color they do the trick.  I designed some triangle trees which I printed onto my background paper.
I cut the little house from white card stock at 2" with my Cricut and the Winter Woodland cartridge. I adhered the house next to the trees. I ripped the snow bank which I placed in front of the house.  This layer was then adhere to the back of the card front with double sided tape.  Once the card was assembled, I used a couple drops of the distress stains a drop of water and dipped a old toothbrush into and spattered the card front to add a bit of texture.

Rise and Shine Tea

I started with a bright turquoise card.

I cut the sun with the Stampin Up Sunburst Thinlit from yellow Bazzil Textured card stock.  Trimmed to the edge of the card.

I created the sentiment with the words from the Verve Stamps Rise and Shine Digital Set free download during this blog hop.  I colored it with Night of Navy and punched it with the SU 1 3/8 inch circle punch.  I cut a turquoise circle with the 1.75 inch punch from SU. I cut the navy scallop circle with a Nestabilities Scallop Circle thin die.These were adhered as shown and adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I added a tea cup from the Stampin Up Tea Shoppe Stamp set in Night of Navy.  It was printed then I fussy cut around the edge and used an exacto for the handle. This was also adhered with 3D foam tape.


Submitting to the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring Blog Hop. 

Tea for Two

I started with the sentiment which I had printed and embossed when I made my other tea card.

I chose to make it a Stampin Up card so I decided on Night of Navy, Old Olive as a color scheme. The sentiment is printed in Old Olive and is from the Tea Shoppe Stamp Set. It was clear embossed on the vellum.
I created a piece of background paper with the Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Crushed Olive mostly and a bit of Mustard Seed.
I cut a piece of Kiwi Kiss card stock into a large banner and adhered that to the front of a Night of Navy card. Then I trimmed the back ground paper and the vellum to leave small even borders on each of those.
I printed a cup from the Tea Shoppe Stamp set on Whisper White and fussy cut around the image with scissors and an exacto knife.  I adhered it above the sentiment with 3D foam tape.  I then placed double sided tape behind the cup and adhered the vellum to the background paper.  Now, I adhered the background layer to the Kiwi Kiss banner.
I measured the center and a point on each side which I punched out the side ones with a 1/8 inch hole punch. I cut a length of Night of Navy Tafetta Ribbon and tied it in a knot above the cup.

Submitting to the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring Blog Hop. 

Christmas Bethlehem - Starry Night

I purchased some of this gold starry white card stock this week and I wanted to know if it would work for some of my Bethlehem cards.  I trimmed it to 4 x 5.25 inches and adhered it to a purple card.
The vellum layer is a graphic of a wood cutting pattern which I altered by coloring it purple then adjusting the fill to provide variations in color from deep to lighter.  I added my own Bethlehem star graphic and printed that on a quarter sheet of vellum. I then coated it with clear embossing powder and heated it.  I found a greeting in my stash (Stampin Up Apothecary Framelit die cut with a SU stamped in purple) which was adhered to the vellum with 3D foam tape to the right side.  I placed some double sided tape behind the greeting and the town graphic and adhered it to the starry background.  I then added a tiny gold brad in the center of my star for a bit extra texture and some good holding together of the layers.  I think this paper makes an effective starry night for my cards.

Share Your Cup #242 - This week

This was tea this afternoon. 
I sliced a Granny Smith green apple and included a couple oatmeal cookies.

I made some of my original favorite Chai tea which was Rooibos Chai Tea from Tea Desire.  A bit of honey and some cream. Delicious. 

I served it in a new cup.  I love big mugs but the
jumbo yellow ones I have had for years were getting too much so I was looking to come down in size a bit.  This is the second smaller one to join the row above the tea cabinet. Designed by Laurie Gates from California.  I researched the mug and found the collection had 6 bright colors but I got the color I wanted, yellow!

I found some of the blue and white tea related items Margie mentioned a while back.

I found the tea towel was too much of a turquoise color so I left it but I brought the Primose Hill napkins.  At 13 inches they would like be considered dinner napkins. 

They worked really well with my Chelsea Garden tea cup and dessert plate set. I love the scallop edge and the small flower pattern.  They will go well with several of my blue and white dishes.

I met my aunt at a sewing store yesterday as she was picking up a piece for her machine.  I had not been there before and expected they would have fabric. Not really, it is a machine store with sewing, embroidery and serger machines.  I was a bit early so I browsed around. There was thread, needles, notions, feet, stabilizer, a bit of fabric and a clearance section. 

This is where I found these gorgeous espresso colored large sewing machine bobbins.  The are 1 inch in diameter and 3/8" tall.  The lady asked if I knew they would fit my machine.  I said no I don't have a machine I have a camera.  These will be great for photography props!! The are for an industrial single needle sewing machine.

This is a sweet little book that came my way this week. 

It has many ways to do something for others. Those who are hurting, struggling, in need of practical help or spiritual help, those we live with or near - our family.

Some of the chapters are Friendship, Affirmation, Forgiveness, Comfort, Celebration, and Tradition.  It includes several nice recipes, gift ideas, and traditions. 

One she mentions is setting aside time after school for her children, to talk, be together and have a snack.  This led to many wonderful conversations and the college girls still like to have time with Mom at 3:00 pm when they visit.

I made this card for a large blog hop being hosted by Coffee Loving Cardmakers.  They have a few per year and this one is the Spring one.  All the cards have to be coffee, tea or cocoa related.  It is a lot of fun and the links are nearing 1000. 

You can find the details about my card here.

The blog hop here.

I am sharing this post with
Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson who hosts Share Your Cup #242

Bernideen at Friends Sharing Tea

Ruth at Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Have a great day!

One Thousdand Gifts - Session 5 - Empty to Fill

This is week five in this bible study - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.  I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratefulness. The video is very well done with wonderful images. There was good attendance.

Session 5 - Empty to Fill

Ann this week talks about an experience she had with a man during a youth group event she was chaperoning.  It took place in downtown Toronto at a mission where the group of young people were going to do some outreach.  The man had lived a hard life but wanted to be a blessing.  Sometimes we limit our view based on appearance, circumstance or our own history. Ann comes to understand that when she counted blessings she received that was one half of the miracle.  She could also be the gift to someone else.

We should allow the blessing to flow through us not get stuck with us.  We have been blessed with talents, opportunities, resources, time, energy, and love to share that with others. 














As you see blessings everyday write them down in your journal but also look for the opportunities to bless.


What can I give?

• a spot in traffic
• a smile
• a kind word
• a meal                            
• a hug
• a card
• a call
• a prayer

This was our last lesson for this bible study.  The group was a blessing.  I spent time with 8 incredible ladies.  Thank you for the privilege of leading.  Some of the ladies took me out for fish and chips which was really nice and we had very good time.

I created a small reminder of our time together that they can place in their journals, stick on the fridge or bathroom mirror, or place in a small frame. I hope they will see it often and lessons learned will be brought to mind again.

Cup of Thanks

I started with the cup.  I cut it with the Cricut and the Joy of the Season cartridge.  I chose some bright spring paper and cut the cup at 2.25 inches.  I added a narrow strip of blue card stock along the top and bottom of the cup.  I added 3 tiny yellow handmade paper flowers along the blue held in place with 2 tiny brads. The sentiment layer was created with a greeting from the Stampin up Tea Shoppe digital set.  Printed in Island Indigo and clear embossed.  The banner is 2.75 wide and 4.25 tall.  The tail was cut by hand.  The cup was adhered to the vellum with 3D foam tape.  The watercolor background was created by smooshing 3 colors of Tim Holtz Distress stains onto a waterproof mat. I used Crushed Olive, Mustard Seed, and Peacock Feathers.  I spritz the ink and then laid my glossy white card stock into it to capture the color.  Once dry, the layer was cut to 3.75 wide by 5 inches tall.  It is adhered to a card of Bazzil textured card stock in a bright warm yellow.

Submitting to the Coffee Loving Cardmakers 2017 Spring Blog Hop.
This card is number 885.

One Thousdand Gifts - Between Sessions

There is Between Session work in the One Thousand Gift bible study.

We are asked to continue to write down our gift list.  To always have a place to write handy - a file on the phone, the computer, a note book and or a dry erase board.

Ten more dots to write down gifts in our guide.  I will share a few from this week.

1. Dad has been out of the house now that the weather is better.
2. Sunday's music has been with me all week.
3. Spring is here - water is running and geese are flying.

God stretching moment - I was layed off my job 2 years ago.  I spent a few days just beside myself because I was given 30 minutes to empty my office after working there 12 years.  Punch in the gut.  I am doing well and doing what I enjoy.  God is good.

God trusting moment - dropped my car keys when crossing the street running an errand.  Two people were sitting on the stoop of a tatoo business across from where I parked.  When I returned I discovered my keys missing.  I searched a few minutes and found them in the wiper well of my car.  I can't imagine it was not these fellows who put them there because they knew which car the keys belonged to.  I was reassured that God is good. 

Mosaic Monday - Macros

Macro photography is my favorite.  I love to take pictures of items up close and personal. 

I participate regularly in challenges with certain themes assigned each week.  Some of the themes are very challenging.  It makes me think about how to approach the theme.

I ask myself these questions.
What objects would work?
Do I own them?
Can I find them?
Are they small enough?
How can I present them creatively?

Sometimes I have a load of ideas, I photograph those I want and then select my favorite. Other times I only have one idea and struggle how to present it creatively.



The heart in top left was for Heart
The teapot tea infuser was for Made of Metal
The pen in the middle was for Pens Pencils Erasers & Paperclips
The fabric in bottom left was Cloth/Textiles
The bird tea light was Black and White

Joining Maggie at Normandy Life who hosts Mosaic Monday #33.

Have a great week!

Card Club - March - Easter Flowers

Some folks still send Easter cards so I put this one together with gorgeous paper by Anna Griffin.

I cut the designer paper to 4 x 5.25 inches. 

I wrapped a piece of ivory twill tape across the bottom third of the paper and taped the ends to the back. 

I adhered this layer to the card front of a purple card.

I color printed the purple greetings on ivory card stock.  The tulip is clip art from CLKER. The greeting was cut with the Stampin Up Deco Labels Framelits Die. The greeting is adhered aligned over the twill tape using 3D foam tape.

Each person receives a birthday greeting in case they do not send Easter greetings.

Card Club - March - Yellow and Blue Polka Dots

I started with a dark blue card.

I chose 2 patterns of designer in the same family. It is from All My Memories - Herbanella - Design 30 which matches well with the navy in the designer paper.  I cut the paper to 4x5.25 then cut again at 3.5 inches. I turned the small one over and tape them back together on the back. 

I wrapped a length of green grosgrain ribbon across the join and taped the ends to the back. It was adhered to the card front.

I then placed 3 small yellow handmade paper flowers along the ribbon with tiny yellow brads.  I used a push pin to make the holes for the brads before inserting them, then press apart the prongs on the inside of the card.

Card Club - March - Birch Birthday

We have guy card this month. 

I started with the Stampin Up Woodland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I rubbed the background half of the folder with my Versafine Vintage Sepia ink pad.  I cut my paper 6 inches wide and 5.5 inches tall.  I ran the folder through my Big Shot.  I trimmed the embossed piece into three 2 inch pieces which I trimmed to 4.75 inch tall.  

I took a 4.25 x 5.5 inch piece of white card stock and ripped it in half.  This piece was trimmed to 5 inches tall. These were layered and glue together. 

I cut pieces of designer paper by 7gypsies - For Autumn Leaves into pieces 4 x 5.25 inches which were adhered to the front of a black card.

The birch tree accent was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

I color printed the greeting on white card stock and punched them out with the SU 1.75 inch circle punch.  I designed it so the words are all aligned to the right hand side of the circle. Then the circle greeting was tucked behind the accent and glued in place.

Card Club - March - Bird on a Branch

I started with a ginger colored card which coordinated with the rusty color in the designer paper.  The designer paper is by Authentique - Collection Hope - Adorn.  I cut it to 3 x 5.5 inches and ripped the top half in off making sure not to leave a white ripped edge. I trimmed it slightly and adhered it to the bottom of the card front.
I cut the Bird Branch by Tim Holtz from kraft card stock.  I then cut just the bird from blue card stock.  I applied Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Gathered Twigs onto the branch to give me some variation in color on the branch.  I glued the branch to the card front and trimmed it to the edge of the card.  I trimmed the bird die cut to ensure I only had legs and adhered him directly over the kraft colored one.  I used a push pin to make a hole for the eye and placed the tiny brad and pressed the prongs apart inside.
Option: A greeting could be added to the right of the bird.