Tea and Other Stuff

I scored a wonderful yellow tea cup at the second hand store yesterday.  Those of you who know me will understand how excited I was to see it.  The price was excellent so it came home with me.
I bought these 2 glasses to replace ones I had collected from a Christmas promotion years ago which were in the donation to the store.
Is it not amazing when you create space for what you want it does show up.
I've not seen this mark before so I will have to do some research later.







I did some coloring this week to unwind after a trip to visit my sister for our birthdays.

I had some caffeinated tea to ensure I stayed awake on my drive home in the late evening so I was still wide awake when I got home.

This is from the tea coloring boloring book I received from the blog hosted my Margie at Tea in the Valley.   I chose yellow for the base of the tea pot and cup combo with some pink flowers and green leaves.  Love the candy stripe on the handle.

I finished this book by Karen Kingsbury this week.  I was up till quite late finishing one night.  It was good.

I picked some lilacs early in the week.  I placed them in the hand painted vase which repeats the lilac color.  I think they have been giving me the sneezes though.









A gift from my sister.  My favorite tea from the Chai Wallahs. These ladies do such a great job of this tea.  They are local ladies to Alberta.

I purchased some lace curtains for the dining room window which has only had blinds for years.  I finishes the room.  It is my crafting space so does not serve as a dining room at all.  I have placed my dining room table in the living room next to the patio doors so I can see outside while I sit at the table.  Love the lace.



Sharing with the following:

Bernideen's Tea Time

Share Your Cup #252 hosted by Jan at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson.

Afternoon Tea

I gathered a few lilacs this morning in a couple of shades.  They are the small variety which bloomed a little later.  I put them into a hand painted glass vase with purple flowers.  I placed it onto a white Battenburg lace doily.

 

 

I made some Scottish Oat Scones yesterday.  I bought the dried currants especially to make this recipe.  I did not realize that dried currants are quite hard.  I baked the large scone on a stone which worked really well.  This recipe is from the Company's Company recipe book.    I placed a few triangles on a clear glass plate.

 

I made a cup of Blackberry Currant tea.  I served in a clear glass tea cup with matching saucer.  I added butter to my scone.  

 

The table is dressed with a white table cloth, topped with a lace and then a white linen table runner.

 

Sharing with 

Bernideen's Tea Time

Simple Sentiments - Full Photo

I was working on a new concept for my photos. So I dug into my stash of photos to create a new type of Simple Sentiments cards.  These cards feature my photos which have been trimmed to 3.75 T x 5.00 W which leaves a nice border on the A2 card.  I selected a colored cards that coordinated with the photos.  With no greetings they can be used for any occasion. They have a quarter sheet insert on the inside.

Some of these are being given to a friend who lost her husband recently.  She is a card giver and there are bound to be a few occasions where she would like to express appreciation to those who have provided support during this difficult time.

I will see her on today at our year end BBQ.

Mosaic Monday - Conservatory Trip

I took a trip to the conservatory yesterday because I needed a photo for the challenge on one of my Flickr groups.  You can check here to see the photo of the poisonous foxglove.

Here's some photos from that trip.

Top Left - I found a lady bug on the foxglove.  
Top Right - Allium giganteum - They are gorgeous flowers.
Bottom Left - This is a photo taken from the eye end of a prism kaleidoscope which I found in the gift shop. Very cool.
Bottom Right - Canada 150 tulip.  I have seen many of these this spring.  

I am waiting for the peonies to bloom.




I am sharing with Mosaic Monday #45 hosted by Maggie at Normandy Life.

R2Go Christmas Card Kit - Penguin Tuque

I started with a red card and a skating penguin with a red glitter tuque.

I printed a frame on white card stock.  I adhered the penguin accent to the frame.  I applied a piece of 3D foam tape to each corner.

I wrapped the white seam binding around the card front.  I tied a knot and moved it to the right hand side.

I adhered the accent square aligned to the left to leave a small border on 3 sides making sure my knot was to the right of the accent.

I adhered the greeting of my choice to the bottom right hand corner of the accent layer.  I adhered the quarter sheet insert to the bottom half of the inside of the card. I trimmed the ends of the ribbon with scissors.

R2Go Christmas Card Kit - Penguin Ear Muffs

I started with a navy card and a navy, blue, white and glitter square accent featuring a skating penguin with red glitter ear muffs. 

I printed a square to frame the penguin accent layer.  I adhered the accent square to the frame.  This layer was adhered to the card front aligned to the top of the card leaving an even border on 3 sides.

I color printed 2 greetings. I selected my banner greeting then trimmed with scissors. I cut a piece of 3D foam tape in half and placed a piece on each end of the greeting.  I then adhered the greeting below the accent layer

I adhered a quarter sheet insert on the inside of the card on the right hand side.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Hockey Penguin

I started with a navy card and a hockey penguin with a red glitter helmet.

I printed a frame on white card stock.  I adhered the penguin accent to the frame.  I applied a piece of 3D foam tape to each corner.

I wrapped the white seam binding around the card front.  I tied a knot and moved it to the right hand side.

I adhered the accent square aligned to the left to leave a small border on 3 sides making sure my knot was to the right of the accent.

I adhered the greeting of my choice to the top right hand corner of the accent layer.  I adhered the quarter sheet insert to the bottom half of the inside of the card. I trimmed the ends of the ribbon with scissors.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Polar Bear

I started with a red card and a navy, blue, white and glitter square accent featuring a skating polar bear. 

I printed a square to frame the polar bear accent layer.  I adhered the accent square to the frame.  This layer was adhered to the card front aligned to the top of the card leaving an even border on 3 sides. 

The banner greeting was trimmed with scissors after it was color printed.  I cut a piece of 3D foam tape in half and placed a piece on both ends of the greeting.  I then adhered the greeting below the accent layer

I adhered a quarter sheet insert on the inside of the card on the right hand side.

Mosaic Monday - My Walk Today

Here are a few photos from my walk this morning. 

Top left - Miniature White Hydrangea
Top Right - Begonia 
Bottom Left - the center of a Rose which as lost the petails
Bottom Right - Female Mallard Duck

Begonias are so hard to find in good condition was they bruise so easily. I was very happy to find this one in nice shape considering the rain last night.
The duck was in a park with no water near but there was a bucket of water where she was so I expect that is what drew her to this locale.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #43 hosted by Maggie at Normandy Life.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Bethlehem Triptych - Punched Stars

Another Ready 2 Go Stack kit for my class on Monday, June 05.  Very similar to the one I made earlier.

It features a Bethlehem Triptych with a gold foil greeting.  The layer measures 3.5 x 4.75 inches.

I chose a navy card.

I trimmed the 12x12 gold metallic card stock to 4.00 x 5.25 inches which leaves a small border of blue card.  This layer was adhered to the card front.

I punched 3 stars below the gold greeting on the Bethlehem layer.  Once placed on the gold layer the stars become gold as the lower layer shows through. I placed the center one first then evenly space the other two on either side.

Note Cards - Victorian Paintings

 I made another gift set of  No8 note cards.  This time I used a set of images left over from a Paper Tole kit I found these at the ReUse center the other day.  When I saw them I thought their proportions would be great for these type of cards.  As you can see they were perfect.  

The images were created by Anton Pieck - a Dutch artist who painted the Victorian images who lived from 1895 - 1987.  The the sheets of images have the copyright notice of 1973 The Donald Art Co. NY Printed in Holland on them and there is these three per sheet.  The name of the images are The Inspector (l), The Smoker (c) and the Ship Painter(r). I chose an olive green textured card stock in 12x12.  This layer was cut 2 7/8 x 5 inches. The cards are cut at 3 3/8 wide and then scored at 6 1/4 inches.  I added a 1/2 inch strip to the bottom of the card front, taped it on the back then added this scallop washi tape across the join and brought the ends to the inside of the card.  It finishing off the front nicely.     Again, I created a structure to house the 12 cards from left over strips of the 12x12 card stock I used for the cards.  These were scored the width of 3 5/8 centered on the 12 inches.  I used 2 - one for the bottom and another on the top.  I created a small piece of paper to stick to the top of let people know what the package contains.  I again added a label on one of the sides with my contact information.
You can refer to this post of the stash busting concept for these cards. 

Note Cards - Wedgwood Cameos

I made a set of note cards with vintage Wedgeport Notes images that I bought at a second hand store a few weeks away. The sticker on the box indicates it was sold in a Woodward`s store.  These stores closed in 1992 so the box of cards is at least 25 years old.  It held 16 images but only 12 of them had ovals which I chose for this project.

I cut the card front with the Stampin Up Aphothecary thin-lit aligning the ovals of the cameos. Since the cutting edges are on the edge of the thin-lit it was easy to see exactly where it was going cut. I then mounted a piece of coordinating card stock at the bottom of the card front.  The left one just has a solid piece which has been just adhered with the edges butted up to each other.  The center one, the coordinating layer was punched with the SU! Eyelet border punch and overlapped the card front.  On the right one, I used one of the SU! Edgelits in the Adorning Accents set again overlapping the pieces. I then adhered the accent onto the ivory card front.

I had a card stock leftover from the 12x12 which I cut down to 1 inch wide. I used 2 of them to create a container to place the 12 cards and envelopes inside. I added a credit label on the outside. This was placed inside a gussetted cello bag which measures 3.5W x 1.25D x 8.5T inches. I just folded the top of the bag like a gift and taped the flap closed.

This used 4 12x12 card stock, a bit of solid card stock, 12 envelopes and the vintage cameos.

Stash busting - No.8 Cards

I have no idea when I acquired a box of 500 of No.8 envelopes so this is a stash busting exercise.

When my sister visited on the long weekend we brainstormed the options for making cards to fit these envelopes.

It measures 3 5/8 x 6 1/2 inches. They cost a lot less than A2 Invitation envelopes. 

The idea I came up with was using 12x12 card stock to create three 6 1/4 X 3 3/8 inches cards. When scored at 6.25 inches you need to add an additional piece to the other side.



1. Single Side Designer Paper
You can just add a .5 inch strip of coordinating solid card stock.  This gives you an element you can repeat on the accent you add to the card front.
2. Double Sided Designer Paper
When using double sided designer card stock you can leave that color show through below the shaped bottom edge.
3. Either Type of Designer Paper
You can make a landscape card which folds in the center with the solid piece being anywhere along the card front.

Doing some calculations on cost it was determined that over all the cost is higher to make these cards but being in the place that the supplies in my craft space have been there for a long time and it is now a stash busting project.  For that reason, it makes sense to try to make the envelopes and 12x12 card stock leave the house.
It requires me to stretch my brain to design for a new size because I have been making A2 (4.25x5.5 inch) cards for years.  

Christmas Card Challenge - June - Green/Triangle

The challenge this month is Green and Triangle.  I found a green and red designer paper by A2Z Essentials Pollinate Collection - Burst.  This paper was cut into triangles measuring 5 tall x 2 inches wide.

I chose a hunter green card.  I added an light green embossed layer.  It was embossed with the Starry Night Background Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folder.  

I added a red sequin star at the top of the tree and 3 gold sequins spread around the background.  I added 3 wraps of red cotton fiber which is knotted on the front.

The triangle tree is mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape over the red fiber.  

I added a coordinating Stampin Up Word Window greeting in the bottom right hand corner.
64 Christmas Cards in my box today.

Mosaic Monday - This Week

During my morning walk the other day, I had this Magpie bird following me along the trail.

It was sitting there and it looked like it was posing for a photo so I took one.

It was a lovely walk with a very nice temperature.  I always take my camera for just this type of opportunity.









We had a very stormy day last week where it rained all day.  The winds were very violent and cause a lot of damage to trees and other living things.

These three are the ones I saw on my walk the other morning.  It has been almost a week and only one of them had been addressed by someone.  I suspect it was not the city as the branches would have been removed.  It will take a long time to clean up from this record setting storm.





 I started my photo shoot for the 2018 Tea Calendar.  I just love setting still lifes with tea related items.  This year books feature in some of the photos.  I made an effort in the last year to collect book with nice covers so I could include them in photos.


Keep an eye out for it later in the summer.











At card club last night one of the ladies was selling tomato plants for a fundraiser to send kids on a trip to British Columbia.  These are yellow pear tomato plants and are ready for larger pots.  I will pick up soil today and give them a home on the balcony.  I should plant my herbs as well.

This is the ornamental plum tree at the seniors residence down the street.  It was in full bloom and absolutely stunning.

Every branch had clusters of lovely pink blossoms.  Tightly packed they were.

Such beauty fills my soul for another day.

I am linking with Maggie at Normandy Life who hosts Mosaic Monday#42.

Card Club - May - Stars for Dad

This was the Father`s Day card in this card club.
I started with a black card. I cut a piece of designer paper by Rusty Pickle - Game Time - Run It.  This is the back side which looks like wood grain. This was cut 4.00 x 5.25 and adhered to the card front leaving a small border. 
The sun burst is a thin die from Stampin Up.  I love this one.  It was cut from bronze heavy text weight paper which was larger than the A2 card front.  I used Scotch Quick Dry adhesive for this task. Once adhered to the card front the rays were trimmed to the edge of the card.  
The stars were cut from taupe card stock and the same heavy text weight bronze paper with the Sizzix Star 2 die which has 4 different sized of stars.  The large taupe star was adhered to the center of the start burst.  The greeting had the right hand end flagged then adhered to the center.  The bronze medium and the taupe small stars were adhered together.  This accent was then adhered over the large star with 3D foam tape.  The greeting can easily be left out or adhered on the right hand corner.

Card Club - May - Bright Blossom

This is a nice bright card.  It features clear embossed designer paper from a 12 x12 card stock pad by SEI - Bright Blossom.  The blossom paper was cut 4x4 which yielded 9 pieces.  I chose a solid pink card stock which coordinated, which was cut to 4.00 x 1.25 inches.  These were butted up and tape together on the back to make one piece to cover the yellow card front leaving a small border.  I did do the alternate colors where the card was pink and the ribbon was yellow.
The ribbon was pulled across the designer layer and the ends were taped to the back.  This layer was then adhered to the card front.
The greeting has a solid layer which is offset behind the white color printed greeting.  The label is the Decorative Label punch by Stampin Up.  The solid label is cut across on the center point.  The point is then cut off both pieces. The halves are adhered behind the greeting offset on the left and right hand sides.  This greeting was then adhered to the card front over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

Card Club - May - Handmade Paper Diecut

The focal element on this card was made with heavy handmade paper.  I colored it with liquid acrylic ink in Olive Green, Purple Lake, and Indian Yellow.  I placed my three colors on my non stick craft sheet and spritzed with water in a spray bottle then placed  my sheet of heavy paper onto it.  It did not spread as it usually does on glossy card stock.  It absorbed quickly and completely.  It took 3 more tries to get the intense coverage I wanted on the handmade paper.  I did fill a couple of spots with a foam brush and color.  It was too thick to curl but it took over night to dry completely. 
Once completely dry, I die cut it with the Sizzix Happy Phrase die.  The die produces Ha and ppy is seperate die cuts.  I chose a deep purple card stock and a olive green accent layer, onto which I printed the word Birthday on the left hand side.  The greeting layer was ripped along the top and bottom edges then adhered to the card front.  Then I used Scotch Quick Dry adhesive in a bottle with a fine tip to adhere the handmade paper letters to the card front aligning them around the printed word.
This left room for the purple daisy confetti on the right hand side which is held in place with a tiny yellow brad.  Love the die cut.  Turned out exactly as I had hoped. 

Card Club - May - 4 Squares

This is a nice simple card to start.  I used some coordinating designer 12x12 card stock from a pad by SEI - Nutmeg.  Pads are nice because they provide automatic card stocks usually solids and patterned that work together.
The greeting layer was designed and printed on ivory card stock.  The cross on the left makes aligning the squares very easy.  Printing was Early Espresso.  It was trimmed to leave a small border and adhered to a paprika color card.
I punched 1.5 inch squares from 2 different designer card stocks - green and brown with my Creative Memories punch.  The opposite corners were corner rounded and then I adhered them with the pointed corners into the center.

Baby Boy - Shower Gift - Yellow Duckie

I made this card for my nephew and his wife who had another baby boy recently.  This is #2.

I created a watercolor background with Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Faded Jeans, a bit of turquoise liquid acrylic ink and a couple of scribbles of Not Quite Navy watercolor crayon.  The color was applied to a acrylic sheet and spritzed with water.  I laid my 4x6 card stock into it and pulled it away.  It curled but when left to dry it flattened again.  Once dry, it was cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches and adhered to the navy card front.

I found a clipart image of a yellow duckie which I printed and then cut with a smooth oval from the Spellbinder Nestabilities set.  I then cut a scalloped oval a medium blue card stock with the corresponding oval.  This was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I printed a greeting in navy and yellow and fussy cut the banner with scissors.  It was adhered with 3D foam tape.

Books are my go to gift for babies.  I hope that books will always part of our culture.  I think parents reading to babies is valuable time spent.

You will notice a theme of yellow ducklings in this gift.

This is a great book with a nice plasticized cover so it can handle sticky fingers and it is easily wiped clean.

The illustration in the book is wonderful and the colors are lovely.

I chose the same duckling graphic for the frame for his room.  It contains the details of the day he was born.

It is a yellow good quality metal frame with a brilliant blue mat and a coordinating yellow mat.

I designed the information layer to fit in the 4.75 x 6 inch opening in the mat.  It was printed on white card stock and adhered behind the mat.

I hope it holds a place in his room for years to come.  I did similar item for his dad when he was born years ago.  It makes a nice keepsake.