Recent Photos

I am looking for summery images with this cold weather hanging in here.

So, tea this morning was served with true blue and yellow color scheme. The tea was Mango Passion Fruit served in my Steeped Tea True Blue heart shaped tea cup and saucer.

I love how my new small tea pot works so well with my regular dishes.  A delicious piece date square from our lunch on Sunday and a trio orange slices brightened up the table.

I chose my heart shaped tea cup and saucer with the gold edges.  The gold mercury glass bottle repeats this punch of metallic gold.

I placed some bright yellow poppies in the mercury glass bottle. 

Three slices from a large navel orange on the true blue plate again provides a bright punch of color on the table.  It offers some vitamin C to ward off those unhealthy bugs floating in the air.




This was the January book for the Tea Book Club hosted by Angela at Tea with Friends.

I did not finish this book.  It is book documenting the history of Darjeeling tea so some of the pages were not very compelling to me. 

I did learn a bit about the tea and would be interested to trying it next time I hit the loose tea store.

Love the cover!

I received this large jar candle scented Pumpkin Pie from a friend many years ago.  I decided it was time to liquidate it and thought that the jar may have decorator value.  So, I set out to melt the remaining wax in the jar which took several hours.  My place smell quite nice at the beginning but it became quite strong over time.


Once the wax as fully melted I washed the jar and removed the label.  Behind the label the jar was not textured as the top and bottom so it is not as reflective as those areas.  I've decided to keep for a bit to see if I can use it.

I am working on a sewing project for pot protectors.  I have been working on this pattern for a month. 

I have finally come up with something I am happy with it so I will be cutting and sewing to see the fabric project lives up to the vision.

I will keep you posted on the final project.

Sharing with
Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth

Tea with Friends hosted by Bernideen

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

Cobalt Glass Photo Shoot

I have been thinking about my Blue and White calendar for 2019 which will feature my Blue Nordic dishes, decor items I have collected and the Cobalt Blue glass I have gathered in the last couple of years.  I was trying to figure out what to use for a background when I discovered some inspiration on my Flickr feed - Blue Dimples taken by Susanne.

I had this sheet of textured acrylic that would do the job.  Now I had to figure out how to help it stand vertically.  I have several wood blocks with perpendicular slots in them that I figured would do the job.  I have 6 of them and with a 2 tall supports behind at both ends it stood.  The sheet is 48 inches wide so plenty of space in the center to set up my display without them interfering with my photo.

I am super pleased to have solved that problem so now I can move forward with my actual 12 layouts.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #70 hosted by Maggie at Normandy Life.
Through My Lens #130 hosted by Mersad

Card for the Engaged Couple

This is the card I for the engaged couple. 

A card base in Pretty in Pink smooth finish with a full layer of the Love Words designer paper which features Rose Red and Pretty in Pink. It was cut to leave a small border of card color.

I added a strip with the words - A happy heart across the top third which was adhesive.  Then I chose 3 little hearts in Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Regal Rose to create a cluster on the left hand side. 

The cards were all packaged up in a clear 6x6 inch box with a generous amount of white tissue paper.

I wish them years of happiness.

Card Gift Set - Bridal Shower

I made a set of cards for the bride to be as the shower is this week. They will make great thank you cards.

I chose a Stampin Up simply scrappin' kit named Love Sparkles which had the right theme for this set.  The colors in the set are Whisper White, So Saffron, Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip.  The kit had the card stock, the designer paper and the embellishments so making 16 cards took about 1.5 hours. Excellent!

I made 4 cards in each color.  I chose this Regal Rose Love Words designer paper and cut it to 5.5 x 3 inches.  I adhered it to the right side of the card leaving a small border of card stock color.  I added a strip embellishment which is adhesive and well as a Pretty in Pink heart die cut.

 I followed a sketch from a card challenge at Fab Friday.



Fab Friday mostly features Stampin Up products offers regular card challenges.

This is the sketch FabFri129 for this week. 



This kit features textured card stock, adhesive die cut embellishments, and various adhesive strips. With most of the kit used in these cards it means a bit more stuff out the door.

On the Chocolate Chip one I used the same Regal Rose Love Words designer paper and added a Pretty in Pink zigzag strip with a words heart.

On the Regal Rose one again the same Love Words DSP with a pretty polka dot border and circle heart die cut.

On the So Saffron cards I chose the striped designer paper with a narrow border in Chocolate Chip with a Regal Rose heart die cut.

Tea Cards - Custom Order

This tea cup appeared in my 2018 Nice Cuppa 4x6 photo calendar.  This photo of the tea cup with the matching bowl was in the first round of photos taken for the calendar.

The friend who owns this china requested a set of cards made with the image.  I chose a bright warm pink card which worked well with the flower in the bowl.  I used a very pale green card stock  with a Pink Passion greeting.   I printed the greeting then ripped the top and bottom edges.

The 3.75 x 3.75 inch photo and the greeting were adhered to the card front with double sided tape.

The greeting and the insert was customized for each recipient.  I made 7 of these.

The same warm bright pink card stock was used for these. 

I used a 3.5 x 5 inch photo for these where I trimmed a .25 inch from the top of the photo.  It was adhered to the card front with double sided tape leaving a generous border.

I made 3 of these - one with a customized sentiment and 2 with a blank insert which will allow it to be used for any occasion.

She was very happy with the set of cards.

Sharing with Pink Saturday.

Winter White Tea

The table was fitted with a cut lace table runner in white cotton.  It has such lovely texture and pattern. I love that you can see the pine table through the cut work which provides a bit of contrast.

I included on the table a few white glass ornaments from my collection.  I chose a couple white pinecones. These live in a box in my photo shoot props as I don't want to dig out the Christmas decorations when I need a bit of this decor.  I chose a heart since we are nearing Valentine's Day.

For a bit of sparkle I added a crystal votive holder which was a gift from my sister years ago.

I added a flameless tea light as I almost never use real candles anymore.  It provides a bit of warm light to the tablescape.


These sour cream biscuits are seasoned with steak spice.  A nice little snack with a bit of butter.

The economy of loose tea is that generally you can steep it at least a couple of times.  That means I need a process to be manage the number of steeps.

I use Steep Markers on my teapots to remind me how many times I have steeped this batch of tea.  When using infusers or tea bags I set my timer to pull it once when it rings so that it can be steeped again. To go with the winter theme I selected a polar bear charm with blue and white beads.
 
I added some plain yogurt with a few frozen blueberries.
It is held in a cute white fluted ceramic bowl.



I used my fluted porcelain tea mug in white for my Masala Chai Tea.  This has been a staple tea for me for a few years. 










This is made locally by the The Chai Wallahs and sold in several locations in the central area of the province.  I would highly recommend this tea.



Here's the whole picture of the tablescape.  I have used my large white porcelain tea pot which pours well and works well with this theme.

I am sharing with

Share Your Cup #281 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson.

Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth

Don't forget my Blog Challenge by leaving a comment on my featured post.  I have posted to my Flickr account as a challenge for Winter White.

Card Club Kit - Set 4 - Card 4

I assembled the flower accent ahead of time. A tiny pink brad with a silver sequin then 4 handmade paper flowers smallest to biggest. Glue the flower accent to the silver square then layer onto the black square.

Glue the square accent to the top of the pink card.

Trim the banner greeting close to the border with scissors. Cut the 3D foam piece in half. Add them to the back of the banner greeting. Adhere it to below the flower accent.

Card Club Kit - Set 4 - Card 3

I chose the designer made by Doodlebug Designs - Chocolate Decadence.  It was trimmed to 4.00 x 5.5 inches.   It was adhered to the warm brown card front.

I cut a large butterfly with the Sizzix Winged Beauties thinlet set from bronze metallic card stock.  I placed it onto the oval kraft tag and used a push pin to create a hole in body of the butterfly. Push the brad into the hole and turn over and spread prongs apart.

Cut the 3D foam tape in half and place them onto the back of the tag.  Add the ginger ribbon and trim the ends with scissors.  Remove the release paper from the tag and adhere it to the card front.

Card Club Kit - Set 4 - Card 2

I chose a warm designer paper in blues, oranges and ivories made by K&Company - On the road stars.  I cut it to 5.25 x 4.00 inches.

I added a ripped strip of blue vellum which folded to the back of the designer paper and taped the ends down. This layer was then adhered to the front of a ginger card.

I added the greeting which was color printed and cut to .5 tall. I adhered it over top of the vellum.

I placed one bronze star and used a push pin to create a hole through star and card front. I spread the prongs on the inside of the card. Repeat for the rest of the stars.  Make sure at least one of the brads captures the greeting.

Card Club Kit - Set 4 - Card 1

Adhere the greeting layer to the blue card.  Glue the Teddy Bear square above the greeting.

Optional: If you want a different sentiment you can turn the white layer over and stamp or otherwise add a sentiment below the Teddy Bear.

This is a 4x4 inch photo from my 2018 Teddy Bear calendar.  You can check out my calendar page.  Teddy is hanging out on a sunflower with a coordinating button on his vest.  He has a tealight holder in copper in front of him.  I added a mercury glass bottle with orange flowers. 

Card Club Kit - Set 3 - Card 4

I just loved this designer paper - WeR Memory Keepers - Wildflower - Botanical. I spent way too much time finding the right image for this card but I am happy with this owl available from Pixabay.

I printed the owl in Early Espresso onto vellum and clear embossed it.  I trimmed the vellum to 3.75 x 5.00 inches.  I tacked the vellum in place leaving a small border. 

I cut a slit in the fold and ran the dark brown seam binding through and brought it around to the front.  I placed some double sided tape between the vellum and designer paper where it will be hidden by the ribbon. I knotted the ribbon and trimmed the ends.

I placed the leaf onto the ribbon and used a push pin to create a hole through the card front.  I pushed the tiny brad through a hole in the leaf, and captured it under the brad.  This works to keep the leaf and the vellum secure.

Card Club Kit - Set 3 - Card 3

We may need a baby card sometime during the year.  I create a gender neutral card by using green. 

I started with a stack of handmade paper flowers in a mint green color. I chose a card in same color to keep the color scheme monochromatic. I cut leaves with the Sizzix Leaf Stem medium die from card stock with is slightly greyer in tone to provide a bit of contrast. 

I embossed a white piece of card stock with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  I adhered it to the card front which leaves a small border.

I placed the largest flower on the left hand side of a wide card and used a push pin the create the hole in the card front for the brad.  I stacked the white sequin, white flower, then 4 handmade paper flowers from smallest to biggest onto the mint green tiny brad then put the prongs through the hole. Inside the card I pressed the prongs apart. 

I added length of white grosgrain ribbon on the right hand side.  I cut a slit in the card fold and pushed one end of the ribbon through and taped it down the inside. I pulled it down the card front and wrapped the other end to the inside of the card and taped that one down. 

The greeting was color printed in the same color as the leaves on white card stock and was punched out with the Stampin Up Curly Label punch.  I applied some 3D foam tape pieces to the back and adhered it over the white ribbon to the right of the flower.

Card Club Kit - Set 3 - Card 2

Easter cards may be part of our seasonal card needs in this kit so I included one with a double sided greeting so those who what an alternative greeting have one.

I started with designer paper from BasicGrey - Sweet Threads - Weekend Look.  I cut the 12x12 into six 5.25 x 4.00 inch pieces.  Then I cut those again at the 3.5 inch mark to create a split layer. I turned over the small piece and tape them back together at the back. I then adhered that layer onto the pink car.

The greeting was color printed in a bright green onto pale yellow card stock.  To give the card makers an option and I printed an alternative greeting on the back. I chose the Easter greeting side for my card. I ripped the top and bottom edge and adhered it over the join in the designer paper.

Card Club Kit - Set 3 - Card 1

I trimmed the greeting layer to 3.75 x 5.00 inches.  The banner where the greeting is silver foil with a black border but when scanned it appears black.  I glued the greeting to the front of black card.

I used a push pin to create holes in the four corners of the greeting through the card front.  I place a small handmade paper flower onto a tiny pewter brad, pushed the prongs through the holes and pressed the prongs apart on the inside of the card.

Card Club Kit - Set 2 - Card 4

I started with a deep warm grey green card.

I chose a designer paper by Fiskars - Kimberly Poloson - Old Fashioned Flowers/Harlequin. The 12x12 sheet was cut into six 4.00 x 5.25 inch pieces.  Those were then cut at 3.50 inches. I flipped the small piece and taped the pieces together with silver glitter washi tape.

I color printed the black greeting and punched it with the Stampin Up Word Window.  I then layered it onto the SU Modern Label punchie in black.  This greeting was adhered to the card front with two pieces of 3D foam tape.

Card Club Kit - Set 2 - Card 3

I chose a deep warm blue card.

The designer paper is Graphics 45 - A Proper Gentleman Collection - Cultured Reserve.  It is a great plaid with navy and ivory.  The 12x12 was cut into 6 pieces measuring 5.25x4.00 inches.

I punched the top edge of the designer paper with the Fiskars Leave it to Weaver Border Punch. I did the center first then added a couple on each side. I strung the ribbon through the slots starting in the center and return to it, tie a knot, and trimmed the ends.  This layer was adhered to the card front.

The greeting includes a sailing image from CLKER. It was printed on ivory card stock. I then trimmed the layer very close to the frame. Once, trimmed I cut 4 pieces of 3D foam and placed them in each corner of the sailing greeting.

Adhere the greeting to the bottom of the card leaving even borders on three sides.

Card Club Kit - Set 2 - Card 2

I started with the four hand made paper flowers in graduated sizes featuring orange and white.

I color printed the stem layer with the greeting matching the color of the flowers. It was trimmed to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.  I placed the large flower onto the greeting layer and used a push pin to create a hole through the center of the flower into the white layer.

I layered the white sequin, then the 4 flowers onto the teal brad then pushed the prongs through the hole in the greeting layer and press them apart on the back.

This layer was then adhered to the teal card front.

Card Club Kit - Set 2 - Card 1

I chose a yellow card.

I trimmed the blue & white layer to 3.75 x 5.00 inches.  I placed the white flower over the center of the printed flower and used a push pin to create a hole for the brad. I placed the small yellow flower and the 2 white flowers onto the brad then placed the prongs through the hole and spread the prongs apart on the back.  The flower layer was adhered to the card front.

I wrapped a piece of navy cord around the card front and knotted to the right hand side.  Trimmed the ends.

Adhere the greeting to the navy blue label then cut the 3D foam tape in half and place at each end of the label. Remove the release paper and adhere the greeting to the card front in the bottom right hand corner.

Card Club Kit - Set 1 - Card 4

We always need cards for the guys in our lives.  I chose a double sided designer paper from My Mind's Eye - On the Bright Side - Grey Wood.  It features wood planks on one side and polka dots on the other.

This is another designer paper split. The 12x12 is cut into 6 pieces measuring 5.25T x 4.00W.  These pieces are cut again at 3.5 inches.  I flipped the smaller piece, butted the pieces together and taped the pieces together on the back.  This gives me a full card layer I can work with.

I added a striped silver and black metallic ribbon over the join and taped the ends to the back.  The designer paper layer was adhered to the black card front.

I adhered the greeting to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

Card Club Kit - Set 1 - Card 3

With Valentine Day in February I created a heart card with a designer paper split.

I chose a deep espresso brown colored card.

I chose a double sided designer paper.  I cut the 12x12 into 6 5.25x4.00 pieces.  Those pieces were cut again at the 3.5 inch mark.  I flipped the smaller piece to reveal the solid pink.  This piece was butted against the other and they were taped together on the back.  Now I have a layer I can work with.

I added a piece of white grosgrain ribbon across the join and taped the ends to the back.  This layer was then adhered to the dark brown card front.

I chose a deep burgundy heart punchie made with the Martha Stewart Lattice heart punch.  The heart is attached to the card front with a tiny pink brad through the center hole in the scallop border.

This makes are great card for a wedding or anniversary too.

Card Club Kit - Set 1 - Card 2

I chose another sheet of Japanese Origami paper for this card.  This time I cut it into four 3 inch squares.  I chose a blue card to coordinate with the paper. I chose a wide or landscape orientation.

I adhered the gold sticker paper across the card and trimmed it to the edges with scissors. I adhered the origami paper over the gold and placed it on the left hand side.

I selected blue and gold star sequins which I placed on the gold paper to the right.  I used a push pin to create holes in the card front, pushed the prongs of the tiny gold star brad through and spread them apart on the inside of the card. 

Card Club Kit - Set 1 - Card 1

Well I knew this day was coming and it has arrived.  I no longer have ladies attending Card Club.  I have a few ladies signed up for kits so I have decided to produce a large Card Club Kit to cover the upcoming 4 months of card club so I can move on to other activities on the third Monday of the month.  I have been doing this card club for 15 years so it means a change for me.  I had 2 participating on a part time basis in the last session so this is no surprise.

I chose a card which coordinates with the paper.

I placed a strip of gold sticker paper 2 inches wide on the left hand side and trimmed it to the card edge with scissors.  I adhered a 1.5 inch strip of Japanese Origami paper on top of that layer and trimmed it as well.  The 6 inch sheet produced 4 pieces.

I chose star sequins colors that coordinate with the origami paper.  In this case - red, gold and green. These are adhered to the card front with tiny gold star brads.  I aligned the sequins then used a push pin to create the holes through the card front for the brads.  Placed the sequin on the brad, pushed the prongs through and spread them apart on the inside of the card.

Photos Today

We had a great time of fellowship this morning with our Welcome to my Kitchen group.  We had 15 in attendance so that was a great turn out.  Here's my plate - homemade bread toast, raspberry yogurt, biscuits and fruit. It was delicious.


Of course, good black tea was in good supply served in china mugs.  It was very good.

This is was a new flavor for me.  It is Bakeapple Jam made with cloudberries.  They grow low to ground on marshy land which requires rubber boots and are picked in August.  It was home made and delicious.

The devotion was about giving and receiving encouragement.  Think outside ourselves and give a smile, a word or a hug. 

Our book exchange is going well with most heading home with books they have not read after bringing the ones they have read for others to take home.

 

I spent about 90 minutes at the Muttart Conservatory after running errands. The feature pavilion was celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on February 16 this year.

There were lanterns, parasols, and fans in those gorgeous reds and golds.

It was nice to unwind a bit with some photography.

Recent Photos

I tried Sour Cream biscuits this week.   I add dill and garlic powder to these which makes them yummy!

They turned out okay but they don't seem to brown the way the ones posted on the internet do.  I buttered the tops  and then put them under the broil for a bit to get this nice color. 

The stone in the background is a new addition to my kitchen.  It is 16 inches in diameter which is very large. But it held a full batch of biscuits which was the objective. 


I added a few pieces to my blue and white collection.  A nice Home Sweet Home watering can, a deep blue glass which I have but a tea light into and a very tall cut glass vase.


I have also collected a few lamps to my help light objects of my photography better.  These are great because they can hang or clamp.  They use a smaller light bulb so that gives me another level of lighting.  They are IKEA so good quality.

I also acquired these smaller still lights which have clamps.  They use chandelier bulbs which is again another step lower in power which will provide less light but will fill in shadows when needed. 

You will see that they are clamped to a stand.  Again, it was at the Thrift Store the other day and I thought that will work for providing lighting at different heights.  I believe it is a speaker stand.  It telescopes so I can clamp any of these smaller lights to it and move them up or down several feet.  Yes!  The base is heavy and will be very stable.

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption. 

I finished this book this week which a friend lent me. I totally enjoyed this read about the network of female spies during wartime.  They flew under the radar most of the time because men did not think they were smart enough to be spies.   Eve Gardiner and Charlotte St. Clair are brought together through an interesting connection.  Much of the story is based on true accounts of the women and men who worked in this system of information gathering and sharing in France during the war. I would recommend this book.

Sharing at Share Your Cup #280 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson.