Each Comment was folded and sealed with a Pin.
Georgia mixed them up and pulled this one out.
Congratulation!!! Donna Hardin, you are the winner!!! Donna has a lovely Tea Room in Iowa called Miss Spenser's Special-Teas and a delightful blog I know you will enjoy visiting. It's below freezing at her place right now (she has pictures to prove it) so I know she'll enjoy your visit.
Thanks everyone for playing!!! I wish everyone could be the winner.
Delphinium is July's birth flower. It was used by West Coast American Indians to make blue die, and the blooms were crushed by European Settlers in making ink. July is National Blueberry month, Hot Dog month, Baked Beans month, Ice Cream month, and Picnic month which I'm sure coincides with July 4th American's Independence Day.
Because Delphiniums are so tall I altered my July 2010 calendar page. Happy New Year to all!
Lilly of the Valley is Mays birth flower.
June's birth flower is the Rose.
I chose to paint a yellow rose which signifies joy, gladness, friendship, and says, "I care."
Six more Calendar months to paint and only one more day 'til 2010, but when I remind myself I'm creating this calendar as a "just for fun" project I'm not going to worry about it. As long as I finish each month before it begins.
My final Year End Give Away is of my New Noveltea Pins & Magnets. To enter to win this assortment, just let me know which set is your favorite and if you are the winner would you prefer all Pins, all Magnets, or half Pins/half Magnets. A $40 (all Pins)-$48 (all Magnets) value. The winner will be selected Tuesday January 5th and announced on Wednesday January 6th. Best to all for a chance to win and also for a very Happy New Year!
This Give Away has ended.
Congratulations to Donna for being the winner. Donna has a lovely Tea Room in Iowa called Miss Spenser's Special-Teas and a delightful blog I know you will enjoy visiting.
May the peace of Christ fill your heart and home with joy and gladness for a Happy Christmas.
What will you be doing this Christmas Eve?
My daughter and I will be baking Ginger Bread and making Almond Roca. While those are in the oven the house can use a little tidying up, and there's a few more gifts that still need wrapping. I hope I don't forget to give the kids each a hug, and hubby a kiss for all his help, too.
I'm wishing for time to hang my snowflakes in the entry hall. I wasn't going hang them this year for time's sake, but last night my son's friend said the house wasn't decorated because he didn't see our snowflakes up. It's funny how our traditions extend past those in immediate family. I'm glad he said he missed them, because I miss them, too.
So, with that, I bid you a blessed day that reveals how very much God loves you!
I still haven't sent out my Christmas Cards. Sort of like the shoe maker whose own kids have no shoes. I've been so busy making sure everyone else has the cards they need and that's perfectly OK. The 12 days of Christmas go till Jan 5th and I may just decide to send out New Years cards which will give me an opportunity to create something new.
My neighbor, who has the gift of making others smile and laugh, sent this amazing song and I can't help but pass it on to you. It's called "Silent Monks Singing Hallelujah." Enjoy!
And a Very Merry Christmas to You and Your Kin...
Blessing to all, Kim
I caught a glimpse of this tree tucked behind some shrubs driving past a yard sale. I was with my husband coming from a nursery with 3 fruit trees in the back of the truck. I hollered, "Turn around!" Hubby asked, "What?" I said, "You'll see..." Now I did what every good garage-saler tells you not to do. I excitedly walked up to the lady selling this tree and told her I thought her tree was amazing. When I asked how much she said, "$20, it was once a Macy's display tree." Having just $20 left from buying the three real trees I purchased this fake 7.5 foot pre-lit tree in pink. With a bit of remorse from my neighbor's reaction that I probably spent too much, hubby decided to looked them up on line. At Treetopia.com they were on sale for $289 from their original price of $569, but this size is now sold out. I feel better now and happy to have it, if for nothing else seeing the reaction of those who see it for the first time is priceless.
My newly acquired 7' tall pink Christmas tree gets the same reaction as seeing an elderly woman at the hair salon who just had a pink rinse put in her gray hair. It's one of those take-a-deep-breath-before-you-exclaim reactions until your brain can conceive what your eyes are showing it.
But I like it in my studio with my vintage Christmas balls I found last year hanging with my collection of Demitasse teacups on the tree.
I even cut out some images from a few of my Teacup Greeting cards to add to the tree.
Christmas day is almost here and I'm nowhere close to being ready, but no worries. The 12 days of Christmas begin on December 25th which means I can extend my Christmas to January 5th!
According to tradition, when the Maccabees entered the
Hanukkah began this year at sundown on Friday December 11th and continues until the 19th. This history is taken from different sources, please feel free to share any other part of this story you know. I would also appreciate knowing any of your traditions when celebrating Hanukkah.
My Hanukkah Teacup Greeting card was fun and challenging to paint as I worked out the different ways to incorporate the Menorah, Dradle, Dove and the Jewish star. It comes with a Harrisons & Crosfield Forrest Berries tea inserted in the tea pot.
A vintage aqua Christmas ornament I found last year is now hanging on a pink Christmas tree I found last Saturday.
Christmas teapots, who can resist them?
Aren't these mini teapots adorable?
I can't decided if this cute pink teapot with the pink roses in the center or the blue teapot with the roses in the white stripes is my favorite.
And then there's this cheery yellow and red teapot that reminds me of Summer.
Best little gift for girls of all ages, these adorable tea pots are very affordable.
Available in my Store for only $7.
Spending time with family and friends, old and new, enjoying warm scones,
You've seen most of my cards and stationery so I’d like to show you what my
friends brought to the party.
The Ginger Santas were my favorite and the Anise
Shortbread Cookies were Steve’s favorite.
Her new company, “Ivy Hill, Seasonal Baked Goods” is just starting up and I can tell she is off to a great start. Her website will be up soon, but in the mean time if you would like to inquire about this season’s cookies you can contact Sandi May at Bakers@Ivy-Hill.com. Sandi also brought her daughter who I discovered is a blogging buddy at Wild Oak Cottage. She wrote a wonderful write-up of my open house, thanks Machelle!
Sherry Evans was there signing her new book “Afternoon Tea
in
Her book is amazing and to hear her share about all the tea rooms she and her mom visited in order to write this book was impressive. I bragged to guests about all the wonderful tea rooms they could now find in her book, plus the fabulous tea room recipes they could try, with places to jot down the memories of their visit, then Sherry would add, “…and Kim’s artwork is in it.” I noticed her book was mostly purchased in pairs, one to keep and the other as a gift for a sister, friend, or mom. To purchase the book for yourself or as a gift find it at Sisters Forever Publishing. Her mom and dad came also. I think I heard her dad and my dad talking about old cars.
I contacted each of the shops who had
tablecloths I loved and asked if they could send them off within a couple of
days for my big event. They all responded quickly and a stack of packages all
arrived in a few days. “THANK YOU” to all the Etsy shops: AnitasAntiquities, The Vintage Mercantile, The Cherry Chic, Grams Textiles, and Cheeky Vintage Closet.
Isn't this Christmas Ornament dreamy? Georgia will be bringing her hand made one of a kind ornaments to my Open House this Saturday Nov 28th. These pretty paper cones are perfect for adding a special treat inside to give as a gift. She will be covering her feather tree with a wonderful selection in different colors and designs. I can't wait to see them all.
For those of you who can't make it to our Open House Sale in person, we will be having an online SALE in my Store at www.teacupcards.com on Saturday ONLY from 12 am-12 midnight. All my Teacup Greeting cards and Stationery will be 1/2 OFF for 24 hours. For more info on my once a year Open House Sale scroll down a few post
It was an exciting day when copies of this amazing new book arrived at work, hot off the press! Georgia, Steve and I sat in a circle each with a copy in hand shouting out all the wonderful things we discovered: delicious tea sandwich, scone & soup recipes, tea rooms close by, and images of my artwork inside.
Sherry Evans, pictured above with her mom, has beautifully produced and written this wonderful book. The best part, she has agreed to come for a book signing at my Open House next Saturday!
With my cup tea at hand, I'll reveal a few of the pages inside.
Sherry is a delightful woman who trusted in the Lord as He has guided
her in producing this book which, as she says, "...my purpose is to
encourage you, the tea lover, to discover the many places that serve
afternoon tea in Southern California." Find her book at www.AfternoonTeaInSouthernCalifornia.com or come meet Sherry yourself next Saturday, Nov 28th, 10am-4pm at my annual Open House Sale (all my products are 1/2 off) and Tea Tasting. I'll have all the teas out that we use in our cards and stationery for you to try along with fresh baked scones and homemade jams. Scroll down to the next post for more info....
Georgia will be making her gorgeous handmade Christmas ornaments and I've invited a couple other guest to join us, too. It's always fun, and this year I'm anticipating the cozier setting now that we are no longer in the the old warehouse.
The event is over, and it was tons of fun. If you'd like to attend next year it's usually the last Saturday in November. Drop me a note, I would be happy to send you an email reminder as well.
Original 10"x14" Watercolor copyright Kimberly Shaw 2009
I decided my Tea Room, actually my pantry that holds all the tea I use for my Stationery, needed a little something to state it's purpose since all that's in it is tea. The color I used is Winsor & Newton's "Rose Madder" painted on Arches 140 pound Hot Press watercolor paper.
I re-purposed an old frame and spent the day playing with my paints. I then cut out the teacup from my Pansy Thank You card, made it look like it's hanging from the "a", and added painted a bit of shadow.
My pantry has Harney & Son's Teas on the left and Harrisons & Crosfield Teas on the right. I love this pantry. It's one of the reasons why I fell in love with this home.
If you'd like to see my Tea Pantry in person, Saturday November 28th from 10am- 4pm I open my doors for our annual Open House & Tea Taisting. Last years event was at my old warehouse so I am looking forward to a cozier setting with the fireplace on if it's chilly and friends filling the rooms with their stories and laughter as they sip warm tea. Oh, yea, there will also be fresh baked scones with my homemade pomagranate jelly and lemon curd. Keep posted, more details coming next time...
Saturday I went to the Painted Pony Art Festival in Jamul, to do something I haven't done in a very long time.
I set up a canopy, a rack of teacup cards and a table
of other tea party goodies with 20+ other artist
in support of Art in Schools.
My friend Mark, Owner or Mark's Airbrush Artism, was the feature artist displaying motorcycles he painted and 0ne of four painted foals that were auctioned off. He also demonstrated and shared his amazing airbrush techniques.
There were even four live painted ponies at the festival.
This one was my favorite.
Have a blessed week. Besides working, I'm planning to make jam from the 15 Pomagranates I seeded today, piece my quilt top together that I cut out last week, and finish painting May's page of my 2010 calandar.
Sorry you haven't heard from me for a while. Georgia and I have been busy creating these new pins and Magnets and the little cards they adhere to. But if I am to be truly honest, Georgia has been busier them me plugging away at her design station, sometimes battling with a computer that wants to crash as soon as a new design is finalized. But at last, they are here and it's time to celebrate with that bottle of sparkling tea I brought home from Tea an'Tiques Tea Shop. So, here they are:
I chose the name "Noveltea" for my new line of 1" Pins and Magnets from the definition of "novelty" combined with "Tea".
novelty (nov' el-tea) n., pl.-teas 1. The quality of being novel; newness. 2. Something new and unusual; an innovation. 3. A small massed-produced article, such as a toy, a trinket.
They are just now being added to my Store, and retail shops have started ordering them. Each set of four is available in either pins for $5 or magnets for $6.
I finally finished April's page for the 2010 calendar I am painting for myself just for fun.
The bee was a last minute add because May's page is going to have a cute little critter I thought I could squeeze one on this page, too.
Is anyone else inspired to create your own 2010 calendar? At the rate I'm going I better hurry, only a couple of months left in this year.
80 of five different card styles were especially made to bless 400 women who will be attending a Missions Tea in San Salvador. Two of each card will be placed on a table that seats ten women, one card at each place setting.
Each card was printed with Psalms 34:8a which says, "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good." in Spanish of course.
The cards were packed into smaller boxes which will be packed again into extra suitcases that the men agreed to help transport along with all the other goodies for the tea, like teapots, home made lemon curd, cream cheese mints, just to name a few. I believe four couples are going from two churches to put this 2nd annual Tea together.
Georgia in my office also designed a bookmark which is being laminated by one of the women going down there early November.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
This California girl wasn't lucky enough to receive an invitation to George Washington's mother's home, but my teacup cards were. I just packed a box of teacup greeting cards for the Museum Shop. This was one box I'd like to pack myself in and go for a visit, but for now my little teacups will have to make the journey without me.
So, being a curious girl, I hopped on the web and went for a little journey searching the history of Mary Bell Washington. Mary Bell married Augustine Washington in 1730 with three of his children from a previous marriage. George was born February 22, 1732. Five more children were born to the Washingtons: Betty, Samuel, John, Augustine, Charles, and Mildred. They lived on a farm until George bought this home for his mon in Fredricksburg after the death of her husband Augustine. Here she could be closer to Betty, receive care and communication as the home was on the Post Road. Mary lived to see George become President and died later the same year. Your can read more facinating history at the Preservation Virginia website along with Museum hours and information.
Since 1998 my cards have been offered in the Mary Wasington House Museum Shop. I'm very honored my teacups sit in the midst of all that rich history, & I'm wondering if Mary knew everything George was up to.
Harney & Sons Indian Spice Tea is a delightful tasting black tea spiced with cardamon, cinnamon and ginger with a robust aroma similar to India's Chai tea. I think it's perfect for these cool Autumn nights after dinner with a slice of pumpkin bread.
If this sounds mouth watering, I put the remaining few boxes on SALE in my store. Each box has 20 teabags for only $3.
Jane Terjung is one of my favorite funny tea writers. She introduced herself to me as, "A friend of a friend," and I'm so glad she did. Now that I've gotten to know her I would love to introduce her to you.
Her bio describes her as struggling with the "joy" of retirement while hiding out with her husband in the artist-strewn organic hills of Topanga, California. I have my own memories of the windy roads of the Topanga Canyon as a High Schooler on the way to the beach, but telling stories of daring brothers passing cars through narrow tunnels is just too foolish a tale to tell. I'd rather talk about Jane right now.
Jane is an artist of words with the creative way she vividly illustrates her stories. She's open and funny, revealing snipits of real life events. Her articles are wittingly titled, "Dirtea Roots", "TeaVo and Sympathy", "Trim Your Turkey with Tea", and my favorite, "La Tea Da - Steeping at the Ritz-Carlton." All of Janes articles are found on the T Ching website along with amost everything there is to know about TEA: product reviews, history, news, recipes, earthenware, tea in literature, tea industry, travel, basics & tips. It's a fantastic site and Jane is a wonderful contributor, like a breath of fresh air. You'll also find the T Ching link in the left hand margin of my blog for a quick hop-over for tea info, facts, and articles. Now that you've met Jane, feel free to give her a hearty, "Hidy ho, neighbor."
This is always the funnest part of having a Give Away, Picking a Winner! I get so excited to see who it will be. To help with this season's pick, I'm using a Milk Glass Chicken I just received as a gift from my daughter.
She knows I love Milk Glass as much as Chickens, the live ones though I don't have any right now on account hubby got a Bird Dog as a pet. So let's get started. I don't use a random number generator because it's just so much fun cutting out each comment, folding them up, and this time each one is going in the belly of the hen for a little shake. No chickens were harmed in the process.
Hurray!!! Helene YOU'RE THE WINNER! Thanks everyone for playing, but DON'T GO AWAY JUST YET. For everyone who played in this Give Away I'll be happy to SEND YOU one of my "Give Thanks" Teacup Greeting cards if you email me your address at kimberlyscottage@att.net just for participating. Helene, don't forget to send me your address, too.
To conclude today's fun, here's a funny closing poem that JaneT wrote for me. She is hilarious and writes a column at for the T Ching website that you'll want to read each time she submits her wit. I call her the Erma Bombeck of Tea. I especially love her "La Tea Da" story of going to the Ritz. Thanks Jane for the poem:
ODE TO KIMBERLY'S CARDS
There once was a gal from
Who brewed all her tea in a bucket
Until that she saw
Cards from Kimberly Shaw
And now it's teacups!
--Who'd a thunk it?
Artwork copyright Kimberly Shaw
"Daffodils"
By William Wordsworth (1804)
That floats on high o’er vales and
hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd.
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line,
Along the margin of a bay;
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
Out-did the sparkling
waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company;
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought,
What wealth the show to me had brought.
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye,
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
A happy accident when I painted the scene on the bottom of the spiral binding instead of at the top, because then I continued the sky before adding the days of the month. Oh, this is fun! Go ahead artist...You know you want to make your own 2010 calendar, too.
When at the bookstore looking at the new 2010 calendars, it dawned on me, why not paint my own. I need an excuse to set some creative time aside and just paint for fun. Running a business leaves little time for play. Next stop, the art store, and as I walked in the cute girl at the registered announced, "All watercolor pads are HALF OFF!" This felt like a divine appointment, so for $5 I left with my new 2010 calendar ready to be created.
Already swaying from my plan I painted Violets for February instead of an Iris. I like Irises, I like Irises a lot, but I love Violets. Then again, this calendar is supposed to be just for fun anyway.
February is my favorite month because 3 family birthdays are celebrated right after Valentines Day.
Now that I've diverted from my original plan, who knows, will March's page be a Daffodil? Only if I'm having fun.
I just felt like painting a Fall Leaf.
Avoiding the laundry, the dishes, and the overgrown garden for just one day, I choose instead to spend my Saturday playing with my watercolor paints, just for fun!
Hope you are having a wonderful day!
10"x11" watercolor painting on 140 lb. hotpress watercolor paper. Artwork © Kimberly ShawHappy 1st day of Autumn Everyone! Tis the Season to give thanks for the trees changing colors, bulb planting, good friends, warm tea, home made soup, cozy blankets, a fire in the fire place, spectacular sunsets, and hot cocoa.
I thought I'd celebrate this momentous change in seasons with a little Give Away! Here are 12 of my Fall inspired Teacup Greeting Cards for you to warm the hearts of those you send them to and an assortment of 15 delicious Harney & Sons teas to enjoy as the nights get cooler.
To enter just leave a comment by midnight Sunday October 4th California time letting us know what you like best about Autumn.
I am thankful for YOU!
I think I forgot to tell you about my September Sale, so finally Half way through the month I'm finally letting you know my Teacup Greeting cards with Purple tea are, you guessed it, HALF OFF! Looking back I can now see how I missed posting this. The last week of Summer I enjoyed some needed time out of town with family then rushed the kiddos off to school. Here's a closer look at what's on SALE.
"Tea Party" with wisteria blossoms is blank inside.
"Lillies" with Earl Grey tea is also blank inside.
"For Someone Special" with China White Blackcurrant tea.
"Especially For You" with purple pansies.
"Birthday Wishes"
"Thinking of You"
"Happy Birthday"
"Thank You"
"Congratulations"
Harrisons & Crosfield's China White tea is light and refreshing with the wonderful fruity flavor of blackcurrant. Their Earl Grey is both flavorful and aromatic, delicious with milk and sugar. You can find my Teacup Greeting cards, all with their own teabag inserted in the rim of the teacup or teapot, reduced to HALF PRICE at www.teacupcards.com but only until the end of September.
Thank You to all who have taken advantage of the SALE!
Doesn't this mug just scream, "Hot Cocoa, Please."
As the nights get chillier with the approaching Fall season we find ourselves gravitating towards warm colors and warm beverages.
If you can picture yourself sitting around the table with friends and family serving hot beverages from these lustrous mugs come Fall, maybe while playing Scrabble, I've made four of these beauties available in my Etsy Shop.
Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
This is the third
watercolor in a series of 3 paintings all celebrating lace doilies. Growing up lace doilies were just a part of life. My Grandmas and Aunts all had them on their fine wood tables under a favorite china piece or vase of flowers. Many crocheted and gave them as gifts. All three watercolor paintings will be listed in my Etsy Shop soon, framed and ready to hang.
Pink Teacup on Lace Doily was the first painting, and the second painting is Floral Teacup on Lace Doily.
I have an idea for a fourth painting but that will come later. I've just started painting a 2010 calendar for myself just for fun. January's page is almost done and I'll 'Show and Tell' that project next.
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills is the quaintest tree-lined town of Murphys, appropriately called "Queen of the Sierra."
In the middle of town is the adorable Tea an' Tiques shop, and of course I had to go in. Want a peek inside?
As soon as I stepped in, Darcy, the owner graciously invited me to help myself to cup of tea at her tea tasting counter, with a charming cottage garden just a few steps away to relax in and enjoy a cup of tea.
Back inside are beautiful teacups and teapots, tea, scone mixes and goodies for planning a perfect tea party. She also carries lovely antiques, framed art, books, gifts and collectibles.
It was really fun seeing my cards there, too, since I don't get many opportunities to see them displayed in stores. Oh yea, want to see what I went home with?
This White Jasmine Sparkling Tea is incredibly delicious!!! I also found a matching spoon to the Franz butterfly teacup my aunt surprised me with.
That's me standing in the center of these trees so you can get a scale of their size.
It was really fun getting away for a little rest. I was awed by the massive size of these huge trees at Calaveras Big Tree State Park. These trees are really big and the 1.5 mile hike late in the day as the sun came through the trees was an inspiring stroll.
The tree on the right is a regular sized large tree with it's big brother dominating it on the left.
I'm standing taking this photo, so this trunk lying down is taller than I am, and its length disappears in the forest.
I visited a charming Tea Shop on the way which I'll share with you next time and the wonderful treats I found there.
I made my first Pot of Fig Leaf Tea just last night after delivering Figs to my neighbor. When you have a Fig tree, the next best thing is a neighbor who love figs. Anyway, Janet also asked if she could have some leaves to make tea. TEA? Really? I had no idea. She said tea is usually made from dried leaves, but fresh tastes better. Once back home I Googled it. It's true, the leaves can be used to make tea. Let me show you...
First wash and finely chop one large Fig Leaf. For a single cup use one heaping teaspoon.
I put the chopped leaf directly in the post and added the boiling water.
Then I waited, letting it steep about 8 minutes.
The aroma smelled like Fig blossoms, if Fig trees had blossoms, which surprisingly they don't. The taste of the tea is fresh and clean with a slight nutty background, and a little like green tea without any bitterness or earthy flavor. I left the leaves in the bottom of the Pot and now 30 minutes later I poured a second cup and it hasn't become bitter, still fresh and clean tasting only a bit cooler. In my first cup I added honey which was delicious, but wanting to try it unsweetened I like it better plain.
Curious about the health benefits? According the world's healthiest foods the leaves of the Fig Tree have anti-diabetic properties reducing the amount of insulin needed by diabetics who require insulin injections. I've discovered that drinking 3-4 cups a day helps against bronchitis and asthma. Bathing in it stimulates circulation and takes away discoloration of bruises, but be careful not to go out into the sun after applying to the skin because the psoralens in the fig leaf will cause serious sun burn. Psoralen is used to treat psoriasis and eczema.
I've had 5 cups of Fig Leaf Tea so far with no ill effects. It's delicious with a very pretty golden color! I would serve it at a Tea Party.
