Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

On A Mission

 

San Luis Rey Mission, Oceanside, CA

Hath God Not Prommised

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain, rocky and steep,

Never a river, turbid and deep.

But god hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the laborer, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

 

                                “God Hath Not Promised”

                                  -Annie Johnson Flint

Tejon Pass

God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, “Be on the earth”; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain for His strength.

He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. The animals enter dens, and remain in their lairs. From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind and cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen. Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His thick clouds. And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, that they may do whatever He commands them on the face of the whole earth. He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for His land, or for mercy. Job 37:5-13

 

Photo taken at Fort Tejon, CA

 

Road Trip

Snap shots from my Central California road trip of farms, orchards, magnificent clouds, the Sacramento River, a Snowy Egret, and an old Chevy truck.

A Road Less Traveled

A road less traveled has always been my preference, and this last week I took a drive through Central California to one of my favorite get-aways. Along the way was this orchard covered in pink blossoms. It's my guess these are cherry trees.

Luck of the Irish SALE

Peek at all the SALE items in my STORE

An Old Irish Blessing

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Just for the fun of it.

Clair, whose flicker name is "justforthefunofit" posted several photos of her garden shed covered in snow.  Someone commented it looked like a painting waiting to happen and Clair suggested it should be painted by someone (even though she is an artist herself) and said, "I'll wait to see it on flickr." So I took her challenge, choosing the image in this photo because I enjoyed seeing the additional color of the fence in the background.

I've never painted snow before, so this was the perfect watercolor challenge for me to learn something new. The majority of the painting was created with cobalt blue, burnt sienna, and a bit of rose madder. The green is a mix of what was left in my tray from the last painting.

How to Become a Prosperous & Successful Business Woman

At my local bookstore I was browsing the clearance section when my eyes caught a glimpse of a book about how to be a successful and prosperous business woman. Picking it up I was disappointed at the vagueness of its contents which explained why it was marked down. The truth is, God's word already tells us how to be prosperous and successful.

"This Book of the Law (the Bible) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." -Joshua 1:8.

Probably not the formula you were expecting?  If you are wondering how I know this works, this has been my business model since day one where I stepped out on a hunch with only change in a jar, trusted God, and prayed.

Tori Higa Stationery

Tori Higa surprised me last week when she wrote to say she likes to write about stationery and greeting cards, and hoped I didn't mind she wrote a blog post about my cards.  I was floored to learning she is an accomplished Stationery designer of these impressive Vintage Fabric Cards.  Tori's "Everyday" collection is dreamy where the use of vintage fabric really pops with a classic houndstooth jacket, stylish purses, a groovy scarf, hat, skirts, and a cute doggy going for a walk in a adorable coat.

 Wouldn't these "Hostess" cards make the perfect Thank Yous for someones gracious hospitality?

Her "Travel" set makes me want to go on a journey just so I can write to say I've gone on an adventure.

It's not surprising Tori's cards have been sold to Anthopologie. But Tori's accomplishments don't stop there.  She designs for Cardstore.com, and has written two books, "Today's Top Stationery Artists," and "Today's Top Stationery Artists 2."

Info and links are fond on her delightful and informative blog, Tori Higa Mail is Fun. Plus she is opening an Etsy shop, too.

Once Upon A Tea Party

Impressive! Right?

Cookies made in the shape of a regal crown, a charming cake, a pretty purse, a cute sandal and, my favorite, an adorable teacup with my name in it. Made by Pastry Chef Robin Hampl and sent over from Liz at Once Upon A Tea Party where she creates magical Tea Parties for girls. Being in a Tea Swap is fun. Thanks, Liz!

"Tea Party" Then and Now

Some of the greeting cards in my line started with a similar design and were later revised.  My "Tea Party" teacup greeting card with wisteria blossoms falls in this category, making it one of the longest running cards in the line. The idea came from seeing a gorgeous wisteria vine blooming beside a florist shop I had delivered an order of cards to.

I created the original design in 1996, which is when I illustrated most of my paintings using a Rapid- O-Graph pen to outline most of the artwork and watercolor painted the rest of the design. This card design was painted at the actual size the final card would become, and I only painted the front of the card while leaving the back white for the black text with my business name, the cards name and number, and all the copyright information.

After it's initial printing in 1996 it was reprinted again in 2000, as the requests for it did not slow down.  When that stock ran low I figured it was time for an update. Learning it didn't cost much more to print the back side of the card I began painting the entire surface.

For the revised version I painted the artwork at 150% larger, added a trellis behind, used less ink, more gold detailing, slightly change the shape of the teacups and tea pot, and recreate softer wisteria blossoms.

It's fun to look back every now and then to remember where we began to encourage us in evaluating what lies ahead.  For me, God has always been my guide even in directing my business.

Aqua Footed

  Today I'm bring this charming teacup to the Teacup Thursday party hosted by Miss Spencers Tea Room.

A teacup that really stands out on little gold feet, adorned in my favorite aqua color, and accented with a gold handle.

 

It was a gift from my thoughtful friend, Sandy, who makes the amazing Springerly cookies I included in my Hospitalitea Club packs last July. 

You'll discover the other pretty teacups that are attending todays Teacup Thursday party at Miss Spencer's Tea Room, which is where I'm headed.  Thanks for visiting.

T. Potts China Shop Teapot

"T. Potts China Shop," the name alone is charming and whimsical. Part of the "English Life" collection designed by Barry Smith and Barbara Wooton exclusively for Wade, England. Wade is known for their whimsical pottery and porcelain figurines,  and this China Shop tea pot is no exception. It's part of a collection of teapots where I've seen an Antique Shop, Flower Shop, General Store, Railway Station, Conservatory, Fish 'n Chips shop, Post Office, Pet Store, and Queen Victoria Pub, but this one is my favorite with the name "T. Potts China Shop" adding to the charm.

The activity inside of the China shop can be seen from all four sides, and the details are almost comical.

Newly listed in my Vintage Etsy shop where it's hoping to be reunited with the other great pieces in this charming collection.

Studio Desk

What does an artist's desk look like in the middle of a project? Well, that depends on the artist.

 

What does your desk typically look like? A messy desk is known as a sign of a creative mind and an empty desk has been called the sign of an empty mind (probably by a messy person). For me chaos disrupts my creativity. I tend to get bogged down when there is too much piled on my desk and I can't find anything. I see a clean desk and a new sheet of white paper as a pallet screaming for a new creation.

Last week my desk was piled in tissue sketches for a couple of days where a cup of cold tea stayed buried with a "science experiment" developing inside.  I'll spare you the picture of that, but I will share a sneak peak of the painting I just completed, which means 3 of my 7 new cards are done.

Now my desk is cleared and a 4th project is under way.

So, please share, how do you keep your desk? Messy, clean, in between, or all of the above at different stages?

Royal Sealy Teacup

A vintage Royal Sealy teacup probably from the 50's.  With a lustre finish, little gold feet, and cutout design on the saucer, I couldn't resist it.  I found it at a home sale of a collector who was parting with all his teacups for $2 each which made it all the more irresistible.

Today I'm joining Martha and Terri for Teacup Tuesday where you'll find more pretty teacups.

I'm also joining A Breath of Fresh Air for Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday and Sandi's Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage for the first time.

Thanks for visiting!

For Peace & Brotherhood

My son, 16, took a English class this past semester at our local community college.  He came home urging me to read his assignment, Martin Luther King Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"  which was written to "Christian and Jewish brothers." As a believer, it is one of the most powerful and moving letters I have ever read, especially in light of who it was writen to.  If you are compelled to read it today, the link above takes you to an printable pdf of his six page letter.

Sending a Little Love

Can I share with you what my kids and I did one year for Valentine's Day in my neighborhood?

Having just moved in we didn't know many of our neighbors, which are a mix of seniors and young families.

We made little cards similar to the ones shown here, put them in a plastic bag with Dove chocolates, and tied a ribbon at the top with a loop.  With the kids wagon loaded, we walked through the neighborhood secretly hanging a greeting on each door.

Not sure what to expect, we made a wonderful discovery.  There are several widows in my neighborhood who had not received a Valentine's card for some time.  You can imagine how  surprised they were to find a card on their door. 

It was very fun!

The cards shown here are my new "Friendly Valentine's Day Greeting Set". Each comes with a little matching pin attached and a white envelope. 

In the Pink SALE

Just in time for some Valentine's Day love is a sweet SALE of Teacup Greeting cards at HALF OFF!

So come on, don't be shy. Let those you love know how you feel with a card that comes with a gift of tea.  What can make it easier than a January HALF OFF SALE?

Spreading a Little Love Around

Remember giving Valentine's to your classmates in grade school? Wasn't that fun? Ever wish you could find sweet old fashioned Valentine's to send a close friends, but ones with a vintage post card look? Yea, me, too.  So I finally made some.

The days of exchanging Valentine's notes with your pals are not over yet!  Each of these 4 designs don the perfect friendly Valentine's greeting, and each contains a matching pin for your pal to wear as a reminder of your unending friendship. 

Each card is a single sided card like a post card, not a folded card, with printing on one side only. A coordinating 1" pin is neatly affixed to the front of each card, and the set of 4 cards comes with 4 envelopes for your greeting to slide into.  Deliver one to your neighbor's porch, sneak one on a co-worker's desk, or send one off to a dear friend  (61 cents postage required due to the thickness of the pin).  But the extra postage won't break the bank when you discover a set of 4 cards is only $4.

Want to join me in spreading a little love around? You can find my "Friendly Valentin'e Day Greeting Set" in my store at kimberlyshawstore.com with a selection of other pink and red Teacup Greeting cards now on SALE at HALF OFF! 

School

"School is for fish," a good friend recently told me as she went on to explained, "Education is for children."  I love this kind of thinking and her comment brought this picture to mind.  This year my goal is to paint more, so here's my first 2011 watercolor.  Just a simple painting on a scrap of 4" x 6" paper because it's been a little difficult painting in this cold and rainy weather where the paper is slow to dry and my fingers are freezing. 

Looking Forward to Spring

Looking forward to Spring I started a new Teacup Greeting Card inspired by a small vintage saucer I've had for a while. Unable to locate the matching teacup, I created my own.

You can see the saucer peaking in the photo on the left. I love using a milkglass compote for water as it is large enough I don't need to change the water as often and its pedestal base gives my desk a bit more room to position my paper around.  Here's a sneak peak at the process.

A wide green band on the teacup and saucer are accented with gold trim. Resting on a frilly doily and complimented with a warm burnt orange tabletop. 

The black details were created using an old-school Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph pen, the smallest  000/.25 size, and shaded with a light watercolor wash. This cup will come with a light and refreshing Green Tea. 

Artwork copyright Kimberly Shaw 2010 and property of Kimberly Shaw Graphics

Baby Jesus Abducted

Baby Jesus was kid napped from my front yard this Christmas while his mother Mary and Joseph sat idly by watching.   Unable to lend a hand, frozen in permanent adoration,  they were only able to shed a bit of light on the situation, each being illuminated by a 100 watt light bulb.

This is a photo of the Christ child before the abduction.  I'm not sure who would want to snatch the little babe away, but my guess is a thug hired by King Herod, if you asked me.  Without the baby Jesus present my daughter said Mary and Joseph look like they are worshiping the grass.

I'm not upset, just a bit forlorn. I'm not sure how to remedy the situation. I can't just go buy another baby Jesus to replace the old one.  He comes in a set with Mary and Joseph. If I were to purchase a new trio I would have two Marys and two Josephs. I guess I could mix up the couples every once in a while, just to be fair.  How do you think it would look when my pastor's daughter came over to bake cookies next year and saw two Marys pondering the baby Jesus in their hearts. Or imagine two Josephs gazing down upon the new born babe each dressed in their pink tunics?

OK, diversion here! What's with the pink tunic on Joseph while Mary is wearing a blue dress? Can anyone please explain that one to me, because it doesn't make sense unless, in my case, I use two Josephs, but I don't want to go there. Enough said about that.

It's been suggested to add a baby doll, but it would be obvious by it's appearance it was adopted and didn't belong to this family. You know, Mary and Joseph both kneeling there illuminated in the dark with their 100w bulb while a doll lies there without any illumination at all.  Forever after I would be question, "Where's the real plastic baby Jesus that illuminates the darkness?"  Then I'd have to explain he was abducted and a replacement was added.  It just wouldn't be the same.

I'm in no way upset over this matter, after all it was just a plastic baby lying on plastic yellow hay in a brown plastic manger molded together in one hollow shell which housed a 100w light bulb that illuminated in the darkness.

For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 4:6

Vintage Tea Party

So I'll be honest here, this is nothing more than a little same-less self promotion of a new section in my vintage Etsy shop called "Vintage Tea Party." I love tea parties, but to save me from having to purchase another shelf or china cabinet, I'm passing on some pieces I haven't used.  Aren't they all adorable?  Each is very different from the other, yet they all serve the same purpose.

The Blue Willow teacups are from Japan made of very fine porcelain during the "Post War" era (1945- ) and have an amazing stamp of an Asian woman in the bottom, seen when held up to the light, called a lithophane.

The mini violet creamer from Lefton holds  just the right amount of milk for two teacups when a bit is required for a rich black tea. The clear glass luncheon/snack set is my personal favorite with its charming teardrop design.  All the way from Czechoslovakia, this very pretty teacup with a pheasant surrounded by colorful flowers tapers to an octagonal base.

 

This will be a sign to you

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

-Luke 2:8-14

Merry Christmas!

 

12 Days of Christmas

While there is some dispute over this translation of the song, tradition has it that in England, between 1558 and 1829, Catholics were prohibited by law to practice their faith in public or in private.  Until Parliament emancipated Catholics in England in 1829, it was illegal to be Catholic.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was a coded message written in England as a memory aid to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith. Since the song sounded like rhyming nonsense, authorities would not know that is was a religious song and young Catholics could sing it without fear of imprisonment.  The song is, in a sense, an allegory with each of the gifts in the song representing something significant to the Bible.

The song begins, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."  The "true love" repeated in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, but to God himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to the believing Christian.

The "partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus Christ upon the Cross. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge because she would feign injury to decoy s predator away from her nestlings. She was even willing to die for them. The tree is the symbol of the fall of the human race through the sin of Adam and Eve. It is also the symbol of its redemption by Jesus Christ on the tree of the cross. 

The "two turtle doves" refers to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. 

The "three French hens" stand for faith, hope and love -- the three gifts of the Spirit that abide, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. 

The "four calling birds" refer to the four evangelists who wrote the Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The "five golden rings" represents the first five books of the Bible, also called the Jewish Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. 

The "six geese a-laying" is the six days of creation. 

The "seven swans a-swimming" refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. 

The "eight maids a-milking" reminded children of the eight beatitudes listed in the Sermon on the Mount.

The "nine ladies dancing" were the nine fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

The "ten lords a-leaping" represents the Ten Commandments. 

The "eleven pipers piping" refers to the eleven faithful apostles. 

The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of belief expressed in the Apostle's Creed: belief in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, made man, crucified, died and arose on the third day, that he sits at the right hand of the father and will come again, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas filled with God’s rich Blessings.

Claremont Teacup

By Nikko, Japan, in the mid to late 80's, this pattern is now discontinued.

Very late to Martha and Terri's Teacup Tuesday party, especially considering I'm on the west coast, I thought I'd join in the fun anyway with so many lovely teacups to visit.

Serving in Vintage Style

Charming vintage serving pieces now available in my new vintage etsy shop KimberlysVintage

Humble Adoration

So today I jumped on my soapbox again, this time to shout about a dear friend I admire.  With great enthusiasm I prepared to stand perched with her painting held high overhead to shout, "THIS GIRL CAN PAINT!"   In describing what this painting means to me personally, I found myself stepping off my soapbox to sit with my head in my hands, moved to tears under the amazing mercy of a heavenly Father.

I first saw Sue's painting when she posted a photo of it in her flicker photostream and it captured my heart instantly.  To me the happy cottage is so inviting, safely nestled against massive woods that stand to protect it from any coming storm. The warmth of the sun brighly shining upon it and the grassy knoll that leads to a lush tree standing as a landmark that this is home.

Writing these thoughts down brought to mind the trial I just came out of, where God was a shield protecting me from the attacks of the enemy, the light of His truth served to comfort and guide me, and I always felt safe as long as I remain planted in His will.

Though Sue may not have known the impact her painting would have on me when she painted it, God used it bless and encourage me. Through Sue's gracious generosity, her painting has found a home in my studio. Like a landmark it will always be a reminder that there is a trustworthy God in heaven who truly loves and cares for us. So now, back on my soapbox, I stand to shout, and by no means to deminish Sue's God given ability to paint a stunning painting, I wish to proclaim,

"My God, how great Thou art!"

But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in reverence of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:7-8, 11-12

Forest Green Anchor Hocking Sandwich Glass

 
I just discovered this little forest green custard dish is Anchor Hocking's version of Sandwich glass produced from 1939 to 1964.  They are easily found today as they were used as promotional items at grocery stores and gas stations, and may have been included free in boxes of Crystal Wedding brand oats.

What's harder to find, and saught after by colletors, are compliment pieces like Anchor Hocking's forest green Sandwich glass Cream and Sugar Set.

The pattern "Sandwich Glass" refers to glassware produced by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. in the town of Sandwich, Massachusetts between the 1820's and 1880's.

This Cream & Sugar would look stunning on a table for Christmas, and the little custard dish would work perfectly for jam with scones or biscuits.  If this adorable set is your cup of tea, I'm just made the lovely trio available for sale in my new Etsy shop KimberlysVintage.

50% Off Christmas Cards

And just in time for Christmas, too!

All of my Teacup Christmas Cards are now on SALE at HALF OFF! That's 50% off the regular price! Each card comes with a delicious teabag for your recipient to enjoy. Holiday tea is a blend of Ceylon tea with citrus, almond, clove and cinnamon, YUM!  Some cards come with an aromatic and flavorful Cinnamon Spice (my seasonal favorite), English Breakfast, and the ever popular Peppermint.

I also have a Hanukkah card with a delixious Forrest Berries tea.

You'll also find a 4-Pack of Christmas cards that's a fabulous bargain at only $5.

Find all my Christmas Teacup Greeting cards at www.kimberlyshawstore.com

Have a very Happy Holiday Season!

December January Tea Swap

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, where our kitchens will be filled with the aromas of ginger bread, the air outside is getting down-right nippy, and we long to be snuggling around a steaming pot of fresh brewed tea with friends and family or lingering in front of the fireplace with a good book.

December & January’s theme is: "Festive Wintertime" celebrating Holiday and Winter recipes.

You will be swapping delicious teas, recipes, and traditions of the season with your new partner two times in a row, once in December and again in January.  Hope it’s memorable!

December "Festive" Swap – The Holidays are a joyous time of the year celebrating with thoughtful acts of kindness by sharing gifts with those we love, even if it’s just a gift of our time. This tea swap includes:

• 6 teabags
• Share your favorite traditional baked-good recipe (like ginger bread, cookies, scones or cakes). When you are most likely to serve this recipe, and who is the lucky recipient of this delicious treat?
• Share your favorite traditional Holiday event, or you may have a delightful story from a past Christmas you’d like to share.

It might also be fun to include a little tea gift, wrapped in pretty paper (optional).

January "Wintertime" Swap – Let the New Year begin!  It’s time to celebrating the many little unexpected blessings of the past year as we look forward to the promises of a new year. This tea swap includes:

• 6 teabags
• Share your favorite Soup recipe, if you have one, or another dish that warms you on chilly nights.
• What new activities do you hope to accomplish in the coming year? It doesn’t need to be anything big, maybe just finish the quilt you started last year, prune the rose bushes, or organize your recipes.

You may also want to include a little list pad, recipe cards, or other small item your swap partner may enjoy now that you’ve had a chance to get to know her (optional).

Your Tea Swap must be mailed by the 10^th of each month, unless you make prior arrangements with your partner.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I’m so happy to have you in the group. Hope it’s a memorable event for you!  Kindest regards, Kimberly Shaw

Sound like fun? Learn more about my Monthly Tea Swap and email me at kimsteaswap@yahoo.com to sign up.

Cyber Monday Sale!

My entire line of stationery is now HALF OFF! Everything in my shop at kimberlyshawstore.com is cut in half.  The prices are slashed but the Teacup greeting cards, Stickers, Recipe Cards, Pins, Magnets, and Coffee Cards will arive in one piece, so now is the perfect time to stock up for Birthdays, Thank Yous, Get Wells, Christmas and more. Enter the promo code  

openhouse

at checkout and see the cost of your order drop to half price on everthing in the shop. But you have to decide quickly, because this sale ends at midnight Monday, Nov 28th Pacific standard time.

Open House, Come On By!

It's that time of the year again when we bake batches of  warm scones served with lemon curd and my homemade strawberry fig jam.  The kettle will be on all day as delicious teas are set out for tasting and keeping warm.  There will be an abundance of happy conversations around the table as friends linger.

Unable to come in person but want a great deal on teacup greeting cards and stationery? No worries, everthing in my store is HALF OFF at www.kimberlyshawstore.com all day Sunday & Monday November 28th & 29th!  Enter the promo code 

openhouse

at check-out and watch the cost of your order drop to half the price. It's the best time of the year to stock up on Birthday, Thank You, Get Well and Christmas cards. You can also get a great price on pins, magnets, and recipe cards to give as stocking stuffers or hostess gifts.

Christmas Recipe Cards

Holiday food, who doesn't love the thoughts of sugar cookies and sticky buns? Cornbread stuffing and Aunt Julia's mashed potatoes? Apple pie and candied yams...oh my! If you love cooking for the holidays as much as we do, you will need some charming holiday themed Recipe Cards for the occasion.

Hot off the press, these brand new recipe cards are perfectly suited for your next cookie exchange, as a housewarming gift, hostess gift, or stocking stuffer.  They would also be splended for creating tea time menues, or to give to your guests with as a parting gift with one of your delicious recipes. Plus, they just make your recipe notebook or file cute to look at with holiday recipes coordinating on cards that stand out.

A set contains 20 festive cards, 10 each of 2 designs, each measuring 4"x6" printed on a smooth medium weight cardstock that's easy to write on, and wrapped in a cellophane sleeve.

A Treasured Weekend!

Holy Moly! Five Etsy Treasuries featured my stationery in two days!  Check them out .

Beadin' By The Sea included my Raspberry Mouse Recipe Cards in her charming treasury titled, Gift Guide for Tea Lovers...Let's have a Spot of Tea! Sounds great to me!

Ronit Golan's hot Treasury titled Red and aRound featured my Red Toile Art Print.

Jasmine Lund created a warm and cozy treasury titled Jane Eyre - The Misty Moors and included my Great Scott! It's Time for Tea teacup greeting card.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in La Jubilee's treasury Holly and Ivy where she added my Holly Berries Teacup Christmas card.

 In this delightful Treasury A spot of Creativity (love that title), Magalerie includes my Tea Party Stickers with other charming teacups.

WOW! That's quite a line up.  I'm honored and grateful to see my stationery included with so much creativity.

Sitting Pretty

I transformed my average office guest chairs with the very beautiful "Summer Soiree" fabric designed by one of my favorite textile designers, Paula Prass,  giving them the girly look they were screaming for.  Now they are sitting pretty in my studio.

Pink Staffordshire Teacup

Less than 2" tall, this pink Staffordshire demitasse teacup made a big tug on my heart recently at a local estate sale, along with the petite vintage doily under it and the hand painted Limoges plate in its luscious pink, green, and aqua.

I'm a bit late to the Teacup Tuesday party today, but didn't want to miss it.  It's been a while since I had time to participate, and it's fun to join in the festivities again. Want to see other lovely teacups, pop over to our gracious hostesses Martha & Terri for the whole list. You wont be disapointed.

Featured in "The Tea Daily"!

"News Flash! Read all about it! Sneak peak at Kimberly Shaw's November HospitaliTea Club!"  I confess, it's a wonderful feeling to be mentioned, especially on the front page.  In the massive "www" it's a wonder I even get noticed.  But today "The Tea Daily" chose to feature news about my November HospitaliTea Club! Wahoooo!

Second confession, I had not heard of "The Tea Daily" until today, but I'm glad I know now. Filled with fascinating information and links, I had to share it with you. In it you'll find articles on the history and legends of tea, cooking with tea, the health benefits of tea, and a video of how tea flowers are made (a must see!). Patti Niehoff has done a wonderful job putting "The Tea Daily" together.  You can also follow her updates on Twitter.  I'll add a link in the Tea Section of my sidebar so you can easily pop over for the latest tea news.

Info on my November's HospitaliTea Club is in the previous post and on my website. If you want all the goodies in it, the last day to sign up is Monday Oct. 25  - in just 2 days.

November HospitaliTea Club

Want a sneak peak at November's HospitaliTea Club package?

With the Holidays right around the corner, there's no better time to put the kettle on and make a pot of tea. Nothing sounds better to me than having friends and family cozy up around the table, eat delicious food, and visit a while.

To help make this happen, November's HospitaliTea Club includes a Sweets and Toffee Recipe Book with 34 mouth watering sweets to make at home including Nut Brittle, Lollipops, Butterscotch, Turkish Delight, and numerous Toffee and Fudge recipes. The book is also filled with the sweetest Victorian artwork of childern by Birket Foster.

Who can resist making Real Fruit Jellies for the holidays?  And speaking of jelly, November's package comes with two jam spoons and two jam spreaders (not shown) for your tea table and guests. These petite spoons are a wonderful compliment to delicate china and serving pieces.

Jam spoons aren't complete without jam, so each box will also include a small jar of my very festive homemade Strawberry Fig jam, which is delicious on scones.

Each HospitaliTea package will also include clover honey sticks, pretty paper doilies for your serving trays and teacup saucers, teapot drip catchers, and plenty of my stationery with extra to share, because this is the season for giving thanks. 

There will also be tea! 4 oz of delicious Orange Spice tea is sure to make your package smell wonderful when you open it.

If November's HospitaliTea Club package sounds like your cup of tea, signups end this Monday, Oct. 25th.  Each participant will be entered in a give away for this charming jam serving set.

Plus, those who have participated in all of the HopsitaliTea Club's this year are entered to win a gorgeous silver teapot.

Aquarelle

This Royal Grafton teacup was so much fun to watercolor in its delightful aqua color, sitting on a frilly doily,  against a pink background, with a pink rose in front. 

My favorite part to paint was the lower left where the doily lifted up allowing spots of light to shine through. I also enjoyed painting the gold accents in its various hues.