Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

A Happy Christmas

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27

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!

 

The Miracle of Hanukkah

While I am not Jewish, I do love and appreciate the miracle God performed for those Jews who trusted in Him against great odds.  About 2200 years ago, Greek kings reigning from Damascus ruled over the land of Judea and the Jewish people living there.  Antiochus Epiphanes, a Greco-Syrian king, forbid the Jewish people from praying to their God, practicing their customs, and studying their Torah.  He placed an idol of the Greek God Zeus on the alter in the Jewish Holy Temple in Jerusalem forcing the Jews to worship the Greek god. 

In response to this persecution, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. They fought against paganism and oppression. The tenacity of the rebels, which came from their steadfast faith in one God, is the reason this military victory has been so celebrated by Jews in future generations. In one battle near Beit Horon, Judah's small army is intimidated by the size of the Greco-Syrian army and Judah tells the Jews to have faith that God is on their side:

But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judah: 'What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? ...' And Judah said: 'It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few, and there is no difference in the sight of Heaven to save by many or by few; for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of an host, but strength is from Heaven. They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws. And He Himself will discomfort them before our face; but as for you, be yet not afraid of them." (The First Book of Maccabees)

According to tradition, when the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple, they discovered that the Greco-Syrians had defiled the oil which was used for the Temple's menorah. Only one vat of purified oil remained. A miracle occurred when one day of oil burned for eight days. This is why the Hanukkah Menorah has eight candles (not including the shamash candle used to light the others) and why Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.   Against great odds, after three years of fighting, the Maccabees succeeded to drive the Greco-Syrians out of Judea. Hanukkah proclaims the message of the prophet Zachariah: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit." The Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, removing the Greek symbols and statues. When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they rededicated it. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BCE, the Temple was purified and rededicated.

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.

Giving Thanks

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!!!

My favorite holiday! Family, friends, and food all gathered together. That's a lot to be thankful for!

You're Invited, Please Join Us

Just wanted to extend an Invitation to come by for a visit at my once a year Open House & Tea Tasting Event. It would be great to meet you and chat over tea and fresh baked scones with my homemade Pomegranate Jelly, Strawberry Fig Jam, or Lemon Curd.  You'll have an opportunity to browse all my Teacup Greeting Cards & Stationery in person, all at 1/2 OFF, and see where all the action takes place.  The pretty tea accessories and yummy teas we offer in my online Store will also be available. Curios? Check out my post of LAST YEAR'S EVENT.

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.

November Sale

For November's SALE I asked myself, "What would I want to be on SALE right now?" Christmas Cards!

 

All teacup Christmas and Hanukkah Cards are now HALF OFF! through the end of November in my STORE.

Painted Pony Art Festival

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.  

Gustad y ved que es bueno Jehova

My Teacup Greeting cards are traveling to El Salvador.

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

Mary Washington House Museum

 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.

 
 

Fall's Teacup Card Give Away Winner Is...

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.

Off comes the lid, Georgia reaches in to selects one, and the winner is

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 Nantucket
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?

Fall Give Away

Happy 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!

August 2009 SALE

For this month's SALE I selected 12 cards with Teapots on them. I figured if everyone's Summer is as full as mine, we all could use a little more than a cup to get through.  Many of the teas in this month's SALE selection also taste yummy iced.
 

To view all 12 cards visit my Store at www.teacupcards.com

Enjoy your Summer! 

Judy Shops at Pickets

Judy, a sweet Flickr friend and Blogging buddy, blessed me when she sent me a note saying, "Check this out Kim,"  with a link to these photos. While in Golden, Colorado she visited this charming store in historic downtown Golden, CO named "Pickets"  a  Home and Garden Shop.   Inside she found a rack of my Teacup Greeting cards and took a picture to share with me.  Isn't she sweet?  I hardly ever see my Teacup Cards in stores, so this was a real treat for me to see.  Judy is an incredible artist and gardener whose delightful blog Oobos, The Adventures of a Gardening Artist is a delight to read. I especially love her adorable Sumi-e birds and frogs.

Photos used by permission, Thanks Judy!!!

Freedom Teacup Greeting Card

I bought this set because I thought it was funny a teacup with Paul Revere warning the British are coming reads on the bottom, "Made in England."  This card comes with Forrest Berries tea and is blank inside for a personal message.  I counted only 17 cards left in my Store.

Cherries Teacup Greeting Card

Today I'm stocking a bunch of Red, White, and Blue-ish Teacup cards for a July SALE coming up in my Store. While making this card I was thinking about George Washington cutting down the cherry tree and couldn't recall the details of the story, so I looked it up.

Washington's biographer, Mason Locke Weems, said this story as a way to show Washington's honesty.

When George was about six years old he owned a hatchet like most little boys of the day, of which he was extremely fond.

My husband bought our son a hatchet as a birthday gift once, which was used for destroying a wood fence.  So I understand George's eagerness, back to the story:

George went about chopping everything that came his way. One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his mother's pea sticks, he found his father's beautiful, young English Cherry tree.  He began using the edge of his hatchet to strip the bark off. When his father discovered what had happened to his favorite tree, he came into the house in great anger, and demanded to know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark.

I'm picturing Mrs. Washington in the background saying, "Ask about my pea sticks, dear."  But Mr. W. is fixed on discovering who his tree assassin is.  

"George,'' said his father, "do you know who has killed my beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five guineas for it!''  This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried, "I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it with my little hatchet.''  The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in his arms, he said, "My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me than a thousand trees! Yes - though they were blossomed with silver and had leaves of the purest gold!''

I created this Teacup card from one of my vintage hand painted plates.  It comes with a Harrisons & Crosfield English Breakfast teabag inserted in the rim of the cup, and is blank inside for writing a personal note.  It is one of my personal favorites.

Pink & Peach Sets!

Summer Fun!  We have added this adorable set of four Teacup cards to our collection and are sure you will love it!  The set includes four cards that contain shades of lovely pinks and peaches - perfect for this time of year.  Check out the assortment packages section or the SALE section to find these.  They are a great value - only $5.00 for 4 cards - you save 50%. And who doesn't love receiving a note that is accompanied by a Raspberry, Apricot or Passion Fruit teabag to enjoy on a hot summer day?  These teas a wonderful iced, too!!

"Take a Bloging Friend To Work" Day

OK, so I know there is no such day as "Take a Blogging Friend To Work" day, but since my children have participated in "Take Your Daughter/Son to Work" day, I thought I'd invite you, my blogging buddies, to join me at work.  Welcome, let me tell you what's going on...

Georgia has let me know we have an order for 45 "Oceanside" Teacup Greeting cards to make for a special event. "No Problem," I said, "45 cards won't take that long to make."  She clarified by explaining  we need 45 sets.            "45 SETS!"  A set is a pack of 6.   I'm not sure I even know what 45 sets looks like. We began multiplying... 45x6=270. 270! WOW! I better get busy. Here's what I need to do...

First I need to make tea. I'm having English Breakfast with honey and milk, what can I get for you?  Next I grab 2 big stacks of cards, a box and an extra bag of teabags, and envelopes. Then I lay out  teabags upside down. I'll start with 72 teabags and add a bit of double-stick tape to the back of each one to hold them in place in the card.

Once all the teabags are taped, I'll assemble them by hand into each card & stack the cards in piles of 6.

Then I'll cross stack them so they're level, add 6 envelopes,

and bag them in custom sized gusseted bags.
 
12 sets down & 33 more to go, so I'll continue to set out more teabags, tape each, assemble, stack and bag while I sip my tea.


On to round 3, & I noticed not only is my box of tea empty, but my cup of tea is also empty.
 
So, if you'll excuse me, I'll boil water for more tea.
Are you ready for another cup yet?

We don't get orders like this very often, and I'm happy you stopped by for a visit.  Let me know if you have any questions about what we do or how the Greeting Card business operates. 

Thanks for visiting!!!

June Is A Special Time

THERE'S SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE!!!
I have three students to congratulate this year. One successfully completed his first year of High School, another is graduating from High School, and a third is completing her third year in College.

And there are dedicated teachers I need to convey my appreciation for, who not only gave my children life long skills, but the ability to accomplish whatever they put their minds to.

I can't forget to acknowledge those at school who contributed in other ways.  The Admins who kept us informed of events, the lunch lady for her kind words, the counselor for guidance, the fund-raiser ladies, the nurse, and even the truant officer.

We have two wedding to attend this month also.

A new baby definitely qualifies as a special occasion.

And there's always that one person who just needs to know they are cared for just because.

When school is finally over,
I'll hope to have more time to visit with friends.

There's a small quilt I want to make this Summer as a gift.

I have a few people to write who I haven't seen for a while.

My brother needs encouragement
for the great new job he's starting.

I don't have a sister, but I have an awesome sister-in-law who would appreciate a little surprise note.

As the month comes to a close, someone dear always
seems to move away or go on an extended trip.

But the good news is, it doesn't have to cost a lot to express your thoughts with those special to you this month, because all these 12 cards are now
ON SALE at HALF OFF in MY STORE!!!

Happy Birthday PINK SATURDAY

 
Roses are red, well these ones are pink.
We're having a birthday for an event, I think.

It was one year ago a blogger named Bev,
Decided to post an idea in her head.

One fine Saturday PINK is what she posted
The event caught on with others she's hosted.

Now many more bloggers are together in sync,
To Celebrate this Saturday by posting their Pink!

Have you ever tried sending a Birthday card,
To an event for its birthday? Believe me, it's hard.

Now if you're a blogger there's always a way,
To wish an event a Happy Birthday!!!

For this Saturday's post I just want to say,
Happy 1st  Birthday to PINK SATURDAY!!!

But I can't sign off yet without thanking our host,
For all the new friends we've met from our Posts.

To Beverly I give an enthusiastic cheer,
Of "Hip, hip, hurray!" for being so dear.

For the party Beverly made a pretty PINK cake,
Cups of  Raspberry tea I'll be happy to make!
 

All the wonderful PINK posts are easily found,
Listed together at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY EVERYONE!!!

Dear Friends

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

PS: I especially appreciate Beverly who created Pink Saturday and graciously invited others to join in the fun.  Visit her at How Sweet The Sound for the complete list of fabulously creative Pink Saturday participants. You'll be amazed what else you'll discover, too.

I heard it's hard for some, who have received one of my Teacup greeting cards, to remove the teabag for fear of ruining the card.  Here's a solution: Gently tear the bottom edge of the teabag wrapper and slip the teabag out, leaving the wrapper still in the card, and prepare to enjoy a yummy cup of tea.

Japanese Sencha is a light earthy tea that I enjoy with a little honey.

Last night I found this vintage cross stitch at The Grab Bag Antique Store while at Escondido's Friday Night Criusin' Grand.  I'll leave you with this photo of what was parked out front.  Isn't she sweet?

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

 

Mothers are Best!

"For all the caring and thoughtful things,
 you have done for me,
 I'm wishing you a wonderful day,
 with a relaxing cup of tea.
 Happy Mother's Day"     
          ...is the message inside this painted rose teapot and teacup.  This watercolor was inspired from one of my hand painted Bavarian plates.

The card was so popular we designed a matching "Things To Do After I Have Tea" Notepad.  Both come with a Regal Afternoon Darjeeling teabag for Mom to enjoy.  The set is available in my Etsy Shop or sold separately in my Store if you want to add some yummy Teas or Tea Party Accessories to your gift.

Mums the Word

I love how the English call their mothers "Mum".  This card was inspired by all the thoughtful women who have cared so lovingly for my children.  Their acts of kindness have been as seeds which they have generously sown into their lives.  It has been a blessing to watch them blossom as a result.

A little seed pack with Sweet Peas, Babies Breath, and Johny Jump Ups are representative of my two daughters and one son.

The seed pack was added to the back with another message and the inside was creatively designed by my pal Georgia, a designer here at Kimberly Shaw Graphics.


This card comes with a luscious Raspberry teabag from Harrisons & Crosfield.  It is available in my Etsy Shop or in my Store if you want to browse other Tea Party Accessories and other yummy teas.

For Mom

My mom has made a lasting impact on me.  The Mother's Day cards I've created are influenced from the lovely life she has modeled before me.

The inside of this card reads, "I Love You," and comes with a flavorful Jasmine teabag inserted in the rim of the teacup.  It is designed to be given any time of the year.  The Matching Notepad is one of my personal favorites.  This matching set is available in my Etsy shop. The Teacup Greeting card and Notepad are sold separately in my Store if you are looking for other charming Tea Party Accessories or Delicious Teas to add as gifts.

Sneak Peek

Creating is always fun, Especially when it's pink!

I'm going to be gone today, but I look forward to seeing all your pretty pinks tomorrow.  Happy PINK SATURDAY to all my pink pals, especially Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!!

And The Winners Are...

All the very sweet comments I received were folded and sealed tight with stickers...

I placed them in the teacup for random selection and rushed them off to my hubby, who was  eating lunch, to pick the winners. 

After mixing them up in the slender teacup with his man size fingers, he picked the Grand Prize Winner of the Stickers, Notepad and baker's dozen of Teacup Greeting cards! And the #1 Winner IS...

The two additional winners of four Spring Teacup Greeting cards and a Sticker sheet are...


Winners     1                                 2               &                  3.
I was so excited to see who won, I didn't even go back to my desk.  Shoving the bag of carrots aside I began opening each one.  Number 1 is Carol!

And winners 2 & 3 are Monique & Lori McDonough!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S  to all ! ! !  Please send me your addresses to my email link in the upper left corner on the blog and I'll send your prizes off to you!!!  This was a ton of fun for me.  Hope you enjoy your stationery!!!

Blessing, Kimberly

Spring Give-Away Ends Tonight

Leave a message here by Midnight Pacific time to be entered in my Spring Give-Away. Three winners will be announced on Friday.

Boston Tea Party

After helping my children with their USA history lessons, I thought it would be fun to create my own version of the Boston Tea Party into a Teacup Greeting card.  To be honest I was thinking of the time when I created this card in response to the news today about the numerous Tea Parties gathering in protest to rising taxes.  Is history repeating itself? Are our citizens as courageous today as those in 1773?  Are we still not "We the People" in a country with liberty and justice for all?

This card was created in 2001.  It comes with a Hot Cinnamon Spice teabag inserted in the rim of the teapot.  It never was a huge seller, but a few survive in my store for only $1.25.  It comes blank inside for a personal message. 

UPDATE: April 28, 2009     Since the National Tax "Tea Parties" on the 15th, this slowww moving seller has picked up in sales, along with my other slowww seller the "Freedom" Teacup Greeting card. 

Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate the fact that you appreciate these cards.  It's time...

Spring Time Give-Away!!!

As the earth is very generously giving us Spring blossoms, and flowering trees bring hope of delicious fruit to come,  I felt like a little generous give-away myself.

Included in my Give-Away are 2 sticker sheets of over 30 acid-free stickers on each sheet, my favorite "Things to do After I Have Tea" notepad, a cube of 10 Harrisons & Crosfield's Raspberry teabags, and a Baker's dozen of Spring Teacup Greeting cards with my painted images of hollyhocks, pansies, sunflowers, freesias, roses, daisies and mums.  Just leave me a little comment by the end of the day Thursday April 16th and you'll be entered in win!  I'd love to know what your favorite flower is or who you'd surprise by sending a Spring Teacup card to.

BUT WAIT!  That's not all...(sound like an infomercial?).  Two additional winners will be added to receive 1 sticker sheet and 4 Spring Teacup Greeting cards!  3 winners in all!!!  The winners will be announced on Friday April 17th.

If you have trouble leaving your message here, you can also email me a note to info@kimberlyshawstore.com. Just make sure to mention "Spring Time Give-Away!!!"

Lilly Teacup Card

The meaning of the Calla Lilly is Magnificent Beauty and it is a symbol for rebirth.  They popped up unexpectedly in my garden.

When we bought our home the flower beds were nothing more than hard compacted clay.  As soon as I moved in I began soaking the ground to prepare it for flowers.  To my surprise, calla lillies began pushing their way to the surface.  By the time they were in full bloom it was a magnificent sight, and my garden was reborn.

I left this card blank inside so a personal note can be written with just the right encouragement for the one receiving it.  What isn't left blank is a teabag inserted in the rim of the teacup.  This card comes with Earl Grey tea.  The plate behind the teacup continues on to the back of the card with more lillies painted on it.

On SALE at HALF OFF in my Store through the end of April.

 

Here... Kitty, Kitty

In a horrific downpour we rescued a soaking wet kitty trapped in the corned of the chain link fence in the school yard across the street from our home. When we couldn't find his owners, we kept him and named him Stormy.  One cheery afternoon, when the kids and I put a blanket on the floor of our back patio to have tea, Stormy joined the party.  He walked up beside me, wrapped his tail around his front paws and help himself to my cup of English Breakfast tea with milk and sugar.  I took his picture and painted a Teacup Greeting card of the event.

After looking at this card for a while, I have to admit, the thought actually became a bit disgusting.  You know, a cat cleaning itself, eating cat food, and then lapping in your teacup.  So when we ran out of this card I didn't reprint it.  However, we had so many requests for this card after we discontinued it, that it is the only card I brought back into the line.  When I reprinted it I changed the flowers on the teapot and teacups, inspired from vintage plates I found at a thrift store.

 Just a little footnote: The actual Stormy Kitty was all white with blue eyes. Because his white fur didn't contrast well with the white background of the teapot and cups, for my final card the kitty received a classic orange coat which also contrasted well with the blue background.

Spring SALE Mosaic

Pansies, roses, hollyhocks, lilies, and mums paired with strawberries, bunnies, chicks and seed packs are all visions of Spring.  To celebrate this joyous season you'll find these twelve Teacup Greeting cards in my store at HALF OFF through the end of April. 

Spring Chick

"May the blessings of the day bring you joy" is the message inside my newest Spring Teacup Greeting card. 

This is one of my favorite teacups, without any identification, just because it always looks so cheery.  The vintage lace was a very FUN challenge because I especially love to paint negative space, which I painted to match the teabag color.  I found this sweet Chick Egg Cup buried in a discount bin, and the decorated egg design was inspired from a scrap of vintage fabric.  The wallpaper, which continues onto the back of the card,  is a green on green leaf vine design in a diamond pattern.  Inserted in the rim of the teacup is a delicious Orange Pekoe teabag from Harney & Sons.

Available in my Store now on SALE at HALF OFF just in time for Spring.

Spring In A Mailbox HALF-OFF SALE

 

This little rabbit, inspired from a Victorian Postcard, is guaranteed not to nibble away your daffodils, or anything else yummy in your garden.

Good Luck & Best Wishes

Saint Patrick's Day is almost upon us. I love the adventurous story of Patrick, leaving his comfortable home in Scotland to share the gospel with the Druid  Priests in Ireland he was previously enslaved to.  He definitely had more than the “Luck-O-The-Irish” when he escaped their enslavement of him. I highly recommend the book, and will post it next.  Patrick's true story is definitely a stark contrast to adorable leprechauns leaping through clover in search of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

To send well wishes of Good Luck in the classic Irish way, consider giving a Teacup Greeting card with a Harrison & Crosfield Robust Irish Breakfast teabag inserted in the rim of the teacup to warm their heart of the receiver.  The outside reads, "Good Luck and Best Wishes," followed on the inside with, "For Today and Always."

Available in my store.

Benefits of a Cottage Business

There are many benefits to working from your home. Your commute is very short, you have a full kitchen for serving tea or baking scones, there are more sounds of birds in a residential area than an industrial area, and a home is more insulated than a concrete warehouse.  Additionally, the traffic of business solicitors who just walk into your front office will diminish. In a home solicitors knock on the door and you are not obligated to answer it.  At home I'm blessed with Rose bushes, Camellias, English daisies, Gardenias and fruit trees in the yard, contrasted to a parking lot lined with low maintenance ground cover.

We've started moving our business out of our warehouse and into our home.  It's been a lot of hard work cutting down 12' shelving, moving boxes of cards, and packing up desks. Our feet and backs are sore, we're exhausted, but filled with a sense of joy.  The benefits of simplifying and downsizing  are revealed as clutter and unnecessary items are removed.  I actually believe these benefits outweigh the loss of a building space.  I may even get caught working in my PJ's, which reminds me of a funny story which I write about next time.

Cottage Business

Kimberly Shaw Graphics started as a cottage business.

As we grew, we moved into a warehouse. Now as times change, we have to adjust again. We are moving back into our cottage. Do I feel sad, a little. Is there a blessing, I believe so. Like so many other companies we are selling significantly less than in previous years.  We can't afford to produce new product, but we still have plenty of Teacup Stationery to offer. Only now, we'll be much cozier. For those who continue using Kimberly Shaw Graphics Teacup Greeting Cards and Specialtea Stationery I want to express my heartfelt "THANKS" and give you a great big HUG!

Anyone who received my Cottage "Thank You" Teacup Greeting card shown here will also enjoy the bold English Breakfast teabag which comes with it, delicious with milk and honey.  Now ON SALE for HALF OFF in my store.

Thinking of You

"Thinking Of You" is one of the nicest sentiments you can send someone. It’s such a wonderful surprise to get a note in the mail just because you are being thought about.

We are about to say “Good by” to this long time encourager at Kimberly Shaw Graphics.  I have enough supply to last through next week. For the past five years this little gem has traveled about sending its massage of thoughtfulness, carrying with it a delicious teabag ready to be steeped and enjoyed, further warming the heart of its recipient.   I’ll eventually design a new Teacup Greeting card to take its place, allowing friends and loved ones to thoughtfully encourage others that they are thinking of them.

February Sale

In honor of Valentine's Day this month, we've marked down red and pink Teacup Greetings cards to half off in the KimberlyShawStore.

The Camellia is a relative of the tea plant and a favorite flower of mine which is one of the only flowers to bloom in the winter.

Painted from my own set personal of China from Royal Albert with pretty pink flowers which looks fantastic on a Valentine's table, or outside for a garden tea party.

Painted for the many "Mums" who have taken such good care of us, even if they weren't our actual mom.   See all the red and pinks cards in my store now on sale.

French Blue Toile

Toile de Jouy, sometimes abbreviated to simply "toile",  originated in France in the late 1700s, which literally means "cloth from Jouy-en Josas", a town of north-central France. It is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme. The pattern portion consists of a single color, most often black, dark red, or blue.

My French Blue teacup Greeting card is blank inside so you can write a personal message.  It comes with Harrison & Crosfield's delectable Forrest Berries teabag inserted in the rim of the teacup for your recipient to enjoy.  Available in my store.

Rapidograph pen with blue ink and watercolor on 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper.

Black Toile

Inspired from the toile wallpaper I grew up with on my Grandmother's and Mother's Dinning Room walls. For me toile is like comfort food, reminding me of family gatherings around beautifully set tables and delicious meals mixed with good stories.

This blank Teacup Greeting card was created with pen and ink, and watercolor washes of pale pink.  Rose vines are watercolored in the background which continue on the back of the card.  It comes with a Raspberry teabag inserted in the rim of the teapot.

You Are Loved

I love the little gold feet that holds up this very sweet rosebud teacup.  Meant to be given to a dear friend or loved one on Valentines Day, or any other day when someone needs to know they are loved.

Inside reads, "You are in my heart and thoughts today"

To spread a little LOVE, find this Teacup Greeting card in my store of Etsy shop.