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
A Sales Rep in New Hampshire sent me this Spode Teacup for inspiration. It came in a padded envelope, the kind with the little bubble wrap inside. I was shocked it made the journey unaffected to California. The golden envelope was all crumpled up around the shape of the cup. Sometime in its lifetime it lost its saucer, so I gave it anew one on my painting. I watercolored this while on vacation in the California Delta, in a little cottage surrounded by roses. It comes with Harrison & Crosfields Raspberry tea. The inside reads, "Wishing you a speedy recovery."
With most everyone I know feeling "under the weather" ALL my Get Well Teacup Cards are now HALF OFF in my store.
With the cat was gone chasing butterflies in the garden, Woodie began looking around from her new vantage point. She asked if I ever painted anything else besides teacups. I showed her this painting I did of the California Delta when the geese were migrating.
Next she wanted to know why I was painting Christmas images while everyone 
else was laying-out in the sun at the beach. I told her that was a very good question.
Thinking of the sun, Woodie asked for a new summer ribbon, said her old one was dingy. With her new summer look she wanted an updated photo with her best friend.
Feeling spiffy, she pointed to Robert Hockenberry's painting and asked if she could go on an adventure 
to someplace far-away like this. I told her that was a fantastic idea and I'd be happy to take her. With one more card to paint I asked if she minded keeping watch over my desk until I finish.
Just then Paige popped back in, and Woodie took charge like a brave trooper.
The truth is I'm ready for an adventure myself, and feeling a bit loopy today after way too much green tea.
Woodie (with an ie, she's a girl) is helping keep my new kitty, Paige, off my desk. Paige left her paw print on my watercolor paper after a stroll through my paint tray.
After a long sabbatical on the shelf for the past year, I think Woodie is happy to be doing something useful.
My new kitty, Paige, came to visit me in my backyard studio. Since she looked sleepy I welcomed her on my desk thinking she'll remain calm while I sketch. Just as her eyes closed, Sandy, the dog came in to resume her plot under my desk.
Well, you get the picture. After Paige knocked my pencil container on the floor Sandy was ushered outside, and not in a friendly way. Paige wasn't allowed on my desk after that. She took her leisure on my chair while Persistent Sandy staked her claim.
Sandy has never hurt her, yet she is still afraid of her. Comforting and telling Paige not to live in fear is revealing my own relationship with God. He says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) Even though there are things I'm afraid of God is gentle to remind me, like today, to fear not.
My favorite thing to collect is milkglass hobnail. I especially love it with ruffled edges at the top. Pop calls it milkglass with goosebumps. This fan vase was his moms. I found the lamp at a garage sale and decided to use it as my new desk lamp .
I started Kimberly Shaw Graphics from my home in 1997 after 10 years of making hand-made Birthday, Get Well, Thank You, and Christmas Cards for friends and family. With much encouragement, I left a 15 year career in Architecture to start my own business to stay home with my 3 small children. Within a few years, when the business grew beyond the boundaries of our small home, we moved it into a warehouse. I have been blessed with a wonderful staff of creative and talented people. My husband bravely left his career in Chemistry to help run the business part of Kimberly Shaw Graphics. Georgia, who literally walked in the door looking for work when we were too busy to submit a Help Add, is my creative right hand. My two daughters, both very artistic, now work with us and occasionally my son helps out.
When my kids grew out of the playhouse we had built for them, I moved in and made it my Art Studio. My move back home allows me to be more flexible. I can paint very early or late at night without getting spooked by the leaves that blew under the roll-up door. The move also gave my husband extra room to spread out in the office we shared at the warehouse.
Above my desk is a collection of Georgia's watercolors with some small plates and saucers.
I’m supposed to be working on a new Christmas Teacup Card but I’m having a hard time with all the flowers growing in the back yard. Besides, Joanie’s pink rose teacup has been begging me to paint it along with this vase I’ve had since last summer.
We have a brand new website with monthly specials on my most popular Teacup Greeting Cards at www.kimberlyshawstore.com. We’ve also added some yummy teas, tea party accessories, teacups, teapot, and some cute teacup nightlights.
