Time for a Tea Party!

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Autumn!  I know for some it is "Fall", but I've always preferred "Autumn".  And actually, BOTH are correct!  

I truly love each season, and find there is beauty to be found all year round. . .


Today, I would like to share some fun crafts I've been working on, and also the lovely gifts I received from taking part in a "tea cup exchange" through Stephanie at  The Enchanting Rose.   And since it's Autumn, I thought I set a table outdoors with a plaid throw and a few Fall like elements.

I so much enjoy crafting, and one of the projects I've been working on is this accordion album using Graphics 45 "Halloween in Wonderland" papers. . .

Instructions can be found through http://www.mycreativespirit.co.uk/halloween-in-wonderland-perpetual-pocket-album-844-p.asp

A link to the finished piece:  https://youtu.be/zdp7xBNV99E

I highly recommend following Clare's very detailed directions.  I do not consider myself to be an advanced papercrafter, and these instructions are quite easy to follow. . .

Now, on to the fun!

I drew Deborah's name for the cup I was to send.  Deborah blogs over at  The Beautiful Matters .

And, I was to expect a package from Janet at Rosemary & Thyme .  Janet has such a beautiful blog, and she is so extremely creative in her styling. . .And boy!  Did she nail it with this teacup:

A little detail

This gorgeous tea cup/saucer and plate are from the "Collection Sevres" (Andrea by Sadek) and inspired by 18th Century designs.  I have to tell you, this is as beautiful China as I've ever seen!

Do you agree?

Interior shot

The detail is so sublime in this china. . .the decoration of flowers, the beautiful blue, the gilt detail and the embossing. . .I am SO in LOVE with this!

And if that were not enough, Janet also sent along the most beautiful teas, treats and gifts:

The teas are wonderful!  Not just one, but 5!  And all are delicious. . .not to mention the Biscotti (keep your hands off, Carl!) and the Shortbread.  The candle has such a heavenly aroma, and we're already using it.  And the pretty note cards with the sweet sentiment "Flowers Of Kindness Never Fade". . .my favorite kind of flowers, indeed. . . Thank you so, so much, Janet!

A few props which give me a feel of Autumn. . .gourds, acorns, and an antique silver teapot (recently acquired), an old, old sewing basket which I picked up at a local antique gallery the day I shot this.  

The day was quite blustery, and I wasn't sure I could get the photographs I wanted .  The sun kept disappearing and re-appearing, and I'm sure you all know what a challenge it can be. . .especially if your "assistant" is somewhere else that day!

Relics and Artifacts piece

One of my favorite elements to work with:  Sandra Evertson Relics and Artifacts Mythos  If you are an artist or crafter, you'll want to work with these.  I have nearly all of the collections, and have used them in a variety of ways. . .

I've been recently constructing my family tree, and exploring my Celtic roots; English, Welsh and French.  Found out that I have ancestors who came to Canada from Ireland, which is quite exciting as I don't think we knew there was Irish blood, but lo and behold, a great great  great Grandfather and Grandmother (Patrick and Mary) came to Ontario in the 1830's from County Cork.  The others, I have verified as coming from England and France.  But, the "Welsh" ancestors may have been from Scotland, instead.  The one who called himself Welsh also claimed to have been born in Aberdeenshire (which is a County in Scotland). 


It's quite fascinating to unravel the past, and there is more out there than birth and death records to be found, if you are patient and persistent.  Census records I find to be extremely fascinating, as there is quite a bit of information contained.  I've even discovered newspaper articles about ancestors who were notable for various accomplishments. . .

I'd love to hear if you are doing genealogy research.  Have you discovered  anything interesting in your ancestry?

Thank you for checking out my little blog today,  and a BIG Thank You to Stephanie for hosting this great tea cup exchange.  I am so happy to have been a participant!

Until next time, 



Cynthia