Tea Cup Exchange 2017

I hope  everyone is enjoying beautiful weather.  Spring has finally arrived in Northern Ohio, and we are surrounded by blossoms and blooms.

Welcome to all who are visiting here today. . .
This is the second tea cup exchange I've participated in, hosted by Stephanie of The Enchanting Rose. 

I was partnered with two lovely ladies: one who I would send a tea cup to, and one who I would receive from.  

These are the gifts I received from Ann (Annie) who lives in Merimbula, NSW, Australia.  I do not know if she has a blog, though.  

Annie, if you are reading this, please let me know if you have a blog where I can direct my readers.

This lovely tea set is an Ansley, named "Windsor Cottage Garden", and I could not love it more!  Every detail just speaks to my heart, from the gorgeous colors, the pretty flowers depicted, the shape of the tea cup, and the fact that it is a "set" with tea cup/saucer and plate.  There is nothing I love more than having a little something while enjoying my tea, and this beautiful set really elevates the ritual.

This is perfect for my afternoon tea.  I always have a cup in the morning and in the afternoon a few hours after the mid-day meal.  It's a tradition I grew up with, and still carry on although it's just me.  My father was very fond of tea, and I think of him quite often when I have it in the afternoon.

Here is a closer detail of that beautiful tea cup.  I just love the shape of the handle!  As with all of the photographs in this post, you can click on it to enlarge.

This afternoon as I am setting up to shoot these, I am enjoying a cup of the French Earl Gray tea that Annie sent me.  There were two teas, the other being Gorgeous Geisha.  They're both delightful, and even Carl (the non-tea drinker) enjoyed the aroma.  I wish he would have a cup with me once in a while. . .

Do you see this gorgeous linen?  Another gift that arrived with my tea cup set.  I gotta tell you, it is so beautiful, and it's so "me", too!  

Isn't it wonderful how someone can really get what would interest another person, even though the two have not met?  I find it quite extraordinary.  Annie, thank you so much.

Wait, that's not all.  In addition to the tea cup, teas and linen, there was this awesome little book, "Tea With Jane Austen", a collection of recipes from the Georgian Era, gathered together by Pen Vogler.   These are actual recipes that Jane's family either made, or could have made.  And they're easy to follow for a modern cook.  Beautiful photographs in here, which I just realized that I forgot to get a sample of. . .

I am eager to try a couple of the recipes out, so perhaps I'll make that a post to share when I do.

Finally, there is this lovely Portmerion bud vase which Annie so thoughtfully added.  Since the daffodils are making quite a show, I decided to pick a few to enjoy with my tea.   

My other partner, who I sent a package to was Michele at The Nest at Finch Rest.  Someone who has been on my list of blogs I follow.  AND, a fellow Ohioan!  How cool is that?

Like the fool I am though, I did not photograph her teacup before sending it off.  However, I know that she will do a gorgeous job with it when she posts.  Please visit Michele; her blog is filled with beauty through and through.  

I received this sweet thank you note from her last week:

This has been so much fun, and the best gift of all has been the friendship and fellowship!

Stephanie is having the big reveal today on her blog, where everyone who participated will show and share.  You can click on the link at the top of this post, or the one below to be taken there.

To Stephanie, Annie and Michele, I raise my cup of tea in salute!  Thank you ladies for brightening my day.

I am taking part in:





Cynthia

Ribbons

I am definitely a hoarder of ribbons. . .

Silk, Satin, Velvet, Wire-edged, Crinkly, Textured. . .I love them ALL!  I covet antique and vintage ribbons and trims, and even a small amount of yardage will make me happy.  

Bundled Ribbons

The dilemma is, how to store them neatly.  A while ago, I stumbled across this idea on Pinterest, and it inspired me to organize my treasured ribbons by making paper wrappers for each one.  

Graphics Fairy to the rescue!

http://thegraphicsfairy.com/vintage-french-graphic-amazing-paris-ephemera/

Using one of Karen's vintage labels, I printed it on heavy paper (not cardstock), then cut into strips.  A light inking of color gives it an "aged" look.  You can see that I went a bit heavy on the band holding the blue ribbon above.  Then wrap it around the hank of ribbon, secure with glue stick, tape, or any adhesive.  

I love how pretty this looks, and how neat it keeps the ribbon.

Do you use images from The Graphics Fairy?  I am slightly obsessed with all the beautiful ephemera items, and she also has a Premier Membership site which is only a few dollars a month to join.  

Thread spools from the Favorite Things bundle

Each week, there is a new set of images with a common theme, and printables that can be used in various ways.  This set, "Favorite Things" has a printable with the dancers and crowns shaped as thread spools.  I have used them to wrap small bits of special ribbon, and also to store some vintage jewelry.  Again, I just inked them slightly, and also added some glitter stickles here and there. . .

Here are a few things I've made which incorporate some favorite ribbons:

Front

Back

I love to make these "tussie-mussies", or cones. . .I usually hand paint these, then cover with embellishments, finishing with ribbon.

Or, I might cover them with paper.  In this case, using pages from an old book.  Love the french writing. . .

Ah, yes!  I am still hoping that Paris will be a future trip. . .

Until then, I will enjoy my beautiful ribbons, some which did come from France.

If you have a ribbon collection, I do hope this has inspired you to make some bands for them as I have.  If you do try this, let me know how it works for you!  I recommend using a HEAVY paper, but to be safe, make sure it's acid free.  Regular copier paper is too lightweight, and cardstock might be difficult to wrap with.  However, I did use cardstock for the thread spools.  And, you may want to glue/tape it together before inserting the ribbon, so that you don't ruin it.

And PLEASE, visit Karen at The Graphics Fairy.  There are TONS of awesome ideas, and so many incredible images!

Thank you for visiting my little blog!

I am sharing this today with:
How Sweet The Sound Pink Saturday

Botanic Bleu Monday Social

The Art of Homemaking Mondays

Cynthia

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

Late Summer Dahlias

Sharing some Dahlias

Hope everyone is enjoying the transition from Summer to Autumn.  I am a Summer girl, and I really hate to see the days growing shorter, but I DO love the seasonal changes, too! 

This is the prime time for my Dahlias.  Every year, I plant the tubers in May, usually on Mother's Day.  And I patiently wait for mid-to-late August for the flowers to begin blooming.

These are not planted to be "landscape" plants, admired for the beauty they'd give to the overall look of the garden, but instead, I have a designated "cutting garden".  Unfortunately, until the flowers appear, it looks like a dirt garden.  But, it receives the prime amount of sunlight, and since we're not too close to the road, not really noticeable to the general public.

So, here's the show:

"Wannabee"

And the Bees really love them!

Touche'

These next two shots are the dahlia "Jaden Charles", and it is quite stunning as it's petals unfurl. . .Most of these shots were taken with my phone, so not necessarily the best quality. . .

Jaden Charles fully opened

The lovely thing about dahlias is that the tubers multiply, so when they're dug up and stored for next year's planting, you can end up with multiple plants!  However, I am not the best at labeling, thinking I'll "remember" what they are next year. . .uh, yeah. . .

Hence, there are a few that I'm not able to properly identify.  They're just "pretty flowers"!

The blooms on the one above and the one below are HUGE!!! About 8 - 10" across, and ONE blossom in a vase is good for a bouquet. 

Citron de Cap

Peaches and Cream

I love every color these amazing flowers come in.  And every size and type as well.

Bashful

Chloe Janae

Imperial Wine

Jason Matthews

Rebecca Lynn

This last flower is one of the newest planted this year, and is named "X-Factor".  Appropriate name, because it is GORGEOUS!

X-Factor

This was the first blossom on the plant, and got a little damaged in one of the storms we had, but the plant is now covered in buds, so I'm hoping to have a nice bouquet of these in the next week.

The plants I have right now should still produce flowers right through October.  Since we're so close to the lake, we generally don't get frost as early as if we were further inland.  At least, we're USUALLY safe. . .The rule of thumb is to dig and store the tubers after there's been a "killing" frost, but before the ground is hard.  For us, that could easily be up until mid-November.  

I am eagerly looking forward to the many  new dahlias for 2017, and plan to order early to be sure I get them!  

Almost as pretty as the sunsets this time of year:

Thank you for visiting my blog, and I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and the gorgeous colors that Autumn brings.  

Linking up to these awesome parties:

Pink Saturday
Make It Pretty Monday

Cynthia