Tea Time with Kisses

Hi friends,

Even though it is Tea Time Tuesday I have decided it really is a hot cocoa kind of day.  Can I do that?  I love hot cocoa on a cold winter's day!  It is hot, it is chocolate and it is sweet!  What isn't there to love about it  :-)

It gets even better with marshmallows on top!  My teddy mug is from Mikasa.

This Hershey's Kisses Sweetheart Basket set is by Longaberger.  Isn't this the "sweetest" basket?  A few years ago Longaberger and Hershey teamed up to create this adorable kiss basket!

Let's take a peek at what we have inside ...

Oh my, more Hershey Kisses!  I may or may not have melted one or two of those kisses in my mug, but you won't tell.

I think the basket tie-on looks like a real piece of candy.  I can hardly tell the difference.

Thank you for joining me today for cocoa.  Now I'm off to find the marshmallow Cheops ran off with - bad kitty!  I'm linking this week with the following ladies:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Party Tuesday @ Sweetology
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Damask Heart

My project today uses some new Memory Box items.  The heart is a combination of the Damask Heart stamp and the Grand Heart die, which cuts out the heart perfectly.  I stamped the damask heart in Rich Razzleberry on Pretty in Pink paper.

The Die-namics Fancy Flourish was cut from Very Vanilla paper and sponged with Blushing Bride ink.  I also spritzed it with Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle Shimmer.

Happy Valentine's Day was stamped in Rich Razzleberry on a Papertrey Ink Ribbon Banner.  I thought this Prima Flower "Angelica Rose" was so pretty I just had to use it!  Rose colored pearls finish the front of the card.

The inside sentiment is from SU's All Holidays set.  It was inked with VersaMark then Rich Razzleberry and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The Memory Box gorgeous mini bloom was stamped and colored with Blushing Bride and Pretty in Pink.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Memory Box Damask Heart, Memory Box Happy Valentine's Day, Memory Box Gorgeous Mini Bloom, SU All Holidays

Paper:  Natural White Linen, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Damask Heart & Sentiments - Rich Razzleberry; Flourish - Sponged with Blushing Bride; Rose - Blushing Bride & Pretty in Pink with Blender Pen

Accessories:  Prima Flower "Angelica Rose", Basic Grey Opaline Pearls in Rose, Memory Box Grand Heart Die, Die-namics Fancy Flourish Die, Papertrey Ink Ribbon Banner, Labels Seventeen #6 (Inside), Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle Shimmerz Spritz

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Blender Pen

Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Celtic Woman Concert

Hi there,

I am very excited today as I received my Celtic Woman tickets in the mail.  It has been a very long time since I have attended a concert, but I couldn't resist seeing this beautiful musical group.

Mairead is the violinist and her talent to play the fiddle will leave you speechless.  All the vocalists have successful solo careers and their ability to harmonize is remarkable.

Now, I just have to wait until March to see them, but it will be worth the wait.  Their music is fantastic and I can say without a doubt that you will love them if you hear them.  Here is a clip from their Believe concert in Atlanta.

I wish I could take you all with me!

Heart to Heart

This card was created for a co-worker to give to his "sweetheart" for Valentine's Day.  He specifically requested red and white.

I started by cutting a piece of Shimmery White paper using a Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #6 die (I seem to be using this one quite a bit lately).  The sentiment by PSX was inked in VersaMark then Cherry Cobbler and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  I wanted to add a little something to the background so I stamped the flourish from the Elements of Style set in VersaMark and embossed them with clear embossing powder.  They are faint, but I think you can see them in the picture.

Cheery Lynn Designs Heart to Heart Lace Doily dies were cut from Cherry Cobbler paper and glued on.  The edges of the Shimmery White paper were sponged in Cherry Cobbler.

The crinkle ribbon is just a piece of Cherry Cobbler seam binding.  Using my Bow-Easy I created the bow then sprayed the ribbon with some water to dampen (mini mister bottles are great for this).  Next, I sprayed SU Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz liberally on the ribbon and scrunched it with my hand.  After I let it dry overnight I attached it with a Making Memories Je t'Adore heart brad.  The key brad is also from Making Memories.

The inside sentiment and flourish were stamped in Cherry Cobbler and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I punched three hearts from glimmer paper for a little pizazz!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  PSX Captured My Heart Sentiment, SU Elements of Style, PSX Script Happy Valentine's Day
Paper:  Solar White Linen, Cherry Cobbler, Shimmery White, 'Tis the Season Red Glimmer Paper
Ink:  Flourishes - VersaMark with Clear EP; Sentiment - Cherry Cobbler with Clear EP; Sponging - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, SU Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Making Memories Je t'Adore Heart Brad & Key, Cheery Lynn Designs Heart to Heart Lace Doily Dies, Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #6, SU Heart to Heart Punch, Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Tea Time - Heirloom English

This week is Tea Time Tuesday's 2nd Anniversary at Rose Chintz Cottage, so in celebration of the occasion our theme is roses.  Thank you Sandi for hosting this lovely party.

Although I have numerous pieces of rose china, I chose today my teacup and teapot handmade in Stoke on Trent in England.

The Alice shaped teacup and saucer was discovered in a vault by Heirloom China and brought back into production.  The shape has beautiful curved lines and is truly stunning decorated with the pink cottage roses from the Olde English collection.

A peek at the bottom of the teacup.

This fabulous matching teapot is handcrafted with raised embossed leaves cast into the lid and spout.  The design originated in the 1940's.  The teapot decorated with trailing roses has a capacity of 4 cups and is trimmed in gold.

"What's in a name?  That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

~ William Shakespeare ~

'Romeo and Juliet'

Now, I hope you will join me in a cup of rose petal tea.  This royal tea blend has the light spice of delicate, young rose buds.  A Victorian tradition perfect served for kings and queens.

A vintage style holder, with an antiqued mercury glass finish and embossed design is just the thing today for our rose scented candle.  This scent is an intoxicating English garden of fragrant heirloom roses.

Would you like a Hershey's milk chocolate heart?  They really are sweet!

I will leave you today with this picture, taken a few years ago, of a rose from my flower garden.

Thank you for stopping by for tea on this special occasion.  I am also linking with the following ladies:

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Tea Party Tuesday @ Sweetology
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Pink Saturday @ The Sound How Sweet

Resources:
Teacup & Saucer:  Heirloom English China
Teapot:  Heirloom English China
Berry Bowl:  Anchor Hocking Moonstone
Handkerchief:  Crabtree & Evelyn
Votive Holder:  Creative Co-op

Decorating for Valentine's Day

I've never been one to decorate much for Valentine's Day, but this year I thought I would set out a few things.

This wreath I created from a plain grapevine wreath.  I just added silk roses, some delicate baby's breath and a cream ribbon with my hot glue gun.

A little candlescape sits on the table.  I have altered a burgundy candle with a piece of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla Seam Binding and some metal vintage keys.  The two glass votive holders I purchased years ago from Yankee Candle.  Pretty pink rose petals are scattered around the tray for a little romance.

My wrought iron shelf holds two Serena antique mercury glass pillar holders.  I like the warmth of the patterned brass bands with the silvery handblown mercury glass. 

The love letter candles are reminiscent of vintage Parisian telegrams.

Vintage-inspired gate keys hang from the hooks with two red glittered heart ornaments.

Thanks so much for stopping to visit.  Have you decorated for Valentine's Day?

Snow Leopard

Hi there,

My project today is a Stampscapes scene using the Snow Leopard stamp by Coronado Island.  They have some wonderful images, which I purchased almost a year ago and I'm trying to ink up all my rubber.  This is a birthday card for a male friend.

On a piece of glossy paper, I stamped the Boulders with Lichen several times in StazOn Black using a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for placement.  I then positioned the Snow Leopard and moon also stamping them in StazOn Black.

The sky was sponged in Bordering Blue, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy.  The leopard was colored with Sahara Sand and Distressed Pumice Stone.  I colored the nose with a Pretty in Pink marker.  The eyes were done with a Ballet Blue marker then added a sky blue Spica pen with Crystal Effects.  Rocks were sponged in Basic Gray, Distressed Forest Moss and Distressed Black Soot.  To soften the leopard's face and ears I applied ColorBox Frost White.

I adhered the image to a piece of Basic Black and mounted it onto a pewter gray card.

Using my Big Shot I cut a piece of Whisper White paper using a Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #6 die.  The inside sentiment was inked in VersaMark then Brocade Blue and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The twisting leaves were stamped in StazOn Black.

May your day be filled with smiles!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Coronado Island, Stampscapes Boulders with Lichen, Full Moon & Twisting Leaves, Happy Birthday Sentiment by PSX
Paper:  Pewter Gray, Basic Black, Glossy White, Whisper White
Ink:  Images - StazOn Black, Sky - Bordering Blue, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy; Leopard - Sahara Sand & Distressed Pumice Stone; Eyes - Ballet Blue; Nose - Pretty in Pink; Rocks - Basic Gray, Distressed Forest Moss, Distressed Black Soot, ColorBox Frost White; Inside Sentiment - Brocade Blue with Clear EP
Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #6, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Post-It Notes 
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Nature Walk French Birdcage

This card has been sitting on my project table for way too long!  I kept thinking it needed something else, but finally decided it was time to assemble it.

Starting with a piece of Shimmery White paper I inked up the birdcage stamp first by loading it with VersaMark then Early Espresso ink.  I embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Flourishes were stamped in Distressed Victorian Velvet and the edges were sponged in Distressed Antique Linen.

Using the paper piercing tool from my Stampin' Up Crafters' Tool Kit, I pierced a whole in the paper and added silver cording in order for the birdcage to appear as though it is hanging.

I created a triple loop bow with some pink May Arts silk ribbon.  The bird is from SU's Carte Postale set and stamped in StazOn Black and sponged with Brilliant Blue for highlights.  I stamped the friend sentiment in StazOn Black on a piece of Blushing Bride cut from a Spellbinders Labels Four die.

So here we have an elegant birdcage with a little bit of French flair.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Nature Walk, You're a Gem, Carte Postale, The Stamp Pad Co. Flourish
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Blushing Bridge, Shimmery White
Ink:  Birdcage - Early Espresso with Clear EP; Flourish - Distressed Victorian Velvet; Bird - StazOn Black then sponged with Brilliant Blue; Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen; Sentiment - StazOn Black
Accessories:  May Arts Pink Silk Ribbon, Silver Cording, Crafters' Tool Kit, Nesties Labels Four #2

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Dress Form

Happy Friday!

I have a card today using a die set from Spellbinders called Dress Form (S4-068).  This set was part of a new release from Crafters Home.  I called one of the participating stores and they graciously mailed it to me right away.

I started by cutting the large dress form from Very Vanilla paper and sponged the edges with Distressed Vintage Photo.  The lacey dress was cut from Basic Black, which I snipped off the top to create a pretty apron.  Using my new Spellbinders Elegant Posts dies I cut a stand for the dress in Basic Black.

The sentiment and border from JustRite Stampers were stamped in StazOn Black and layered onto a classic scalloped circle.  The bottom is finished using a Spellbinders Grand Classic Lace Border sponged in Distressed Vintage Photo.  I've added a black satin bow with vanilla rosette.

Champagne pearls and ruffled ribbon for a belt finish it off.

With Gratitude was stamped inside on a Labels Eight #5 die cut from Very Vanilla.  The damask pattern was done in Going Gray.

This set is so girly - I love it!  You will definitely be seeing more dress form cards.  I'm really enjoying using my new dies and stamp sets.

Are you looking forward to the weekend as much as I am?  I will have more fun stuff to share with you so please stop back to visit.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  JustRite Stampers You Inspire Me & Kindness, SU With Gratitude & Friends 24-7
Paper:  Black Linen, Kaisercraft After Five Collection, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink:  StazOn Black, Distressed Vintage Photo, Going Gray
Accessories:  5/8" Offray Black Satin Ribbon, SU Vanilla Rosette, Kaiser Pearls in Champagne, Large Standard Circles #3, Large Classic Scalloped Circles #2, Spellbinders Dress Forms (S4-068), Elegant Posts, Grand Classic Lace Border, Labels Eight #5 (Inside), Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Boogie Board

Hi friends,

I'm really not one to write reviews about products, but wanted to show you a gift I received recently called a "Boogie Board".  Have you ever heard of them?  It's essentially an electronic version of a magic slate.  You do remember those, right?

I just love it!  It does nothing but let you write on it, then erase.  So simple and easy to use without having to plug in or recharge - yea!  It uses zero power except when erasing the slate.  I know some of you may be laughing at me right now (Jimmy ... I know you are!)

This little board allows me to leave notes for my husband in the morning, before I leave for work, or jot down reminders.  It comes with a stylus or you can even use your fingernail to write on it.

The erase feature is neat.  All you do is push a button and the LCD screen "wipes" clean.  I have it hanging in the kitchen where hubby can see it.

Just think of all the paper I am saving!  Well, not really since I make cards and have tons of cardstock so we won't go there.  I do recommend if you purchase one from Brookstone be sure to buy the one with the replaceable batteries.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today.

Tea Time - Arthur Wood

Hi everyone,

Well, it is a new year and I am excited to once again be joining some friends for Tea Time Tuesday.

I hope you will join me today for a nice quiet cup of tea in my spare bedroom.  Sometimes I just like to get away from it all and relax, don't you?

My teapot is from Arthur Wood and Son of Staffordshire, England.  This English teapot is marked on the bottom with their name and has a pattern number 6627 in gold lettering.  The beautiful floral motif has gorgeous workmanship.  I would love to know more about it and what year this design is from.

The porcelain teacup and saucer are Skye McGhie in the "Cream Lace" pattern.  The saucer has a pierced open lacy edge design and is about 5.75 inches wide.  The cup has raised embossed heraldry plumes on the sides.  On the bottom it reads "Skye McGhie Cream Lace Fine Porcelain".

The elegance of silvered mercury glass is displayed in this vase filled with peonies.  This silvered glass has a sophisticated nostalgic charm.  I love mercury glass and have numerous pieces.

We have several scrumptious truffles to enjoy with our tea.  Our cappuccino is a dark-roast coffee with a velvet cream capped with white chocolate.  The amaretto accented with sweet almond liqueur, and my husband's favorite is the dark chocolate raspberry.  Please go ahead and take one - they really are delicious!

The tray is a Longaberger oval serving basket which I have decorated with a cream liner.  The comforter I have in this bedroom is called "Memories".  I love the shades of tearose, wineberry, bayberry and misty blue on a cream background.  This rose garden blooms all year round!

Would you like to see my birdcage?  This cage hangs from the ceiling in the northeast part of the room.  

Thank you for stopping and having tea with me.  I am linking with the following ladies this week.

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Party Tuesday @ Sweetology

Resources:
Teacup & Saucer:  Skye McGhie "Cream Lace" pattern
Teapot:  Arthur Wood and Son 
Vase:  Mercury Glass
Basket:  Longaberger Oval Serving Tray
Bedding, Rose Pictures & Birdcage:  JCPenney