My Favorite Things--Tea Cups and Roses

Look what just came in--Silk Rose Pins from Erica at Meadow Street. Each pin is a 3-D work of art. She handpaints silk fabric in the most luscious colors, then fashions it into roses that look so real you have to touch them to tell if they are or not! Available in 2 sizes: Each large bloom is about 3 1/2" across; small bloom is approximately 2 3/4" across. Delightful!

Available on my website Sat., May 17, 2008.

Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink

It's Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink and I just had to share what I've been working on. It's not a new product, but I've never photographed the process. It's something I have been making and selling for a long time--my Patchwork Tiered Broomstick Skirt. According to a recent article in a sewing magazine, this is The Year of the Skirt--long, short, feminine, casual, fitted, flowing, romantic or any style that fits your style. This skirt fits my style to a "tea."

So, with no more ado, here is the multi-step process that it takes to make one:

The skirt requires 1 yard each of 4 coordinating fabrics. That in itself is sometimes a creative challenge, but one I enjoy. This particular skirt was a quilting group, so it was already done for me.

Next, I cut the yardage into various widths for the graduated tiers, then cut those widths into 54 rectangular patches. The 54 patches need to be arranged in a random placement, but even that is not really random. I have to lay them out in an order of sorts to make sure all the fabrics don't line up vertically. I end up with 4 stacks of patches in the order that they will be pieced.

I piece the rows using my serger and end up with the 4 strips in graduated lengths that will be attached into tiers.

But, first the strips have to be gathered along 1 edge. Once that is done, I use my serger to attach the gathered strips together into the skirt body.

A few steps later, this is the finished product:

Mother's Day, 1964

In honor of my 82 year old mom, I'd like to share a special memory of a favorite Mother's Day:

The year was 1964. I was 6 and my brother was 7. On the Saturday before Mother’s Day my brother and I pulled out our McCoy piggy banks and counted our money. Between us, we had $2.05. Then, off we went to Anne’s Gift Shop to buy something really special for our mom.

You see, our mom wasn’t just any mom; she was the best mom in the world! And she deserved a very special gift. Miss Anne’s shop was just the place to find it. She had so many pretty things—costume jewelry, trinket boxes, lady head vases, handkerchiefs, and perfume atomizers.

We must have spent an hour looking, but couldn’t find anything within our price range.
Then, just as we were about to ask Miss Anne for help, we saw it. Displayed on the side of the cash register was a beautiful jewel-studded gold can opener/magnet (so it would never be misplaced). The price tag read, “$2.00”. It was the perfect gift!

Miss Anne placed it in a gold foil box and tied it with a beautiful ribbon. Happily, we skipped down the street, taking turns carrying our treasure home. We were so proud!

The next morning, we couldn’t wait to give Mom her gift. We grinned from ear to ear as she opened the box. Her eyes sparkled almost as much as the jewels as she lifted the cotton and saw it. She ooh-ed and ahh-ed, kissed us both and said, “It’s just what I’ve always wanted!” Then she walked over to the refrigerator and placed the can opener on the door. And there it has remained for almost 45 years—a daily reminder of her children’s love.

Many Mother’s Days have come and gone, but that is the one I remember most fondly.

Happy Mother's Day !

Gracious Hospital-i-Tea Blog-A-Thon--Week 8

Here are the instructions for this week's contribution to the tea Blogathon:

"Share a creative afternoon tea table setting. Linens, serving pieces, teapots and teacup, tea accoutrement's and accessories, centerpieces, tea trays or three-tiers, and more. Show one way you enjoy creating a memorable tea experience. This is your opportunity to show the world the fun you have when you create your own special tea experience. Then. . .invite over a friend or neighbor and share some tea together. That way all your work is not for ought."

I set up my tea party for a Mother/Daughter afternoon tea using one of my favorite tea sets in a rose chintz pattern. Vintage-looking pink candleholders gave the setting a nostalgic feel. I served Royal Albert English Afternoon Tea with a decadent chocolate mousse tart. Delicious! The sugar bowl and creamer were my grandmother's. Napkins were linen with crochet lace edging. The silver-plate demi spoons were a find on one of my antique mall outings with my daughter. Oh, so much fun!

More Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is just around the corner and I have a few gift ideas to share. There is something for every taste and budget in my shop!

For the elegant mother— Rose Garden Chintz Tea Set

This sweet porcelain tea set would make a lovely gift! The set includes a 4-cup teapot, covered sugar, creamer, 2 mugs and 2 dessert plates. Beautiful details include 22-Kt gold trim, graceful curving handles, scalloped edges, and features pink roses against an ecru background. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Just delightful!

For the young at heart mother: Spring Blossom Tea-For-One Set

Just look at this adorable ceramic Tea-For-One Set in the shape of lovely spring blossoms. There’s even a little butterfly on the teapot lid to add a bit of whimsy! The set includes a 1-cup stackable teapot, tea cup and plate. Just perfect for Spring! Dimensions: Stacked—6” h x 8 ½”w This would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift!

For the traditional mother: Royal Scotland Tea-For-One Set—Pink Roses

This beautiful fine porcelain tea-for-one set from Royal Scotland would make a lovely gift. Heavily decorated with 22 kt.gold. Decorated in tan bands with lovely pink rose transfers. Note the graceful lines of the stacking set. Teapot holds 8 oz. 4-piece set. Handwash. Too lovely!

For the feminine mother: Teapot Jewelry

I offer a wide variety of Tea-themed jewelry custom made for my shop by very talented artisans. The selection includes pins, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Most are one-of-a-kind pieces and cannot be reordered once they are sold. Please stop by to see which one your mom would love.


For the mother who has everything: Tea Gift Box—Purple Roses

This sweet little trunk, filled with a few thoughtful necessi-teas, is just the right gift to make someone feel pampered and special! The rose-themed trunk includes the following Necessi-teas: a new porcelain teapot for one (holds 12 oz.) from Porcelain Treasures, a vintage crocheted doily; a 4 oz. pkg. premium loose tea. 1 box of gourmet cookies, coordinating journal, a milk chocolate bar wrapped in a lovely rose wrapper, and a tin of Timothy’s lavender flavored white tea (50 tea bags with strings and tags). Too divine! Trunk dimensions: 11 ½”x 6” x 8” Price includes filler, shrink wrap and a bow. I will gladly add a gift enclosure with a personalized message at no additional charge.

For the new mother: Ambiance Collections Colonnade Tea Set

This sweet tea set is just the right size for a bedside table or desk in your bedroom! The ecru porcelain set consists of a handled tray, 2-cup teapot, creamer and covered sugar with porcelain spoon. Just right for a cup of tea in the morning or at night before retiring. Just add cookies, a variety of tea bags, a tea cup and saucer or mug, and an electric kettle to heat water. The perfect way to begin or end a busy day (or to take a break during your precious time alone in the afternoon while baby is sleeping)! Tray dimensions: 10” x 12”


These are only a few of the items in my shop that would make wonderful Mother's Day gifts. Please stop in at http://www.sweetnecessi-teas.com/ to see the rest of my items and to check availability and pricing.
Live across the country or state from your mother? I am happy to ship your gift directly to your mom and even include a handwritten gift card with your message at no additional charge. Gift wrap is available for a small fee.

Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink

Good Monday morning to all! Today is Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink and I just had to show you what I have been working on for the last few days.



A customer in Australia has been ordering skirts from my shop to wear in her tearoom/cafe. She wrote to say how much she loved them and ask when would I be making more. I had neglected that area of my shop and was down to just 2 skirts. So, I whipped up 2 more patchwork styles for her. Well, "whipped up" is not exactly right. They are pretty labor intensive. Each skirt is made from 54 pieces that I cut from 4 yards of coordinating cotton fabrics, stitch together into rows, gather and assemble into the skirt. Then, I wet, twist and dry for several hours in the dryer to get that beautiful broomstick effect. Here's the result:

I am shipping them to Australia today. I wish I could hand deliver them...

Just Look at What Came in the Mail...

...Beautiful tea time pins and a charm bracelet from Erica at Meadow Street. The pictures don't even do them justice. You have to see these to really appreciate the detail she puts into each one. Hand dyed silk made into gorgeous pink roses. Tiny charms. Vintage buttons. Antique silk ribbon fashioned into violets and rosebuds. I could go on and on...Each piece is a 3-D work of art!