Monday, November 19, 2012

Everything stops for tea!


  
Well I finally managed to get another gift almost finished! I know that sounds a strange thing to say…almost finished…but read on and you’ll see what I mean! This is the Everything Stops for Tea design that I showed you a few weeks ago and will be a gift for a fellow Tea Jenny, just like myself. The name ‘Tea Jenny’ is a Scottish term for anyone, male or female, who drinks lots of tea, and being a devout ‘Tea Jenny’ (it could practically be my middle name!) this design is soooo me! (I’m even typing this one handed as I have a cup of tea in the other hand!)

Here’s the stitching all framed up…


I’m having trouble getting a frame that I really like. I had originally bought the same one that I had for the coffee themed gift  but it didn’t look right so I went and bought this darker frame, but I’m still not 100% happy with it. I think I might go and buy one of those plain pine frames and paint it a similar green to the teacups.

So, along with some coasters that match this design, I’m also adding some homemade cookies…..but not just any old homemade cookies….tea bag shaped cookies! I had a little practice run of making the cookies and this is how they turned out…


Too cute! The idea came from here, but I used a lemon shortbread recipe instead…total yummy. Of course, I’ll be making a fresh batch of cookies to put in the gift nearer to Christmas….stale cookies don’t make good gifts!

Along with the sampler, coasters, and the cookies, there will also be some more tea themed fun…


Heehee, they’re just regular teabags but with the original label cut off and a tiny envelope attached and a handwritten message inside. To make a tiny envelope like this all you have to do is find a template of a regular sized envelope (thanks heavens for good old Google!) and then re-size it on your computer. Print off the re-sized envelope and use it as a template to cut out the teeny tiny ones. This sounds quite a fiddly and time consuming job, but I sat and cut out and folded all these (and more) while watching suffering through ‘The Walking Dead’ on TV last night. Once you have made all those little envelops you just have to attach them to the teabag and then add your little note…


The little note can be anything you like - an inspirational quote, something funny or personal – I’ve made mine a mixture of each.

There are plenty of other tea themed ideas that you can add to this type of gift, and if I end up having some time before Christmas (yeah, like that’s going to happen!) I might add to this gift. As it is, this is the way the gift should look by Christmas…


And if my stitch bug returns in time, there will also be two coasters to add this too.

The charts for this Tea design and also a similar Coffee design (you can’t leave out your coffee loving friends!) can be found at www.TangledThreadsOnline.com.

Phew! Time for another cuppa! Milk and sugar?

Until next time…happy stitching!
Rhona











16 comments:

Mii Stitch said...

Well done! It all looks so pretty! Love your ideas, it is all so creative!

cucki said...

wow it is looking so pretty..
big hugs xx

Le trame della Galaverna said...

Ciao
compliments
embroidery is very nice :)
and the idea that you had is wonderful
and very very original
Giovanna

Viver por Amor said...

Love it, love it, love it!!!
Lots of inspiration! Thanks
***=)

Pull the other thread said...

This is such an amazing looking gift. I love all your tea related ideas. Fab.

StitchyDragon Creates said...

What a great gift! Especially love the teabag shaped cookies :) Hope your stitchy bug comes home soon but looks like you are having plenty of creative fun without him ;) Have a great week, Helen

Emma/Itzy said...

Such a cute idea!

Debbie (Little Gingham Bear) said...

Brilliant - love the tea bag shaped cookies xx

Angela CG said...

I think your idea of painting a frame the same green as the cups is a wonderful idea. Love the tea bag cookies too. I might have to copy your idea :)

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

Such a pretty gift. I like the dark coloured frame. it looks good in the photos.

Valma said...

ho my !
if it's not the best idea of the week it's nothing =D
That's so great, perfect, lovely....
Did I already say you that shortbreads are my favourite biscuits ? =D
And a very great stitching
it's always so difficult to find the good frame !
bravo =D
Big hugs
xxx

Helen Philipps said...

What a wonderful tea themed gift idea! I had never heard the expression 'tea jenny' but now I have I know I am one too! I love your stitching, and love your tea bag cookies, they are so cute!
Helen x

Vilje Vanilje said...

Love Love Love this idea! :) Since all my friends are tea-addicts this sounds promising.

A green frame would look good I think.

♥ Nia said...

I love tea bag cookies! always look so cute =)

Anne said...

Super cute cookies Rhona! I would have a hard time eating them because they are so cute!! Love the little tea design framed up!!

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I would love to make this however, I cannot download the pattern from the site mentioned. Any suggestions? Thank you! =)