A Sentimental Throw Back and Tea Themed Jewelry Collection

I'm thinking of my mom today.  On this date many years ago, she gave birth to me. I weighed 7 lbs. 7 1/4 oz. - a lot for her petite 4 ft. 10 inch frame.  It's my first birthday without her. If immortals can see mortals, and if you're looking down from Heaven today, Mom, thanks for giving life to me!

Now onto my jewelry collection... I'm not a big collector of jewelry, but I do have several pieces of tea themed costume jewelry.  Many were gifts, and others I purchased.

The necklace on the right is inscribed with Eleanor Roosevelt's quote:  "Women are like teabags, you never know how strong they are until they're put in hot water."

Smaller teapot charms can be worn in place of the large pearl charm on the left.

The rhinestone teapot necklace was an Internet purchase thanks to the 'heads-up' from tea blogging friend, Angela, at Tea With Friends.  The two-tone gold and silver teapot on the right can also be worn separately as a brooch.

These are my 'glitzy' brooches since they all have rhinestones in them.

The brooches on the left are Sandy Clough.  The top left brooch in the group on the right is by Precious Moments.

The brooch and earrings on the left are Avon.

~ Brooches and a Stick Pin ~

~ Brooches and two sets of pierced earrings ~

~ The pewter teacups are tack pins ~

~ Bracelets and earrings ~

Tea themed watch my kids gave me one year for Mother's Day.

Bracelets from my granddaughter, Tiffany.

Surprise! Surprise!

My odometer doesn't 'officially' roll over until 10:25 a.m. Feb. 6th, but I've been receiving wonderful birthday surprises for a few days now.

My girlfriend, Lori, and I went to tea at The Royal Treat Tea Room on January 19th.  The tea room was almost filled to capacity.

Only two small tables were unoccupied.  One was reserved... 

And the other wasn't, so we happily took it.

[Lori]

My place setting is pictured below.  The tea I selected was Lady Grey black tea.

That's not orange juice in the glass below - it's yummy lemon curd for our Scottish scones. 

We both ordered their chicken salad instead of a slice of quiche, and it was delicious.

Friendship is such a blessing!

Before we went our separate ways, Lori gave me an early birthday present - Night time tea body wash and lotion by Bath & Body Works.

A lovely bud vase, uniquely made from a vintage fork and hollow knife handle, was also in the gift bag.  

I've never seen one like it before, have you?  I just love it!  Can't you envision one at each place setting at a formal dinner table?  This was the work of a very creative and crafty person.

Below is the sweet tea themed card that accompanied Lori's gift.

Last week I received an adorable teacup birthday card [with tea bags enclosed] from a dear friend in California.  Tea was the catalyst for our friendship.

Yesterday, the doorbell rang, and the postman handed my hubby a package. We were babysitting our two-and-a-half year old granddaughter, Ellie, and she carried the package into my office and handed it to me.  Aren't surprises fun!  She was as anxious as I was to see what was inside.

I opened the box which came from another wonderful friend in Kentucky, and found a bundle wrapped up in pretty blue tissue paper with teacups printed on it.

If you've been reading my blog this week you know I just finished a post about tea towels and linens.  Well now I have more to add to my collection because a matching set of three tea towels [two linen and one terrycloth], two potholders, one oven mitt, and one dishcloth were wrapped in the tissue paper, along with a separate blue linen tea towel - all tea themed! Aren't they pretty?

Lovely card that came with the package.

After I was done opening the package and oohing and ahhing over it, my hubby handed me an envelope that had also arrived in the day's mail.  

It came from a dear lady in Mississippi who faithfully reads my blog.  We've never met personally, but we've developed an Internet friendship.  When I recently blogged about my upcoming trip to England with my daughter, she wrote and said England was on her list of places she hopes to visit.   Below is her thoughtful card.

When I opened it and saw what was enclosed, I was overwhelmed. I bowed my head and thanked the Lord for the wonderful people He has allowed me to cross paths with.  I will definitely blog about what I purchase in England with the Twenty Pounds, Sarah!  

Thanks to everyone for making me feel so special!  It's worth turning another year older ;-), and I'm truly grateful for your friendship and kindness.

Tea Themed Collections - More Linens 'n Things

Today's post completes Linen 'n Things, and then I'll move on to a different collection.  I hope you're enjoying this series.  

I love Heritage Lace and have several pieces of it.

Teapot curtains will be going up over my kitchen sink after the kitchen is painted this spring. The picture below is on the curtain package.

 ~ Two tea themed, spiced-scented, hot pads ~

I'm not a collector of ladies hankies, but these were in my mother's things when I packed up her belongings.  She crocheted many beautiful doilies over the years, but her hankies are all that remain. She always had one tucked inside her Bible when we went to church on Sundays.

A lot of tea rooms use vintage hankies for napkins, but psychologically I can't bring myself to use them as a repurposed napkin.

Victorian jug or glass covers, to keep bugs out when picnicking or dining outdoors.  I've never used mine for al fresco dining because they seem too formal.

~ Teapot Coasters ~

My friend, Linda, at Friendship Tea blog, wrote a post yesterday about doilies.  Below are the only three hand-made doilies that I have.  They were a shower present, and the lady who made them has been deceased for several years.  I've gotten rid of many things over the years, but kept these. Two of them sit on my dresser under a lamp and jewelry box.  Do ladies still crochet today? Most of my doilies, tablecloths, and table runners are commercially made.

I couldn't resist the teapot chair cushions for my dining area. Originally I bought terrycloth dishtowels, dishcloths, and potholders to match, but only the potholders are suitable for photographing now.

~ Linen napkins to match Sandy Clough's 'Blessings Among the Roses' China ~

~ Tea Pillows ~

~ Tea Throw ~

~ Teapot rug in spare bedroom ~

Tea themed tapestry.  I have a new blue teapot tapestry that will go in my living room when the renovation is completed, but since it's still wrapped up in a box I'll wait to show it after it's hung. I love tapestries.

And last, but not least my tea themed fabric, just waiting for a project.