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If you have this Thank You Teacup Greeting card with the grape motif, I want to thank you for having purchased it. Today I retired it from the line as the last three packs went to a store. I'm sure there are still stores that have this purple card in their racks, but there are no more available from my studio. This card has been a good seller, and it's a bitter sweet moment, but it's time to create another in its place. So as I say good by, I'm also beginning to think of a new card I can create, definitely one I can use with this delicious Blackcurrent tea from Harrisons & Crosfield. Now that's not to say you won't be seeing this cup on other products like stickers, notepads, calendars, or any of the other ideas we have on the back burner.
Getting an email note from a friend is always nice, but a hand written card really leaves an impression, especially when it comes with a teabag to enjoy. I'm told the slightly chubby envelope, from the teabag inside, with a return address from a friend initiates anticipation before it's even opened. I have about 100 Teacup Greeting cards to choose from, all meant to impress. I've created cards for birthdays, friends, baby, wedding, thank you, get well, sympathy, teacher, missing you, good luck, blessing, invitations, and blank cards to personalize your sentiment.
The Irish...Be they kings, or poets, or farmers,
They're a people of great worth,
They keep company with the angels,
And bring a bit of heaven here to earth. Did you know the Irish have tea three times a day? I've been busy putting together my March Hospitalitea packages and having a bit o' fun discovering Irish blessings and tea traditions. I've also found Irish Soda Bread, Cake and Scone recipes which will be included in addition to a recipe book. And what would be better in Irish Breakfast tea than Clover honey? A selection of my Stationery will also added to the package including my Good Luck Teacup card. Now I'm on the hunt for some pretty Irish music which I'll be playing in the back ground while my guests are enjoying the afternoon. Any suggestions? Irish Men... There are only three kinds of Irish men who can't understand women: young men, old men, and men of middle age.
 Isn't this adorable? A little Sterling Silver Teapot charm suspended on a silver chain for the perfect necklace to wear to tea parties. I couldn't resist it. If it's calling you, too, I made a few available in my Store.
 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6
Both red and pink represent love, but I think pink is more romantic and charming color. It's a peaceful and calm tone which seems to express feelings of caring and tenderness. A pink carnation is said to mean "I will never forget you". If you are starting to sense love in the air, a selection of my Pink and Red Teacup cards are now on SALE just in time for Valentine's Day.  Thanks for visiting!
 This is a sweet Give Away! A tin full of Harney & Sons Valentine's Chocolate Tea with Rosebuds, a porcelain tea mug with soft pink roses dotted with little flower hearts, a silver heart shaped tea infuser to brew this amazing tea, and an assortment of six pink and red Teacup Greeting cards including "You are Loved," "To My Valentine," and "Valentine Hearts." Just leave a comment to be entered to win.
 So this is what I've been thinking about... It occurred to me that I don't spend enough time kindling relationships with friends and neighbors. I get so busy, drawn in by the business of each day, I forget to set time aside for what's really important: the people around me. I want to do something about it; I want to force myself to set time aside to be hospitable. To invite someone into my home, to serve them a cup of tea, a little snack, and to reconnect. What do you think? Want to join me? Want to extend an invitation to an elderly neighbor you haven't talked to in awhile? Would the new neighbor who just moved in appreciate an invitation to visit? Have you been wanting to get together with a new friend you met at church, or the gal you see every time you go to the store. I know I do, but I get too busy. So, this is what I decided to do about it. I created an atmosphere that would force me to be accountable to my convictions. I started a HospitaliTea Club with goodies arriving every other month, only 5 times a year, and see where that takes me in my quest to kindle old and new relationships. I know what you're thinking, just 5 times? Hey, baby steps, you know, once you take the plunge there's no stopping you from going off the high dive. HospitaliTea Clubs first event will occur mid March where we will be inviting someone over to savor Harney & Sons Irish Breakfast tea, use a new silver Tea Strainer, a couple of demitasse Teaspoons, a Tea Time Recipe book for ideas on what to serve, cute paper doilies and Drip catchers, with some of my Teacup Stationery included to use as correspondence. For fun, I’m also having a Give Away drawing for everyone who signs up. For March, the Give Away will be a very sweet, six cup Aqua Teapot. In May, we will invite someone over for a pot of Harney & Sons Queen Catherine tea to taste, and serve with a new silver tea scoop, two new jam spoons, and more goodies fit for a Queen. I’m thinking an elegant set of jam bowls would be a good Give Away for May to go with the jam spoons we will be receiving. For July, I have planned a French theme, because I think everyone would love a little trip, even if it’s just to our kitchen tables for a reprieve from the busy day. September would be an excellent time to discover assorted teas, maybe inviting a larger group over, and Cranberry Autumn tea would be perfect to serve in November. Some of the Tea accessories which will accompany these HospitaliTeas include silver salad tongs, scone tongs, place card holders, and hard to find sugar tongs. By the time the year is up, our tea tables will be more equip to serve tea, but even better, we will have become better friends to those around us. So, what do you think? Want to join me?
The low Winter Sun peeked through the clouds momentarily, producing a four O'clock shadow letting me know it was Tea Time. OK, so maybe it's closer to 4:30 or 5:00, but it works for me, I need some tea.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
I love Valentines Day, but then what's not to love about it. It's a time to show how much you love those in your life, not what we are hoping to receive from them. So about those diamond earings I've been hinting about, I don't want them after all. I saw a woman in the grocery store parking lot frantically looking under cars for one of her diamond earings that fell off here ear. The thought of that happening to me made me realize owning one diamond earing isn't any fun. ValentinesDay is on Sunday this year so that throws off my usual M.O. of setting a breakfast table the night before to surprise the kids when they wake up for school. They get to eat chocolate and candy hearts with their breakfast. Lets see, maybe I'll make big chocolate muffins we can enjoy before chruch. My "You Are Loved" Teacup Greeting card is a sweet way to send a big hug through the mail to just about anyone for Valentines Day. We all want to know we are loved, grandmas especially!
All my "Thank You" Teacup Greeting Cards are now on SALE at HALF OFF during the month of January in my STORE.  I've created 12 ways to say Thank You each with a teabag tucked inside ready to brew a delicious and warm cup of tea.
Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
The shop is closed between Christmas 2009 and the New Year. We will be back in the shop Monday January 4th. In the mean time, you can still place orders with us, but there will be a bit of a delay sending them off. They will for sure be sent by Tuesday January 5th. We are periodically checking in, so if you need something right away, leave us a little not and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Blessings for the New Year. Thanks for being a part of our 2008.
My final Year End Give Away is of my New Noveltea Pins & Magnets. To enter to win this assortment, just let me know which set is your favorite and if you are the winner would you prefer all Pins, all Magnets, or half Pins/half Magnets. A $40 (all Pins)-$48 (all Magnets) value. The winner will be selected Tuesday January 5th and announced on Wednesday January 6th. Best to all for a chance to win and also for a very Happy New Year!
A person going by the name WILLEM ADDEY is making FRAUDULENT Credit Card Transactions from merchants of internet sites requesting product be sent NEXT DAY Delivery logging in with the email: willem_addey2000@yahoo.com. The purchaser is using credit card information fraudulently aquired from women to purchase product for other women in a different States or area. The women who receive the merchandise are later asked their personal information. We have been targeted three times. The purchaser, ie: Willem Addey, has clamed to be doing business in London, with IP address from Africa and Dallas, Texas. The name KEN SAVAGE also came up as the email sender name.
Christmas teapots, who can resist them? Aren't these mini teapots adorable? 
I can't decided if this cute pink teapot with the pink roses in the center or the blue teapot with the roses in the white stripes is my favorite.
And then there's this cheery yellow and red teapot that reminds me of Summer. 
Best little gift for girls of all ages, these adorable tea pots are very affordable.
Available in my Store for only $7.
It was an exciting day when copies of this amazing new book arrived at work, hot off the press! Georgia, Steve and I sat in a circle each with a copy in hand shouting out all the wonderful things we discovered: delicious tea sandwich, scone & soup recipes, tea rooms close by, and images of my artwork inside.
Sherry Evans, pictured above with her mom, has beautifully produced and written this wonderful book. With my cup tea at hand, I'll reveal a few of the pages inside. 
 Sherry is a delightful woman who trusted in the Lord as He has guided her in producing this book which, as she says, "...my purpose is to encourage you, the tea lover, to discover the many places that serve afternoon tea in Southern California." Find her book at www.AfternoonTeaInSouthernCalifornia.com
 Isn't this Christmas Ornament dreamy? Georgia brought her hand made one of a kind ornaments to my annual Open House. These pretty paper cones are perfect for adding a special treat inside to give as a gift. She covered her feather tree with a wonderful selection in different colors and designs.
 Spending time with family and friends, old and new, enjoying warm scones, Holiday tea, and a generous amount of delightful conversation, it was the best Open House I’ve ever had. This year a bit of hail and rain kept us huddled together longer enjoying more tea and eating more scones which were baked fresh throughout the day.
You've seen most of my cards and stationery so I’d like to show you what my friends brought to the party. Georgia made these adorable doily garlands with red and green bias tape which she hung on the fireplace mantle. 
Georgia's gorgeous cone-shaped paper ornaments were a hit. These 5 beauties will be hung on my Christmas tree this year, which will be perfect for adding a little surprise treat inside for the kiddos. 
Sandi May brought me these deliciously gorgeous Christmas cookies. They looked too just pretty eat, but once I did, they were delightful. 
The Ginger Santas were my favorite and the Anise Shortbread Cookies were Steve’s favorite.
Her new company, “Ivy Hill, Seasonal Baked Goods” is just starting up and I can tell she is off to a great start. Her website will be up soon, but in the mean time if you would like to inquire about this season’s cookies you can contact Sandi May at Bakers@Ivy-Hill.com. Sandi also brought her daughter who I discovered is a blogging buddy at Wild Oak Cottage. She wrote a wonderful write-up of my open house, thanks Machelle!
Sherry Evans was there signing her new book “Afternoon Tea in Southern California.” 
Her book is amazing and to hear her share about all the tea rooms she and her mom visited in order to write this book was impressive. I bragged to guests about all the wonderful tea rooms they could now find in her book, plus the fabulous tea room recipes they could try, with places to jot down the memories of their visit, then Sherry would add, “…and Kim’s artwork is in it.” I noticed her book was mostly purchased in pairs, one to keep and the other as a gift for a sister, friend, or mom. To purchase the book for yourself or as a gift find it at Sisters Forever Publishing. Her mom and dad came also. I think I heard her dad and my dad talking about old cars.
New Christmas tablecloths were needed this year so I decided to make my selections of vintage Christmas tablecloths on Etsy.  I contacted each of the shops who had tablecloths I loved and asked if they could send them off within a couple of days for my big event. They all responded quickly and a stack of packages all arrived in a few days.
 Original 10"x14" Watercolor copyright Kimberly Shaw 2009I decided my Tea Room, actually my pantry that holds all the tea I use for my Stationery, needed a little something to state it's purpose since all that's in it is tea. The color I used is Winsor & Newton's "Rose Madder" painted on Arches 140 pound Hot Press watercolor paper. 
I re-purposed an old frame and spent the day playing with my paints. I then cut out the teacup from my Pansy Thank You card, made it look like it's hanging from the "a", and added painted a bit of shadow.
My pantry has Harney & Son's Teas on the left and Harrisons & Crosfield Teas on the right. I love this pantry. It's one of the reasons why I fell in love with this home. If you'd like to see my Tea Pantry in person, Saturday November 28th from 10am- 4pm I open my doors for our annual Open House & Tea Taisting. Last years event was at my old warehouse so I am looking forward to a cozier setting with the fireplace on if it's chilly and friends filling the rooms with their stories and laughter as they sip warm tea. Oh, yea, there will also be fresh baked scones with my homemade pomagranate jelly and lemon curd. Keep posted, more details coming next time...
Sorry you haven't heard from me for a while. Georgia and I have been busy creating these new pins and Magnets and the little cards they adhere to. But if I am to be truly honest, Georgia has been busier them me plugging away at her design station, sometimes battling with a computer that wants to crash as soon as a new design is finalized. But at last, they are here and it's time to celebrate with that bottle of sparkling tea I brought home from Tea an'Tiques Tea Shop. So, here they are: 
 
 
 
I chose the name "Noveltea" for my new line of 1" Pins and Magnets from the definition of "novelty" combined with "Tea". novelty (nov' el-tea) n., pl.-teas 1. The quality of being novel; newness. 2. Something new and unusual; an innovation. 3. A small massed-produced article, such as a toy, a trinket. They are just now being added to my Store, and retail shops have started ordering them. Each set of four is available in either pins for $5 or magnets for $6.
 This California girl wasn't lucky enough to receive an invitation to George Washington's mother's home, but my teacup cards were. I just packed a box of teacup greeting cards for the Museum Shop. This was one box I'd like to pack myself in and go for a visit, but for now my little teacups will have to make the journey without me.
So, being a curious girl, I hopped on the web and went for a little journey searching the history of Mary Bell Washington. Mary Bell married Augustine Washington in 1730 with three of his children from a previous marriage. George was born February 22, 1732. Five more children were born to the Washingtons: Betty, Samuel, John, Augustine, Charles, and Mildred. They lived on a farm until George bought this home for his mon in Fredricksburg after the death of her husband Augustine. Here she could be closer to Betty, receive care and communication as the home was on the Post Road. Mary lived to see George become President and died later the same year. Your can read more facinating history at the Preservation Virginia website along with Museum hours and information. Since 1998 my cards have been offered in the Mary Wasington House Museum Shop. I'm very honored my teacups sit in the midst of all that rich history, & I'm wondering if Mary knew everything George was up to.
 Harney & Sons Indian Spice Tea is a delightful tasting black tea spiced with cardamon, cinnamon and ginger with a robust aroma similar to India's Chai tea. I think it's perfect for these cool Autumn nights after dinner with a slice of pumpkin bread. If this sounds mouth watering, I put the remaining few boxes on SALE in my store. Each box has 20 teabags for only $3.
Teacup Greeting cards with purple and lavender teabags are on SALE at HALF OFF for the month of September 2009.
"Especially For You" with purple pansies. This card has a cute story. This teacup and a pretty pink rose teacup were loaned to me by my friend Janie. Instead of painting this teacup I really wanted to paint the very pretty pink rose teacup, but I kept having this nagging feeling that I should paint this one instead. After days of stewing over which teacup to paint for the new season, I gave into the nagging voice and painted this one. Just as it was complete and hot on the presses, a woman representing a woman's group of a church asked if we had a purple pansy teacup card, hopefully blank inside. When we told her it was blank except it said "Especially For You" she said that was exaxtly what she was hoping for. To put his story over the top, when I showed Janie the card I created inspired by her teacup, she said her grandmother's favorite flower is the pansy. As her family always remembers Grandma by the pansies she grows she received a huge stack of these card to share with all the family members. If I had painted the pretty pink rose teacup, the women at the church and Janie's families members wouldn't have been as blessed as with the Pansy card. I wouldn't be as blessed by seeing what God had planned, nor would I have a good story to tell. Especially For You
Everyone has "Someone Special" worthy of recieving a surprise note of appreciation every once in a while. This Teacup Greeting card comes with China White Blackcurrant tea from Harrisons & Crosfield.
"Lillies" Teacup Greeting Card comes with scruptious Earl Grey tea and is blank inside allowing you to write your own personal message.
"Tea Party" teacup greeting card with wisteria blossoms is blank inside so you can write a personal note or use as an invitatin.It comes with a China White teabag inserted in the rim of the teapot. On Sale at HALF OFF for the month of September 2009.
Isn't this Tea Shop dreamy? Built in 1690 its located on the Isle of Wight at 4 Church Road, Shanklin, in the United Kingdom. I will definitely be popping in if I'm ever privileged to be in the area. I learned of this adorable shop when I received an email from them requesting a catalog. It's an honor to announce to all my British blogging pals this charming shop is now carrying my Teacup cards and an huge assortment of Notepads. This is one of those shops I wish I could have hand delivered their package myself and then relaxed over a cup of British tea, a delicious scone, and a good chat with the locals.
3' x 4' acrylic painting on canvas © Kimberly Shaw
I painted this canvas of a Western Scrub Jay for my son while he was away at camp, 
8"x10" watercolor on 140 lb hotpress paper © Kimberly Shaw
I painted this California Delta Farm House which peaks above the levee road along the Sacramento River. The home, I'm guessing was built in the 1920's, is surrounded by spectacular trees.
Here is a sneak peak at the second in a series of watercolor paintings I'm working on, all with embroidered lace. I don't use masking fluid when painting lace, because by the time I finish applying the sticky substance, I could already be done painting each little opening. Plus I like controlling where I leave more paint leaving darker edges.  But, to be perfectly honest, this part of the painting has been done for a while waiting for me to remove all the creative clutter I piled on my desk. I'm hoping that by posting what I have finished so far will motivate me to clean off my desk from what's hindering me from having fun.
Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
I've been wanting to challenge myself by painting an embroidered doily. I love painting negative space and by letting the white of the paper be the doily, I just painted the holes. I couldn't resist adding a pink teacup just peaking in, as though it's waiting to be filled with a relaxing cup of tea.
Today is a prefect pre-Summer Coastal California day. The windows are all open with a light breeze filling the house with the fragrance of the rose garden. My choice for a mid afternoon cup of refreshment is Harrisons & Crosfield's Tropical White tea. It's just as described, "Fresh and clean with an alluring fruity flavour."
I selected Harrisons & Crosfield's Tropical White tea to go in my "Birthday Greetings" Teacup Greeting card. Whoever receives this card for their birthday will definitely enjoy the added treat of this fine tea.
Photo by Kimberly Shaw
I was first introduced to "Victoria's Tea Room" fabric by Fabri-Quilt, Inc early March of this year when I received this note from one of my clients, written on her invoice.
She writes, "To Kimberly Shaw, I just bought teacup/teapot fabric for one of my employees who makes tea cozies for us & it was the design of the "Teacher" card you had designed. Do you have other designs you are licensing out? She quick "whipped" them up this week for an open house we had (I only had 1 of those cards left!)". This is what is called Copyright Infringement. Fabri-Quilt, Inc is located in North Kansas City, MO so I quick gave the owner, Adlai Kunst, a call because I have never licensed out my designs to be used on fabric.
The saga continues...
My "For You Teacher" teacup greeting card made it's debut January 2004. 
Artwork © Kimberly Shaw Graphics
The image below on Fabri-Quilt's "Victoria's Tea Room" fabric isn't exact, but the design and arrangement of the objects are so similar there is no way it could have been created except from my original artwork.
Photo by Kimberly Shaw
The similarities include: A red floral teacup with gold trim, it's handle on the right, with a scalloped sauce. The same number of multi-colored books with gold accents, 2 smaller, 3 larger1 , angled resting against stacked books, behind the teacup on the left side. A red apple, with its green leaves still attached, in the lower left hand corner. White lace angled in the same direction with the same little + design on the edge. A tag tied on the teacup's handle, with a red bow, which also reads, "For You, Teacher".
 Every time I make this cards I think of Fabri-Quilt's unauthorized use of my design on their "Victoria's Tea Room" fabric.  It was brought to my attention that the teapot on Fabri-Quilt's fabric does not have a lid. Who would design a teapot without a lid unless they intended to put something in it, like a teabag? Oh, ya, that would be me. The "Congratulations" tag on this fabric also came from one of my card designs which I created from my climbing rose at home and a potted plant I received as a gift.
 Fabri-Quilt has now turned this matter over to a lawyer, who has stated in his letter to me that Fabri-Quilt had nothing to do with the design of the fabric, and (I quote) "Fabri-Quilt has the means and the will to vigourously oppose any baseless suit you may bring, and to file a suit against you for any false, libelous and slanderous statements you may make. I urge you to consult with an attorney" (end quote). I HAVE!
Detail from my "Getting Together" Teacup Greeting card.
Artwork © Kimberly Shaw Graphics
Fabri-Quilt's Lawyer is correct in stating that there is no law against the use of teacups and teapots, or stacked teacups for that matter, on fabric.
 Seen on Fabri-Quilt's "Victoria's Tea Room" fabric Pattern #9335 are stacked teacups with both cup's handles on the left side, with gold trim on the rims, handles, and edging around the blue bands, blue bands of color on the teacups interrupted with an opening of pinkish-red flowers and green leaves, white cut work lace sitting on a burgundy field under the teacups. Did I forget any similarities?
However, when my mathematical hubby calculated the similarities between my Teacup Greeting cards and it's representative copies found on Fabri-Quilt's fabric, the probability that the design was independantly created by another artist (as FQ's Lawyer suggested) was conservitavely in the Nonillions. That's 1 in a 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 chance. Who knew?
Adlai Kunst, owner of Fabri-Quilt, who I originally contacted is out of the picture. He placed me in contact with John Linam of Fabri-Quilt, who thought my claim needed to be submitted to experts in this field and passed me on to their lawyer Steven Braun of Krigel & Krigel, P.C. Mr. Braun made it very clear that while his client appreciates that I must protect my Intellectual Property, Fabri-Quilt denies liability and must respectfully decline to pay me anything. He adds he could not see any similarities between my cards and the fabric. My cards: Fabri-Quilt's fabric:
 
 
Any Similarities? I don't know, maybe Mr. Braun is the expert.
 Fabri-Quilt's lawyer wrote me that his client understands I must protect my Intellectual Property, yet informed us that Fabri-Quilt was not going to contact the "numerous small stores" that carry their fabric. So I began contacting the stores myself, informing them that the designs on Fabri-Quilt's Victoria's Tea Room fabric infringes on my original copyrighted designs. While Fabri-Quilt may understand I must protect my Intellectual Property, I'm not sure their lawyer does, because today he seemed upset.
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:19 & 20.
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