Tea Time

Having given time to coffee, it's only fair if we talk about tea, too.

I do like tea a lot.   Tea bring back great memories of certain tea loving friends.  Some even read my posts -- you know who you are.

This tea quilt is blue work embroidery and is one of the few quilts I've done that was from someone else's pattern.  The blocks in this quilt were designed by Debbie Foley and Valerie Bowman for a quilt shop here in Arizona several years ago.  I was busy writing my book at the time, but needed some hand work for travel time.  Embroidery is so relaxing to me.  The original blocks were done in cobalt blue, but I decided to use a lighter, more country blue that matched the blue stenciled walls in the family room and kitchen of the house we lived in then.  I would make it the cobalt today, but since I've done it once, I won't be doing it again.

All but one of the blocks had the name of a tea beneath the tea pot.  Since Earl Grey is my favorite tea (followed closely by Lady Grey) that is the name I chose to embroider in that block. 

This was a fun project to do since it took absolutely no thinking!  Just thread the needle with the same color over and over and embroider.  Sometimes we need those projects so our mind can work on other things.

So now that the weather is cooler, even here in AZ, it is time for tea and maybe some scones!

What do you do when you need to unwind and let your mind wander?

Do you space out with TV or read a book -- not one that requires thinking, of course?

Does tea comfort you?  I remember my mom giving us tea and toast when we didn't feel well.  Maybe that's why it is a comfort to me.

Have a cup of your favorite -- even if it is coffee instead of tea and relax a bit.  I'll pretend I'm there with you and have a cup myself.

Until next time,

Lois

When Friends Gather For Tea Quilt

Tea is so comforting.  Mom gave us tea and toast when we didn't feel well as kids.  Summer always meant iced tea and carefree days.  Is there anything better than sun tea on a hot day?   When we lived in Alabama, though, we had to remember to tell the server that we did not want "swaight tay".  We grew up with sweet tea, but somewhere along the line -- probably too many years in the upper Midwest, we lost our taste for the sweet part.

Now, my favorite iced tea is green tea with honey ad lemon - yep, it's a bit sweet.  My all-time favorites for hot tea are Earl Grey and Lady Grey.  No, it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that one comes in a yellow box and one comes in a blue box, although that doesn't hurt.

I have fond memories of tea with Bonnie and Lorinda in Iowa.  Jo and Joan preferred coffee so I was good with them, too.  Tea in Arizona brings back lovely days spent with Linda L and Linda Y.  Joyce prefers coffee, Diane likes neither, but loves diet Coke and diet Dr. Pepper.

What is your favorite "go to" beverage?

Our church ladies have been having an annual tea for several years.  One year I was asked to make a quilt that would be displayed at the Christmas Tea and the ladies would have the opportunity to win the quilt by giving a donation to help with our Missions program.

Please forgive the quality of the photos.  They were prior to my owning a digital camera and were taken with two different cameras.  Some were taken with flash so the color on the quilt is not true.  Since the quilt went home with someone else, I don't have access to it to retake the photos.  These were scanned into my computer which also affects the quality.

This photo was taken in full sun on the garage door.  The quilt is really washed out in this photo.  Since this was taken, I have purchased a hanging system so the photos can be taken in better locations taking into account where the sun is at the time.

The color is much better in this photo that was taken on the design wall in my studio.  The tea pots were based on both some I own and some I had pictures of from magazines, etc.

Another shot of the quilt in progress.  You will see below the triangles don't remain empty.

Teacups were added to the triangles, but this photo was taken with a Polaroid and the color is way off.  It is far too yellow.  The true color or the background was more like a soft butter.  The pattern was soft roses.

Though you can really see in this photo, the words were on computer paper.  I auditioned several fonts and sizes before deciding on this as the final version.  The letters were then cut from black fabric and hand appliqued to the final border.  I'm very fond of the checkerboard borders dividing the sections.  

Here is a detail shot of the top part of the quilt.  Again, it is washed out.  You may not be able to make it out, but there is a fairy on the pink and green teapot on the right hand side.  She was quite cute.

And here is a detail of the bottom part of the center of the quilt showing the chintz teapots.

When the quilt was finished and bound, I had an AQS certified appraiser fill out two appraisal forms -- one for the winner and one for me.  I was pleased when the quilt brought in slightly more than the appraised value.  I wanted the winner to have an appraisal so they would appreciate that their donation was worth far more and treat the quilt with respect.  You have not control over what happens when a quilt leaves your hands, but my hope was that this quilt would be hung in a place where the winner could see and treasure it and remember when Friends Gathered for Tea that Christmas.

Isn't it about time to go enjoy a glass of iced tea or brew a nice cuppa?  If you've never had tea and scones with a friend at a tea shop, it's time you did!  Even my grand kids like to have a "tea" once in a while.  Of course, they mostly don't drink tea and have lemonade instead, but that's okay -- it's the gathering of friends and family that is important!

Enjoy!

Until next time,
Lois

P.S. Aren't you glad my photography has improved!  Please forgive these photos!