Thursday 22 November 2012

200 posts, 100 followers; Join me for a virtual cup of tea and a giveaway

There can be nothing quite as quintessentially English as Afternoon Tea. I can not imagine not drinking tea and I spend many hours discussing all sorts of things over a cuppa. I believe you can put the world to right over one too. One of my most memorable presents my husband treated me to a few years ago was afternoon tea at Claridges. It was just exquisite. And more recently as part of my daughter's hen weekend in July we had a wonderful Afternoon Tea at the Dorchester. Tea really is a great pick me up.






On my recent trip to Harrods I decided to choose try a new blend.

This is just part of the tea department.
There were hundreds to choose from and I decided to try the No 16 Harrods afternoon special as recommended by the server.









He weighed it out for me and then decanted it into it's own special bag.
I was amazed how many different tea accessories they also sell.















I loved all the tea strainers..these were silver plated and not cheap. They will be added to my ever lengthening wish list ;0)

















This is my little bag of tea which came home with me and yes it is delicious.





















I make it in my little tea pot and I have a special old Sylvac tea strainer that I have owned since I was 19.







Mmmmmm, that's better. You can see I like my tea quite strong, just a dash of milk and no sugar. I hope you also are able to sit down and join me with a cup of tea too..;0)

Now all these thoughts of Afternoon Tea set my mind thinking that this would be a great range of bag charms to join my recent Alice in Wonderland range. I found some very sweet tea related charms and created one to add to my Etsy Shop here













How cute is that slice of cake and tea pot...














How cute is this tiny tea cup and saucer ;0)









and this was a specially commissioned "English" bag charm I made for a great blogging buddy of mine, I even found a tiny tea spoon charm.













 Now unbelievably this is my 200th post, yes for my "regulars" you have been subjected to that many over the last 2 years and 4 months. I have also just gained my 100th Follower (thanks so much).  I think this deserves a thank you to everyone who visits me here. As well as joining me for a virtual cup of tea I have decided that I will hold a little giveaway and 1 lucky winner will win a bag charm of their choice. It can be one of my new afternoon tea bag charms or or you can choose one of your own. Have a look in the bag charm section of my Etsy shop here. To enter just mention the giveaway in your comment together with a colour/theme request for your winning charm if  you come out of my hat (or teapot). I will draw a winner on 29th November at 5pm (GMT). I will post world wide, if you don't have a blog just email me or convo me via Etsy, everyone is welcome to join in.

My card challenge for today is also a "thank you" Christmas card... dedicated to you all and it is from another very important person who appears in my blog..my dearest Billy


Here he is keeping watch from the roof of my Studio....you may have noticed that I have changed my Blogger Profile photo to this..I just think it's a perfect blend of my crafting with my furry boy. Billy would also  like to say what fun he has had appearing in quite a few of my 200 posts.

OK I know there is a little artistic licence here as the card kitty is more a tabby than Billy but hey I don't often wear pink socks ;0)
The image is coloured with Promarkers and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils. I have used the fun LOTV stamp called Make it Festive. I have added lots of snowy details including backing papers, die cuts and hand punched snow flakes. I know I cropped the very top of the photo off using Picmonkey but I think you can se the design fine.  I also used some pretty lace as well as pearls and gems to add some festive bling. The sentiment is also LOTV.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;
Ladybug Crafts Ink snowflakes
The Crafty Pad It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas #197
My Mum's Craft shop Inspiration from a song my inspiration for my card is the song "Santa Claus is coming to town" as sung by the Crystals in the early 1960s as I think this stamp has a real 60s feel to it and I have gone with some very non traditional colours for my card and given it some 60s bling!
Joanna Sheen Cold and frosty
Penny Black Allsorts any die will do my die is a Marianne circle die cut. I still have to buy my die cuts but Santa is bringing me my own....I can't wait.
The Squirrel and Fox anything goes #31
Stampin with the Dragon so cute
Crafts and Me Circles #111 my circles are my die cut, sentiment and my pearls and gems.
ABC Christmas W for wrapping my kitty seems to be doing more playing than wrapping but those ribbons as such a temptation!
Papertake weekly Ribbon and/or pearls I have added pearls to my card.
Top tip Tuesdays Kids and teens #90
Bearly Mine snowflakes
Creative Card Crew anything goes
Lili's Little Fairies anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge use something more than 6 months old my stamp is from last Christmas
Cute Card Thursday #244 girls only
Make it Monday linky party #116

The march towards Christmas seems to be speeding up with only 33 more sleeps to go now. On Saturday we are going to the Winchester Christmas Fair with our daughter. So much Christmas excitement ahead. I hope some festive spirit reaches all of you too.

Remember to enter my little giveaway you need to mention it in your comment with a choice of bag charm/colours. Thanks again for reading my posts and some of you have actually read ALL 200 of them, you are stars! I do so enjoy our blogging world and friendship. And to my American friends may I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving today.

Thanks for joining me for afternoon tea whatever the time of the day it is for you at the moment ;0)

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane (and Billy) x

54 comments:

  1. Awwww this card is adorable Jane....and that's one very cute kitty you have :) Thanks for joining our challenge at The Squirrel & The Fox

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  2. Jane, congratulations, well deserved milestone. I love reading your posts. Living vicariously through your visits to London's iconic shops and places! Oh how I wish I could visit too.

    Love your card and your bag charms are simply beautiful. Thank you for the opportunity to be in the draw for one.
    I love purples and pinks and the tea related one would be special because it would remind me of you. I too am a tea drinker.

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

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  3. Oh I do so love Harrods, and tea! :) I would LoVe a chance to win one of your gorgeous afternoon tea charms in pinks and greens.
    Congratulations on you 100 followers, well deserved!
    Victoria xx

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  4. lovely card, love the layout, thanks for joining our challenge at MMCS, Gaynor x

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  5. Thanks Lynn Billy is one gorgeous kitty :-)
    Jane x

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  6. You are very kind Kasey and always so welcome here,
    Jane x

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  7. Thanks Victoria and good to see you joining the fun here,
    Jane x

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  8. Have just become a follower of your gorgeous blog and very much enjoyed a virtual cuppa with you!

    Your charms and cards are really lovely and would love to win one in a "crafty" theme, although the teapot charm was just so cute

    All the best

    Jan x

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    1. Welcome to my journal Jan and glad you enjoyed your virtual cup of tea with me.
      Jane x

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  9. I love your sweet image Jane and the fun colors you used. Fab card for our Kids/Teens challenge at Top Tip Tuesday.

    Remember you can enter up to 3 projects and 3 tips. Good Luck!

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  10. Congratulations on reaching your milestones Jane, I'm so glad I've been here with you along the way!!! :) Your friendship means a lot! x
    I love real tea made with tea leaves, definitely the best flavour. The smell in that tea department must have been wonderful.
    Your new bag charms are lovely the little tea cup is so cute. :)
    Love the kitty card too (isn't Picmonkey just brilliant, I spend way too much time over there).
    If I was so fortunate to win one of your bag charms, I would love you to surprise me!!
    Have a wonderful weekend, I'll probably be in touch tomorrow.
    Vivienne xxxxxxxxx

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  11. Dear Vivienne it has been such fun to have met via our blogs and I treasure our friendship..you were one of my very first bloggers to join me. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful weekend and speak soon.
    Jane x

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  12. Billy looks more than a little content sitting atop the roof, obviously very happy with his advantage point.

    Artistic license is what crafting is all about in my view and it's a quite delightful Christmas card.

    Thanks so much sharing with us at Penny Black and More challenge this month.

    B x

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  13. It's his favourite spot Brenda...he can be master of his universe from there.
    Jane x

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  14. Hi Jane, fabulous card, love the image, colours and layout. Your bag charms are gorgeous and I would love the opportunity to win one. If I were lucky enough to win, I'd pick afternoon tea in pink. Thanks sooo much for the opportunity to win one of your awesome bag charms.
    Hope you have a great weekend.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  15. Thanks Caz you name is in the pot..good luck.
    Jane x

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  16. Those charms are ALMOST as cute as your card! Lol! Great pixs...thanks for sharing! And thank you so much for joining us at MIM! Don't forget, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Good luck,
    Rene :D

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  17. OOOh Jane even if I didnt like tea I would be tempted to have some with you, awww your sooo lovely and I love coming here to visit you, it just really lifts me, thanks for the chance to win a fantastic charm, it would be the icing on my tea cake lol, take care hunnie and keep cheering me up, big huggies to your beautiful cat too, Love June xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  18. OOOps sorry the card is fabulous too, I commented it on facebook, just gorgeous hunnie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  19. Loved reading about your trip to Harrods and your delicious tea. Your card is so sweet - thanks for joining my CHNC challenge 99 - hope to see you again soon. x

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  20. Gorgeous and adorable. Thank you for sharing it with us at Creative Card Crew and good luck.

    Hugs
    Cathy
    xxxxx

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  21. Hi June, talking of the icing on the cake...I have just make some...sending you a virtual choc cup cake! Take care,
    Jane x

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  22. Thanks for visiting Kathy,
    Jane x

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  23. This is a lovely Christmas card Jane, such a sweet image.
    Thank you for joining us at The Crafty Pad this week.
    Pauline
    x

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  24. Hooray! For the milestone of 200. post, and here's to next twohundred to come! Your blog gives me so much happiness Jane, and Billy is my favorite blog-cat ever :) And your card is pretty, my favorite socks there and all...

    Lovely trip to C-fair tomorrow!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  25. Congratulations on your 300 posts and 100 followers, Jane! I love Harrods and afternoon tea too! If I was lucky enough to win I would love a sewing theme bag charm, or an afternoon tea one ....i love the one in your shop with pinky/purple and green shades :)
    Your new card is very pretty.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
    Helen x

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  26. Hi dear Mia....you were the reason I started blogging.....your sweet blog was my inspiration and you have been there since day 1. Thank you my friend :-)
    Jane x

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  27. Hi Helen.....you have given me an extra 100 posts :-) bless you. Thanks for being there from the early days, it's been a fun journey,
    Jane x

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  28. Dear Jane.. I loved seeing all your tea info! Somehow I have the craving for a cup of it.. :-) Count me in on the giveaway.. fun fun! Love your card, it's adorable! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  29. Good morning Teresa I am drinking my cuppa as I write! Have a great weekend,
    Jane x

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  30. Wonderful creation! Thanks for playing along at Joanna Sheen! xxx

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  31. Such a lovely girly vibrant card Jane and it is so nice to see you back with us at Penny Black and More for our "any die will do" challenge. I have also been admiring your your beaded key ring.
    Thank you for sharing your lovely work with us and we hope you will join us next month.

    Shirley

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  32. Hi Shirley, thanks for your very kind comments,
    Jane x

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  33. Congratulations Jane for your 200th post!!!
    I'm glad I met you through your blog and shop.

    I would love to have some tea with you any time.

    Thanks for another visit to Harrod's.

    Best always,
    Anne
    PC22

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  34. A very lovely looking card. Thanks for playing with us over at Bearly Mine's this week.
    Love n hugs
    Marie

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  35. Super sweet card Jane!Thanks for joining us at BMC hope to see you again
    hugs
    laney

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  36. I love the picture of Billy! I also love all your creations, and like every color except yellow. Wouldn't it be fun if we could have tea with all of our blogging buddies? Well, we can all raise our cups virtually anyway :)

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  37. Hi Jane, I come here from Kasey's blog and gosh I feel like I've travelled with you to all the wonderful places I want to go to...love to go to London...one day. Wonderful blog and good luck and looooved the cuppa...luv annie


    http://annieforeva.blogspot.com.au

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  38. Congratulations Jane!
    I would love to enter your lovely giveaway!

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  39. I love your card Jane,it is so bright and beautiful. Love the colours. This amage is so cute. Hugs Marjorie. x

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  40. Hello all the above ladies, thanks for all your lovely comments. I was away for the weekend so just got back to check my blog. Those of you who asked, you have been entered into my little giveaway.Good luck. It closes on Friday when I will draw a winner
    Jane x

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  41. Stunning card and beautifully coloured, your post is an interesting read too.
    Thank you for joining the Any Die Will do challenge over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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  42. Fabulous card and LOVE all your photo's too! great to see how an idea comes together! love the image of getting ready and the kitty helping to wrap too! or is he being naughty and un wrapping tehhehee either way thanks for Playing along with us this time at ABC Christmas Challenge, Samantha :0)

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  43. Great card. Love the image, it's so cute. Thanks for joining us at ABC Christmas Challenge. Luv, Wilma

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  44. hi Jane , what a gorgeous blog you have,I love the thing you create and share... love those charms very much!
    thanks for joining us today over at Lili's Little Fairies in our Anything goes challenge this week.
    hugs xx

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  45. Thanks to everyone who has entered so far.....12 of you. Remember that if you would like to enter my bag charm giveaway please mention it in your comment and what colour/style you would like if you come out of my teapot tomorrow at 5pm!! Good luck everyone
    Jane x

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  46. My giveaway is now closed. Back with the winner on Saturday ;0) Thanks for entering,
    Jane x

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  47. wow what fab pics .. and a gorgeous card .. so cute
    Thanks for joining us at LCI this fortnight
    Lisa x

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  48. What a sweet Christmas card! Thanks for joining the Creative Card Crew!

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  49. I absolutely love this card. Such great design with the snowflakes and sparkles and that gorgeous blue snowflake behind the image too. Thanks for playing at Top Tip Tuesday and good luck. Hope to see you back tuesday for a new challenge. Bettina xx

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