T Stands For Christmas Tea

 

It's Christmas T!  And of course, we are celebrating at my dining room table.

I am truly blessed.  I definitely don't believe I deserve all the beautiful gifts members of the T Tuesday group have bestowed upon me.

Before I get too carried away, I want to share my water with lemon.  Note the mug is sitting on last year's Christmas gift from Elle (eotc)  In no particular order, below are the cards and gifts I have received

This "meowy" Christmas postcard was hand drawn by Iris.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Thankfully, that is neither Bleubeard or Squiggles because they have no interst in my tabletop trees.  I admit the cat looks very much like Bleubeard with his black nose.

The postage stamps are beautiful.  I wish I had time to research them, but time is not on my side today.  I adore that crane, first issued in 2022.

What a sweet and heartfelt message.  It is YOU I have to thank, dear Iris.

 This stamp is on a card that surprised me the most.  It's the second stamp I've received that has Charles on it.  I immediately knew this would be a handmade card.

It is gorgeous.  My photo doesn't begin to do it justice.

I was blown away by my dear friend Julia from Stamping Ground and What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday fame.  Julia created an amazing collage with a postage stamp. a button, and other collage images. 

Then I opened the card and this fell out!

Thank you for the die, Julia.  It means the world to me.

These lovely trees I believe were hand drawn, came from Deb. 

After taking about 40 photos of this globe, I gave up.  Sorry it's so fuzzy.

  It appears the one Deb used was the Santa.  Those snow globes also match the USPS cancellation, too.

I accidentally deleted all the rest of the photos, all of which I had photograophed as I was opening them.   I will take photos again, but all the cards and gifts have been opened, except a portion of the final box.

Deb added a sparkly gnome, but it got caught in the USPS cancellation machine.  Washi tape was sparkly, too.

Look at the adorable snowman and all those red birds.

Such a sweet card and a lovely sentiment.  I love it, Deb.  Thank you!

I was surprised to see a postage stamp on a card

 

from my beloved

PBS station.

 

The new season of All Creatures Great and Small will premier in January.  It makes a lovely card.

 

From my two favorite guys, Victor Hogstrom, CEO and President, and Phil Richardson, who is in charge of major donors and donations.

This adorable card with the deer came from my friend Kathy in the Ozarks.

Kathy also chose a Santa globe for her postage stamp.

Kathy has got that wax seal down to a science!  This is lovely.

This gorgeous wreath is accompanied by a cardinal.  I believe this will go in my main floor bath after I pack my Christmas trees away for another year.

A charming and adorable hand written sentiment.

It was accompanied by this lovely hand written note.  Thank you for always thinking of me.  You are too kind.

I have lots more to share, but time is up.  I have been photographing and writing since 8 a.m. this morning.  I will add the rest as I get them rephotographed.  Please come back to see what others have sent.  I promise to get everyone's gift on my blog before the end of the day.

It's now time to share your own drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, handmade cards, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, a favorite mug, cup and saucer, teapot, coffee pot, or even a wine glass. Regardless, please join us by linking below.  Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants.

It's obvious this postage stamp is from Canada.  It's a lovely stamp of children ice skating on a frozen pond.  This came from my dear friend Cindy.

It's also obvious this is a handmade card.  I suspect the bird started as a gel print.  The gold doesn't show well in this waning light.

I held the card open with my opener.  Such a lovely card and sentiment.  Thank you so very much, dear Cindy.  I am so grateful for your friendship of more years than I am willing to admit.

Next up is a postcard from Lisca.  She explains the postage stamp reads "Break the circle of childhood poverty."  It and your thoughtful card are lovely.

Of course, the front is stunning with the rocking horse, lace, pearls, and a pocket watch.  Simply vintage and romantic.

More soon.

This rather thick envelope came from San Francisco.   The two globes are the snowman and the deer (see above for those from the USPS web site).

I found these adorable washi tape kitties marching across the back of the envelope.  This came from Carola Bartz.

This is a gorgeous handmade card.  Note the package in back.  I tore the tissue opening the gift inside, so I tried to hide it as best I could.

I was completely impressed with the card. I love the layers and the texture.

I attempted to color adjust the words on the card.  Sorry I missed Carola's name at the bottom.  I'm also looking forward to many more T Tuesdays!

I nearly cried when I saw what was in the package.  For those of you who didn't see this cat last week, Carola is making them for the German school with which she is associated.  I went crazy over the cat and Carola sent me my very own.  This will live in my dining room or craft room.  I am so honored that Carola sent me one of her handmade cats.  Thank you beyond words, Carola for everything.

This is one of those globe stamps that just wouldn't come into focus no matter what I tried.  It's the tree, which means I have at least one of each of these new globe postage stamps.  Can you see this was postmarked in Wichita, KS?  That can only mean one person.

Yes, it is my dear stamping friend, Sharon of Foxy Stamping fame.  This was stamped on the outside of the envelope and

this sticker was on the back.

I'm sure, knowing Sharon, this is an original and there won't be another like it.  I like how she colored the blues.

She stamped the inside!  She always includes Squiggles, too.

And finally, she stamped the back with her angel post stamp.

I just realized I haven't eaten all day, so I'll be back with my final two entries after I fix something warm and hopefully nourishing.

I know better than to eat when I'm tired.  I go to sleep as soon as the food hits my mouth.  I slept in my computer chair and was asleep before I finished was half way through my salt laden ramen noodles.

My next to last gift was from my friend Patty in Virginia.  She no longer blogs, but is now on Instagram exclusively.  Try as I might (yes it was getting late), the postage stamp just wouldn't come into focus.

It is one of the holiday elves.  This image is from USPS.

 

I opened this card and immediately fell in love.  I knew Valerie would feel the same way, too.  Isn't it fabulous? What a take on Starry Night.  Yes, Patty, I love it.

I hope you can read this.  Several levels indeed. 

What a great card.  I am the recipient of #HA1089 of the Allport Editions.  As you can see, the card is 100% recyclable.

 

I checked out their web site (https://www.allport.com/) and noticed they have artist Christmas trees.  As many of you know, I collect small Christmas trees of any type, size, style, etc.

These are all so very clever.

  This is the image from their web site, since my photo doesn't do it justice.  I cannot thank you enough, dear Patty.  It is an amazing and remarkable card.

I'll be back soon.  Seems Photoshop had a meltdown, which means I need to shut it down and restart before I can transfer my photos from the camera to the computer.  Apparently I accidentally took photos that were too large for RAM.

My final card is hidden among other wonderful gifts I received from my dear friend Erika, who is not only a T Tuesday participant, she is an administrator at Art Journal Journey.  Metered mail, but very expensive postage, so postage stamps would have covered the front and back of this box.  As you can see, I "stuffed" everything back in the box to take repeat photos.

I love these wood mounted rubber stamps.  My favorite kind of stamp.  I apologize the photos are so dark, but the sun has been down for some time, now.

A card and another gift, this one wrapped.

I absolutely adore what Erika did with the TH paper dolls.  She also used die cuts and an embossing folder to create this fun card.

Clever "bow" on the girl's dress.  And I love how even her faux stitches are that frame the scene.  This is a great way to alter these paper dolls.

Yes, Erika, this amazing gift arrived in time for Christmas and I am so grateful to you for making it so special.

In the interest of time, I will now primarily show what was wrapped in the snowman.  Of course, the cats will find a place in my Cat altered book.

Cute sayings.

Of course, you know I absolutely LOVE the rocking horse washi tape.

Overhead shot.

And to top it off, there is a set of sunflower dies.  Thank you beyond belief, Erika.  This box of goodies really made my day.

Thanks to everyone who thought of me at T Tuesday this year.  I am SO grateful to each and every one of you for your thoughtfulness and caring.  Bless you all.  Merry Christmas and happy Boxing Day.