T Stands For Gifts

 

 Settle back and enjoy.  This is a very long T Tuesday post.

I have gifts from friends to share today.  The are from CJ and Erika.  As you can see, it's a celebration of T Tuesday's anniversary.

 

I looked high and low for the names if these three stamps, but even Stamp World couldn't identify them.  I know the one stamp is Kitty love and it pairs with a dog that also holds a heart.  The others, although Forever stamps, are no longer in circulation.  

 

The Huntington is a museum in the Los Angeles area in California.  This must be one of their museum pieces.  I have been to that museum and have a book of their collections.  I will look for it when I have more time.

 

On the back of Erika's envelope is this kitty and milk.  Sorry, the lighting sucks in my kitchen.

 

Inside, we can begin with this amazing cat with a tea cup and butterfly.  Some of you may have seen a similar one last week she sent to CJ.

 

I knew I would never get everything Erika sent in one photo, but I tried.  I love the stamps, the postage stamps, the flowers, and the star.  Erika knows how I love cancelled postage stamps.  I already have plans for the flowers.  Thank you beyond words, Erika.  I love it all.  

 

Then there was the personal note inside and the cat that becomes a book mark.  Thank you again for thinking of me.

 

I swear, CJ spent more in postage for that package than I spend on postage in five years.  Squiggles LOVES CJ because she always remembers him when she sends a letter to us.

 

Seems I cut off the kitty in the photo!

 

 

There was a plethora of goodies inside.

 

I started with this package that took forever to open without cutting the threads.  Note the tea inspired paper.  You'll see more of it in the future.

 

CJ sent two bags of tea for me to try: Lemon Lift and Wild Berries.

 

Next was a handmade book using the same drink paper on the book edge and the belly band.

 

Wonderful heavy watercolor paper I know I will love when I work in it.

 

 

This may be hard to see, but the tea paper was used on the inside ends.

 

Inside this small package

 

were all this lovely goodies.  The cat is a favorite, as are the tiny clips and stickers.

 

There is one final envelope to open.

 

 

Lots and lots of goodies.  I especially love the tree that glows and the paw prints.

 

As I was putting everything away, I noticed the pattern on the inside of the envelope.  It was one I had never seen before.  Thank you beyond belief for thinking of me, CJ.  I am beyond grateful.  

I'm sure you have noticed my Spice Merchant mug is in most of the photos.  I've shown you mine, now it's your turn to share your T entry this week.  The rules are extremely simple.  Your drink related post may be anything from a photo of a glass, cup, or mug, to an actual drink.  You may choose to share a sketch or a digital, hybrid, or traditional page in your scrapbook, art journal, or altered book, as I have done.  Maybe you'd prefer to share a tag, or wow us with your photography.  You might choose a postcard or decorated card.  You might even draw an image on a used tea bag.  Or perhaps you prefer to review a place you visited, a movie, or book.  It makes no difference as long as it's drink related.  And don't forget that the more unique and outside the box it is, the better we like it.  Please tie it back here, and please link only to your T post, not your entire blog.  When you link, Bleubeard, the T gang, and I will be by to visit.   Bleubeard would also like to remind you that your photos may be taken any time.    

 

 

 

T Stands For ATCs

 

 It's time for T and I have

two gifted envelopes I'm about to open. 

The tea bag package hides Erika's return address.

Lisca loves to see postage stamps.  The one in front is from Jo.  This must be new because I couldn't find one with that specific amount of postage.  I know Charles was first added in 2023.  I went to Stamps of the World to find this, with no luck.  I'm sure it's the one designed for International postage.

I had marginal better luck at USPS.  The kitty is Love 2023, which is paired with a puppy that also holds a heart.  At Stamps of the World, I found the two lower stamps, both from the same sheet.  They are Historic Railway Stations of the US and are both Forever stamps first issued in March, 2023.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find the flower and hummingbird.

Erika and Jo both sent ATCs for me.  I knew they are both sharing their ATCs today, and I wasn't sure I should show mine in case they were the same as they sent each other.  I worried because mine would be and is posted first.

Look at the card Erika made for me.  Isn't it charming and lovely?  I want to know how she created the background.  I love the flower and the dots she added all the way around the focal image.

This is what I found when I opened the inside.

I definitely didn't have to worry about repeat ATCs.  Looks like these were all made just for me.

Each focuses on a different drink.  First there's a hug in a mug of something decadent, then there is coffee (check out the "steam"), and finally champagne with lots of bubbles.

I was hoping you could see the dimension on these.  I simply can't thank you enough, dear Erika.

Next up was the adorable ATC wrapped in love that Jo sent.  She explained her reason behind the focal image was because she was thinking of both Bleubeard and Squiggles.  I knew then that this ATC had been created for me (and the boys).

I love how she also made her own limited edition background.

I actually gasped when I first saw this.  What amazing fussy cutting around those wings.

Then I noticed the stamping and what looks like stenciling, too.

I took 28 photos of this beauty and never got a complete ATC in a single one!  Regardless, I love it from the bottom of my grateful heart, Jo.

Now I'm off to drink my Tetley Royal Blend tea.  These two friends have certainly made me feel like Queen for a day!

Although you probably already know the drill, please share a 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. 

 

Friendship T and two mugs

 

Although I am still under the weather, I'm putting on a brave face and trying to be a responsible person and host to both AJJ and T Tuesday.

I have received mail from two wonderful friends.  Since I'm still so shaky, I decided to scan the envelopes.  At least now you can see both the stamps and the art work.

This is from Dianne Carey.  This is the front.  As you can see, the stamp is a Forever with three flags.

 

This is the back of the envelope.

This is from Patty, my sweet friend who talked me into taking over as host of T Stands For Tuesday.  The stamp is one of a series of 20 different endangered species in the set.  They were first issued in May, 2023 for the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

Unfortunately, I have run out of time and will open them next week.  Until then, thank you both my dear friends.

Now for two animal mugs I found at The Spice Merchant.

Both dogs

and cats got equal billing this week.

I've shown mine, now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and 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.

 

I would be remiss if I didn't remind you it's time to dig up your Second on the 2nd.  It can be any genre, any style, any length, as long as it has been published sometime in the past.

T Stands For Final 2024 Gift

 

I am still in pain.  Instead of getting better, my hand, wrist, and arm seem to be getting worse by the day.  I may need to break down and visit a care facility if this doesn't improve soon.

Although I opened this last week, I ran out of time to show it.  It was so hard to open with one hand, I finally placed it between my legs and used scissors to get through all the tape.  This gift is from my dear friend and co-administrator at AJJ, Mia.

I am afraid the eggnog is now gone.

 

More tape covered the Sars testing kit box.

Inside was this hand stamped and colored beauty.

Next up was something that smelled wonderful.  I believe this is sage.

Two Yogi brand tea bags

and five bags of Greek tea are my ticket to today's T.

Next is a plethora of amazing gifts, including numbers, rick rack, butterflies, dots, and chocolates.

Then there was lace bits, a card making kit, and Greek book pages, along with an apricot Posca pen.

Of course, the best was yet to come.  It included this fabulous rocking horse,

a double rocking horse stencil,

and a ton of cat book marks I will use in my Cats AB. Thank you beyond belief, dear Mia.  I am not just touched, I am a bit overwhelmed.

I've shown you mine, now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and 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 time to dig up your Second on the 2nd.  It can be any genre, any style, any length, as long as it has been published sometime in the past.