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.

T Stands for Christmas cards and gifts

 

  I'm starting witih my drink so I don't forget it.

I finally decided it was time to open all the cards and gifts I received from my friends.

 Here is everything I've received this Christmas.

This is the postcard I accidentally hid after I received it from Lisca and Ronnie.  I was so lucky that I found it when I moved some other mail.  Just in time, too.  I admit I don't have one like this rocking horse shown in the photo/postcard.

I took 73 photos of this stamp and 

these are the only two that were even partially acceptable.

  It took forever to find, but it is called International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020. It's a fitting postage stamp since Lisca was a nurse in a previous life.  Thanks for thinking of Bleubeard and me, dear Lisca.

The next postage stamp was equally difficult to find.  At least it was a USPS forever stamp.

  It was part of a multiple stamp set called Garden Delights.  Per the USPS web site:

 

 

I've actually had this card since Thanksgiving, but still wanted to share it.  It has lots of sparkle and glitter that isn't picked up by the camera.  Thank you, dear RO! 

 

It was obvious these stamps came from the UK.  These were postmarked from Scotland.  This is from the Christmas castles series.  These second class stamps show Edinburgh castle.  Who do we know lives in Scotland?  Note only one of the stamps was cancelled.  Looks like the postal clerk was good to his word.

 

I am simply thrilled to have received this amazing card from Elle.  Thank you ever so much.  Look at all the details she included.

But there's a second gift inside.  Note the message that I have permission to deconstruct the card and use parts of it in my own art.

And of course, the back has Elle's signature cat.

I think it's evident who sent this card.  Squiggles always loves it when he sees he's been included.  He really loved that he got his own line and didn't have to share with Bleubeard.  In case you didn't guess correctly, the sender of this is CJ, our calligrapher.

If you can make out this postage stamp, your eyes are more jittery than my hands.

  However, thanks to USPS, the stamp I received is on the bottom right of each of the four stamps.  Per USPS, these are Holiday Elves issued in 2022:

CJ and I have cats in common, so this is even more special because it is personal.  I love how the cat is playing with the balls made from colored gems.

This is what happened when I tried to take a close up of the cat.  I assure you it isn't the camera.

The inside is equally precious and thoughtful.

Did you think I had lost my place or that you were seeing double?

  This stamp is the one from the lower left side of the foursome.  She is getting ready to place the bus in a gift box.

 

I believe my friend Erika made the envelope from some wonderful handmade paper because it matches the card. There is so much dimension to this card. Lots of depth as well as glitter and glam.

Not the best photo, but you can still see all the dimension of this beauty.

 

I love the quote and how you included Squiggles, too.  Thank you dear Erika.

The next card came from my dear slow mail friend Kathy in Ozarks.  It is also a forever stamp.

  It's new and called Thinking of You stamps.  It's the first stamp on the top left.  Per the USPS site:

Kathy also added the lovely vellum sticker to the front and

 

this very dimensional wax seal to the back.

A definite sign of the times and weather.

I believe Kathy stamped the trees inside.  I feel bad I didn't get the complete and thoughtful message Kathy wrote.

 

 

As soon as I saw the handwriting, I immediately knew this Christmas card was from my dear friend Julia, who many of you know from Stamping Ground.  This is one of the cathedrals, this one Westminster meant for travel outside the UK.

 

What a stunning card that my photo didn't do justice.

Sorry folks.  This one is too personal to share.  Needless to say, I cried when I read it.

The final stamp is an ornament.  Per USPS, the set is called Holiday Joy.

 

 

This is from my dear friend Halle.  However, there are faces and names on the card, so this is all I'm allowing you to see.  That's Halle's rule, too!

I have one more gift to share, but I have run out of time.  With luck, this will beat the 4 pm deadline.

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. 

 

I now must eat and rest.  I've been working on this for two straight days!  I'll be by later tonight.