A Tea Cup Exchange

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Oh what a happy week for mail it was this week! My dear friend Stephanie over at The Enchanting Rose hosted a teacup exchange this past month.  Here are her words on how it all began:

The idea of this exchange formed one day while I was looking at my collection of tea cups and I thought to myself that it would be a joy to bring ladies together over a cup of tea. The first exchange was a success and soon mugs were included
since everyone has different tastes and styles.

I am rather late getting involved with the teacup/mug exchanges as this was my first one (and this is the 7th time the exchange has been held), but you can be sure I will be joining whenever Stephanie does this again!  What a joy it was to be able to make not one, but two new friends!  You simply join by sharing your email address, and a few small things about yourself, and shortly Stephanie contacts you with your new exchange friend to whom you send a teacup.  In return, a different friend receives your name, and you receive a teacup from that friend.  So, in the process... you receive a beautiful new teacup (or mug) and two new friends!

I am a tea lover, and drink lots and lots of hot tea, and since a cup of hot tea is always best with a friend, in this tea exchange you are blessed to both send a teacup and receive one.  Along with the teacup extra goodies are included, and oh my how fun this was!  It was fun to put together my package for dear Kathryn who blogs here.  And in return I received my special package from dear Linda who blogs here.

My package arrived on Monday, and it smelled good even from the outside!


Smiles! Oh yes!  I was smiling, from ear to ear!  Do you see the stitching on the card? Linda is an amazing seamstress, and she "sewed" this card for me, just darling!


The package had each item beautifully wrapped and covered in pastel bubbles, to ensure nothing would get broken.  Everything arrived in perfect condition, and oh the joy I had of unwrapping each one!



A handmade teabag holder!  Just adorable!  Such thoughtfulness and beautiful handiwork - see the lovely stitching, just adorable! Something I will treasure always!


And such a mouth watering collection of tea bags!  Honey Lavender Stress Relief, Perfect Peach Herb Tea, Lipton Green Tea, and Twinnings Chai Tea - a fabulous mix for me to enjoy!


And oh.my.goodness!  The Teacup.  She was beautiful.  I love the unique ruffled edges of the cup with the gorgeous rose print and gold edging.  I couldn't have chosen a prettier cup if I'd tried!  I have no teacup like this in my collection, and what a joy it will be to have!


I couldn't wait to put the tea pot on and enjoy my new teacup right away... but wait... there was more!  My goodness!


Oh how could she have known (I never mentioned my love of writing in my little note about myself)... but I have a collection of journals, and I was getting low, and actually was in need of a new one... oh how the Lord provides, without us ever even needing to ask!  And the most beautiful handmade bookmark!  Oh, what a beautiful gift, and the journal and lovely bookmark will make my quiet time with the Lord even more special!


I wondered what it was that just smelled so divine... apple cinnamon fragrance sachets... oh the aroma was just intoxicating and yummy!


What?  I couldn't believe there was more to my package!  I already felt like my heart couldn't hold any more... but there it was, one more beautiful package to unwrap.  It was a package of John Wm. Macy's SweetSticks "Java Cinnamon".  I have never heard of these before, and ooh, they looked so yummy!



Here is the picture of all the precious goodies that were packed into the box so carefully, and with such tender care.  What a beautiful gift to open, and how special I felt as I smiled (Linda was right, I was ALL SMILES) as I enjoyed the contents of her beautiful package to me.


Do you see how the entire gift is color coordinated in rose and green, just darling, and I loved every special little touch of love that was put into it!


Oh what fun I will have filling this journal up, sipping hot tea, and enjoying the lovely smells of apple cinnamon while I munch on my java cinnamon SweetSticks.  Life doesn't get much better than this!


And hidden within the pages of the journal are these sweet little cards... so fun!


Blessed I am indeed... such a bountiful gift, and so appreciated.


Thank you again, dear Linda for your generous gift.... everything was amazing!!!! .... and those SweetSticks are simply sublime!  I've already looked for them online to buy some more!  The website to purchase them is htttp://www.cheesesticks.com  should any of you be interested... What a delightful teacup package this was, with pure enjoyment for many tea-times to come!

And the tea cup delight has continued!  Since receiving my amazing gift from Linda, I sent her a thank you card, and a little handmade bookmark.  She blogged about the gift I sent her here.  If you'd like to see more of Linda's work, she is a seamstress, and has beautiful creative items in her Etsy shop Eastern Ave Designs which you can see here.  I've enjoyed the communication so much with Linda since I received my special gift from her... what a blessing this has been!


And then dear Kathryn sent me the most amazing "thank you"!  A beautiful card arrived in the mail, along with two handmade items from her Etsy shop! Isn't she quite the talented lady!  I just love the beautiful cameo that comes with a clip so it can be clipped on clothing or hair!  And the incredible bookmark!  The little saying on it says:

"Be you to others kind and true, 
As you'd have others be to you; 
And neither do nor say to men, 
Whate'er you would not take again."  

What a precious quote presented in such a beautiful fashion!  I just love the attention to detail wtih the lace, the embellishments and ribbon!  I will cherish these little thank-yous so very much! You can find more of Kathryn's work in her Etsy shop here

What a blessing this has been in so many ways... and the correspondence back and forth with both Kathryn and Linda has been so special to me.  Really the friendships made in this tea exchange means as much or more to me than anything, and the special gifts just the icing on the cake!  I am so very blessed! 

If you would like to see all the teacup exchanges that took place, Stephanie is having the reveal on her blog October 14th for all those who participated.   I will be forever grateful to dear Stephanie for opening up this wonderful opportunity for us.  :)

24 comments

  1. Oh how perfectly darling is your package from sweet Linda! And my! Your teacup is too gorgeous...so delicate and lovely!
    I am in awe at all the delightful goodies included in your gift...hmm...the tea sounds so wonderful, as do the cinnamon sticks! And I know you will enjoy writing in your beautiful new journal...I love the verse on the front!
    Oh, this tea cup exchange is such a blessing and a true joy! What a dear Stephanie is to organise such a special event in the blog world...I love being able to make precious new friends and share love and joy with others! A blessinh indeed!
    Thank you for sharing your loveliness today...it brought a smile to my face!
    Have a wonderful day further...hugs to you!
    Kelly-Anne

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    1. I am still basking in the joy of the beautiful gift of love sent to me, and every time I sit down in my quiet time place, I am reminded of the love sent in the package to me as I write in my journal, smell the fragrant apple scent, and enjoy a cup of tea with sweet sticks. Blessed indeed, oh yes! I am glad you enjoyed this post, and that it brought smiles to your face, the package of joy is continuing to bless! :)

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  2. What a wonderful idea and a lovely cup and saucer! Enjoy your pretty presents!

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    1. Yes, it was a wonderful thing to participate in this tea cup exchange, and I certainly am enjoying the gifts of love sent to me every day :)

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  3. Dear Marilyn,
    I am so pleased that everything arrived safely, that you enjoyed opening your gifts and that you are enjoying your tea cup and other goodies! It was such fun putting it all together for you, and reading your post tonight brought a smile to my face....more than once! What a gracious recipient you are!

    This swap is such a joy and I am so thankful that Stephanie puts this together for us! It's wonderful meeting new friends in this manner, "over tea!"

    I hope that you enjoy writing in your journal while you savor quiet, reflective moments sipping hot tea! So lovely meeting you Marilyn and I look forward to keeping in touch! XO
    Linda

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    1. Oh Linda, you just went over and above in your thoughtfulness and love wrapped up in this package! I have been blessed every day since I received it as I sipped my hot tea, with the Sweet Sticks in my quiet time, with my beautiful journal and bookmark, and the spicy aroma of the apple sachets nearby. I truly have been basking in the love sent my way, and I appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness so much. What a blessing to meet you too, and I look forward to keeping in touch with you as well! May the Lord richly bless you my dear friend! :)

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  4. Oooh my...Linda certainly has blessed you, my friend! She has a wonderful way of doing that, as I too have been a recipient of her delightful gift packages filled with the dearest of treasures.
    Your tea cup is gorgeous!! There again, Linda just knows how to pick them. :-)
    How wonderful for you to have been able to join in on the fun.
    Stephanie has certainly begun a beautiful thing with these tea cup exchanges.

    Bless you~ Debbie

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    1. Oh, what a blessing it has been for me to participate in the tea cup exchange, now I can't wait for the next one :) I was so blessed to have Linda as my partner, and to be able to meet Kathryn - it is so exciting that you get not just one, but two new friends, and I just love that! Linda is incredibly talented, and her stitched card and tea cup holder are just darling. I just am so blessed :) Hoping you are enjoying your new tea cup and friendships too! Much love to you dear Debbie :)

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  5. Dearest friend, I have tears in my eyes right now simply because I LOVE seeing women connect across the miles through a cup of tea; it such a blessing and joy to my heart.

    Linda is precious and I knew she would bless you in a special way {{smiles}} The two of you are so beautiful and special - a perfect pairing.

    The items you received are stunning! The tea cup, oh my..... and the extra handmade items are ever so charming.

    Thank you for joining the tea cup and mug adventure. I look forward to the reveal in a couple of weeks. Love and hugs to you!

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    1. Dear Stephanie,

      Truly it was the Lord who inspired you to begin such a special thing. it has brought women together in special ways, and there is just something about friendship and a cup of tea! I have felt blessed every day since I received the package when I drink my tea and enjoy my goodies, and think of the special lady who put it together for me. I am so blessed, and so thankful for YOU! You put a lot of hard work and time into making this possible, and I pray the Lord blesses YOU for doing this! Have a beautiful day, my dear friend, and again, thank YOU! :)

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  6. Your parcel of goodies is wonderful and the pedestal teacup is a special gift.

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    1. Yes, it was truly such a joy and great pleasure to be part of this exchange, I believe the blessing of friendships made will be priceless! Appreciate your visit today :)

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  7. What a beautiful and thoughtful package and gift you received! It looks wonderful! Blessings, Lynn

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    1. It was an amazing package, so exciting to unwrap each special item, blessed indeed I am! Appreciate your visit today! :)

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  8. What beautiful treasures you have received, I love the pedestal teacup, so unique and beautiful! Enjoy your gifts, thank you for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Sue

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    1. Oh, it has been a beautiful experience all the way around, and the greatest treasure, in my opinion, is the friendships made - those are priceless! Appreciate your visit today :)

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  9. What a very pretty teacup...so dainty and unique! Linda's gifts to you are simply fabulous, and she did a wonderful job in packaging them up for you!!! I love the tea bag holder book...how precious is that!!!
    So happy to hear you enjoyed Stephanie's exchange. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Oh, I LOVE the tea bag holder, Linda did a fabulous job stitching all of it! She is an amazing seamstress indeed! Indeed, it has been such a blessing to be a part of this exchange, and I am most thankful for the priceless gift of friendships that are happening because of it all! Thank you for your visit today :)

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  10. Beautiful gifts. What fun to receive such special gifts and a new friend ( or two) in the process! :)

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    1. It has been the most wonderful thing to experience, making two new friends is really the best part! Appreciate your visit today :)

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  11. Pretty tea cups and new friendships....bliss. What gorgeous pretties you received. I do love your tea cup....those ruffled edges, the hint of gold edging and of course the pretty roses are so pretty.

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    1. I did receive such a special box of goodies! I am still enjoying the delights that came in the box! :) Thank you for your visit, it is appreciated very much!

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  12. Love the aqua-themed package that Linda sent you. Your teacup is a beauty!

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    1. Oh, I loved it too! I am still enjoying the blessings that came in that box... what a precious gift! So thankful for it all :) Thank you for your visit, it is appreciated very much :)

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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