The Cracked Teapot Gazette
Presented by GrandmaRae.com

Quarterly Electronic Publication. Tenth Edition: June 2010


Tea is better served
with friends
.
Please visit Grandma
& her friends
GrandmaRae.com
Always handmade
just for you
* * *
Amelias Teas and Holly
Art From the Heart
Kathy's Kove Tea Kafe
Lizzie Rose
Moments in Thyme
Mullen's Herbal Tea House
No. 10 Palmer Place
Past Tymes Antiques
Sincerely Tea
Tea By The Sea
The Cozy Tea Cart
The Secret Ingredient
The Tea Hive
The Tea House Times
Truffles and Lace Tea Parlour
Victorian Tea Garden
Victoria Bauer Accessories
* * *
Feed on The Word
China and Paper Tableware and Teapots with Scripture Verses
* * *
Bear Hugs to the Troops
Send Teddy Bears and Tea to our Troops
* * *
Thanks from Overseas
Tea Drinking Soldiers -
in their own words
* * *
TeaMap.com
Great Reference.
Find a Tea Shop in your area or when you travel. Pictures, Menus & Reviews.
* * *

Archived Photos &
Articles of Interest
* * *

Archived Forever
Alice in Wonderland Issue

                             ~ Teatime Any Time ~

Hello Tea Drinkers -
There's a wonderful story in the Bible about a woman who lost one of her ten silver coins. She put on her Super-Woman outfit,   cleaned until she found it; then called her friends in for a Tea Party. She told the girls about the shock and fear of losing her precious coin. She also told them about the happiness and relief in finding it. (Luke 15:8,9) While I've taken liberty with the wording, the gist of the story is this - Life happens. Put the kettle on, Get some friends together and share your life. 

There is a picture on my office photo board of the Bride's Tea Party I had some years ago. Each woman brought her wedding photos. We laughed and told stories about meeting our husbands, our weddings, our hopes of what would happen and the reality of what did. We were giggling girls again,  having lunch, sipping tea and eating Wedding Cake for dessert. Life happened for all of us. We told each other about it.

Theme Tea Parties are fun BUT you don't really need a reason for a Tea Party. Just put on the kettle and call a friend!

Grandma



Some Tea House News

A Perfect Blend, Lititz, PA
Carol and her husband put an addition on their home last year so that Carol's parents could be with them. However, Carol's Dad needed more attention than they thought. After much thought and soul searching, Carol decided to close her Perfect Blend business "for a season of time" and tend to things at home. Carol accepts change, perhaps thrives on it. She launched her successful tea career years ago with a tea room. Then decided to change her tea venue to open her current Tea & Coffee Gourmet Shoppe called A Perfect Blend. Carol says that at some time in the future she will reopen a new venture. But for now, she has put herself where she feels she should be, doing what her heart says. Carol, we will miss your cheery chats and smiling face. Blessings.

Mullen's Herbal Tea House, Barrie, MA
The ice storm took it's toll on the Old Tea House. We're glad about the happy ending. Mullen's owner Judy tells us the story: "The old Teahouse had some repairs after the ice storm last year. It is looking really cute. We even updated the mail box. I took a wooden barrel and made it into a cup of Tea. It has a wooden saucer on the bottom of barrel, a wooden tag that sits on the side of the saucer that I stenciled Tea on. I took a wire and attached it to it to resemble a string like a teabag and a wooden handle on the side of barrel for the cup. Then I painted the mail box itself with Teapot and Teacups. Put that on a pretty post and put it in the cup of Tea barrel. I planted all kinds of edible flowers and herbs in the cup. It really looks like a cup of tea! We are doing a outdoor Fairy Garden Tea in June, I have over 80 people coming and 45 on a waiting list. I think our wonderful customers missed us:

Truffles and Lace Tea Parlour, Temecula, CA
There was one building project last year and now Truffles' owner Betty has another renovation saga Betty said, "We are about to add onto the back side of our English Cottage Garden, which will be a Victorian Style Tea Parlour like the current Truffles and Lace Tea Parlour". Adding to their current fare, they will be offering a salad bar in the English Cottage Garden Tea Room Café.  The English Cottage Garden will be in the center and the two Victorian Tea Parlours will be on the sides. Sounds absolutely beautiful!

The Tea Hive, NJ
The gentle pastoral views from the back rooms of this wonderful Victorian Farm House Tea Room reminds each visitor of days-gone-by. The food is sumptuous and the gift shop is filled with both fun and beautiful gifts. If your dream is to own a Tea House, come visit the Tea Hive and chat with its owner Julie. She and her husband are ready to retire and would like to pass along their business to someone who would love it as much as they do. Note to whoever buys is: Please keep the hats in the hallway.




Welcome Tea on the Porch

Roberta and her husband have had Heart 'n Home Country Store for seventeen years. It has everything from Yankee Candles to country furniture, table top and textiles as well as hand-crafted one-of-a-kinds, jewelry and small leather goods.   In 2010 they decided to change it up a bit and add a country style tea room called Tea at the Porch

They will be using antique quilt tops as tablecloths, antique tea cups, eclectic silverware and dishes. And of course, they will be selling all those lovelies in addition to a variety of teas, tea accoutrements, aprons, tea cups, tea pots, tea wallets, cozies, tea cup totes and tea books.  Roberta said, "We're targeting June 17 as our opening date. I'll try to get you some pictures. We will offer Cream Tea, Afternoon Tea and High Tea, along with salads, sandwiches, scones and petite desserts.  Our kitchen has been very busy tweaking our recipes to be sure our tea room fare is as delicious as it looks  Our target date is 6/17/2010 and we are excited!"

Tea on the Porch
4808 Cape Coral Street
Cape Coral, FL.
239-945-1914
No website yet. They are much too busy getting ready. When you stop by and have tea, please say "Hello" from Grandma!




Also...Welcome Art From the Heart

Dee talks about her business: "My love affair with tea started as a child when my grandmother introduced me to loose teas in a Brown Betty served with milk and brown sugar!  Now I'm a dedicated tea drinker and teacup/teapot enthusiast."

"My little Gallery called Art From The Heart is in Black Mountain, North Carolina (near Ashevlle).  I showcase American artisans whose work embodies uplifting, nurturing themes.  I especially love birds, dragonflies, angels and all things related to tea.  I carry a line of blended teas, handcrafted teapots, tea mugs and tea-themed accessories that are just perfect for gift giving.   I make jewelry and have made several wonderfully detailed tiny teacups and teapots in sterling silver.  My website has many of these pictured and provides directions and hours for the Gallery too."
Here's a picture of Keith, the Potter, standing in front of Dee's Gallery holding one of his creations - a lovely handmade teapot. I asked Dee if he would make and ship his creations. The answer is "Yes!"

Art From the Heart
114 Cherry Street
Black Mountain, North Carolina





Tea-4-One & Tea-4-Two Tea Cup Carriers

Surprise! It's a traveling Tea Party! Dressed in her frilly lace collar, Tea-4-One is big enough to carry not only your favorite tea cup & saucer but a dainty sandwich, scone and a bit of your favorite tea as well. Inside you'll find a Tea Pad to keep your china from clinking and a matching Pocket Napkin - my own creation. It's a serviette with a pocket for wrapping dainties.
The Tea-4-Two Carrier is the same frilly carrier except large enough to carry two cups with saucers. It has two Tea Pads and Two Pocket Napkins. It's just one more thing to keep us Tea Drinkers happily sipping our favorite tea.





Follow up story on our friend Faith

So many of you have asked about Faith and her Bear Hugs to the Troops. Faith traveled to Washington DC this Spring because she was one of two Nebraskan nominees for the Prudential Spirit of Community Program. It was a wonderfully exciting trip for her and her Mom. As a follow up, here's an email her Mom sent: Annie said, "I received a phone call yesterday afternoon from Prudential Spirit Of Community Program from their publicity director Dawn. Two publicists had gotten in touch with them looking for Faith. They want to put Faith in their publications. They are as follows The 2011 World Almanac For The Children and the Weekly Reader. I'm in awe as to how much this program has grown." God bless you Faith. We are proud of you! Keep going!





Up Coming Events and Follow-up News

June 11 - 13: Tea Expo 2010  Las Vegas
My tea gifts - favorites & new offerings - will be in a shared space with The Tea House Times.

I was very happy to participate in Power of the Purse, Duluth, MN in early May. It was a successful fund raiser for the United Way's Imagination Library in that area. Whoever bid and won my donated Teapot Purse, please get in touch with me so I may thank you for your generosity to such a worthy cause.

The Morristown Junior Women's League's 9th annual scholarship fund raiser. Lunch with The Authors, was in mid-May At it they  raised $20,000 to help needy children achieve a better education. This year's speakers were Frank Delaney, Gail Godwin and Anita Shreve. I was thrilled to be in attendance - and even more thrilled when I won one of the many beautiful  Tricky Tray gift baskets. I have never won anything! I'm already planning my sponsor's Tea Gift basket for next year.

The Creativit-Tea of some people

Linda P. from Plainville, Conn. is a tea lover, tea collector, and a tea-lightful person. She contacted me last year looking for a few teapot buttons to put on a teapot sweater she was knitting. In the meantime we got to chatting and Linda told me about the button quilts she makes with scraps of wool, torn sweaters, cast off buttons - the usual fare of a wonderfully creative woman. Here are a few snips from the note I received a few months late:.

"I'm so glad that spring is here and also that I finally have gotten around to taking some pictures of the little "quilts. I am still experimenting with coloring my white teapot buttons - have tried Sharpies and they work pretty well. I tried dying them in tea, but the plastic didn't take it too well."

"One of these days I will give some serious thought to selling some of my "creations" -- but probably not until I retire. I'd love to be home all the time doing the sewing, soap making, crocheting, quilting, stained glass, etc., etc., etc. that I love. Notice that I didn't mention knitting...  not one of my loves yet, but I do need to get back to it so that one of these days I can make that teapot sweater!!!!! "
Undeservedly, one of Linda's Button Quilts and some of her precious handmade soap grace my home. The quilt is on the roll top desk in my kitchen - a lovely reminder of a gift from a very special woman.





Teapot Purse for Service Woman

If you would like to sew custom Tea Gifts be ready for anything. I thought I was until I received a unclassified email from Elaine in Alexandria, VA. A tea drinking, teapot collecting friend of hers was retiring from the service after 35 years. Would I make her a Teapot Purse set in camo fabric? Sure. Sounds like fun. Elaine sent me the material - camo canvas from two beach chairs. I love a challenge! And I loved making this gift for her friend.

Rae, just to let you know your package was waiting for me when I arrived home last night.  What a surprise - I'm not certain what I was expecting but am delighted with the results. I love the flap over the top but especially like the tiny little teapot icons that are attached.  I think this is going to be a delightful gift and my entire office is waiting for me to bring it in - a little show and tell - for them to check out.  Thank you - this is going to make a delightful gift, and, hoping I'm not going overboard...it's going to be gift wrapped in Army camouflage.

Thank you for the privilege of being a part of this gift. I was glad to celebrate a life well given - 35 years of service to our country is a wonderful gift to us all.





Linda's First Ever Tea Party


Linda from Arizona invited me to her First Ever Tea Party. Actually she invited my Encouragement Cards and my Friendship Tea Bags. Afterwards she sent in some pictures. Oh my! Doesn't the cart look beautiful. Linda, we raise our tea cups to you for a job well done. Now that you know what fun it is, more tea parties are in your future!

Linda told me a bit about her party. "I served the tea from my antique tea cart. I loved the Friendship Tea Bags.  They are so adorable and each with a sweet sentiment.  The "101 Lovely Things to Think about"  were just that- "lovely."  My guests loved them and they certainly added to the festivities of the day! You helped make my "first tea" a great success!"
She sent pictures of herself and her friends. Look closely at the picture on the right and you'll see her little doggie was invited as well.





Clara's New Product

While on vacation in Victoria, British Columbia, Clara and her husband went to a Tea Room for lunch. She told me that each teapot wore a Teapot Handle Mitt so that the warmth of the handle wouldn't bother your hand when pouring. When she got back to Texas she checked Tea
Shops nearby but couldn't find what she had seen. Then she contacted me and explained what she saw. I had a fun time making her a few for her teapot collection. Afterwards I thought I would make a few more and share them with you online. The Teapot Handle Mitt can be made in any size. All I need is a distance measurement from the top of the knob to the base of the handle. Thank YOU Clara for sharing this idea.



Things to do with Teapot Cookie Cutters
for Your Next Tea Party


Teapot Soap Favor: Warm the cutter before pressing it into the soap. Use sharp knife to clean edges.
Sandwiches & Chocolates: Sandwiches are easy. Chocolates will release easily if you lightly spray inside with any cooking spray.  I'm sure most of you can make prettier chocolates than mine.

Hand wash cookie cutters, dry them in a warm oven. If you can't find Teapot or Tea Cup Cookie Cutters near you, I have them in stock. They are lots of Tea Party Fun!. 



Easy to Make Edible Tea Cups
Perfect for Little Girl's Tea Party


I'm always looking for fun and easy recipes to try - especially dessert recipes. For about a week from the end of March to the beginning of April, Paulette and her Pennsy Pals Judi, Judy, Karla, Mary and Lori were sending me email links to all sorts of outrageous edible tea cups. What  is more fun
 than edible tea cups. Of all the links they sent I liked this one the best because it's so User-Friendly. I think a bunch of giggling girls would love to have a tea party and make these. The girls found this edible tea cup recipe at DisneyFamily.com. It was created by Cindy Littlefield. It's made from square bottom ice cream cones, cookies and gummy candy. If you can't figure it out
by looking at the picture, go to the DisneyFamily.com website and type in key word "edible tea cups." Have yummy good fun! 




Send Your Tea News
for the September  Issue

Thank you to all who contributed to this edition of The Cracked Teapot Gazette. You made my job of putting it together loads of fun. The next Cracked Teapot will eblast around September 7th. Anyone may contribute a tea themed article. Please send it by mid-August for the September issue. YOU make the Gazette successful. Send articles and ideas. Join the fun.
Send pix & a blurb about your tea party.
Review your favorite tea room
Send pictures of your latest tea craft
What's your favorite tea party theme?
Send in a recipe for a yummy dessert
Write a friendship poem
What is your favorite tea? Why?


Grandma's Tea Thought: Cambric Tea, sweet milk flavored with tea. I am reborn as I hold   my cup with both hands -A child with gray hair. Eyes half closed I drink deeply, holding the sweetness in my mouth. I throw back my head merrily laughing at the follies of youth.
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