Everything Stops for Tea...

..or it least it ought to!

I LOVE TEA! There, I've said, it's out there, and there's no denying it! I'm not even that fussy; strong as you like builder's, pale and delicate Earl Grey, fragrant jasime, watery first cup, stand your spoon in it last cup, even mint, ginger, lemon or raspberry....really, I'll drink it all, happy, gratefully and come back for a second cup!
In honour of our great British tea drinking tradition I have decided to feature some fab tea related goodies that I have found for sale on Folksy this week.
Despite my love of tea I am ashamed to admit to currently having no teatime treats in my shop - shocking I know, and a situation I must rectify. Meantime, here's a gratuitous picture of a very grumpy blue-tit egg cosy instead......followed by a glorious selection of tea-ware!








Well, for a top brew the first thing I am going to need, after locating my tea-leaves/bags is a tea-pot, and this stoneware one is lush! Handthrown by Dave Green Ceramics it has a gloriously beautiful flecked celadon glaze finish! It can even go in the dishwasher, which is a great bonus, 'cause this pot is going to get a lot of use!











Next I shall require some teabags (I'm a simple girl at heart!) and the fact these ones contain lavender matters to me not a jot! Each one of these unusual lavender bags is so pretty and fun! You get three randomly selected bags for the price. The aptly named maker of these scented treats, Lucy Teacup, calls it a teabag lucky dip! Each bag is made from different scraps of vintage and new fabrics and each one is different! I think this adds to their already immense charm!







Now, I must confess to sometimes making what my husband refers to as 'gypsy' tea! Regular readers of my blog will know that for me this is a positive thing and not, as some might suppost, a chiding comment. Gypsy tea involves simply submerging a teabag in a mug of boiled water and swirling it around a lot. Very technical and I advise that you seek an adult to help with this. A drawback of this method is the problem of where to put the soggy teabag once the swirling is over. Well, Folksy seller Cecily Vessey has the very thing! A 'Big Ben' illustrated teabag tidy! This iconic clock tower tidy can not only withstand the piping hot and soggy bag but will also happily wash in your dishwasher, along with the teapot perhaps! So both gorgeous and practical...I like to think a bit like myself. What? sorry..can't hear you...








Now, a slight detour from my tea making guide. I have already admitted my non-fussy approach to tea drinking, but I have several friends who are not so....adaptable. They insist upon carrying a few bags of their favourite daytime tipple in their handbag at all times so that they need never do without. I don't know about you, but my handbag is not a place I would like to store edibles...intentionally at any rate! So, on behalf of these friends I was delighted to spy this fab idea amongst Folkys folks tea wares. Crafty folkster Claire Mackaness makes teabag holders! She has several for sale in her Folksy store, Beautiful Things, I have chosen to show this one which is made from a retro cupcake cotton and features a funky teapot button! What a great idea!








So, back to my now made pot of tea. It must be kept cosy at all costs! I have frequently drunk cold tea in my life, but usually out of desperation rather than choice and there is no doubt a nice hot cuppa is best!
I have fallen in love with this amazing tea-cosy from talented designer Mary Tanner and her luscious Folksy shop, The Linen Tree. It is absolutely stunning, so colourful, bright and beautifully made, it's my foot stamping, jumping up and down, head-banging "I want" item! Have I made myself clear?







But how will I drink this perfect cuppa? Through a straw? Don't be daft! I'm off to find a cup. I have decided that only a proper tea-cup and saucer are worthy of this special brew, and look what I have found! Perfect for Mother's Day (Mothering Sunday) this weekend but to be honest, perfect for mum any day! Sooo adorable, I bet even cold tea tastes great in this! Folksy designer Emmy Lou calls this little feathered chap one their 'marching birds' which I think is a really cute description! Please stop by Emmy's lovely shop, It was Meant to Bee, to see her other teacup creations and textile makes.






Just to make this tea drinking experience complete, I need one more thing. Is it milk? No, as I've said I'm not fussy. Sugar? Nope again. Cake? Ah, Now you're talking...can you get some for me please?