Country Living Women Entrepreneurs

Country Living magazine has an annual event that celebrates women entrepreneurs. This year's event, Country Living Women Entrepreneurs --A Celebration of Creativity, held in Chicago on March 15, will be the first I have attended. I will be joining several of my Make Mine Pink sisters to cheer loudly as our own Joyce Lucas, Founder of Make Mine Pink, receives one of the coveted awards.

The March issue of Country Living features a write-up on each of the eight winners. I found them all to be inspirational, but Joyce's article on page 39 is the one that the magazine opens to. I have read and reread it so many times that it is forever bound to open there. Not that I didn't already know the story. I did, but I am just so proud and happy that the woman we affectionately call Mama Bear is receiving this much-deserved honor!

I have been a member of MakeMinePink since May, 2006. It was the best thing I could have done for my business. Aside from the marketing opportunities, the forum introduced me to some of the most helpful women that I have ever known. It is a community of like-minded individuals, sharing many of the same interests, coming from a variety of backgrounds, possessing various levels of business experience, working together to promote each other’s businesses. And the force behind all this is Joyce. She is selfless in her promotion of the website and its members. Without her tender care, encouragement, gentle pushes to move out of my comfort zone, and watchful care and concern, I would not be the confident business owner I am today.

I don't know if you have ever really looked at the little purse icon that each member of MakeMinePink displays on their websites and blogs. It says: "A Proud Member of Make Mine Pink". And I am!

Congratulations, Joyce! Pink--It's more than a color. It's the color of success!

Tea Time Jewelry

I am so excited! My dear friend, Erica, from Meadow Street, has been working on a line of tea-themed jewelry for my shop. I just received the first pieces on Saturday, and they are just beautiful! Her attention to detail is extraordinary. She has hand picked all the components, set stones, added vintage buttons to many, made tiny silk roses, and added bits of vintage lace. Have a look:



I am in the process of writing descriptions and will hopefully have them available to purchase in my shop on Tuesday. If you see a piece that you have to have, don't delay. Some are one-of-a-kind! And all are to-die-for!

Another Dressed To A Tea Cozy--Pink!

I just finished the pink taffeta version of my Dressed To A Tea Cozy. Have a look:

Wouldn't this be lovely for a Mother/Daughter Tea?

New Tea Cozy! Dressed To A Tea

Introducing my latest creation—a tea cozy all dressed up for your next tea! This new dome-style tea cozy is designed to look like a ball gown, handcrafted from taffeta and is trimmed in venice lace, beaded trim, lace appliques, organdy bows and ribbon roses. Batting and poly-fil are sandwiched between the taffeta and lining to keep your pot warm while chatting with your guests. Decorations may vary slightly with availability of trims, but will be similar to the photos. Fits most 4-6 cup teapots. A Sweet Necessi-Teas original design!

Available in burgundy and green,and ivory (great for weddings and Bridal teas). Coming soon in pink!

For pricing, visit my website at http://www.sweetnecessi-teas.com/.

New Tea Time Pretties

I just love January! Once the Christmas decorations come down, I begin to think about Spring. Not planting (I don't have a green thumb), but tea occasions. All the pretty Spring fabrics start arriving and I just have to create something pretty.

This year the creative urge has come a bit earlier for me than usual. Our temps have been so moderate that it just feels like Spring. Plus, my DH had shoulder surgery last week and is home bound for awhile. I hate to leave him for long, so I have been staying in and sewing. It has worked out very nicely--I sew while he reads or plays on the computer. (Normally, because he travels so much, I don't like to shut myself away when he is home.)

Here are just a few of the pretties that I made last week:

Sweetheart Apron--Tickled PinkTea Cup and Saucer Tote--Tickled PinkSweetheart Apron--Tea Rose

Tea Cup and Saucer Tote--Tea Rose

All of these are in my shop now, but may not last... Spring is just around the corner!

New Royal Patrician Products Announced!

I am so excited! I just received my new Royal Patrician Product Catalog and the new additions to the line are just beautiful. Have a look at my favorite:

The pattern is called Petite Rose. This one is on my birthday, Mother's Day, Anniversary and Christmas list for this year!

To see more of the new Royal Patrician products and check availability, please visit my website: www.SweetNecessi-Teas.com (All of the new products will be in stock by Feb. 15, but you can order now...)

Happy New Year!

Dear Friend,
I just wanted to say Happy New Year! I woke up early this morning, but lay in bed awhile--my head was swimming with thoughts of what this new year would bring! I love having a clean slate, so to speak. Everything is new again. The past is behind and the future begins today. What will your new year bring?

I am determined to live life on purpose this year. I want to make every moment count. I find myself wasting so much time on frivolous things. Life is a gift from God and I want to live it accordingly.

This year I resolve to make relationships a priority--with God, husband, children, parents, friends, and those who need a friend.

I resolve to keep things in proper perspective. I am not in control of the universe--God is. I will let Him run it and not fret when things aren't going the way I think they should. He has the master plan!

I resolve to do the best I can in every situation. I am not perfect, but will try to do every task and handle every difficulty to the best of my ability without whining or grumbling.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18

May your new year be a blessed one!

Karen

Christmas Gifts for the Tea Enthusiast!

There's still time to order a gift for the tea enthusiast on your Christmas list! Dec. 20th is the last day to order with guaranteed delivery, but why wait? If you place an order by 11 AM (and pay by PayPal), I guarantee to ship same day.

New product in my shop:

Ashley Tea Set

This exquisite tea set would be perfect for an Afternoon Tea-for-Two! The fine porcelain china set consists of 9 pieces: a 4-cup teapot, covered sugar, creamer, and 2 cup and saucer sets. Each delicate piece features full-blown white roses against a soft green background. Note the graceful scallops and 22-Karat gold trim. Just beautiful! 1 set available.

Rose Garden Chintz Teapot and Snack Set

This sweet porcelain tea set would make a lovely gift! The set includes a 4-cup teapot and a coordinating tea cup and snack plate. Beautiful details include 22-Kt gold trim, graceful curving handles, scalloped edges, and features pink roses against an ecru background. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Just delightful!

Numi’s Dancing Leaves Teapot

Numi's Dancing Leaves Teapot provides the finest handsewn Flowering Tea leaves and flowers offered together in a glass teapot for a unique and distinguished gift.
Contains 1 teapot and 1 of each of the following Flowering Teas: Flower Jewel, Starlight Rose, Dragon Lily, Emerald Sun, and Golden Jasmine. Delightful!

The durable glass teapot is the best way to watch a flowering tea bloom. They serve up to 14 oz. of tea.
Teapot dimensions are: 4.25 in. (h) x 5.25 in. (w) x 4.25 in. (d)

Check my website for availability.

A Big Day at Make Mine Pink!

Today is a very busy day for all of us at Make Mine Pink! We have two special events going on all week and they begin today.

First, be sure to stop in and check out the sales and special offers during our MMP Christmas Extraganza. There are so many shops participating and so many special offers that you will be able to do most of your Christmas shopping on-line! Just think--no traffic, no crowds....

My special offer: Make your list and check it twice and find the perfect gift for the tea enthusiast in your life. During the week of Dec. 3-9, take 10% off any order over $25. plus receive free gift wrapping (Royal Patrician items excluded) on 1 item per order. Use the code: MMPCE at checkout. To keep for yourself: each order will ship with a free gift--a gold-plated demi teaspoon from Royal Patrician!

Second, today the bloggers at MMP are hosting a virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange. Starting today and continuing throughout the week, the Bloggers at Make Mine Pink will post a favorite cookie recipe or two, maybe a few family traditions, some Christmas Cheer and a quick peek at their Christmas Décor. How about you, will you do the same? If you leave a comment here we will be sure visit your blog.

Santa's Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup corn syrup
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (11 ounce) package white chocolate chips
1 (1.4 ounce) bar chocolate covered English toffee, chopped
1 (4 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, halved

Beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl until well blended; stir in corn syrup, egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add this dry mixture to butter mixture. Blend well. Cover and refrigerate dough for 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll each ball in sugar mixture and arrange on a cookie sheet. Using your thumb, make an indentation in center of each cookie.
Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until just set.
Remove the cookies from the oven. If the indentation has grown indistinct, use the top of a spoon and press indentation in further. Immediately place 1 teaspoon white chips into each indentation. After several minutes, swirl the melted chips with a spoon. Top with toffee bits and maraschino cherry halves (if desired). Cool cookies on a wire rack.

MMP Cookie Exchange

Join the Make Mine Pink Bloggers for a Christmas Cookie Exchange.

Since it will be difficult to get us all together~ let’s exchange our favorite cookie recipes. Starting December 3 and throughout the week, the Bloggers at Make Mine Pink will post a favorite cookie recipe or two, maybe a few family traditions, some Christmas Cheer and a quick peek at their Christmas Décor.

How about you, will you do the same? If you leave a comment on the Make Mine Pink Blog we will be happy to visit your blog. Please have cookies ready!