Exploring Etsy: Tea Party!

For those of you who know me, you will know about my obsession with tea! I love the whole idea of a tea party, from the tea cups, to the little cakes. It just makes me happy thinking about it!

I know it's still January so an outdoor tea party isn't likely to happen for a few months, but that doesn't mean I can't indulge in a little indoor tea party! This EE will be looking at all the tea-related items that can be found on Etsy!

I suppose there's no point having a tea party if the tea isn't going to taste nice! Letteredandlined have made an amazing print to stop that problem! The teabags explain what temperature the water should be and how long the tea should be steeped for! This print is £14.67 and can be found here.

Oh if only I knew how to embroider! It would be amazing to make these! If you're fortunate enough to have this skill, Bumpkin has uploaded the PDF of  these three embroidery patterns! I love the stack of teacups :) £7.62 for the patterns for these three prints and they can be found here.

Can't bear to be too far from your favourite teas? Well eljahb has got that problem sorted for you! She has designed these cute teabag holders so you can take up to 4 teabags with you wherever you go! They're made to order therefore you can choose your fabric :) These delights are only £4.99 and can be found here.

Teaspoonsf has put together this amazing kit to make delicious teabag-shaped biscuits! I love this idea :) It would be great to make Earl Grey flavoured biscuits with this biscuit cutter! Definitely something I'm going to have to invest in... This kit is £8.43 and can be purchased here.

You know that I like my hair accessories, and what better than a teabag hair clip! PopandMoo have truly thought of everything here. Look at its cute, smily face :) This hair clip is on a barrette clip, which will be very secure in your hair. This little guy costs only £5.12 and can be found here.
 

Every tea party needs decoration! To be honest, this would be right at home in my kitchen. NerdThatDraws has crafted this amazing garland using card and vintage fabrics to give it a lovely, homely feel. This garland is £10 and can be bought here.

Do you have little ones who want to join in the fun? Dearmykids has kindly put up a PDF pattern to make this adorable teaset from felt, which even includes little sugar cubes! Because you have the pattern, you could make the teaset in your child's favourite colours! The pattern is £3.75 and can be downloaded from here.

This teapot isn't as cutesy as the other things I have posted! Bycandlelight27 has handpainted this amazing skull design onto a teapot. Perfect for the skull-lovers who also love a cuppa! There are also teacups available in the skull design, so you can have a matching set. The teapot is £16.00 and can be found here.

What's the point in having a teapot if the tea in it is just going to get cold? SimplyWestCoast has knitted this amazing tea cosy with gorgeous felt sheep appliquéd to the front! The tea cosy is made to order and will fit a one or two cup teapot. The tea cosy is £18.73 and can be found here.

FlyingSquirrelNest has created this gorgeous 3-tier cake (or biscuit!) stand using plates and saucers. A very creative way of recycling unused crockery! I love the colours and design of this stand, although there are plenty more to choose from in the shop! This cake stand is £31.85 and can be bought here.

So that's it for this EE! I hope that you enjoyed looking at all the tea-related goodies I found! No doubt I'll have another tea-themed Exploring Etsy in the future! There are so many amazing items on Etsy!

Pattern-herd: Christmas Garlands!

The Coca-Cola advert has been on TV here in England. That can only mean one thing: the holidays are coming! If you're organised, then this post will probably be too late for you. For those of you who like the thrill and adrenaline of being last minute, then this post is for you!

Christmas garlands! They're a perfect way to quickly decorate any room in your house or string it around the tree instead of tinsel for a personal-touch :)

1) Christmas Light Advent Calendar by Laura Campbell

A brilliant way to count down to the big day! Put chocolate or other little presents into the lights and you could embroider a number of each of the lights! Available as a free download from Ravelry.

2) Crochet Snowflake Garland by Mary Jane Protus

These gorgeous snowflakes would brighten up any Christmas tree! The snowflakes individually would look great as appliqués on jumpers or accessories :) Pattern available for free on Red Heart.

3) Jolly Festive Bunting by Lucy of Attic24

Those socks are amazing! Anyway... This bunting by Lucy is so bright and colourful! It's a great way to liven up and make any house look fun and ready for the holidays :) This pattern is available for free on Lucy's blog, Attic 24.

4) Crocheted Paper Chains by Steph Giddens

You won't need to make paper chains any more once you've crocheted this! A very easy pattern that's perfect for beginners, just getting in to the world of crochet! Pattern available on Lovestitches blog for free!

5) "Popcorn" Christmas Garland by Natalie Clegg

That tree is such a fantastic colour! A slightly alternative way to adorn your tree with a funky "popcorn" garland. This pattern is a free Ravelry download.

6) Garland of Pinwheels by Mary Jane Protus

This is a slightly more advanced pattern than others that I've posted today, but it's worth the time and concentration! Completed with little bells for the essential Christmas "jingle". This pattern is available for free from Red Heart.

7) Christmas Stars by Barbara Wilder

This pattern is in German, but there is a crochet diagram at the bottom of the blog post for those who can read them. This garland is perfect for not only Christmas, but also decorating children's rooms all year around! This is a free pattern available on Barbara Wilder's blog.

8) Snowflake Garland by Nancy Anderson

Another snowflake garland with gorgeously crochet snowflakes! Guaranteed to get anyone in a christmassy mood :) Another amazing, free pattern that's available on Red Heart.

9) Smitten (a Holiday Garland) by Emily Ivey

A knitting pattern this time! Another countdown-calendar, so you'd better get a wriggle on if you're making it! These gorgeous little mittens will become an heirloom and a tradition for your family each year :) Fill with little presents, sweets or anything else you'd like to make the countdown to Christmas even more exciting!! This pattern is available for free on KnitPicks.

10) Amigurumi Holiday Lights by Jill Watt

Time for a cute garland now! Look at their adorable little faces :) These holiday lights would even make Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch smile! This pattern is a free Ravelry download.

I hope that you like this first pattern-herd! I will try and make it a weekly-affair, every Thursday, and bring you some brilliant patterns from the world of Ravelry!