Mug Rug Exchange - Do it yourself style!

[Hannelore N.]

What is the difference between English and German tea? I have been told, American tea is nothing like English. Inquiring minds need to know these things.

[Norma H.]

Love the colors and the cat :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Hannelore N.]

There are lots of different blends of tea, Ritzy. Most of them are a mix of different Indian tea leaves, but you can get loose leaf tea that comes from one source only, like for example 'Orange Pekoe'. There is also a big difference between tea made from the whole leaf, or tea made from only the tips of the leaves (expensive! very delicate flavour). I used to work next to offices (and bonded warehouses) of the largest European tea importer. You'd expect that one to be based in England, but they actually were in Hamburg. Quite often unusual teas, with little handwritten notes explaining all about the teas, were given to me by one of the managers. I think he tried to impress me . Typical black German tea is a blend that is often called 'Ostfriesentee' (East Frisian Tea) after the area in the very North of Germany where a lot of tea is drunk. It's different from blends used in England because it tastes nice with cream in it, rather than milk. And if you know how to, you can actually 'float' a layer of cream on top of the tea (just come over and I'll show you ) ...... Anyway...... The German tea I included with Connie's mug rug is not a black tea, but a fruit one, bought in Koblenz, a city on the river Rhine.

[Jane R.]

Terri,
Just regular Crayola crayons in the big box with 96 colors. Always use the white crayon either as a base and/or on top of your chosen color and it blends very well. Hot iron--have been told to use a paper towel or muslin between the iron and the project. I tried that, and not using anything. I've never noticed a difference and nothing has stuck to the iron. Quite fun to see the results. And, since I can't paint worth beans, I resort to my childhood and the crayons.

[E.M. T.]

Lovely coloring, Jane !! I've done a bit of that, too. I think the press clothe can be helpful to
absorb any extra wax...especially when doing stronger colors. I use a paper towel, laying down
the colored piece wrong side up on it and pressing ( not ironing) with a hot iron. Careful not
to scorch ! It does set the dye into fiber. You can do a lot of fun things and it's really nice added
to embroidery projects !

[E.M. T.]

Tea: Love it! The Brits have one called "Yorkshire", which I always order when my friend goes over, she comes back with a box as big as will fit in her suitcase. I found it in a grocery store when I visited many years ago. Twinings has a great tea called 'Irish breakfast Tea", and that is one of my favourites that I can get here. I also happen to be lucky enough to have a stepson who just came back from India (brought loose tea) *and* a friend who just came back from SriLanka (used to be Ceylon) and yes, she brought lots of loose tea. Lorchen, I didn't know that the tea you sent was German, but I should have noticed from the writing on the package - thanks very much! BTW - I hope one day you can teach me to float cream! When I go to the States, I bring my own baggie with tea, and just ask for hot water, but it's not usually hot enough.

Jane: do you mean WAX crayons or Pencil crayons (both by Crayola) I want to try this technique.

Did anyone else get their Houston Promo Flyer in the mail yet? Mine came yesterday. Can't be that time yet!!

[E.M. T.]

Terrie..don't know about Jane..but I use plain old Crayola crayons...wax...here is a link
where you can get some instructions. This designer does lots of work in crayon tinting.
She's quite popular around this part of the world....look under"other stuff" and scroll
down a little way. Waiting for dark to watch our town fireworks.... a happy 4th !

[E.M. T.]

That was clever ! ops: ops: ops: forgot the link ! http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com

[E.M. T.]

Thanks, Marilyn.

Happy 4th of July - enjoy the fireworks.

[Jane R.]

Yes, Terri, plain old Crayola crayons (wax). Love the Crabapple Hill patterns. Have done 3 or 4 and have that many in the wings waiting to be started. There are a couple of new ones that are small and use this technique that you will see on her site--easily finished in time for this fall. Have fun.

[Jane R.]

Lorchen--thank you for the info. Always glad to learn new things. I will be over as soon as I can to see the floating cream. Thanks for the invite. ;o)

[Jane R.]

Great mug rugs Jane and Lorchen. Enjoy them Cathy and Connie.

[Jane R.]

Thanks, Jane

[Jane R.]

Terri, I need ur address please for ur mug rug.

[Jane R.]

I will be leaving for the coast in the morning. So I will be getting back to making mug rugs in about a week or so when I get back. I am so looking forward to vacation at the NC beach!!!!!!!!!!!