Susan Bates - Designing the “Cup of Tea” Patterns for StitchableCards

Photo credits for moodboard: Blue and White Teacup by Morgan Sessions, Teacup Overhead Shot by Debby Hudson, Vase of Flowers by Debby Hudson, Pen and Paper by Towfiqu barbhuiya, and Flowers in Envelope by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash.

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One of the first things I do in the morning is put the kettle on and make myself a nice,
hot cup of tea. For me, the day doesn’t truly begin until I’ve had that first sip.

One of the lovely things about tea is everything that comes with it: pretty mugs, cups
and saucers, teapots, and tea infusers. And then there are the amazing flavours of tea
that you can find these days — two of my favourites are banana bread and chocolate
digestive tea.

Part of what makes tea so enjoyable is the ritual: boiling the water, letting the tea
steep, then adding your milk of choice. Sometimes, the slow, deliberate process of
making tea is the perfect excuse to pause and enjoy a quiet moment.

So, as you’ll see, for this set of designs, my focus is all about tea — here you'll find
pretty designs in delicate colours, all celebrating the enjoyment and appreciation of a
good cup of tea!

For the first design in this set, I’ve focused on a pretty little teacup. Its decorated with a soft pale blue pattern, and a tiny bird is perched on the rim. Instead of tea, the cup holds a sweet little floral arrangement, adding a whimsical touch. 

A pale pink background enhances the delicate feel of the design: altogether, it’s a gentle, charming piece that captures the quiet beauty of tea time – and of nature!

For the circular design, the main focal point is a teapot resting on a stack of books. The cream-coloured teapot is decorated with delicate pink flowers and leafy details. Once used for brewing and serving tea, it now holds a charming little display of flowers, bringing a fresh and nostalgic feel to the piece.

The phrase “tea for two” evokes a cosy, intimate setting — a quiet moment shared between two people over a pot of tea. It suggests warmth, conversation, and companionship, all within a relaxed and comforting atmosphere. 

With its timeless, vintage charm, the phrase often brings to mind afternoon teas, floral china, and the gentle pace of slower, more thoughtful moments.

In this design, I’ve tried to capture that feeling by depicting two vintage-style teacups sitting side by side within a heart-shaped frame. The cups are adorned with delicate floral patterns, and the background echoes this with a repeat of the same tiny flowers, creating a sweet and harmonious look.

Although much of our correspondence is digital these days, it’s still a real treat to receive a letter in the post. Enjoying a cup of tea while reading a note from a
loved one is one of life’s simple pleasures — a quiet moment to pause, relax, and take a break from a busy day. 

In this design, the heart on the envelope symbolises love, while the flowers add a decorative and playful touch.

The pale pink background and soft pastel tones of the envelope are gently uplifted by the bright red heart and cheerful, colourful flowers, bringing warmth and charm to the overall composition.