Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Memorial Day Hutch

Hutch with vintage china porcelain plates
Red, white, and blue vintage china arrangement

For Memorial Day I arranged red, white and blue porcelain and glassware in my china cabinet.  I will probably tweek this display until past the 4th of July. 
(Even now I see a spot where I would add a small plate - the lower left corner - sigh...)


Spring vintage china porcelain plates
Closeup of China


Currently, one of my favorite plate sets (that I actually use) is the Royal Cauldon plate (shown below).  I used this plate multiple times in this hutch arrangement.  I have eight dinner and eight bread plates.  


Spring vintage china porcelain plates
Royal Cauldon dinner plate - pattern 4587.  10.25 inches diameter.


What I love about this set is the curvey hand painted edging and the broad gilt edge.  The individual plate doesn't jump out at you in the hutch, but holding a plate in your hand and seeing the micro dots and wavy lines is something else.  And I marvel at the hand painting skill that the craftspeople had to have to paint each plate so consistently.


Welsh Dresser Hutch vintage china plate display
Hand-painted edging detail of 3 Cauldon China plates


I got the Royal Cauldon plates at the end of a 3-4 day estate sale, during the bag sale portion.  A bag sale is when there is so much left over stuff that they let you fill a bag for $5.00.  My lucky day.


Spring vintage china porcelain plates
Detail of China in hutch


The Limoge France gold edged plate (below) has a beautiful gilt border with a relief design in the gilt.  This plate didn't photograph particularily well - it's more beautiful then it looks here.

Limoge France dinner plate
Limoge France dinner plate - 9.5 inches diameter


Another plate that is hard to photograph but that I really like is the Sakura plate (Galaxy pattern) shown below.  This is a contemporary (Holiday?) plate set sold by Target in the last decade or so.  I got a set of them at a rummage sale and I love them.  But to get the gold stars to show as gold makes the navy blue plate want to photograph as black.  It is also looking like the lip is curved, when really it is just the way the window light is lighting it.  LOL.  Aren't these blog posts an exercise in patience or what?   

Sakura dinner plate Galaxy pattern
Sakura dinner plate, Galaxy pattern - 9.5 inches diameter


And I decided to confess - I bought the red and white plates and mugs at a recent estate sale just for arranging on my hutch.  I could buy a bunch of flowers and enjoy them for a week, or enjoy these plates and mugs for years to come.  I figured they would add some wow to my arrangement.
[The 5 mugs with the stars on the bottom are Fitz and Floyd porcelain]




Remembering why we have Memorial Day - Click here for a post and WW2 photos from Okinawa with my favorite WW2 vet - my Dad.  We should all appreciate those who have defended our liberty.

 

Click on the images to see them enlarged.


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

hutch display
My Collection of all Hutch Posts!

































   
I am linking to these parties:
A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 30 (Entry 23 gone)
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 137 (Entry 10 of 18.)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thur (Entry 71 gone.) 
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 90 (Entry 83 gone.) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 133 (Entry 50 gone.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 108 (Entry 62 gone.) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 55 (Entry 60 gone.)  
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 111 (Entry 12 gone.)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 71 gone.)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration (Entry 14 of 231.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 120 of 300.) *
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 12 gone.) 
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 156 (Entry 42 gone.)
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday 30 (Entry 87 gone.)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 40 gone.) 
Snap: Show and Tell (Entry 132 gone.)
Life on Lakeshore: Blog hop 11 (Entry 12 of 59.) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 71 gone.)
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 189 (Entry 73 gone.) *
Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 148 gone.)
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 37 del.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 82 (Entry 219 del.)
Twigg: Sunday Showoff (Entry 82 del.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 113 (Entry 57 del.)
Making the World Cuter 54 (Entry 46 del.)
Uncommon Design: Monday Funday 20 (Entry 195 of 595.)
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x del.)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 11 (Entry 10 del.) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 104 (Entry 4 gone.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 119 gone.) *
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 166  (Entry 65 gone.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 167 (Entry 22 of 218.)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 137  (Entry 45) 
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 69 (Entry 111)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 89 (Entry 30)
Diamond: Time to Shine 27 (Entry 42)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 47 (Entry 7)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 121 (Entry 198) h *
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 166) 
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed 113 (Entry 33)  
Family Home: Wow us Wed (Entry 25)
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed (Entry 64) 
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 173 (Entry 22)

Southern Lovely: Show Share 95 (Entry 28)
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 114 (Entry 116)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 56)
Snap Creativity: Show and Tell (Entry )
Blue Egg: Vintage Love (Entry ) 

This post was featured on Snap Creativity - Patriotic Projects
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Sunday, May 19, 2013

A Collection of Shells

Sea shells

Wisconsin is pretty far from both oceans, so it might be surprising that a lifelong Midwestern resident would end up collecting shells.  Especially since I have only been to the ocean perhaps four times in the last 20 years.  However, I am drawn to most natural objects, (flowers, rocks, plants, etc.) and since I don't have shells nearby perhaps it makes sense that I would collect them.  (Does that make sense?)

Sea shells and star fish

How does one collect shells far from the shores of any salt water body?  You might laugh when I tell you rummage sales.  But over the years, at estate and rummage sales I have been purchasing shells I like as I find them.  I thinks it's a hysterical way to collect shells, actually.  I also have found a couple of beautiful shell books.

Sea shells vignette

I made a little shell arrangement in my guest bathroom with some of my finds, along with a silver faux coral decoration I found at a decorator store.

At one rummage sale I found the glass globe below, which was dusty and full of shells.  I took the shells out, washed both the globe and shells, and arranged some of favorite shells back into the globe.  I think it looks like a bubble, kind of seashore appropriate.  


Sea shells vignette with glass globe 

When I was growing up, I have good memories of the handful of times I got to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and I remember looking for shells on Sanibel Island in Florida.  When I was in high school I became a certified diver and had some fantastic diving vacations.  And then - children.  They have been to the ocean once, for one day.  They preferred the hotel pool, and didn't like the salty taste of the water.  They are teenagers now.  I hope it's not too late to give them a love for the oceans and shells...

Click on the images to see them larger. 


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Butterfly pin
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Elves Chasm
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I am linking up to these memes:
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 124 (Entry 46 of 124.)
Under the Table: Sunday Showcase 195 (Entry 133 of 305.)
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sun 152 (Entry 91 of 97.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 80 (Entry 444 of 507.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 111 (Entry 68)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 10 of 148.)
Uncommon Design: Monday Funday (Entry 267 of 579.)
Dwellings: Amaze Me Mon 7 (Entry 43 of 63.)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 9 (Entry 9 of 185.) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 102 (Entry 5 of 67.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 226 (Entry 39 of 190.) *
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x)
Hickory Trail: Assets and Efforts (Entry 168) 
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tue 164 (Entry 74 of 257.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 165 (Entry 110 of 210.)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 87 (Entry 37 of ?)
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 67 (Entry 14 of 332.)
Uncommon Slice: Tue Treasures 135  (Entry 141 of 248x) 
Diamond: Time to Shine 117 (Entry 56 of 147.)
Cozy House: Tweak it Tue 41 (Entry 95)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 45 (Entry 24 of 37.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 119 (Entry 110 of 354.) h *
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 37)

Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed 111 (Entry 2 of 96.)  
Family Home: Wow us Wed 11 (Entry 73 of 95.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 89 (Entry 79)
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed 75 (Entry 7 of 47.) 
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 171 (Entry 4 of 415.)

Southern Lovely: Show Share 93 (Entry 2 of 274.)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 59 (Entry 27
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 112 (Entry 118) 
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 42)
Snap Creativity: Show and Tell (Entry 37)
Creative Princess: Its a Party 107 (Entry 72)
A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 25 (Entry 30)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 205, (Entry 203) *
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 149 (Entry 67)
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 132 (Entry 25)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 68 (Entry 66) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home (Entry 62)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 110 (Entry 18)
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 115)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 286) 
Snap: Show and Tell (Entry 182)
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 87) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 28)  
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 188 (Entry 69) *
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sun 153 (Entry 20)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 81 (Entry 107)

This post was featured at Ivy and Elephants

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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Art in Bloom 2013

For the moms out there, here are some Mother's Day flowers for you to enjoy...
Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Flower arrangement for Milton Resnick's painting  "East is the Place"
(by Gaby Bras Floral Design)
The Milwaukee Art Museum holds a show each spring called Art In Bloom.  It is one of my favorite events in the spring. Art in Bloom is held mid-April, before spring really starts in Milwaukee, so viewers get to enjoy flowers and greens before they are appearing outside.  (I also get to enjoy flowers that will not be appearing outside, like the orchids in the arrangement below.)

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Flower arrangement for "Mummy Coffin of Pedusiri" (by New Leaf Floral)
At Art in Bloom, selected art works in the museum are interpreted by area florists, many of whom are competing for view choice awards. Some of the arrangements are stunningly beautiful, and some are more abstract. There were over 45 arrangements in this year's show (2013) show.

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Arrangement for John Singleton Copley's painting "Alice Hooper"
(by Sendik Food Market)
It fun to see the floral designer's work, the "state of the art" design concepts in floral arrangements.  Each year there are new plant materials and techniques.  My daughter and I rate the arrangements.  It's fun to see her perspective.

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Flower arrangement detail - hydrangeas and contrasting plant material
Art in Bloom is also a great place for me to be able to photograph flowers up close in lovely and unique combinations.  The colors of flowers can be so incredibly vibrant, it takes my breath away.

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Flower arrangement detail - orchids and roses
The flower arrangements also help you to study and notice more about the artwork that inspired the arrangement. It really makes it an enjoyable event. 

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Flower arrangement for Jan Swart van Groningen's triptych, 
(by Nicholas Carl Design)
Don't the pink roses and matching pink tulips work well together in the photo below?  And I am going to try to mix in Queen Annes Lace into some flower arrangements this summer.

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement
Flower arrangement detail - tulips and roses
I'm sharing this on my blog because flowers and flower arrangements are inspirational to me, and I know many bloggers decorate with flowers sometimes.  Funny, rarely do my arrangements at home look like these.

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom flower arrangement

Flower arrangement for Jan Swart van Groningen's triptych, 
(by Nicholas Carl Design)
For the vintage parties I link to, the art is antique and vintage.  And so is flower arranging.


Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...
Chicago Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Garden
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Art in Bloom 2010










I am linking to these parties:

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur (Entry 40 of 85.) 
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 135 (Entry 13 of 25.)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thur 66 (Entry 67 of 105.) 
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 147 (Entry 127 of 344.) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 130 (Entry 4 of 219.)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 43 (Entry 14 of 54b.)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed (Entry 93 of 105.)
Family Home: Wow us Wed 11 (Entry 87 of 92.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 87 (Entry 76 of 279.) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 57 (Entry 60 of 103.
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 106 (Entry 4 of 103.)
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 107 (Entry 205 of 215.)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 95 of 171.)
Joyful Homemaking Think Tank Thur 29 (Entry 31 of 102.)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 118 (Entry 54 of 159.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 108 (Entry 5 of 65.)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 77 of 323.)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration (Entry 32 of 217.)
Blue Egg: Vintage Love (Entry 12 of 19.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 87 of 287.) *
Chic: Flaunt it Fri 153 (Entry 25 of 226.)
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 313 of 319.)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 713 of 749.) 
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 9 of 150.) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 62 of 65.)  
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 186 (Entry 152 of 152.) *
Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 252 of 256.)
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 91 of 93.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 79 (Entry 398 of 472.)
Twigg Studios: Sun Showoff (Entry 88 of 98.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 110 (Entry 65 of 161.)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 65 of 204.)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 17 (Entry 235 of 570.)
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 6 (Entry 16 of 207.) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 101 (Entry 13 of 74.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 85 of 208.) *
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 163 (Entry 59 of 250.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 164 (Entry 28 of 238.)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 86 (Entry 20 of 64.)
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 66 (Entry 173 of 356.)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 134  (Entry 82 of 248.) 
Diamond: Time to Shine 116 (Entry 124 of 158.)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 44 (Entry 10b of 46.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 118 (Entry 228 of 347.) h *
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 44 of 251.)
Fishtail Cottage: Cottage Party 2 (Entry 22 of 59.)
Fertilizer Friday (Entry 33 of 35.)


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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Spring Needlework

Vintage cross stitch flowers floral
Vintage Cross Stitch from a tea towel
Here in Wisconsin, the daffodils started blooming the last weekend in April - and the tulips had buds, the grass was green, but the trees were still bareSince spring is finally starting I decided to share some very spring-like vintage needlework linens I have collected.  One word that describes these linens is "Sweet".  

Vintage cross stitch flowers floral
Vintage Cross stitch detail from a pillowcase

The two photos above show two cross stitch samples.  I love the coloration on these two projects - so beautiful and springy.  I have made a few cross stitch projects, mostly Christmas ornaments, and so I have an appreciation for the time cross stitch takes.  (About eight hours to make a small Christmas ornament).  So when I see a lovely project at an estate sale or rummage sale, I enjoy collecting it. 

blanket stitch applique needlework flowers vintage
Vintage blanket stitch hand applique detail

The next type of needlework I am sharing I have only ever seen at estate or rummage sales, but now I have several examples.  The brightly colored blanket stitch hand applique is fascinating to me.  The blanket stitches are so tiny and nearly invisible on the back.  The fabric appliqued has beautiful variations in color, and the color is so pure.     

Vintage applique needlework flowers blanket stitch
Details from two hand appliqued tea towels

Above I am showing the two towels together so you can see the differences in the placement of the color, for example in the blue flower.  These towels may have been "mass produced", (I am guessing), but the needlework is still done by hand.   







Needlework tree in bloom
Needlework tree in bloom

This final example is machine done (I presume). A whimsical tree in bloom shines on the lightest weight pink fabric.  I like how the designer made the trunk detail have actual holes through the fabric.  This example is also from a towel, and I find the pink and gray combination sophisticated.  

I hope these springy needlework linens cheer you as much as they cheer me.

Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:
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Stockings
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Heart Quilt
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Mosaic Heart
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Butterfly Bling
















I am linking to these parties:

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 22 (Entry 64 of 91.)
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 134 (Entry 25 of 32.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 107 (Entry 4 of 56.)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 65 (Entry 89 of 106.) 
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 86 (Entry 186 of 268.) 
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 146 (Entry 270 of 375.) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 129 (Entry 177 of 260.) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Thur 117 (Entry 49 of 143.) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 56 (Entry 88 of 116.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 105 (Entry 103 of 117.) 
Blue Egg: Vintage Love Thur (Entry 8 of 19.) 
Creative Princess: Its a Party 103 (Entry 122 of 136.)
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 15 of 141.) 
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday 150 (Entry 56 of 94.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 78 (Entry 235 of 546.)
Simple Five: Inspire me Fri 101 (Entry 15 of 128.) 
Rooted in Thyme: Simple and Sweet Fri (Entry 56 of 77.)
Dedicated: Anything Blue Fri 7 (Entry 5 of 78.)
Natasha in Oz: Say G'day Sat 66 (Entry 118 of 191.) 
504Main: Tickled Pink 144 (Entry 161 of 238.) 
Be Different: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 288 of 345.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Mon 224 (Entry 133 of 206.) *
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 100 (Entry 27 of 64.)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 122 (Entry 24 of 132.) h
Stephanie Lynn: Sunday Showcase 193 (Entry 195 of 266.) 
Making the World Cuter 53 (Entry 102 of 190.)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 16 (Entry 57 of 623.)
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 162 (Entry 19 of 252.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 110 (Entry 60 of 171.) 
Dedicated: Make it Pretty Mon 48 (Entry 97 of 339.)
Family Home: Wow Us Wed (Entry 43 of 92.)
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 169 (Entry 89 of 421.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 117 (Entry 165 of 367.) h *

Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 1 of 235.)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 43 (Entry 30b of 54.) 
Annamarie: Link your Stuff (Entry 174 of 205.)
Le Chateau des fleurs: Mon Link Party  (Entry 178 of 240.)
Cottage market: Junkin Joe Vintage  (Entry 38 of 39.)
Dwellings: Amaze me Mon 5 (Entry 52 of 60.) 
Cozy House: Tweak it Tuesday 39 (Entry 119 of 131.)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 44 of 171.)

 
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