Selep Imaging Blog

Batik Star Quilt

2011-09-25T22:23:00.029-05:00

Batik Quilt Top

Today I am sharing a scrap quilt top I made with batik fabric I have collected over the years. I finished this quilt top more then a year ago. One of my goals for 2011 (with 2012 as a fall-back) is to actually put a back on this top and quilt it. Quilting the quilt tops, and binding the quilt together is something I am not good at, and actually dread. I try hard to piece really well, get seams to line-up, and then when I quilt it - Ugh! everything goes down badly and there are puckers and messes everywhere.

The quilt top has a pieced sash framing squares of batik fabric. The intersections of the sash form white stars. If you squint your eyes a little bit, you can see four darker diamond stars in the pattern. I put them there on purpose - since I have four children I decided there was one diamond for each of them.

Closeup of Quilt top - can you see 4 dark diamonds?

Although this is not a new quilt pattern, I don't know the pattern's actual name. When a similar star sash frames a log cabin quilt, I believe the name of the pattern would be a "Colorado Log Cabin". I didn't include the log cabin blocks, I just wanted to frame and highlight the beautiful batik squares.

In Mar 2011 I shared another batik scrap quilt top I made, this is a different top, although both quilts share many of the same batik fabrics.

The star quilt's dimensions are approximately 36 by 48 inches. By the way, I am joining thrifty and vintage parties with my quilt becuase quilts were originally thrifty, and I consider quilts a vintage art form, or at least vintage inspired.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Heart Quilt

Mosaic Heart

Batik Scrap Quilt

I am linking up to these memes:

Stitched in Color: Celebrate Color (Entry x)

Quilt story: Fabric Tuesday (Entry 50 of 53)

Creative Itch: Sew Cute Tue (Entry 74)

Very Merry Vintage Style (Entry 3)
TShirt Diaries: Stashbusting (Entry 35)

Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 7 (Entry 10)
Running with Glitter Mon 18 (Entry 112)
Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 38)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 29 (Entry 66) h
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 33 (Entry 247)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 133)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 208)

Diamond: Time to Shine 27 (Entry 105)

Todays Crafts: Get Your Craft On Tues (Entry 29)

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 81 (Entry 58 0f 235+)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 183)

* House of Grace: Twice Owned Tues (Entry 48)
Sassy Sites: T2Treasure Tues (Entry 82)
Someday Crafts: What Ever Goes Wed 85 (Entry 550)

Trendy Treehouse: Creative Share Wed (Entry 27)
Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wed (Entry 7 of 361+)
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 37 of 43+)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 64 (Entry 40)

Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 11)
Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thur (Entry 36)
Shabby Creek: Transformation Thur (Entry 228)
Strut your Stuff (Entry 163)

Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 34 (Entry 89)
French Inspiration (Entry 3 of 11)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 27 (Entry 34)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 197)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 57 (Entry 103)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 207)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 72 (Entry 105)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri 34 (Entry 211)
Friday's Unfolded 35 (Entry 93)
Find Fab: Frugalicious Friday (Entry)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 563)
Hodgepodge Friday (Entry)
Addicted to Decorating 30 (Entry 65)

Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 101 (Entry 63)

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry)

Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry)

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry)

Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry)

Trinkets and Treasures (Entry )

Favorite Things Sat (Entry )

Lovely Crafty Weekend 11 (Entry )
Sew-with-love: Crafty Saturday 40 (Entry )
Sew many ways: Sew darn crafty (Entry )
Canoe Ridge: Sew Modern Mon (Entry)
Sweet Gals: Turquoise Loving 6 (Entry)
DIY Project ()
Southern Hosp: Thrifty Treasures

* Stroll Life: Table Top Tues
41939

Marble Madness

2011-08-14T20:31:00.044-05:00

Marbles in a milk glass bowl

I have loved and collected marbles since I was a child. Today I thought I would share with you some modern "Artist marbles" that I bought this year at the 2011 Bead Show in Milwaukee Wisconsin. These marbles combine two of my loves - marbles and glass.

Lampwork Marbles - View A

'Artist Marbles' are the name I call marbles created one at a time by contemporary glass artists. These artist marbles are not bargain priced objects, unfortunately. (How I wish they were, sigh...) The artist can spend more then one hour on a single marble, and so these marbles are usually in the two digit price range. I consider each marble a tiny art work, and so I supported artists by purchasing them. Just doing my part to support the economy. (That's what I told my husband....) (In the first photo I have my marbles in a milk glass bowl that I bought at a rummage sale, so there is my thrifty portion of this post...)

Lampwork Marbles - View B

Why are marbles being sold at a bead show? Because many beads are created from glass, and some glass artists also make marbles, lucky for me...

The 10 marbles I bought at the Bead show where the first artist marbles I had bought in a decade or more. (I probably haven't bought artist marbles since before I had children, and my oldest child is 17.) It was very exciting for me to see the 'state of the art' glass work which is being done today, some of which you can see in the marbles I bought.

Lampwork Marble made by Joe Holford

Walking through the show, I could see an explosion of glass talent first hand. I felt I was observing a renaissance of glass creation. Thousands of today's glass artists are creating with the material and energy and knowledge that was unavailable in previous centuries.

2 views of a Marble (made by Joe Holford)

In the last 1-2 decades, glasswork has become a form of art available to hobbyists. Equipment, specialty glass, and instructors (and even video lessons) have resulted in the number of glass artists exploding. These people, at many different levels of skill, experiment and create glass objects. Glass workers are re-discovering techniques and processes, (glass working has been around since 2000 BC); and experimenting with new ones. Today's glass artists are creating in a new world - a time with access to energy and materials and knowledge unavailable to glass workers of the past.

Here are some example: Working glass requires temperatures from 900-1800 degrees C. In previous centuries, the fuel required to heat glass (mostly wood) competed directly with the fuel needs of people for heat and food. Glass working was sometimes banned because of the amount of fuel required to heat glass. Another example is the ability for today's glass artists to order their glass materials with precise chemistries - centuries ago, workers often formulated their own glass.

2 views of a Marble (made by Joe Holford)

I love touching and looking at these mini marvels of glass work. I am looking forward to seeing what the glass artists create next year.

Here are some notes:

For my other post on marbles, click here.
I am interested in knowing which of the photo mosaic you like more - Version A or Version B. Let me know if you have an opinion.
Seven marbles in this post were made by Joe Holford
Three marbles in this post were created by Frank Scott - The green one, the one with stars, and the one with flowers.

Click on any image to see it larger
If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Marbles

Angel Window

Stained Glass

I am linking to these parties:

Little Red House: Mosaic Monday (Entry 24 of 80+)

Running with Glitter Mon 22 (Entry 58 of 217).

Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 33 (Entry 4 of 26.)

Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 37 (Entry 60 of 288).

BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 134 (Entry 99 of 255.)

Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 12 (Entry 2 of 48)

Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 11 of 71)

Making the World Cuter (Entry 9 of 128) h

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 75 (Entry 56 of 229.)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 7 of 161.)

* Stroll Life: Table Top Tues 77 (Entry 33 of 98).

* House of Grace: Twice Owned Tues (Entry 22 of 55)

Sassy: Trash to Treasure Tues (Entry 1 of 108)

Diamond: Time to Shine 31 (Entry 74 of 89)

Anything Goes 30 (Entry 70 of 121.)

Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 27 (Entry 21 of 282.)
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 9 of 115)

No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 24 of 123)

Very Merry Vint: Share the Love Wed (Entry 1 of 54).

Ginger: Wow Me Wednesday 12 (Entry 23 of 351.)

Designer Garden: VIP Party 24 (Entry 36 of 94)

From My Porch: Treasure Hunt Thurs 19 (Entry 4 of 18)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur (Entry 12 of 77)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 9 of 33)
Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thur (Entry 4 of 92)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur (Entry 120 of 201)
Somewhat Simple: Strut your Stuff (Entry 126 of 220)

Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 28 (Entry 49 of 82)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 21 (Entry 15)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 146)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 51 (Entry 95)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 94)
White Iron: Treasure Chest Fri (Entry)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 67 (Entry 58)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 118)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri 28 (Entry 140)
Find Fab: Frugalicious Friday (Entry 117 of 147)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 476 of 699)
Hodgepodge Friday (Entry 31)
Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry 26)

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry 141)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 17)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry 144)
Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry 16)

37530

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

2011-08-05T00:01:00.026-05:00

Metal Mirror with Cherubs

Today I wanted to share a fancy high relief metal mirror I bought at a recent estate sale.

Cherub detail on mirror top

The mirror's solid metal frame has four cavorting cherubs playing among elaborate scrolls and small flowers, reminding me of some Valentine fantasy. The mirror glass is nicely beveled. I was drawn to the mirror because of it's fun vintage styling.

Right corner cherub and scroll

I am saying this mirror has vintage styling, because I don't believe the mirror is very old at all. The frame and mirror has a very "fresh" feel to it.

Edge Detail

The metal is shiny on the back, and has been blackened on the front, (possibly to mimic tarnish.) The metal has a pewter feel to it, but if the metal really was pewter I think the surface finishing on the front would have been more even. (I guess I think pewter would be fairly expensive). The mirror is 20.5 inches by 15.5 inches (52 cm x 40 cm) at the widest dimensions.

What clinches my "recent product" guess is the back - a mirror glued in fast with fat runs of white silicon glue, with the contemporary thick black cardboard "dual use" frame back glued on over the mirror. (You know the dual use frame thing - the frame can stand alone or be hung on the wall.) Sorry, I didn't think to take a picture of the back.

Either way, I liked this mirror, and the price was under $15 for a fun piece. It makes me smile. What would you consider the style of this piece - baroque? Victorian? Shaker?

Let me know your opinion or if you have seen a similiar mirror for sale somewhere.

Mirror Scrolls on bottom edge

Other fun details - I bought this with no idea where to hang it, so I hung it in my master bedroom (for now.) There is a full length mirror within 3 feet of this mirror on another wall. This mirror really would look better if it wasn't hung on a white wall - the dark finish is kind of too dark and I kind of wish it were lighter. I hung the mirror about 2 inches too low, after struggling to center and hang it for about 1 hour. AND, as I just now searched the mirror for a label, I now have to re-glue the mirror in. ;)

Click on any image to see it larger

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Heart Quilt

Marbles

Batik Quilt

I am linking to these parties:
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 26 (Entry 60 of 80)

French Cupboard: French Inspiration (Entry 6 of 7)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 19 (Entry 18 of 28)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 136 of 221)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 46 (Entry 74 of 118)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 142 of 326)
White Iron: Treasure Chest Fri (Entry)music
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 65 (Entry 109 of 258)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 176 of 437)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri 23 (Entry 139 of 227)
Find Fab: Frugalicious Friday (Entry 82 of 186)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 267 of 675)
Hodgepodge Friday (Entry 49 of 163)
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 93 (Entry 42)

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 269)

Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry 15)

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry 8)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 11)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry 242 of 341)

Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry 9)

Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 7 (Entry 21)
DIY: More the Merrier Mon 23 (Entry 201)
Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 12)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 32 (Entry 2)
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 36 (Entry 41)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 110)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 115)

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 74 (Entry 16)

Southern Hosp: Thrifty Treasures (Entry 74)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 109)

* Stroll Life: Table Top Tues (Entry 40)
* House of Grace: Twice Owned Tues (Entry 21)
Sassy: Trash to Treasure Tues (Entry 16)
Diamond: Time to Shine 27 (Entry )

Anything Goes 29 (Entry 57)

Designer Garden: VIP Party (8-11 )

Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry 237)

No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 62)
Very Merry Vint: Share the Love Wed (Entry 4)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur (Entry 24)

Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 16) h
Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thur 126 (Entry 37)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur (Entry 173)
Strut your Stuff (Entry 68)

35898

Potion Bottles

2011-07-20T22:05:00.049-05:00

Click on any image to see it larger

Bitter bottles

The 'treasure' (or more accurately trinkets) I am sharing today are a collection of small bottles I have accumulated over the past several years at various rummage sales. I love the sparkle of colored glass, and I don't resist buying a pretty bottle when I run across one.

Yellow Bitter bottles

I decided to make this post in honor of the last Harry Potter movie (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2) which was released this month. These little bottles would make great 'potion' containers.

Purple bitter bottle bottles

A purple bottle with a bird claw grabbing it - a Harry Potter potion seems to be the appropriate contents.

Blue bottles for ink and bitters

The real purpose of many of these bottles were bitters, (whatever they are), or in the case of the squarish blue bottle above, ink. (For Harry Potter, magic ink.) The bottle to the left of the ink has a horseshoe shape surrounding a horse head. A lucky potion, perhaps? Or will it make you as fast as a horse?

Green bitter bottles

Many of these bottles were reproduced, and probably most of the bottles I own are reproductions. I really haven't been inspired to research bitter bottles much. Sometimes you just want to enjoy an item without knowing all about it. I enjoy finding bottles here and there and adding them to my window sill collection.

Jenny Lind and Cape May red bitter bottles

The bitter bottles in particular have fun and different designs - faces of people and presidents, horses and grapes and fish appear pressed into the bottles designs. Maybe the red Jenny Lind potion makes you sing well, and the lighthouse potion makes you see well at night.

Tree of Life Bitter Bottle

The little green bottle above has "The Tree of Life" on it, and is probably one of my favorite bottles. It is 3.25 inches tall (about 8.3cm). A long life potion, I'm guessing.

Orange chicken candy dish

I don't own any orange bottles, so when I saw this little chicken container in intense orange shades, I bought it to make a better rainbow of glass. Perhaps herbology herbs stored in this container made the chickens lay golden eggs.

Half of my window sill collection

I didn't take any photos to show the scale of the bottles, but all of these bottles are under 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Most of the bottles are 3 inches tall.

The other half of my collection

I love the different shades of glass

I am still looking for a pink bottle. I know pink bitter bottles exist, (on Ebay), but I prefer the rummage sale prices.

By the way, I would consider trading teacups and saucers and/or plates for another bitter bottle. I have more china then bottles... Leave me a comment on this post if you are interested.

Some comments have been left asking me how I clean these small bottles. I soak them (w/ detergent) and rinse them, sometimes for days. Sometimes I use vinegar, and/or salt. A bottle brush can be used on some bottles. A baby store sometimes has baby bottle brushes, and there is a tiny brush for cleaning the rubber baby bottle nipples. (Ouch, I hate to say it here, but there is a baby nipple brush. That sounds bad.), Pipe cleaners might also work. You can also take a strip of cloth, or paper towel, push one end into the bottle, and twist more of the strip into the bottle. (Does that make sense to anyone besides me?) Eventually you have a wad of material pushing on the inside of the bottle with each twist. Be careful to untwist the material to remove it. Ending up with a wad of paper towel in a bottle is a pain, then you need tweezers to extract the paper towel... Cloth is easier in some ways, because it won't tear. However, if the bottle is acid etched (after a time, you will begin to know what that is), and or scratched, the above won't help as much.

OMG, it is so funny that I am writing in a post how to clean anything. Cleaning is really not a favorite task... But the results are worth it.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Heart Quilt

Marbles

Batik Quilt

I am linking to these parties:

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 54 (Entry 20 of 51).

Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 8 of 29). h

Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thur 123, (Entry 20 of 83).

Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur, (Entry 130 of 358.)

Strut your Stuff (Entry 164 of 536.)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 24 (Entry 2 of 74.)
French Inspiration (Entry 5 of 12).
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 17 (Entry 3 of 38).

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 1 of 216).
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 47 (Entry 5 of 126.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 104 of 308.)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 63 (Entry 160 of 254.)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 106 of 437.)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri 24 (Entry 38 of 214.)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 449 of 738.)
Addicted to Decorating 15 (Entry 43 of 64.)

Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 91 (Entry 62 of 183.)

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 18 of 304.)
Pink Postcard: Transform and Treasure (Entry 44 of 47.)

Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry 15 of 47.)

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry 53 of 376.)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday 59 (Entry 3 of 40.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry 55 of 439.)

Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry 2 of 71.)

Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 9 (Entry 13 of 31.)
Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (2 d)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 30 (Entry 16 of 103.)
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 34 (Entry 14 of 273.)
Running with Glitter Mon 19 (Entry 5 of 189.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 56 of 254.)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 173 of 312.)

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues (Entry 38 of 197.)

Southern Hosp: Thrifty Treasures (Entry 61 of 77.)
* Stroll Life: Table Top Tues (Entry 31 of 93.)
* House of Grace: Twice Owned Tues (Entry 7 of 85.)
Saasy Sites: Trash to Treasure Tues (Entry 39 of 59.)
Diamond: Time to Shine Tues 28 (Entry 53 of 82.)
Family: Once Upon a Weekend 2 (Entry 26 of 29.)
Lines: Cure for Common Mon 1 (Entry 29 of 50.)
Type A: Anything Goes 27 (Entry 44 of 102.)
Ginger: Wow Me Wednesday 9 (Entry 249 of 252.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry 79 of 247.)
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 6 of 178.)
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 39 of 143.)
Very Merry Vint: Share the Love Wed (Entry 6 of 39.)

32729

Vintage Floral Bling

2011-07-13T21:41:00.036-05:00

Trifari Pin in Spring colors

I haven't shared any bling and jewels on my blog recently. If you are familiar with my blog, you probably know I collect china. I have collected china for a couple of years, but I have collected costume jewelry for a couple of decades, long before I collected china. So today I thought I would share a trio of colorful pins (brooches) I own.

Trifari Pin in Summer colors

These three pins are the same pin design, executed in different metal finishes and 'colorways' of rhinestones. (Colorways are arrangements of colors.) Each pin is over 3 inches (8 cm) long end to end.

Trifari Pin in Fall colors

I especially like the three colorways of this pattern that I own. I look at them and see a spring, summer and fall execution of this design.

I have occasionally bid on a "winter" version of this design - an all white rhinestone colorway, but I haven't managed to win the bid on Ebay; and truthfully, I have been avoiding Ebay, because it is too easy to spend too much money there, and too fast. I spend less at rummage sales, and there are no shipping fees. Trifari booches, at one pin for $10-$30 (or more), are not nearly as affordable as china plates for $1-$5 each. Hence my newer hobby is collecting china. :)

These booches were manufactured by the Trifari jewelry company, probably in the 1950's. When I first was collecting costume jewelry I probably wouldn't have selected these pins, because they are so bright and flashy that they in no way pretend to be "real". Now, though, I love them for the totally intense sparkle they give off.

I always find myself wishing the pictures could show you what I see when I look at them. I work to get the colors right, but somehow the real pieces of jewelry are much more stunning then the pictures show. Each pin is very dimensional - the two flowers are mounted over the foliage. Maybe I will take some more photos to document them, but for now I think I will just send off this post.

Click on any image to see it larger - the details sparkle!

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Tree Pins

Butterfly pin

Holly pins

I am linking to these parties:

Blue Creek: Treasure Hunt Thurs (Entry 13 of 28.)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 53 (Entry 16 of 62.)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 14 of 35.) h
Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thur 122, (Entry 11 of 106)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur, (Entry 104 of 469.)
Strut your Stuff (Entry 370 of 568.)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 23 (Entry 12 of 85.)
French Inspiration (Entry 3 of 28.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 16 (Entry 10 of 41.)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 8 of 232).
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 46 (Entry 24 of 106)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 112 of 335.)
White Iron: Treasure Chest Fri (Entry 1 of 14.)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 62 (Entry 5 of 274).

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 79 of 455.)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri 23 (Entry 15 of 224.)
Find Fab: Frugalicious Friday (Entry 155 of 235).
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 298 of 813.)
Hodgepodge Friday (Entry 53 of 117.)
Addicted to Decorating 15 (Entry 47 of 69.)

Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 90 (Entry 173 of 205.)

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 187 of 304.)

Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry 29 of 50.)

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry 280 of 348.)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 23 of 48.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry 95 of 476.)

Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry 10 of 63.)

Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 7 (Entry 17 of 21.)
Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (66--)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 29 (Entry 10 of 42.) h
* Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 33 (Entry 38 of 262.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 208 of 211.)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 106 of 161.)
* House of Grace: Twice Owned Tues (Entry 56 of 71.)
Trash to Treasure Tues (Entry 86 of 105.)
Diamond: Time to Shine 27 (Entry 63 of 82.)
Running with Glitter Mon 18 (Entry 140 of 187.)
Anything Goes 26 (Entry 46 of 90.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry 246 of 252.) h
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 63 of 193)
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 46 of 137+)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 74 of 99.)
* Very Merry Vint: Share the Love Wed 22 (Entry 9 of 64.)
52 Weeks of Happiness (43--)
31195

Schumann Bavaria China

2011-07-07T00:10:00.028-05:00

Schumann Bavaria Teacup and Saucer

It's sometimes hard to pick a favorite... But (currently) one of my favorite floral china patterns that I own is probably my Schumann Bavaria china set. I have pictures of this set in a previous post, but today I wanted to show you some close-ups so you can see why the set is special.

Schumann Bavaria 10 inch Desert plate

I bought an entire set of this china at an estate sale; originally because I wanted the large 10 inch plate, which I believe is a desert "platter".

Schumann Bavaria 10 inch plate

The floral paintings remind me of Victorian botanical prints, the flowers are lush and beautiful, and the colors are bright. (OK, maybe I wouldn't have used quite so much purple and orange...) I love the pierced (also called reticulated) rim of the plate, and how the flowers were painted on the solid part of the pierced lattice, which was cut to accommodate the shape of the painting. (Reticulated means forming a net or network as in the veins of some leaves - I had to look that up). Gold gilt painted swirls and scrolls were added, possibly by hand. This plate was lovingly designed and executed, not rushed through mass production shortcuts.

Six different Teacup designs

Looking more closely at the teacups, I realized that there were six different flower designs on different teacups. How cool is that? :) [OK, so I am easily amused. But if I get to wax poetic about the ceramic pinch pots my children make and paint at school, can't I gush about this set of china?]

Four different desert plate designs

The desert plates had multiple designs as well, four of them are pictured.

Schumann Bavaria Sugar bowl

There is more to the set but I think I have spent enough of your time. Click here to see the set displayed in my Welsh Dresser.
I hope you are enjoying your family and your summer!

Click on any image to see it larger - the details glow!

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

I am linking to these parties:

Blue Creek: Treasure Hunt Thurs 14, (Entry 9 of 24.)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 52 (Entry 10 of 53.)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 14 of 26.) h
Blogeritaville: Thrifty Thur, (Entry 55 of 101)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur, (Entry 259 of 433.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 72 of 306)

* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 45 (Entry 29 of 113)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 103 of 227.)

Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (I was entry 284 of 640)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 22 (Entry 35 of 76.)
French Inspiration (Entry 16 of 18)
Hodgepodge Friday (Entry 78 of 115.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Friday (Entry 18 of 36.)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 61 (Entry 38 of 258.)
Find Fab: Frugalicious Friday (Entry 38 of 231.)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 290 of 377)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri (Entry 102 of 183.)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 88 of 97.)

Funky Junk: Sat Night Special (Entry 51 of 217.)

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 227 of 275.)

Passionately Artistic (Entry 124 of 141)
Strut your Stuff (Entry 468 of 475.)

Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry 13 of 49.)

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry 14 of 374)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 20 of 50.)
Mosaic Monday (Entry 22 of 86)

I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry 322 of 379)

Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry 49 of 76)

Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 4 of 72)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 28 (Entry 24 of 102)
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 32 (Entry 37 of 245.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 94 of 245.)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 289 of 345)

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 71 (Entry 95 of 205+)

Southern Hosp: Thrifty Treasures (Entry 69 of 75.)

Nesting Place : I Heart Yard Sales (* Entry )
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 100 of 130+ )

* Stroll Life: Table Top Tues (Entry 55of 88)
* House of Grace: Twice 7Owned Tues (Entry 61 of 73+)
Sassy: Trash to Treasure Tues (Entry 72 of 81)
Diamond: Time to Shine 26 (Entry 58 of 71)
Anything Goes 25 (Entry 43 of 86)
Designer Garden: VIP Party (Entry )
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry of 135 of 248+) h
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 17 of 103+)
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party (Entry 70)
House of Hepworth 57 (Entry 214)
Wicked Awesome Wed 20 (Entry 79)
52 Weeks of Happiness (Entry 42 of 48)
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry )
Elements Interior: Whassup Wed (Entry )
29640

4th of July Hutch

2011-06-24T17:28:00.034-05:00

4th of July China Display

I changed my hutch to a 4th of July display. My Welsh Dresser is giving my lots of chances to finally figure out what sort of china I have stashed and hidden in the basement. (If I tuck my rummage sale finds in the corner of the basement where my husband won't end up tripping over them, then I can accumulate finds guilt free (and have). I have been buying treasure for nearly a decade now... ;)

Bicentennial plate and Rabbit

The stars and stripes set of china in this display I found at the end of the day at a church or school rummage sale. The "end of the day" at a church/school rummage sale is when china sets marked $20+ that haven't sold can get knocked down to $5-$10 for the set. (I vaguely recall paying $8.) My family and I use this set around this time of year, so I kept 6 dinner plates out of the display for everyday use, and I was able to. The pattern is 'Colonial' by Warren Kimble, Sakura from 1997.

Vintage stemware and Wedgwood teacup

The blue edged plates with gold stars pattern, (4 large plates in this display) is another rummage sale set I found. The pattern, "Galaxy" is also by Sakura. [I only realized that both sets are from Sakura just now as I am writing this blog post!] This novelty set was sold by the Target store chain several years ago, and I now have seen the set in multiple rummage sales. (I know Target sold the sets because I saw the ad for the sets in some old decorator magazines I have.)

The vintage stemware I bought for $1 a stem or less. I purchased the clear stemware because of the gold rim - it really adds to the look, I think.

I am kind of loving mixing the new plates with the older antique plates, which are my real loves. Writing out what each of the plates are would get boring, but I will mention one other plate - the crazy white one with red stripes cost me 49 cents at good will.

BTW: I would love some new followers - Click Follow if you haven't already! Have a blessed 4th of July and enjoy your family!

Click on any image to see it larger.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

I am linking to these parties:

* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (I was entry 291 of 332).

* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 43 (Entry 1097 of 1166).

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 1097 of 1166).

Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (I was entry 36 of 822)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 20 (Entry 63 of 67).

Hodgepodge Friday 23 (Entry 180 of 206)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Friday (Entry 35 of 37)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 60 (Entry 214 of 236)
Find Fab: Frugalicious Friday (Entry 246 of 281)
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 413 of 462)
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special (Entry 81 of 226.)
Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 47 of 317.)
Miss Mustard: Furniture Friday (Entry 180 of 209)
Kitchen Favorites (Entry 66 of 74)
Cherished Treasure: Sun Blog Love (Entry 11 of 41)
Under the Table: Sunday Showcase (Entry 308 of 372)
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 46 of 47)

I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop (Entry 374 of 446)

Library Adventure: Flea Market Finds (Entry 28 of 52)

Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 3 of 72)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 26 (Entry 24 of 93)
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon 30 (Entry 12 of 264)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 100 of 256)
52 Weeks of Happiness (Entry 6)

Making the World Cuter (Entry 270 of 340)

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 69 (Entry 66 of 112)

Southern Hosp: Thrifty Treasures (Entry 18 of 56)

Nesting Place : I Heart Yard Sales (* Entry )
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 20)

Get Your Craft On Tues (Entry 144 of 236)
* Stroll Life: Table Top Tues (Entry 59 of 78)
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry )

Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 2)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry 59)
Elements Interior: Whassup Wed (Entry )
Anything Related 53 (Entry 142)

Patriotic Linky Party (Entry 20)
Cherry: Rednesday (Entry 44)
27302

Spring and Summer Hutch

2011-06-13T05:31:00.037-05:00

Spring China Vignette

It's been a long time since I posted on this blog. April and May were busy months, with birthday parties, a baptism, the children's school 'Spring break' (4 children not going to school for a week...), Easter and much more. Now it's mid June, and the children are out of school, so I have time to blog on the PC - (I don't have to fight the children for the computer use... ;)

Spring China Display

In March I changed my china in my Welsh dresser to an Easter / Spring display, and today I am going to share that. (Even though it is now JUNE. Our weather has been over 90 degrees recently, and so I want to publish this post so I can move on to summer posts.)

The hutch sits in a room that has only one window, and that window faces north. The soft light makes the china glow nicely to the eye, but the camera doesn't see that. Using a tripod and a long exposure works nicely at other times of the year, but not this March. I didn't want to use on-camera flash, but I also didn't want to set up a more elaborate lighting scheme. I want fast and simple blog photos. Sigh... I guess I just want easy... In the end, most of these photos use on-camera flash. The photo to the left of the entire Welsh dresser has no flash.

Schumann Bavaria sugar bowl

There is a large set of Schumann Bavaria china in this arrangement, purchased recently at an estate sale. In February 2011 I went to an antique show and saw some beautiful Schumann Bavaria 'hand-painted' plates with holes punched in the edges. (People call plates with holes pierced or reticulated - Reticulated meaning forming a net or network as in the veins of some leaves).

The price for one larger reticulated plate from the antique dealer was over $100 dollars. Later, at an estate sale, I saw the desert set shown (one large plate, 10 reticulated cake plates, 10 teacups and saucers, sugar and creamer, tea and coffee pot, (one missing lid) for about that amount. There was only one large plate in the set, but I also liked the rest of the set... I could not resist. Retail therapy is fun therapy. I brought the set home and set up my Easter / Spring display.

Baby Chicks salt and pepper shakers

The desert set of china that I bought, the "Schumann Bavaria" china, is NOT hand painted, as far as I can tell. The plates at the antique sale I saw were labeled "hand painted", but even at the time I remember wondering - really? In fact, the collector of china that I am, I remain confused about what qualifies as 'hand painted'. Sometimes I think that a set is called 'hand painted' if a couple of stokes or the gilding is applied by hand.

Hand painted china

The two plates above, and the trinket box (by Fitz and Floyd) in front of the plates are hand painted. The vase with violets shown below is also hand painted. These hand-painted 'treasures' I found at various rummage sales. The baby chick salt and pepper shaker above was another funny find - I think the chicks are kind of homely, but they were under $1.00 so I bought them to give them a good home. Don't you think the dots for their eyes should be a lot larger?

Violets on china and Otagiri Birds

Some other china plates in this display can be viewed at the post China finds

(Click on the images to see them enlarged.)

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Linking up to these memes:
Roses: Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 19 of 77)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 24 (Entry 48 of 108)
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Mon (Entry 132 of 264). vote
Apron Girl: Thrift Share Monday (Entry 28 of 79)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 250 of 310.)
Costal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 67 (Entry 89 of 221.)
Southern Hosp: Fun Finds *

Nesting Place : I Heart Yard Sales (* Entry 92 of 157)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 47 of 99)

Get Your Craft On Tues (Entry 385 of 399.)
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 27 of 188) votes
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 77 of 99)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry 7 of 221.)
Elements Interior: Whassup Wed (Entry 25 of 103.)
Anything Related 52 (Entry 154 of 181.)
Thrifty Home: Penny Pinching 90 (Entry 79 of 100.)
Piece of work Wed Furniture only

Blue Creek: reasure Hunt Thurs 11, (Entry 11 of 21.) vote
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 18 of 34.) h
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 49 (Entry 14 of 65)
Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 9 of 314)
Hodgepodge Friday 16 (Entry 44 of 171)
Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 42 (Entry 34 of 124)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 19 (Entry 28 of 75)
French Country: Feathered Nest Fri * (Entry 43 of 230).

Thrifty Things Friday 12 (Entry 25 of 41) vote
Flaunt it Friday 59 (Entry 66 of 293)
Frugalicious Friday (Entry 53 of 265)
Picket Fence: Inspiration Fri (Entry 99 of 202)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 76 of 81)
Pink Saturday (Entry 110 of 201)
Funky Junk: Saturday Night Special 70 (Entry 163)
Library Adventures: Flea Market Finds ( Entry 49)
Making the World Cuter Mon (Entry 303 of 350) vote
Toot Your Horn Tues (Entry 118)
24641

Eggs of Stone - Rock and Roll

2011-04-18T23:49:00.018-05:00

Stone Eggs in Amber Glass Egg Platter

This year there have been many beautiful handmade Easter Eggs decorating blog-land. I wanted to create some decoupage eggs this year, with lace, sheet music, ribbons and lovely papers, but (gasp!) I ran out of time.

More Stone Eggs in glass Egg Platter

So, instead I'll show you my (more sturdy) collection of rock eggs. I bought most of these eggs in the souvenir shops of the Canadian Rockies, from a trip that predates my four children. (The oldest is 17, so does that make the eggs vintage?) (The rocks the eggs are made of are very old.)

When you buy the eggs in the souvenir shops, the bins list the names of the type of rocks each egg is made out of, but that is information I don't have anymore. (Maybe some day I will use the internet to rediscover the types of rocks each eggs is made of. Maybe...)

Tiara Crystal egg platter with rock eggs

I found the amber colored egg platter while thrifting in 2010. This is the platter's Easter debut, in my house at least. I believe it is Tiara Crystl pattern by Tiara Crystal. The platter below was also found while thrifting.

Rock eggs in glass egg dish

I have purchased more eggs through the years from rock shops and rock shows. Basically, all the blue and green eggs were purchased that way, and didn't come from Canada, (and they were not bargain priced). The only egg in this collection that is not it's natural color is the bright pink onyx egg from Mexico, which is dyed. I did get the onyx egg at a rummage sale.

These two eggs are lapis lazuli stone. The green eggs on the amber platter are malachite. Many of the eggs from Canada were special types of jasper rocks, obsidian, and more. Several have fossils in them.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Batik Quilt

Butterfly Bling

Heart Quilt

I am linking up to these parties:

Costal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 59 (I was entry 92 of 236).

Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 16 (Entry 90 of 107).
Naps on Porch: Metamorphis Mon 117 (Entry 320 of 342).
Making the World Cuter (Entry 311 of 335).
52 Weeks of Happiness (Entry 13 of 53)
Amaze Me Monday (Entry 214 of 232).
Get Your Craft On Tues (Entry 245 of 534).
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 23 of 220).
Backyard Eden: Make It Yours Wed 62 (Entry 39 of 204).
Beach Cottage: Good Life Wed (Entry 7 of 106.)
Someday Crafts: Easter Party (Entry 250 of 311).
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed (Entry 82 of 219).
Elements Interior: Whassup Wed (Entry 101 of 122).
Anything Related (Entry 135 of 145).
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures (Entry 35 of 95).
Penny Pinching Party 82 (Entry 24 of 64).
Trendy Treehouse: Creative Share Hop (Entry 23 of 220).
All Things Inspired 24 (Entry 77 of 126).
Colorado Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 11 of 30).
Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thur 110 (I was entry 11 of 117).

Brambleberry: Time Travel Thur 41 (I was entry 5 of 66).
Blue Creek: Treasure Hunt Thur 3 (Entry 26 of 37).
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 34 (Entry 19 of 110).

Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 11 (Entry 6 of 60).
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 90 of 326).
* French Country: Feathered Nest Fri 11 (Entry 33 of 168).

Cottage Charm: Trinkets and Treasures (Entry 5 of 10).

2nd Time Around (I was entry 12 of 13)

* How Sweet: Pink Saturday (Entry 149 of 239).

Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 78 (Entry 72 of 175).

China Finds

2011-03-27T21:13:00.031-05:00

Rosenthal's Garden Caprice pattern with scalloped edge

There is a sign I love at one of my favorite stores.

My grandma used it,

My mom threw it,

And I bought it.

Rosenthal's Garden Caprice pattern with scalloped edges

So fun and true for me!
The sign is at my favorite consignment shop, Legacies, Ltd. in Fox Point, Wisconsin. The shop features fine antiques and collectible treasure and furniture.

Caverswall china 'April' plate

The turnover at Legacies is fast, so visiting every month or so is like visiting a different antique store, with items beautifully displayed. I think most pieces displayed are washed and cleaned, dusted, etc. as well. Every month the price on remaining pieces drops 15%, so older items are discounted. If you really want a piece, buy it quickly, otherwise you can hope the price will drop when you next come in, if it is still there.

Shopping at Legacies is an adventure in finding treasure. The three plates I am showing in this blog post are plates I bought at this store. The two Caverswall china 'month' plates were under $10 (I know I got both discounted - they hung around for 1-2 months). The Rosenthal plate was probably $12. (Full price, I bought it the first day I saw it.)

Caverswall china 'June' plate

After I have bought an item, I sometimes get around to researching the piece on-line (usually for a blog post ;)

I haven't seen all of the other months from the Caverswall monthly plate series (from 1981-1982), and I am not going to go out of my way to collect them, but I enjoy the two I found. The color and graphics are so fun. The backs of the Caverswall plates have quite a bit of information on them. Apparently the plates were inspired by an illustrated book. Read the back inscription - it's funny how many people wanted their name on the back, and it makes it harder to find these plates on eBay.

Replacements.com indicates the Rosenthal Garden Caprice pattern was discontinued around 1930. I love the exuberance of this plate, but I really wouldn't have the space (or money) for a full set, so I am happy to have this one plate.

Click on any image to see it larger.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

I am linking to these parties:
Show off your Cottage Mon (I was entry 19 of x)
Mosaic Monday (I was entry 36 of 101).
Masterpiece Monday (Entry 26 of 77).

Seasonal Sundays 42 (Entry 43 of 43).
52 Weeks of Happiness (Entry 55 of 55).
Amaze Me Monday (Entry 209 of 274).
Nifty Thrift Tuesday 56 (Entry 73 of 278).
Tuesday's Treasures (Entry 35 of 95).
Wow Us Wednesday 8 (Entry 74 of 274).
Good Life Wed (Entry 75 of 127).
What Ever Goes Wed 59 (Entry 196 of 533).
Wow Us Wed 8 (Entry 74 of 274).
Whassup Wed (Entry 59 of 209).
Thrifty Thur 107 (Entry 28 of 120.)
Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 22 of 43).
Time Travel Thurs 38 (Entry 12 of 51).

Vintage Inspiration Fri 31 (Entry 49 of 116).

Show and Tell (I was entry 98 of 363).

Feather Nest Fri 29 (I was entry 64 of 200.)

Favorite Things Fri (I was entry 6 of 68).

Inspiration Fri 9 (I was entry 59 of 176).

Weekend Wrap Up (I was entry 244 of 835).

Art in Bloom Flowers

2011-03-20T21:15:00.030-05:00

Spring is here according to the calender. Here in southern Wisconsin almost all snow melted in the last week, and today we had thunderstorms and lots of rain. But probably the first large display of spring flowers I will get to see will be indoors, at the Milwaukee Art Museum's Art in Bloom Event, March 31 to April 3, 2011.

Flower Arrangement and inspiration, 2010

At the Art in Bloom event, sponsored by the Milwaukee Art Museum Garden Club, professional floral designers create a flower arrangement inspired by a work of art. The arrangements are then displayed near the art work that inspired it. In 2010, there were about artwork 40 'inspired' arrangements, an inspired vendor area, and arrangements from designers who gave lectures and demonstrations. My photos in this post are from the 2010 event.

Floral Display from Art in Bloom, 2010

One thing I love about photography, (and the event), is that there are many different ways to view each arrangement, and the art that inspired it. Up close, individual blooms have beautiful textures and colors. Further away you see the arrangement and the shape. Photographs of the backed off views of the arrangement paired with the art inspiration are perhaps the most challenging.

Tulip closeup

The mostly white floral arrangement shown in the two photos above could be smelled as you entered the room - fragrant lilies smelled great, the flowers glowed, and the all glass sculpture behind it glittered. The flower arrangement was my viewers choice, for one of my favorite glass sculptures at the museum.

'Laid Table' glass sculpture by Beth Lipman

(Floral arrangement by Emily Neubauer of Belle Fiori, Ltd, inspired by Beth Lipmans 'Laid Table' glass sculpture)

I love getting up close to exotic blooms for photography, trying to find the best angles and lighting given the location. Every year I vow to get better.

This year will be the fourth year the museum is holding the event, and every year my daughter has seen it with me. She checks off the map to make sure we don't miss a spot.

I will admit I try to pretty much photograph all of the arrangements. I think I photographed the arrangement below in more then seven different ways. (But NOT on the day that my daughter was with me ;)

Click on the images to see them larger.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Chicago Garden

Art in Bloom 2008

I am linking up to these memes:
Scenic Sunday 139 (I was entry 58 of 68)

Masterpiece Mon 12 (Entry 23 of 85.)

Seasonal Sundays 41 (Entry 44 of 45.)

Sunday Showcase (Entry 372 of 404.)

52 Weeks of Happiness (Entry 58 of 59)

Today's Flowers 136 (Entry 62 of 79.)
Whassup Wednesday. (I was entry 67)
Outdoor Wednesday 115. (I was entry 45 of 15x)

Wordful Wednesday (I was entry 27 of 17x)
Good Life Wednesday (I was entry 5)
Wow Us Wednesday (I was entry 67)
Show off your Cottage Monday (I was entry 100)
Tuesday's Treasures (I was entry 89)
Motivated Monday (I was entry 49)
White Wednesday 92 (I was entry 67)
Vintage Inspiration Fri 30 (Entry 59)

Show and Tell (I was entry 93 )

Feather Nest Fri (I was entry 40 )

Favorite Things Fri (I was entry 16)

Inspiration Fri 8 (I was entry 57)

Hodgepodge Friday (I was entry 46)
Home Sweet Home 7 (I was entry 31)
Time Travel Thurs (I was entry 31)
Everything But the Sink (I was entry 28)
Friday's Unfolded 11 (I was entry 53)

Flaunt it Friday 50 (I was entry 119)

Trinkets and Treasures (I was entry 8)
Tatertots and Jello for Weekend Wrap Up (I was entry )
Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (I was entry )

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special 73 (I was entry 159)

Friday Pretties (I was entry )
Tuesday Glam Party (I was entry )
Boost Your Blog Friday (I was entry )
Cottage Flora Thursday (I was entry 33 of 33)
Fertilizer Friday (I was entry 33)

St Pats Day Treasure

2011-03-15T23:59:00.007-05:00

St. Patrick's Day treasure

I created a St. Patrick's Day Welcome vignette in my dining room with some rummage sale finds. I buy little quirky items with the idea of putting them out at the appropriate season, and this is the first year I actually made a St. Patrick's display. I made the vignette this year just so I could make a blog post for the 'parties'.

St. Patrick's Display

Four children (and the husband) came home from school and four children (and the spouse) didn't notice or comment on new arrangement in the dining room... (where we eat!) Sigh... At least now I feel I can justify those rummage sale stops! ;)

The welcome sign ($1 or $2) and the little bell ($.50) I got at rummage sales in 2010. The other plates I have gotten over the years. Both of the Majolica-like plates (the dark green plates with a 3D relief pattern) have a chips. I think the cool clear glass tray is stunning, but it has an unfortunate center etching of fruit that really doesn't go with the geometric edge, so it was $3 or under. I think one designer made the platter, and another "added" to the center design. I just blocked the center with the ivy plate.

The cup and saucer on the lower right shelf are Bellek porcelain that we got from my husband's Grandmother. The beauty of the bellek china kind of gets overlooked in this display, but I really cherish the china and I am glad I am using it.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Valentine Vignette

Blue-White Hutch

Butterfly Bling

I am linking up to these Parties and Memes.

St Pat's Parties and Memes

2011-03-15T23:55:00.009-05:00

I am linking up to these Parties and memes:

Trendy Treehouse for Creative Share Wed (Entry 58 of 250.)
My Backyard Eden for Make It Yours 58 (Entry 76 of 247.)
A Beach Cottage for Good Life Wed (Entry 41 of 127.)
Someday Crafts for What Ever Goes Wed 57 (Entry 278 of 556.)
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wed 57 (Entry 227 of 258.)
Elements Interior for Whassup Wed (Entry 55 of 310.)
Shabby Chic for Transformation Thur (I was entry 53 of 486.)

Diane for 2nd Time Around, (I was entry 5 of 9)
Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thur 36 (Entry 12 of 71.)

Common Gnd for Vintage Inspiration Fri 29 (Entry 20 of 91.)

Romantic Home for Show and Tell (I was entry 11 of 341.)

French Country for Feather Nest Fri (I was entry 40 of 179.)

Hills are Living for Favorite Things Fri (I was entry 4 of 74.)

At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Fri (I was entry 28 of 153.)

Hodgepodge for Hodgepodge Friday (I was entry 38 of 213.)
Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home (I was entry 16 of 51.)

Very Merry Vintage for Love Link Party (I was entry 21 of 21.)

I Love Pretty Things for Friday Pretties (I was entry 17 on right)
Knick Knack for Everything But the Sink (I was entry 54 of 123.)
Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded (I was entry 10 of 95.)

Chic Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday 49 (I was entry 70 of 309.)

Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (I was entry 11)
Lovely Home for Lovely Crafty Weekend (I was entry 10 of 75.)
Tatertots and Jello for Weekend Wrap Up (I was entry 276 of 700.)

Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (I was entry 15 of 45.)

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special 72 (I was entry 53 of 231.)

Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 11 (Entry )

DIY Showoff for DIY Project Parade (I was entry )

Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 112 (Entry )

Today's Creative for Get Your Craft On Tues (Entry)

Uncommon Slice for Tuesdays Treasures (Entry)

Batik Quilt Top

2011-03-08T23:24:00.024-06:00

Batik Quilt Top

Today I wanted to share a quilt top that I (finally!) finished sewing together. The 48 quilt blocks in the top are made with over 40 different batik fabrics I have collected over decades (Millenium? ;) The quilt's dimensions are 36 by 48 inches.

Closeup of batik fabrics

The quilt top has many different batik fabrics, which I think are some of the most beautiful fabrics. Batik fabrics are traditionally hand dyed in multiple steps with wax being used to 'resist' or block dye from reaching areas of the fabric. It is a manual process that results in each piece of fabric being unique since the wax and dyes adhere, pool and dry in different ways. Printed fabric frequently has ink that rests on the surface and dries quickly, where the batik fabric are dyed - the fabric becomes soaked with dye and has color on both sides.

Closeup of multiple batik fabrics

It feels like it was a big step for me to finally get the top done. I had completed the quilt blocks well over a two years ago, and had rearranged the blocks many times, and it was turning into another UFO - Unfinished object. Now it is at least a completed quilt top! It may take years for it to become a completed wall quilt, (sigh... Who knows what the future will be like when that happens.)

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Heart Quilt

Mosaic Heart

Butterfly Bling

I am linking up to these memes:

Someday Crafts for What Ever Goes Wed 56 (Entry 33 of 526).
Trendy Treehouse for Creative Share Wed (Entry 38 of 258)
Sew Much Ado for We Did It Wed (Entry 117 of 377)
My Backyard Eden for Make It Yours No. 57 (Entry 36 of 227.)
A Beach Cottage for Good Life Wed (Entry 103 of 112.)
Elements Interior for Whassup Wed (Entry 225 of 293)
Shabby Chic for Transformation Thur (I was entry 104 of 499)

Diane for 2nd Time Around (I was entry 11 of 13)
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday 105 (Entry 7 of 146.)
Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 24 of 61)
Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thur 35 (Entry 12 of 66)
Common Gnd for Vintage Inspiration Fri 28 (Entry 10 of 135)

Romantic Home for Show and Tell (I was entry 21 of 363.)
French Country for Feather Nest Fri (I was entry 3 of 156)
Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (I was entry 3 of 100)
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Fri 6 (I was entry 35 of 129.)
Hodgepodge for Hodgepodge Friday (I was entry 206 of 226.)
Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home 5 (I was entry 11 of 62.)
Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded 9 (I was entry 14 of 77.)
Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (I was entry 3 of 6)
Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (I was entry 22 of 45.)

Lovely Home for Lovely Crafty Weekend 11 (I was entry 44 of 70)
Tatertots and Jello for Weekend Wrap Up (I was entry 355 of 750)
Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 11 (Entry 32 of 87)
DIY Showoff for DIY Project Parade (I was entry 147 of 344)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 112 (Entry 126 of 360.)
Chic Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday (I was entry 285 of 312)

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special 72 (I was entry 81 of 247)

Today's Creative for Get Your Craft On Tues (Entry 110 of 480+)

Uncommon Slice for Tuesdays Treasures (Entry 82 of 102)

Living Room China Cabinet

2011-02-21T16:20:00.028-06:00

Lexington China Cabinet

Readers familiar with my blog may have seen some of my ~~excessive~~ plate collection displayed in my Welsh Dresser (see links below). Today I thought I would share my living room china cabinet, which is an entirely different style. (There is no consistent decorating theme flowing throughout my house...)

Lexington China Cabinet Top

In 2010, I was lucky enough to get a magnificent Lexington China Cabinet from a moving sale. I practically had to pass an interview before the wonderful couple moving sold me this piece, along with a dining room table and six chairs. (It's a good thing my house has an April Aire humidifier, for example.) They would not sell the dining room table and chairs without the hutch. Fortunately, my husband had previously agreed I could purchase a dining room table and chairs. This china cabinet would be forever out of my budget (with four children and limited income) if I hadn't found it at this sale. (The total for the hutch, table and chairs was under $1000, hardly inexpensive, but definitely a great deal)

The two piece china cabinet has beautiful wood, a mirrored back, individually paned beveled glass doors on the front, and a curving arched center, with inset lighting. The side windows are not beveled glass. This is undoubtedly the best piece of furniture I own. (Unless the 'antique' furniture I've collected here and there are of an Antique Roadshow caliber, which I daydream about, but realize is highly unlikely)

Does your heart ever beat faster when you get find an incredible find? I can still look at this furniture months later and smile. Often, at night, it is the only light on in the living room as we watch TV.

I think my Welsh Dresser is great at displaying an assorted collection of plates and objects that don't match, because the Welsh Dresser has no glass doors or lights to compete with the collection. The living room china cabinet is a different story.

My living room china cabinet is better suited for the Rosenthal china set my parents got when they married, which I was given in 2002. Because the china cabinet doors are beveled, I think it works well if the china pieces displayed inside match. The beveled windows, the smaller panes, each work to render the display inside in a more impressionistic or surrealistic manner. Sometimes you can't quickly make out what you are looking at with all the glass, and I think with the matching china you get a pleasant impression of glowing color and shapes with a pattern to it.

Pink Depression Glassware

I have several different sets of stemware on the various levels. It's hard for me to have a large piece of furniture and not use it for storage, filling it only sparingly. If I had a larger house, I would probably change the way I have the bottom level and the glassware arranged.

Below I opened the door and took a shot inside to show you the Rosenthal china without looking through the beveled windows.

Rosenthal Pompadour china

(Click on the images to see them enlarged.)

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Linking up to these memes:

Roses for Show off your Cottage Mon (I was entry 47 of 55.)
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 8 (Entry 66 of 80.)
Apron Girl for Thrift Share Monday (I was entry 58 of 59.)
Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Mon (I was entry 178 of 207.)
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tues 51 (I was entry 25 of 206.)

Primative and Proper for Piece of work Wed 22 (Entry 49 of 53.)

A Beach Cottage for Good Life Wed (I was entry 78 of 83.)
Diane for 2nd Time Around, (I was entry 1 of 17.)
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday 103, (Entry 21 of 120.)
Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 12 of 44.)
Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thur 33 (Entry 5 of 40.)
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (Entry 109 of 314.)
Hodgepodge for Hodgepodge Friday (Entry 64 of 205.)
Common Ground for Vint Inspiration 26 (Entry 98 of 116.)
Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home 3 (Entry 21 of 42.)
Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (Entry 6 of 12.)
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri (Entry 20 of 128.)

A La Carte for Finds Friday 17 (Entry 30 of 64.)
Chic Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday (Entry 73 of 285.)
Frou Frou Decor for Fabulous Finds Fri (Entry 98)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 110 (Entry 144 of 379.)

How Sweet for Pink Saturday (Entry 119 of 186.)

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special 70 (Entry 77 of 211.)

French Cupboard for French Inspiration (Entry 18)

Valentine Hutch

2011-02-13T18:41:00.029-06:00

Valentines Day Hutch

Here is my hutch arranged for Valentines Day. I have five contemporary novelty plates on the hutch that don't quite fit with the rest, but I am going to pretend that they work.

Swinnertons Staffordshire Plate

I like Swinnertons "Kent" china from Staffordshire England for Valentines day. I think they really have a valentines feel to them because of the border.

Otagiri Birds

The two cute birds above are manufactured by the Otagiri company. I got them for $1.50, and I like their cheerful chubbiness. They keep hanging around from plate change to plate change.

Next year I hope to have more time to arrange my hutch for Valentines Day, and include some Valentines I have. I look at my photos now and I want to spread out the contemporary plates better. But for 2011 time has run out. This year I am just digging through boxes to see what I have. (I am kind of photo inventorying my collection now that I have a hutch to display them in).

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

I am linking to these parties:

Bargain Hunting for Valentines Party (I was entry 99 of 102.)
This is my 12th entry to Mosaic Monday (I was entry 35 of 92.)

Roses for Show off your Cottage Mon (I was entry 1 of 58.)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon (I was entry 63 of 276).
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 7 (I was entry 6 of 61.)
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tues 50 (I was entry 23 of 141.)

Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (I was entry 11 of 39).
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thur 102 (I was entry 1 of 121.)

Brambleberry for Time Travel Thur 32 (I was entry 2 of 48.)
Common Ground for Vint Inspiration 25 (I was entry 22 of 102.)
Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home 2 (I was entry 39 of 44.)
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (I was entry 40 of 251.)
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri 11 (I was entry 8 of 115.)

Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (I was entry 5 of 76)
Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (I was entry 10 of 15.)

A Picture is Worth for 2nd Time Around (I was entry 11 of 13.)

How Sweet for Pink Saturday (I was entry 118 of 186.)

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special 69 (I was entry 53 of 184.)

This post and other hutch posts were featured on Here!

Flow Blue China Patterns

2011-02-05T22:45:00.025-06:00

Lugano Flow Blue Plate Detail

Some of my favorite china is blue and white. I love the combination of cobalt blue with the clean white, ivory, or creamy off whites of the base porcelain. This combination has resonated with more then just me, and starting in the 1800's, blue and white china from many manufacturers in many patterns were popular with china purchasing customers.

Astoria Flow Blue China

An important historical subset of blue and white china is called flow blue. There are many sites that can describe the "how and whys" of flow blue china, but I will just describe flow blue in my own words. Flow blue china has deep cobalt blue color applied over a white china base, and the chemistry over time has blurred the once crisp lines. Instead of this manufacturing problem disappointing customers, the resulting dreamier blurry lines have inspired fans and collectors, including me.

Lugano Flow Blue China

I wish my photos could show you the beauty of the flow blue plates - the beauty that I see when I hold them in my hands. The colors from a distance command attention, and then the delicate lines, flowers and scroll work hold your attention when you examine the patterns up close. The soft blurry lines seems to contradict the cool smoothness of the china itself -- china which is smooth and hard to the touch, and yet known to be fragile, 'breakable'. Times has 'changed' this seemingly permanent china, and yet the touch of time has been kind.

I can stare at a single plate for minutes at a time - time many of us rarely have the ability to take. (OMG, strange...) I'll point out only a few details to notice in the three photo-mosaics I have assembled here. The Astoria china photo-mosaic shows details from two different plates on the bottom edge. There is a large difference in the blurring between the two plates, yet I got them together and believe they were likely to have been purchased originally at the same time. The Lugano flow blue plate has brush stokes visible in the solid blue background, which I find I enjoy. And the Brunswick china has dots that have blurred to form the solid blue background.

Brunswick Flow Blue

Another fun fact about my collection of flow blue is that most of my flow blue plates are chipped, crazed and/or flawed. I call them my collection of chipped and broken plates. I couldn't/can't afford 'perfect pieces'. Originally I collected chipped and even broken plates (usually glued together by a previous owner). I have favorite antique dealers, who have kindly 'given' me/sold me the damaged pieces that they get when buying a set for sale. (Many of the dealers I know don't typically resell damaged pieces of non rare china, and yet I know one or two that have a hard time throwing out the damaged piece.) Originally I bought broken plates, intended for mosaic projects that would get me "as close to owning flow blue" as I thought I could ever come. I would also sometimes get chipped plates, but somehow I couldn't use them in my mosaics, and they started showing up on my plate rail or wall, chips included. (Sometimes with another plate overlapping a chipped area) [So, if you have a beautiful damaged or broken china plate, you don't want to keep yet don't want to toss, consider contacting me - I will add them to my collection of chipped and broken china orphans that I cherish. I don't mind a yellow brown rind of old glue running through the center of a beautiful plate. I can pay shipping and handling ;) ]

May we all age as gracefully as this china, be lucky to survive intact, and in our old age find a home where we are cherished and loved.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Blue-White Hutch

Mosaic Mirror

China Finds

I am linking up to these memes:

This is my 11th entry to Mosaic Monday (I was entry 15 of 84.)

Roses for Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 15 of 47.)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon (Entry 73 of 324.)
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 6 (Entry 57 of 72.)
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tues 49 (Entry 47 of 183.)
House of Grace for Twice Owned Tues 38 (Entry 12 of 68.)

Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 8 of 50.)
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thur 101 (Entry 25 of 124.)

Brambleberry for Time Travel Thur 31 (Entry 8 of 36.)
All Thingz for Anything Related 35 (Entry 79 of ?)
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration 24 (Entry 18 of 103.)
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (Entry 84 of 312.)
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri #11 (Entry 1 of 119.)

Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (Entry 6 of 105)
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home 1 (Entry 19 of 50.)
My Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (Entry 5 of 7.)

A Picture is Worth for 2nd Time Around (Entry 7 of 10)
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday (Entry 75 of 86.)

Heart Quilt Top

2011-01-27T20:09:00.024-06:00

Heart Quilt Top

Hearts are one of my favorite shapes. (Do you have a favorite shape?) I made my heart quilt top several years ago. This quilt top was mostly playing with color and fabrics that I love but wouldn't usually decorate with or wear. The hearts are 'fabric fused' on, not appliqued. I appliqued one block and decided - no way, I will never finish this project if I try to applique on all the hearts. I framed the finished top (so that I didn't have to quilt and bind the top), and I hang it on the wall around this time of year (Valentines Day). The quilt dimensions are 20 inches by 28 inches.

My Heart Quilt Top

Before I had children, I used to get quilt magazines, go to quilt shows, and actually occasionally piece and quilt. I started far more quilts then I have finished, and some have become UFO's - UnFinished Objects that I have no desire to finish, and yet do not want to toss. Many of my UFO's got bogged down at the quilt and bind stage of the process. After I had children, I decided to try smaller projects, and now I have four beautiful wall quilt tops that I love but dread quilting and binding. This heart quilt is the one I will share today.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Batik Quilt

Stockings

Valentine Vignette

I am linking up to these memes:

French Cupboard for Handmade Valentine (I was entry 25 of 32).
Holiday Haven for Valentines Party (Entry 26 of 66+)
Common Gnd for Vintage Inspiration Fri 22 (Entry 30 of 99).

Romantic Home for Show and Tell (Entry 3 of 268).
French Country for Feather Nest Fri 19 (Entry 38 of 134).
Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (Entry 31 of 141).
Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday 27 (Entry 282 of 353)
Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (Entry 6 of 38).

Lovely Home for Lovely Crafty Weekend (Entry 28 of 49).
Sassysites for Free for All Friday (Entry 213 of 266)
Tatertots and Jello for Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 162 of 630)
Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 5 (Entry 16 of 60)
DIY Showoff for DIY Project Parade 30 (Entry 71 of 281)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 106 (Entry 90 of 327)
Mad in Crafts for Mad Skills 39 (Entry 4 of 158)
All Things for All Things Inspired 12 (Entry 38 of 41).
Today's Creative for Get Your Craft On Tues 40 (Entry 98 of 402)
All Thingz Related for Anything Related 34 (Entry 53 of 117)
Uncommon Slice for Tuesdays Treasures (Entry 37 of 53)
The Thrifty Home for Penny Pinching Party 71 (Entry 22)
Trendy Treehouse for Creative Share Blog Hop (Entry 50 of 220.)
Sew Much Ado for We Did It Wed (Entry 83 of 321.)
My Backyard Eden for Make It Yours No. 52 (Entry 70 of 224.)

At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Fri 2 (Entry 32 of 83.)

Hutch of Blue and White China

2011-01-18T22:23:00.018-06:00

Blue and white China in my Hutch

I feel like this is my big reveal - I finally get to display my blue and white china in the china hutch I bought back in July. After the Christmas decorations were put away, I started 'finding' my scattered collection of blue and white china. I haven't gathered together my blue and white china and looked it over, ever. Since I didn't have the space to display it, I kept it packed in various places, even as I added to the collection.

This display is eclectic and disorganized, to say the least. I will get more proficient at displaying china in my hutch as the years go on. Right now, I guess I am using the hutch as a leisurely way to sort and catalog my china collection. Seeing what I have, so to speak. With four children, and a patient husband who would prefer less clutter, I have been keeping my china well out of the way (and out of sight!) The husband can't complain about 'too much china' if it is stashed in out of the way corners of the basement.

China Hutch

The middle row has some of my favorite china, including my authentic "flow blue" china. I'd love to be able to display an entire cabinet of flow blue, but for now I am happy to see the handful of pieces I have. I think I will catalog (and blog?) my flow blue pieces on a different day.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

I am linking up to these memes:

Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (I was entry 10 of 57).
Shabby Chic for Transformation Thur (I was entry 39 of 356).

Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday 98 (I was entry 106 of 114+)
Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thur 28 (I was entry 4 of 41).
Common Gnd for Vintage Inspiration Fri 21 (I was entry 30 of 90).
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (I was entry 37 of 269).
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri #18 (I was entry 1 of 98).
Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (I was entry 15 of 137).
A La Carte for Finds Friday 12 (I was entry 8 of 40).
Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (I was entry 25 of 33.)

Roses for Show off your Cottage Monday (I was entry 15 of 50+)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 105 (Entry 103 of 204+)
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays 47 (Entry 162).
House of Grace for Twice Owned Tuesday 36 (Entry 54)

Flow Blue Mosaic Mirror

2011-01-12T20:43:00.015-06:00

Mosaic Mirror

I have loved china since before I picked out a china pattern as a bride many years ago. This strange love would have me window shopping the china sections of department stores for years after I was married, enjoying the many patterns that were out of my price range, and knowing I would have a hard time choosing just one anyway. My everyday tableware? The versatile and hardy "Just White" by Corelle. I used this daily, for over 20 years...

I started collecting china at rummage sales. I would see lone plates and buy them. (I guess I started collecting china for future china hutch displays and table scaping, which I hadn't yet heard of, but at the time I told myself - "Maybe I will use this plate for mosaics." It gave me an excuse to collect china I liked.) I would buy teacups and saucers, even though I don't drink tea. I would buy broken and chipped china and glued together china also, spare saucers without a cup, etc. After a while, I even went to some antique dealers and arranged to buy broken and chipped china that they wouldn't usually sell. These dealers, too, had a hard time throwing out beautiful pieces of china. I got my first pieces of flow blue china as broken plates from an antique dealer.

I made some stepping stones for outside, a couple of trivets, and then I really wanted to use my broken flow blue china, so I made the frame shown. This mosaic frame square is 10.5" wide x 10.5" high, framing a square 3.5" x 3.5" mirror. (Does anyone else recognize this as an IKEA frame?) Even the sides of the frame have mosaic china edging.

Mosaic Mirror

I may never have china of this caliber to work with again, which is why this is my favorite mosaic creation to date. This mirror is a delight to my eye - eye candy for the wall.

The china pieces in this mosaic frame include:

"Astoria" Flow Blue pattern (one of my favorites)

"Kelvin" Flow blue pattern

3+ different Blue Willow sources.

A Japanese version of blue onion china.

The Astoria and Kelvin china sources were cracked, chipped or damaged to the point of not being salable by the antique dealers who are my source for great china. "Faux flow blue blue willow" patterns were also used. (I like saying that, but my husband doesn't get why that is funny. Is it funny to any of you blog readers?)

No historically important china pieces were harmed in the creation of this frame, which hangs in my bedroom. :)

This type of ceramic mosiac work (using china) is sometimes called Pique Assiette.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Furniture Treasure

Mosaic Heart

Thanks giving Hutch

I am linking up to these memes:

Shabby Chic for Transformation Thur (I was entry 97 of 312).

Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 22 of 53).
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday 96 (Entry 25 of 101)

Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thur 26 (Entry 3).
Common Gnd for Vintage Inspiration Fri 20 (Entry 4 of 75).
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (Entry 76 of 234)
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri #17 (Entry 41 of 95).

Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (Entry 35 of 140).
A La Carte for Finds Friday (Entry 4 of 29).
Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (Entry 14 of 30).

Roses for Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 63 of 63).
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 104 (Entry 82 of 314+)

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays 46 (Entry 62 of 131+).

House of Grace for Twice Owned Tuesday 35 (Entry 10 of 58+)
Today's Creative Blog for Get Your Craft On 38 (Entry 396)
Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Monday 3 (Entry 100)
Mad in Crafts for Mad Skills 37 (Entry 147)
Sew Much Ado for We Did It Wed 18 (Entry 240)
All Things for All Things Inspired 11 (Entry 45)
All Thingz Related for Anything Related 32 (Entry 139)
Uncommon Slice for Tuesdays Treasures 18 (Entry 58)
The Thrifty Home for Penny Pinching Party 69 (Entry 125)
Someday Crafts for What Ever Goes Wed 48 (Entry 297)
Trendy Treehouse for Creative Share Blog Hop 18 (Entry 149)
Today's Creative blog for Get Your Craft On 38 (Entry 396)
My Backyard Eden for Make It Yours No. 50 (Entry 178)

Panda!

2011-01-09T21:10:00.012-06:00

In July of 2006 my husband and I were able to take our children to see the National Zoo in Washington DC. One of the Pandas was active and visible that day, and I got some nice photos.

One of the Panda's even climbed a tree, went out on a limb, and slipped down under the branch. A visitor told me we were lucky to see a panda in action, usually they are hard to see.

Panda at the National Zoo, Washington DC

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

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Peacock

Washington DC

Bighorn Sheep

I am linking up to these memes:
This is my 11th entry to the meme Scenic Sunday (I was entry 66).
This is my 9th entry to the meme Mosaic Monday (I was entry 43).
This is my 30th entry to Outdoor Wednesday 105 (I was entry 106).

Angel Window

2011-01-04T14:05:00.031-06:00

Today I wanted to share my favorite Angel stained glass window. This blue angel window measures about 16 inches by 24 inches and was created in the early 1980's by my husband's mother, Marian Grisa.

Glass Detail

Marian Grisa (1925 - 1986), was a artist in many mediums, including fiber, stained glass, painting and sculpture. I don't actually know how many stained glass windows she made, but she made at least nine stained glass windows for Heritage Presbyterian Church in Muskego, Wisconsin, as well as at least two other smaller windows. The two small windows she gave as gifts, one to her mother and one to her cousin. These small windows have traveled on as family heirlooms, one to my husband, Carl Grisa.

This Christmas I hung the angel window in my living room window for the Christmas season. After the holidays are over, I think I will move the Angel window to somewhere more permanent, probably in the dining room. I'm pretty sure I've decided that this little angel should shine on for more then just the holidays.

(How is this a Metamorphis Monday post? This window was taken out of storage and hasn't hung in the house for years. I was worried the children might break it. I think that counts...)

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Beveled Window

Garden Horses

Stained Glass

I am linking up to these memes:

Roses for Show off your Cottage Monday (I was entry 45 of 50).
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon 102 (Entry 229 of 238).

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays 44 (Entry 94 of 123).

House of Grace for Twice Owned Tuesday 33 (Entry 33 of 44).

Shabby Chic for Transformation Thur (I was entry 19 of 291).

Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (I was entry 6 of 40).
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday 96, (I was entry 3 of 99).

Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thur 26 (I was entry 3 of 37).
Common Gnd for Vintage Inspiration Fri 19 (I was entry 9 of 66).
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (I was entry 9 of 229).
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri #15 (I was entry 5 of 112).

Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (I was entry 7)
A Picture is Worth for 2nd Time Around (I was entry 7 of 10)

Laurie for Favorite Things Sat (I was entry 12 of 33).

Library of Congress

2011-01-02T19:33:00.013-06:00

Library of Congress Interior

The Library of Congress in Washington DC, USA is housed in a spectacular building.

Library of Congress interior, Washington DC

Beautiful details are everywhere you look - in the mosiacs on the floors, the stained glass on the ceiling, and the wonderful pillars, carvings and paintings on the walls.

I like stained glass windows - below is a close-up of one of the stained glass panels from the ceiling.

Stained glass window in the Library of Congress

I like mosaics - the floors are incredible.

Mosaic floor in the Library of Congress, Washington DC

The Library of Congress is one of the great places to explore in Washington DC. There are so many great sites to see in Washington DC that this building is often missed by tourists on their first visit. If you can find the time - don't miss it.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Elves Chasm

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I am linking up to these memes:

This is my 11th entry to Mosaic Monday (I was entry 32)

This is my 9th entry to the meme Scenic Sunday (I was entry 50).