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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Star-Spangled Settings

This year’s Independence Day table setting centered around a new table runner with red and white stripes and blue stars outlined in gold.

Also on the table is a ceramic tray in a flag-inspired design



At the opposite corner is a flag design napkin holder containing extra paper napkins with flag motif.


The Napkin rings are Red Wood Stars holding “Porcelain Blue” cloth napkins.



The dinner plates are “Liberty Blue,” a Staffordshire transferware pattern made in England for the U.S. Bicentennial. Each item has a different historical illustration. (See the list of Illustrations at the end below.*)
The plates are set on white lacquer chargers. The goblets are Fostoria “Virginia” in dark blue:


As centerpiece I used two milk glass candlesticks with red taper candles on either side of a “Liberty Blue” covered bowl. Nearby are matching salt and pepper shakers.

The Sideboard or Buffet continues the star-spangled theme.
On a round woven placemat, a large hurricane globe holds a white pillar candle on ruby red pressed glass candleholder surrounded with wood flag motif stars. Sprinkled outside on the mat are larger wood stars. Behind it all is a large “Liberty Blue” oval platter in front of a much larger porcelain tray from Portugal. A spray of stars and flags is placed between the two platters.



The tea service includes the “Liberty Blue” teapot, sugar and creamer. On the teacup stand four “Liberty Blue” teacups feature Paul Revere’s Ride. Red ceramic strawberries add a touch of color to the saucers.




*FYI – The illustrations on the Liberty Blue dishware are as follows:
Dinner plates – Independence Hall
Oval Vegetable Dish - Minute Men
Round Vegetable Dish - Fraunces Tavern
Covered Vegetable Bowl – Boston Tea Party
Gravy Boat – Lafayette’s Landing at West Point
Gravy Stand – Governor’s House, Williamsburg




Teapot and Lid – Minute Men
Creamer – Paul Revere’s Ride
Covered Sugar – Betsy Ross
Cups – Paul Revere’s Ride
Saucers – Old North Church
Large Platter – George Washington Crossing the Delaware

I am joining the following blog events:

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch where we can enjoy more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Suzanne with Vintage Thingies Thursday at Coloradolady.
Cindy’s Show and Tell Friday at
My Romantic Home

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Holly Motif on Holiday Dishes

The teacup for this week is the vintage "Holly" by Lefton.



Stickers on bottom of saucer and cup read Lepton and Japan


The holly motif is sculpted on the cup and saucer


The Lefton “Holly” pattern has many pieces, from plates to candleholders. This includes reindeer as seen below. A matching sleigh is also available.


If you would like to survey various holiday china patterns available now, here is a nice online review of china with a holly berry motif:
http://www.squidoo.com/christmas-holly-china#module68813781

The Christmas book for today is The Holly and the Ivy: A Celebration of Christmas by Barbara Segall. Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1991. The book is filled with historical tidbits about various Christmas customs, including the use of holly and ivy in holiday decorations.

The front cover has shiny lettering and little prints that look like stickers. There is also a real tartan ribbon wrapped around the front edge of the book.




I am linking today’s post to:

Tea Cup Tuesday, is co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.


Tea For Two Tuesday at the Plumed Pen.

Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday with Wanda Lee and Pam at The Silken Purse and at Breath of Fresh Air.

Tea Party Tuesday hosted by Trisha at Sweetology.

Embrace The Season Christmas Tea
hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.

Tuesday Cuppa Teahosted by Ruth
at Antiques and Teacups.

Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser’s Blog.

Flaunt It Fridayhosted by Kate at Chic on a Shoestring.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Holiday Teacup


The teacup I’m sharing this week is in the Lenox "Holiday" pattern, which is my formal Christmas china. The design features green holly leaves with red berries on an ivory porcelain base. This pattern came out in 1974 and it has become a perennial favorite among traditional designs.




The inspirational holiday book is A Christmas Wish by Dee Appel, with art by Gay Talbott Boassy. (c)2001


This book is part of the series Tiny Tea, published by Blue Cottage Gifts, a devision of Multnomah Publishers, Inc. in Sisters, Oregon. Note the holly decoration on the cup and in the greenery.


The small gift book consists of a lovely poem expressing joy in the season and wishing friends warmth and love. The book ends with this wonderful quotation:

“I have not stopped
giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:16 NIV

May we each think often of our friends and loved ones during this festive season. And may we be ever in prayer for God’s blessing in their lives.

I am linking today’s post to:


Tea Cup Tuesday, is co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.


Tea For Two Tuesday at the Plumed Pen.

Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday with Wanda Lee and Pam at The Silken Purse and at Breath of Fresh Air.

Embrace The Season Christmas Tea hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.

Tuesday Cuppa Teahosted by Ruth
at Antiques and Teacups.

Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser’s Blog.

Flaunt It Fridayhosted by Kate at Chic on a Shoestring.

Monday, November 28, 2011

A New Tree for Teacups

I have been gathering a number of ornaments, which are suitable for a tea-themed tree. On Black Friday I ordered an artificial pre-lit pine tree from Kohls.com. While awaiting its arrival in the mail, I decided to do a test-run using one of two small faux trees I have. Alas, the tree is too flimsy to bear the weight of the ornaments, which are mostly ceramic. I had to put it up against the hutch so it would not tip over! Nevertheless, it still gives me a dry run for decorating my new tea tree.




The tree is set in a silver urn, with two doilies wrapped around it to help keep it upright. I also placed three teacup-shaped tea bag rests around the bottom of the tree to help prop it up.










To add sparkle I decided to use some Princess House crystal angel ornaments and a tiny spun glass tree. The tea tree is in the Kitchen, which is decorated in a Christmas tree theme.







I am also using small-scale teacups such as this one by Royal Copenhagen:







I have a variety of additional tea ornaments to add. There is the Spode "Christmas Tree" which was a must-have since that is one of my Christmas dish patterns.

Then there is a teapot and cup and saucer in the Lenox "Holiday" pattern, my more formal holiday china.

I will also include a silverplate tea spoon with figural teapot handle, and a gilt tea spoon with figural teapot handle.
To add to the sparkle, I am also thinking of adding a couple teardrop ornaments from JoAnn from Santa’s Workshop, and a few crystal prisms:


I will also be decorating the tree with a dozen small glass balls, found at a local consignment shop. They are clear glass with iridescent finish.


For the treetop, I’ve selected a vintage angel tree topper. The wings and halo are sparked with glitter. The bottom of her robe is banded in white cotton. The body is white plastic and glows when a light is inserted.




I’m looking forward to receiving my tree so I can set up my tea-themed tree. Have you ever done a tree with teacups and teapots as the theme?



I am linking today’s post to:
Deck the Hall Sunday, hosted by Terri at Artful Affirmations
Tea Cup Tuesday, is co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.
Tea For Two Tuesday at the Plumed Pen.
Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday with Wanda Lee and Pam at The Silken Purse and at Breath of Fresh Air.
Tea Party Tuesday hosted by Trisha at Sweetology.
Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.
Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth at Antiques and Teacups.


Flaunt It Friday hosted by Kate at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating.


Show and Tell Friday hosted by Cindy at My Romantic Home.




Home for the Holidays hosted on Fridays by Carrie at The Corson Cottage

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Cup of Christmas Tea & A Memory of Christmas Tea

This week I’d again like to share one of the inspirational books that I reach for during the Christmas season. A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg, illustrated by Warren Hanson. Waldman House Press Inc. c1982.





According to Publishers Weekly "in its first edition, published in 1982, the book sold more than 1.5 million copies."

The mini version is an ornament book 3 ½ inches tall by 2 5/8 inches wide, with gilt cord for hanging and red ribbon bookmark.

The sequel was published some years later:
A Memory of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg, illustrated by Warren Hanson. Waldman House Press Inc. c1999.

These two books are available in gift book edition, edition with both titles together, ans also in Audiobook on CD as well as Audiobook on cassette.


Other lovely merchandise based on the lovely teacup theme has followed:
"A Cup of Christmas Tea" Regular Size Teacup





"A Cup of Christmas Tea" is written inside the bone china cup and saucer and it is decorated with holly, and trimmed in gold.


The bottom of the cup and the saucer read: "A Cup of Christmas Tea copyright 1995 Waldman House Press, Inc. by Tom Hegg, Illustrated by Warren Hansen."


"Cup of Christmas Tea" Bone China Miniature Tea Set of 10 pieces –teapot, sugar and creamer two cups and saucers. Each has the holly decoration of the larger sized pieces.



"A Cup of Christmas Tea" 1999 Bone China Christmas Ornament. The ornament consists of a teapot pouring into a teacup.



Following is a list of additional items that are available in this pattern.
Teapot
Sugar and Creamer set
Tea caddy
Dinner plate, bread butter plate,
Cookie plate 8"
Cake Plate 10.5"
24k goldplated spoon
Coasters
Pair Candlesticks 6"
Single candlestick
Oval basket
Hurricane lamp
Candle lamp
Tealight holders
Desk clock




Tom Hegg's story about the special teacup and the response it evokes, has been so well received over the years, that it continues in print and continues as a favorite for gift giving.





I am linking today’s post to:
Tea Cup Tuesday, is co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.
Tea For Two Tuesday at the Plumed Pen.
Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday with Wanda Lee and Pam at The Silken Purse and at Breath of Fresh Air.
Tea Party Tuesday hosted by Trisha at Sweetology.
Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.



Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth at Antiques and Teacups.


Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser’s Blog.


Flaunt It Fridayhosted by Kate at Chic on a Shoestring.