Tuesday, January 31, 2012

"DEAR VALENTINE"

" Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell"....(Joan Crawford).

This February, I'm all about making my own little ATC valentine cards... It's fun it's easy and inexpensive.
Nowadays it's so easy to send a romantic e-card and I have done that a few times... but, I just find it so impersonal and ( sigh) I'm in love ... with the whole idea of Valentines... SO, I brewed myself a nice pot of Rootibus tea and pondered which cup that I desired to drink from today.
It seems, I go through this ritual, every time I make tea ... What's my mood? ... Is it a sunny day? .... and ... What do I love? .... DO you have a teacup ritual( Hee Hee) .... TODAY ...I feel happy and creative and I'm loving all the sunshine that's pouring into my windows....mmmmmmm!!!!

What are some of things you love and how do you choose your teacup? I love roses. I love the colour pink . I love all things that twinkle and glisten like gold ( Ha Ha) and I love fine, light porcelain ... so .... this pretty Nippon tea set captured my heart. Infact, I'm singing " I FEEL PRETTY ", from Rodger and Hammersteins' musical and would dearly love share this cup and saucer with you all on this sunny, Teatime Tuesday.
The cup is stamped " Imperial China " with a trademark crown insignia, hand painted and nippon , so, I know it was made in Japan, perhaps around 1940 .... I searched the all nippon markings online, but unfortunately didn't find it amongst of the myriad of oriental stamps ... however, some were close, but not exact.

I contented myself knowing that I got this Nippon beauty for such a steal . It was purchased on Vancouver Island, Canada, over twenty years ago for five dollars. That was, of course, before all the prices soared on china teacups. I should have bought more. ( Ha Ha) ... Now I couldn't touch it for less than fifty dollars.
It boasts a very decorative side band of karat gold around the edges of both the cup and saucer. The handpainted roses, stems and leaves have also been tenderly outlined with the midas touch.
The delicate artistry on the saucer is a work of art, that could be brilliantly displayed and hung on a wall. It does seem such a shame, to put the cup on this lovely saucer, as wide brimmed mouth, covers a lot of the beautiful floral details.
Often, I turn this cup, upside down to display its rather pretty bottom ( ha ha) which is also hidden by the lip of the saucer. Today, I shall warm my hands on it's " Pippa" bottom, enjoy my tea, read Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poetry" How Do I love Thee " .... and endeavour to create more Valentines ...
What's on your Valentine agenda? I do hope that it includes, stopping over for a teatime chat and hugs ... The scones are hot and I have bowls filled with cinnamon hearts for all my teatime Valentines.. Wishing you all a sun filled day of Happiness and Love.

21 comments:

Snap said...

Love your Valentines. The teacup is gorgeous. Pin and roses ... perfect for Valentines Day! Happy Tea Day!

Antiques And Teacups said...

What a gorgeous teacup! Just beautiful! And I love your Valentines! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Zaa,
What a gorgeous teacup! Imagine, paying five dollars for it! What a deal you got! Sweet valentines too. Thank you, dear lady, for joining me for tea today.

Blessings,
Sandi

Martha's Favorites said...

What an amazing tea cup! I love the roses. Your whole post today is so Romantic. Thank you so much for sharing. Hugs, Martha

Zaa said...

Thank You Ladies... You have indeed brightened my teatime with your visits... Hugs

Terri said...

Hello Zaa, your tea cup today is stunning! I love the shape first of all, and then all those beautiful roses and the gold trims...really really lovely.
I love your ATCs as well! Both of them are very romantic!
Hugs,
Terri

Colleen said...

Hello Zaa, I agree that sending real cards is so special! And yes, I do have a tea cup ritual as well, glad to know I'm not alone. Most people don't understand my love for tea cups and why I have so many different tea cups and coffee mugs. Nice to find a kindred heart that understands such things. Have a blessed day!

Zaa said...

Thank You Terri... It's always a joy to work with the brilliance reds and pinks of February... Hugs

Zaa said...

Ha Ha Colleen... Glad to hear ,I'm not alone in this ritual either... Thank you for the sweet visit...Hugs

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hello Zaa,
I like your cup and saucer, it's so pretty. I usually use my favourite Christmas mug for drinking my tea...but I do have a couple of other favourite mugs and I use these as well so that they all get a turn.
God Bless
Barb from Australia

Trish said...

What a lovely cup and saucer - and what a bargain it was too!
Very pretty shape and pattern!
I use a plain white cup most days but I love to get out the prettier ones from time to time.
They always make the tea something more special :-)
Zaa, I think you are right about sending cards.
We've become too slack because of the ease of sending e-cards via a computer.
It's just not the same as holding a lovely card in your hands!
I love the beautiful cards in your photos.
Someone is going to be thrilled to receive one of those!
Thanks for linking to Simply Sweet!
blessings..Trish

Donna Heber said...

Hi Zaa,

Your teacup and saucer are stunning! What a beautiful design and wonderful gold trim. Wishing you a day filled with happiness and love too.

Zaa said...

WELCOME Ladies ... Your comments are so very much appreciated Please do come for tea again soon..Hugs

Martha said...

A very very pretty cup and saucer!

Linda said...

Beautiful deal! Beautiful teacup! Beautiful Grand Lady!
Linda at Beautiful Ideas

Zaa said...

Thank You Martha .. So happy you came for a visit...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks for your kind comments Linda ..Please do come again.

Chris said...

Hi Zaa, what beautiful Valentines and teacups. So gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

Maria Andrade said...

Hi Zaa,
Your Nippon cup and saucer are truly gorgeous!
What a beautiful rose decoration, specially visible on the saucer!
And the gold trim adds to its charm.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs

Zaa said...

Welcome Chris.. Please do visit often... I shall stop over for a chat soon.. Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks Maria.. It's always a delight to visit with you ... So glad you took the time for a little teatime here at the " Grand Lady "... XOXOX