" SLEEPING BEAUTY "

Basking in the sun is where you'll find me these days. Are  you soaking up any  glorious rays of sunshine? Don't forget your sunscreen and a cool cup of ice tea!!!

I'm particularly fond of a slice of citrus  or drop of freshly squeezed lemon  juice  to refresh the palate on a hot summers' day. Aren't you ? Won't you join me for a little tea ? Which cup would you like? Etched gold and pretty posies for me please !!!

 All I want to do, is  enjoy the beautiful outdoors from the vantage point of the back deck, especially since I had been under the influence of that  nasty little flu bug for six weeks.

 ( Tsk Tsk) Shoo fly ... go away !!!

How do you choose your morning teacup... by colour... by weight ... by the shape  or  by the artistic design? I know that if the sun is shining, I arise singing and often select a pink floral cup, but today, I'm mellow and want something  comfortable that I can feel in my hand. 

Bavarian porcelain is always my favourite for those relaxing day. It's so fine and delicate to sip from, not to mention, that it's just shy of a full cup of tea, which makes it's just right for my tea fetish today  !!! Don't you think that old world tea sets  are alittle  more petite in comparison to the  new traditional English teacup. I prefer a little less rather than a little more during  these lazy, hazy summer days.

If you take a peek at my Bavarian  saucer ladies, you'll notice it 's smooth  reflection. One could  graciously drink tea from the bowl of this  art deco saucer.( ha ha)

 If you have any Bavarian china , check out the saucer and see if there has been any  accommodation made for the cup. All three of mine are  perfectly smooth with no indentations, so I do suspect that  they was  used for scrumptious dainties, aside from  the teacup.

This pattern reminds me of stained glass or even  the traditional  Victorian art of Crazy Quilting, with it's whimsical weaving design.

The set has no under markings,  so I'm quessing that it was manufactured in the late eighteen hundreds.... but ....  If you know anything  about vintage Bavarian  markings, please do tell !!!! I would be delighted to  explore this era of china more. In the meantime, I must be content to scour the internet and book stores  for additional information. Can you see the little feet under the cup ( ha ha).. It makes me laugh , a my imagination keeps seeing the cup walking along the table over to dainties plate... You know , like  in  Walt Disney's " Beauty and the Beast" movie. My, my  how childish one becomes at a tea party.

My cup is empty and it's time to say adieu  sweet ladies. It was truly my pleasure to chat and share  a little teatime with all you  today. I  do hope  that you've  enjoyed the lemon in your iced tea.

OOPS ... I almost forgot to mention that our lovely floral companion today is one of my own creations... " Sleeping Beauty" , a paperclay sculpture that I created within my " Dancing Lily Studio ", in cooperation with Christie Meyers and the 2012 Artful Gathering. I had so much fun  making her. 

Hopefully she has brought a  smile to your day.  If you're interested in some fabulous online classes , pop over to the, " Artful Gathering", where you'll find Session Two is just beginning. 

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MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH SUNSHINE !!!! 

WONDERLAND TEA

Tick tock, tick, tick... From the sounds of the clock ... It's Teatime Tuesday ... Unfortunately,  I'm under the weather but I have a  whole Wonderland menagerie to greet you.

I think this shall be a teatime from afar, where the sweet aroma of camomile, jasmine or just about any tea you can imagine will waft up from my blog to your olfactory nerve... take a whiff !!!

Sweet  honey tea on the throat feels good   and oh what lovely flowers have been presented to me by my hubby , who's feeling rather sorry that I'm in such a sniffling state...ACHOO !!! Flowers always make me feel better and so does a pretty cup. 

Kim  very kindly brought me a bouquet of tea in this handpainted  lusterware teaset, which looks to be in  exceptional vintage shape.

 Each and every little age spot on this saucer begs to tells a story ... a teatime story,  maybe about someone who loved this little cup so much, that they used it every day....  Or maybe, it's the  tale about a poor old soul, who had only  one cup for tea  and  one milk saucer to share with her cat during teatime ... or perhaps, the teaset belonged to a fairy princess, who was locked up in a high , high tower by her wicked step-mother. ( HA HA)  .... 

 Please do forgive my ramblings... but alas I've been drinking from Alices bottles  ... When you're sick everything has a magical presence . 

"Tsk Tsk", the flowers disagree , they say that this teaset  has been skillfully designed  with pottery tools to create  warm rippling effect around the bowl of the cup, not to mention the handpainted, posies and  high lustre that  is reminiscent  of  Japanese Lusterware.... I think they're right !!! Don't you ?

 The floral group has  ordered me to take my pills and finish my tea....(sip sip) ... and get back to bed. Boy oh boy, flowers can be bossy !!!

OK, so in my teatime meanderings today, it is probably best to  just agree with the  flowers  and enjoy our rather short  teatime chat. We can always catch up next week !!!!

SO drink up Ladies  ( giggle giggle) . You're welcome to join me in Wonderland  anytime. You don't have to be sick to visit your  own wonderland  tea in the garden. You might even want to talk to the flowers. ....  Scientific studies show that it makes the garden grow !!!!

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY !!!!



Sharing teatime with:

sandi .... (http;//sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca)

terri .......(http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com)

"LILAC TIME "

" Fiddle dee-dee" - It seems like years since we've had a Teatime chat ... The month of  May has passed  in a flurry of excitement and great expectations with the birth of our new little Grand-daughter Auriane.

 ( see May posting below ).

Now it's half past Tuesday teatime and I must prepare for a nice brewing of chit chat with you all ... It's catch up time in blogland.  Won't you please join me !!!

Sandi, you sit here, Terri, this is your seat and well, please make yourselves comfortable Ladies.

Not everyone has access to luxurious teatime setting , so here's  a traditional little milk jug, that I found in the Frederickton Airport.  There are many lovely items that are readily available for your viewing and purchase by this local Artisan... So take a peek , if you get a chance to visit here, in beautiful Frederickton.

 I, of course, am always tempted and just couldn't  pass up  the underestimated, playtime essence of this  simple jug. Can't you imagine, having teatime with your childhood friends, sisters or  little grand-daughter. What fun !!!!

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I must confess that, I  also bought a new teapot ... It's a very unusual design, destined to become a New Age, retro treasure. The artisan has bedecked it with lilacs, which were so appropriate for the season.

My gardens are bursting with the  intoxicating fragrance of  lilacs. Are your  lilacs blooming yet? These old fashioned blossoms always remind me of days gone by, vintage years in small towns with meandering pathways and elegantly dressed people, who wear hats, ride bicycles  or trot through the dusty streets in  horse drawn  carriages.

More tea !!!!...Oh yes...oops I spilled a few drops. The tea pours out of the spout like a torpedo in this vessel. The elongated shape, swirls the liquid so very quickly to teapot mouth  .... So Beware!!!

It's a very sleek teapot, front, back and on the sides. As you can see, holding the spacious handle and tea lid are gracious attributes for this selective design. It is indeed very unique!!!

AHhhhhhh ... one more glorious whiff of the blossoms .... It reminds me of an old song, from a Lesley Garrett, CD... Maybe you have this album !!!! ... 

" We'll Gather Lilacs "

" We'll gather lilacs in the Spring again.

And walk together  down the English lane.

Until our hearts have learned to sing again.

When you come home, once more."

" And in the evening, by the firelight glow,

You'll hold me close and never let me go .

Your eyes will tell me all I need to know,

When you come home, once more.

" We'll gather lilacs in the Spring again."

Goodness , Lady Linda, your teacup is empty!!! I hope you're enjoying my selection of cups today. This one is a Bavarian porcelain set, that  actually seems to dance with the translucent shadows of the sunlight, if held up to the window. It has  a slightly round shape, with a generous mouth that adds a special mellow appearance to the tea when it's poured into the china.

It was purchased with two other Bavarian pieces on ebay. They do not, however have any markings, only the telltale quality of fine china ... that resemble many other  Bavarian pieces that I own.  Perhaps you know something about Bavarian china that you could share  !!!  

Hand painted morning glory vines  and golden filigree enhance the delicate balance of  this teaset, blessing it with a generous amount of ambient serenity... Sipping, is  simply blissful ... (hmmmmm) 

Three dainty little feet, herald the sheer sweetness of this  teaset, which is always front and centre, ready for a tea party.( Ha Ha) Incidently, it has no cup holding indentation, which also denotes it's vintage age.

Oops-a-daisy... back onto your feet little  teacup, stop showing off !!!

Arranging flowers in vases is one of my favourite past-time. It has been a pleasure to share the lilacs at this Tuesdays' teatime.

I'm sharing teatime with:

Tea Time Tuesdays (http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca)
Teacup Tuesdays: ( http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com)
                              ( http:/angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.ca)

"BLESSINGS"

"Sugar and Spice and everything 

That's what little girls are made of ."

I received blessings from heaven this Mother's Day with the birth of our new baby Grand-daughter, Auriane.  This picture was taken just after she was born. Auriane, which means " new dawn", is the first  girl in a line of four grandsons. We are indeed blessed and thankful for this  beautiful addition to our family.

"Thank heaven for little girls".

Wishing you all a most peaceful and relaxing Mother's Day.

DOWNTON TEA

Downtown Abbey is a fabulous mini series, produced by the BBC. It's a wartime saga that follows the lives of an Aristocratic English family and their servants during the wartime... sort of an " Upstairs, Downstair" story.  If you you haven't watched this series ... please do take the time to  make yourself a pot full of tea and get acquainted with the fabulous lives and characters of this award  winning  show.  

You can watch the whole series in one day on " PBS.org streaming", if you love a good English Drama. 

You'll understand this teatime chatter, if you've watched the series... If not, you're WELCOME to join into a spot of tea and meet Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham... a real character( ha ha )

So Ladies  ... Shall we let  teatime begin, or rather, let's catch up to the Teatime Tuesday conversations and quotes with Lady Violet.  

" Sometimes, I feel as if I were living in a H.G. Wells novel."

Well Yes "Lady Violet ", after all you are a character from a script... and Maggie Smith , you're a superb Grand Lady, with great one liners... BRAVO !!!

By chance... This set is stamped by Royal Doulton as " Grantham' ... Ha ha .. so hilarious that the fictional, Downton Abbey should choose this name ... I did a little research and found it to be a peaceful little medieval  English Village,  that began as a ' Saxon' word ' ..( Ham) meaning  somebodies name or home.

A juicy little tidbit is that , Sir Issac Newton was born in Woolsthorpe near, Grantham and attended King's School, near Grantham, so  that certainly puts the village of Grantham on the map.

This Granthan teaset is an antique Royal Doulton China set  that was gifted to me, from my husbands', mothers, mother who bought it for  a penny in a cereal package.

Imagine ...  Royal Doulton  in a cereal box ... My mother -in-law, remembered it as the porridge pattern and poo- pooed it's grand name. Personally ... I love the whimsical swirls and all the delightful posies that adorn this vintage set. 

Knowing that it was used  everyday, before I or my husband, Kim  were born, makes it even more special.  Unfortunately, my mother-in-law, Peggy  dislikes it's familiar memories of war and loss of loved ones .... Goodness ... I never realized that pieces of china could carry such a legacy. I'm resolved to enjoy these dishes because of family connections and the many unknown good times that may have been. .. Now ladies,  let's return to Lady Violet !!!!! 

" I'm a woman Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose."

In Downton Abbey, Lady Violet had so many fabulous one liners...and I love the name ' Violet "and I also love the woman, that they have created. Lady Violet and most Victorians would have  enjoyed drinking tea from a  fine china cup. Perhaps, a grand lady would choose this pretty cup and saucer for her teatime fancy.

I do hope the violets pop up into this tea and allow you to see how very sweet this teacup really  is.  Can you see them round the bottom of the cup ? I chose  this lovely  teatime duo with violets and forget-me-nots in mind... and of course it  also reminded me of , "SPRING".

(Slurp...sip...slurp..sip)... Really, I  drink my tea quite graciously, but do forgive a good  loud sip and slurp every once in awhile. ( ha ha)

 Lady Violet, would of course, object to the complete lack of our Canadian or American manners, since she believes that we live in wigwams.

QUOTE

Lady Grantham: " Why would you want to go to a real school? You're not a doctor's daughter."

Sybil: "Nobody learns anything from a governess, apart from French and how to curtsy."

Lady Grantham: "What else do you need?Are you thinking of a career in banking?"

Cora: " Things are different in America."

Lady Grantham: " I know, They live in wigwams."

  The golden  filigree on this saucer is  definitely a harbinger of Spring with it's floral whispers and  sweet blue nosegay. I am almost tempted to sip from the saucer( ha ha).. but I think that would be a Victorian,

 " no-no ".

Wouldn't you love to engage Lady Violet into a teatime chat about etiquette and manners? What fun we could have!!!!

Of course .. It may bring you to a  " Lady Violet " moment ... HA HA ... and ... She is quite  a Teatime Lady ... with an opinionated Teatime Voice  !!! The perfect Mother -in -Law ( Ha ha )

QUOTE

Lady Grantham: "You are quite wonderful the way you see  room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal."

Mrs. Crawley: "I take that as a compliment."

Lady Grantham: "I must've said it wrong".

" You'll find there's never a dull moment in this house."

I hope you enjoyed  seeing my "Lady Violet "ATC's . I just couldn't resist making a few cards of this grand, Dowager Countess.

So Ladies, please do sit back, enjoy another cup of tea and watch "Downtown Abbey" while I scurry into blogland to visit a few Teatime friends. Thanks for another extraordinary teatime chat..





Sharing Tea with :
Sandi @ http:sandimyyellowdoor.ca
Terri @ http:artfulaffirmations.com
Martha@http:marthasfavorites.com
Ruth @ http:antiquesandteacups.ca

" COBALT BLUE "

Vincent van Gogh declared " Cobalt"(blue) is a divine colour and there is nothing so beautiful for putting atmosphere around thing..."

This extraordinary stable colour has been a favourite to some of the greatest artists, throughout the world. Renoirs, "The Umberellas ( Les Parapluies) 1881-85 (above) is one of my favourites. It is also the deep, dramatic hues of this colour that attracted me to this handsome, German Teaset.

I say handsome, because of the rich and heavy contrast of the decorating on this piece. The cobalt hue is so dense and moody, while the gold gilding lavishly hugs the superb curves of the teacup, like two lovers embracing. 

I found  three vintage, cobalt blue teasets , each a little different, at Victoria's Antiques, in Vancouver. Unfortunately, she has now closed her doors, but I feel certain, that I've acquired some of her most lovely pieces ... especially since they were bought 15 years ago. ( Ha Ha) ... Each set has the GRD stamped on the bottom of the saucer, so they are either a West or East German manufacturer/ Jl Menau or Reichenbach.  I'm still digging for more information.

I always look for matching colours in nature and none is more beautiful than the  wild lupines that dot  the hills and valleys of New Brunswick in the summer... I took these pictures on beautiful Prince Edward Island last year ....See how the curvaceous petals mimic the decadend gold edging on this saucer, in superb fashion. "All things bright and beautiful" just seem to originate  in the form and colour from nature itself !!!

Although, I would hesitate to take this set into the garden party ...  it would greatly compliment an elegant tearoom setting, in  the Grand Lady's sitting room, where cobalt blue is an adorning colour for many vases and ornamental pieces. Of course, you can have your choice of cups to sip from.

We may even have enough bouquets of lupines for you all, to take home .... I do hope so !!!

Teatime is at high noon ...  Wear your pearls ladies and bring along a feathered fan to compliment your comfort, in the heat of the day.  Oh, my goodness ... I do understand, if that's a little early for some of you living abroad.

If your late, don't worry ...  I have some midnight lanterns, to brighten the pathway, up along  the azure  steps, to a late night cup of tea . 

Wouldn't a,  " High Moon Teatime ", be delightful  !!!

Sharing Teatime with : 

Sandi@Rose Chintz Cottage

Terri and Martha@ Tea Cup Tuesday

Ruth @ Tuesday Cuppa Tea

"HAPPY EASTER"

Wishing you all a " HAPPY EASTER" ...  in traditional Victorian style, with homemade cards.   Creating ATC's is a happy past -time and so are colored  eggs and rabbits. Here, I've  created a quick and easy card from the Victorian trading card templates, which we call Artists Trading cards.  It's so easy  and so much fun, fun, fun ... Ready, get set ...GO !!!!

 First, choose some  light weight  paper  for your egg. I  used pink and green origami paper and a contrasting floral pattern for a Spring  twist.

Cut two pink ovals and two green ovals, then cut four  floral ovals ... now you have  eight ovals that you can glue together  ... Are you following ?  Two pink with floral backs   and two green with floral backs ... Tah Dah .. You have four reversible pretty little egg shapes !!!!  Fold all four in half and use decorative scissors to cut around the edges. Are you having fun yet !!!

You may wish to  burnish  the edges with a  pigment ink pad ... I used metallic metal around mine to  hi-light the wave.

Choose a  strong stock paper  for your card, cut to  an ATC size ( 2.5 X 3.5 ) ... I chose a decorative  red with a pink  glittered polka dots to pull the pink on the egg. It worked nicely !!!

Glue, one folded half to the ATC and then butt the other folded half, up against  the middle and press it down securely. Now, you have an egg shape that flaps open on the sides, displaying the flowers.

I found  some  bunny stickers in my  craft stash  and  positioned it  onto the middle of the egg, to give it a little more dimension.... Cute..Cute !!!

Color makes such a difference ... Here's my  green bunny card ....Which one do you like best ?  You can write a little message  on the floral flaps of the egg, if you want to get  more personal. Then,  send them  to your friends, family members or grandchildren, in good old Victorian tradition. Imagine a handmade card from Grandma. .. A treasured keepsake !!!

 It's fun. It's easy 

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL