"CARVING PUMPKINS "

Wishing you all a safe and happy All Hallow's Eve.... Carving pumpkins is always a delightful experience. Our three year old grandson, Bodhi and Grandpa enjoyed a exhilarating afternoon preparing the jack-'o'lanterns.  Lighting them up was even more exciting, especially on a dark, windy night.

Coming to our house, mean't you had to be careful or you'd get a terrible fright from the six blazing  pumpkins.... We didn't have too many little trick or treaters knocking at our doors, but the spirit and laughter  was an exhilarating way to enjoy the festivities of the October's , All Hallow's Eve ... together.

"TEATIME SPLENDOUR"

" I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree".... The autumn splendour is intoxicating with it colourful array. The awesome scenes encourage my soul to be happy and thankful  for this Thanksgiving .

After a brisk  twenty minute doggie walk,  the  warm nectar of the tea nymphs was all I needed to soothe my already awakened spirit. Goodness, it looks as if some mischievous little golden boy has already been sipping into my cup.

 While the crimson leaves of season are my favourite ... I delighted in choosing a complimentary,
 " Kahla "teaset to rally the vibrancy of  autumns flaming colours.

It's a lovely set that blushes with the autumn flowers in their last dance of the year  .... See how   the three stems are so elegantly poised in a floral ballet ... Note that the cup is only 2 inches high. It was a gift from my mother, so it's befitting that I invite you to share midday tea with mother and I.

Shortbread is a family favourite so, help yourself to the dainties while I chat up alittle Kahla history.

It seems that Kahla has a 150 year old history that  really dates back to 1814 when Christian Jacob Eckhard requested Kahla citizenship. In October 1844 production begins in Kahla, a town in the Saale-Holzland district in Thuringia, Germany. Cups, pipes and doll heads are created out of porcelain and it develops into a major enterprise  employing many of the surrounding villagers.

In 1856 a Prussian business man takes over the factory and continues to produce porcelain dug from the grounds situated near the Leuchtenburg Castle. Porcelain is created out of three basic materials: quartz sand, feldspar and kaolinite, which makes each and every china set an elegant work of art. 

Have I got your interest ? 

Unfortunately, the Kahla journey is far too extensive for me to post here. It has a full tapestry to explore... so please take your time ... but I warn you it's very exciting and you may have to go for a holiday over  to Germany.  Maybe even  to visit Johanna!! ( Ha Ha)

 For more information, it would be advantageous to visit sites pertaining to Kahla and Walpersberg, where there is a fabulous wartime history on the pottery factories. 

 Would like a little more sugar in your tea?

  I really admire that in the thirties  the Kahla-Group was taken over by designer, Dr. Hermann Gretsch

( 1895-1950) as the Arzberg-Linie" company brand, then  in 1972 with Hutschenreuther, one of Germanys' most prominent china manufacturers.  I have collected their figurines and pottery for years... never knowing the history... What goes around finally comes around...Amazing !!!!! Please do take the time to research this china. It's fascinating.

Hopefully, I haven't tired you with all this chit chat... and please do indulge yourself with a little teatime reading when you get home, my Friends.

In the meantime , enjoy the music of the leaves beneath your feet. Thanks for the pleasure of your teatime company ( crunch crunch)

Savour the warmth and dusty rich fragrances of the season.  

Be creative and express how you feel about OCTOBER

EXHILERATING!!!!!

"HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING "

Check out my (http://www.zaaart.blogspot.ca) for a" cut'npaste"  ATC tutorial 

I'm sharing Thanksgiving Tea with:

Sandi .... Tea Time tuesday( http://www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca)

Terri ....Tea Cup Tuesday....( http://www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca)

Ruth ...Tuesday Cuppa Tea ....( www.antiques and teacups.blogspot.ca)

" MY AUDREY CUP "

Late night movies and goodness, it's already morning, but I just had to watch Leo Tolstoys ' War and Peace"... It's  a full length 1956 epic, surrounding the 1812 French invasion into Russia and the impact of the Napoleonic era on the Tsarist society, as seen through the personal lives of two aristocratic families.. The stellar cast included, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Ferrer and Peter Fonda ... It's a lengthly movie, but truly a classic.

Please pardon  my tardiness in preparing  our teatime.( yawn) I'm peeking into cupboards with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage today  so I best choose my teaset quickly and get the kettle boiling.

It's a rather rather brisk day that is filled with the aches and pangs of the season ...  The trees are turning so quickly and now float restlessly to the ground. I am reminded from the chilly movie scenes( above) that it's getting cold outside .  It's definitely a harvesting time for all god's creatures, including myself. Today I am lost in a myriad of thoughts that fall and scatter  just like the leaves.

 I smile, as the chipmunks and bluejays rally over the peanuts that  have been left on the doorstep for them.

 ( hurry, scurry)... because, I , too, just want to snuggle into the warmth and comfort of the day.  Yes... Autumn is a time for helping and supporting one another.

While  the kettle was whistling, I was rummaging through old papers and found this beautiful quote from one of my favourite personalities ....  We can ponder it over a steeping hot cup of tea.

" Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,

it's at the end of your arm, as you get older,

remember you have another hand:

The first is to help yourself,

the second is to help others ."

... Audrey Hepburn

Don your coat and hat before coming over. It's just a short walk over the bridge to my house. I'll have a  cup waiting for you!!!!

My cupboards are filled with such a wide variety of brightly coloured teasets, but stacked on the left hand side, are a collection of white cups and saucers, that I have rarely used ...Today, I've decided to break the habit.

What a lucky decision, as I have found such a wonderful history for this elegant little teaset. Look (above) .... Doesn't it remind you of a soft vanilla ice cream cone with all those pretty swirls? 

 This " Royal Tuscan " has a most interesting potted history, that is quite well documented.

Tuscan Tableware was founded in 1878 Staffordshire , England by R.H. Plant. The records show that the Plant family were potters of renown going back at least as far as 1775. There were jugs, white glaze baskets and a pair of lions produced about 1780 - marked J. Plant and  B.  Plant respectively.

 Also the 1775 diary of the same individual is kept in a private collection showing how much he paid for glazes and other potting materials. Isn't that a unique insight into the history of Tuscan  tableware!!!!

About 1900, two brothers, R.H. Plant and S.L. Plant established a major factory called Tuscan works and in 1915 became a limited company., R.H.Plant & S.L. Plant Ltd. Blazoned on the outer factory building were the words, " Our Work ... Our Pride ". 

Tuscan Works produced what is widely considered to be a fine line of china 

Their branded bone-china was known as " Tuscan" until 1967 after which they were taken over by a new parent company, Wedgewood, who added the " Royal" prefix for marketing purposes.

 My cup and saucer would have been made  at this time as it is marked " Royal Tuscan ".

This unpretentious teaset is deliciously decorated with a generous amount of decorative gold, yet it retains a very simple integrity that is gracefully poised, much like Audrey Hepburn. SO, that is what I shall call this china setting ... " Audrey " ( ha Ha)... and with every sip I shall feel elegant and beautiful.

In the mid 1900's, the factory was considered to be very modern for the times, with one gas-fired and two electric kilns, which were the heated enclosures used to process their decorative china, by firing, burning or drying.

Today, the factory is closed, but many pieces can still be purchased through websites. I checked ebay and found a generous amount of beautiful teasets and table settings still available at very reasonable prices.

Although I did not find this exact set, there was an abundance of this swirled pattern, minus the gold gilding, in a plain peachy pink , " Peach Bloom " which was one of the company's noted china patterns. If you're looking for new additions to your tea collection, an online search of " Tuscan china " is well worth your time efforts. 

Talk, talk, talk....You hardly got a word in.... Thank you for being such good listeners ladies .... Have a few more nibbles and one or two more sips for the road... Teatime  has been simply divine !!!!

Brrrrr...It's still a little chilly outside ...Please bundle up warmly  .... Check your cupboards for an

 " Audrey " cup when you get home. You know, one of those unsuspecting little treasures, that hide in the cupboards. Fill it with your favourite tea, warm your heart and your hands on it  and feel the BEAUTY WITHIN .... breath in the aroma and say to yourself " I AM BEAUTIFUL.

                                              HAVE A PEACEFUL DAY, LADIES !!!

I peeking into cabinets and sharing teatime with:
Sandi .... Tea Time tuesday( http://www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca)
Terri ....Tea Cup Tuesday....( http://www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca)
Ruth ...Tuesday Cuppa Tea ....( www.antiques and teacups.blogspot.ca)

"AUTUMN LEAVES"

"The  falling  leaves drift by my window...The Autumn leaves of red and gold." Do you remember  Nat King Cole, singing this beautiful song.... Well, today, I am smitten by it's lyrics and music.

( Hum Hum )

It's midday and the sun seems to have that dusty glow of crimson breath mingling with a soft veil of sunlight .

While gazing through the window, I'm reminded of that age old ritual of taking midday tea. Won't you join me?

I hope I'm not too late to join Sandi's  Autumn Teatime  Celebrations. I'm akin to Alice's, White rabbit, who's late , who's late  for a most enjoyable date.

 However I don't look quite that bad( Ha Ha) ..Yes, I admit to getting up late, leaving on my pyjamas and eating cupcakes for breakfast... It's such a relaxing day !!!

I've even chosen a trio of  lovely vintage transfer ware , a setting for three, so you see I was expecting company.

Oh dear, there are only two cupcakes left( Hee Hee) ... I  do love to share though ... They're scrumptious little cakes that mother bought at the local market.,, bit  sized cuties, with an abundant amount of icing...Scrumptious !!!!

The teasets were purchased in British Columbia, Canada, ten years ago in a Langley antique shop appropriately called Victoria's. She carried  a lot of old world china and furniture that always sparked my imagination. I was alway meandering through her store and could have easily become a fixture.   This vintage set , Royal Staffordshire, created by A.J. Wilkinson Ltd., dazzled me with it's odd, or should I say unusual rectangular plate shapes.

I found very little actual information on the company except that it was a pottery or pot bank at Newport in Burslem, England, owned by the Shorter family. A sprawling complex of bottle ovens, kilns and production shops, that  employed 400 manual workers and produced earthenware. In 1885 Arthur  A.Wilkinson took over introducing gold lustreware on graniteware to America. In 1896, he took over the Royal Staffordshire Pottery in Burslem, which carries the illustrious Stafforshire legacy of fine pottery and china.

My acquired settings, included four  cups,saucers and sandwich plates with the traditional rural scenes that were so popular in the late eighteen hundreds.

Each china piece displays it own vivid depiction of  life on the farm, complete with a hay wagon. The  scenes and  plate shapes are quite beautifully formed with deep indentations for holding, a generous amount of  tea sandwiches  and dainties.  I seldom buy china in the brown tones, but these were of such exquisite form that I dubbed them " Mine ", at twenty-five dollars  for a twelve piece set. ..A very good deal, indeed !!!! 

The sturdy little cups endear the simple life and daily routines of  milking cows and  collecting eggs  in a rather  medieval drawing that warms the heart and transport you ," way over yonder" to another time and place. However , I would say that life was much harder and busier in those idealistic scenes, than we could ever imagine. We're such romantics !!!!

My favourite is the saucer, with it's charming  homestead scene . The traditional rakes, shovels and sickles are so cleverly laced around the rim, with herbs, vines and fruits, which definitely  enhance the beauty of this wonderful old china.  In essence, the dishes are storytellers, time travellers that awaken our minds to an ancient memory somewhere in time.

I do love transfer ware and wonder ... IF, these teacups could talk, what stories they would tell !!!

Here's a close-up of the saucer. I wouldn't mind a lovely old house  with a babbling brook, stepping stones and a few cows... On second thought, I do have an old 125 year old house. Maybe we'll forget about the cows and skipping over the stones to walk 5 miles miles to the market. 

Thankfully, in this day and age, we can put our work aside for awhile, to enjoy  the pleasantries of an  Autumn Tea Time with Friends.

I

We can enjoy the season with it's musty scents and  artful colours that are drench in the cool, autumn rain.  Fall invigorates me .... even makes me tingle. Maybe that's why, I  seem to drink more tea during the Fall season.

I'm  saying good-bye to my garden, but secretly revelling, in the yellow, green and golds that filter though my mind, as the the seasonal " Gallardia" springs forth . The garden colours seem to refresh  my tea cup with a sense of life's cycle and  the journey ahead. 

For me, it is new life, as my sixth grandchild and fifth grandson will be born. YES ....  Autumn vibrates with a glorious ' sleep' for the garden and a new awakening for my heart. 

What does Autumn mean to you?

TODAY ... I celebrate and share  the Autumn of my life with friends...young and old teatottlers, who can sleep in and wear their pyjamas till noon...maybe later!!!

  Thanks for sharing a few sips with me . Have a Happy and relaxing tea today.

"The autumn Leaves drift by my window

The autumn leaves of red and gold."

Sung By: Nat King Cole

Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

Music: Joseph Kosmo

1960's

Today I am sharing teatime with:

Sandi at: Rose Chintz Cottage... /Tea Time Tuesday/www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca

Ruth at: Tuesday Cuppa Tea/ www.antiques&teacups.blogspot.ca

Kathy at : A Delightsome Life//blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com

Terri at: Tea Cup Tuesday/www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca

Bernideen At: Tea in the Garden/www.bernideenstimeblog.blogspot.ca

  

" MADE IN JAPAN "

As days begin to grow shorter in late September, one of my favourite native flowering perennials, the Asters, begin to  put on a show.  

Many people consider them weeds, but I love the soft mauve hue that lingers in the  cool wake of the morning air . While I slave away with most flowers throughout the summer, these lovely little Fall harbingers, are so easy to grow and will come back year after year.

 They are infact,  pollinators that attract several species of insects and butterflies.  I also, enjoy their attractive seed heads, that add a bit of interest to the cold winter landscape. Often, the most unassuming plants and objects are the most beautiful .

However, just the thought of Winter, gives me the chills .... Please, do come in and let me pour you a nice  cup of tea. 

J

 Today I'm pondering an English Breakfast or maybe even Red Rose Tea. Which do you prefer? On second thought, How about green tea !!!! I have a few perfectly sealed packages that I brought from Japan. It's fresh and so mildly delicious.

Look what I found tucked away in my lower cabinet. At first, I thought it was a limoge, with its elegant streamlined design. To my surprise the markings said,  Fine Bone China,

" Made In Japan ".

I couldn't believe how ethereal and perfect  the teaset appeared to be ... since  many people have an immediate aversion to the " Made in Japan" label, which I believe is a remnant of the war and a poorer mass production line. 

Luckily, I did find an interesting amount of history on  the Nikko China Company. So, please drink up your tea and enjoy, the intimate feeling and look of this exotic china. 

In the late 1800's Freudal Lords found their land being gradually dispersed, to the farm families that had cultivated it for generations. The changes were undoubtedly difficult, but necessary in the evolution of Japan.  Many of the former Lords, seeing their formal feudal estates shrinking to a fraction of their former size, banded together in business partnerships.

One such venture involved,  the Freudal Lord, Maeda and associates. Together, they formed Koshitsu Toki Co. Ltd. in the prefecture of Kanazawa, in 1905.  It was the first attempt to manufacture semi-porcelain dinnerware in Japan.  

In 1917, the opening of a new factory in Pusan, Korea created great hope for the future of the Koshitsu Toki Company. Unfortunately the onset of World War ll, required a shifting of the company, to meet governmental needs for armaments. Everything from porcelain to metal was produced for the Japanese army.

The war had an devastating effect on Japan's economy. The  Koshitsu Toki  suffered damage to its mainland factory and lost its facility altogether, when Japan was forced to leave Korea.

Faced with these challenges, the company created a re-organization plan and ultimately didn't  hit its stride again,  until  the mid-sixties.

Moving the  headquarters and factories to Ishikawa, Japan, they began  producing a large range of tableware, including bone china, fine vitrified china, fine porcelain and ovenware.

The original name was dropped and in 1983, it became the  Nikko Company, which is a more recognizable name worldwide.

Although, this teaset maintains a old-world charm, it was  most certainly  produced, during  the mid 80's to 90's... especially since it bears the  Nikko Company stamp.

You can see that the china is truly a fine work of art, boasting a most exotic spirit. The midnight blue saucer has been ingeniously balanced with a plain white cup, that ripples like a ribbon of liquid gold around the upper edges ... The elaborate, yet, also simple elements of the teaset caused me to pause, in favour of admiring it's ethereal existence. I think, it is beautiful !!!!

I rallied as to whether or not, I should pour hot tea into such a delicate vessel.  It's a teacup illuminated with ornate thought and harmony, almost Art Deco inspired ...  I did however, journey onward, selecting only the finest green tea to fill it with the essence of its oriental heritage.... Delicious !!!!

I must admit that learning the patience and art of drinking tea is a must for this bevelled creation. One must first form and purse their lips to fit into the delicate folds of the teacups rim.( dribble dribble) 

 Only with tiny sips could one infuse, the pure essence of the teas' bouquet and perfection of the delicate china between the lips.... A tantalizing and intimate  experience of East meets West .

I do believe that we, have a misconception about bone china ... "Made in England", does not positively dictate that it is the  best or finest of China and visa versa .... the, " Made in Japan', does not mean that it is the cheapest and of inadequate quality. It's only a stamp and a very clever  worldwide marketing tool that assists us, in recognizing and dating our pieces.

Thankfully, I was able to experience Japanese teasets and china, while living in Kitakyushu . Most notably, Japanese porcelain and ceramics have  enlightenment  and broadened my education in the ancient art of pottery making.

" BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE  BEHOLDER".

Thank You for the pleasure of your company Ladies...

 ENJOY and CELEBRATE your AUTUMN TEATIME !!!

Today I also sharing tea with:

Sandi at Teatime Tuesday/ Rose Chintz Cottage/ wwwsandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca

and 

Terri at Teacup Tuesday/ www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

and

Ruth at Tuesday Cuppa Tea/ www.antiques and teacups.blogspot.ca

"TRISH STASH "

"I'VE  GOT MAIL" ... This past summer I participated in the " Artful Gathering and took a Crazy Quilting 101 class with Pat Winters. ( Above image from Pat's magazine ) Oh what fun I had learning the ribbon embroidery art of crazy quilting. Patricia introduced me to a phone number and a lady, by the name of Trish, who runs a fabric store in Michigan. Trish will select and coordinate a crazy quilting stash for anyone, who lives out of town or out of the country ...PERFECT ....  I, of course, phoned and placed an order for quilting quarters and embellishments. The order has arrived ...Yeah !!!!

Tah Dah ....Here they are... in my favourite colours of pink blue and  mauves. Some are textured, some are silks, brocades and satins ... all are high quality fabrics that can withstand the scrutiny of embroidery needles and silk ribbon sculpturing. Where does one even  begin to choose!!!!

Look at all these scrumptious embroidery threads... metallics and Oliver Twists not to mention that six months ago , I thought Oliver Twist was a character out of Dickens... now I know it as a yummy embroidery thread that is blended with a variety of variegated colours.. I'm loving that  deep purple skein. 

I wonder what size of needle I will need  to work with it?  ... and what about the fabrics. There are so many things to learn in the textile industry.. especially when working with threads. My favourite source will be Patricia Winter. She knows everything ( Ha Ha)

( Whirl Whirl) My heart was in a flutter when  .... all the small , medium and large  butterflies and dragonflies flew out of the mailing envelope. ( flutter flutter) 

I can't wait use them in some magical  quilting creation ... Perhaps, I should make a whimsical  winter hat or purse for my little Grand-daughter, Auriane . What would you use them for ?

Oh My ..Wouldn't these sweet crocheted butterflies add a magical touch to a little girls party dress. Do you think I could crochet a few of these little cuties.?

All my teatime friends will be drooling over these little darlings.... I envision, bejewelled linens for my Tuesday Tea Parties and ornamental  charms for the handles of the  teacups and  edges of my teatime napkins. 

My favourite fabric from the stash is this golden metallic rose material. It's really much more dazzling in reality, than on the picture....It's a very mystical,  light weight fabric,  that shimmers beautifully under the light. ...so it must be used for something very special.. I just don't know what !!! Ha Ha ....  Do You ?

Maybe , I should take a peek into the CQ Gathering magazine for some ideas.( Above image from Pat's  magazine )  Patricia always gifts her readers with the most beautiful " ciggies" to use in the quilting. Ciggies are the vintage images that are used to enhance your quilt. They are simply images that are transferred onto cotton, that you quilt and embroider around.... like this one.

The embroidery and beading  around these images enhance the  beauty of the quilt ... not to mention , giving it a vintage look.

Aren't  you glad that you got to peek into my envelope and  Trish's Stash. ( Hee Hee) ... I can't wait to begin my project .. .Which will be !!!!....  AHHHHHH ..... You'll have to wait and see..Dear Friends.

In the meantime you can contact Patricia Winters at: (http://gatherings100.blogspot.com) to order her " Crazy Quilt Gatherings Magazine or ...  simply  enjoy the art of crazy quilting chatter here at:" The Grand Lady".

DON'T FORGET,  to visit my friend Annette at: " http:crazyquiltpassion.blogspot.com. Alot of "crazy ladies" hang out around there. I mean this, in the very nicest sense of " Crazy Quilting Ladies "
 Enjoy yourselves and have a lovely week !!!!