A new year means, of course, a new calendar. I can't bear the thought of paying full price for a calendar, so we usually wait until the last week of December to buy our new ones at 50% off. The kids each got one for their rooms and one for their school desks, and I got my favorite "Teapot & Tea" calendar. I really love this calendar. If I'm going to put something up on a wall in my home--visible to all--it must be pretty and be in keeping with the decor of my home. This calendar certainly fits the bill. Each month is gorgeous...although this year unfortunately Joni has included a very ugly witch teapot for the month of October. I was so disappointed! This is one thing I have liked in the past about this calendar in particular...each picture was very general for the entire month...not just one day of that month. I think the October teapot is SO ugly, that I am taking a favorite picture from 2010 to paste over it. I don't do Halloween and definitely don't do witches and don't want to see that all month! Anyway, otherwise each month is beautiful and interesting in every possible way. Now I am taking the time to convert anniversary and birthday dates from the old calendar to the the new one (if I didn't write them down, I'd forget for sure), my husband's schedules, appointments we've made already, etc. Oh, happy new year to everyone. I hope it is a good one for you.
My teapot trivets wall has grown! I did a post quite awhile back showing four new teapot trivets that my grandmother had purchased for me. They were not in keeping with the colors I wanted for this wall (they were blue, yellow, red, and an off shade of green). I had intended to spray paint them all summer...well, it was one of those summers. You know how it goes. Anyway, I finally got a few coats of green spray paint on them last Saturday, and they are now up in their places. There is definitely room for more should I find others that appeal to me.
Well, okay, here is one that I finished in the hospital. I was thinking Hanukkah for some reason with the colors actually, but it could be for anyone who likes blue and white. I really like the white rose beads and the richness of the cobalt. Enjoy!
I'm not a big fan of dusting--in fact, I rarely do it! However, when I do have occasion to dust...like all the family coming over this coming weekend, so I had better dust...things certainly look great once done. So, this is the case with my hutch. It had a gray hue to it...a fuzzy gray hue...so it was time to dust. I also rearranged my teacups and teapots by adding some new ones (like the lovely blue flowered cup and saucer from my sweet friend in the UK, Paulina of Swept and Garnished) and putting away others for awhile. I'm pleased with the rearranged, dust-free look. Perhaps I should have company come more often!
I'm thankful to have had a fabulous past few days. Last Wednesday, Mom and I went to a very fun estate sale where among other things (another post perhaps), I got this clear box full of trim. The items in the sale were from all over the world, and I can't help thinking that some of this trim was from afar. Some pieces are quite old...others not so. I was compelled to get it, so I did--couldn't resist.
Friday was my birthday, and I was super spoiled by my family that day with out to breakfast, time in Amish country, a trip to an antique store to get some fun sparkly goodies, and a nice evening of mini-golf and out to dinner with my husband, children, parents, and grandmother--oh, with a lemon cake afterward. I received lots of nice "tea" things including an Alice in Wonderland tea tower full of different kinds of yummy teas, a teapot napkin holder that Dad found in Amish country, and a much needed tea kettle from hubby and the kids complete with fruit on it. Was I spoiled!
Yesterday, Mom and I got up early and went to another estate sale and then to the annual bead show in Madison. My feet were hurting terribly by the end of the day after standing in so many lines all day, but it was all worth it and great fun. I bought some beads I have been looking for months in colors I haven't been able to find easily, so I'm a happy camper. There is so much creating now to do. I'm eager to start up again in earnest!
This little tiny box is from Austria and is pretty petit point/needlepoint. This type of stitching was inspiration for my bead business, so my eye flew directly to this. It was a great price at an antique shop.
This little blue glass perfume bottle I found at a thrift shop for a song. I cleaned it up and am going to give it to my grandmother. She has blues and purples in her bathroom, so this should look great there.
I couldn't resist these buttons. I'm always on the look out for pretty buttons. I'm not sure what exactly I'll use them for or if I'll sell them, but I do like them.
This teapot was remarkably still at the estate sale when we went in...and it was only $5! Mom and I like to think that the Lord kept it sitting there waiting just for me. ; )
This little jackknife was at the estate sale as well. The blade which is a little rusty snaps into a tortoise shell holder, and I believe this is it's original box--a box from a jeweler/optician (that's what it says on the cover) from the Madison, Wisconsin area. It is less than 1" long, and I believe it must have been a charm or something since it has a loop on the end. 
Finally, these little baby pins or lingerie pins as they are called (depending on who you talk to) were an irresistible find (all were on the same card for one price) at an antique mall that was having a store-wide sale. They are quite small, the largest measuring 1-3/4" and the smallest 7/8". The one with the pearly "grapes" and leaves is quite a curiosity since the grapes dangle from the pin. I'm not sure if the turquoise one is actually a stone or a glass bead. It is pretty nonetheless!
The largest one has this curious marking on it that I can't find who or what it stands for or what it means. If you know, I would be most appreciative if you would comment on this post and tell me. Thank you so much!
This perky yellow teapot and silver cozy belonged to Grammy McKee--my mother's grandmother. Grammy was from Wales--came through Ellis Island-- and was a very special person in my mother's life until she passed away when my mother was quite young. Mom DOES remember having tea with Grammy McKee in this teapot though. Grammy enjoyed her tea parties and apparently this teapot. I'm thankful for this teapot being passed down to me. Who can rises a cheery yellow teapot (which happens to be my mother's favorite color) filled with what I grew up to know as the "Welsh cure-all"--tea, of course!
I've been working on some new vintage image brooches. I found some really interesting ones while out and about antiquing last month and am now starting to work on some jewelry. My biggest problem now is finding the time to work on all of my ideas. I was thrilled to find two with teapots on them--you know me and teapots. This above is one of them. The other isn't quite done yet and probably won't be until the beginning of next week. This pretty teapot was actually from a Christmas advertisement, but with the pink and green it will look good all year round pinned to someone who likes tea. It has pink and green glitter on it also as well as touches of 18K gold leafing pen for extra shimmer (can't have enough shimmer!). There are other pins as well--a pretty lady in a hat, a kissing couple, and a blue and white Dutch image (think Delft tile). I will be adding all of these to my shops on Lollishops and Etsy soon. 
I love little cottages--in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Perhaps it's an extension from the '80's when they seemed to be very popular. Whatever the case, I am gathering a little collection of them on my mantle. Unfortunately a mantle is only so wide and so long...because I'm running out of room! I have a clock and a plate and a thimble...(sounds like a good topic for another post)...and, of course, some cottage teapots and this cottage tea mug which are absolute necessities for this tea lover! The tea mug is from the Allyn Nelson Collection. The two teapots are James Sadler designs. I LOVE James Sadler's teapots. The timbered one is "Anne Hathaway's Cottage" (No, not the actress--Shakespeare's Anne ...though I bet she wishes it were her house), and the other one is "Rose Cottage".
There is a "Wisteria Cottage" out there that is lovely and I'd like to get someday. The detail on these teapots is truly amazing--little animals, profusions of flowers, lifelike additions. These little tea related cottages are pleasant and pretty, and I really enjoy them (one reason why they're up on the mantle!). If you're going to have tea, it might as well be in something pretty, pleasant, or personal. Then the entire experience will be the best it possibly can be. 
