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La joie c'est le partage
{ the joy is in the sharing }

Friday, September 18, 2009

Heirloom Party!!

It's an heirloom party!!!
How fun is that?? And, since I love old things and especially the stories that go along with them, this couldn't be more perfect.
So, here we go. Come along and I'll tell you some stories about a few of mine.
First, we have this beautiful teacup. It belonged to my grandmother, who, my mother tells me was just like me. She loved old things and would paint anything that she could get her hands on. What color you ask? None other than white - just like me!! She made curtains, painted furniture and loved frilly things. She had this beautiful teacup which was given to me by my mother who just knew I would love it. She was right, it's a treasure to me!

Then, there is part of a miniature tea set that belonged to my mother. She tells me that at one point, she had the complete set but that this is all that is left of it. She doesn't remember what happened to the rest. That's okay with me though, I love the charming effect of mixing and matching odd pieces as well as the thrill of the hunt in looking for the missing pieces as I wander through old flea markets and antique stores.
these are the two pieces that she gave me

and this is what I have found along the way. I love the pattern and am always on the lookout for it when I'm out and about.
Every year for Christmas, my mom gives me pieces that she finds throughout the year. Here are a few examples...
teacups and saucers
adorable little egg cups - I love these!

a beautiful sugar bowl

snack plates with teacups.
And last but not least, this brings us to the final photo I have today

Here is the secretary that was given to me from my dad's mother. I always loved it as a child and would admire it whenever we visited. She used to keep these little porcelain figurines of nuns in it. I loved those, although I'm not sure exactly where they are. I think my dad may have them. I change the little vignettes that I display in there pretty often. For now, I have a few little odds and ends that I've picked up at flea markets throughout the years. It previously held my collection of tea pots. Hmmm...maybe time for a change again? Just maybe...
I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Now, go and check out all of the other wonderful heirlooms at the Heirloom Party. Just go and visit Emma Calls Me Mama to see everyone who is participating.
Have a fabulous day!
xo,
Kathleen

19 comments:

Betsy said...

Beautiful tea cups. I love tea cups also. Yours have special meaning. Enjoyed your blog and will check back again.
Have a beautiful Friday!
Betsy

Nancy said...

So pretty, but the memory and meaning are what make them all so special. I have some of my Great Aunt's tea cup collection and I enjoy looking at them so :)

Anonymous said...

Nothing beats the sentiment behind heirlooms, lovely post :)

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Girl I love your tea cups and how special to have your mama add to your collection of china,,,Love that Queen Anne hutch...thanks for sharing...May you have a great weekend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Debra@CommonGround said...

Your tea set, cups and snack plates are just gorgeous. I just love china with painted roses. It's wonderful that you have these little mementos of loved ones, especially when you have so much in common.
Debra

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Those are some lovely pieces, especially the secretary. I love dishes and serving pieces as well. When some women came to help move us into our house, I had to explain that I had an illness when it came to dishes and asked them not to judge me when unpacking all of them! :) Beautiful things, thanks for sharing!

Tara said...

Beautiful china, especially the first tea cup. The secretary desk is gorgeous too. I love old pieces like that and I imagine it's fun to decorate the shelves. Thanks for sharing your treasures!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

That secretary is gorgeous! I love moss rose too & have a tea set & other items. Sure love your miniatures!

De Ruijsbroekjes said...

oh thanks for your heirloom party, I really enjoyed your story, and the teacup is gorgeous! I can imagine that you have a party everytime you find something or get something from your mum with roses, awesome!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love tea cups. I love china. I love roses. Therefore, I love yours. And the secretary is pretty fab as well.

Brenda Pruitt said...

That secretary is out of this world! My husband would love that. His mother's secretary went to his brother. And the gorgeous delicate dishes. How wonderful that you have a story to go with it! I didn't end up with one thing from my family. And hardly any photos of myself as a child. But as everyone says, make my own heirlooms and that's just what I'm doing. I'm a follower now as well, and will add you to the blog roll. So happy to meet you!
Brenda

Unknown said...

Oh, I just love your special china! Wonderful heirlooms!

Blessings,
Gail

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What beautiful teacups! The desk is lovely too. Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi

*Ulrike* said...

The last set of tea cups with the sugar bowl, plates, etc. looks like the ones that my grandmother gave to my mom when she first came over here 50+ years ago. My mom gave them to me, but my set is not nearly as big as yours! I need to start looking! Enjoyed your blog.
Have a great weekend!

Cass @ That Old House said...

What a beautiful little cup and saucer, that first one that belonged to your grandmother. It is charming.

Love the rose patterned china, too -- I have a cup and saucer very similar, from which I had cafe au lait every Sunday when I was a little girl. My cup had roses, my sister's had violets.

Lovely secretary! Old furniture is my passion!
Cass

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Great post Kathleen,such pretty things!! How are you feeling anyway? Talk to you soon,have to work tomorrow,big skincare event going on! 0x0x0

Marie said...

Hello Kathleen - oh my, what beautiful china you have from your Mama and Gramma! The patterns are so beautiful. And that secretary. Wow, so gorgeous. I'm glad you have these special things to enjoy and pass along one day.

Thank you for joining me for the party!

Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

What Wonderful Heirlooms!
I love the teacups!;-)
~Myrna

Sheila (TCW) said...

Love the teacups. I have the same pattern; it's called Moss Rose. I love the snack sets too. I've been debating on whether or not to add the snack sets to my small collection because I'm running out of room(!) and not sure if they'd be practical for me. I LOVE dishes/china!

Love your blog!

xo,
Sheila