Tea Cup Tuesday-Peachy Pink!

(click on picture to see better)
Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday!
Martha and I are once again reaching into our china cabinets and bringing out cups to share with you all. We have been out to visit each and everyone of you who link up with us, and we enjoy so much seeing your beautiful tea cups! We love seeing them, and hearing about them.

Spring is truly here! The greenery is stunning against the blue sky, and trees and shrubs are bursting out in clouds of colorful flowers! What a pleasure to be out of doors after the long winter.
So I have placed my cup in a bed of violas to celebrate the new season.

Here we have a lovely peachy rose colored cup with a dainty pattern of floral posies and garlands in gold.

It wears a elegant split loop handle with a prominent thumb rest,all defined in gold.

The gold garland design dances all around inside the cup as well as the plate.

Vibrant posies of flowers sit above the garland.

The plate design mirrors the inside of the cup.

I do love the simple gold touch on the top of the handle.

The flowers could be Marguerite daisy, Forget Me Nots, Bachelor Buttons, Marigolds, roses and daisies.

This sweet spring cup is by Paragon. A company known for it's high quality china. This backstamp was in use from 1957-1963, and during this time period the company was taken over by a larger one, and eventually an even larger company named The Lawley group that later changed it's name to Allied English Potteries. Paragon was being made by Royal Doulton under the large umbrella of AEP in 1972. Royal Albert took over the patterns and name in 1989, and the name Paragon came to an end in 1992, until the main company ended the Royal Albert line.
Does this sound convoluted? It does to me! ...but as with most pottery companies, there were many changes and owners over the years.

One of my little "Marie" domino books...yes really...made with two dominos for cover and back!

I have had some e-mails asking me how to create these tiny domino books.
So forgive me for posting the pictures again.

Holly is hosting a Domino book swap at Marie Antoinette Mail Art Ning Group. That is where I got inspired to create my little books in the previous post and the pictures above.
She has a beautiful blog, "Paper Pieces of Me" with many amazing pieces of art to see.

Holly has very kindly put a tutorial on her last three posts on making these domino books. Go and see her absolutely gorgeous little books!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
If you would like to play along, just go and create a post about one of your tea cups and then come back here and fill in the two blanks with Mr. Linky. After your link is created, click on it yorself and make sure it goes to your post. Last week there was a link I could not figure out who it was supposed to go to because it did not work! Booo Hooo! We don't want that to happen to you. We want to come see everyone of you!

Hugs to you All!
Terri

More Time Please?

I would like to put my order in for more time....
who ever it is that handles the time department, I would like to order 4 more hours a day....thank you very much! (4 should be enough, I don't want to be too greedy...)

O how I wish it was as easy as that! I have so many lovely projects dancing round my head right now that I can hardly sleep! So some extra hours would be just wonderFull.

*sigh*

A few short years ago I realized that I needed to create something each day. It felt so good to create...and so I began my journey into mixed media art. When I get a new idea or have been inspired by another artist to try a project, I feel so ALIVE....
Creating things adds such vibrancy to my life.
Does it feel that way to any of you?

*breathe*

Sometimes I am so in a hurry to get get things done before I must lay my head down on my pillow, I need to remind myself to breathe. Slow down, and be with the process of creation. That feels good too!

*Embrace*

I once heard it said that "You can't get it wrong and you can never get it done" and while this statement may seems sad, it also is very liberating. Life itself is perpetual, creativity is ongoing...
So it is o.k. if I don't get everything I want done right NOW...it is o.k.

*smile*

It is o.k. because for me it is about the moment...the JOY of creation in the moment! So when I get concerned about "getting it all done" I breathe and remind myself why I am doing this...and that is because it feels good! And when I get back round to this thought...maybe I don't really need anymore time...just awareness of my own moments of JOY!
(maybe I need to change the title of my post!)

The photos are of a project I am working on for a little book swap as well as another swap at MAMA. The front and back covers of this book are made from dominos.

I have never created a domino book before and I am finding it quite enjoyable.

Thank you so much for listening.

Hugs,
Terri

Tea Cup Tuesday-Haviland

Hello All!
Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday! Martha and I have been hosting this for over a year now, and we are still having just as much fun as when we first began.
We enjoy visiting you all so much, and we appreciate you participating!

David Haviland, an American businessman, loved fine porcelain so much he moved to France to create his own company of fine china. This company has now been through four generations and as many of us know, the name Haviland is synonymous with porcelain perfection.
My two cups today are both from the Haviland family...
although two different branches.

David Haviland and his two sons worked to create the famous Haviland company in Limoges. David's nephew Charles came to France to help at the factory, and eventually opened his own factory. He married into one of the oldest porcelain manufacturing families in France. This line of china was known as Ch. Haviland china, and when he retired in 1881, and named Gerard, Dufraisseix and Morel using the mark GDM as partners changed in 1890, and eventually Morel left and Abbot came in.
Hence my second cup's backstamp of GMA.
Whew! I hope that wasn't too long.

This cup is so lovely, and so delicate...I even think tea tastes better in it!

I love the lines in the porcelain and the tiny little feet.

It is a very simple design, light blue flowers and wispy sage green leaves.
There are simple touches of gold here and there.

It has a sweet little handle. The gold is worn away, which I love, as it makes me think the cup was well used and well loved before I came to have it.

The backstamp says "Porcelaine Theodore Haviland Limoges France"
I was unable to find an example of this exact backstamp, and the closest to it was from around 1895 (although I doubt that is when this cup was made)
There is an imprint in the porcelain that says "T H" and there is a swirly design around the top.
And this imprint was in use from1894-1957.

Here is my second cup, made by David's nephew's company Ch Haviland.

It is very similar to the first cup. This cup having stronger colors.

I love the design impressed into the clay on the lower part of the cup and the plate.

Lovely flowers. I think they may be Forget Me Nots.....what do you think?

This cup has two backstamps. The circle says Ch.Haviland Limoges and the second one is GDA in script and the word "France" underneath.
I had a difficult time finding anything to report on the date of this cup.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and viewing my tea cups!
I hope you are all having a beautiful week.
If you would like to join in, just create a post with a tea cup you would like to share with us and then come here to fill in Mr. Linky below. Your link will be automatically created. Check the link out to make sure it goes to your post.

If you are participating in the Easter Basket Tea Cup Swap....I hope you are doing well finding a delightful cup for your partner. Baskets should be going out soon if they have not yet. Once you get your basket, it would be lovely if you would create a Tea Cup Tuesday post with it to share with all of us. I can't wait to see what everyone received!

That is it for now. I am having a fab time creating in my art room
and hope to post very soon about it.

Hugs to you All!
Terri

Artist Share!

Hello All,
I have another Fairy School to share with you! This time it is from "I Love Crafts" by Eloisa. She has a lovely blog, and makes some gorgeous things! I am sharing two photos, but please stop by and see the rest on her blog. If you click on the photos they will enlarge.

This Fairy School was a family project and is more advanced than the school my fairies go to....if you look on the blackboard they are studying chemistry! Her fairies are so adorable, and her books...*sigh*. There are so many interesting items in this school!
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us Eloisa!
Hugs,
Terri

A Surprise from a Friend!

I met Marlynn a few years ago on the PaperWhimsy forum. We had a lot of fun together in swaps and challenges. I connected with her initially because I was so inspired by her art, that I messaged her to tell her so. Well, she warmly wrote back and since then we learned we had some things in common. Even though we have never met, she is a very dear friend!

Look at the amazing coloring and the layering details!

Yesterday a package arrived, and I was puzzled as I was not expecting anything....to my great surprise it was a book made by Marlynn for me! I knew she was making this book as she was sharing bits of it now and then on her blog "Honeysuckle Breeze". But I never guessed it was for me! Boy am I lucky!

I love all the laces on the light page, facing the darker side...so coool!

Beautiful imagery.

Here is a portion of the fabulous back page.

Marlynn really touched my heart with this gift. There are messages on each page that only I can see. Heartwarming and loving.

Thank you so much Marlynn! You have blessed me richly with your thoughtfulness and generosity!

Thank you all so much for stopping by today!
I really appreciate your visit.
Hugs,
Terri

Tea Cup Tuesday-Replacements part 2

Happy Tuesday Everyone!
What a beautiful week it is. Spring is really here...well, o.k. it was 82 today! That's North Carolina for you! Tomorrow is going to be more seasonable.
Today I am sharing a few more pictures from Replacements Ltd. This huge store is an amazing place to visit for anyone who loves setting a beautiful table. They have new and vintage pieces as well as wonderful service for finding a pattern you want, cleaning your silver and even educational classes.

See this beautiful cup...it is a Shelley. The pattern is called Lilly of the Valley. (This is not my cup, but one on display at this store. It was not very pricey, yet I just saw it on eBay for $199.) I have childhood memories of this beautifully fragrant flower.
It wakens early in spring and delights anyone who sees it.

Shelley is known for their high quality china. Their cups feel good in the hand. They are easily recognized by this ruffled edge. I think this cup shape is called the Dainty Tea shape.

Shelley began operation in 1860 in Longton, Stoke on Trent, England. Henry Wileman began the company (the company named after him) and two years later Joseph Shelley joined the company. When Henry passed on, his two sons (Charles and James) took over the company, and when Charles retired, James made Joseph Shelley his partner. James eventually went to the earthenware works leaving Joseph in full charge of china. Joseph's son Percy joined the company and when Joseph passed, he was in full control for 50 years or so. He brought in many famous artists and the name of Shelley became know for it's fine quality and designs. This story is similar to many of the china companies. Often beginning with one name and one family, taking in other members, and then passing the company on to them, hence another name change. These histories can be quite convoluted!

Just a sample of some of the china for sale. I took this picture through glass, so it is not as clear as I would like.

Beautiful silver tea pot lamp!

This stunning table is set for Easter.

Beautiful silverware and glassware.

And a very regal Easter Egg cup, and dishes.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit!

Martha and I are so happy to have you play along. If you want to, just create a post with a tea cup that you would like to share. Come back here and enter the link to the post with Mr. Linky below. Make sure you test your link, because once in a while it will not take us to your site, and we do not want to miss visiting you!

If you are in the Easter Tea Cup Swap (now closed) would you please e-mail me and let me know if you have connected with your swap partner. If you have any questions at all or if I can help you in any way, just let me know.

Hugs,
Terri

Artist Share

Christine LeFever is an amazing artist. I first learned of her by way of her incredible dolls. Her blog is Dolls and Fancywork as well as her website/shoppe. They are beautiful places to visit.

Christine has created her own Fairy School after watching my Fairy School Tutorial Series and kindly shared it with me. It is a delightful school! I am showing you one picture of the inside, but she has more on her blog. I am amazed that she has used her own moss that grows in her area! It looks beautiful, way better than my store bought moss! Her fairies, her furniture and all her decorations are fabulous.
Go have a look see.

Hugs,
Terri