Friday, January 22, 2016

Long Summer Country Drives.....and the odd teacup or two

The last couple of weeks my husband and I have been enjoying long country drives, discovering new roads that we have not yet explored and of course, stopping along the way for a coffee and a little vintage shopping when the opportunity arose. We stayed for a couple of days in a friend's son's house near Hobart which was advantageously situated with the most wonderful view of the water. Instead of watching TV at night, we would make ourselves comfy right in front of the huge picture windows and watch the constantly changing tableau. My husband would read and test his brain on the crosswords and I stitched happily away on my hexie.



Yes indeedy, my hexie went on holidays with me. It travelled in the car with me resting on my lap whilst I continued to stitch the binding on the back to cover the seams.


I wanted to finish the bindings on the hexies I had already stitched before joining new hexies to the quilt.


With the binding finished it was time to stitch more hexies to the quilt.


Although covering the seams with binding doubles the stitching time, I always love the look of it and the binding does strengthen the quilt.

Remember the delightful Esmeralda, Doris, Josiah and Jimmy who you met here.......well it seems they are still enjoying hanging out in our garden, though they have 'up sticks' and moved their little teapot mouse house to the Hydrangeas, under the shade of the Crabapple tree. Well.....it seems Doris has magically whipped up some more hexies for me. I am so thankful, as covering the seams with binding does take an age....and I can use all the help I can get!


Oh my goodness, the little teapot mouse house is certainly bathed in radiant sunshine.



A lovely stack of hexies. Mmmm.....only 6 inches high....enough for four more rows. I wonder....will this hexie ever be finished?? Oh, I do hope Doris doesn't move away any time soon.


On our travels I found this really cool vintage basket, spools of vintage ribbons and other ribbons to add to my collection. Oh.....and a beautiful, embroidered tablecloth.







I love this basket. When I was a little girl I remember everyone seemed to be recycling cards and fashioning boxes from them. I am always on the lookout for them and have a few in my collection. They are hard to find these days. Do you remember these??


Then.....I walked into a really fabulous shop called T2, which is an establishment wholly devoted to all things tea. I love this shop because there always seems to be some new designs on offer. Upon entering this Aladdin's cave, one's eyes ricochet from one teacup and teapot, to another. This delightful shop has teacups stacked on top of each other, forming kaleidoscopic towers of colour and pattern. This shop truly is a feast to the eyes.

Now Carla........yes you, lovely Carla, way up there in Kamlooops.....are you sitting down, because what I am going to show you might cause you to feel a little faint. =) I realise you are very, very busy at the moment....but you might just want to have a bo peep at this pretty. I know when my eyes gazed upon it I went weak at the knees!! Quite frankly, I nearly went into a state of apoplectic shock, but my good husband was on hand with a paper bag to keep me in the land of reality!! He didn't want his wife's knees to buckle from beneath her, being the cause of towers of china teeter tottering, smashing to smithereens on the ground. That could have been a wee bit embarrassing!


A teacup and  saucer covered in hexie delight!! Isn't it fabulous??




Who would've thought, that I, one who is quite potty....actually a little obsessed....with hexagons would find such a divine teacup. Of course I had to, had to, take it home with me. What do you think Carla.....you like???? Me love!!!! =)



Now.....these little shopping expeditions are not always about me. Sometimes my husband happens upon a 'must have'. He actually enjoys fossicking around shops with cachepots filled with treasure. Have a lookity look at what he found.



We both laughed when he spotted this. He has been on the lookout for a lip burner for a while now and the quote....well....it's about as good as it gets. Quite frankly it is perfect. The quote couldn't be more perfect if he wrote it himself.

But the piece de resistance of our little vintage shopping was this.


My husband spotted these pretties and decided these would make a perfect gift for by birthday which was this week. I didn't see these at all. Unbelievable I know, because I can usually sniff out pretties such as these from a mile away! I guess he has cottoned on to a few things, living with me in the land of matrimonial bliss for 38 years!! He has seen a lot china in our married life, poor man, but I wasn't the only one who ooohed and aaahed, a few escaped from his throat as well. =)


Be still my beating heart!! One cake plate, two teacups, saucers and plates and one sugar bowl with creamer, all overspilling with pastel, floralicious gorgeousness!!


Are they not the most gorgeous china you have laid eyes on since good ole Josiah Wedgwood opened the doors of his china factory way back when!! No?? Well they are to me...give or take a hexie teacup or two!! =)


It is Royal Staffordshire with the number F14527 stamped on the bottom.  I tried looking it up on the net to source it's name and the year it was made. Me, myself and I wouldn't mind finding the teapot......then my set would be complete.


If perchance there are any of you lovelies who might have seen this pattern in your travels, I would love to know the name of it. Me thinks the teapot really, really needs to be sitting on my sideboard.


I was wonderfully surprised by another birthday present which some very dear friends gifted me. Imagine my surprise, upon opening my present, these two pretties sitting there in all their scrumptiousness. A 'pretty as', pink concoction of a teapot and a funky teacup and saucer. Just too perfect!! There were a few too may squeals of delight escaping my lips when I saw these pretties.







The teapot is called 'Petal' which is apt, as the lid has a lovely flower flourishing out to the top of the pot, blending into the pinkness. I adore the shape. I almost imagine a genie to come swirling from the spout and joining me for a cup of tea. It's a great size too. It will hold oodles of cups of tea. Look at the infuser, there are some sweet little flowers attached to the chain. The teacup is so funky. It is called eclectic, which I suppose describes me perfectly. I love the quirkiness of the pretty floral saucer juxtaposing with the modern design of the cup. I love the hint of a flower in the inside of the cup, tying it in perfectly with the saucer. Too, too perfect.








With some of my pretties sitting on my sideboard alongside my other china, I am off to play ladies and partake in a spot of tea. The thought did fleetingly pass through my brainpan, that perhaps there is no more room for any more pretty teacups. But then.....perhaps I can squeeze in a few more from future teacup exchanges. Mmmm.....now to attend to matters of paramount importance......the pretty, pink, petal teapot will be perfect....but which cup will I use??


Until the next time........




Linking this week with Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage & Garden
Stephanie's, Roses of Inspiration

49 comments:

  1. Oh my! Your new pretties are so gorgeous! Isn't your hubby the sweetest, finding those lovelies for you? I love your dresser with all the teacups. Mine are all in the garage as I have no room to display them - so sad. One day hopefully.
    I love, love, love your hexie! I have never seen one made with the binding. It really finished it off nicely.

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    1. Oh no, not in the garage, that will never do. You will have to re-arrange your whole house in order to fit them in. =) He is a sweet man, I think I might just keep him. Wishing you a lovely weekend, Jayne. Kim Xx

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  2. Very fortuitous to have married such a man, capable of snaffling china without so much as a clink to grab your attention and surprise you with such beauties. i also admire his garden gratification cup.
    Your crinoline lady is beautiful and I would whisk it away if I had the opportunity. Heehee.
    happy travel my friend.

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  3. An absolute feast for the eyes! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You are welcome, Lynn. Thank you for your sweet comments. Kim Xx

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  4. I love the teacups your husband got you. Very pretty. The hexies are looking lovely!

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  5. What a lovely post with lovely pictures !!!!! Love your hexies !!!!
    Have a beautiful weekend !
    Anna

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  6. Kim, I just love your hexis! So pretty. I've thought about beginning a Grandmother's Flower Garden but I love the look of your quilt. How to you attach the contrasting border to the outside of the hexagon? I've been doing English paper piecing so haven't had to cut out the hexagons like you have. Cutting out accurately is not my forte! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  7. Beautiful post dear Kim ... filled with your usual loveliness of flowers, hexies & gorgeous china. Belated Birthday wishes to you for last week. I think your new purchases are quite simply perfect. I have one of those vintage boxes made from cards, quite a small one. I adore the set your husband has gifted you & also the teapot & cup that you were sent. Enjoy your cup of tea & have a lovely weekend x x x

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  8. Ahhh, those china teacups are to die for. You have a lot of pretty china by the looks of it. Nice quilt to by the way.

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  9. That hexie cup was just waiting for you to rescue it - what a fabulous find. All your lovely China pretties were just the thing for your birthday. Happy Birthday! Your husband chose well. I like his mug too. I remember those sewing baskets. I gifted mine to a friend's daughter who was keen on sewing. It was fun to fill it with the basics and a pretty cross stitch to inspire her. Your hexie quilt is just lovely but Doris needs to pick up the pace a little *chuckle*

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    1. Yes, me and the hexie cup was fate. Your friend's daughter is lucky to have received such a lovely gift. As for Doris, I might just have to threaten her with eviction if she doesn't "pick up the pace" =)

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  10. Thank you for sharing all your prettier with us, tea is not tea,unless served in a proper cup and saucer and poured from a China teapot! Love those hexies too, do hope Doris can keep up with you what with all the moves around the garden. Till next time, Byee!

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  11. Oh my, oh my, my heart is racing. What wonderful things you are sharing this week. A HEXIE tea cup!!! What could be more perfect for you... well except perhaps that set of lovely florals... and the pretty pink tea pot and more. And I did spy that divine doilie with the pink skirted lady. A really delicious post this time.

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  12. Hello Kim,

    Belated Birthday wishes to you, all the best for the coming year. Have you thought of contacting Royal Staffordshire to get some more info regarding your cups etc. How wonderful to find a hexie teacup, a new collection in the making. Enjoy your weekend, hope the fires are not close to your home.

    Happy days.
    Bev.

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  13. It sounds as if you had a lovely time away and so good not to have spent the evenings in front of the tv when all of that is just outside your window. Oh my I can't believe the work that must go into putting binding around all those hexies like that, it looks wonderful but very time consuming, very special quilt indeed!
    Wow it looks like you had a wonderful time shopping and finding such Beautiful china collections, such sweet Birthday gifts from your hubby and friends, everything looks so wonderful together on your china hutch!!

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  14. Your hubby is most definitely a keeper! Happy, albeit now late, birth day wishes to you - enjoy your new pretties (and perhaps the pot is big enough to share a cuppa with your wonderful DH in HIS new cup!)

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  15. ooohhh!!!! no words to describe the Hexie cup!! Once again a beautiful post - such beautiful things that joined you on your journey back home - and yes it is probably a good idea to keep a good hold on that man!!

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  16. Kim, your sideboards just makes me smile! All of your birthday gifts are perfect for you! Happy Birthday sweet friend!! Every time I see your hexies I swoon. And how perfect is that hexie cup? Your hubby sounds wonderful. I too am blessed to have a sweet one. Love going on road trips and finding treasures!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Jann, you and I are blessed to have such wonderful husbands who enjoy treasure hunting with us, aren't we. One can never have too many sideboards, can one. More is never enough. Kim Xx

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  17. Oh I just LOVE your hexie quilt! So many wonderful designs and colors and the binding really sets it off!!
    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment!

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    1. You are welcome....it was lovely to visit your place. Thank you so much for your lovely comments.

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  18. Kim, a very happy birthday to you! Such gorgeous travels & finds. I love your pastel floral tea treasures.

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    1. I find travels always uncover some treasures. Thank you for your sweet comments, Gina. I do hope that you are not in the midst of those snow storms. Stay warm. Kim Xx

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  19. Hope you birthday was wonderful. Thanks for sharing the pics, the first one is an awesome pic, beautiful scenery. The teapots are just gorgeous and a lovely collection you have. I still have a needle holder made out of recycled cards, they're pretty handy.
    Cheers, Anita.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  20. I love seeing reading your posts! They are always filled with glorious color, from your quilt to your vintage finds to your flowers. Thanks for the beautiful pictures!

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  21. The view from the window on your holiday is stunning and I've never seen such beautiful, beautiful crockery. You are certainly spoiled for choice when you feel like a cup of tea. Your quilt is growing beautifully too. I'm glad that Doris is still helping you with all those hexies :)

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  22. so nice...to travel with a pretty "friend"!!! the teacups and quilt look like sisters, happy birthday my friend i hope it was wonderful!!!

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  23. Oh, I especially love the appliqued table topper with the Vintage Lady! Such beautiful cups and saucers and your quilting skills are A+. So gladyou shared.

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  24. Happy Birthday, Kim! I'm swooning over all the tea pretties that you shared this week. Your hubby and friends have excellent taste in china!

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  25. I'm so overjoyed after reading this post of yours, my darling Kim, so colorful and filled with so much love !!!
    I truly feel in so high spirits after having watched your pictures with your wonderful tea cups ... and your quilt is amazing more and more ... happy belated birthday to you, sweetie, in a few days it's my turn :) !!!

    Sending blessings on your week
    with so much love and gratitude
    Dany

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  26. Who would want to turn the tv on with that gorgeous view!! Of course they moved their mouse house to the Hydrangeas, they appreciate a good view too! Your hexies are a delight to look at, Kim! Such pretty colours. Perfect match for the treasures that you have pick up during your travel. Enjoy!

    -Soma xx

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  27. I am completely in love with that little pink teapot!!! I wish we had a store nearby that was devoted to all things tea, I've never come across one. Oh, and your hexie quilt is wonderful. What a treasure!
    Stopping by from Roses of Inspiration today, have an enjoyable week.

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    1. How lovely to have you visit my place, Andrea...thank you. I am rather in love with my pink teapot myself. Not only is it pretty, it makes a mighty fine cup of tea. =) I am off to visit your little corner of the world and visit your lovely blog. Kim Xx

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  28. What a beautiful post your shared today---thank you! This is my first visit to your beautiful, colorful blog and I'm in love. :) I especially love the pretty boxes you shared and am dying to make my own now. I wonder, are they covered in fabric or is it strictly cards on the side with stitching to connect them? Also, I'm curious about your name, as I'm a Sarah Elizabeth. Anyway, wonderful visit--thanks! Sarah @ classicalhomemaking.com

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    1. How lovely to 'meet' you, Sarah, thank you for visiting. All of my boxes are covered with cards, which have been pasted onto a thick cardboard and then covered with a thick plastic. I suppose if you were to make them these days, you would laminate each part of the box pattern. I can see no reason why you would not be able to cover thick cardboard with fabric. You could laminate this, though you perhaps you could also paint on several layers of Mod Podge fabric glue. The stitching is done with a thick embroidery cotton. My name is Kim and Elizabeth is my second name. My blog Sarah Lizzies is named after my two nannas. My mother was going to name me Sarah, but she changed it at the last minute. I wish she had named me Sarah...a much prettier name than Kim. =) Thank you for your lovely comments, Sarah...you have added many a smile to my day. Kim Xx

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  29. I think it's so sweet that your husband chose that adorable tea set for your birthday ... you married the perfect man ;) Happy Birthday Kim! That set is such a beautiful pattern. Actually as I'm typing this, your cathedral windows quilt is in the background and I see a print that is very similar to your new birthday set! Loved seeing your hexie quilt progress, gorgeous! And wow! I have to laugh when I see that a hexie tea cup found YOU! Talk about planets aligning and all that, you have found a real prize. Glad you've both been out enjoying some new by-ways and snooping around antique shops. "Lip burner"??
    Lots of love to you both xx
    Wendy

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  30. Where to start - there are so many lovely things here I don't think I'll try to pick a favourite except to say I would like to find something like the birthday teapot and cup for my daughter. She is a tea drinker and would love it.

    Diana

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  31. Oh my goodness Kim! Good thing I wasn't there with you, or you may have seen another side of me : ) I'm not shy about elbowing my way through a crowd to get what I want. But seriously, how precious is that hubby of yours? Wonderful he indulges you so.
    The sales rep just left, and I had quite the time choosing all the lovely yarns. Not done yet either.
    Tomorrow is another day. I'm overwhelmed enough for today : )
    Night night

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  32. Such a delightful post! All the wonderful goodies you were able to find on an afternoon drive! Such a lovely tea set you and your husband found, just gorgeous! Thank you for visiting my site, and I'm so happy to visit with you here, over a "cyber" cup of tea... just delightful indeed!

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  33. Be still my heart..... Your hexies, the linens, the TEA CUPS!! My, oh my, what beauty, my friend :) Your quilts are incredible and so beautifully made. I never tire of seeing them, sweet Kim.

    And your lovely little tea cup with the hexies on it is perfect for you {{smiles}} Thank you for sharing you loveliness at Roses of Inspiration. You, my dear, are an inspiration! Love to you

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  34. The quilt pieces are stunning and I love your teacup collection!

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    1. Thank you so very much! How lovely to have you visit; so happy you did! Kim Xx

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  35. Kim dearest, one can never have too much pink, china, roses or lace. As for your hexie quilt, well you have the patience of a saint. Much love, Mimi xxx

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    1. I wholeheartedly agree, Mimi. As for the hexie quilt, it's either patience or insanity!! Kim XX

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  36. Gorgeous hexies the quilt is going to be lovely, I like the edging on each one too and I love your china, we never see many teacups here in Spain as everyone drinks coffee.

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  37. Dearest Kim,

    You never cease to amaze me! Your photos are entirely delightful, so charming and colorful!

    I love your new flower tea set. How very pretty it is! Your collection of tea pots and cups are truly captivating.

    I always have a pleasurable time drinking my coffee visiting your cozy space here. It is strange to think that you are having summer now.

    Australia is one of the place that I would someday like to visit. Italy and Great Britain are also places I would like to see.

    Wishing you a lovely day,
    ♥Hope

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  38. P.S. Oh yes, I forgot to mention your spectacular quilt... I don't know how you do all that you do, such diligence!

    :) Hope

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  39. Oh I am just in love with your blog. I love the colors - the textures - the words - the way you photograph things - your craftiness and your china. The birthday gift is absolutely a favorite of mine - how I would love to have a set like that. What a lucky girl you are that your husband searches out special pretties just for you (mine does too and I know I'm very lucky). I'm going to explore all around your blog now and find more treasures to ooh and ahh over. Oh - and the previous post - I adored the way you photographed the sweater in progress. And I agree - I much prefer the older patterns. Here I go - adventuring through your blog.

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