Question about Tea Staining Lace and My April CQJP 2013...finally!

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's out there!  We will be having our two mothers and our daughter with her family here for dinner later this afternoon.  Our son and his wife will be leaving for a trip to Italy shortly.  It will be their first trip to Europe and I am very excited and happy for them...and a little jealous~lol.

I have actually had these blocks for April completed for awhile but haven't had a chance to get them photographed, set up and converted to JPEGs.  I am enjoying this journey so much.  It has been a real challenge to come up with new stitch variations/combos but somehow I have been able to so far.  I thought I might be bored creating such similar blocks, but I am actually getting hooked on them.  I may have to eventually experiment with color variations for something different...maybe.  

Now, I have a question for those who dye fibers/fabrics...

I have been trying to finish up my CQJP for 2012, but have had issues with finding the right lace to go around the blocks.  I originally had my lace picked out but didn't buy it because I wanted to wait until my blocks were completed.  Of course, the store quit carrying said lace and I wasn't able to find it anywhere.  I finally found some similar but only in white but 100% cotton.  I tried to tea stain it yesterday along with a couple of doilies.  You guessed it.  I ended up with three different shade variations.  A doily came out exactly the color I wanted, but the lace trim came out too gray rather than a warm ecru.  

My question:  Do any of you know of a product for tea staining cotton to a warmer shade or know how I can fix my lace?

Small Quilt - Block 2 and TAST

I have just a small amount left to do on this block which I will finish up later on.  I am a bit undecided as to how I want to finish up the plant.  What are your first thoughts?

Part of me thinks a pot would detract.  A small vase with an added couple of rose buds might fight with the roses on the tea set.  I'm leaning toward just adding more leaves below what I already have, leaving a pot or vase to the imagination of the viewer.  Thoughts? 

I was going to add a small tea bag, but decided against it.  I think silver tea strainers would fit the early 1900s theme better.  The lace edged napkin was an afterthought that adds some nice dimension.  The little teaspoon with attached heart is a pin that I had in my stash.  A few of the green stones and pearls along the edge are missing, but I'm not too worried about that.  I simply pinned this piece on and it can easily be removed if I choose to do so later on.

I am going to mull this over and get started on the next block.  I'm sure something will come to mind or maybe one of you will have an idea I can run with.

I had totally forgotten about the TAST challenge until Thursday.  It was fortunate it was just a variation of the chain stitch we had done earlier, so I added it to the chain stitch tag as a variation.

I had already created two trees for the Chain stitch and decided another wasn't necessary, especially since I was in the middle of another project.   You may need to click on the photo(s) to see that I actually did use two different threads since one of them is very close to the color of the tag itself.



Weekend Silver Treasure Finds

Went to my first garage sales of the season last weekend. I was driving around looking for signs. The last one I followed turned out to be worth stopping at. I am always intrigued by the fancy silver serving pieces that were used for special occasions 'back in the day'. I remember the care and polishing my mother and grandmother used when setting the table with fine silver and the best linens. As I said this was done on special occasions and not on a regular basis. As many of you know I use some of these silver pieces for organizing in my studio. Getting back to the garage sale...

I spotted the end of this serving tray sticking out of a box and made a bee line to pick it up. The box of silver items was marked $10.00 so I looked through the box to see if I needed it. I left it sitting there and looked around some more. A lady ahead of me asked if she could buy just a couple of items out of another box rather than the entire box. I asked if I could get the same deal. She proceeded to explain to me everything was half price! I decided to take the entire box at that price...$5.00! Other than the (tarnished) silver tray above, I found other great pieces when I got home and was thrilled I had taken the entire box.

I had seen the stand for this gravy boat, but didn't know what the stand was for until I got it home and found the top piece. I absolutely LOVE this piece! I don't have many dinners anymore, but I am thinking it would work great if I place a small glass dish inside the gravy boat and fill it with the scented wax. If I do need it for food later on it will still be usable and safe for food. In the meantime it will not be sitting in a cabinet collecting dust.

The sterling silver gravy boat with warming tray stand was definitely my favorite find, but there was so much in the box and I have no regrets taking it all. This sweet little tea pot was also included. The inside of these pots are often in bad shape, but this one was very clean and in great condition. The bottom of the pot has a large 'S' under which it is engraved silver over copper.




This round tray was also in the box...

As were these salt/pepper shakers (made in the USA), the apple bowl (not sterling), the sterling covered butter dish with glass liner, the wire bread basket (I know I should have unwrapped it for a better photo...am I bad), and the cute angel candle snuffer. There were also two tongs and a couple of other serving utensils.

I think the little apple dish may end up full of beads or clips in my studio or it may end up in the kitchen to hold a scrubbing pad. The bread basket will be used for just that. The salt/pepper shakers will go on a shelf next to some other silver ones I have until I figure out what I can make with them. I'm not sure what I will use the butter dish for. It may just sit in my cabinet for awhile.

Oddly enough, there was also a brass candle stick. It may end up with a candle on it or I may paint it and epoxy a pretty dish on top. It's future is uncertain.

It and the candle snuffer have been in contact with a red candle recently and are due for a good cleaning. Bath time little angel.

I hope your weekend is full of good memories of loved ones and that you are surrounded by love.

Recycled and Repurposed Glass Dome.

I am so excited. I received my winnings from Andrew Thornton's giveaway today and already have tons of ideas on how to use the beads and other items. The quality is fantastic. The items were from beadaholique.com. I especially loved the larger leaf beads. I know I will be able to use some on my Fall colored CQ piece for sure and some incorporated into my jewelry pieces!

Now for an easy do-it-yourself project: I decided to share one of my creations on this blog that I have already shown on my other blog. My apologies to those of you that follow both. I had purchased this glass lamp shade about two years ago. I thought it was so pretty and just knew it would work perfect for something. You are probably laughing because you know exactly what I mean! I finally had a brain fart and figured out what I could do with it.

I was sitting in my studio, looking at it and thinking I had to either use it or get rid of it because I had been hanging on to it and working around it much too long. Below are photos of the completed project. Isn't it gorgeous! I added an antique glass door knob for a handle and turned it into a food cover. I find it fits my glass cake stand perfectly and matches some of my dinnerware.

I also tried it on top of the dinner plate and it worked there as well. I added the metal charger under the plate to give it that added layer.

It was really simple to do. I knew I wanted to marry the knob and shade together, but wasn't sure how to go about it. I packaged them both up and took them to the local hardware store seeking a bolt that would fit. The clerk went to the bolts, picked one up along with a couple of washers and proceeded to explain that he can drill the hole in the knob to fit the bolt! It worked out perfectly and cost under $5.00 - parts and labor! (close-up shown below).

Actually, I had a pink glass shade that is hanging in my studio, holding some of my trims. It worked out great as well, but I had seen this idea before, so I can't take credit for it. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of these domes when garage sales start up again in the spring or when I visit thrift stores. This is an easy do-it-yourself project! I hope it has inspired you.

I am joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday! (select Link on my sidebar to see all the fabulous show and tell sites)

Teacup Tuesday and an Upcoming Giveaway

For Teacup Tuesday I want to share one of my favorites. It's a print by Sandy Lyman Clough that I bought a few years ago and have always cherished. I love the way she paints tea items and lace.

I also wanted to give you a sneak peak at couple of the items I'll be giving away in the next few days to celebrate my one year of blogging and reaching 100 followers.

It is teapot and cup and saucer ornaments as well as a delicate little note pad. Check back later and I will be sharing a couple more items and give more details.

Hope you all have a great Teacup Tuesday!

Be sure to either click on the teacup on my sidebar to go to Martha's or go to http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ to see Terri's wonderful teacups and links to the others sharing tea today!

Connie

Teacup Tuesday and a Sweet Bargain!

I was so thrilled. I just bought this little gem at a garage sale this weekend. I loved the small size, the footed cup and the beautiful violets...and the $3.00 price tag!!! It seems just slightly larger than a demitasse but smaller than a regular teacup.

It says 'hand painted RELCO or AELCO creation - Japan' on the bottom of both pieces.

It even has a sweet little violet inside the cup to enjoy as you are sipping tea.

I am linking with Teacup Tuesday and with Nifty Thrifty Tuesday today. Click their buttons on my sidebar to see all of the other listings for other bloggers sharing their fabulous teacups at the Teacup Tuesday blog party and the bargains shared by other bloggers have found at the Nifty Thrifty Tuesday blog party!

Tea in England and Teacup Tuesday

Since my camera battery went kerplunk I decided to share a tea experience of mine rather than a specific teacup. Hope you don't mind. Next week...I promise!

My husband and I were so fortunate to travel to England this past year for our 40th wedding anniversary. We stayed in London. What an absolutely beautiful and interesting place! I insisted we visit a tea room while there because I just couldn't show my face around here if I went all the way to England and didn't have tea! So we asked the Queen's guards where they would recommend we go for the best place for a spot of tea. They pointed us in the direction of Kensington Palace.

We followed their directions and it was but a few minutes before we arrived at the Palace. The gates were open as they apparently were expecting us.

After giving us a tour of the Palace the attendant directed us to the tea room which had previously been an 'Orangery' where they grew fresh fruit year round for the royal family. It was quite a long walkway to the front door which I assume is why they had some relaxing park benches upon which to rest along the way.

It was quite charming and elegant at the same time. They were expecting us at the tearoom as well, greeted us at the door and we were seated immediately.

It was the perfect tea room for us. I was able to indulge in a relaxing cup of tea and my husband got to enjoy his beverage of choice (which is not tea). We both indulged in one of the many luscious desserts! Oh heavenly!!!






After our visit we visited the Sunken Garden which was absolutely captivating.

As we went on our way we stopped to express our gratitude and chat a bit with Queen Victoria who was out enjoying the park as well. She was a little quiet, but listened attentively. Although she is probably interrupted often she never uttered a harsh word to anyone. A very respectable Queen.

What a perfect day. We didn't see the guards again. We wanted to thank them and let them know what a smashing time we had. It seems like it was yesterday. sigh! Happy Teacup Tuesday everyone!

Be sure to see others celebrating this occasion at:

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/ and http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

Moss Rose Collection for Teacup Tuesday

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/ and http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ are the hostesses for this event. You can go to their sites for more links and to see their wonderful tea cups. Happy Teacup Tuesday! I guess I missed last Tuesday. Time just seems to slip away from me. I decided to share my Moss Rose Collection of various teapots and teacups today...

The teapot below is musical. The music box is on the base and when you pick it up it plays "Tea for Two".

On the right is the first of my collection--the pieces that got me started. They are luncheon plates with matching cups and the little indentation on the plates for the cups to set. The rest is history. My collection grew. I loved the little egg cups when I saw them. I seem to have some sort of fascination with egg cups as well? Who knew?



Below is my entire collection all snug in their display cabinet.

I can't wait to see what you are all sharing for Teacup Tuesday!

Teacup Tuesday AND Pink Beads

I am combining two items today. For those of you who have seen my past posts, you will recall my March beading challenge was to learn the 'flat triangle stitch'. I had finally gotten the hang of it and wanted to do some more with the little bag. Well I finally completed the bag, lining it, gathering the bottom and adding a tassel and added a sparkly button and bead loop for the closure. I intend to learn some sort of stitch for the handle in one of the upcoming months to totally finish the project. It is also pink, so I felt it was appropriate for Martha's Teacup Tuesday.

I have never taken part in anything like this, so I hope I'm not totally messing up. Below is the teacup I want to share. I loved the daintiness, the shape of it and, well, everything about it. Plus, anything with lovely roses is a winner in my book!

The marking on the bottom is one I had never seen before, so I am afraid I can't tell you a thing about it. If anyone knows anything about it I would love to find out more.

I am excited about this and look forward to what everyone else is sharing! Have a great week! Regards, Connie

P.S. Feel free to set me straight if I am messing up on your blog Martha :-D