Saturday, May 24, 2008

Never Enough Blue and White

When Analise announced china was the topic for this Sunday's Show and Tell I knew I'd be busy with the camera --and what you're seeing is only a small portion of my blue and white collection. What better accent for blue and white china than heirloom pink roses and sunshine? I was lucky enough to have both today. This is a rare instance of another color mixing with my pure blue and white palette, but I loved the combination of the pink plaid and the blue squiggles on these spice jars. My family members are all too familiar with my blue and white obsession. One of the best birthday presents I ever received was from my brother on my 40th birthday when he gave me The Blue Room collection of plates from Spode. To add interest in this plate rack, I mixed in some Spode spice containers. The one old piece in this gathering is the lid (bottom center) I found at an antiques market. With blue and white, all ages seem to mingle well. These Blue Willow spice containers were another present from my brother, who also loves old things. I believe my love of blue and white began when I was a girl and a kind neighbor gave me a Blue Willow plate and told me the pattern's romantic story of forbidden love and transformation. Spice containers are some of my very favorite items because I love the lettering on them just as much as the designs. The plate was given to me by a friend who found it at a garage sale. I like the little flying bird and the verse which is a verse also found on two other things I have collected--samplers and autograph albums. The cup is one of my more valuable pieces. It's a Clarice Cliff version of the pattern "Tonquin." Its beautiful scene is one that I'd love to be able to walk into. Pieces with a Dutch influence also appeal to me. The little children depicted on the silver purse seemed right at home among the blue and white windmills. I have some pieces of the Blue Onion pattern displayed on a Victorian bamboo shelf that I am in the process of restoring. The round object on the left is an egg poacher. I have so much blue and white that I now try to limit myself to buying unique pieces. At my informal house, the plates are more likely to be hung on the wall and the cups turned into a lamp than to be arranged in a proper place setting on a fancy tablecloth! In fact, this vignette on top of the kitchen pantry is as close as these odds and ends will probably ever come to the table. They do get attention though, as this is my seasonal display area. The rose plate stays for the spring and summer and is replaced with a blue and white turkey plate and dried leaves, small pumpkins or bittersweet in the fall and a blue and white holly-rimmed snow scene plate and evergreens in the winter. I won't blog much in the next few days as I'm driving to Minnesota to get my son registered for his first year of college. I promise to try (emphasis on try) not to buy any more blue and white along the way! If you know of any good spots for vintage shopping in the St. Cloud or Minneapolis/St. Paul area please let me know in a comment or e-mail. Thanks again to Analise of Sugar*Sugar and Cerri at Little Pink Studio for getting us all together.

28 comments:

Swampgirl said...

I love your blue and white. I know that is one of the things I inherited from my mother! My favorite is your lamp. I hope to get up the nerve to drill some tea cups one day to make one!

FeeBee Louweez said...

Your blue 'n white collection is beautiful. love the lamp, did you make it?

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Mmm delicious!!! I agree about the lettering on the spice containers.
That yard sale plate and cup are really nice.

blessings said...

You have a great collection of blue & white. My mom used to have her entire house in Swedish colors so she had lots of blue and white china. A few years ago she packed everything up and has completely changed her decor to pink and white. Hmmm.. wonder what happened to all that china. Have a great weekend. Blessings... Polly

Dawn said...

My favorite is the little bird plate!

Wonderful collection!

Karen ~ Cider Antiques said...

Beautiful! I love blue and white too (but I can't seem to stick to one theme). I like the reds, pinks and greens too LOL.

Thank you for sharing.

Karen at Ciderantiques

Nancy said...

I have about three of the same things as you and the cousin to your little "When This You See" plate! What I don't have is that beautiful vase with the roses. Love the collection = Thanks for sharing. Nancy

Betty said...

What a beautiful collection! Thanks for sharing!

Cami said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Rich and classic. I liquidated my collection when I moved to my new house, but kept two wonderful pieces that belonged to my grandmother. I really love your teacup lamp.

Pinkie Denise said...

Hello,
I love blue willow too. I started collecting it when I was young. I see alot of the same pieces in your collection...I changed my style alittle and have lots of roses and greens. I will never part with my blue collection though it's packed away. Thanks for sharing your beautiful china Pinkie Denise

leesiebella said...

HI Carla~

Such a great collection of blue and white!! Your teacup lamp is adorable!!

Thanks for sharing!

xo
Analise

Anonymous said...

I ADORE your blue and white! I'm thinking those colors should be a whole Show and Tell of its own. LOL!!! Happy Day!

Mya said...

I love blue and white china. You are right never enough. The lamp is awesome.
-Mya

Rosanne said...

What a gorgeous collection of blue and white china, its all lovely!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your sweet comments! Loving the blue and white -- and those lush flowers. I adore my blue willow -- so elegant yet so simple. Blue and white is a great color combo. to work with, I think.

XO,

Rosalyn-Sue

Anonymous said...

Thank you for visiting! ..Not getting to Nantucket this summer,but maybe could shop at 'Walmart' on south shore here in Mass! ..If interested in Clarice cliff email me !
shabbyharbor@yahoo.com

Georgia Peachez said...

What a fabulous collection! xo, suzy

Lynn said...

Your blog and your home are both beautiful, love all your blue and white :)

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Carla, I love your pictures. I especially love your teacup lamp, that is so beautiful. You must have a wonderful time putting your collection together. It is soooo beautiful. I also loved the pillows on the chair, and your embroidery pieces. Altogether lovely!! Debbie
ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com

My Arts Desire said...

Carla, Wow! Your blue and white is quite a collection. The tea cup lamp is such an adorable idea! For years I collected a lot of blue and white. A lot of it is packed up, but I can't quite bring myself to part with it....yet.

I sent you an email with some Minnesota antiquing possibilities!

Thanks for sharing!

ABOUT ME said...

Hello. I love the teacup lamp! How creative and fun. Your collection is great! Good luck in trying NOT to add to it on your trip. If you have any success, let me know how you managed it (I can never pass up a treasure). Take care. Di

Splashes of Pink and Mint said...

That lamp is absolutely unique! Love your great blue and white collection!TFS!

Barbara said...

Love it all ... the lamp is great, and an egg poacher? What a find!

Alisa Noble said...

I love the Blue Onion pattern... beautiful!
Alisa

Miss Gracie's House said...

There is just something soo cheerful about blue and white~the little plate with the bluebird is adorable! I also like the white cabinet with the rose pulls-very unique!
Thanks for the "visit"-
Rene'

Cindy said...

Ahh you are another lover of blue and white just like myself! I love your collection! That lamp is so adorable!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous collection - I'm a blue and white fan too! Thanks for sharing!

Cindy said...

Love blue and white....even though I just recently took it out of my kitchen (duh) I do love it. Your kitchen is gorgeous, but I really love those little pink and blue spice boxes....so cute!

c