Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Adding 'me old china' into the mix!

Thank you again for kind comments on previous post: Bronte gets all her looks from my good self you understand......


You may recall ('Oh help - she's off...') that I  posted a while ago regarding embroidered tablecloths that were pressed into usage during a visit from my sisters.  I thought that today (some time after the event) I would show you the china that I had, oh so carefully, selected to go with the tablecloths.  If I know a person is coming to visit I will try and get out china, tablecloths, fabrics, books, articles and sundries that I think that person will like.

 Daft I know but I like it to be 'right'.


My sister Sue likes chintzy china and delicate cups and saucers and it was her birthday and we aim to please...

In our house we often progress through the day using bits from  the last century china/tableclothwise: 

Breakfast would usually be using 60s/70s china (robust and hard wearing)

 Mid-day would be 50s (brightening up the colours and pattern)

Afternoon tea would be chintzy 30s/ 40s (slowing down for a post prandial snooze!) 

Returning to the 70s for the last repast. 

If a  very late night snack is called for then we would use 60s plates and cups - no tablecloth required at that point in the proceedings. 

If have we guests then a suitable 60s cloth would be utilised no matter what the time.

I am quite sure that I am not alone in that particular age sequence but if you utilise a different sequence of china throughout the day then I would love to know the order and the rationale behind it. 

Imagine sticking to one decade for everything.....

Such things are important!!!!


So this was breakfast that particular day - no food shown as that would spoil the show......

The jam pot below was one of my early charity shop purchases - from a charity shop at the end of the road where we used to live in London - it cost 30p.  Given that this was 25 or so years ago that seems quite pricey to me as you can still buy umpteen jam pots for exactly the same price (I am currently 'sourcing' a new to me sewing table and staggered by the wonderful tables around for between £5-£10 - so now I am stymied and  not able to choose!!)

The saucer did not come with it!  The saucer was placed to TRY and stop jam droppage


For delicato'ness you cannot beat a cottage garden I think



I got out a 'range' of jam pots...but only had raspberry jam.


This saucer also does not belong with the jam pot but I was trying to stop JAM DROPPAGE

In fact that saucer belongs to a very nice cup that I finally found for tea.

Just a note regarding the jam pot in the centre below - I left the raspberry jam inside for a week and it very carefully stained the whole thing (given your kind comment Annie that it is difficult to dye old linens with fruit I thought that it was most unfair that it could stain china so easily!!!).  No amount of false teeth cleaner will shift the stains - any ideas gratefully appreciated.


 A nice egg cup stand with a mixture of odd egg cups - egg cup post coming up one day! Little raffia cottage egg cosies to the right - egg cosy post coming up one day....I used to have a tea cosy raffia cottage but moved it on a few years ago...why, oh why...

Tea cosy post coming up one day....gulp.....



A trio of jam pots - tra la la

Oh,  now we are indeed cooking on gas.  My favourite cups and saucers for a Sunday.  Gone about them before but a 'first charity shop purchase' when we moved out of London (continuing the 'moving and charity shop theme' here).  Made around 1870 (delicato in extremis)  and  are used regularly.  Maille has asked that one day could she have this china...

The man from Del Monte said 'Yes'.



Perfecto for Spring and that is even without the tea!


The larger cake plate was bought from the same charity shop some months later....what are the chances!








Sorry a few photos of the same thing


Chip in jug - chips in lots of things


I do not care a fiddle de dee








This cup, saucer and tea plate I gave to Sister Sue for her birthday together with a pretty embroidered cottage bag - I think that I have a photograph of it somewhere....




Oh, this must have been for afternoon tea as I have changed to an afternoon tea tablecloth (keep up!)


I think I turned the light on as these photos look awful.  All of these photographs were taken back in April and I realise how dark and gloomy it was then.

  I have some other pieces of this china - don't you think that blue and green look Spring-like and fresh?






Tra la la
Fiddle de dee
Let us have cake
With my plates and me!

PS: I do NOT have false teeth.....yet


68 comments:

  1. Oh, oh, I am breathless with delight! That is one of the prettiest blog posts I've seen in a long time! Just so uplifting and beautiful to look at on a cold and wet Winter's day here.

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    1. Thank you for kind words Susan - is it really cold and wet somewhere else other than here?!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  2. Ditto to what Susan said. A blog post jam-packed (sorry) full of gorgeousness. That embroidered cloth peeking through the whole thing is awesomely marvellous. Those yellow flower circles? *sigh* Divine. As is all the china. I am sure I shall return to look at it all again later.

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    1. Aww - thank you wendz. I have recently taken bin bag after bin bag to the you know where but seem to have plenty remaining....
      Thank you for calling and I hope that you are having a lovely time on your stretch of the coast
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  3. Oh Wow! So beautiful - do you do B&B.....?
    Julie xxxxxxxxx

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    1. I do run a B&B but only open on Christmas Day sadly.......not many takers....
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  4. Loving those jam pots and all that flowery stitchiness Jenny... Cx

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    1. It is a pleasant combination I think Cass!
      Have a lovely week
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  5. My heart swoonns with wicked envy! Such a lovely collection and so beautifully photographed. As to my china... I start the day with my austere, yet beautiful utility ware cream mug, the plates for breakfast are a mixture of ages but we have each chosen our 2 favourites for daily use. Supper and main meals are blue slipware (rich colours but ordinary) and special occasions are my lovely hand painted 1930's plates and all that go with it! Jane xx

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    1. Dear Jane
      thank you very much for sharing your particular china plans - it all sounds a delightful mix (and a mix is what I like best). I love utility ware too
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  6. Ah - such beautiful china and linen! I could look at these pictures all day.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Hello Liz - thank you very much for your kind words - too much china and too much linen.....
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  7. I am green with envy! Such beautiful china perfectly matched to the tablecloths. And so well photographed. You are a delight! Minerva x

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    1. Thank you Minerva - I have fished out a book that I was sending to the charity shop that I thought you might like - I will pop round to your blog to tell you about it!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  8. Such pretty china! For the raspberry staining try a weak bleach solution - but LEAVE it in for a few days...

    Penny
    x

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    1. Hello Penny - thank you for that top tip - I will give it a go and see what happens.
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  9. That is my dream daily routine to a 'T' (sorry)...slurping through the decades. Sadly it's builders mug and naked table here. EE xx

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    1. Naked tables have their place Ethel and I am quite sure that your nakedness is wonderful. A builder's mug on the other hand......
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  10. You are bonkers but in the best possible way. I love the idea of using different decades of china for different times of the day. You are right, it is so important. Beautiful images (as always). xx

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    1. Thank you for calling in - us bonkers people must stick together I think!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  11. Tra la la, tiddle dee dug, I'm drinking out of an old chipped mug! Your china is beauuutiful but I'm afraid I'm a mug convert - purely for the volume of tea/ coffee/ caffeine it can accommodate you understand. We do get the pretty stuff out for guests - it makes the whole occasion that much more special - although the fact that Mr K tends to bung everything in the dishwasher can make clearing up a little fraught! Lovely lovely x Jane

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    1. Dear Jane - at first I thought you had made a spelling mistake (I am a bit slow on the uptake) then I realised, very good! Have you seen Supersize me? Those big sizes are the very reason for my increasing girth - going back to 'vintage' sizes helps...a bit....
      Thank you for calling in Jane
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  12. well if I HAD such lovely china (by decade) I would of course do the same thing but alas i do not (reminder to self - make nice with older relatives who do have such things) - thankfully I can live vicariously through you LOL

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    1. Dear Jewels
      Thank you for calling in - I might have a bit too much china of course.......
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  13. love the background embroidery.....

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    1. Thank you - it a pretty one
      Kind regards
      Jenny

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  14. Oh how I have revelled in these lovely pictures. But...

    ...deeply, deeply concerned that the crinoline lady in the 4th picture down appears to be standing on her head! Cannot decide whether it is YOU that is slightly crazy [the tea will fall out, my dear!] or is it ME for noticing it?

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    1. Oh dear Angela - possibly a bit of both going on here!!! She is on her head - I had not made the tea at that stage and could not bear the sight of an empty cup.

      Thank you for pointing out all errors Angela - this kind of detail is important in life.
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  15. A veritable feast for the eyes! I wish I could come across some 30p jam pots ...

    Love it all ... But would get confused easily using so many different eras of china ... I use a favourite Emma Bridgewater mug throughout the day and Woods Ware in shades of Iris, Jasmine and Beryl ... I get the special china out when like minded friends come for tea ... My lot just don't appreciate the beauty!

    Thanks for sharing this with us

    Love Claire xxx

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    1. Dear Claire - I love Woods Ware and used to have a sizable collection that I sent packing about 10 years ago.....regrets.....
      I am not convinced that Dom is that keen on some of the china to be honest....!!!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  16. Pretty, pretty, pretty and your girls have the prettiest names too x

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    1. Awww - thank you that is very kind of you to say so
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  17. Beautiful china and embroidery! You would be hard pushed to find anything like that in charity shops now I fear. For the stains, try biological washing powder in nice hot water and leave to soak. I used to have some very pretty cups and saucers with butterfly handles. I love old china, me old china! :)

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    1. That is a good idea Jacky - I will give that a whirl. Oh yes those butterfly handles - a bit of a swine to hold on to but keep you on your toes!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  18. the blue and green china is gorgeous Jenny and my personal favourite. I think you are most definitely posh at your house getting all your lovely china out!

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    1. Thank you Anne - not posh in the slightest though - china is open to all!
      Thank you for calling round
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  19. Oh, I feel like a prefect slob. I would not like to have raspberry jam even in the same room as that beautiful tablecloth !!! Do you use cloth napkins, as well? I love them but when I set a table with them I hesitate to actually use them... lipstick stains you know.
    Thank you for sharing, Janet

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    1. Very good question Janet - in such times we need to ensure that cloth napkins are used wherever possible. I confess to flinching if lipstick is in the vicinity!
      Ho ho
      Best wishes
      jenny

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  20. Oh my goodness Miss Jenny! Those dishes and that embroidery are just too sweet and pretty!!! I love using any old china, just something about it! :) And especially when having tea parties and eating anything pretty!! :) Wishing you a lovely day! xo Holly

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    1. Dear Holly
      Thinking of you today and hope that life is bright and sunny
      thank you for your kind words and calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  21. Really enjoyed looking at your lovely china and tablecloths. I do love an embroidered tablecloth, several have found their way home with me.

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    1. thank you for calling round - I popped round to your blog but couldn't find a comment slot (if you could point me in the right direction that would be great). I like Stitchcraft magazines too!
      Thank you again
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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    2. Thanks for having a look. As long as everything is behaving as it should, right at the end of each post there is a bit that says '6 comments' or '2 comments' etc. If you click on that there is a comment box. Hopefully!

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  22. Loving the pretties, chips and all. I am a bit chipped by now myself. :-)

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    1. Dear Linda
      After a while we are all a bit chipped round the edges.....more filler needed as time goes by....
      thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  23. Oh what a treat to see such lovely china and table settings. It's Tesco white plates with chips at any time of the day round here ;) ~ Sarah x

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    1. Tesco white plates are very serviceable and would certainly be Dom's favourite all year round...poor bloke...
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  24. Lots of ooohs as I scrolled down the page, so many pretty things and all together, that tablecloth is stunning! It's all white crockery here, with a nod to Bridgewater mugs, my men are too dangerous near any of my pretty things which sadly never see the light of day. Undiluted Domestos swirled round inside for a few seconds only and then thoroughly swilled out with water has always gotten rid of stains on the inside even on the most delicate of china I've found, but don't let it go on any gilding. x

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    1. Dear the woolly dog - thank you for your Domestos tip (other bleaches are available) I will try that too. White crockery is lovely too as it goes with anything
      thank you again
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  25. You get a lot of jam droppage then? Nasty!

    It all looks lovely, but I'm afraid I only do plain china (unless it's Scandinavian) ... and now I had better leave before I am booed off your blog.

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    1. Some days I just don't know how I cope Annie!
      You know that now I will have to dig out some Scandinavian china....
      You would never be booed off - escorted perhaps but never booed! Ho ho
      Best wishes Annie
      Kind regards
      Jenny

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  26. Crocks and cloths all very beautiful :)
    x

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  27. ooohhh you have some things. I am the same as you I always use my 60's plates and etc every day for every meal. If friends come round then I get out my lace tablecloths and my 50's red domino tea set makes it extra special then :-) things of beauty should be used and appreciated :-) dee x

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    1. Hello Dee
      I can imagine that your domino tea set is very nice indeed and a welcome sight with tea and cake
      thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  28. Now I REALLY want to come over to yours for tea.....mind you I'd be drooling all over the china, not a great sight! :) x

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    1. Don't worry if you do accidentally drool I have some vintage cloths that we can use for mopping up purposes!
      Welcome to tea any time
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  29. Beautiful, beautiful cloths and china. I think I have a tea cosy that matches the cloth in your main photos.

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    1. Oh how lovely - it is a lovely design and I think it is from a 1930s/40s pattern do you think?
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  30. Dear Jenny such a collection of loveliness,your cloths are quite delightful,I have some of the bird china!I do enjoy delicate flowery china the most.I have a shed full to the max of teasets,my name is Pam and I am a chinaholic,closely followed by an embroidered table cloth fetish.When I come across one my heart rate goes up!!I am quite certain that as an old lady I will die in an antique shop clutching a crinoline lady tablecloth!!!TTFN Pam.

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    1. Dear Pam - you do make me laugh - you and me both draped in tablecloths.....
      Can I come and visit your shed?
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  31. It's the tablecloths I love - the hours of work, the colours, the little details and the incredible skill...gorgeous. x

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    1. It is all a marvel isn't it - I am glad that it is still appreciates
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  32. In our house we yell stainage at the culprit so saucers are used too but sadly no beautiful jam pots. I'm always overwhelmed about all your china and how you manage to use it all love how you do mind as it seems like another well loved family member. We have a few things for certain things, sadly the favourite Sunday cups were broken by the man of the house. He was very upset so I didn't go on.
    Lisa x

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    1. Dear Lisa - I too am overwhelmed by my china....not always in a good way!!!! If things are broken that it the way of all things I think so I tend not to collapse in a heap too often!!! I understand not going on if the 'other party' is upset too - doesn't help does it!!
      Thank you for calling in Lisa
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  33. Such beautiful china! There is nothing better than getting out the pretty china and having a tea party.

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    1. It is a very nice thing to do and cheers up the dullest of days I think
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  34. I love all the pretty chintz jam pots and teacups, but sometimes I can barely concentrate on the post, because I get so caught up with how gorgeous the embroidered table linens are, underneath everything. Sometimes I just have to visit your blog to "oooh and aahh" for a while.

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