Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Quality Time With My China

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Remember this set of china? The china I had to have and eventually found in 3 different auctions on Ebay? I wrote about them in this post and this post. Yesterday I opened the cabinet and spent some quality time with each piece. Do you ever do that? Do you ever walk around the house looking at your pottery and china with fresh eyes? I do.

They’re so beautiful.

I love them.

I don’t know whether I will ever have the occasion to use all these pieces, but if one arises…I’m ready.

In the meantime, knowing that they’re mine makes me smile.

A Little Bird & Some Roseville Pottery

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This little guy was surveying the Beacon Hill scene from his perch on this hedge. Thankfully, he stayed still long enough for me to snap this photo.

It has finally stopped raining here at MHC. Maybe I’ll get some much-needed yard work done today. The sun is out…dare I hope that Spring may finally be here? Crossing fingers. Let’s just say that I learned my lesson a week or so ago. The snow shovels are still out.

I promised to show you the contents of the other package that was waiting for me when I got home from Boston. A while back, a reader of this blog named Sonja wrote me. She noticed that I had some Roseville pottery. She was getting rid of a piece or two…would I like them? Uh…yes!

Hello, beautiful Magnolia Cornucopia! This is made doubly precious because it was passed down from Sonja’s mother. It now has a place of honor alongside some of my other pieces.

There is a lush quality to the Roseville flower designs that I love. It’s the best word I can think of to describe their look. Years ago, I remember reading an article about the actress Teri Garr’s home. She has a great decorating style. Originally from Ohio where Roseville was manufactured, she had amassed a wonderful collection. I think that was when I fell for Roseville. I kept that article for years – wish I still had it.

Sonja sent me a second piece that she suspected was a knock-off. She said something just didn’t feel right about it. I did some research yesterday and I’ve come to the conclusion it is definitely a fake. The markings are wrong, the glaze is off and one of the numbers on the bottom is reversed. Nevertheless, I really love it – I am treating it like the real thing. It’s Don’s favorite. He has a good eye and suggested I place it here on the piano:

The pattern is Fuchsia. I like the way the wood tones of the Keyboard sign are picked up by the brown color of the vase. Good call, Don.

Once again, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of one of the readers of Mockingbird Hill Cottage. Thank you, Sonja, for these wonderful additions to my little collection. Sonja doesn’t have a blog yet, but she’s thinking of starting one. Let’s encourage her!

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Collecting & Crochet

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Rain, rain and more rain today. Sounds like the sump pump will be put to use once more. There are flood warnings as the rivers rise due to snow melt and several inches of rain. I’m keeping an eye on the snow – will it be entirely gone by the end of the day? Crossing my fingers.

You all know I have an extensive collection of pottery – predominantly McCoy Pottery, with some Red Wing, Roseville, Hull, Fiesta and Bauer. Then there is the china – oh my. Mockingbird Hill Cottage is a wee little cottage – there is only so much room here. So when I saw my friend Cheryl’s post about her exquisite collection of Shawnee Miniatures, my heart went pitter-patter. Take a moment and visit her – she has displayed them on a charming little vintage shelf. I’ve fallen in love once again (and they’re tiny!) Being the inveterate collector that I am, a little seed was planted in my brain. Fast forward a few weeks and I had a slap-upside-the-head moment. I remembered two treasures I found a few months ago that have been sitting on a shelf in the studio cupboard.

I have no idea whether these are Shawnee miniatures but they certainly are the start of a collection, aren’t they? Now if I could only find my miniature Fiesta pitcher which has mysteriously disappeared.

Don’t you just love it when you start a new collection?

My wonderful and talented sister, Meredith, has once again dangled a little carrot in front of my eyes. She was the one who told me about the Obsession Scarf. This time the carrot is the Japanese Flower crochet pattern that has become very popular of late. She’s having a great time crocheting the flowers. Yesterday, I found myself making some test flowers. The one on the left has 12 petals – the one on the right has 10. I made these using some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino that I had on hand, since my stash is now next-to-nothing. Baby Cashmerino is expensive, therefore, not practical for anything large.

Mer is making a shawl. I might make a little rectangular throw to place at the end of our bed as we  move into Spring. If you visit Mer’s blog, Mereknits, you can see the flowers she has made so far. She’s joining them together as she goes.

I’ll be making more today. It’s the perfect project for a rainy day. – after I eat the pancakes Don is making as I write this post.

What are you up to today?

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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