Sunday, December 8, 2013

Meeting a challenge


The challenge is part of Cuisine Kathleen this week and other link parties! Also in my post is a Tea Time for all my tea link parties!
 
 Victoria Classics "Holiday Bliss" has this lovely photo on page 20 the blue transferware soup tureen and the charming background with the hutch filled with transferware! This is where I gained my inspiration. 
 
 My soup tureen which closely matched the photo is by Johnson Brothers "Old Britain Castles" in blue. My hutch fortunately mimics the one in the photo. I conveniently created the transferware display by using pieces that were easily available.
 This darling Nutcracker is the photo on page 19. It is just part of the inspiration that came from the magazine's layout. 
 I chose this particular Nutcracker because of the Christmas treats for this display.
 The small tureen in the hutch photo is surrounded by nutcrackers. 
 Blue transferware teapots and nutcrackers are part of the recreated display!
 The top of the hutch has collection of blue transferware to match the magazine's photo. My addition is the set of individual teapots by Sadler from it's Tea Collection and the Wedgwood antique in the middle. 
 Now, this is my adaptation on the challenge tablescape. I am using these salad/dessert plates and mugs sets by Play Art. Each set is different in  designs and sayings. 
Each has a Santa saying for Christmas. This is the first!
 This is the second!
 This is the third!
 This is the fourth!
The traditional table was based on this Wedgwood plate on a base of white linens.
 The white dot napkin by Waterford.
The blue handled flatware is by Hampton signature.
 The close-up of the handles shows the lovely details of the silver.

The goblets and mug share apart of the right side of the place setting.

Each of the mugs has an individual sayings.
 The cute Santa face saying "Eat. Drink. and be Merry".
The chandelier has 5 Santa head ornaments.
Santa heads close-up show their sweet faces. 
Surrounding the soup tureen are four red crystal candle holders.
Atop the finial is a sweet fawn with a jingle bell necklace and red stocking cap by Anna Lee.
Greenery and red blossoms encircle the soup tureen.
I am offering a tea by Celestial Seasonings called Nutcracker Sweet. Each chair has been decorated with a red Santa's hat chair covering.

The table is set with blue transferware cups, saucers and teapot for the tea.

A small nutcracker carries out the theme.
Also, the tea package shows a Nutcracker, Christmas tree and candy.
The table is ready for us to dine and we have been enjoying the mugs and dessert plates each evening.
The sun is setting on a calm and quiet scene inside and an icy and snow scene outside!

 

I will be posting this on

these tea blogs;

Rose Chintz Cottage,
Artful Affirmations,
Martha's Favorites
and
Bernideen's Tea Time.

The blogs of;
Cuisine Kathleen,
 A Stroll thru Life,
A Delightsome Life,
Between Naps On The Porch,
 and The Tablescaper
are some of my favorites and
I will also post on them this week!



44 comments:

Sylvia said...

Very beautifully decorted, I enjoyed looking at all your photo's.

Antiques And Teacups said...

Lovely decorations! I love all your transferware! I tried the Nutcracker Sweet least week too! Not bad, but I think the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride is my fav! Very cute Santa dishes! Thanks so much for sharing and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

How I enjoyed scrolling through your post. You copied the magazine layout with such an eye to detail that I believe I like your layout better.
You have quite a few pieces of transferware which are nice and I was lucky to find the mulberry/purple plate I did. There are still a couple of other plates at the antique barn in this colour, dirty as well and a pretty penny. Treating myself to one was gratifying.
I don't buy the Celestial teas as I'm hooked on David's but there are so many fun flavours for the season.
Have a good week!

Karen said...

Hi Pam,
Oh my you have gone to a lot of work. Your transferware is just amazing and I love all of the other pretty teasets in the background. Just so beautiful and so inspiring. Thank you for visiting me and such kind words. Have a wonderful week! Karen

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Pam,
The magazine encouraged you to a beautiful decoration. The hutch and the table are just wonderful decorated. And I love the covers for the chairs. Your whole room is lovely, christmasy and cozy. Nice to stay that way inside when the weather outside is stormy. Thank you for the tea time. Have a nice Advent time.
Best greetings, Johanna

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Pam,
What a beautiful posting for Tea Time! I just love your hutch filled with transferware. A delightful display! You really did a splendid job copying the magazine photos. Thank you so much for sharing with us and thank you for your lovely comment.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I'm impressed with your hutch and the way you mimicked the magazine photo. You did a wonderful job with it. Your room looks so festive and cozy!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a great job you did, Pam, on recreating the layout from the magazine. I love all your special touches.
Wouldn't it be fun to meet? I'd love that! This weather we've been having is something, isn't it? I'm ready for this ice to melt away. xo

xinex said...

You I'd an excellent job, this is so pretty. Your transferware collection looks fabulous, especially love the tureen.i love the Santa plates with different sayings, so full of fun and whimsy...Christine

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
Wow your room looks Gorgeous for Christmas and the tablescape is also Beautiful, you did a great job putting this all together for your family. I hope you are keeping warm to night.
xxoo
Diane

Martha's Favorites said...

Your home looks beautiful. I just love the Wedgewood plates. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

The Charm of Home said...

This is just beautiful! I have a buffet and hutch I am styling to show off before Christmas. You have done a fabulous job with yours it is so pretty! Love the Nutcracker theme! Merry Christmas!
Sherry

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my goodness, how fabulous and fun is this. Everything is so pretty and so well done. Love all the pics. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

Snap said...

I love your nutcrackers! You did a wonderful job copying the magazine layout. I think yours is more fun with the cute plates, mugs and goblets. The tea sounds wonderful for the holidays. Merry Tea Day!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I could spend hours looking at your gorgeous C'mas dining room decor with so many, no less gorgeous dishes and C'mas elements! I love your hutch with your collection of nutcrakers and lovely dishes. The soup tureen is my fav...I totally love it!!!°
Thank you for your kind visit.
Hugs,
FABBY

Beth said...

Your blue transferware is lovely, and your tablescape creative and adorable. Love your nutcrackers too.

Bernideen said...

Looks like Christmas tea time has definitely showed up in TEXAS! And what's not to love about Texas? Your table looks wonderful and I love your setting and your displays!
So glad you shared at Friends Sharing Tea!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

You did a fabulous job of putting your spin on your inspiration picture. I love your hutch, and how great that it so closely resembles the one in the inspiration pic. Blue transferware is a favorite of mine, so I love the way you've used it in the hutch and on the table. What cute salad plates and stemware. Well done! laurie

Bonnie said...

Wow, I am so impressed. Of course, you have so many beautiful collections and gorgeous pieces and you met the challenge.

Your whimsical plates and glasses added your own twist to the challenge photo from Victoria. You did a great job.

Terri said...

Oh wonderful! What a great idea to have an inspiration picture to work with. I love seeing the differences. Your interpretation is beautiful! I love the blue and white china, and your floral arrangement around it. The hutch too compliments the whole look.
Hugs,
Terri

The Tablescaper said...

Awesome! Love all of your blue and white. Just lovely.

- Alma, The Tablescaper

Tricia said...

Wow, you did a stunning job recreating the inspiration photo! I really love the look of all the nutcrackers with your pretty blue and white china. And the tureen is spectacular!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Great job! You nailed it! Love seeing anything from Victoria! Those plates and mugs are adorable!

Katherine

Lulu said...

Adding the playful dishes to your more sophisticated transferware is totally out of the box. I love it.

Crystal Grandeur said...


Thank you so much for your sweet comment.Love all your Christmas elements.They look beautiful and give a festive feel. Have a wonderful season.Love Sujatha...:):)

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

You have a very nice collection of blue transfer ware and you have mixed it so cleverly with the fun dishes! Enjoy! Linda

Marigene said...

Pam, you did a fabulous job copying the magazine.
Your hutch and table look so festive. Those green/red/white dishes are really cute. Love the tureen, too!

Anonymous said...

Your table is gorgeous, and even better than the inspiration!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Truly a showstopper…you did a beautiful job!!

Red Couch Recipes said...

I would have never thought of blue transferware for Christmas, but it is perfect. Love the hutch with the nutcrackers adorning it. Your festive holiday plates are so beautiful, and who wouldn't want to have soup from that gorgeous tureen? Joni

JP said...

Your wedgwood...that flatware....oh, my! Just lovely....Happy Holidays!
JP

Luján Fraix said...

Oh... que maravilla de vajilla color azul, la que más me gusta. Te felicito por todo lo que brindas, por la belleza de tu mesa, por el amor a estar fechas que se vienen...
Un beso grande.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Wow, the blue tranferware is beautiful and it looks great all decked out for Christmas with nutcrackers! Your table is so festive with the Santas and Santa hat chair covers!
Jenna

Unknown said...

I have had my eye on that flatware in that shade of blue for a very long time. Your beautiful setting has convinced me that I need it. You did an beautiful job with the theme and thank you for visiting me today.

Lorri said...

Hi Pam,

After your nice comment on my post I wanted to check out yours and it is very lovely. I love the blue and white dishes. My grandmother was a Blue Willow fan and i have her pieces. She didn't do place settings, mostly accessories. She lived in a small town and had little access to antique shops but I think she probably bought every piece that showed up in her local shop. You did a great job on your challenge! Lorri

Diane said...

What a grand post! You really did a wonderful job in re-creating the hutch in the photo - wow. Love your table and the Santas on the chandelier. Great job!

Diane said...

What a grand post! You really did a wonderful job in re-creating the hutch in the photo - wow. Love your table and the Santas on the chandelier. Great job!

Got My Reservations said...

This is such a wonderful interpretation of the inspiration theme. Even the hutch matches the old photo -- beautiful! Thanks for visiting me!

Sharlotte said...

What a fun post! Isn't it fun to find inspirational pictures? You did a great job on your table too! I love your Santa dishes!

Sarah said...

Your inspiration photo could have been taken in your own lovely dining room. Great job! Love seeing all your special blue and white transfer ware. Thanks for sharing this lovely post.

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...


I just love your table and all your holiday décor. My hubby has a collections of nutcrackers from Germany from the 1980's. Yours are all so cute! Lots of eye candy, so much I need to go back and look again.

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Darn, I forgot to say "Hi!" from one Pam to another! :)

Kathleen said...

Well slide over and make room for me! What a great table! The soup tureen is just beautiful! Love your take on the inspiration table. So many details!
Thanks for taking the challenge at Let's Dish!

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous plates! Love your setting!