Sunday, June 21, 2009

Metamorphosis Monday ~ An Old Antique Table

Hi everyone!! This week I'm participating in Susan's (Between Naps on the Porch) Met Monday!! I was planning on participating last week but a sprained shoulder kept me off the 'puter!


Every summer I make a "To-do" list. Most of the time I usually accomplish about half on the list. :-) One of the things was to re-paint an old antique table I had previously been using as a TV stand.

It was painted a dark hunter green...

That definitely did not go with my bedspread.

So after taping up the "feet" with paper and painter's tape...

I spray painted it with an almond color. (Pictures make it look white.)

Added some of my favorite "girly" things and several doilies ~ and Presto! An easy and quick metamorphisis!! :-)

I can't wait to see more transformations over at BNOTP ~ I need an extra dose of inspiration to keep me "To-doing" this summer! :-)


Thanks for visiting!
Laura

Monday, June 8, 2009

Lovely Limoges!

(Gifts from my aunt who bought these three beauties in France.)

For Three or More Tuesday, hosted by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner, I thought I would share my love for Limoges!

Every Limoges needs a stage, so let's flip the cup over and start! :-)

This was the one that started my obsession! My mother gave this cutie to me for Christmas many years ago. I loved it's intricate detailing and the delicateness of it! I also couldn't stop opening and shutting it! Lol I had never heard of Limoges and knew I had to have more!

I knew my dh was the one for me when he didn't flinch at the price tag of $160.00 for this pretty little teapot! He bought it as a gift for me when we were first dating. :-)

Each Limoges is handpainted with it's own unique clasp~

And often has detailing on the inside too~

A polar bear in an igloo~

Isn't his little face cute?!

"Here kitty kitty..." :-)

The Holy Bible~

A precious angel given to me from my cousin~

A pretty purse. I love the little chain!

A sophisticated lady~

This is not a Limoges but he's an important part of my collection! My husband does a very good impersonation of the Cowardly Lion, my favorite character from The Wizard of Oz! :-)

A child playing with blocks. Notice the pretty bird clasp~

Can I offer you a glass? :-)

Got milk??

The granddaddy of them all!

The detailing is just beautiful! It's the most expensive one I have.

You will know a "real" Limoges by the marking at either the bottom or the inside~
I found a good explaination of Limoges Trinket Boxes on a website called Limoges Direct.

"An authentic Limoges Trinket Box is made of kaolin porcelain. A stamp saying Limoges France will often tell if the box is authentic. In 1841 a law was passed saying that all Limoges boxes must be stamped with this marking. Some Limoges boxes are detailed more than others, as some have more complexity in the sculpture, and the colors which depict the knowledge, as well as number of firings. This is how collectors distinguish quality. Limoges boxes of quality are usually hand-painted and marked peint mein (painted by hand). Porcelain Limoges boxes that are not hand painted sometimes will be decorated by transfers. Often when purchased in the states the supplier will include a certificate of Authenticity."

Who knows why we fall in love with the things we do ~ but I knew as soon as I saw one, I would never get enough of them!! ~SIGH~

Thanks so much for coming by! Now let's go see some more collections of Three or More over at Tam's!! :-)

Laura