Pages

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Valentine Tea Party

This week's table features my original everyday dishes, Royal Doulton's Fireglow.  I fell in love with the shape of the teacup almost 40 years ago, and I still love it.
To carry out the valentine theme, I'm using a red and white tablecloth topped with a drawn-thread bridge cloth made by my grandmother.  She also tatted the lace edging.  I like this closeup, because you can see the tiny stitches linking the tatting to the hemstitched edge.  Grandma Rachel loved all kinds of needlework -- sewing, embroidery, quilting, and knitting.  She taught me to knit, and she sewed my wedding gown. 
There are luncheon-sized napkins to match the tablecloth.  That represents a LOT of tatting!  The photo below also shows the red cake stand from Pier 1 that is actually Christmas-themed , but with a lacy paper doily covering the design, it works perfectly for Valentine's Day, too! 
Here's a closeup of the pattern on the plate and some of the drawn-thread work.  That napkin doesn't look very well ironed, but I really did try!
Like the dishes, this silverplate footed candy dish was a wedding gift.  I really like its lacy pattern and have enjoyed using it all these years.
Here's a view of the table.  You can see the silver coffeepot from my in-laws' silver service behind the cake plate.  This shot also includes the Fireglow sugar bowl and creamer.  Aren't you impressed that they are still intact after almost 40 years? My children knew Mama would be VERY unhappy if they broke the sugar bowl lid!  This view really shows off the pretty bridge cloth.
Here's the hostess' view:
Family treasures, beloved dishes, and touches of silver -- what could be better for a valentine tea?  How about a chocolate cake?
And a piece or two of candy?  I'll just make the tea, and we can all sit down.
Thank you for visiting my table today!  I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch this week.  Be sure to check out all the great tablescapes!

25 comments:

  1. What a beautiful table!! love that Fireglow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your Grandmother MADE all those beautiful linens?!??! Wow...she was both a talented and PATIENT woman! And don't apologize for the ironing job...that's the beauty of vintage linens! Very pretty for a Valentine's tea!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh how gorgeous linens and your dear mom was so talented! I can't iron the new, 100% all linen ones, some take me so long, I hate to use them or wash them, lol.. The best are vintage heirloom linens made by our mothers or grandmothers. Thanks for sharing Tricia. Hugs,
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gorgeous tablescape! Love the vintage linens! So, so special!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your table is very pretty! I especially like your red cake stand!

    ReplyDelete
  6. HI Trish!

    This table looks fancy. Your red & silver treasures are so beautiful.

    Happy mid-week & TS...

    Greetings from snowy Stockholm,
    /chie

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so like you in that the way the teacup looks and feels is something that draws me to a pattern. I love this one, and it's just perfect for Valentine's Day. The tatted linens are amazing. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of talent and time that it takes to make such a work of art. I wish I could do it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh what wonderful linens. The tatting is magnificent and it is set off so well with the lovely red cloth underneath.

    Why don't you link to Seasonal Sundays this Sunday?

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for your post, it is lovely and so are your linens. Thanks for stopping by my site and leaving a message. I am your newest follower.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your linens from your Grandmother are amazing!! Such detail! What a treasure to have.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So pretty...the linens are exquisite. I love the red/white dessert pedestal.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your linens! Your table is so pretty.
    Blessings My Friend,

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good thing that chocolate cake isn't over here! I would love a piece right now, one for dinner, one for a late night snack and why not, one for breakfast tomorrow! Can you tell, I am trying to be good? What a lovely tea. Everything is so pretty. Have a wonderful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful seascape, and your grandmother's tatted linens steal the show...a wonderful treasure! Thank you for inviting us for a sweet peak. Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh the tatted edged, drawn thread cloth is fabulous!!! I had to go back and look at the table because I kept being swept away by it. Your table is so special. fabulous.. xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really like this, it is sooo pretty! The red plates make the pattern on the china just pop! The heirloom linens are gorgeous with the tatting, etc. What nice memories of your grandmother!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  18. The linens are priceless! As always your table is perfection. And that chocolate cake is making me really hungry!

    ReplyDelete
  19. The linens are gorgeous. How wonderful to have such a family treasure. I love how you layered the red and white. Cute dishes... I can see how they could go with all sorts of different tablescape ideas and colors. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Tricia!! What a beautiful table!! I love ALL of your linens, especially your gorgeous napkins! Your lacy candy dish is truly beautiful. What could be better for Valentine's Day than a scrumptious chocolate cake on a beautiful cake pedestal. Your dishes go perfectly with your color scheme!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Tricia, I really love visiting your blog! The memories of the beautiful antiques and the love your Grandma put in the stitches of her lovely linens is so beautiful. You have captured the warmth with your words and the photos of the table. I love your wedding china by Royal Doulton Fireglow. My wedding china was Haviland's pattern Rosalinde and Minton's Aragon. We just stayed in San Marcos this week and I loved making the rounds of the shops. We went through Austin going down to San Marcos and I stopped there and bought a Royal Worcester coffee pot and demitasse cups and saucers. My sweet husband said, why don't you go back and get the rest of the set of Royal Worcester named Cumberland. We both love it for he really likes china with colbalt and gold. The fun of using china, silver, crystal, and linens over the years brings back many fond memories and I enjoyed you sharing your special treasures on your beautiful table. Happy Tablescaping! Pam

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tricia, you are so blessed to have items that were hand made by your Grandma Rachel! I have NOTHING left of the beautiful handwork that my grandmother did. Sad.

    Your Royal Doulton Fireglow dishes remind me of Pennsylvania Dutch designs. So pretty & festive!
    I'd love to sit down to some tea & a small piece of that luscious chocolate cake!

    Hugs,
    Rett

    p.s. I've always wanted a pretty silver candy dish like yours. Must go haunt some antique stores!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tricia, the cloth is just beautiful that your Grandmother made. Reminds me how my Grandmother and I would embroidery pillowcases together. She would also made doilies, tableclothes, and quilts. I am guessing that the edging on the cloth was embroidery, it is a true keepsake for you. I have never heard the term drawn-thread bridge cloth so I learned something from your post too. Thanks and thanks to your Grandmother.

    ReplyDelete
  24. So cute love the bird!Beautiful post! Joann

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Trish,

    OMG... I die for your napkins and the white tablerunner/cloth. That is absolutely gorgeous. What a grandma you have. Wonderful.

    Pls visit me an join my giveaway.

    Happy TTT.
    /chie

    ReplyDelete