CRONE:
Creative Researcher Of New Experiences

Monday, May 17, 2010

Teacup Tuesday


Hello everyone,
Once again I am participating in Teacup Tuesday and I thought I would start with the cup that started it all.
I really never intended to collect teacups - my niece was the families Premier Teacup Collector at the time - oh I had a few chipped cups I picked up cheap at auctions to use in craft projects - but that was all.
One day my mother and I were out shopping for Christmas presents and we decided to do the easiest first and Headed to Princeton, Illinois; to a place called Hoffman's Patterns of the Past this place carries all kinds of replacement china and a wide assortment of collectable teacups. Mom and I were lost for hours as we browsed our way through all the racks of china.
When we met up again to head home mom had a shopping bag as apposed to the single bag I carried - when asked she just said she couldn't decide so bought them all to send at different times to the granddaughter. - I thought that a little strange since she usually misplaced things if she bought to far ahead -but at Christmas you try not to pry too much.
Well that Christmas I found this cup under my tree. She was so proud of herself and the purchase I didn't have the heart to tell her it was a rather impractical gift since I had no place to show it off and keep it safe.
I had two cats at the time and the youngest was able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, so nowhere was safe. In fact that cat had made it to the top of my kitchen cabinets and broke one that was in pretty fair shape I got at an auction. My son informed me that at least he got the mouse he was chasing so all was well with the world.
So this cup sat wrapped up in my closet till my older years - when I could afford a china cabinet.


The bottom reads, Golden Crown E&R Fine Bone China, Made in England. I don't think it was an antique when she bought it; but it's working on it now. I think its about 20 years old.


To continue the story, Mom gifted me with this pretty little one with pink roses for my birthday that same year. It has the same markings on the bottom as the other one.

Now that I have a few China Cabinets to call my own these two cups have a place of honor. Too bad Mom is no longer here with us to see them displayed at last.

Thank you so much for coming by and sharing my teacup story.

Hugs,
Penny

22 comments:

Martha's Favorites said...

What a beautiful story. I started to cry when I read that your Mom was no longer with you. I am so sorry. She had beautiful taste in tea cups. How lucky for you to share that memory with her. Thank you so much for sharing not only your tea cups but your heart. Your post is the best one I have read. Blessings to you, Martha

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

such beautiful story and beautiful teacups! too! thanks for sharing and have a good week!

Sinderella's Studio said...

I remember giving my grandmother a beautiful green with pink roses tea pot. When she passed that was all I really wanted but due to bad family dynamics - house was pretty much empty 8 hours after her passing - I think about that tea pot from time to time - great memories shared with her! Your mom is looking down and loving your display!

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hello, such a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it with us :) Your teacups are so very lovely. Wishing you a very wonderful Teacup Tuesday. Warmest, Brenda

Anonymous said...

oh Yum! these two cups are lovely! and they have matching saucers !!! lol

have a great tuesday!

ciao bella
creative carmelina

Anonymous said...

I'm now following you, btw!

ciao!

Victorian1885 said...

Happy Tea Cup Tuesday! Thank you for stopping in for a visit this morning..your tea cups are lovely. Hugs to you as you remember your mother on this lovely spring day! Take care!

Wanda

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Yes . . . your Mom can see your teacups Penny :-) And she knows how much they mean to you!
They are so sweet and even sweeter with their precious memories.
I'm glad they are now safe from your kitty and can be handed down as family heirlooms!!
Thank you for sharing such a lovely teacup story today!!
Lynn

nancy said...

Very pretty teacups sets you got there. Sorry about the one your kitty broke. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Take care! Nancy

Terri said...

How sweet that your mum tried to hide the gift from you! Both the tea cups she gave you are beautiful. What a lovely way to remember her.
Thank you so much for sharing with us today.
Hugs,
Terri

Theresa said...

Nice! I must admit I am partial to the first cup. They are both lovely ~ Thanks for sharing your story~ Happy Tuesday, Theresa

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

Wonderful story. I'm glad you have a place of honor for these cups and saucers. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment. Have a great Tuesday! Connie

Bunnym said...

Beautiful tea cups...beautiful story. So touching. Have a great week.

bunny

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

cool story, but I wish your Mom could have seen the display (who knows, perhaps she can!).

Patricia said...

What lovely beautiful cups - especially the the second one which is my favorite. I have enjoyed your story to go along with the post. Thanks so much for your visit. Happy Tea Cup Tuesday!!!

Unknown said...

That wonderful story had enough steam and goodness to power the teapot and make it whistle! I love it, it was sweet as can be. What a cute idea, Teacup Tuesday!

Charlie said...

Lovely teacup story! Your cups have a really special memory attached to them.
I got most of mine in flea markets or garage sales. I received a few as gifts. I'm not really an avid collector. I'm really picky and don't like to spend a lot of money. lol!
It's more about the treasure hunt for me.
But thanks for stopping by and leaving such lovely comment on my blog.

KathyB. said...

What lovely tea cups, and all the more lovely and special because they were gifts from your Mother's heart.

Anonymous said...

What lovely tea cups and saucers. Since you are a collector, mom said she will keep an eye our for "different" ones. Hopefully she could find one that say The Poconos or something like that.

paperbutterfly said...

Thank you for sharing your special story with us. I too have some tea cups that have memories of the special ladies in my life. What a wonderful way to remember them.
I look forward to visiting with you next week, hope you stop back at Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday.
Blessings,Pam

Jocelyn said...

Lovely story. Beautiful teacups!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Natasha in Oz said...

Wow, these cups are gorgeous and I love how you displayed them. I also love it when such beautiful things have beautiful stories to go with them!

Best wishes,
Natasha.