May 26, 2014

FOR THE LOVE OF A MUSTACHE!




Hello Ladies:  Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday No. 223!  Hope you are had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, filled with family and friends.  My weekend has been full, but I love that! I did manage to go to an estate sale which was fun.  I will show you the pictures, next week.  This week I want to share with you some of my Mustache Cup collection.  There is an old English Proverb that reads: " A man without a mustache is like a cup of tea without sugar." 



 My husband purchased my first Mustache cup in 1989.  I had never seen anything like that before. I thought the cup was very unique.  I later learned that everyone made these cups.  Although hard to find, a good antique house will always have one.  One of the things I find most interesting about these cups are the designs.  This one is, by R.S. Prussia, Since that country not longer exists, the beautiful china they produced has become highly collectible and very valuable. Notice the rose design on this cup.  I don't know about your house but roses would not be the husband's first choose for a cup.  These cups were a must have for every gentlemen. 




Mustache cups with mottoes were quite the fad in the late nineteen century. One common example was the "Father Cup."  A cup with a motto on it does not really increase your cup's value,  I just think they are much more fun to collect.  This "Father's Cup" was made in Bavaria. Think about how fun it would be to give as a gift!




Take a look at the very ornate, pink cup.  It is very dainty bone china, and so very pink.  What I have learned is that every gentlemen had the china maker, who would customize their cup to fit their mustache. That makes this cup all the more interesting.  It is quite beautiful.  It is German and is marked 6661/2, interesting!   The cup is very ornate.



As you can see I have several in my collection and also have some in boutique to sell.  (As I said before, I am thinning out my collection.!) 





Here is a picture of Sophia at ballet, while Noah is taking a Starbucks break (apple juice), but he love to tell me it's coffee.  Thanks for stopping by. 
JUST HEARD FROM OUR DEAR TERRI, SHE WILL NOT BE POSTING THIS WEEK, SHE IS OUT OF TOWN. IT IS JUST ME THIS WEEK, STILL HOPE YOU STOP BY FOR A WHILE.  Sorry about the link, it just was not working for me the other way today!

Hugs, Martha


May 19, 2014

STILL TRYING TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR TEA CUPS!






Hello Ladies:  Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday No. 218!  Hope you are all doing well and the weather is treating you better.  Los Angeles had a heat wave last week, so glad is it cooler now.  Did not get out much because of the weather.  I prefer the comfort of air conditioning.   Thank God the weather has cooled down for us. I started some, much needed, Spring cleaning just in my bedroom.  That has kept me busy. My son, Kyle starts "Hot Shots" on Wednesday of this week.  Please keep him in your prayers.  The fire season is expected to be rough this year.  The top pictures are of one shelf, in one of my china cabinets.  It has 5 selves altogether, each very full.  I always have loved using tea cups as part of my home decor.



This week I am sharing the last of the tea cups I purchased last weekend, the $6 each group.  This first cup is a Paragon.  It is part of the Marlborough Series.  I usually do not purchase cups unless they have flowers, preferably roses, but I could not resist this one.  The colors on this cup are so vivid.  Just look at the handle, it is just stunning, really the pictures do not do it justice. 




Cup number 2 is a Royal Albert,  "Moss Rose." pattern.  It also has vivid colors and is just beautiful.



The last cup is a Duchess with the pattern name of  "June Bouquet."  Very pretty cup, when I got home I realized that I had one with orange color roses.



Got this great picture of Sophia and her Uncle Kyle. They are having tea! The picture next to it is of her just waking up.  I wish I looked that cute!



Have a great week!  Hugs, Martha








May 12, 2014

ADDING MORE TEA CUPS TO THE COLLECTION!



Hello Ladies:  Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday No. 217! Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I know sometimes this day can be hard.  Maybe your Mother is gone or you cannot see her for what ever reason, so I do hope you enjoyed your day!  Mine day was one of the best Mother's Day ever!  My children and grandchildren were in church with me.  Nothing makes me happier.  I received an amazing pink sapphire and diamond ring from my children! I was shocked to say the least!  Of course, I also received roses and bath items as well as some much needed tools for my garden.  All the way around I scored!  Lunch and dinner was so special with family.  Wait, I saved the best for last!  My Sophia got "Dedicated to the Lord"!  Like I said the best day ever.  Look at this picture, she looks like an angel. 


I was also lucky enough to get some amazing tea cups at an estate sale this weekend.  I was so excited, I could just squeal.  Then I got home and thought.  What I am I going to do with all these new tea cups?  I am not a hoarder!? Ok, so to solved the problem, I put at least a dozen up on my website. I was so proud of myself.  I got rid of more than what I brought in.  I did it quickly so I would not change my mind.  I am trying to keep the tea cups that have roses as part of design or my absolute favorites.  I was good.  I felt better, see, I told you I am not a hoarder.


I am going to share some of those new cups today.  Starting with this amazing Aynsley.  Tell me, how could I pass it up?  It was only $6, it was practically free.




This second cup is a Royal Cauldon.  I love the simplicity of it. 




This last cup is also an Aynsley.  It too was only $6.  Isn't just beautiful?



I also picked up this wonderful Limoges, hand painted plate! 


Have a wonderful week.  Hugs, Martha



May 5, 2014

TEA CUPS & ESTATE SALE TREASURES!



Hello ladies! Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday No. 216! Hope you had a wonderful week and that you are all well.  I  spent most of the day at California Adventure in the Disney Resort with my Grandchildren. I always have a blast spending time with them. 



My weekend was so much fun.  I went to the best Estate Sale.  I was able to  purchase a new end table and coffee table.  I was also lucky enough to get a couple of great rugs and three Byers' Carolers that I collect as well.  It was a great sale.  You should have seen me trying to get everything in the CRV.   I don't know why that is so much fun for me?  Maybe it is trying to convince the gentleman's who helped me to get everything in the car, that it will all fit, really!




I have some real fun and different tea cups to share this week.  Starting with this tea cup by Schumaun from Avzberg, Germany.  I think the handle has the shape of an earlobe. It is just beautiful. 



The next cup is also German from Bavaria.  Love the delicate shape and design of this cup.  It is very Art Deco style. 






The last cup is a Mikasa.  It is called "April Rose."  It is part of my every day dishes.  I love the large rose on this. 



Sorry for the dark pictures today.  I started posting rather late!  Thank you for stopping by.  I look forward to visiting you this week.  Terri and I are so appreciative of your faithfulness.  Have an amazing Mother's Day!  Hugs, Martha