Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Teacups!

Lately I have been doing some organizing around the house. So one of my projects was cleaning out this cupboard in my kitchen that holds a lot of my tea cups.

This is the cupboard with the doors closed. The cupboard came from Coulson's antiques in Summerside and I painted it a creamy white.

This little teacup is hand painted and so dainty. I found the cup at a yardsale but there was no saucer so I found a co ordinating saucer at a thrift shop later.

Almost all of my cups and saucers were either a gift or thrifted.

So after arranging them all neatly-I remembered that many of you over the past year have asked where I keep all my china so here is one little nook for them.

Now ,some of you might be wondering why I would need or want so many teacups( and maybe I should confess that I do have others) but I do have garden tours in the summer where we serve tea and we have a few bookings for 40 people at a time already-so who knows when it might be two bus loads at a time! I have to be prepared( he!he!) or maybe I did deserve that dishaholic award I got last year from a fellow dish lover!

Last year many of our tours cancelled because of the H1 N1 flu so I am happy that we have some tours starting to book already for this summer. Many of our home and garden visitors are from Japan and we enjoy sharing it with them.

So pick out your favorite teacup and sit down while I get the teapot for us. Oh! and someday,I must show you my collection of teapots. I hope you didn't just groan!

Thank you for visiting me,

Carolyn

56 comments:

CIELO said...

Lovely.... I've always wondered if you own a full collection of each of your sets, of if maybe those pretty cups and teacups are a mismatch collection... ;)

Blessings to you and yours

cielo

Beverly said...

Oh yes, bring on the teapots. That will be my weakness. I get shaky in the knees over teapots.

Anonymous said...

Would love to be on one of the tours and also share a cup of tea with you. The cups look great in the cupboard.

We have more snow tonight, some parts of the UK, Scotland and Yorkshire have already had it quite bad this morning.

Off to bed shortly so wonder what it will be like when we get up!!

I am so pleased you put me onto the cup of comfort books, I love all the stories.

Take care, Jackie.

Deanna said...

Dearest Carolyn,
These are lovely!!!
Dainty flowers on the china and each one so very different.
Loved this.
I'm about to have a sit down time with one of my teacups in hand and fingers on the computer keyboard.
I need a quiet time to think.
AND I look forward to seeing the teapots!!!!! No groaning going on here.
God Bless you,
d

Anonymous said...

Carolyn what a treasure chest full of pretty cups and saucers you have!! I see several that I have too! I do love a pretty teacup!

One of these days I hope to be one of your tourist and will be sitting with one of your pretties having tea with you!

blessings
mary

Rita said...

What a precious collection of teacups and saucers. I love them all and your cupboard is adorable. shall I bring the tea?
rita

Cindy said...

What a great excuse, umm I mean reason, to have so many gorgeous teacups. They look so pretty sitting in their little cabinet. Hugs, Cindy S.

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Heart be still!!

Carolyn, I'm catching my breath. That is the loveliest teacup collection I have ever seen.

I recognize a few of the patterns, but there are so many I have never seen before. What a treasure trove you have in your darling cabinet. (Love the way you've finished it!)

Hope you don't mind me hanging around a while to drool over this magnificent eye candy.

Teapots?! Oh, yes PLEASE! xo

Cindy said...

What a beautiful post! They all look so pretty! I think my favorite are the ones with the dainty pink flowers in the last two photos!

Too bad we can't all come on one of your tours! It would be like a blogging convention at Carolyn's house!

Caroline said...

What a beautiful collection! I too love teacups and have received alot of them from either my husband or my MIL. I should use them more often.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen so many teacups in one place :) they are gorgeous and definately worth displaying...can't wait to see the teapot collection! {no groaning here) xx

Linda said...

I'm in awe at your teacup collection. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to take a tour of your gardens and sip tea from one of your cups.

a quiet life said...

oh that was wonderful! like a little dish fairy lives with you... i can't believe they canceled, fresh air and gorgeous gardens, CRAZY! everything you do is sprinkled with fairy dust to me~

Kathy said...

Gorgeous cups, Carolyn!
xo...Kathy

Unknown said...

All are so beautiful, is so difficult to chose one!!!
... I'm taking tea with you, here in Peru.
Hugs
Charo

The Tablescaper said...

How lovely!!! That is a wonderful collection. I'm amazed at how well you display - even behind closed doors. I love tea cups and have quite a collection, but I don't think I have that many.

By all means, bring on the tea pots. I may actually have more tea pots than tea cups, so there will be no groaning from me.

I didn't realize you did tours. I'll have to put that on my wish list. Ever since I read Anne of Green Gables as a young girl, I've always dreamed of visiting Prince Edward Island. Even though I haven't been there I have experienced the wonderful mussels!

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing collection.

- The Tablescaper

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

My favorite would be with roses ...and I see you have several to choose from. I love your beautiful new banner, too!

Karen said...

I love your pictures of your teacups! I have alot of teacups but you have me beat!

Martha said...

Tea cups are a fun collection! Yours are very pretty! And a girl can never had too many teacups!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I LOVE your collection.

I have collected for years but I only have one place in the moment for a large display (that being in a corner china cabinet).

Those that I use when I have company over (or when the granddaughters visit) are in a long, shallow drawer.

Yes, I want to see your teapots. :)

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Carolyn.....What a lovely collection! I just love all of them!~Patti

Susan said...

Loved your teacups and the way you display them, Carolyn. I love tea cups, too. PUL-EESE show your tea pots! I'd LOVE to see them! Sincerely, Susan from writingstraigtfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Sonia said...

Oh so beautiful...I love the way you have them artfully displayed even though they are hidden in the cabinet! I am having a baby shower at the end of the month and how I wish I had that many teacups..I must get busy and start collecting! And yes we ALL want to see your collection of teapots...we might start to hyperventilate though! Sonia/Miss Bloomers

Marigene said...

Now, that is a collection! Some really love tea cups, Carolyn. Is that a Shelly I see tucked in behind the front row of the third picture, blue flower on it? Can't wait to see your teapot collection...

Linda said...

WOW!!! Thats quite a collection. They are so lovely. Gosh I would love to be on one of your tours. Maybe I can coax dh to visit P.E.I. again.

Rhondi said...

Hi Caroline
Thanks for showing us all your teacups. I noticed a couple that are the same as ones I have! What a treat for your garden tour guests.
Hugs, Rhondi

Southerncook said...

Lovely teacup collection and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it. I look forward to viewing your collection of teapots. You are an inspiration.

Carolyn

June said...

Oh my goodness Carolyn, your teacup collection is beautiful! I love your pretty little cup cupboard too.
hugs

Heather said...

How beautiful!!! What a lovely collection!

Love, Heather

maría cecilia said...

Hola Carolyn, oh, oh, I die for all your teacups!!!!! and so neatly displayed... you have gave me a great lesson on how to display my teacups, and I do have and empty cupboard... I will try them tomorrow morning, thank you!!!!!
Muchos cariños,
Maria Cecilia

Madelief said...

Hi Carolyn,

Your teacups are so pretty! How fortunate that you have garden tours ;-) You asked me if I have been to the Keukenhof, but I never have. My parents often go, but somehow I have never been there. We do drive along the fields of tulips in spring, which is very pretty as well.

Have a lovely day!

Lieve groet, madelief

Anonymous said...

Oh - how could I ever pick my favorite teacup from your collection? They are all so pretty!

I only wish I could come by for one of your garden tours. Now THAT would be my cup of tea!

:)
Zuzu

Peonies & Magnolias said...

They are all so beautiful and I love the way you store them. Can't wait to see your teapots.

Sandy

Joanne said...

Carolyn How lovely to see your china tea cups especially so many rosey ones. I often think what a pity my mum is no longer alive she would have so enjoyed looking at your blog and lovely garden and china.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Oh my, you are a girl after my own heart!. I am a teacup collector too!. A girl can never have to many teacups. I am looking forward to seeing your teapots.
I loved the song that was playing as I was reading your post about the girls going to the river to pray.
Happy New Year,
Elizabeth

Jessica said...

I LOVE all your teacups! I have a weakness for them myself. :-) Though my collection isn't as large yet. Yours is an inspiration to me. haha :-)

Carolyn said...

Oh how lovely! It's impossible to choose a favorite. PEI is the dream vacation for my sister & I. Maybe someday we will be visiting your beautiful garden and taking tea.
Thanks for showing us your collection. Bring on the teapots!
Carolyn

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

Ooooh ... What a beautiful collection teacups!

Cottage Rose said...

Oh Wow; I am drooling on my laptop,,, I Love love your tea cups. I collect them too, but you are so far ahead of me.. How fun it would be to stop by your garden tour and sip tea in one of those gorgeous tea cups.. Oh and I too collect Tea pots so hurry and show us those..lol
Have a great week.

Hugs;
Alaura

Miss Gracie's House said...

What a gorgeous collection...and how fun that you have a *reason* to collect...your mosaics are beautiful, too. Happy New Year!
Rene'

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What a wonderful set of teacups. I know all of your guests enjoy drinking tea out of them. Looking forward to seeing the teapots..
hugs ~lynne~

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Oh my goodness, what an amazing and gorgeous collection of tea cups! I would never ask why you have so many because it's obvious - they just look beautiful! I'm looking forward to seeing your tea pots :)!

Julia

Melly said...

Golly, I'm in tea cup heaven!! Carolyn, I could just sit for ages looking at all your beautiful tea cups and I am definitely looking forward to seeing your Tea pots.

Take care
Melly:)

Bluebell said...

Hi there, I love all your Teacups. I am collecting at the moment for my daughters wedding she wants a shabby chic reception and so I have been collecting cups and saucers and tea plates for a year now, they are really pretty and like you I got most of them from charity shops(Thrift)she has now asked for wine glasses and pastry forks. She wants these as she and a friend want to start a business serving Vintage Teas, they already have a wedding booked. I will drop by again.
Regards Jill

Elzie said...

Oh my! I don't think I've ever seen so many cups at one time before, lol. They are beautiful. And the cupboard too.
Hope you have a nice day in the snow.
Love Elzie

Sanna - My Blueberry House said...

They are all so pretty! I`m having a hard time picking out a favorite :)

Have a nice day,
Sanna

GwendolynKay said...

Oh , so many lovely teacups! I would love to visit your gardens. Your cupboard is the perfect shade of white. Blessings!
Gwen

Anonymous said...

Beautiful collection. I can't wait for the teapots. Rosie

jninecostumes said...

I'm glad I'm not the only person collecting abandoned and orphaned teacups at garage sales. Thanks for sharing they are beautiful.

nannykim said...

I enjoyed your tea cups!! I love tea cups too; but I have tried to stop buying them because I am lacking the room!! There is something so homey and satisfying about tea cups!

Rose Garden Romantic said...

Oh my goodness! What a gorgeous collection of teacups and so beautifully displayed in your lovely cupboard! If I had that collection I would have to keep the cupboard shut with my three boys running about! I would love to visit with you and drink from one of your pretty cups! Michelle

susan said...

I found you through your beautiful picture on Food with Style. What a beautiful collection. Don't you wish the old ones could talk? I know each one has a story! Love your display and your picture!

Evi said...

I love all of your teacups - so so pretty. I would love to see your garden in person in the Spring - what a treat that would be. I would be so afraid that I would bump into that cabinet and break all those teacups - I don't know how you keep them from breaking. Such a work of art.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Love your teacups, Carolyn! I am still in BC visiting my son but thought I would stop by and see what you were up to. I like your little cabinet too! Have a nice evening.

Blessings,
Sandi

Jojo said...

I loved seeing your collection of cups. It reminded me of someone I used to work with who collected tea cups. She had over a hundred and her hobby was holding teas for senior citizens. She worked with local nursing homes and held them regularly. The residents loved the events and she loved being the hostess and bringing so much happiness to those who were no longer able to entertain.

Joyce said...

Wonderful fun collection.
Joyce