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Missing Mimi: A sentimental tablescape

I had already taken photos of another table-scape to use tonight and decided I'd get ahead of the curve and do another to have ready to go.  With this second table setting I used a table cloth I inherited my Great Grandma, Mimi, hand crocheted.  Fond memories of my Mimi were brought to the forefront of my mind as I took out her tablecloth and laid it over the table.  I've been thinking of her non-stop and have decided I'd like to share this with you instead of what I'd originally planned.  Mimi (her name was really Ona) was a talented woman and I miss her arms that squeezed me tight when I'd see her.  She passed away when I was a little girl.

To Mimi, I love you and know that it would make you so happy knowing your Great Granddaughter is showing off your work today.


I mixed a vintage Copeland Spode transferware pattern, Royal Jasmine Marina, with some of my Cottage ware.  I love the creamy background of the plates with the brown transfer of roses and flowers. 


I'm really thinking that I want a full set of this pattern...just what I need, another set of dishes.  It's so hard to decide on just one set...what I am talking about??? I've never had only one set of dishes!  I can be faithful to one man, but one set of dishes?  Now that is just asking too much.



For a centerpiece I took a metal topiary frame in the shape of a bowl and added ivy and ivory roses, weaving in and out and leaving some to loosely drape over.  I placed a brown crackled glass candle holder in the center.

I don't remember where I purchase the Cottage Ware (something else I could easily collect more of).  It is by Price Kensington of England.  I only have these few pieces.


Close up of the Teapot

Coffee Pot

 and the salt and pepper shakers

I have a couple of these basket shaped houses and thought one would be cute on this table.  
  The roof opens up and when lined with a cloth or napkin it is wonderful for serving rolls or bread.
:


Close up of the tea cup and saucer (Purchase here) 

I used two napkins, a white lace overlain with a plain brown napkin...I like the lace peeking out.  I tied them with a drapery tieback of a shimmery, gold organza with amber, brown and gold bead work.

I added a crocheted pillow to the dining chair to help tie it together


Here's a close up of Mimi's tablecloth.  I think it is beautiful and looks particularly beautiful with these dishes.



The platter is a large one, suitable for serving a Thanksgiving turkey.


Each of the pieces in this Spode Copeland pattern have a slightly different rose bouquet.  It's just a beautiful pattern.

I'm finishing with a picture of Mimi and me when I was about 6 or 7.  (My Mom painted all those paintings on the wall!)

 A Poem for your Thoughts:

While we honor all our mothers
With words of love and praise
While we tell about their goodness
And their kind and loving ways
We should also think of Great grandma
She's a mother, too, you see
For she mothered my dear mother's mother
As my mother mothers me!

I hope you enjoyed this post.   I'm linking to Susan's Tablescape Thursday which she graciously hosts from her beautiful blog at Between Naps on the Porch, Cindy at her absolutely beautiful & Romantic Home  and to White Wednesday at Faded Charm, another lovely blog.  Please join these three for lovely table settings,  pretty white things, and show and tell Friday!  


Comments

  1. Great crocheted treasure it is and such fond memories. Lovely table with warm touches. I'm a warm color kind of gal so I'm right at 'home' with this table setting.
    Thanks for coming by. You asked about the box...jewelry? maybe or any little vintage collection. I'm a bit crazy when it comes to collecting...stuff everywhere!
    Warm Wed Blessings ;-)

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  2. Thank you for sharing the memoris of Mimi and her great crochet table cloth. Your table scape is a feast for the eye! Who need fancy magazines when you blog Nancy!

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  3. Nancy, I can't believe I'm just now stumbling across your blog. I live in Edmond! Found your blog through your Etsy shop. Your collection of transferware is just stunning!

    I will definitely be back t o visit. Come see me too. :)

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  4. Wow, that is an amazing collection! So beautiful!

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  5. Nancy,
    I loved your story of your Mimi. I mention my Grandmother quite often in my posts, so I understand the place in your heart you have for your great-grandma. The table is lovely and thanks for sharing.
    Robin

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  6. What a beautiful tablescape, Nancy -- filled with love!

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  7. What a gorgeous tablecloth and what precious memories. I agree those dishes look especially good with the crocheted cloth and the wood showing through. Love that Copeland Spode.

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  8. My grandmother crocheted a tablecloth for me when I got married. It's definitely something I treasure. Yours is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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  9. Nancy,
    You definitely must see "The Blind Side." It is the best movie I have seen in a very long time. Such a good story and message.
    Robin

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  10. What a beautiful table you've put together and so many lovely memories as well!

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  11. This is a stunning tablecloth...Love your Table
    xoxo
    Julie

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  12. What a beautiful tribute to you great grandmother. Grandma Mimi is probebly jumping for joy. I love, love, love the dishes. I agree with you, I can't possible settle for 1 set of dishes.

    come visit
    cindy@stitches

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  13. Very nice post. The tablecloth is beautiful.
    I'm glad you have it. Great job on the centerpiece, too.

    D

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  14. What a wonderful tribute to your great grandmother! Her tablecloth is a true treasure! And you put together a lovely table! I am such a pushover for brown transferware. Everything is beautiful and sentimental!
    Yvonne

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  15. I'm glad I found your blog. I love dishes and your postings are beautiful. I have only been collecting for a short time but loving it. I have a blog featuring my cat-sitting service near Ottawa, Canada. If you like kitties, take a peak.
    Have a great day. Deb

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  16. What a lovely way to pay tribute to your dear Mimi. The crochet tablecloth is just a dream, and the dishes are of course gorgeous. Further more, the little "cottages" that grace your table add such unexpected touches. Thank you for sharing this beautiful table.

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  17. What a lovely post and a warm inviting table setting. Such a nice way to honor someone so special to you. :) Thanks for sharing today.

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  18. Beautiful table and tribute to your Mimi, Nancy. The choice of brown transferware was perfect to sit atop the exquisite crocheted tablecloth. The little village collection is adorable...had never seen any that were basket shaped, cute.

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  19. What a gorgeous table! And what a treasure to have that wonderful tablecloth from your Mimi! Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  20. What a moving tribute to your beloved Mimi! I had an Aunt Ona; it's not a name one hears often anymore. The tablecloth you used is very beautiful ... a true family heirloom. Your brown transferware is appealing as well. The overall effect of your setting (and the room) is romantic and charming. Nicely done!

    Regards,
    Bill

    P.S. Your mother's paintings are beautiful!

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  21. I love the tablecloth - just awesome! Beautiful china too! Such a nice tribute to your great-grandmother - you are lucky to have had the chance to know her...I never knew either of my great grandmothers. Very, very nice!

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  22. Yes, I did enjoy this post...it features things I enjoy...brown and white transferware in a lovely pattern, crochet beautifully handmade, and cottage ware. Your setting is lovely.

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  23. Hi Nancy! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I absolutely love your brown transferware. Your table is homey feeling..so warm...and that tablecloth is beautiful.
    I've been collecting the Scotch Plaid picnic pieces for a couple of years now. Sometime I'll do a tablescape with them. Sorry I can't stay longer. Hope you come by soon again.

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  24. Stunning tablescape as usual...love the sentimental touch of Mimi's tablecloth. I love pieces handed down from loved ones. The entire room looked lovely....all the browns...all tied together. Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings~
    Tonya

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  25. I loved that! The tablecloth is just beautiful, as is your setting. What a lovely tribute to your gma! Sweet..

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  26. This is absolutely beautiful!! The crocheted tablecloth is gorgeous! I love the centerpiece with the cottages! Great job!

    Katherine

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  27. I just love you tablescape. You have a gorgeous table cloth. It is so dainty and elegant. I also love all of your cottage teapots. They are adorable. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a chance to come by and say hello. Cheers, Lia

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  28. Your tablescape is delightful indeed...but the best part was you sharing your last photo and the artwork done by your mother!! I always enjoy bloggers sharing family!!

    My Show n Tell is just Springtime Flowers in our Yard A nice treat after a long, cold winter!! Stop over and 'smell the roses' with me if you can! I'd love your company!!

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  29. Just lovely. I love a tablescape with a story.

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  30. Thanks for sharing this! It's so beautiful, with a lovely story to go with it! I love your brown transferware dishes and that crocheted tablecloth is GORGEOUS! How lucky you are to have something so special!

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  31. What a lovely remembrance of your Mimi! Just beautiful and thank you for stopping by my blog!

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  32. Hello Nancy! That crocheted tablecloth from your grandmother is a treasure! How sweet to have it and use it. I love those dishes, too. Have a lovely weekend!

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  33. What a gorgeous post.
    Lovely table setting. whole room looks wonderful

    blessings

    barbara jean

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  34. Nancy, this is stunningly beautiful! Mimi would be so proud, no doubt. The tablecloth is spectacular and sets the perfect tone for all of your other lovely pieces. And I see your mother is quite talented, like great grandma, like grandma, like mother, like daughter. And what an absolutely sweet picture of you and your Mimi. Thanks for sharing this very special post. Fondly, Pat

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  35. How gorgeous Nancy your brown transferware...you're so lucky you can have anyone you like. I love your great grandma's tablecloth, that's so sweet, I love all my presious things from my grandma and my mother and I can see my daughters inheriting all this from their great grandma too. The picture is beautiful , she looks like she was a very loving great gransma to you and you're the cutest little girl and still is, a beautiful woman.
    XOXO
    FABBY

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  36. Just found this older post and as usual, it is wonderful. I'm a huge fan of your blog and your tablescapes and now you have introduced me to Cottage Ware. I'm off to shop to see what I can find. Wish I had a table cloth like that from my grandmother. It is just wonderful. Keep up the great blog. You are such an inspiration.
    Marsha

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