A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Pink For Valentine's Day Tea, Mini Victoria Sponges



Hello and welcome to  my meme Tuesday Cuppa Tea looking toward upcoming Valentine's Day. So glad you could join me!




I had a bit of a Valentine tea in the sunroom between our chairs...we have downsized twice because of my husband's health issues, and so have few areas in our sun challenged Pacific Northwest where I can successfully photograph in the winter. But the sunroom is where we always are for morning tea, elevenses and afternoon tea, so....



I put together out tea table there with a pink and lavender theme...





The teacups, below, are all recent finds....



A Royal Albert Lavender Rose teacup from the 1980s...






I, of course, thought of Sandi from Rose Chintz Cottage who has this....I have a teapot in this pattern as well...which was made from 1982 until the early 1990s in England, production was moved to Indonesia, and then discontinued in 2008.


This next teacup is by Royal Grafton, from 1957-1961 with pretty pink and white and gold floral overlay. 



Royal Grafton is a trademark of A.B. Jones, Longton Staffordshire England. Royal Grafton and Grafton China were named for the Grafton works which was the name of the pottery.  The pottery closed during the wave of pottery closings in 1972. Their work is lovely. This teacup sold within 2 hours of listing it!


This is perhaps my favorite of the 3 teacups I have for today because it has a design mixing floral and landscape designs...See the roses? Okay, and then there is an English cottage alongside. Isn't that cute???




The cup and saucer is made by Elizabethan, England from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Elizabethan was a trade name of  Taylor & Kent, Longton which operated from 1867.  They were acquired by Churchill in the early 1990s during a potteries consolidation period but only survived a few years before being demolished....sigh...another fine pottery gone....



I love the shape and the brushed gold trim as well.


With so many potteries closing, a few newer, smaller potteries have opened making bone china again in England, and the teapot is by one of those...Springfield China. Hooray! May they last a long time!!!




The pattern is called Dot Rose Chintz and I thought it was perfect for our Valentine's Day tea!  




And this is an antique postcard dating to around 1910. The postcard says:




My Heart
Gold Is Nothing
Happiness Is All

How sweet a sentiment! This is called a Romance postcard and is a Real Photograph that has then been hand tinted. Cool!.

To see either the china shown or postcard at Antiques And Teacups, just click on the photos.


I posted this on my Facebook page yesterday and it was so popular I thought I'd add it to this post...lots of time to make these for Valentine's Day....

Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes

Mini Victorian Sponge Cakes By SUNIL VIJAYAKAR
INGREDIENTS
150g (5½oz) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
150g (5½oz) caster sugar
3 medium eggs
1tsp vanilla extract
150g (5½oz) self-raising flour
300ml (10fl oz) double cream
8-10tbsp strawberry jam
Icing sugar, for dusting
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/ gas 4. Grease and line the bases of 8 spring-form cake tins 9cm (3½in) in diameter. Put on a large baking tray.
2 Using an electric hand whisk, mix the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until pale and fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the vanilla extract, then gradually beat in to the butter mixture, adding a little of the flour. Sift over the remaining flour and
gently fold in until just combined.Divide between the prepared cake tins, smoothing the surface.
3 Bake for about 20 minutes or until risen and golden. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and set aside to cool.
4 Lightly whip the cream to soft peaks then spread onto 4 of the sponge bases, top with a spoonful of jam and sandwich together with the remaining sponges. Dust each with icing sugar to serve.


Lastly, from Tea Time Magazine....their Valentine table set with Rose Chintz ironstone from Johnson Brothers...



And a last teacup stack from me!   ;)    


Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day! We are having a combined Valentine's Day and 41st anniversary dinner on Feb. 14th. at our favorite organic fresh foods local restaurant The Alder Wood Bistro. Our anniversary is really Feb. 16th, but they aren't open, so we decided to combine occasions.


Below is the list of some of the blog parties I will be part of and there is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and can find you to visit!



39 comments:

  1. I also have the Lavender Rose teapot and now I know why I was unable to get the matching coffee pot. The new little teapot is perfect to two to share afternoon tea.
    Happy Anniversary Ruth, thank you for hosting your weekly tea gathering.

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  2. A very pretty tea pot and three very pretty tea cups. A plate full of goodies. You have set a wonderful Valentines Day Tea! Loved the postcards and valentines you have added to your post as well.

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  3. Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentines Day, Ruth! Love all your pretty teacups! The cottage and roses teacup is adorable and I like them stacked. Those little cakes look delicious and so pretty. Have a lovely day, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. Hi Ruth,
    I love your new Lavender Rose, Elizabethan and Royal Grafton teacups. I can't decide which is my favourite. They are all so pretty! Stacking teacups is such fun. Your treats look yummy too. Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for hosting! Karen

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  5. What a lovely Valentine Teascape! I love your three new teacups-- especially the Elizabethan ... the shape, the design (love the cottage) ... very different looking. Happy Anniversary! Happy Tea Day and thank you for hosting!

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  6. Oh, where to start?! Every time I see that Lavender Rose pattern I think that I must get one. It is beautiful! And vintage Valentines are so charming, loved the tea one you show last. And finally, good news about china being made in England again. Do you think the quality will be as good?

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  7. Every teacup is exquisite, and those sponge cakes are so pretty and decadent!

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  8. What a lovely Valentine's Tea, Ruth! You share the prettiest teacups and I would pick the one with the cottage on the side...so sweet!
    Happy Anniversary to you and your sweetheart.

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  9. Happy Anniversary sweet lady and many, many more years of happiness.
    Love your Valentine's setting and the sweet things.
    Your teacups are always so pretty and sweet.
    Happy Valentines and Anniversary. God bless.
    Thank you for the party.
    FABBY

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  10. Pretty teacups Ruth, and a lovely selection of treats! I like the last one with the yellow and pink roses. Your new teapot is so sweet. It is nice to know that new potteries are starting up again as tea has become such a popular thing around the world. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. Enjoy! Pam

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  11. Happy Valentine's Day, and Happy Anniversary! Your tea table is pretty today - the goodies look great! I enjoyed seeing your new teacups; my favorite is Lavender Rose.

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  12. I love your teacups, Roses on anything is always a favorite of mine!

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  13. Everything looks so pretty altogether! And the treats looks so yummy. Thanks for letting me join in on the fun!

    ~Trisha

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  14. Ruth:
    Your little table looks so sweet and I saw that recipe and printed it out as I thought the mini idea was cute. Your post is lovely and your Royal Grafton. I have several personally plus at the shop right now. I always love this post!

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  15. Happy Valentine's Week and Congratulations on your 41st Anniversary!

    My favourite teacup is the pink Royal Grafton. I have a couple of Royal Grafton and Elizabethan teacups so it was very interesting to learn about the potteries' history.

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  16. Ruth your tea is beautiful! I love the Royal Albert cup of course! Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
    Sherry

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  17. Hi Ruth: I want to wish you and your hubby a happy Anniversary and a wonderful Valentine's Day. You biess me Ruth! Thank you, Martha

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  18. Hi Ruth! Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Anniversary! My favorite of the cups you posted today is that Elizabethan set with the little hidden cottage--so cute! I really enjoyed reading the history of the potteries. I have sets by Royal Grafton and Elizabethan and I enjoyed reading more about them. Thanks for hosting :)

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  19. What a delightful Tea you have prepared! Now I'm hungry for a sweet!! Happy Valentines Day AND Happy Anniversary to you both!!

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  20. Happy Valentine's Day! Your Royal Grafton teacup is just beautiful and perfect for a Valentine's tea. So glad Springfield pottery is currently producing bone china tea ware. That's promising news.

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  21. Good Morning and what a lovely tea table you made! You are right the cup with the cottage is very charming. Thanks for letting us know there is still one pottery in England. Congratulations on your Anniversary!

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  22. What a beautiful tea with yummy treats and lovely flowers.

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  23. The teacups are lovely and I must try that recipe this week.

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  24. Oh so pretty. We live in the light-challenged Pacific Northwest too and our sunroom is my "go to " place for taking pictures of teacups. It is nice to have a sun room !

    My favorite teacup is your beautiful Royal Grafton.

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  25. What a wonderful visit having tea in your pretty cups.

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  26. Hi Ruth, I love all your pretty teacups and your recipe looks so yummy. I will make it soon! I enjoyed seeing the vintage valentine cards! Thank you for hosting and have a wonderful Valentines day and happy Anniversary!
    Nancy

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  27. Beautiful dishes and I love the shape of your heart cookies and the mini sponge cake look divine. nice blog.

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  28. Sigh...such beautiful and elegant tea cups dear Ruth...what a delight to sip tea from them! As we speak, I am enjoying a cup of ceylon tea in my favourite tea cup and deliciously moist raspberry and oat fairy cake... Oh, the joys of tea are endless! Blessings to you! Love, Kelly-Anne

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  29. Wonderful tea! So much tea time eye candy. I appreciate the close ups- sometimes it's nice to see the detail! Charming Valentine post! Happiness better than gold? Translation - "I'm going to try and pitch a little woo without springing for some flowers or chocolates this Valentine's Day"
    Thank you for hosting.I always look forward to Tuesday Tea with you.

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  30. Such a beautiful Valentine's post full with beautiful dishes and yummy-ness! Happy anniversary! Wishing you a happy day ~ Wendy of Apple and Apricot

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  31. Beautiful dishes...teacups....and teapot! Your vignette is beautiful!

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  32. Hello sweet Ruth! Your post is so beautiful and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :) I just love your tea cups and the treats look so tasty.

    May you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, my dear. Thank you for sharing at Roses of Inspiration. Hugs!

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  33. Just had to say a thank you for your loving and encouraging comment on my blog, dear Ruth! Hugs to you!

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  34. Looks like such a lovely tea. My hubby is taking me for a Valentine's tea this year, I'm hoping it's just a darling as your vignette. I have a similar teapot, I'll have to go see what the design is. It was my great-grandmother's, passed down to my mother and now I have it, although I only use it when my mother comes to visit.

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  35. So many gorgeous teacups and love, love the vintage Valentines! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  36. What beautiful teapots and teacups today, and I also love that you have given us the name of a new pottery to look for! Also, I'm delighted to see yet another tea-themed vintage Valentine (that first one) that I've never, ever seen before! Love, love, love this post!

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  37. You were featured at Roses of Inspiration today, sweet friend! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day. Hugs!

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  38. Hi...I'm visiting from Roses of Inspiration and I must say, this is an absolutely beautiful tea party you have set up! Your teascups are just stunning and I can almost taste those yummy looking goodies! Blessings!

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Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

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