Wednesday 4 March 2015

Knick knacks and treasures

It was quite a cool morning a few days ago 
so I decided it was time to sort out the china cabinet.
I'd been wanting to do it for quite a while 
but kept putting it off because during
 the Christchurch earthquake four years ago 
everything inside moved forward. 
By several inches.


I was a bit reluctant to open the door
 in case everything fell out onto the floor.
As you can see several things are balanced on the brink,
but it all stayed put as I finally bit the bullet and opened the door.


Centre front on the top shelf was this tiny ceramic table and chairs, 
they belonged to my grandmother, along with the salt and pepper kittens.
The kittens are about 3 inches high or 8cms.
Granma loved her wee knick knacks.
My eldest daughter has one or two of them as well.

Colclough bone china, made in England
As a slight digression, I love this teacup and saucer set 
and I see I could buy another 5 trios on TradeMe 
and make up a full teaset, but alas, I do not have the funds.
And anyway I am trying to find replacements pieces 
for a set my mother has given me,
and one project at a time is probably best.
But you know it was tempting, right?

Back to the job at hand...

Of course starting this job meant not only washing and polishing everything inside,
but cleaning all the glass on the cabinet as well.
 What a long job! Such tiny lead light panels, 
but wow, what a difference when I had finished.
I'm amazed at how dirty the glass was inside the cabinet.
This cabinet belonged to my GKB's mother and is a good old age.


Some things got thrown out,
 like ribbons that started to disintegrate when I touched them. 
I'm not sure really why I kept them
 but there was probably a perfectly logical reason at the time. 

I didn't throw out the flowers from
 the top of our wedding cake though, 
even though they are very fragile now.
I think I'll hold on to them for a while yet.


Some things were packed away, like big soup cups 
and so we were able to bring out some newer pieces
 we have been given by family in recent years 
and didn't think we had space to display them.

So that is a job well done, even if I say so myself,
and even if it did take me years to get around to it.
I'm so glad it's finished.

Have a good week, 
see you next time,
Diana

23 comments:

  1. I love the shape of your China cabinet. I need to straighten mine also, maybe one day soon!

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  2. I did this job a few weeks ago. It is a big job but I loved handling the pieces and recalling the memories they bring. I do love your china cabinet. So pretty. I love the teacup and saucer. I have a couple of silk flowers from my wedding bouquet in mine as well. Thank you for sharing your treasures.

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  3. Cleaning the china hutch and the items in it is always a "daunting" task :) I try and do mine monthly since we have a wood burning stove and it creates a lot of dust during the Winter time.

    I loved seeing your pretty china and your tea cups....so beautiful!

    Thank you so much, sweet Diana, for sharing with Roses of Inspiration - it's a joy to have you link up. Hugs!

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  4. Hi, I'm visiting from Roses of Inspiration. That is a gorgeous china cabinet. You are truly blessed. I love the teacup and saucer set, too.

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  5. You have a pretty china cabinet and it was to see some of your treasures.
    I frequently change things around on my hutch. : )

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  6. Lovely china cabinet. I'm not a big fan of dusting either, but I don't mind it too much when I'm dusting pretty teawares!

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  7. The fun of cleaning/rearranging is the things you find you've forgotten! Love the Colclough landscape set!
    Ruth

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  8. Ooh the task of cleaning our treasures and trinkets! You certainly have some beautiful treasures.

    I enjoyed my visit here tonight.
    Blessings, Debbie

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  9. I've had the bug to start spring cleaning myself. I've started in my bedroom.

    Thanks so much for visiting me and talking back at Harvest Lane Cottage.

    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  10. I am on a mission all year to clean out and organize!!

    LOVE that sweet tea cup and saucer!! And I especially love the cabinet itself that you reorganized!! It is a beautiful piece!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment on my 57 Shades of Gray post!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  11. How awesome that you have the flowers from your wedding cake!

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  12. Ah... decluttering, organzing, spring cleaning. Now my favorite tasks. But sometimes you can revisit things you had forgotten you had and maybe even re-purpose a few. That cup and saucer set is so nice. Hope you have a change to find it again. Thanks for visiting my site.

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  13. Hi: I love your china cabinet. It is stunning. It looks so beautiful now that you have it all organized. Have a wonderful week. PS I would keep your wedding flowers as long as you can. Blessings, Martha

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  14. Such pretty china in your cabinet. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I'll be back to see you again.

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  15. Love the cup and saucer. Is that the willow pattern. So pretty.

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    Replies
    1. No it's not the willow pattern, I think it is called something like 'English country scene'.

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  16. beautiful china, I really like the little table and chairs and the cats.

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  17. Hi Diana and what a beautiful china cabinet! You have some very pretty pieces and like summer 8 above - love the little table and chairs! So sweet that you have all of these lovely pieces. That is about the prettiest tea cup and saucer I've ever seen - love the scene on it too. Sit back and glory in your work. Thanks always for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  18. I always enjoy seeing other people's treasures Diana! And i must say that the little table and chairs were my favorite. For some reason I have always liked miniature things!! And don't you feel very virtuous after all that cleaning? I really need to do the same thing in my china cabinet! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  19. Diana, You have such a beautiful cabinet to store your treasures in! i love, love, love the tea cup trio. I can see why you would be tempted to get more, but I'm like you. No funds, and no place to put them! Blessings for a lovely week!

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  20. I hope you found some "new" treasures cleaning out your cabinet. Love your beautiful landscape trio. I think we wish we all had more funds for tea ware and trinkets. Have a good rest of the week and thanks for your visit last week.

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  21. : ) I so enjoy browsing friends China cabinets.Thank You.

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  22. : ) I so enjoy browsing friends China cabinets.Thank You.

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