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.

joining with:

roses of inspiration

Marth's favourites

Have a good week, 

see you next time,

Diana