Monday, October 18, 2010

Tea with childhood friends...

Today I am sharing with yall a very special tea set...It was my first "real" tea set..But that just makes it special, what makes it VERY special is that it was a gift from my big brother to me for Christmas when I was just 7yrs old, (He was 11yrs old at the time)...It was a surprisingly thoughtful gift from the brother that was more inclined to ditch me walking home from school, than to spend his hard earned money on something so sweet....and because of that, it will always be my very favorite tea set.


The full set includes two more cups and another saucer all of which I left off the table since I only had two guests for tea today...(we will get to them in a moment)..It also has a sugar bowl that is currently somewhere buried with some of my Silkstone doll house props (makes a great vase for flowers in their dining room) and the lid to the teapot is also missing for the moment, but I am sure it will turn up as I unpack more boxes from my doll studio.


My guests and I have enjoyed many a cup of tea from this very set over the years.


This is "Dolly"...I am sure at one point I gave her a name but I have long forgotten it...She arrived that same Christmas from my older sister. My sister is 10yrs older than I and it would surprise me if she was not responsible for nudging my brother to give me the tea set...But back to Dolly...She was my first china doll and the beginning of my doll collecting...So I guess that would also make this doll the first step towards my career as a doll fashion designer....Goes to show, you just never know how a gift to a child could some day shape their future.


And Teddy...This lovely antique bear was given to me when I was just 9 months old, she had belonged to my Father's older sister and while our family was visiting that side of the family in Holland, this bear was waiting for me in the crib at Grandma's house...Teddy has fully jointed arms and legs and is stuffed with straw and we guestimate she is pushing 90yrs or more old...MUM will correct me if I am wrong :)


These scrumptious miniatures are handmade by a wonderful artist Dawn K Anderson whom I am honored to call a dear friend...She is so gifted in both painting and sculpture, her works of art can be found in doll collections around the world...you can see her amazing work on her website http://onesixthsense.com


She signed each slice of cake...
To give you a better idea of the size, these pieces were actually created for Barbie size dolls.

I am so glad you could join me and my childhood friends for tea today...


We are also joining the following Tea Parties this week...

Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations - Tea Time Tuesday

Lady Katherine Tea Parlor - Tea Time Tuesday

Wander Lee and Pam's - Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday

and party Co-hosts:

Martha's Favorites - Tea Cup Tuesday
&
Terri, Artful Afirmations - Tea Cup Tuesday

13 comments:

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Kelsie,
oh my God, is that sweet. I love you little doll tea room. What sweet siblings you have. This doll is so nice and also the tea set. And Mrs. Teddy is a lovely one, too. And look how nice she is adorned with the brooch. Royaly, for shure. Thank you for having us to your beautiful cakes and tea with the charming guests. I enjoyed it very much.
Greetings, Johanna

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

wow! precious teaset and sweet too! can I join Mrs Teddy for tea too? teehee.. just kidding.. but the setting just lovely! thanks for sharing.
xo
fitty

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Good morning Kelie :) This is such a sweet and charming Tea post. A very special Tea set from your brother that has been cherished quite well. A lovely tea with equally lovely & special guests :) Thank you for sharing this with us ladies today.

Wishing you a lovely Tea Tuesday!

Warmest hugs, Brenda

paperbutterfly said...

Hi Kellie,
This is a very sweet and heart warming post. Wonderful memories of your family, and a inspiation for your career!
Thank you for sharing these precious pieces with our tea ladies.
Blessings, PAm

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Kelsie,
Your tea set is so sweet with sweet memories attached to it! I love the fact that your brother gave it to you. The doll is also a treasure and I am very pleased you shared this darling tea party with us today. It is very charming and brings back memories of little tea parties of my own long ago. Have a beautiful day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Snap said...

How cute is that? And what memories you must have. Happy Tea Day!

Terri said...

Your childhood tea set is just sweet! The little tea cups and saucers are adorable. THank you so much for sharing with us about your brother's gift.
Hugs,
Terri

Pellie / Penny said...

Oh my such a wonderful little tea set and such wonderful childhood memories they bring, what a sweet wonderful brother you have.

Your doll is precious as well. What a great Christmas that must have been for you.

Hugs,
Penny

Alycia Nichols said...

I really hope your brother knows just how much this meant to you. What an incredible gesture from an 11-year-old boy!!!

parTea lady said...

Thank you for sharing your childhood treasures. How wonderful to have the tea set from your brother, the lovely doll, and teddy. What fond memories they must afford.

Those miniature cakes are pretty too.

Wanda Lee said...

Dearest Kelsie,

I just love this weeks fun little tea party with your childhood treasures; so utterly charming and sweet!

What darling pictures of the little dolls and teddy bears with the teaset!.., I enjoyed this so much; it was so heartwarming!..,

Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks also, ever so much for popping by for a tea visit to participate in our little corner of, 'Tuesday And Wednesday Teatime In Blogland'!

..,This week has marked my 53rd, 'Tuesday Tea For Two', blog teaparty. ~ Also with dear Pam, (of http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com); as you know,she and I have celebrated our 25th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'.., Fun!

I always love to share yet another Tuesday Tea, heartwarming visit and cup of tea with you!

Cheers from Wanda Lee
@ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com
and also @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

Jacoba said...

How wonderful it is still in this condition. I can imagine you treasure the memories on this.
Very pretty post!
Happy day,
Jacoba

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: Thank you so much for joining the party. I love your post today. Thank you for sharing it with us. Blessings, Martha