A little Spring in the Summer

A while ago, I wrote that I was going to start showing you peeks of my tea cup collection. Since I've still been nursing my ankle, I haven't done a lick of thrifting ... and that also means no projects! I figured now would be a good time to start a little show and tell.

I decided to start with a Christmas '08 present from my honey. It's from the Spring collection by Pope Gosser.

We went antique shopping a couple of days before Christmas at a great mall in Downtown Indianapolis, called Midland Arts and Antiques. If you're ever in the area - you kinda have to go check it out! Anyway, one of the booth's had a whole bunch of pieces from this collection as well as another one that I'll show you at a later date. I loved it ... so simple, but so pretty.

We didn't buy anything while we were there, but had a lot of fun looking around. Much to my surprise ... I opened that beautiful tea cup on Christmas morning! My honey had gone back to Midland on Christmas Eve, just a couple of hours before we were to leave for my parents, and had it wrapped and in the car before I even got home from work!

He told me he'd called the dealer to see about buying the whole set - or at least what was left - but she wouldn't meet the price he was willing to pay. For now, I'm happy with my tea cup, but would love to go back to see what other pieces she has left!

When it comes to collecting a certain china pattern, there are a few pieces that always catch my eye. I like to have at least 3 tea cup and saucer sets, the tea pot, creamer and sugar bowl. That way I can have a cute little set up on my dining room table. I've always had a thing for gravy boats, too.

All the photos below are pieces I could purchase to add to my collection from Replacements.com. You may know, I love this site but I've never purchased anything from it. Have you? I'd like to try - although there is something about happening upon a piece of china that I just don't know if I could replicate with an internet purchase!

But ... this tea pot is so cute, I might have to break my "rule".

And check out the sugar bowl! Fancy!

And the creamer is just too cute for words!

Hello, gravy boat ... I love you.

I thought the salt and pepper shakers were adorable ...

And this pitcher?! Seriously - I would love to have this in my collection!

I don't know why I'm so drawn to these pieces ... probably because we just don't use them these days. Now we get coffee at Starbucks, the cream out of large jugs and the sugar out of packets. And gravy boats? Does anyone use a gravy boat anymore?

I personally don't, but I do love these elegant pieces ...