Vintage Thingies Thursday – Hammered Aluminum

For today’s VTT post I'd like to share a couple pieces of hammered aluminum. Both were given to me by my mother some years ago. Hammered aluminum serve wares were popular during the 1930’s to 1950’s.

First is a large round platter with an incised pattern of three roses with stems and leaves. It measures 13 ½ inches in diameter and has scalloped edge. sawtooth edge. It was made in Brooklyn, New York.

Here is a close-up of the border:

The second item is a simply designed ice bucket. It has the characteristic hammered pattern around the body of the bucket. Ridged edge beading is found on the rim of the bucket and knob of lid. The knobbed lid also has two hammered rows. Stamped MADE IN ITALY on the bottom, it measures 8" high (including the lid) and about 8" wide.

The bucket is insulated to help keep the ice frozen, as is the cover. It has two triangle handles for picking it up.

Hammered aluminum pieces are quite versatile and can be used for serving, floral display, attractive storage, etc. I use my ice bucket to hold my bottles of vitamins and minerals for daily use.

See more Vintage Thingies Thursday posts listed by Suzanne at Coloradolady.

ABCs of the Word – K

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is K

And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 KJV

What a marvelous promise… our hearts sustained by the peace of God. May this be our experience, always.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

clipart - DoverPublications.com

Word-Filled Wednesday & Outdoor Wednesday – Daylilies

Today’s post is for both Word-Filled Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday.



Some months ago I shared this photo and text on WFW. Now, with spring all around I thought I’d share it again.

Why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field how they grow;
they toil notneither do they spin.
Matthew 6:28

The daylily is a fascinating plant because each bloom lasts for just one day. Isn't it great that God provided such beauty for our enjoyment!

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

Here are some other views of the daylilies in the garden last summer:

I love perennials since you plant them once, and they come back each year. It's great to look forward to seeing them blossom during their season.

See more Outdoor Wednesday posts at Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Three or More Tuesday – Asian Figurines

Three or More Tuesday is sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner.

On a bookshelf in my study are these three Asian figurines.

I got these three along with a Madonna figurine made of polychromed wood – it has color applied as well as gilding. They were offered together as a partial nativity set from Asia. However, while I found that the Madonna is made in the Philippines, it does not seem to be designed with the other three figures.

Now the three male statues are also subtly colored in muted green, tan and red, and with gilding applied. Some of the gilding has rubbed off. But they do not seem to be nativity figures.

Two figures are seated, while a younger-looking character is standing, mounted on a square base.

I have no idea how old the figurines are, or in what country they were made. It seems like wood, but may very well be resin. The only marking is attached to the standing figure. It is a cardstock tag which is printed in green with "Chrysara/ Item # [in black ink] "47-079"/ Desc. "Chia Lin"

If anyone knows about Asian arts and crafts and can help identify these figures, I would really appreciate the assistance.

Please visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more interesting treasures.

Metamorphosis Monday - I Won a Wall Decal!

The doorbell rang a little while ago and there was a long package for me:

Three Fridays ago Laura Ingalls Gunn at Décor to Adore had a Friday Freebie giveaway for a free wall graphic courtesy of Paul David Wilson of Wilson Graphics. I left a comment and the random number generator chose me as the winner.

Here is some information of Wilson Graphics, a company which produces custom full-color or photographic Vinyl Wall Graphics and Art Decals:
"Besides a large selection of stock decals for decorating your home," Mr. Wilson also accepts your commissions for custom graphics to suit your decorating need.

I was excited to see the large decal I received:

Here are two photos from the Wilson Graphics website which show clearly the beauty of the design:

Here is the description:
"Decal Size: 27" Wide x 40" Tall. Enhance your room's decor this classical chandelier. This simple stylized image works well two to three foot down from the ceiling."

Do click here to visit the Wilson Graphics website. There you will find an amazing array of wall decals to enhance your decor.

My plan is to redecorate the master bath and use the chandilier as a focal point on the far wall. I have really grown tired of the wallpaper that came with the four-year old houose when I bought it in 1991. So I’ll be having the wallpaper stripped and the wall painted. This project will make a great future Metamorphosis Monday post!

Please also go to the listing for Metamorphosis Monday, at Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

Blue Monday – Royal Grindley “Orchid”

Blue Monday is sponsored by our lovely hostess Sally at Smiling Sally.

As anyone who has read my blog for any time know, I love blue and white dishes, as well as fabrics and other decorative accessories.

Last month I shared a very pleasant blue and white pattern called “Out of the Blue” by Churchill. Today I’d like to share another contemporary pattern from Royal Tudor Grindley. It is an all-over design called “Orchid.”

I picked up my first piece in Marshalls several years ago, and have sought other pieces online. But it is very hard to come by, and I still have only four dinner plates, one dessert plate, four cereal bowls and four rimmed soup bowls.


If any one knows of a source for this pattern, do let me know. It would make me very happy!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this contemporary transferware china pattern. Enjoy more Blue Monday at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.

Vintage Thingies Thursday & Friday Show and Tell – Cream Soup and Liners

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by the very talented Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

For a long time I’ve been looking to buy cream soup and saucers for my two best china sets. But the cost per unit is so high that even on sale I’ve not been able to get any at all.
A cream soup bowl or bouillon cup has two handles and is a bit smaller than a cereal bowl. It comes with a matching saucer, called a saucer, liner or stand.

Just last month I visited the hospital thrift shop and found a vintage cream soup and stand in the Wedgwood Queensware “Edme” pattern, with its elegant embossed ribbed design.


Also nearby were 3 dinner plates and 3 bread and butter plates. “The Edme pattern is a creamy porcelain with starburst ridge pattern on plates. Cups have vertical ridges and a pedestal foot. The saucers have a starburst ridge pattern. The Edme pattern was made from 1908-1997.

Since I’ve been gathering white and off-white plates and bowls in a variety of patterns, I decided to buy them. Total cost was just $3.25. Since then I found another dinner plate and three cream soup bowls and saucers.

I am looking forward to serving cream of broccoli, cream of potato, and asparagus soups in these special bowls.



Of course I am still hoping to stumble on bargains on fine china cream soups!
Lenox “Autumn”

Spode “Consul Cobalt

Royal Albert “Lady Carlyle”

Royal Worcester “Evesham Gold”


Thanks for stopping by today. Your comment is welcome. Visit more Show and Tell at There is No Place Like Home.

I missed Vintage Thingies Thursday yesterday since I was very busy with the return of my mother, after a month of being away. Do stop to see the posts listed by Suzanne at Coloradolady.

Tablescape Thursday – New Breakfast Table Setting

This is my first post in the Thursday Tablescape series thouogh I had just over a dozen posts for Tablescape Tuesday. My last post told of my post-Christmas table setting in the kitchen where my mother and I have daily breakfast, lunch and supper. (We use the dining room table when my brother and family and sister and family come over two or three times a month.)
I have mixed one blue and white pattern with cream wares for a lighter look spring.
Dinner plates and cereal bowl – Royal Grindley Tudor “Orchid”
Square salad plates – Canonsburg “American Traditional”
Cereal bowls - Royal Grindley Tudor “Orchid”
Bread and butter plates - Canonsburg “American Traditional”

Flatware – Oneida “Raphael” stainless. The five-piece place settings assure that whatever the menu, we have the correct utensil right at hand.

Water glasses – clear tall tumblers with a pebbly pattern in the glass. The water glasses are kept full all day long so we get our recommended daily intake. The panelled design makes them quite comfortable to hold and to use.
Juice glasses – navy goblet
Pitcher – Lemon
Centerpiece - Off-white ceramic Soup tureen set on large platter in Canonsburg “American Traditional”
The lemon pitcher and the napkin rings insert a touch of bright spring color.

Place mats – oval off-white cotton with tone on tone embroidery, placed under the glass top.
Napkins – off-white with lace corner. These have been in use since I bought them in the 1070’s
Napkin rings – ceramic yellow flower


Additional wares as needed, depending on what’s on the menu
Rimmed Soup bowls - Royal Grindley Tudor “Orchid” OR Canonsburg “American Traditional”
Cups and saucers - Canonsburg “American Traditional” OR Wedgwood “Patrician”
Berry Bowls - Canonsburg “American Traditional”. These come in handy for serving berries, yogurt and other treats


I trust my mother will like our new daily setting. She returns this evening from my sister’s house, where she has been since March 15 when I took ill. My aunt, (her sister) returned home yesterday, having been brought from New York back on March 15 to keep mother’s company.


Visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.