Sunday, January 30, 2011

Slowly but surely

 

rose and grape

 

Slowly but surely I am putting names to faces - in a manner of  speaking.

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With my books,Google and Replacements.com, I have identified almost all of the flatware that belonged to my mother and grandmother. Knowing the name of pattern and its age for some reason gives me a sense of accomplishment. Accomplish is my word for 2011. I am not concerned about the value but having an idea of the worth makes it more fun as we travel around “antiquing” on the occasional weekend.

I remember my grandmother sending away for the various pieces of flatware. She saved Betty Crocker coupons. Betty Crocker and Oneida had a partnership but it is very hard to find too much information about the Betty Crocker patterns. I had hoped to have a link for you but got that wonderful “page not found” screen.

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Old Colony is one of my favorites and I found demitasse spoons on our last outing. They were very tarnished but I could tell they were in great condition.

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My product of choice….I do not receive compensation for this endorsement or any product I rave about.

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So with very little effort here are my Old Colony Demitasse spoons.

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Of course I had to make some mosaics for Mosaic Monday at Mary’s.

I have my little orange stickies (sort of ugly color, I know) by my computer and I am photographing each pattern and labeling them for posterity. Very time consuming but I might make note cards for gifts.

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Silverplate on the table

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Have a wonderful week and be sure to stop by and see all the lovely mosaics at Little Red House.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

A beautiful service tableware, I lake it!
Kisses.

Maggie said...

Great mosiacs, Carol.
This looks like a labour of love to me, but what a fun project to undertake.
I love Cape Cod polishing cloths, they are so easy to use.
BTW Loving the new header too.

Leslie said...

That's quiet a project you're working on. Looks like you're having fun with it though.. It's the "flatware family tree"... I love Replacements.com.. I found some plates there from expired patterns.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Carol, we use the same polish. It smells like bubble gum, and I like that! :-)

You have so many pretty patterns there. I particularly like the ones with the art nouveau lily pattern. I'm a huge silver fan, and I think one of the most fun things is to research patterns and companies.

Continue to have fun...


XO,

Sheila :-)

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Wow Carol, some task you have there but all beautiful cutlery!!

Love the new header and how you have done your mosaics.

Watch your mailbox at home this week!!

Jackie.

Infatuated with Homes and Gardens said...

Sp noce ,and such a nice way to remember your family!

Martha said...

I love silver, too, and it is fun to find out the pattern name. And yes, I'm trying to "accomplish" a lot for 2011 as well -- and I, too, like the word "accomplish"!

A Garden of Threads said...

Hi Carol, You have been very busy. Love the black and white mosaic. Hope it is still warm down in Florida. Take care and have a great week.

Red Couch Recipes said...

Carol, you have a great collection, and I DO think knowing about what you have feels so good. I remember those BC coupons and even I as a young girl used to look throught the redemption catalogues and dream...Love your mosaics, especially the black and white which lends looks so great with the flatware. Joni

Pondside said...

The mosaic will make beautiful cards - especially for silver lovers.
I've noticed that it it getting increasingly more difficult to find good silver polish up here. I went looking last week and all I could find was that horrible Silvo - watery stuff in a tin. I'll have to look on the mainland the next time I'm there.
That's quite a job you've given yourself, but it will be good to have everything identified!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I find there is something so fascinating about old silverware patterns too. I know I've spent hours on the internet trying to identify old pieces I've inherited too. The photos would make lovely gift cards! Great idea.

Anonymous said...

Your silverware is so pretty! We have some silver from my grandmother, but I have no idea who the maker was or what the pattern is called. We usually just use our stainless steel 'heavy duty' silverware. Some day I'll have to polish up the old silver and break it out--maybe on Valentine's Day.

Beth said...

Carol, You have some lovely silver! I have some that looks very similar to your Tudor. I bought it as "Rosalie." ??? Who knows?
Hugs, Beth

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

You must feel a great sense of accomplishment! Great job identifying and labeling those beautiful family pieces! Lovely photos and mosaics too!

podso said...

I enjoyed this post so much, as you might expect I would, as well as the pink bowl one (how adorable that bowl is--what a treasure). I love cutlery--and remember when I got married how we saved the Betty Crocker coupons to buy each place setting. In fact that's how all the women in my family got there every day "silver"ware. When youngest son got married I showed his finacee how the pattern she had picked out was just the same as one offered by Oneida and lo and behold I came upon a ton of BC Coupons my grandmother had mailed to me years ago. We had enough to purchase their every day cutlery, though I will say a bit more than the 1.95 or 2.95/setting back when I got married ..

Anita Diaz said...

What a wonderful collection you have! I to love the discovery of patterns. My grandmother had a pie server, and it took forever at replacements, but I was able to ID it and my mother found a whole set to go with it for me. Having the labels is wonderful also. I think passing things on like that is really priceless!! Thanks for stopping by! I really enjoyed making all the linens this weekend. I found a wonderful cotton napkin fabric that I liked so much, I'm going to get more. It washed well and we go through the everyday ones.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Such beautiful patterns, Carol! It's so special to have family pieces like this! We have my mother-in-law's silver...

xinex said...

What a fun project, Carol. The patterns are so pretty...Christine

Bohemian said...

Oh what a great project you have going on in identifying all your lovely flatware patterns! I didn't inherit any, but I have collected orphaned pieces of Silver and Silverplate and the variety of patterns intrigues me! The Grandkids and Guests love picking out a fav pattern to eat with too.

Dawn... The Bohemian

Ebie said...

You have quite a collection of flatware. I admire your patience checking the patterns and making some labels.

Hehehe, I have seen a lot of "Page not Found".

Mary Bergfeld said...

Carol, it is wonderful that these treasures have found their way to a place where they will be appreciated and cared for. Your photos and the collages made form them are wonderful. I suspect those who have passed on would be thrilled with the care and interest you've showered on their flatware. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary.

Lorrie said...

What a beautiful collection of silver and cutlery. And it's all the more meaningful because of the stories behind it. Your photos are lovely and will make wonderful greeting cards.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

What a lovely blog you have Carol. Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. I can't believe all the work you did to find your patterns. I actually like polishing silver. I don't have a lot of it, but it makes me happy when I see it clean and polished.

La said...

That's quite an extensive collection you have there.

I'll be you are glad to be in Florida this stormy winter. Have a great week! La

ShirleyC said...

Hi Carol,
You have some very lovely things. I see we are swap partners for the mug mat swap.
I also see that you are very talented. I live in Louisiana, and I've been to Sarasota once. Beautiful place!

Bill said...

Hi Carol,

What a fascinating post! You've inherited some truly wonderful pieces. It's so nice that you're continuing what your mother and grandmother began -- researching the silver patterns, polishing it with loving care, adding to their collections. Those demitasse spoons are absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your memories and your always inspiring photography.

Fondly,
Bill

Pam said...

What gorgeous flatware, you have a great collection! I have many old ornate pieces from the family that will be polished after seeing this. Great pics as usual!

Sheila said...

I am so thankful that you decided to add this to your list of accomplishments Carol! I have my grandmother's partial set of Old Colony but I didn't know the name of it. I really treasure it but have never known the name. She gave us King Frederick as a wedding present and I use it for every special dinner. A friend told me to cut off the ends of the plastic bags and put each piece back in the bag and then close the silverware chest til next time. I followed her advice and it's never had to be polished. Thanks for identifying my Grandmother's pattern Carol!

Sue McPeak said...

Gosh, you have been busy and staying True To Your Word...'Accomplishment'! As much as I love dishes, you would think that flatware would be a passion, too! However, I just haven't gone there yet....your Heirloom collection sure makes me think about it!

Hope you get to Knit...SuKnitWitty and the 4Some is posted.

Renée said...

This looks like a fascinating treasure hunt Carol. I'm sure it sparks wonderful memories about your family and will be appreciated in the years to come. Hope you are getting some fun in the sun!

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