vintage fajance

My Stig Lindberg fajans vase, a proud purchase from ebay. Beyond admiring the decoration I wonder if it has a few stories to tell, delivered from California to me with unknown owners before. Here is more of Lindberg's ceramic work.

These tureens at 92 are painted by the same artist as my vase, the bell symbol is that of Inge Klinte. I also purchased a Gustavsberg factory brochure with a key to artists marks.












I have loved Stig Lindberg's work since discovering a vase printed art pillow in Design House Stockholm, Sweden. More Lindberg fabric designs have since been reproduced.

I was so pleased to find bloesem's weekend reads, a wonderful idea, vintage ceramics is a gem of an article.














Finally SKÅL, another fajans piece designed by Stig Lindberg and painted by Inge Klinte.

Glamorous fairy cakes, a pretty reference to finish, to go with the whimsical beauty of the glazed flowers.

chelsea treats

Oh how I love this time of year! I have been out enjoying the springtime as much as I can and loving the light evenings. Here's the Albert Bridge at Chelsea which lights up at twilight, magically. The Plane tree seeds decorated the sky at sunset.














A visual treat, the windows of Designers Guild in Kings Road. Beautiful spring flower displays with a Claire Coles teacup and Karin Eriksson vase. Fantastic colours, always an inspiration.











Yesterday I watched the sun set behind the chimney pots from the otherside of the Thames. Looking forward to more riverside walks, watching Comorants fly and plenty of daydreaming.

Rhubarb & Ginger cake.

cuppa

Set by *n*o*o*r*, a beautiful timeless image.












Hot Cocoa mug by White Forest Pottery.


















Some Like It Hot by Chronicle Books.

Affogato recipe by Williams-Sonoma. Inspiration for the next cosy weekend at home.

shepherd's purse

shepherd's purse
growing as high
as my hip pocket

another from A Dictionary of Haiku

Here is the Suomi Celebration range of tableware by Rosenthal, decorated by the wonderful trio Atelier LZC from February 2006. The grey and gilt design is the humble shepherd's purse plant, some consider this a weed but I love the heart-shaped seed pods.

I saw this range in a magazine last year and I have been looking for it ever since. A little research shows the Suomi range was created by the Finnish designer Timo Sarpaneva, winning a design medal in 1976 and to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the iconic design, Suomi Celebration was created. Good to read the history, especially about the year of my birth.














































A fine breakfast smoothie from innocent, yoghurt, oats, raspberries & blueberries

perfect pottery

Here are the creations of Danish Helbak & Scherning, Mette Scherning's porcelain jewellery above and Malene Helbak's pots and tableware below.




















Nutella Banana muffins, another find from delicious days, such beautiful photography and a great read.

nutella banana muffins
Recipe source: delicious days
Required time: preparation 15 min., baking time 25-30 min.

Ingredients (yield: ~12 muffins):
2 eggs
125g soft butter
100g sugar
2 large ripe bananas
100g Nutella
100ml milk
1 tsp baking soda
250g flour
2 tsp baking powder
150g (milk) chocolate coating
for decoration: nuts, sugar pearls, ...

Cream together in a large bowl the eggs, butter and sugar, then fold in squashed banana and the Nutella. Whisk.

In a separate bowl, combine milk and baking soda and blend well. Also separately, mix the flour with the baking powder.

Now alternately blend in a part of the milk mixture, then a part of the flour mix, part of the milk, … until everything is combined. Hereby you have better control over how the consistency of the dough develops.

Now pour batter into greased or paper-lined muffin tins and bake at 180° Celsius (350° Fahrenheit) in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check if the muffins are done by poking in a wooden skewer - it should come out quite dry and almost clean. Put them out of the oven and let them cool down completely.

Add a thick layer of (milk) chocolate coating and optionally some decoration (nuts, sugar pearls, …).

retro

Jessie Tait, designer of Midwinter Flower Mist pattern, 1956.
Cup and saucer shown here from capri-eshop.














Lindsey Mann contemporary studio jewellery. These earrings are a bit of a modern interpretation of the pottery motif.

Fairy cakes, just the treat to compliment a Flower Mist tea set.

ceramics & fabrics

More birds, a small one from Stig Lindberg and salt and pepper pots from Jonathan Adler.

Past, present and brand new, birds seem to be an endless source of inspiration. This Eleanor Grosch Sandpiper Pillow spotted on print & pattern is new for Spring.

This time last year I discovered little birds handmade whilst avoiding decorating. Inspiring reading and now glad to be eagerly awaiting each 3191 photoblog entry.

The repeat bird print cushion from Sukie, is a lovely companion to the Sandpiper's.

Homemade Marshmallows for a Saturday.

leaves

More designs inspired by nature, with an interesting comparison between this Stig Lindberg dish. I love Lindberg's pottery.













As compared to this leather punched purse by Orla Kiely













I found both of these images whilst wandering on the web. The leaf motifs are so similar, both wonderful objects.

Food to warm the soul, Goat Cheese Potato Cakes with Chives.