Monday, September 8, 2014

Blue and not-so-blue willow


Found this sweet divided vintage 
Blue Willow pattern bowl
while out antiquing this summer.

It does not match anything in our kitchen
or I would have it displayed somewhere --
but instead I am using it.

A lot! 
Who knew a divided bowl could be so useful.

It's not black.
It is blue.

But if you know my kitchen ---
you know I have brown transferware
around on the shelves and white ironstone
and silver pieces.





So, the pretty cobalt blue
gets stashed in the cupboard.

I adore this pattern 
as it was my grandmother's
favorite pattern, on my mom's side.
I have posted on Blue Willow a few times before.


A couple years ago,
one of my dear friends won 
a ceramics party
and she invited me to attend and paint a plate.
(I'm sure many of you have attended this kind of party, yes?)

Well, with a house full of old antiques
and vintage junk :)
I could not think what I would paint
that could possibly "blend"
into the kitchen here. 




So I looked around and found something 
that inspired me. I did a rough (very rough)
interpretation
and this is the final product.






I wanted to create a border too --
but I TALKED TOO MUCH
and I didn't get to finish the edges!!!
The class time ran out.



Typical me.
 (hehehe)


close-up


What did you paint on your ceramics plate 
or teapot or mug or?
Tell me!



New find: old Greek key pattern water pitcher!


19 comments:

Our Hopeful Home said...

I have never been to such a party but I think it's just as well. I could never paint a picture as lovely as yours! I also think divided bowls can be handy. Have a great week, Alison!
xo Kathy

MarmePurl said...

Like so many of us, Blue Willow opens the grandparent memory window. Ah, how I love it.
After seeing your lovely painted plate, I need to find a party. Did not know about them.

Karen said...

Alison,
I've never been or heard of a party like that but it sure sounds like fun. Your plate turned out really well. I'm not sure I could paint with so much attention to detail. On my computer, the first image of the divided blue willow dish, the pattern looks black and white. Not like a black and white photograph, but the pattern looks like the black and white dishes I've seen done in the same pattern as blue willow. Weird, because the second image the dish looks blue and white.
I love all transferware and have some red, black and blue and white. I just couldn't make up my mind to collect just once color! :-)
Karen

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love the willow or any transferware pattern. I have never been to that type of party. You did a great job!

therelishedroost said...

I love that!! I painted a pattern like that on a pumpkin last year, but painting your own ceramic piece in willow is a great idea!!

Salmagundi said...

Love the Greek key pitcher. WOW! What a find! Sally

Rachel Rose Mercantile said...

Love the pretties!

Susan Freeman said...

I have collected Blue Willow since I was a child. Such a timeless pattern that can be used in so many ways.
I really like that Greek key pattern on your water pitcher too!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Tartan Terrace said...

Alison - Wowza! You're really a wonderful artist; I love the painted Blue Willow pattern done in brown to match your transferware. Thanks for sharing!

Sarah said...

Alison, I think you could be a professional ceramics painter. This piece is lovely! Twice, at our annual QCI meetings, one of the activities has been to paint on ceramics in the traditional way that Quimper is painted. It's not easy! Both times I chose to paint a rooster. I know you are surprised. '-)
I love your interpretation of the Blue Willow pattern, especially in brown.

My Life of Domestic Bliss said...

We eat on either blue or pink willow every day. Just love it!

NanaDiana said...

OMGosh- You did a GREAT job on that!!!! I have only been to one where we painted stemware, glasses or cups. It was a lot of fun. I painted flowers as it is pretty easy to screw up and no one knows!;>)

I gave our daughter her great-great grandmothers set of blue willow. I don't think she fully appreciates it now but hope she does someday---or that one of her girls does. There is full service for 16 with many, many extra serving pieces. Oh- how she loved to entertain.

Hope you are having a wonderful week. xo Diana

Lynne said...

How can one not enjoy some Willow . . . The Blue W piece looks like an excellent accessory piece.

Quite the artist with the plate . . .

I painted a Ramekin at one of those "Paint Your Plate" places one time. My results were not as successful as yours . . .

Heidi said...

Hi Alison! I've been on a 2 year blog hiatus, both reading and writing. So very glad to be back reading yours ~ the plate you painted looks wonderful!
:)Heidi

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog through Fifth and State, and I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time over here. I love transfer-ware, and you did a terrific copy! xo, N.

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

How did I miss this post? You did a great job! This would work perfectly with your transferware. I had lots of blue and white and sold it. Now, I am trying to start a new collection of brown and white. You inspire me!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I love the plate you painted, Alison...it will be a family heirloom!

Babs said...

Wow, Alison! You did a great job on your plate. Love the brown and white willow.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What?? you painted that gorgeous plate...never knew you were quite the artist....Magnificent job!