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Friday, April 1, 2011

Happy April! - Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady

Happy first day of April!


Earlier today I was reading the post of a fellow blogger  (Selep Imaging) who talked about finding some amazing china dishes at an antique store.  I took a look and recognized them immediately as Edith Holden, aka the nature journalist of  "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady".   I'm a huge fan of her artwork,  and have the Diary, and several companion books here.




But until today I had no idea that there was china!!  (Have I been living in a cave?)   I looked it up and found not one, but two types of china bearing the Country Diary name:  Caverswall and Noritake.  They are both wonderful!

Caverswall  pieces:



 Noritake pieces:





Which ones do you like best?

I think I feel another collection coming on. 

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44 comments:

  1. ClaireApril 1, 2011 at 2:57 AM

    Hey Gayle, I also have the Diary which Iinherited from my mum along with some other beautiful books.
    Edith Holden's artwork is beautiful and I never knew there was china as well...........
    Jacquie over at Bunny Mummy blog has also blogged about the Diary in a lovely nature post.

    Know what you mean about the 'collection' feeling, hmmm.....

    Have a great weekend,

    Claire :)

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  2. Vintage from the VillageApril 1, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    What lovely china. I know M&S did some soap dishes etc with the flowers on but not as lovely as those !
    Sue x

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  3. RettabugApril 1, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Simply lovely & totally new to me! I must be living in the same cave as you. LOL

    I grinned BIG TIME when I read "I feel another collection coming on." I know the feeling so well. :D

    fondly,
    Rett

    p.s. Your peanut butter cookies brought back some very fond memories & I think I'll make some with Ms. C. on her next visit. GREAT photos, too!

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  4. Blue Ridge Altered ArtApril 1, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    I think that should be a must have collection. I have never heard of those before. They are truly lovely.

    Thanks for your visit and to answer you question about the butter dish they would put very cold water under the liner to keep the butter cold.

    Have a great weekend, ~~Sherry~~

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  5. Abby and StephanieApril 1, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Oh goodness I love the plates with the months.

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  6. JacquieApril 1, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Hi Gayle, thanks for popping over to mine :0)
    I love the china you discovered and it's great to see your other Holden books .
    I think the month plates are my favourite .
    Jacquie x

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  7. The Painted GardenApril 1, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Hi,

    O my goodness - I love all of them and would have a hard time
    choosing. Thank you for sharing - your post is delightful.
    Blessings,
    Erin

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  8. JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes)April 1, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    OH I love them all - but the next to the last picture is my favorite of favorites. I have a wonderful collection of her books - the children's books are simply amazing. And I've found her books are so inexpensive at Amazon or half.com. I can look at her paintings all day long, they are so intricate and interesting.

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  9. DeannaApril 1, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    I'm living deeper in that cave than you are becuase until today I've never heard of Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady. Love the china. Absolutely gorgeous. Going to check the Diary out.

    Have a great weekend.

    Deanna

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  10. EmilyApril 1, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    I've never heard of Edith (I think I'm the one in the cave). I love her artwork. I think I like the Caverswall best. So beautiful.

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  11. Blondie's JournalApril 1, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    I really love both sets of china. Very pretty! With all the books you have it sounds like you are quite a fan of Edith Holden, so I say onward with a new collection!! ;-D

    XO,
    Janie

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  12. On Crooked CreekApril 1, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Gayle,
    Lovely collection of resource books you have, dear! I still prefer more plain china, but one could be swayed to change, you know. Thanks for your sweet comment and visit today. I'll be keeping you and DH in my thoughts and prayers.The hardest part for my Type A personality was the waiting! HA!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  13. SherriApril 1, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    What beautiful plates! Marjolein Bastin has beautiful similar pictures and everyday dinnerware too.

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  14. Diane MarsApril 1, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and give me your input on "The Million Dollar Question" I think you are right we are all just getting by.. and the cost of living is going up everyday. Gas alone $4.09 a gallon for unleaded regular ouch! I sure re-think my traveling plans. I sure hope things turnaround soon. I am a Realtor and business in CA. is pretty much 0 unless it's a Short Sale or foreclosure and the banks already have their favorite agents that get all those listings ): I love that China I think my favorite is the April Plate such beautiful colors. Have a great weekend oxox, Diane

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  15. xinexApril 1, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    I love the plates and the lidded server! So adorable and so springy...Christine

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  16. DiannaApril 1, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Noritake is my personal favorite, Gayle. Both are pretty though. I wish we lived closer so we could share our love of collections together. ;)

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  17. Brenda PruittApril 1, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    The botanicals stole my heart right away!
    Brenda

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  18. LynnApril 1, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Such lovely artwork on that china! Thanks for commenting on my bird plates post today.

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  19. Julie HarwardApril 1, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    I was not aware of this..I LOVE the dishes, that would be so neat to have a set of them! That was neat that you spotted the book. I think I just really love things of nature! Have a great weekend.:D

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  20. BeccaApril 2, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Oo I love May, and the others are lovely too! I'm really into the birds now, I guess it's a sign of spring!
    Happy weekend to you.

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  21. PondsideApril 2, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    I have the book, but didn't know there was china - it must be lovely.

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  22. diane bApril 2, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Blogging widens your mind, fills you with new information. I had never heard of this lady before, thank you for introducing her. Her work is lovely and the books must be a treasure. I like the Noretake casserole dish the best.

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  23. Ann@A Sentimental LifeApril 2, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    I too have the book..but I had NO idea there was china? WOW beautiful, thanks for sharing!

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  24. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasApril 2, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    What a great post!! Full of so much eye candy!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  25. ElyseApril 2, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    gosh, they're all sweet! i like the "april" one a lot. we discover so much through blogging, it's amazing!!!

    thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog. :)

    happy weekend!

    xo
    elyse

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  26. Carrie @ Cottage CozyApril 2, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    I like the Noritake pieces...so pretty!

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  27. UnknownApril 2, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Your plate collection is so wonderful to look at! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Also, I am so glad the little owl pinkeep made his way to your craft room. Boy your penny rug turned out cute! Thank you again for helping me clear shelves. Elizabeth

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  28. KathyApril 2, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Wow! I love that book - have it too and the movie - didn't know there were other companion books and the dishes are marvelous! Will be on the lookout for them!
    Kathy

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  29. MelindaApril 2, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Very pretty.
    So Springy!

    Go Royals!!

    Melinda

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  30. Rose Garden MalevikApril 3, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Hi APRIL is Nice :)
    Lovely Books and China...

    do not miss

    S
    A
    T
    U
    R
    D
    A
    Y

    S
    H
    O
    W

    O
    F
    F

    The Big BlogParty :)
    Welcome to Join it
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  31. LoriApril 3, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    I like the Carverswall, never heard of that china either. But I like the ivory background.

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  32. suziteeApril 3, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Sorry...can't choose a favourite. They are both gorgeous!

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  33. Happy@HomeApril 3, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Happy April to you too!!
    What beautiful china. I love the artwork on all of them, but I think the month plates speak to me to most. Lovely.

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  34. RenéeApril 3, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    I've enjoyed my visit here today! Between bridges, cookies, and china, I've tasted a little bit of everything lovely.

    Happy Spring to you, and I'll be back!

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  35. SueApril 4, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Beautiful, I love them all, and must admit to not being familiar with Edith Holden's work. But will now be looking for it. I think collecting them would be a great idea, go for it. And look forward to you sharing!

    Thank you so much for your prayers and support.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  36. Vintage Linen TreasuresApril 4, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    What beautiful books and gorgeous china! I guess I've been living in a cave, too.
    Patricia :o)

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  37. birdie blueApril 4, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    happy spring, gayle. good news, my friend. you're the winner of my 'bring the spring' give-away. please contact me at birdieblue@rocketmail.com when you have the chance.

    xo
    ~molly

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  38. AnonymousApril 4, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Aw, that's wonderful to find a series of china done by your fav artist. I've not seen her work before - it is wonderful. You definitely must have some of her china pieces :)

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  39. Yesteryear EmbroideriesApril 4, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Oh, they are like children.....each one is beautiful............like them all! Blessings,Kathleen

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  40. no spring chickenApril 4, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Ooh, I love my Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. I have owned a copy for about 6 years now. A sweet friend who shares similar loves brought me my birthday present last year. It was an older edition of the same book! I didn't have the heart to tell her I already had it. I just told her I loved it (which I do) so there were no lies told! Thanks for sharing, I had no idea that there were companion books. I'll be watching for those. And, I think the first two plates are my favorites. My mom labels her heirlooms on the back with names on tape of the recipients when she passes away. You can go ahead and put my name on the back of those two plates...that's D, e, b, b, i, e! Blessings!!

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  41. koraleeApril 4, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Wow...they are all so lovely. Her artwork is beautiful. Happy collecting. xoxo

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  42. Susan from The T-CozyApril 4, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Lovely books...and matching china, too!

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  43. On Crooked CreekApril 5, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Gayle,
    Thank you for your sweet comment and visit today!The tea cup and saucer you commented about belonged to my dearly beloved Mother-in-law. She loved her tea! We had many a "tea party" in her last 7 years! Looking at her ( and my MoMa's) tea cups gives me such comfort and Joy! Stop by again soon, dear!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  44. Tammy's in LoveFebruary 16, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    Just dropped back and looked at some very pretty pictures and dishes! FUN...dreaming of daisies with you....

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THANK YOU for your thoughtful comments. Replies to your questions will be posted here, so be sure to check back soon. Have a wonderful day! - Gayle, Garden Of Daisies