Vintage Blue & White Cake Stand

Perhaps we are all familiar with these white and blue china and pottery that we have seen them in a beautiful interior magazine or in a museum. 

White and Blue ceramic was first produced in the Middle East during 9th century. Then China fully adapted the white and blue ceramic for many centuries during their Dinasties reign. More stories (here). Then during the 17th century European ceramic porcelain factory started to adapted this color and pattern called Chinoiserie. Meissen in Germany, Delft in Holland and England starting to copy this chinoiserie pattern and color.

Blue and white china and pottery are often and still produce and being displayed in a modern home interior and decor today. It is a classic ancient object, copy repeatedly that truly makes a today's interior beautiful and elegant.

Inspired by the collection from pinning boards I collected in Pinterest called 'Blue & White Love' (here),  I was intrigued to create a vintage white and blue cake stand.  I have drilled many vintage plates  to create one of a kind cake stand for sale in my Etsy store before. But never I imagined that these blue and white porcelain china was very hard to drill. I was determined to kept on drilling and extra careful so they will not break. I can only imagine the beauty of it when they stacked together as a cake stand kept me going on drilling. Literally when finished the palm of my right hand between the thumb and index finger were sore and red from holding the drilling machine too long.

Never the less I am so happy that I did not break any of them despite it seems forever just to drill a small hole to the other side of the plate.

Take a look at this cake stand. Don't you think it is beautiful ?

Source : Top left; Curiositaellya, top right; pinterest, bottom left; inspiracionline, bottom right; eucalypthomewares

Available at my Etsy store {here}

More of White and Blue ceramic, porcelain and pottery.

Source; la-belle-vie

Source; pinterest

Source; theswenglishhome

Source; pinterest

Source; dust jacket

Do you collect these lovely blue and white table ware china or pottery for display in your home? I do !

Thank you for stopping by !

Crustless Broccoli Quiche

I went to visit my mother in-law often just to kill the time when our home did not have power for 11 days  during Hurricane Sandy. Sometime I went there to have a shower; other occasion to do laundry and often we ended up having a cup of tea and lunch in her kitchen. One day she offered me a Broccoli Quiche with salad for lunch. I was never a big fan of Broccoli Quiche; but this time I love the Broccoli Quiche she gave me. Since then I always wanted to make Broccoli Quiche. So last night I made one and today I am having a Crustless Broccoli Quiche with Arugula Balsamic Vinaegrette salad for lunch.  I must say it is a perfect meal for lunch. It is so easy to make and so delicious.

::Recipe::

Crustless Broccoli Quiche

~ 1 tablespoon canola or extra virgin olive oil

~  3/4 cup chopped onion

~ 3-1/2 cups broccoli florets (no larger than 1 inch)

~ 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (here I am using yellow bell pepper)

~ 4 large eggs

~ 2 large egg whites

~ 1 cup low fat milk

~ 1/3 cup all purpose flour

~ 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

~ 1/2 tsp garlic powder

~ 1/2 tsp dried leaf oregano

~ 1/2 tsp salt

~ 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese or a cheddar blend

~ paprika (optional)

Heat oven to 350 deg. Spray a 9 inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or baking spray

In a saute pan over medium-low heat, saute the onion in the oil until tender. Add the broccoli florets and bell pepper and saute, stirring for a bout 3 minutes, until broccoli is bright green and just begins to become tender.

Using a blender or a whisk, blend the eggs, egg whites, milk, flower, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and salt until smooth.

Arrange the broccoli and onion mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with the shredded cheese. Pour the egg mixture over all. Sprinkle lightly with paprika (optional)

Bake to 30 to 40 minutes, until set. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes on a rack. 

~~~~

Good Luck !

My favorite DIY craft found on Pinterest.

I found and pinned this site tonight.

Her {handmade gifts tutorial} are amazing and pretty. These are something I would like to try it out and to give to friends and family as present.

Below are a few of the 25 Handmade Gifts Under USD 5 I would like to make in the future.

Source: the36thavenue.com

Source: the36thavenue.com

Source: the36thavenue.com

 

Source: the36thavenue.com

 

Source: the36thavenue.com

For more please click {here}

Thank you for stopping by !

Petite Meringues with White Chocolate Pudding

I am sorry if you see that all pictures here are smaller. I do not know why when uploading picture the format has changed slightly. There is no font button, and images has became smaller. I hope this is temporarily and blogger should bring the old format back.

{2 hours later. I apologize, I did not know why the format changed but when  clicked 'custom' it went back to normal again. My bad ! I am fixing it right now!}

These little snowy white delicate tower meringues treats are pretty to display on the Christmas desert buffet. Although it taste a little sweet {it is meringue, you know} but eating it with White Chocolate Pudding is quite tasty. 

 

::Recipe::

PETITE MERINGUES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE PUDDING

~ 4 egg whites

 ~ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

 ~ 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup extra-fine granulated sugar White Chocolate Pudding *Pomegranate seeds* (optional) Small fresh mint leaves (optional) 

1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter and a pencil, trace 12 evenly spaced circles on each sheet of parchment. Turn parchment over; set a side. 

2. Preheat oven to 225 deg.F. For meringue; Add vanilla and cream of tartar to egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl over). Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). 

3. Spoon a rounded 1 tablespoon of meringue onto each parchment circle on the baking sheets. Using a thin metal spatula, spread as evenly as possible to the edge of each circle. Place baking sheets on separate oven racks; bake for 40 minutes. Turn off oven and allow meringues to dry in the oven overnight. 

4. To assemble each serving, spoon 1 teaspoon of the White Chocolate Pudding onto a serving plate (this will hold meringue in place). Top with a meringue, then about 1 tablespoon of the pudding, and finally a third meringue. If desired, garnish with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Serve immediately. 

Makes 8 servings. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE PUDDING. In a medium bowl, beat 2 egg yolks with a fork, set aside. In a heavy medium saucepan, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 4 teaspoon cornstarch. Stir in 1-1/2 cups milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove saucepan from heat. Gradually stir 1 cup of the milk mixture to milk mixture in saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in 4 ounces white baking chocolate (that contains cocoa butter), chopped; 1 tablespoon butter; and 1 teaspoon orange food flavoring or vanilla, stirring until melted. Pour pudding into a bowl. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours. Stir before assembling petite meringues. 

 Note. To easily remove pomegranate seeds, quarter a pomegranate and immerse the pieces in cold water. With the fruit under water, use your fingers to remove the seeds. Drain, reserving seeds, discard fruit. Prepare the White Chocolate Pudding and the meringues as directed through step 3. Chill pudding for up to 24 hours. Store meringues in the unheated oven. Just before serving, assemble as directed in step 4. 

{Aghhhh....this is so much better posting now !}

Good luck Everyone ?

 HAPPY HOLIDAY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL......

The Power of Positive Thinking

Have you ever encountered a situation where thing is going down the hill and you feel bad and sad then you start saying to yourself; it will be working out just fine ? 

Well I have the same situation just a few days a go. Although this is not a huge problem but I believe in positive thinking and the power that comes within.

As we all know that I love making vintage cake stand and I am selling them through my Etsy store called MelatiRose. 

Last time I was in Florida for a month and there were lots of purchasing through my store in Etsy during that month coming to Christmas time. One in particular is from Paris who asked about the cost of shipping of one of the cake stand that she interested in purchasing. I literally took a few plates and brought them over to the post office near our home in Florida so that I can provide her with the shipping cost estimation. The actual cake stand was in New York. Long story short we went back and forth and she agreed to put the cake stand on hold. So I did just that. But when I arrived in New York ready to ship it she backed out and decided not to purchase the cake stand because at this point she afraid it will not be arriving on time for Christmas Eve. So that is fine with me. Little disappointed but that's okay !

Then about 5 days a go someone asked if she paid the cake stand {different one} now could she  gets it on time by Dec. 24th. I immediately check usps.com  on the internet and found out that it takes 1 week to get to her zip code and the next day was Saturday.  I told her if she paid now I will ship it tomorrow {which was Saturday} she will get it by Dec. 22. I did not hear from her. At this point I packaged the cake stand ready to go for shipment on Saturday morning. A day past by, 2 days past by. I did not hear from her. So I figured by this time there is no way she could get the cake stand on time unless she is willing to pay for an express overnight package which can cost a lot just for shipping. So another cake stand that did not sale !

3 days a go I opened my Etsy account found that similar plate bought and paid by another person along with 2 of my vintage earrings. Yes, that same cake stand. But saw a note  below the invoice saying that she is collecting vintage cobalt blue and gold accent china and asked if I can change the top smallest plate with the same color; cobalt blue with gold accent. And she added by saying that the cake stand is so pretty !

Now, this is the power of positive thinking comes in. When the first person did not reply I knew somebody else will eventually buy this cake stand. And I was thinking to change the listing by changing the smallest plate to the same cobalt blue with gold accent like the middle plate and the bottom plate so they will be all similar in cobalt blue with gold accent theme. I happened to buy vintage plates everywhere I go if I see something that I liked and something that I can add to my current for sale cake stands to make them prettier. Recently in Florida I bought cobalt blue with gold accent small plate ready to replace the current one. See things comes in full circle as I was about to change it this person could read my mind and asked for a similar one which I happened to have. Because sometimes this request can not be fulfilled simply because I do not have the item.

Immediately I said to her; of course I would be happy too because I was about to change it anyway without additional charge. Not only that she purchased the cake stand she also bought 2 pair of vintage earrings along with the cake stand. So it is a happy ending story for me.

 

You see, it's not always about the money but I am happy when someone appreciates my creation and my choice in making and choosing these one of a kind cake stands. I put a lot of time searching on the internet for these plates so that they will look good together. I have to be extra careful with price also. Because some of them are really pretty but they cost almost a USD 100.00 per plate. If it is too expensive no one will buy them. So I must find the pretty one that is affordable so that I can make an affordable price for people to purchase as well.

They said, it is a lot easier to make a business if you really love doing what you are doing. And I love pretty vintage plates. Not only that I love mix and match them very much ! I love the process of creating it and see them becoming into one pretty cake stand and finally sold to someone who really loves them. I love it !

So back to the topic of this post, in life, thing like this happened to me so many times. I feel blessed and grateful for what I have right now. Sometimes little thing like this makes life so meaningful and so much more beautiful. 

I believe what ever you do; if you do it with 'passion,'' patient', 'hard work' and 'believe'; success eventually will be coming to you. Life is a journey. Everything in your life comes down to these 5 words.

 

Do you see that I changed the smallest top plate to similar theme; cobalt blue rim with gold accent ? It looks so much more beautiful now ! I think she will like them. Now that the smallest plate has similar cobalt blue and gold theme I kind a love this cake stand myself. Hhhhmmmm...!!

Thank you so much for stopping by !

Nov.-Dec. Picture Journal & Collage

I love the antique brown wood furniture and aged golden picture frame. The settee adds elegance and timeless beauty to the interior.

Thank you for coming and visit me......?

Christmas Dinner Table Setting With Gold Accent

I love those wine goblets with gold leaf DIY so much {last seen here} that I thought it would be a good idea to use them as  Christmas dinner table center piece.

Using what I have at the time, I was able to create this intimate Christmas diner table setting for four.

Do you see the motifs I painted using gold leaf on the rim of the wine goblets ?

Thank you for stopping by !