Happy To Design

It's A Blue Mosaic Monday...
With an Update!

Hello my friends! It's time for Blue Monday with a blue mosaic! Blue Monday is hosted by our very own Sally over at Smiling Sally. Thank you, Sally for hosting Blue Monday! Please drop by Sally's and see the beautiful blue that she has for us today and while you're there...please visit the other Blue Monday participants!

For today's Blue Monday post...I created a mosaic so that I could join in the mosaic party hosted by Mary over at Little Red House. Mary, thank you so much for hosting Mosaic Monday...I've had so much fun making photos mosaics!!! You won't want to miss Mary's fabulous mosaics that she has created for us today...please pay her a visit and check out all of the other mosaics created by participating bloggers!

............Ahhhh....The Blues of Provence!!!

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Ohhhh....those beautiful frenchy blues!!!

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All of the photos in the mosiac that I created were taken in Provence, France (photos courtesy of the internet). Provence is a region of southeastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. I have had the privilege of traveling through this beautiful region...ohhhh so beautiful! When I think of Provence...I think of the famous European/French painters...like Paul Cézanne who was born in Aix-en Provence. Other well known artists...Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, and even Van Gogh spent time painting in Provence! And...what did so many of their famous works from this region...have in common?
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BLUE!!!...the soft baby blues of the sky...the aqua blues of the water...the vibrant blues of the provencal linens ...and the earthy blues of the grapes! * *
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Sooo many fabulous frenchy shades of blue!!!
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Isn't it funny...when I think of France...I think of blue....

and I think of the fleur de lis!!!*

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My New Frenchy Blue China 

Lamberton Fine China
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Ohhhh...I am so excited to share with you today...my new fabulous frenchy find! This beautiful blue china was manufactured by Lamberton China USA and the pattern is called "Puritan".

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Photo of the manufacturers mark...
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History of Lamberton Fine China

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*I was really curious...I had never heard of this china manufacturer before so after doing a little research...this is what I found. Lamberton Works was founded in Trenton, New Jersey along the Delaware River in 1869. Later purchased by Maddock Pottery Company, and then by Scammel China Company in 1901. Scammel continued to use the Lamberton name on some of the pieces. Lamberton china is considered fine-grade semi-porcelain and avidly collected.

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I was doing a little "window shopping" on ebay a couple of weeks ago and ran into this beautiful china. It was love at first sight!!! I love, love, LOVE the pretty fleur de lis and laurel garland....Ohhhh, and the beautiful shade of blue!!! To me...it just doesn't get more "frenchy" than this...blue and the fleur de lis!!! A fruit basket surrounded by laurel garland can be seen in the center of the plates. There is just a hint of yellow on the fruit and tips of the laurel.
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A close-up...
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I found six bread and butter plates for a total of $9.00.

and

six dinner plates for $8.00 ea.
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I thought this was an extremely great deal...considering the bread and butter plates sell for $9.99 ea. at China Replacements Ltd. The dinner plates sell for $29.99 ea. Now I'm looking for other pieces to complete this pattern! In the meantime, I can use them with my white ironstone.
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A couple of great books...especially if you like French Country decor.
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"Country French Living" by Charles Faudree.
&
"Creating the French Look" by Annie Sloan.*
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...Now for the Update...
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A couple of weeks after I found the Lamberton "Puritan" china with the beautiful blue "fleur de lis" on them...I found another set of Lamberton China on ebay...and just had to have them!!! Ohhhh...they are soooo beautiful!!!
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*Up for auction was a set of six dinner plates...I only paid $15.00! I just couldn't believe my good fortune...just look at these beauties!!!

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I just love the beautiful "french" blue banding...and ohhhh...look at the gorgeous gold gilding! I adore the frenchy scrolled pattern!!!

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Close-up of the beautiful gilded scrolls!

The ebay listing mentioned that this was a very "rare" pattern. I'm wondering...I have searched and searched the internet (including China Replacements Ltd.) to no avail. I cannot find this pattern anywhere. If anyone knows anything about it...I sure would appreciate you letting me know!

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This is the manufacturers mark on the back of the china...it is definitely Lamberton China but it doesn't have a pattern name???

Now...for the sweet reveal!!!

*The photo above pictures the new Lamberton china dinner plate with a bread and butter plate from the Lamberton "Puritan" pattern.

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I just couldn't believe that they both had the exact same color of french blue banding...and if you look...you'll see that the Puritan "fleur de lis" pattern has the gold gilded bands around its edges!

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These two patterns just look like they belong together...don't they?

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I was so excited when I found this second set of dinner plates on ebay!!! Now I can mix and match them for a tablescape!!!
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Ahhhh...those frenchy provencal blues!!!

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I just love it!!! I can't wait to set a french table with my new china!!!
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The two Lamberton China dinner plates...side by side!
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Well my friends...thank you so much for coming by and taking a peek at my newest "treasure find"...I was so excited to share them with you!!! Don't forget to go by Sally's place for Blue Monday and Mary's for Mosaic Monday!!!
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Love ya'll,
Chari