What's On Your Wall Wednesday!

After a two week hiatus...I am very happy to be able to host

What's On Your Wall Wednesday

once again.

I have included two sizes of logos for you to use. Choose whichever size you wish. Please link back to Grits and Glamour so everyone can see all the WOYWW participants.

Also, please post your link after you have published your blog posting. It's called a "permalink."

To get your permalink, you simply right click on the subject line of your WOYWW posting, then come back here and copy and paste that saved link into Mr. Linky.

This week, I am going to share with you some of my favorite plates. I have been an avid plate collector for years. It was a passion I did not even know existed until just before I married Bill. His father passed away soon after we married and his parent's estate was split. Bill's father was a Rear Admiral and the Chief of Chaplain's for the Navy. His parent's traveled extensively, and one of their tours was 3 years in England. His dear Mother, Jean, whom I sadly never had the pleasure of meeting - was also an avid dish lover. I could tell this from not only what was hanging in her home, but what was stored in their basement. Luckily, the other members of Bill's family were not able to see the treasures I discovered, covered in a layer of dust. I found several pieces of pink and white Staffordshire, and several pieces of blue and white transferware. My love story began. I say "love story" because it sounds so much healthier than "obsession." :-D

I have shared with you several collections already. I won't bore you again with my pink and white collection, probably my favorite. And I have already done a post about my blue and white collection. Let's not forget my collection of green Bordallo majolica pieces.

So this week...its gonna be some random pics of some of the other plates in my home which hold a special meaning to me.

Let's start in the Family Room. I call this area my English Art Gallery Wall. It features some of my fave prints and artwork. It also features 3 of my fave plates.

They are handpainted kitty plates. I found four of them, and have yet to be able to find anything else like them - or more of them for that matter.

Sadly - one is broken, and waiting to get repaired.

Here is a close-up of the plates. They are hand painted and quite heavy. I love that they are dressed in Tudor style clothes, one of my favorite periods of of British history.

And now a formal introduction...

Meet Sir Thomas of Frisky, Lord of Whiskers

I would like to introduce you to Lady Anne Bo-Kitty, daughter of the Duke of Litter

Finally....meet Henry the 9th, Prince of Hairball

Next, I have two plates which are, also, treasured. This is the bar area of my Family Room.

(this is the hardest area of this room to photograph. The walls are not painted grey! ugh!)

I would love to know if there were others in this series of plates. I managed to find one on ebay/Netherlands but it was one I already had.

The two top plates feature Napoleon Bonaparte. The two bottom plates are black and white transferware.

Here is a close-up of one side...

Close-up of one Napoleon Plate...

...and the other plate. I love the "N's" and the details.

Now, let's head into my kitchen. I found these rooster plates a few years ago at Ross. I loved the fact that the hens and roosters are sitting on chairs, and also the harlequin pattern around the edge. I have "de-roosterfied" my kitchen somewhat, but I just couldn't part with these pretties.

There are a set of four...I will show you where the fourth is.

The fourth plate is used as part of a wreath which hangs above my copper farmhouse sink.

During the holidays, I have three, fresh balsam wreaths with these plates in the centers, hanging in my three-window breakfast area. A plate hanger and floral wire is all that's needed to attach them to any wreath.

*(note: this is so much prettier than this pic depicts.)

Now, let's head into my formal Dining Room...

The miniature, square plate above is officially my smallest plate. On one of our flea market trips in Tongeren, Belgium - my son and Mr Grits bought this for me while they were off exploring on their own. I love it!

Ooh-la-la...so romantic!

That's the end of my plate tour...but there is one more thing I would like to share. It's not "on my wall"...but it's "in my home" and I love it. It arrived while we were in Colorado, and greeted me when I got home.

I ordered a "B" frame from Kristen at Kristen's Creation . She has a wonderful etsy shop. I know people generally collect the initial of their last name...but Mr Grits and I both have first names which start with "B", and for some reason - that is what I started collecting. I have a "B" hanging over each side of our bed. I tell people its to help us remember whose side of the bed belongs to who. :-D

I love the red croc background and all the luscious ribbon. Isn't the small gold charm in the center of the bow the perfect touch?

Thank you Kristen!! I love it and will treasure it always.

If you want your own "B" frame....okay just kidding - she can make one with your own initial - visit Kristen at her blog and follow her link to her etsy shop.

I hope you enjoy the second edition of What's On Your Wall Wednesday. I look forward to seeing everyone's posts.

May Your "Plates" Always be Full...Barb