How perfect is this? Yesterday was my birthday, and I was feeling a little morose about the whole thing. Yup, I was definitely feeling my age, and looking forward to a little Hershey love. However, a lovely piece of tole can cheer a girl up no end!
This sweet little tray is a present from my dear friend, Robin. For a while now, Robin has been bidding on (and occasionally winning) toleware trays on ebay, painted by a wonderful artist named Won Buikema. Won's ebay seller name is mahan555, and she has a beautiful tray currently listed here. If you are a dog lover, you'll love this one. Won also takes commissions, and is painting Robin's dog, Rosie. I can't wait to see the finished work!
The tray Robin gave me is approximately 14" X 9", and is painted with robins in dogwood branches, with a lovely border of red and gold -- practically made for our Little Red House. How perfect does it look up here above the range? I just love it -- thank you so much, Robin!
Here is another tole tray I got for my birthday, this one from my family. It is a little bigger -- about 18" X 15". I love the scallopped edges on it, and the elaborate painted border. What a beautiful birthday gift! I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful husband and kids. Thanks, guys!
***
Edited to add: I am also blessed to have such wonderful friends in blogland. Thank you SO MUCH for your sweet birthday wishes -- I'm overwhelmed by your kindness. xoxo
Posts
Just beautiful! i can't wait to see how you display them! Hope you had a wonderful birthday:>)
ReplyDeleteThe trays are just beautiful, Enjoy. Hope you had a wonderful birthday, janie
ReplyDeleteOkay, now I am officially jealous. I am not much of an eBay person, honestly I am afraid I will become addicted, but I searched for a tray at Christmas. I found one that I just had to have...the colors were perfect but alas the price got way too high for me($85. when I quit) and it was by this same artist. I just love yours with the robins...oooh I am so jealous. Do I dare go and look?
ReplyDeleteJanet
Okay enquiring minds just need to know. Did Robin get the tray with the deer and the beautiful border. I will feel better knowing a friend of a friend has the tray.
ReplyDeleteJanet, again
Girl you did great! Love the birds.. what a special friend!
ReplyDeleteI think both trays are beautiful and can't decide which is my favoite!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mary.
ReplyDeleteYour trays are just beautiful.
Thank you for your kind comments and I could not agree more with your edit!
Hugs,
Carol xx
Oh my...I'm actually bidding on a toleware tray as we speak...been watching it all week. Yours is just beautiful - and it looks so lovely exactly where you put it. If I win mine, I'll certainly share it on my blog, wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Rose
PS - Did I miss saying Happy Birthday! So sorry....happy birthday sweetie!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThe trays are beautiful! You are well loved and deservedly so!
Annie
Both trays are just fabulous. How nice to get something you just love for your birthday...added to the delicious looking Hershey Kisses! WOW..what a fabulous birthday you had!
ReplyDeletehugs, bj
Mary
ReplyDeleteThe trays looks great and they look like they'll complement your rooms! Hope you are enjoying BD weekend!
:0)
Tara
Gorgeous trays! I love toleware trays and your pictures reminded me that I have an unfinished tray in a box in the garage. I did it YEARS ago in a tole painting class. I think all it needs is a bit of gold outlining added and a gentle swoosh of sealer. It would be perfect in a spot or two of my house. I'll have to check and see what I did with it. Thanks for sharing yours. You are so blessed with good friends and family who give you gifts you love! ~Adrienne~
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! The tole trays are a great collection.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Nan
Oh Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour birthday tole is just beautiful! You're right, tole can all the difference in a day :) Can't wait to see where you put them.
Hugs,
Dena
Hi Mary.
ReplyDeleteBoth of those trays are beautiful. I especially love the one from Robin with the robins on! I'm sure you will find just the right spot for them. Hope you have a great weekend.
Rhondi
The trays are so beautiful! Very thoughtful gifts:)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great day!
Rhonda
Hi, Mary, I missed your Friday birthday, but wanted to wish you Birthday greetings anyway! Hope you enjoyed those Hershey kisses, yes, chocolate can soothe the soul.
ReplyDeleteWe are only a month apart in age, as I turned 51 in Dec.! We are aging beauties, no?! LOL
Those tole trays are delectable! I love them too & am always on the lookout for more of them, reasonably priced of course. Have a wonderful weekend, Birthday girl!
xo,
Rhoda
Such a beautiful birthday present from your friend! I have never bought on ebay ... I wonder if there is anything with a lab on it :-}And the tole tray from your family is gorgeous too with the scallopped edging. What a beautiful collection of tole trays you have Mary!! Your birthday sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOOOOh, I am green with envy. I have scrolled through your site and seen your trays and I love love LOVE them! I have a gold one very similar to yours. My largest collection is green trays, but I have a couple of black, cream, the gold and a red one. They are not as easy to come by out and about and I will not let myself on ebay (too much temptation!). I really enjoyed my visit to your blog - Jennifer
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRHTDAY!!!!!! I adore both of your tole trays... I collect tole trays too.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
Mary,
ReplyDeleteOh, no I've missed your birthday! I hope it was as special as you are, my dear. Your trays are BEAUTIFUL. What good friends you have.
You are one lovely 51 year old! :-) I never would've guessed.
Happy Birthday, sweetie!
xoxo
Melissa
Hi Mary! Your trays are beautiful! They are a perfect fit for you...I too have been lucky to acquire a tray from Mahan but it was a sweaty, clammy, heart racing, bidding war on ebay! Glad you had a Happy Birthday. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my spaces again..I loved seeing all your comments on nearly every page!:) You are a sweetie! Take care! ~ Laurie
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous! I have tole tray envy...I think I need a few more...LOL
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Robin
Hi Mary! What beautiful prizes! Hope your day was as wonderful as mine!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
I just found your blog and when I read how you "set the table just for fun"...I thought to myself...See, I am not the only one! I would rather buy a new teapot or cups, or depression glass dessert plates than shoes! My husband always says that if I changed husbands like I do dishes, he would have been gone long ago! :) And my sister-in-law once said about my dinners, "the food may not always be great...but the table will be magnificant! She knew me well enough to know that that was the biggest compliment she could give me! Oh, and by the way, I LOVE your blog!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful presents! Robin is just lovely isn't she?! I'm happy that you had so much blog love on your birthday sweetie!
ReplyDeleteAmanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
Well, happy birthday! I just found your blog as I was blog-hopping from here to there. It's nice to find more bloggers my own age! Have a great year, and may all your dreamns come true!
ReplyDelete::Jill
A very happy belated birthday to you!! Beautiful trays!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
kari & kijsa
I have the Laura Ashley print in a pillow and in fabric. I always wanted to wallpaper a room in this pattern!! Great taste!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated birthday! I just love the tray with the Robins! I'd like to find one like that myself (for obvious reasons!)
ReplyDelete~Robin