Saturday, July 12, 2014

Mad Tea Party 2014!

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Hello!!

Happy "Mad Tea Party! ~ (I got the correct date this year!)

Linking with Vanessa's ( www.afancifultwist.typepad.com

Seventh-Annual Alice-Inspired Extravaganza!

(Thank you, Vanessa!)

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I had such fun arranging things just so... 

(Who says one must grow up?)

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Here are Red Queen 1 and Red Queen 2 ~

They'll be your hostesses today...

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Presiding over their table...won't you join them?

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Earl Grey or Constant Comment?

I inherited these three pretty tea cups and saucers from my Grandma Launius...

She collected them for years...

 (Grandpa made her a very cool display shelf, which we still have).

In later years when she could no longer stay alone and went to live with her

sister (Aunt Bertha), she wanted to return to the givers many

of the cup and saucer sets she had received as gifts over the years...

 a little remembrance.

But first, she had me choose my favorites.

(Those folks just didn't get their gifts returned!)

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What would she think of my tea party and her cups with "Drink Me" tags?

I think she would be delighted!

We had tea often, the two of us (sometimes we invited Grandpa)...

choosing two (or three, sometimes) of her beautiful cups from the shelf.

Grandma would approve.

But, I digress! This is a Mad Tea Party!



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I decorated the sugar cubes with tiny bits of icing...fun!

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I got my little red paperback "Alice" in my Christmas stocking one year...

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Isn't this just the cutest little teapot finial?

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Gorgeous sunny yellow day lilies (a gift from my dear friend Elaine)

hold court over the tea table...

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A Lilliputian cake!

I added a little more icing decor, and of course the roses...

(I was actually going to use sprigs of Vinca and Hydrangea, but I looked them up

and they were a no-no...toxic). You can eat roses, if you want!

(But we didn't.)

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Queenie-Approved.

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"I'm late, I'm late!..."

This bunny was carved years ago by my friend Jerry Smith...

I know I probably shouldn't have tampered with Jerry's artistic expression,

but I'll have to admit that this fellow's jacket has been many different colors

over the years as my decor has changed!

I thought he would like to join the party, and he fits right in...

he's a little Mad, too...;)

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Looking toward the herb garden and the setting sun.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter, softened at room temperature
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened at room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy (do not over-beat);
Gradually add sugar, beating well.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until combined. Crack eggs into a bowl first before adding to the mixture, to make sure you avoid getting shells in the cake mix.

Sift 3 cups of flour. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

Pour mixture into a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan.

Smooth the top of the cake or bottom of the cake (depending on how you look at it) with a spatula to even it out.

Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire rack. 
(The cake will have a crusty layer on the bottom that you can trim off if you want to.)

That's it! Enjoy!




Here is my Cheshire-Cat-on-a-Rock Tutorial!
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Basics...
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Chessie is a very TOOTHY fellow...I didn't realize just how much so until

I started putting in all these wicked little teeth!

And....Voila!

I'll give my Cheshire Kitty away next weekend;

Leave a comment and he might be coming your way!

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One more thing..."Mini" Faerie Houses!

They'll be in my Etsy Shop tomorrow.

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52 comments:

  1. Aww it's so much fun and so sweet x

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  2. I love this--so creative! Those chairs are too cute! Did you paint them?

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  3. What a lovely party! And I just love seeing all of your dishes (I'm a dish-a-holic myself!!). We look forward to your visit at The Tearoom!

    Wishing you a lovely Mad Tea Party weekend!

    Betty

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  4. WOW! What a fabulous table; it's absolutely wonderful!
    "Do you think I've gone round the bend?"
    I'm afraid so. You're mad, bonkers, completely off your head.
    But I'll tell you a secret.
    All the best people are."
    ~ Alice in Wonderland ~

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  5. There is definitely much muchness here! Love it all! Especially the cups and the teapots and the flowers and the cake (oh, the cake!), and the dishes and the dainty deliciousness of it all and the setting and the chairs and the, and the . . . oh my! Was that extra seat just for me? ? ? Lovely, lovely job!

    Loved that your golden spotted teapot gave you a sweet little cameo centered perfectly in the center spot!

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  6. Anne,
    I have enjoyed my time at you Mad Tea!!!! Thanks so very much for inviting me♥
    Blessings
    Dena

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  7. Hi Anne,
    I think it looks like Alice in Wonderland. So colorful, happy and whimsy. Thank you for sharing this fun tea party. Your Grandma would be delighted.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  8. Happy UnBirthDay!
    I am sure your Grandma and Jerry both would appreciate how much you love and enjoy using their gifts.

    I will check back for your tutorial.

    http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-fanciful-twists-7th-annual-mad-tea.html

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  9. Your Cheshire Cat is perfect! Anyone would consider themselves fortunate to have such a wonderful magical feline.

    In fact I like him in several versions - steps 6, 7, & 8!

    You have quite the talent.

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  10. Well, I am surprised myself that I found the "comment" form. Google+ gets to me, also.

    I love your work and your photos this year are stunning. Thank you for sharing them with me. I always enjoy your artwork.

    Blessings, Marrianna

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  11. Oh my gosh... that looks like a wonderful time! What beautiful tea cups you inherited. I do think she would love that you are using them. I absolutely LOVE your Cheshire Cat tutorial - you make it look so easy! I am always in awe of your artistic talent.

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  12. Absolutely Enchanting! Your table is whimsical perfection-from the royal gourds to heirloom cups- what a great collection you have and I just LOVE the cheshire cat rock!
    ps where sis you get those chairs?

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  13. Here's a test comment. See:

    https://productforums.google.com/d/topic/blogger/UdJzUCVkCuM/discussion

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  14. Such a gorgeous tea party, I oo'ed and ah'ed over so many things. The tea cups, the cakes, your gorgeous fairy houses. So much goodness!

    Here is the link to my party http://phoenixra.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/fairyland-goes-tea-party-crazy.html

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  15. Your tea party is lovely! The colors drew me straight in.

    I loved the stories about your Grandma. What lovely memories you have. It's nice that you have the teacups to jog them. They are beautiful.

    The cake looks scrumptious. So pretty with the roses on top. I enjoyed all your touches.

    I didn't pull my party together this year, but I did post a thank you on my blog. Come visit if you like.

    http://reclaimingmybohomojo.blogspot.com/2014/07/tea-party-rain-check.html

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  16. Hi Anne! I follow you on Instagram. This blog post was delightful to see! I love all things Alice and this was just so fun to look at. You are so talented and creative. I'll be sure to check out your blog more often!

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  17. Anne,
    I always love to see your wonderful creations! Your Cheshire Cat is great! I also like how you iced your sugar cubes. I'll have BOTH Earl Grey and Constant Comments - luv them both. :-)
    ~Carmen~

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  18. What a delightful tea party! Such attention to detail and the colors! So vibrant! Those little sugar cubes are adorable.

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  19. The Queen gourd is amazing! The photos are vibrant! The recipe looks scrumptious! The tea set is delightful! ~Tricia (p.s. here is my tea party: http://castlesncrownsboutique.blogspot.com/2014/07/mad-tea-party-2014-and-giveaway.html )

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  20. Love everything! Gorgeous set-up and photography! Love the scalloped cup and the cream and gold dot teapot looks just like the one my Mother had!

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  21. Anne, what a beautiful tea party! I love your tablecloth and the red queens. I wish I could try out that recipe, it looks like it would be delicious, but I've learned the hard way that I must stick with recipes that are adapted to high altitudes. The Cheshire Cat painted on a rock is too cute, thanks for the tutorial, and thank you for visiting my tea party.

    Blessings,

    Victoria from Brushstrokes

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  22. I forgot to say, those chairs! I am in love with those chairs!

    More blessings,

    Victoria

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  23. Hello Anne, this is just lovely! How I wish to see it all in person! Your gardens along with ummm...everything you show here is just beautiful and enchanting!!!. You are a busy bee!
    Question....do you get firefly's in your gardens? I was watching a show that mentioned them and so that's why I ask. Have a fabulous summer and I'll catch you as you post!!! Cheers! ;)

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  24. Anne, everything looks incredible! I'll be back for the recipe and tutorial!! Yay!! Very enchanting and magical!!

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  25. My! My! My! This aaaaabsolutely delightful! Magical! Mad! LOVE it to pieces... -xoxoxo

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  26. the tablecloth . . . those chairs . . . the dishes . . . the goodies . . . the flowers . . . ALL WONDERFUL!

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  27. Oh my goodness! What wonderful tables. I love the painted chairs and the gourd queens. I want to try the decorated sugar lumps! Thank you for inviting me!

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  28. The pictures are mind boggling. Just gorgeous. This is one of the prettiest tea parties, and it was an absolute joy to tour. Thank you for the invite!

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  29. Those queens, are they gourds? Amazing! And I love the painted chairs. I wish I was as steady with a brush in my hand. Happy Mad TEa!

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  30. Beautiful and pretty tea! Love the table setting, the teacups are so pretty!
    Thank you for coming to my tea! Celeste, Plumfield HOuse Gardens
    http://plumfieldhousegardens.blogspot.com/

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  31. Your Cheshire-Cat-on-a-Rock tutorial is marvelous!

    Happy Unbirthday to you! ;-)

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  32. Love that Cheshire Cat rock! Such FUN!

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  33. Beautiful pictures:) I love your little fairy houses.

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  34. You have the most beautiful tea cups I've ever seen! What treasures! And I didn't have a cat....guess I won't have an excuse for next year! LOVE everything! Looked at your blog and see lots of neat things you make! Have a magical day! Hugs, Diane

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  35. I haven't been to each party yet,but I can say..Your's is My fave so far.Just GORGEOUS ! Please include Me in Your sweet giveaway.I know I've seen Your chairs before and each time I fall head over heals for them. Thank You for the eye candy-Denise

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  36. Such a delight! What a toothy smile you have my dear.... :) I love everything about your party!

    Smooches BrocanteuseRose

    http://www.brocanteuserose.com/2014/07/mad-hatter-tea-party-wonderland-style.html#more

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  37. There isn't a single thing about your tea party that I don't adore!!
    I must copy that recipe down and give it a try; it sounds moist and delicious!
    How adorable is your Cheshire cat??!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial too!!! I should give this a try.
    I've always been so impressed with your artistic talents. You are an inspiration!!
    BTW... did you also paint the chairs?? Did I miss that part?? I think they are also adorable.

    Hope you are having a very happy Monday, sweet friend.

    Kerin

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  38. Dear Anne with an "e"; you could easily live in Green Gables, you are so in love with life! I'm SO glad you joined in Vanessa's tea party so that I could meet you...and as I look through your blog, I feel a very happy tug at my heart because I share many interests with you...dare I say we could be kindred spirits?! I hope you might think so! I LOVE the photos that line the left side, all of "little you" with your family...I am determined to digitize my older photos like that.

    You are a cat-person. Yep, me, too.

    You explore cemeteries to admire the gravestones. Ok, me too :)

    Thanks for visiting my Tea post..I'm the one who told a new chapter for Alice when the Hatter lost all his teacups! Glad you enjoyed it. Now YOUR tea party is phenomenal, filled with color and characters...the Queens, the Big Black Rabbit, the Rabbit in his Waistcoat and the Tea Pot (in this story the Tea Pot is certainly a character!). Your tea cups are so lovely...mine were also my heritage from my mother's grandmother.

    Oh, I would like the Constant Comment tea, please. Thank you for setting such a lovely table.

    Wishing you magical days and firefly nights.

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  39. Yay! Bravo! Well done! This has been my very favorite party this year! I just adore your teacups your Grandmother seems like she was such a wonderful person to have tea with. I am so glad that you cherished the moments rightly, as we often forget to, but those tea cups are just even more gorgeous to me with the background story! Thank you for sharing that Tutorial I LOVE the cheshire cat! and your fairy houses- Oh be still my heart! Ok that's it I am following you now as well. I'll try very hard not to be a weird stalkerish type of follower too! :-) Thank you for stopping by my party earlier by the way I am very glad that you enjoyed your stay! <3
    xoxo
    Gigi

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  40. Wow! A little fur in the paint is better than bats in the belfry! I love your Queen of Hearts. All your tea cups are pretty fancy, too. Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful party! :-)

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  41. Beautiful table! How sweet of your Grandma to let you chose your favorite teacups first. I love your Red Queen and Cheshire Cat, now that's a pet rock, do you remember them? It was so kind of you to include a tutorial and a recipe. Thanks for a great party

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  42. The Visuals of your Teacups arranged Just So took my breath away... and those Floral Sugar Cubes... now I WANT some for our next Tea Party! *LOL* I've had a Grand time falling down your Rabbit Hole for Tea... and I took Notes on how to arrange my setting Just So for our next Tea Party... the Princess will think Gramma a Styling Genius... but don't tell that I swiped the idea from you! *Shhhhhhh! LOL* Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  43. I dropped back by to catch your Cheshire Cat tutorial. How fun and I wish I was as talented with a paintbrush as you are. You make it look incredibly easy and beautiful, of course. :)

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  44. I dropped back by to catch your Cheshire Cat tutorial. How fun and I wish I was as talented with a paintbrush as you are. You make it look incredibly easy and beautiful, of course. :)

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  45. Wow, so fancy! Beautiful table setting.

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  46. Oh my, look at those chairs! My Britto teapot would look perfect here. LOVE every detail. and I MUST share the Cheshire-Cat-on-a-Rock tutorial with my daughter.
    Thank you for stopping by the imaginatory. Looking forward to visiting again soon.

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  47. What an enchanted MAD tea party! How lovely! I'm off off off to your Etsy shop!!

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  48. Double WoW...I can not stop looking at everything...totally enchanted and amazing blog post. :)

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  49. What an amazing post! Wow, you put so much into this party! Everything is so beautiful and so much fun! Thanks for the recipe ;o) Thanks for the tutorial ;o) Please put my name in for the giveaway ;o)
    Big Hugs ;o)

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  50. I looked for my invitation but couldn't find it! I borrowed new socks and a hat, too.

    Love your site. Will return often!

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  51. Hi Anne, pleased to meet you, great teaset, love it, very inspiring...

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!