Saturday, July 11, 2015

Welcome! Mad Tea Party 2015

 photo banner1_zps31ydi39c.jpg
~

Welcome, Mad Tea Partiers! 

 We're all a little mad... (all the best people are, you know!)

~

First, I want to thank our hostess, Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist

for putting on yet another fabulous *Alice* bash...

Such fun!

And a lot of organizing ~ a lot of work...

So, again, thank you, dear Vanessa, for this most excellent way

to bring creative folk together!

~

So.... I have learned never to trust a "7-Day Forecast"!

I waited all week to take my main Tea Party photos... (I did do a little preview

a week or so ago, and am glad I did!) ~

 Yesterday ~ Friday ~ was supposed to be sunny, but alas...rain, rain...

(..."go away ~ come again in....maybe August?" ~ I know that doesn't

rhyme, but we have had enough rain!)

~
 photo 12_zpsrfhkfhr9.jpg
~

Finally, after a gloomy, gray afternoon, the sun came shining though ~

just before it set!

I ended up getting a few outdoor photos after all...


~
 photo 13_zpsf1py1mla.jpg
~

I call this "Tea With the Earl"...don't you just love his expression??

I don't know who he is supposed to be...probably a real person, truly!

These "portrait cups" usually portray real historical figures...

but for me he will remain "Earl Grey"... ;)

(Oh, my SIL just told me that this is Washington...

by George, I believe she is right! 

I had just assumed (we all know where that gets us) because the cup

is Bavarian, that he was some European nobleman... ;) )

~
 photo 3_zpsmqsgr892.jpg
~
 photo 1_zpshsmbbpke.jpg
~

This was my "practice-run" a few days ago when it was nice and sunny...

~

I "borrowed a page" from Vanessa's book and stacked teacups under a glass cloche...

doesn't everything look much more interesting under glass?


 photo 10_zpstc0syxdp.jpg
~

Would you like a spot of *Un-Tea* with your marshmallows??

~
 photo 2_zps2fhpxnal.jpg
~
 photo 11_zpsgvss8ys7.jpg
~
 photo 9_zpscusfp4hs.jpg
~

Some little nieces were amazed that roses are edible...

~
 photo 4_zpsxmv52blb.jpg
~

Yes.

Again, inspired by A Fanciful Twist, I glittered a flower...

It was just too much fun ~ "gilding the lily", I know...

"Glittering the Althea", to be exact...

Because...why not?

Glitter makes everything more fun!

~
 photo 14_zpsefomwsrn.jpg
~

Here we are, now, chased back inside by the storm clouds!

Still fun!

~
 photo 15_zpsb5op7p90.jpg
~
 photo 16_zpsc48syabg.jpg
~

My latest obsession has been painting turned wooden ornaments...

The "Wonderland" characters are a delight to paint!


~
 photo 17_zpsuzpq3m6e.jpg
~

More "cupcakes under glass"...

~
 photo 18_zpslg0yvs1k.jpg
~

Lemonade? *Sparkling* or regular?

Make mine pink!

~
 photo 19_zpsaiykxl7c.jpg
~
 photo 20_zpsqbdtktl1.jpg
~
 photo 21_zpsjxmzuz2q.jpg
~
 photo 22_zpscbkhjpyz.jpg
~

Indoor parties do have their advantages...

I think my chandelier will "wear" her teacups for a little while!

~
 photo 23_zpsmk4tdl67.jpg
~
 photo 24_zpsznfv0veg.jpg
~
 photo 25_zpsfmrbiolw.jpg
~
 photo 26_zps7sglz92p.jpg
~
 photo 27_zpswxqi0z1q.jpg
~

A Gourdly Queen...

~
 photo 28_zpsk3upr05g.jpg
~

I love this little orphaned cup!

She doesn't have a saucer, but the other cups and saucers are happy to share...

I think she looks like Alice herself!

~
 photo 29_zpsalewwett.jpg
~

Icing overload!!

(Can there be such a thing?...Can there??)

Yes...yes, there can. 

(Delicious, though!)

~
 photo 30_zpstvmmhpww.jpg
~

More of the beautiful shortbread cookies from Stonehouse Oven,

a gift from my Tennessee friend!

~
 photo 31_zpszjprj4kj.jpg
~

The Hatter's personal favorite from Tall Toad...

(With a little added whimsy from moi!)

Isn't the pink toile on the table lovely?

A gift in part from the kind owner of  www.uniquefabricpalette.com ;

 it's called "Tea Cakes"...I couldn't resist!

The Dobbs hat box was my grandmother's.

~
 photo 32_zps845zinoi.jpg
~
 photo 33_zpsdd9id5ct.jpg
~
 photo 37_zpsrill95yc.jpg
~

Sometimes Alice wears different outfits and goes on unconventional adventures!

(This whimsical Alice is a custom commission.)

~
 photo 39_zps9idf38yn.jpg
~
 photo 38_zpshm2omf4h.jpg
~
 photo 40_zpshlmqpvpl.jpg
~

Alice is EVERYWHERE!

Even on fanciful garden stones!

(Custom commissions.)

~
 photo 34_zpsyj11n6tb.jpg
~

A fun time was had by all, even if it was just a couple of us!

(And kittehs...)

~
 photo 35_zpsvfxvnzym.jpg
~

I did have a few little folks...little a long time ago,

but that's okay...

They were here in spirit ~ at whatever age they chose!

~

I decided they needed party hats...

~
 photo 36_zpsdyevapp4.jpg
~


My Grandpa, especially, looked like he needed a party!

That's him, of course, in the oval frame.

That's my husband's mom behind, and my mom on the right...

pretty little girls!

~

We had planned to do the Mad Tea with some other little girls,

"modern-day" ones, but the weather just didn't cooperate...

Next year!!

Thank you so much for stopping by...

have fun along the Mad Hatter's Tea blog hop!

(See the list of revellers at A Fanciful Twist, if you're not familiar with it...

you'll be glad you did!)


"Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.

Alice: I don't much care where.

The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.

Alice: ...So long as I get somewhere.

The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland


Oh, and one more thing...

~
 photo 41_zpscygvxrdb.jpg
~

A few weeks ago, when working on the sash for the Hatter's

hat, I made sure to do some "unraveling/fringing" of an edge

outdoors, as it was just gossamer threads and those could be so 

dangerous if kitties (or any pets!) ingested them...

I thought I picked up most, but the birds found a few!!

Adorable, no?

(The eggs have hatched, but the hot pink lining is still there!)

Love,

Photobucket

53 comments:

  1. oh what fun! I loved visiting your party and hope to come back and visit again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh how lovely and I love that hat! And all the little hats on your visitors, giggle. And the decadent desserts. You can never have too much icing.The residents at The One Sixth Scale dollhouse blog agrees with you on that with the desserts. This is eye candy that dreams are made of!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh how lovely and I love that hat! And all the little hats on your visitors, giggle. And the decadent desserts. You can never have too much icing.The residents at The One Sixth Scale dollhouse blog agrees with you on that with the desserts. This is eye candy that dreams are made of!

    ReplyDelete
  4. such beautiful pictures, so much fun my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW!!! Such a beautiful Tea!!! Did you paint the chandelier faces? You must be from Michigan too with all the rain? (That is one reason I did my tea inside this year) I had a wonderful time , hope you will visit me, ,http://plumfieldhousegardens.blogspot.com/2015/07/mad-tea-tailor.html#gpluscomments

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anne, I am so enchanted! I love our party! I will have a piping hot cup of Earl Grey in the Earl Grey Teacup, of course! I've looked at this post three times, and I plan on visiting again later today. LOVE your post! Marshmallows? Yes, please!

    Happy Mad Tea Party!
    xo,
    Ricki Jill

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an enchanting tea party! Everything from your exquisite collection of tea cups to the Frog Footman ornament (which I really need to have! LOL) is spot on perfect. Your photos are delightful and your text is warm and welcoming and fanciful.
    Thank you for allowing me to take a spot!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for putting so much into your Tea. It is a feast for the imagination. And that CAKE---WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is so wonderful! Lovely party!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is absolutely lovely, every detail is glorious and you have such delightful and precious collections.
    So, much time and effort has been put into your Tea Party and I have enjoyed my visit!!
    Beautiful!
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a spectacular post! I'm a teacup fanatic (more like a hoarder), and I just love "Earl Grey"! Your photos are beautiful, as are the ornaments. I just love your work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful! Loved the vignettes and all your lovely work. Earl Grey is my very favorite. Your cake stand is stunning! Have a great rest of the party!

    ReplyDelete
  13. this is just fabulous! So many magical details! Looks like the weather didn't put a damper on the party at all
    I must pop back and visit again-
    Your ornaments are beautiful! Do you sell them?
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a delightful tea party. Love your wonderful hand painted ornaments and the tea cups dangling from the chandelier! No need for sunny weather to throw a fancy tea party at your house. Thanks for a lovely time. Cheers, Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, be still my heart. This is truly an enchanting and magical mad tea party. I love it all. You truly did an amazing job. So many whimsical details.

    Love those fun ornaments.

    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my, what gorgeous photos, Anne!

    Just lovely, and beautiful work on the ornaments. Thanks for sharing - such a fun party!

    ♥ Carolee

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh sooooo beautiful. I enjoyed your fabulous pics and your painted pieces are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh my goodness!! I can't get enough of this party. The eye candy is amazing!! I just keep going back through your gorgeous photos wishing my party was as sumptuous and dazzling. Your artwork is fantabulous, too!
    God Bless,
    Sherry - Sherry's Cabin

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is beautiful, Anne! I'm amazed at your beautiful ornaments and your treats look delicious! My outside party was rained out here in NW Arkansas, as well---but I set it up inside and it was lovely. I love the portraits of your family. Very nice! Hope you'll have a chance to stop by and visit me, as well.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  20. Every glorious detail has me enchanted! I'm already bookmarked this post. I will be returning time and time again to take in all the goodness here. Your ornaments have stolen my heart. Did you paint these? The special cookies, the toile textile, all your lovely china and Courtly Check pieces, The God Save the Queen cup, oh, my, I'm afraid I'm beginning to turn green! Thank you, Anne, for all the effort that went into hosting your Mad Tea. I wish I could climb into my computer screen and have a slice of that pretty cake. No, indeed, there is no such thing as too much icing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Such a beautiful party! I love all the gorgeous colors and I'm so happy you got some preview pictures done before nature decided not to cooperate with your plans!

    I hope you will come and visit my party as well (it's more of an adventure, really!)

    Best wishes,
    Betty

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! You did so much! It's all beautiful, sparkly, glittery! I loved the rose cupcakes. Earl Grey has a bit of a "deer in the headlights" kind of look... :-)

    Please come to my party: http://www.moonlyf.com/2015/07/8th-annual-mad-tea-party.html

    ~♥Carmen♥~

    ReplyDelete
  23. This was a spectacularly beautiful tea party! I did find a little fur in my teacup, but that's alright. I love animals! Thanks for the great time!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a lovely party! I so enjoyed myself today during my visit. Wonderful painted ornaments too! Love them! Hope you get a chance to stop by for a spot of tea over at my party. Hugs, Susan
    http://flutterbeforeyou.blogspot.com/2015/07/mad-hatters-tea-party-2015-blog-hop.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. Looks like you've been busy! I love the photos!! I wish you were having a giveaway on your art pieces.
    Linked from A fanciful twist.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You always make me smile with our talent. I love the painted wooden ornaments - the white rabbit, Court frog, and Alice, of course. So awesome. Your cake had me wanting a BIG bite. LOL. Delicious!


    Thank you for including me on the fun and here's the link to my party. You know me, I'm all about the DARK side of things, so it's "Wonderland After Dark - 2015" and how the party gets started after the fairy tale is over. ';)

    http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/861611.html

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a fun time I had at your tea party! Wonderful photos Anne.

    ReplyDelete
  28. So many beautiful colors! Thank you for having me over. Please stop by my party if you can at Strange Girl in a Little House!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh my, what a fabulous time I had! Rain or shine, your party is a true delight! Your table is magical and your hand painted ornaments are gorgeous! Love the glitter and I agree that everything looks better under glass. I enjoyed each and every photo!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  30. what an enchanting party thank you so much...it is was beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  31. Gorgeous and a lot of work and planning for sure..Hard to take it all in..I'll have to go back and revisit..Thanks for sharing..

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your Tea Party is beautiful. And the cake was delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  33. if I told you everything I love about your aprty it would be longer than the post itself!
    The painted wooden ornaments are fabulous! Now I will be on the lookout for a checkered B/W cake stand. It is all so beautiful and fun! (Love the birds using their found treasures too)
    Merry UnBirtHdaY!
    http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-fanciful-twists-8th-annual-virtual.html

    ReplyDelete
  34. WOW! Now that's a MAD tea. LOVE the chandelier.
    Happy unbirthday to you.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ohhh my gooodnesss!!! It's just beyond words, all of it, you always floor me with your creativity, it's amaziiiiing!! Your art, your treasures, everything, just unreal. Your stunning photography! Gorgeous and pretty and creative and ahmazing! xoxo Happiest mad tea party wishes <3, Vanessa

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your tea party is divine. The photographs and artistry just beautiful. Not sure I could take marshmallows in tea, but who knows; maybe you have started a trend. Thanks for visiting me.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your Mad Tea is fabulous!! I so love your hand painted pieces!! Bravo!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a gloriously, charming Mad Tea Party you have hosted. And all of your Alice 'turned' art pieces are divine and also the gourds. Such fabulous art work! I of course, I love your real cats too! I love cats!
    Cheers! And thanks for the lemonade and delicious cake!
    Teresa in California
    http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  39. Rain or not, all your photos are gorgeous! I absolutely love your fabulous un-birthday tea party; your treats, your painted treasures ( my daughters loved your hibiscus bloom and are going to give painting their own Cheshire cat garden stones)! No, you can never have too much of a good thing, even icing! Your cake is stunning! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you for being an amazing hostess and the cuppa tea! Have a magical week!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your party is so magical and beautiful!!! I couldn't keep my eyes from looking at all the pictures again and again!! take care, Darlene

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your party is so magical and beautiful!!! I couldn't keep my eyes from looking at all the pictures again and again!! take care, Darlene

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your lemonade is wonderful! What a great party!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh my goodness! Such amazing detail..... a fun time had by everyone! I love, love, love your photos... the staging... the art... you. are. talented! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit at Stringtown Home.... I'm so glad I've found your blog!

    Have a happy Tuesday!
    -Heather
    www.stringtownhome.net

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh I could look at your tea party all day! Such loveliness. I especially was impressed by the biscuits with your blog name on them. You attended to every little detail and it adds up to quite an impressive party. Thanks for having me.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Your tea party is magnificent -- amazing photos and such delectable treats! Lovely tea ware -- all of it so very perfect and very creative! Thanks so much for stopping by my party at The Marmelade Gypsy -- and I have to say I only wish I'd thought of your blog name first -- it's terrific and fits my life to a "tea!"

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anne : ) This was truly one if not My top favorite party.Your talents are many and I enjoyed all Your talents.Hugs and blessings Your way.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anne : ) This was truly one if not My top favorite party.Your talents are many and I enjoyed all Your talents.Hugs and blessings Your way.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hello Anne!
    This is absolutely great party! Love your painted ornaments and hanging cups ... everything is sooo charming and fairy. Thanks for such great party.
    Hugs, Monika from the party over here: http://blythetheque.blogspot.fr/2015/07/after-pyjama-tea-party.html

    ReplyDelete
  49. Dearest Anne just trying to catch up with my dear blogging friends. I am so late for your tea party. Everything looked gorgeous in spite of the rain. We too have had so much too. I loved seeing all your lovely tea things. Your photos are wonderful. Hope there is some tea and cookies left. I just might stop by If there is some remains. Xo Xo

    ReplyDelete
  50. What a lovely collection of tea cups, pots and Wonderland items you have. Thanks for visiting my party too.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Such a beautiful tea party. I loved your frog ornament. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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!