Thursday, June 24, 2010

A Mad Tea Party ~ 2010





Hurry please. 

  We can't be late.




 Ah, there it is.

In the clearing

near that odd little house,

its roof thatched with fur.




 Yes, yes, this 

 must be the right place.




 The time, the time! 

  We must not be late!




 There he is!
It's the Mad Hatter himself,
our infamous host for this curious afternoon tea.




~ The Mad Tea Party!~

Let the fun begin.

Oh, my. It is a rather curious tea party, indeed!




 Alice is here.

See there she is sitting

in her big comfy arm-chair.




 No doubt she is very tired after

swimming through her pool of tears.
Please do sit down. 

  How about this chair here?




 Yes, dear, the one near Tweedledee.

Or is it Tweedledum?

Oh, no matter.




 Quick, find yourself a cup.




 Better be quick!

I hear the rattle of the tea cups 

 of this never ending meal.




 Wonderful choice!




 Let me pour you a cup of tea.




 And cake . . .

you must have a slice of this!

 It's a delicious cake of curious talking flowers.




 A cherry or two 

 with a mushroom cap?




 Yes, it truly is 

 a splendid afternoon!




 What's that?

Do you see a grin looking 

 down upon the festivities?

 Is it? Could it be?

Yes, it must be 

 the Duchess' Cheshire-Cat!




 No doubt he'll be disappearing and

popping up all about the party.




 I do think he's after another one

 of the mushroom caps.




 Oh, the happy days of summer!




 "Take some more tea . . . "




There's plenty for everyone.




 Do take another 

 mushroom cap or two.




 What a delightfully 

 curious afternoon tea!




 "So she sat on, with closed eyes, and

half believed herself in Wonderland . . ."




 Time flies!




 "Would you tell me, please,

which way I ought to go from here?"





 Yes, yes! For more of these curious fetes ~


I'm thrilled you joined in the Mad Tea Party today. Every Saturday is also Pink Saturday and A Few of My Favorite Things so head on over for more fun at these weekly blog parties.

Oh my, what a fun filled party day!

Do you think Alice and all her curious friends in Wonderland
just might be some of my favorite things?

If you missed my post on
Alice in Wonderland in Central Park

Alice, Cheshire-Cat, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit
Needlepoint figures from Petei Designs, stitched in the 1980s
http://www.petei.com/line_list/line_alice.htm

Miniature Tea Set - Paul Cardew Designs


This post will also be linked to several weekly tea parties next week.





Labels: , , , , , ,
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

76 comments:

  1. Brenda PruittJune 25, 2010 at 6:11 PM

    All these little things are so adorably cute!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Quintessential MagpieJune 25, 2010 at 6:20 PM

    Sarah, how precious! I love seeing all of your goodies. And did you make those delightful needlepoint ornaments? Love them! Loved it all from the teapot to the talking cake to the stacks of cups. Glad I wasn't late! ;-)

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. JeanetteJune 25, 2010 at 6:31 PM

    cute cute cute, I love all the pieces and how you told the story and displayed all the pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Charm of HomeJune 25, 2010 at 6:44 PM

    Sarah,
    This is awesome!! I am joining in. I just find out about it. Setting up my tea right now! I have to hurry not to be late!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 25, 2010 at 7:59 PM

    Delightful post... love the photos and narrative!
    ~Karen

    ReplyDelete
  6. VictoriaJune 25, 2010 at 8:07 PM

    Yay...so festive, magical and fabulously FUN!! Terrific journey you have taken me on...beautiful!!
    kiki~

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bargain Decorating with LaurieJune 25, 2010 at 8:43 PM

    Oh Sarah, what a delightful post of a delightful afternoon! Love all of your props for the photos. I can't believe you even have needlepoint A.I.W. characters! How fun! Your little chairs and clocks; your tea sets and cups -- all of it so cute and so fun! I really enjoyed coming to this wonderful tea party, and I'm so glad you'll be linking it to Favorite Things. laurie

    ReplyDelete
  8. SoniaJune 25, 2010 at 9:36 PM

    Sarah,

    This tablesetting is outstanding! I love all the elements you have included!! The teapots, black and white accessories and that cake are so wondreful! Thanks for sharing this fun and whimsical table!!

    Miss Bloomers

    ReplyDelete
  9. WendyJune 25, 2010 at 10:28 PM

    Sweet Sarah,

    Thank you so very much for your wonderful little party. It was quite wonderful indeed.
    I pulled up a very little seat and enjoyed some of your wonderful tea, and I did love the little mushroom caps( I do love mushrooms). I hope to have my entire party tomorrow. Please do drop by for a spot of tea or maybe just to throw around some saucers and jump into a few cupcakes.

    Have a wonderfully mad and curious day. ....*#(&#** Wendy from Wonderland

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)June 25, 2010 at 11:45 PM

    Hi Sarah, this is such a darling post.. so full of whimsy and happiness.. It certainly put a smile on my face... hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  11. CharoJune 26, 2010 at 12:07 AM

    What a wonderful post, pretty details all over. Cute, cute
    Alicia en el País de las Maravillas!

    Happy Pink Saturday!
    Hugs

    Charo

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJune 26, 2010 at 12:12 AM

    What a delightful post Sarah. I love your settings for your characters, and each vignette is so very lovely. I am off to see your post about Alice in Wonderland in Central Park. Thank you for stopping by to visit me and Joyce. What fun we had creating magic for the children. Her grandchildren are as well behaved as beautiful.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  13. From the KitchenJune 26, 2010 at 6:08 AM

    Oh Sarah, I was late and missed the party! Please ask me again because it looks to have been a magical, marvelous time!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  14. JoanJune 26, 2010 at 7:07 AM

    You are so clever! Love the needlepoint figures!

    ReplyDelete
  15. bjJune 26, 2010 at 7:46 AM

    O, such a delightful tea party. You have some of the most amazing things..and I spied some MC in there, too. :)) When my ship comes in with a ton of money, I will fly to wherever their factory is and buy TWO of everything I love there!!:)

    I so enjoyed your Central Park post and this one, too.
    xo bj

    ReplyDelete
  16. JavajuneJune 26, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    cute, cute party trinkets. Thanks for the lovely party
    xo-jj

    ReplyDelete
  17. Marina CapanoJune 26, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    so cuteeeeee!!! I love it!

    visit me anytime...


    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. MaggiJune 26, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    ~*~*~*Hip hip hurray it's Tea Party Day!*~*~*~

    What a fun party with the perfect guests! The tea and cake were marvelous!

    Thanks for having me at your tea party! if you haven't been already, you're cordially invited to my mad tea party! Have yourself a mad sort of day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. LorettaJune 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM

    Oh, how I LOVE your post! It's so creative. And I have the same teapot, also featured in my Mad Teaparty post. I love your cup and saucer. I never saw those up here in Canada. Did you make your Alice and Hatter? They are simply darling.

    ReplyDelete
  20. NancyJune 26, 2010 at 10:10 AM

    I am so enjoying all the tea party creativity! Happy Pink Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownJune 26, 2010 at 10:33 AM

    I like the chair & the keys the best :) Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  22. kayellenJune 26, 2010 at 12:16 PM

    Tea Party Time~~
    I love Miss V!!

    always a pleasure to celebrate with all the party goers~~~

    Enjoy your Day!!

    Hugs,
    Kay Ellen

    ReplyDelete
  23. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsJune 26, 2010 at 12:39 PM

    Oh my goodness! What a wonderful whimsical Mad Hatter Tea Party! Thank you for making me smile.
    Hugs,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  24. shannon i olsonJune 26, 2010 at 12:47 PM

    What a darling setting! That cake looks divine mmmm and those cherries!

    ReplyDelete
  25. MelissaJune 26, 2010 at 1:30 PM

    Thanks for having me to your tea party! Everything looks fabulous!

    Happy Tea Partying!

    ReplyDelete
  26. MARLOU B.June 26, 2010 at 1:48 PM

    Cute!
    Lovely tea party!

    Have a wonderful party day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Designs by BlancheJune 26, 2010 at 1:53 PM

    Such A Wonderful Mad Tea Party! Love all your tea cups and pots, Mad Hatter & Alice and who can forget the Cheshire cat?
    Thanks so much for having us - please drop by for a visit when you can!
    ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jennifer MacNeillJune 26, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    What a wonderful and magical tea party. Thank you for the brew... love your tea set!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Christina SilverioJune 26, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    What a splendid cake! My mouth is watering for a bite!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.comJune 26, 2010 at 2:46 PM

    Yum! Thank you for the tea!

    ♥ Alice Maria-Thérèse Afiori in a Swedish wonderland blog.afiori.com ♥

    ReplyDelete
  31. Twyla and LindseyJune 26, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    This was a splendidly magical tea party and I had the best time from beginning to end. Thank you for the tea, but why am I so small?! Have a great weekend! Twyla

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousJune 26, 2010 at 5:51 PM

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yellow Rose ArborJune 26, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    Hi Sarah! This is so delightful! You have so many unique AiW things. I really enjoyed reading this and studying everything! Good to see you again!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  34. DeborahJune 26, 2010 at 6:17 PM

    Oh my, such a lovely table setting. Wonderful collection of teacups. Sorry about licking all the frosting off the cake...

    **blows kisses** Deb

    ReplyDelete
  35. BeverlyJune 26, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Oh, what fun I had at your magical Tea Party. Everything was perfect. I wouldn't have wanted to miss one second.

    Happy Pink Saturday, Sarah.

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousJune 26, 2010 at 7:22 PM

    I love your black & white tea cup and what a super table set up! Thanks for letting me share in your special tea party! If you haven't already feel free to drop by my gathering. :)
    ~ Misha/DawaiOser <3

    http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/747155.html

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousJune 26, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    What a splendid tea party! And such delicious mushroom caps too! Your cross-stitched pieces were lovely. Look forward to seeing some of your other tea parties too. Please stop by my blog: IvasCreations.Tyepapd.com for my mermaid adventure and tea party!
    ~ Iva

    ReplyDelete
  38. peggy gattoJune 26, 2010 at 7:33 PM

    I am speechless!!! As I scrolled down all I could utter was, ooo, ahhhh,ooh, ahhh!!!
    What treasures. Did you make those needlepoint dolls?
    This post should be in BLOGGER magazine!!!!
    thank you for the very nice time!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Tracy F.June 26, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    Hi Sarah! Thank you for your nice comment about my Pink Saturday post. I do something similar most Saturdays! The pink Mac is for real, as far as I know.
    I love your tea party post today and always enjoy your blog very much.
    -Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  40. BrookJune 26, 2010 at 9:39 PM

    What fun! Just pure eye candy! Sam and I had a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Keetha BroylesJune 26, 2010 at 9:56 PM

    I guessed there must be a special blog tea party today - - - your's is the cutest I've seen!

    ReplyDelete
  42. AbiJune 26, 2010 at 9:57 PM

    Wonderful party post. The woodland looks beautiful.
    Thank you for visting my party too!
    Hve a lovely weekend :O)

    ReplyDelete
  43. apinkdreamerJune 27, 2010 at 2:10 AM

    wow!!! fantastic party decoration!!!!
    greetings from greece!

    ReplyDelete
  44. AliciaJune 27, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    Thank you foe the lovely tea, i had a very nice time in your wonderland!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. PondsideJune 27, 2010 at 10:08 AM

    Ah, Sarah - that was wonderful! I don't know where you get your ideas - each more fanciful than the one before. Your blog is such a happy place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  46. LoriJune 27, 2010 at 10:44 AM

    What a fabulous MAD tea party! I'm so glad I came. The mushroom caps were especially delicious. I had so much fun--thanks for inviting me. And..thanks for coming to my Mad Tea Party as well.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Evelyn's WonderlandJune 27, 2010 at 12:24 PM

    What a wonderfully Mad Tea Party and the tea sets are so beautiful.

    Thank you so much for visiting my Hauntingly Mad Tea Party!

    Happy Tea Partying!

    ReplyDelete
  48. A Fanciful LifeJune 27, 2010 at 12:55 PM

    What a cute teapot! I've loved having tea with you today. Thanks for joining me as well.

    Sharon and Miss Gracie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Scrap VampJune 27, 2010 at 1:06 PM

    The tea set was splendid! Thank you for inviting me to such a lovely tea party!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Pearl and PebbleJune 27, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    So lovely, thank you!! I loved having my tea in that wonderful white chair as I stuffed my face with mushroom caps:)

    ReplyDelete
  51. DanniJune 27, 2010 at 2:04 PM

    Your party is beyond beautiful, I love all of the black and white tea settings and the close up are great, I especially like the one of the festive fellow in his party hat.

    As for the Alice and characters cup over at my party, (thank you so much for the glowing compliment, btw!) it's a one of a kind as I made it myself. :) If you'd like to try it yourself, all I used was a ceramic espresso cup and a black pebeo marker I picked up at the craft store.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Linda (Nina's Nest)June 27, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    What beautiful pics! And the little needlepoint characters are adorable....is it petitpoint? Charming post. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  53. KellyJune 27, 2010 at 5:11 PM

    What a fun party! Your collection is amazing. I am quite in love with that watch!

    Have a frabjous day! Kelly
    www.blondheart.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Theresa MacNaughtonJune 27, 2010 at 6:43 PM

    What a lovely party! I am so happy to attend. If you have not yet done so, I'd be honored to have you sit a spell wit me ~ for tea...http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-mad-tea-party.html
    Sincerely, Theresa (aka The White Queen)

    ReplyDelete
  55. WaterroseJune 27, 2010 at 7:20 PM

    Lovely tea party and thanks for sharing with me!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Yvonne @ StoneGableJune 28, 2010 at 12:15 AM

    Oh my dear! This is the most darling tea party. All the characters are here and ready for tea. I guess I must be the mad hatter! Each detail is so fun. I love the stack of colorful and different shaped large tea cups with the one askew on the top. Perfection! I usually don't eat cake, but will make an exception for this so pretty cake! Could I have a nice big slice? Now I must rush off... Im late, Im late for a very important date...
    Hugs,
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  57. Doris LongJune 28, 2010 at 10:04 AM

    Sarah, what fun you must have had putting that together. Absolutely magical!

    ReplyDelete
  58. LaurenJune 28, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    What a lovely party!! That flower cake looks just scrumptious :) Thank you for having me over for tea! ~Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  59. mrs. cJune 28, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    This is so very cute and darling and I just love it! MIss V, my grand daughter, is having an Alice birthday party...it's in October and we are already planning for it! I went junking this weekend and got lots of metal baskets that I am going to spray paint pastel colors. It will be so much fun, just wish I had some of your treasures, but I do have several English china cups and saucers that I am taking the colors fro for the theme! Sometime you need to come pick blackberries with us!

    ReplyDelete
  60. The Princess of HeartsJune 28, 2010 at 2:20 PM

    I think I ate too much cake! My that was delightful! Thank you for having me over and for attending my party as well. Best wishes! <3

    ReplyDelete
  61. UnknownJune 28, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    wow... you did an awesome job of enchanting this post with magic...love your Alice and characters all the tea, tea pots and food... I loved looking at all the pics. I did the tea party last year... too much going on to play this year...but, so fun to see it all here. Thanks for sharing....Mica

    ReplyDelete
  62. ❀~Myrna~❀June 28, 2010 at 3:28 PM

    That was a fabulous tea ! I loved it!
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

    ReplyDelete
  63. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageJune 28, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    Hi Sarah,
    What a fun post! I love your teapots; especially the polka dotted one! Thank you for stopping by and joining me for Tea Time; you're all linked up. Hope you have a wonderful week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  64. Princesa NadieJune 28, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    Lovely,magic and marvelous!
    Would you like a cup of tea ?

    ReplyDelete
  65. Sylvia SmiserJune 28, 2010 at 6:01 PM

    What a wonderful tea party! I had a lot of fun! I hope I can repay the hospitality by having you visit mine
    anaboocreationsbysylvia.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. BethJune 28, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Sarah, This is absolutely adorable! So creative. I love it and thanks for inviting me to your tea party.
    Blessings, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  67. paperbutterflyJune 28, 2010 at 9:33 PM

    What fun you must have had planning and decorating for this Mad Tea. So creative!
    Thank you for taking a moment to stop by and have tea with us.
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  68. Lady KatherineJune 28, 2010 at 11:36 PM

    This Tea Party is just Magical! I love the dishes, the snail, needlepoint! Oh, the cake and mushroom caps! Just darling, how fun you must have had planning this Creative Tea! Just Darling!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Carousel DreamsJune 29, 2010 at 12:34 AM

    What a delightful tea party...thankyou so much for having me x

    ReplyDelete
  70. Sonny GJune 29, 2010 at 7:48 AM

    oh my goodness. This may very well be the greatest table setting ever.
    you did a superb job and every item is terrific.. I like others am having severe teapot envy~!! its just all too cute and like stepping into wonderland..

    Sonny

    ReplyDelete
  71. Martha's FavoritesJune 29, 2010 at 11:22 PM

    Hi: Your party is amazing! I can't believe how beautiful it is. Amazing! So many tea parties going on these next to days. So glad I got to see yours. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

    ReplyDelete
  72. KristalJune 30, 2010 at 6:32 AM

    Oh my goodness, what a wonderfully splendid party! I had a delightful time. Everything was just PERFECT!! Loved your stitched pieces as well. And I think I will sneak off and take a peek at the rest of your lovely blog, it seems very inviting!

    Cheers!

    ~♥~
    Kristal

    ReplyDelete
  73. AngeJune 30, 2010 at 4:35 PM

    Oh Sarah I JUST ADORE Alice in Wonderland. What a fabulous setting you created. You must've had a ball putting that together. Where did you get all that wonderful crockery??

    I am off to check out your summer Sunday now...
    xxx
    Ange

    ReplyDelete
  74. Molly AnneJune 30, 2010 at 11:25 PM

    Whew! I fell down the rabbit hole at the last party and it’s taken me days to find my way out. What a lovely gathering and such delightful company! Thanks so much for having me! (And for not mentioning those crumbs on my dress).

    ReplyDelete
  75. a quiet lifeJuly 1, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    oh that was fun, i am so smitten with your kittens! you have so many darling pieces! i love to see adults play, isn't it the best!

    ReplyDelete
  76. AnonymousJuly 20, 2010 at 5:39 PM

    Sarah, I enjoy looking at the pictures of all the pretty things on your blog. You have such exquisite taste. --Deirdre

    ReplyDelete

Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)