Today we are going to have more fun with our tea party!
"Children's Tea Party" by Morton H.B. Bly
C.1919
Here is a great idea from CountryLiving.
Gather together mismatched chairs to set outside for a tea party under the tree:
Now, how are we going to make a pretty table top cloth, on a minimum budget?
Budget Craft:
Another terrific idea from Country Living! Layer inexpensive burlap criss cross on table top to cover. Then layer strips of white gauze on top, to mimic layers of lace tablecloths!
Don't you love the fresh feel the pears at each setting make?
I found this new-to-me artist when searching for tea party things:
J.D. Hillberry
"Grandma's Tea Party" by jdhillberry.com
Check out his web site - his drawings are wonderful!
Lively Lemon Tingler
from Pillsbury Family Fun Cookbooklet
1 1/2 Cups sugar
1/2 Cup boiling water
1 1/2 Cups fresh lemon juice (about 5 - 8 lemons, squeezed)
Ginger Ale
Dissolve sugar in boiling water.
Add lemon juice; stir to blend.
Store base mixture in tightly covered non-metal container or jar in refrigerator.
Yield: 2 1/2 Cups base mixture, 5 1-Cup servings.
By the Glass:
Combine 1/2 Cup chilled base mixtue and 1/2 Cup ginger ale in tall glass.
Add ice, serve with straws, if desired.
Combine full recipe (2 1/2 Cups) chilled base mixture and 2 1/2 Cups ginger ale in large pitcher.
If desired, garnish with lemon slice and mint.
from dressupparties.net
She has the prettiest vintage styles of aprons!
from partyinvitations.com
These party invitations are great if you are in a hurry, or just don't want to do the invitations yourself.
However,
if you are inclined to make your own,
this is a wonderful sample to use ideas from.
Budget craft:
Cut patterned scrapbooking paper to size. You probably want to make sure it fits into a standard envelope.
Use patterns that are small, like the above pin dots, or small florals.
Take one paper doily and write invite text in center of blank white doily.
Use caligraphy markers - they are super easy to use and always give a great elegant look.
Place paper doily on top of scrapbook paper, slightly off center.
Glue.
#1: Dab tiny spots of glue onto back of doily. I like Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive. It has a super precision tip. Press in place. With a piece of wax paper on top, press smoothly all over. Lift wax paper off. Set aside to dry.
#2: Spray spray adhesive onto back. Lightly press in place. You do have to work quickly with spray adhesive, and you can't reposition. It also has quite a fume, so be sure and work around an open window, or outside.
#3: Use your Xyron machine with the sticky cartridge. Run doily through. Peel off, and press onto paper. Take a spoon or popsicle stick to rub all edges to make sure they are adhered well. Sticky spots? Pounce with a chalk bag.
from nofussfabulous.com
I love these cupcakes inside the pottery tea cups.
Verrrry cute.
The addition of a fresh flower on top is very tea party-ish too!
"I think there's a little child in all of us
and we all too often forget
to let the child out to play."
- Donna A. Favors
courtesy designdazzle.blogspot.com
Check out the simple floral chair covers above.
Budget Decorating tip:
See the stacked tea cups with a flower posy at the top?
You might want to glue the cups together, or stick together with Florist clay, so there are no toppling cups entertainment for the day!
We can't have a tea party, without pretty tea pots!
Here are some I found for sale on etsy:
L2Country
damamima
MixedDelights
Some of my favorite Tea Party Sandwiches:
Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
thinly sliced cucumbers with green left on
whipped cream cheese from a tub
wheat bread and white bread
Take one slice of bread, spread cream cheese on it.
Place cucumbers in single row, slightly overlapping, on bread slice.
Place second slice of bread on top.
Now get out your cookie cutters. I have one that is a scalloped circle. Cut each sandwich with circle cookie cutter.
Don't discard the crusts - they make great snacks for later.
Pimento Cheese Sandwich Shapes
Tub of pimento cheese, spreadable
White sliced bread
Spread sliced bread with spreadable cheese. Top with second slice of bread.
Cut with decorative cookie cutters. I like my diamond shape cutter, or I have a large flower cookie cutter that is cute too.
Don't discard the crusts. They are very tasty for later snacks.
I like to arrange the sandwiches on platters with lots of doilies underneath.
The doilies really set off the sandwiches, and make things special!
Plus, you can throw them away after the party,
to limit time spent laundry/doing dishes.
2 of my dirty words!!
For extra special one of a kind doilies, why don't you pick out a few kirigami patterns, and cut those for doilies?
c.1912
Some pretty tea cups and saucers for our fancy tea party:
The first 3 are for sale at PorcelainPolyester etsy shop:
and some from different etsy shops:
olddirtyvintage.etsy.com
bettysworld4u.etsy.com
This next photo shows clever ways to set up a Tea Bar, from CountryLiving:
Tea Bar:
Have little cups (china? egg cups?) with fresh herbs and spices to add to plain tea. Also include thinly sliced lemon and lime slices,
arranged prettily on a platter.
Dig out your children's silverware, or small demitasse spoons to serve with.
I would also put out some tongs, or forks for the fruit slices.
Don't forget to gather some mismatched glass jars and vases.
Pop some fresh cut flowers, a few to each vase, just before guests arrive.
If you check out my very first blog,
I have a quick and easy Budget Craft for using plain bottles!
The next 3 photos are of "Britain's Biggest Tea Party":
They were so cute I just had to add them!
I will leave you with this smile today.
I think there just might be more tea party fun in your future....
inkspired
