Saturday, June 26, 2010

A Mad Tea Party 2010

To say we are excited is not the correct word!
It's the Day at last; the special Mad Tea Party,
where all the friends of Alice and Lewis Carroll meet in Cyberland to have one gigantic
mad day of fun.
(if you click on each photo, it will enlarge so you can study the details)
But where has Alice gone?
Here is her pretty party hat and gloves, yet she is nowhere to be found.
The centre of attraction at the tea table seems to be this very special Alice teapot.

Two mugs to match, given by a best friend as a gift.

However, pretty though they may be, we still can't find Alice!

Oh! Here she is...in a very small room indeed.

Suddenly Alice was transported to the Mad Tea Table, after drinking a very teeny weeny cup of tea in the Small Room.
The Rabbit who was concerned about Time was seated to her left.
A yummy chocolate hedgehog was on her plate.
Everything seemed a little big for Alice.
Alice noticed a black hat on the table, among all the other delicious looking things.
She was anxious to begin tea.
What was the holdup?
OH.
They were waiting for the Mad Hatter.

Alice wondered if she could return to the Small Room.
The size of the food would be enough to fit in one of her hands, and would hardly sustain her for more than 10 minutes, but it might be better than waiting forever for the host to appear.
So Alice asked a serious question.
"Should we begin the tea by ourselves?"

Meanwhile...in the Small Room...
...a tiny Alice was sitting at her table.
She had been studying some lovely Alice drawings by John Tenniel, after
finishing a really good book by Jenny Woolf.
Jenny's book had interested Alice because she wanted to find out more about what people really thought about Alice.
Some things were right, but the part about Alice's hair colour was dreadfully incorrect!
(A picture of Alice Liddell is hanging on the wall. Lewis Carroll told her the story of Alice in Wonderland, and wrote the book just for her.)
Suddenly Alice came to her senses.
Something special was to happen today.
A girl can only read and study for so long.
A certain ache began in her middle.
Alice looked down in surprise.
She hadn't grown or shrunk, yet she felt very odd, and there was a draft of air swirling around her ankles.
Alice stared in astonishment. She was surrounded by candles, food, a huge rabbit, flamingos, and another Alice! A big Alice. How extremely odd; nearly as odd as one of the Mad Hatter's riddles.
Alice gave herself up to enjoyment, and feasted on delicious ham sandwiches, potato salad, chocolate chip cookies and brownies, and a special un-birthday tea. It wasn't any one's birthday that she knew of, so it was a good name for the tea, although a tad strange.
Ah, there's the Mad Hatter.
But he's fast asleep, after a surfeit of tea!
I hope you've enjoyed our tea party.
I had such fun setting my table and planning the menu.
It was also fun taking the photos.
I enjoy doll collecting, and had to include two dolls as Alice, not just one.
The large Alice is a Canadian Chatty Cathy doll, dressed in an original Canadian dress.
The small Alice is a reproduction Bleuette doll. I made her Alice outfit.
I, too, have read Jenny Woolf's book, "The Mystery of Lewis Carroll", and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think if he were alive today, he'd so enjoy our party in cyberspace, don't you?
Thank you, Vanessa, for allowing me to take part in your online Tea Party!
If you leave a comment, your name will be entered into a drawing, to take place on the last day of June. The prize will be a package of chocolate hazelnut hedgehogs by Purdy's, the delicious local chocolate shop.

54 comments:

Linda said...

That was HYSTERICAL to see the Mad Hatter...what a good sport, I say give Robert an extra hedgehog for being such a good sport! Nice display and story!

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Everything is beautiful ! I love the AIW tea set & the two Alices.
Blessings,
~Myrna

http://daylily777-myenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2010/06/mad-tea-party.html

Betty said...

Your husband is such a good sport! You owe him big time. I love your tea pot and accessories and the way you included two dolls of different sizes. I was afraid you were neglecting poor Chatty Cathy lately, but I worried in vain. There she was in your tea party along with the Bluette!

Unknown said...

So creative and beautiful post.

Love your two Alices!

Hugs
Charo

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Oh, that was a Great tea party! I loved the two Alices. The little dark haired one I thought was especially pretty. Loved the Mad Hatter! Thank you for the chance to win a giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Twyla

Maggi said...

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

How wonderful to have two Alices at your party! It was such fun to spend time with them! (And the sleepy Hatter too of course. :)

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! :)

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful Loretta..such gorgeous settings. I so enjoyed seeing your china, and other pretties, including Chatty and Bleuette AND the Mad Hatter. But you best be careful, He might just decide HE wants your dolls since he was the special person in your story, and did such a good job.
Marlene Brown

Robert Houben said...

The unbirthday tea was lovely, but now I'm wondering what I put in the tea that made me and the little blonde child sleep so long!

(The Mad Hatter)

Hildi said...

What I delightful adventure. Everyone was there except the Chesire cat.

Hildi

Loretta said...

Dear Hildi, Thanks for your comment. If you look closely inside the 2 mugs, you will find the cheshire cat!

Unknown said...

What a delightful tea, and I love your dolls. Please wake the Mad Hatter and thank him for attending. Happy Mad Tea Party.

So nice to meet you.

Karen

DebHanna said...

Loretta,

I devoured this story. It was adorable. Your setting was beautiful and creative, as always. Your dollies are gorgeous. I am familiar with Chatty and kept wondering who the "dark haired Alice" was - thanks for telling us!

Your Mad Hatter deserves some extra food after he wakes up :)

Helen said...

Hi Loretta,
Love the story. Love the dolls. Love the accessories. Give the mad hatter a big hand.

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully creative, Loretta!
All your work in setting up the photos has given me a big Cheshire cat grin!
JenniferEverSews

MARLOU B. said...

Lovely tea party!

Have a wonderful party day!!!

Christina Silverio said...

How lovely! Alice looks quite cozy there in the Mad Hatter's arms!

Linda said...

It was so inventive and informative! I loved the dolls, sets, story . . . everything!



Diane :)
(dollswecollect)

Noni said...

How delightful to see how you combined the various sizes of Alice, the tea treats and dishes!! The 'Mad Hatter' and both dolls played their parts well...BRAVO! And thank YOU for giving us this story!

Teragram Nebuoh said...

HAH - I love the Mad Hatter!!!!!
Sounds like you had a great tea party!

fawndear said...

Now I must read that book. I was enthralled by your Alices, the sleepy Hatter, and I'm a wee bit jealous that you own such a marvolous Tea Set.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Tootles,
FawnDear

Jenn from the Bleu Door said...

I loved your pictures and story. I have a pattern for a little crocheted hedgehog; would you like one?

Deborah said...

Lovely setting! Quite a nice collection of dolls you have. Good job!!!

**blows kisses** Deb

Maria said...

Such a beautiful tea party you have made for this lovely day, everything looks amazing......

Thanks for dropping by my blog I've finally got my post up now its http://ajourneythatstartshere.blogspot.com/2010/06/im-late-im-late-for-most-important-date.html

Abi said...

How very lovely! Great party post :O)

Brook said...

We loved the Alice tea pot and cup. How wonderful! Sam and I had a fabulous time!

Ellen aka Auntmoonie said...

that was a fabulous story and certainly alot of work went into those wonderful vignettes! Absolutely loved the Mad Hatter!

Lilymadonna said...

Loretta- thanks for inviting me to your spectacular tea party! The 2 Alices were wonderful, as were the lovely table settings. The Mad Hatter was inspired-lol!

Michelle said...

What a wonderful mad party! I love the storyline of two Alices and both those dolls. Happy Mad Tea Party, Cheers!

Karin said...

yum!

~karin

Simply Shelley said...

Sweet tea party....enjoyed it so much....thanks for the invite...sweet of your husband to play along with you..thats a real gentleman for ya...blessings

Scrap Vamp said...

What a wonderful tea party! thank you so much for having me over!

Theresa MacNaughton said...

What a sweet tea party! Thank you for inviting me... If you have not done so already, I'd be honored if you'd sit a spell with me ~ and drink some tea...
http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-mad-tea-party.html
Sincerely, Theresa (aka The White Queen)

Cosmic Goddess said...

Loved your story and the photos, Loretta! Thanks for stopping by my party :)

Elaine said...

Quite the Mad Hatter. Great party, thanks for the invite.

Appreciate your visit to my party too!

Waterrose said...

Lovely tea party and thanks for sharing with me!

Sarah said...

Love that Mad Hatter! He's the best one I've seen today. Thanks for having me to your delightful little tea party. It was a real treat.
And thank you for having a cup of tea with me. I appreciate your visit.

Candace said...

What a fantastically charming story and such lovely photos! Thank you so much for stopping by and asking for black tea! I had some just for you, you see.
The teacups and accoutrements were grand!
I do love that Mad Ol' Hatter... zzzzz. Too much fun, out like a light.
Hope to see you around in "Blogovia".
Candace, still in Athens.

Justina said...

Loretta,
I loved your Alice Teapot !! And I love your little story, about the REAL Alice. The Mad Hatter was funny too ! Those sandwiches look so yummy! It looks like you really enjoyed putting this together :-) ... Thank you for stopping by my party as well and leaving such wonderful compliments... I am not related to Vanessa, but I do see her as such an inspiration , so maybe that shows a little... It is really flattering to be compared to her , so thank you !! Well the Hatter and I hope to see you stop by again soon!
-Justina
La Boheme Magique

http://labohememagique.blogspot.com/

Papillon Bleu said...

Happy Mad Tea Party to your dolly home from mine ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful storyline with the two Alices and so beautifully done! I had the same Chatty Cathy doll when I was a kid – but I bet you hear that a lot! Take care & thanks for visiting the Fürsts!

Melissa Valeriote said...

What a delightful party!

Lauren said...

What a beautiful tea party! I loved your story and both of your Alices :)Thank you for having me over for tea :) ~Lauren

Karen Mahoney said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Write 2 The Point said...

Awesome blog Loretta! the picture and storyline are so cute and the mad hatter had me laughing! Great job
Karen

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this! And I love your Mad Hatter! However did you convince him to pose for that shot? LOL! Love it!

And I loved the information about the REAL Alice! She was a brunette? Strike one for our team! LOL!

Thanks so much for this spot of tea. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and I hope you'll allow me to return the hospitality...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Sylvia Smiser said...

What a lovely tea party. Thank you for having me. I would love to be entered for a chance to win the chocolate hedgehogs!
PLease come by and visit us for a spot of tea.
anaboocreationsbysylvia.blogspot.com
Hope to see you there!
Sylvia

Rhonda Roo said...

Very cool, i like it when i learn something too-like a tea party/book club/fact swap!

So THATS what a chatty Kathy looks like! My family always called me chatty Kathy but my name is Rhonda so i never could figure it out! Hee.

Your mad Hatter is precious, i think he gets an extra cuppa tea ;)

Have a wonderful splendiferous day (and please excuse me being later than the Hatter!!)

Carousel Dreams said...

Love the hatter! Too funny...all your little dollies are lovely. Thankyou for having me today x

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

I'm sorry I'm late! My MIL's memorial was on the date of the party, so I'm now just getting my wits together to visit all the festivities!

Thank you for a hosting a beautiful party! Everything is so magical!


~ Michelle
http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.com/

Kristal said...

Oh what a delightful party! Your two Alice's were wonderful hostess and I had a wonderful time looking at all the lovely details. I really liked the vintage flamingos on your tabletop...

Thanks for inviting me!

~♥~
Kristal

Anonymous said...

Oh, I had a blast at your tea party, altogther! I love your zany take on the story, and two Alices are definitely better than one! How prettily it is all presented, too.

Thank you so much for stopping by my tea party! I'm very pleased to meet you and your dolls, and have signed up to follow so I can come back to visit...

JoAnn S. said...

what a sweet tea party, i loved it, thanks for visiting my party and commenting. hugs JoAnn S

harem6 said...

We had such great time here! Your treats were amazing!
Come and have some tea with us!

dandelionlady said...

What a sweet party! My daughters loved your dolls. The handmade dress is lovely. Thanks for stopping by my party, I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for wanting to see more of what I do, it's a lovely feeling knowing that someone likes what I'm making!