How to host a Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

So this was an especially hot May 3rd in Pennsylvania and these beautiful paper fans were a must! And they came from the Dollar Store!!!

Look at the detail people! I loved them and even if I wasn't using them for this event I had to have them!
I made some fun signs and props with chalkboards:

 and print outs on cardstock in frames:

I even used some of my Easter decorations and simply added wonderland touches:

This was the entryway as guests made their way into my garden.

In the garden itself was a cardstock-backed Cheshire cat:

And I made a queen banner with 2 decks of dollar store cards (sold in one pack), a hole punch and some red ribbon.

The mushrooms and other things are normally there.

When decorating the table for a tea party it is important to remember to leave room for the food! It's very easy to get carried away with decor! Especially when it is this fabulous!

Linens are a must, I took all of my dining room chairs out for this occasion and all of my Waterford crystal. Also make sure to give your guest plenty of water as well. I make sure to have their glasses filled and 2 pitchers standing by. For this hot occasion, I also made some fresh brewed iced tea.
A few hings that I need for any tea occasion:
1. scones- recipe link at the bottom of this page
2. homemade devonshire cream
 3. strawberry jam
4.Tea! obviously!
But in my case, french caramel creme brulee tea! Yummers! The Raspberry Royale Tea by Bigalow was a huge hit at this party though. I have to say it was delightful and would prob be great cold too!

And now for the food! 
There were 9 of us, I asked certain people to either bring a dessert or a tea sandwich. I included the following in my invite:
"This lady date will be a day of whimsical Alice in wonderland fun! I will provide much of what will be needed for the day to be a success but will need some help from 3-4 ladies to bring either a tea sandwich or dessert. I know you may be thinking- I’ve never done that before!? Trust me, it’s not as overwhelming as it seems, it’s a simple search on allreceipes.com and you get many choices, most of which have 3-4 ingredients:

http://allrecipes.com/search/default.aspx?qt=k&wt=tea+sandwiches&rt=r&origin=Home+Page  "

The ladies actually had a lot of fun with it. I think the scariest part of trying something new is messing it up- but when it has 4 ingredients- you really can't!

 I made the scones, Chesire cat inspired cupcakes, devonshire cream and the strawberry swirl sammies- delish!

All-in-all a great success! 
For a no-fail scone recipe go here:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Simple-Scones/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=simple%20scones&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page&soid=sr_results_p1i1
Just watch your fingers/knuckles kids- grating frozen butter is no easy task. If you want to skip that just hit up Panera for some plain scones- they are the best for some devonshire cream, lemon curb or strawberry jam!

Make this for UNDER $5 

DIY Bunting Banner

At work we were saying "bon voyage" to an old program and wishing it farewell as it sailed away. Since it was April we were having no luck finding decor to go with this celebration. So obviously me being me volunteered to make a banner. It just so happened when I went to the Dollar Tree I saw this absolutely perfect DUCT TAPE, yes, I said duct tape people. This banner is made of duct tape. This is why it cost me less than $5. 

This is what you will need (as pictured above):

1. a good pair of scissors or in my case a Fiskars package opener- I absolutely love this tool! It has saved me from slicing my hands on those plastic packages that toys and electronics come in. AND they even have a mini screw driver in the handle there- you know for the toys as well. :)

you can buy them here: http://www.walmart.com/ip/22477846?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227016304481&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40944212432&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78883874192&veh=sem 

2. A piece of cardboard- I used the piece that comes in the bottom of a case of water

3. this fabulously classy duct tape

4. jute/twine

 Cut the cardboard into triangles - the size you would like your banner to be.

 You should be able to finish a triangle with each cut as pictured: 

The ends went in the trash. 

Now the wrapping begins! 

Make sure to leave a flap at the large end of the triangle- you will use this to fold over and secure the "flag"

  I matched up the pattern which took a little longer but I wanted it perfect.

 One your flag is covered just fold that flap of duct tape over the jute- make sure you leave slack to hang up your banner! 

 You will be left with a little over hang, you can just cut that right off with scissors or an exacto knife-

Continue doing so and alternating patterns:

I added some red bows when I got to work because it was just too plain, the finished product:

It was a huge hit! 

Post some pictures of your own! 

Hello again blogging world!

I'm happy to report that the table top roses are still doing well! Also the the squirrels do not like to eat blue bells- yes they've been up for 2 weeks or so now!

I love them! and I added some delightful daisy looking flowers to my planters.