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Monday, June 24, 2013

Tea Cup Tuesday-My Garden Tea


Hello All!
Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday...
My Garden Tea debut!


Our tea tent is awaiting your visit....
come in and see....

Our first tea was delayed by wind and rain
until just a few days ago.
It was still pretty breezy during this tea.
The tent is a bit lopsided with the wind moving it around all day.
My daughter and I are happy with how she turned out. 


Inside she is roomy and peaceful.
She gives us lovely shade.
And graced with a very special gift!
Dianne Buckley, a kind friend from Bloglandia...
 she painted this watercolor for me as a Christmas gift!

Here is a closer look



I was speechless when I opened it!
Isn't it just the sweetest watercolor?
I adore the dear mice in their hat, bonnet and apron.
They even have books on the floor under their table.
And in the picture frame in the upper left it says...
"Tea Cup Tuesday"!
My image does not do it justice.
It is even more lovely in "person".
Thank you again Dianne for your lovely heartfelt gift!
Dianne paints beautifully,  and she also create gorgeous cards.
She sells both in local shops, markets and shows.
Dianne is from Stoke on Trent, England, 
Yes,
The Stoke on Trent...
the area where most English tea cups were manufactured.
Dianne has generations of family members
who worked in the local potteries,
the potteries that we all often name from our tea cups backstamps. 
I thought it was fitting for Dianne's gift to be a part of my
first garden tea.

Inside the tea tent....

We used three of my newly painted chairs...
one you have not yet seen until now.
( I will share it's makeover on another post)

This all began because I wanted to create an outdoor tea setting
I could easily put together when the weather cooperated.
It is very hot here and I don't have a good shade area.
I was also really wanting some chairs small enough
for my feet to touch the ground. lol!
I am 54 years old, 5' tall, and I believe it is high time
for me to have furniture my own size : )
Yay again!
My goal was to be very thrifty!
So off to G.W., local thrift shops and my basement
to find all I needed.
The tent is made from a pile of old curtain panels and tablecloths and one very large king size sheet for the top.
I am happy to say I met my thrifty goal!
Yay!



The tent was our main challenge.
It needed to be large and sturdy,
yet romantic...
it needed to cast shade, but feel airy and light. 
The old drapes and tablecloths seemed a good choice,
and the netting on the sides helpful.
I used safety pins instead of straight pins for pinning in place. 
She is ginormous and was very tricky to move around to sew.
But we did it! Yay!
And we have named her Bertha!

A few other finds and fixes to add to the tents ambiance...


My daughter suggested I make a chalk board
from this lucky find vintage frame.
What a great idea! Thank you Sarah!
It would make a good menu board too.

The doily underneath it is from Dorthe.
Thank you Dorthe!


I also found some new vintage cutlery...
Super cheap...really you wouldn't believe the luck I have had!


...these monogrammed knives....


Some new found rose forks....


and pretty spoons with roses too.

We made a pot of heavenly Chamomile tea...


I chose this old favorite cup...


And Sarah chose this one...


The funny thing about photographing a tea like this is
that you want to be sitting down enjoying your repast,
but instead you are playing photographer and your guest
is working on setting..i.e...holding back blowing netting! lol!

(on second thought, a lace tablecloth is TMI,
or too much lace! lol!) 

For our fare....


homemade, by me, leek and potato soup.
so aromatic with fresh thyme from the garden.


homemade quiche by Sarah.
mmmmmmmm delicious!


and some lovely banana bread and whipped cream made by us,
completed our first simple tea out doors.


It was very comfortable and cozy once we put the camera down.
Sarah and I enjoyed a leisurely brunch. 
Next time though,  we will forget the camera and just enjoy!

We are both happy with our new tea tent!
Bertha is very easy to put up,
and lovely to be in.

I am not very good at tablescaping
but I hope to learn, and with the summer 
there will be more teas and more
opportunity to learn how to set a beautiful table.
I have seen many of you set incredible tables. 
You are my inspiration : )

And yes, I hear you ask, "what happened to the blue chair???" ...well it did not make the scene this time,
but I have plans for another tea where it will. 
And I found more chairs and have painted them too...
I have ideas for those table settings too  : )
how fun!

I apologize for the long post.
 I wish you really could come into my yard and join me for tea!
But for now, we use this marvelous invention...

I am excited to come and visit all of you!
Many of you have shared you are getting your garden tea ready too!


Thank you for visiting
I appreciate you
I wish you well 

hugs,
Terri

if you would like to join in Tea Cup Tuesday with Martha and I,
just go and create a post with your tea cup in it,
then come back here and link that post up below.
Then we can come and visit you!
Yay!

63 comments:

earthen-magic said...

...congratulations! ~ 'tis the most dreamy tea party ever! ~ blessed be!...(O:

Karen said...

Hi Terri,
Thank you so much for hosting "My Garden Tea". It is such fun and I truly have enjoyed participating! I love your Tea Tent. The fabric is so beautiful and very vintage! Your chairs are similar to mine (I painted mine for inside the cottage.) I think that I would be so amazing to visit with you under your tent and taste your delicious treats. Thanks again for planning this special tea time.
Take care,
Karen

Stacy said...

I love it all! The lace, the creamy colors, and your sweet little chairs. The artwork is beautiful. You have put so much thought and consideration into your garden tea!

Unknown said...

Lovely Tea Tent Terri, so much fun, I would love to join you next time you have Tea,how creative and beautiful!
Hugs Marilou

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The tent turned out beautiful Terri. You girls did a good job of piecing everything together. It's very elegant for an outdoor tea and I just love your adorable painting hanging at the back.
The lunch looks delicious, it would be nice to join you in 'Bertha' (that's funny!) for tea.
Thank you for hosting.
Judith

Maggie said...

I love your lacy gazebo, Terri! All of it, so lovely!!

Martha's Favorites said...

Terri: You are amazing! I love the tent. I knew you were going to do something special and you did not let me down. Wow! Great job with everything! Hugs, Martha

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Terri,
Well, I must say, you and your daughter Sarah did a splendid job making Bertha! Bertha?? *Giggles* I love all the lace and sweet little chairs. I too am 5 feet and I also have trouble getting furniture that fits me perfectly. Your teacups are very pretty and I could really go for that soup and quiche. The painting of the mice at tea is simply darling and a sweet gift. Thank you for hosting your lovely tea party. I am still in the healing process with my back injury so I could not do a tea outside but I did the best I could indoors. Happy Summer, sweet lady!

Blessings,
Sandi

Two Cottages And Tea said...

Hi Terri,
What a beautiful tea setting! I have been anxiously waiting to see this tea ever since you started giving us little hints about it. Your tent is amazing and I love all the lace. Your table is so pretty and the menu so delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely tea with all of us, just wish I could really join you!
Hugs..Nancy

sandy said...

What a wonderful garden tea setting! I can imagine sitting down and enjoying a lovely time under your beautiful canopy.
The painting is darling! What a special gift!

Createology said...

Oh your garden tea is pure bliss. Never too much lace my dear. Your daughter and you make a wonderful tea party team. I feel this is merely the beginning of many more garden tea parties. Lovely and Serene and Perfect...

Victorian1885 said...

Terri your Tea Tent is so perfect! I am sure you will enjoy many fabulous tea parties in Bertha's beauty! Take care.

Uniquely Ella said...

Hi Terri, thank you so much for hosting this beautiful event. I'm in love all the beautiful cream colors of you laces. The tent is so beautiful and inviting, I just want to go in. So wonderful to have such great friend to contribute and just have fun.
I've linked you over at my blog, hope I'm doing it right.

xxx
Marlene

Cinderella Moments said...

It's everything I had expected from you! The lace tent is soooo romantic. What a terrific space for parties. You did an awesome job. I'm expecting to see the blue chair at your next party!
hugs♥,
Caroline

suziqu's thread works said...

Happy Tea Time Terry! Your Garden Tea party "tent" is just adorable and stunning! You have really captured the atmosphere you were trying to achieve with this magnificent tent draped in the most beautiful curtains.

Your chairs and table are perfect!
And love your beautiful china cups and the amazing cutlery.

It would be so much fun sitting in there with you to enjoy a Summer's day cup of tea (with my feet just reaching the lawn also and not dangling -LOL!).

Everything looks utterly charming and it was worth all of your hard work and effort!

I hope you get to enjoy many hours in that beautiful tent!

Sending love and hugs,
Suzy

Antiques And Teacups said...

How wonderful, Terri! Perfect! Dianne's drawing reminds me of Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge! So cute! Love your tent and choices. Lovely!
Ruth

debi said...

Terri, everything turned out so beautifully! Your tea tent is a treasure, what a lovely place for a special tea with friends and family.

Sarah Coller said...

This is so beautiful---I'm super impressed! Great job, ladies---and thanks for the inspiration!

I'd love for you to share this at my Homemaking Party if you haven't already! http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/2013/06/pretty-pinks-and-greens-for-homemaking.html

Blessings,
Mrs. Sarah Coller

johala said...

Hi Terri
Your tent is absolutly wonderful and so dreamy with all these laces!
Hugs and kisses

Dorthe said...

OH ,oh dear Terri,
this is absolutely adorable, my sweet friend! What a beautiful and big job you have done, with the help of your daughter- so lovely, and the most romantic tent I have ever seen.
I`m so proud you used the doily I send you, then I can feel I`m kind of there enjoying you sweet meal and tea, together with you :-) It is a marvelous tent, and so cosy a setting,dear friend!!
How I wish I could be there, dressed in romattic sweet dresses, sipping tea with you.
Your gift from your blogging friend is the sweetest and cutest painting.
I send you midsummer hugs from Denmark and love from me.
Dorthe

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Dear Terri,
you have overdone yourself. The lace tent is really a dream for every tea party. Such a luxury place to have a garden tea. Would be a wonderful addition to every wedding, also. And inside the table and chairs look so pretty. You invested so much work but the result is fabulous. And you will have a lot of fun there during the summer. Thank you for sharing with us this overwhelming tea party and for hosting this charming event.
Best greetings, Johanna

Victoria said...

Wow Terri...totally gorgeous..incredibly beautiful tent of lace..I love it all..the chairs look sublime..the chalkboard so charming.everything looks stunning..and of course wonderful cups! Thanks for sharing such a feast for the eyes!A most magnificent tea party!
Victoria

Sylvia said...

Beautiful! All the lace and the tea is so (speechless)

Clara said...

Hi Terri!
Your tent came out so beautifully. You did a great job. I would love to join you for tea under that gorgeous tent. Thank you for sharing a perfect romantic tea.
~Clara

Linda Kunsman said...

wow Terri-it is all so very romantic and beautiful-every little bit!!! How I wish I could sit in one of those chairs in there-it looks so magical! You have done an amazing job with this project. And the gifts from blogland friends add such a special touch. Your luncheon looks soo yummy. Thank you for taking the time to post these wonderful pics and sharing.

Darlene said...

The lace tent is sooooooo beautiful and the tea party sooooo romantic. Love it!! Take care, Darlene

Poppy said...

Hi Terri,

So nice to meet you! What a charming garden tea you have arranged and the birth of Bertha made it all possible in order to enjoy the summer season! The water colour is SO adorable; such talent! Everything is sweet and quaint, just as a summer tea should be! Thanks for sharing!

Your newest follower,

Poppy

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a lovely tea tent, Terri! I'm sure you and your daughter enjoyed your tea together after all the hard work. What a beautiful piece of art that you were gifted with. I so enjoyed looking at everything! Thank you for hosting.

Diana said...

Dear Terri, I love your thrifty tent. What a clever idea to use lace panels and tablecloths. I am imagining a tea party like yours now. I must make one with my little granddaughter. Thank you for sharing your lovlies each week.

sharon said...

Wow, this turned out to be so beautiful and so dreamy Terri! I am in awe of your talents, and so wish I could join you there for a spot of tea and that incredible lunch! All your hard work paid off, it is truly beautiful, make it a point to enjoy it! Hugs!

The Tablescaper said...

This is gorgeous!!!

I love all of the layers of lace! I can see many tea parties to come in this lovely tent.

- The Tablescaper

Victoria said...

Hi again Terri , just wanted to stop by again and gaze at such beauty , thanks for your lovely visit and kind words,yay! You did such an incredible job...your are super inspiring..and I hope you enjoy many special and magical tea time adventures in your enchanted tent..truly blissful!
HUg
Happy Tea!!
Victoria

Lucille said...

What a charming spot you have created! Your hard work certainly paid off.

Crazy For Tea Time said...

Wow Terri...such a labor of love. What a dreamy place to have a lazy afternoon tea. Love it! You should be very proud of yourselves. --Lucinda

Rosemary and Thyme said...

Wow Terri..This is incredible. It is so romantic and feminine. You are so talented. I love the lace.. I would hours in that gorgeous tent. The looks looks delicious also. Outstanding. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful place with us.

Hugs,

Janet
rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

K J D said...

Bertha is so pretty!

I love every single thing about this project... What fun you will have with Bertha!

Karen x

Elaine said...

Well your garden tea tent is like a lacy bower! You have done a great job and it looks as if it would be a lovely cool place for tea on a hot day. I feel I have to imagine you and Sarah in lace tea gowns to complete the picture! Your home moade food looks delicious too. Your painting must have felt like a veru special gift. We look forward to hearing more about your tea time adventures with Bertha! Elaine x

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Terri: I adore Bertha. I think this is the perfect setting for any time tea parties. You have outdone yourself with this marvelous achievement. I am simply in love with this idea.
Thanks so much for having me along on this fun tea adventure. I have visited the other participants and they are all so very nice. Oma Linda

Bernideen said...

Oh how wonderful - I hope your neighbors "enjoy the view" as this is really lovely!

Anne Payne said...

Oh my, Terri! This is so Austenesque. I LOVE it!!!

Kathy said...

This is sooooo gorgeous, Terri! I just love it - the lace is exquisite - I Pinned it! I appreciate you sharing and hosting,
Kathy

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Dear Terri! Oh what a truly lovely garden tea you have hosted. Everything is so pretty! I am so excited about your neat chairs and gorgeous tent!

The painting is amazing, and every little detail is PERFECT for a remarkable outdoor teatime.

Much as I would have loved to be able to have mine outdoors it was much too hot followed by a LOT of rain. I was disappointed, but we made the best of it indoors.

Thanks for hosting!! Hugs!

Veronica Roth said...

Oh Terri you lucky, lucky girl. You are so talented to have done this beautiful garden tea party. How can you ever take it down and put it away? You simply can't! Now you must build a beautiful green house over Bertha and keep it right there to enjoy all year long. It's just so perfect, I love it! :)

Betty Stapleton said...

what a lovely garden room, I love it. It is going to be a fun summer with it. Great painting and a great gift to receive.Thank you for the great idea I have been so excited with it, rained today, but hopefully next week will be great. God bless...

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous tea party tent! I want one too! Patty/BC

janice15 said...

O my Teri you guys did an amazing job I love every bit of it..and all the lace.. I have been thinking of something simular for the space under the trees in the back.. though in my case I think I would have to just hang lace curtains some how... I just fell in love with it..I would love to come visit and have tea in your new tent ... I love your chairs too.. Just love it all ty for sharing such a wonderful post ..food looks yummy too with love Janice

KathyB. said...

I love your tea "tent" and all that went into it. It seems we all have to take into account for the weather, and the weather does NOT take us into account, but what a resilient group we tea-time ladies are. We'll have our tea times no matter the weather.

The tea tent is lovely, but I suspect the time spent planning & enacting this tea with your daughter was the most precious part of it all.

Thank-you Terri for hosting this lovely time.

Sugar Lump Studios said...

Your Tea Tent is AMAZING! Oh my gosh! I love it! What a fun project to create and all the wonderful chairs inside too.
I also love her name -BERTHA! It made me think of a song from the 70's...Bertha Butt she didn't like spiders or snakes...perfection Terri!

BECKY said...

I can't come up with any "new" words to describe how lovely and beautiful and unique your tent is!! I would never even think to try to make something like that....of course, I can't sew...so that's a big reason! LOL I would certainly LOVE to visit you sometime, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or just tea....in your peaceful oasis! OH...and I loved your comment about being 5 ft tall and having chairs to sit in that "fit" your short legs! THAT is exactly how I am!! My legs always dangle....I'm five feet tall...with shoes on! :)

Maria Andrade said...

Dear Terri,
Thanks for the beauty you're sharing.
The lace tent must have been really hard work but it was worth it... so beautiful and creative!
Thanks for hosting this lovely tea.
Hugs

Linda M. said...

Terri, Your tea tent is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing and all your inspiration. Enjoy!!
Hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Terri! If you were in my office when I read this post, you would have heard an AUDIBLE gasp! How amazing! What a great deal of creative work and effort and what a lovely reward! Glad the weather cooperated in the end. We have been plagued with daily T-storms and 90+ degrees. Alas - my garden does not lend itself to teatime - but I am hopeful as I work on a few scenarios for later this summer - or perhaps early fall. Meanwhile, I shall drink in all your wonderful ideas - clever - and I can't stop thinking about your AS chalk paint. Looking into that ASAP!
Joy!
Kathy

Frieda Oxenham said...

This looks like a little piece of heaven on earth. I'm simply lost in admiration! Beautifully made and photographed too, and oh, how I wish I could pop in for tea!

xinex said...

What a beautiful garden setting, Terri. I love your lacy gazebo, so feminine and romantic. The spoons and cups are very pretty..Christine

Kimberly said...

can one ever have too much lace? ;) It is all so delightful!

Flora said...

This beautiful outdoors tea table setting is half way between Alice in Wonderland and The Importance of Being Earnest: two beautiful worlds in which I guess I can take tea :-)
I love every single detail and I would like to cancel the distances for come and sit at your summer table with my best edwardian dress and hat. Just like old times, I would take my best china cup...
Thanks for your hard and beautiful work, is always a pleasure sip tea with you :-)
Flora

Beedeebabee said...

Oh Terri...This is just so dreamy, so adorable!!! What a beautiful spot to sit on a lovely summer day! I love all the lace and how it all blows with the breeze, and those sweet chairs too. It's all just so charming! The doily and painting are such lovely gifts...perfect little touches for your beautiful tea tent, and Sarah's chalk board idea goes perfectly as well. You did an amazing job. I really love it all!!! xo

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Terri,
What a beautiful tea setting and post!! Loved it!!

Thanks so much for hosting and for stopping by!!

Hugs,
Deb

Marjanne said...

Oh how beautiful, so romantique and chic! I would love to drink a cup of tea with you in that nice place!

Maminka Girl - Loribeth Robare said...

Your tent turned out just so fabulous!!! I am having tent envy right now. It reminds me of that fabulous indoor tent in the movie "The Holiday ". I bet it would be stunning lit up at night with fairy lights or lanterns. Well done! I hope you have many happy tea parties underneath her beautiful canopy. Xoxoxo. Loribeth

Maminka Girl - Loribeth Robare said...

Your tent turned out just so fabulous!!! I am having tent envy right now. It reminds me of that fabulous indoor tent in the movie "The Holiday ". I bet it would be stunning lit up at night with fairy lights or lanterns. Well done! I hope you have many happy tea parties underneath her beautiful canopy. Xoxoxo. Loribeth

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

What fun to catch up with your garden tea party! The tent is fab!
I'd love to know what you used for a frame? I am anticipating being in a rural fair in 2 weeks and would def put one up if I knew what supporting frame I should 'find' =))

And I can just see myself seated on that back chair with the ruffles .. Glad for all your recycling purchases and that it all turned out lovely for you [and us viewers!] EnJoy your week...

Jann said...

This all just looks so very lovely!

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