A Garden Tea Party

Here are photos from the Garden Tea Party for Angel. It's amazing how much effort goes into a simple party. It was mostly fun preparing for it. I woke up VERY early that morning and my mind was racing with all the things I still needed to do to get everything ready by that afternoon. I knew I wasn't going to go back to sleep, so I just got up and started doing things. It's rather nice being the only one up in a quiet house, while it's still dark outside. Very peaceful indeed.

So, shall I give you the tour?

Bubbles and nail polish for the young ladies to enjoy during the festivities.

They all loved having their toenails polished. We didn't do fingernails because they aren't allowed to wear it to school, so it was kind of pointless.

Afternoon tea set out for the girls to choose what they'd like to eat.

I bought this at the op shop. It's a bit yuk on the inside and is not salvagable to use for tea. I started out putting roses in it, but it leaks, so I put a pot plant in it instead and it now lives out in the garden.

We HAD to have roses for the tea party. You simply can't have a garden tea party without roses.

Marshmallow teacups. Yum! And so simple to make. They were a big hit!

I wish I had made more paper flowers, but I ran out of paper and time.

Of course, you can't have a birthday party without Cheezels. One on each finger.

Very special 'tea'.

The trampoline was a big hit with the girls. They jumped and twirled and threw around their feather boas. There were feathers EVERYWHERE!!! So colourful and so fun.

I made some bunting with fabric napkins that I sourced from op shops. It was my first time making it. Who knew it was so easy.

I put out Angels dollhouse for the girls to play with too. Those two playing with it in the picture had so much fun and stayed there for ages.

Oh, I must add that my darling hubby threw together this child height table last week after work. It was perfect for them to all sit around. It's WONDERFUL having such a handy husband. Thank you darling!

This was the only game they played...pass the parcel. There wasn't time to play any others as they were having fun eating, trampolining, doll housing, nail polishing and present opening.

She chose this birthday cake for me to make for her. I know you'll love it, but I'm not happy with how it turned out. I was in a rush and didn't do it properly. She loved it though, and that's all that matters!

Pressie time!

She LOVES opening presents.

Who doesn't???

My Angel, my Princess. All dolled up for a tea party.

She had a great time, which to me makes the party a huge success!

She's 6! Can you believe it? Where has the time gone???

~ Ky x

Plates 'n Stuff

I came across this lovely plate in an op shop a few days ago. It has been nursing our bananas since it came to live with us. It was the right price, so I snapped it up. Can't go past an old, pretty plate for $5. I am quite sure it will serve me well. I don't even mind that it has a stain in the middle of it, or that the glaze is all cracked. I rather like that look. It's been well used.

This is the makers stamp on the back of it (sorry it's sideways). I thought the sailing ship was cute. Makers stamps really don't mean much to me unless it's something well known like Royal Doulton, Wedgewood, Noritake...you get the idea.

And then there's this bowl and jug set. It's a very cute set that my darling husband nicked from his cousins holiday house (he knows me so well). He also nicked some pottery stuff. Yikes!!! I didn't like that stuff in the 80's and 90's and I certainly don't like it now(he brought them home just in case I wanted them). I thought he'd stopped off at a pottery barn. I REALLY don't like pottery barns. So, I dropped them off at the local Salvo's store...they can have them. Anyway... 

The only stamp this one has on the bottom says JAPAN. That immediately tells you that it's a cheap knock off...made to look like it's collectable. It is a very sweet little set though, so I'm going to keep it.

I'm just not sure what to use it for, so for now it will sit atop my slowly growing collection of old plates. One day I hope to have enough old plates and bowls to be able to set the table with them. You know, shabby chic style. Nothing matching.

Well, better be off now. I have some curtains to try and sew. It's been a few years since I've sewn anything, so I have to go and use my brain to work out how wide to cut the fabric plus add on the seams...aarrrrgh, my brain hurts already. I will show you how I go when they are up. Until then, enjoy your day!

~ Ky x

p.s. The fabric that the plate is sitting on is what I am making the curtains out of.

A Fairytale Cottage...Part 2

When I posted the photos about this cute, little cottage yesterday, I did so without reading the article in the New York Times about it and how it came to be. It was one womans dream to have her own Victoriana cottage and she made it happen. She did it all herself. You can read the whole story here.

A Fairytale Cottage...Gorgeous!

How unbelievably darling is this place??? It's too cute for words! Not particularly practical, but a very sweet retreat none the less. I'd have it way up in the backyard as a my own little cubby, to hide away from the world. The lovely garden would have to be there as well. It's just divine!

   * from {this is glamorous}

~ Ky x