Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

I was inspired to put together a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party after having seen Disney’s Alice in Wonderland (in 3D no less :-)

 The Hollywood Reporter calls it:  “Truly, Madly, Wonderful”  &  Roger Ebert says : “Enchanting”.  And, as my friend Annie, film aficionado that she is says: “It’s Not-To-Be-Missed!” 

See the Madly Wonderful Johnny Depp in the trailer Here. Better yet, go see the movie if you haven’t already!

  

 This tea party has all the hallmarks I could find of Alice in Wonderland~

Composed of mismatched napkins, Teapots, odd and single Cups & Mugs, consignment store finds, and family hand-me-downs. . .

A Bunny Cream & Sugar represent the March Hare (although he doesn’t look demented enough :) or the White Rabbit, who’s always late! He’s surrounded by marzipan fruits for this tea party. The pressed glass pedestal belonged to my grandmother.

 

The Queen of Hearts or Red Queen. . .

 A version of a stolen tart on a filigree silver plate consignment store find. . .

The butterflies on the table and hats, represent the Blue Caterpillar, which is his incarnation in the movie. This pattern is Vivaldi by 222 Fifth that I found at Home Goods this spring. I loved the square plate.

 This one of five of my husband’s grandmother’s hats that I embellished with the addition of a pin. One thing led to another, and I ended up adding pins to the napkins too.

 

A Cheshire Cat that had me doing a Great-Big-Ole-Happy-Dance in the aisle at Home Goods when I stumbled on it.

Cheshire Cat: “We’re all mad here.”

 Mad Hatter to White Rabbit: “No wonder you’re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.”

This is a single mug that I paired with my Fitz & Floyd Classique d’Or saucer. This little spoon is part of my great-aunt’s silver service. It’s marked S. Kirk & Son. . . mine by default because it has a W on it, which is a M upside-down :)

 A Queen’s Frog Footman . . .

Another embellished hat (I hope she would approve–they have been sitting stacked inside a hat box at the top of a closet for years.)

  Another consignment store find– with the silver basket casting shadows.

 A flower detail inside a bone china teacup.

 Little cakes for Alice to grow taller:  “Curiouser and curiouser!”

 This is a two-in-one teapot and cup set by Caldo-Freddo.

Clocks for tea time (all day!) & a key for Alice to unlock the door . . .

A “drink me” potion to help Alice shrink . . .

 

Queen of Hearts:   “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

This sugar bowl is part of a set by Royal Doulton/Royal Albert in the English Chintz pattern. It’s part of the 100 years of Royal Albert collection. See more here.

Thank you for your visit, I’m joining:

  27 comments for “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

  1. March 24, 2010 at 9:02 pm

    I have not seen the movie, but you definitely nailed what I imagine in my head from having read the book. Great job. Beautiful pictures!

  2. dena pickle
    March 24, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    You are just toooo creative! I would love to be invited to your tea party it just looks like the most fun I’d have all year!

  3. Sonny
    March 24, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    I agree your table setting and items are like a trip into wonderland.. so beautiful.

  4. March 24, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    oh how i LOVE how you play! you are so creative its just a treat to see you live and in action~ been gardening all day, to tired to type more, but just throw in 50 adjectives and that ought to do it!

  5. March 24, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    I simply love this Tea Party! I adore the Drink Me, Eat Me! What a wonderful Table Setting you have created! All the Teapots, Tea Cups! The Queen of Hearts! I had so much fun looking at each picture as the Table came together! Just love it!

  6. March 24, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    like this…:)

  7. Ann
    March 24, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    Wow!!! Once again you have totally amazed me with your creativity. What a beautiful tea party.

  8. March 24, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    Deee-light-ful! A

  9. Pinky
    March 24, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    Fabulous creativity! I love it all! Bravo!!!! XO, Pinky

  10. March 24, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    This is just a creative table. I love that you used things you already had to create a theme as involved as Wonderland! Every little detail is just perfect. You’ve created an absolutely magical table. Thanks for sharing!

  11. March 25, 2010 at 12:21 am

    Very clever! Pretty too! You are very creative!

    Katherine

  12. March 25, 2010 at 3:07 am

    Hi Katherine,
    Your table is cute, whimsical and oh so creative. I felt like Alice journeying down that rabbit hole, to a lovely tea party. Your pieces are lovely…thanks for sharing.
    Maryrose

  13. March 25, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Such attention to detail! I wanted to study every photo to make sure I didn’t miss a thing! What a delight!

  14. March 25, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    What a creative table, love it!

  15. Linda G.,
    March 25, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    Hi Mary, this is a very clever table and so much fun to look at! I can only imagine how much work and time you put into it. And WHERE did you find those amazing playing cards? Are they old? I had a very wonderful visit to your table.
    Linda

    • March 26, 2010 at 3:50 am

      Hi Linda, Thanks! I’m afraid I’m a pack rat. The playing cards were a promotional Virginia Slim cigarettes deck, that were given away back when smoking was less taboo. Since they are Virginia Slims, they are all women face cards which is fun :-) I actually forgot I had them until I went looking through my card drawer.

  16. March 25, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    This is a lovely interpretation of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The mix and match cups and the cute sweets really add to it. Thanks for sharing.

  17. March 25, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    MAGICAL. You have taken my breath away with the detail and your creativity. I don’t think you missed a beat taking us down the rabbit hole. That Tscape is exquisite. Jackie

  18. March 25, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    Oh…just love this! Feel like I’ve been transported to a fairy land. I love your imagination and whimsy….it really comes through in this magical tablescape! :-)

  19. Gillian
    March 27, 2010 at 3:39 am

    Absolutely beautiful! I could scroll through those pictures again and again; each time I look back, I find something new. :)

  20. Carolyn
    March 28, 2010 at 11:36 am

    I adore each component of this whimsical tea party. I can envision myself sitting there with the sun casting beautiful shadows around the table, in the chair closest to that “cupcake nest” if I’m not being too forward! How delightful, being served Tea from that sweet Bunny Tea Pot. You certainly did take yourself down the rabbit hole into a magical place and nailed this depiction of the Alice In Wonderland Tea Party. Thank you for bringing us along on this Fairyland Adventure.

  21. March 28, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    This is one of my all time favorite posts! Love all the hats and each of the details which are perfect for Alice’s tea party. I want to see the movie. Your creativity and amazing photos are sheer delight for me. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us. I’ll be back for return visits to this one for sure. I want to study each photo in detail. :-)

  22. March 28, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    Now this is jaw dropping amazing! What fun this table would be — to be invited for tea! Love it!

  23. March 30, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Wow!!! This is fabulous. You are so creative! I make Mad Hatter Tea Party Cake Stands and you have given me some great ideas. Love it! :)

  24. June 27, 2011 at 11:15 am

    wordpress is not playing nicely with me today so I will return to enjoy this visual feast again. May I ask, where did you find the WONDRFUL open mouth cat, seen at the beginning and again in your mosaic?
    So many things I want to see again in this post.
    If you have time, please visit my Mad Teas as well.

  25. Clare
    June 27, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    I’ve just been through the looking glass to “Mary’s Wonderland”…..so glad I got invited. It’s a wonderful, enchanting place! The Cheshire Cat is precious as well as that handsome prince posing as the frog!

  26. June 29, 2011 at 5:19 am

    What a beautiful tea party you’ve put together. You have some very lovely things, I especially loved the frog footman, he’s gorgeous.

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