KISS *Tea Party Picnic* 2016

The *Tea Party Picnic* for my KISS Quilt Guild went off without a hitch!  Whew!  
Everyone seemed to have a great time & the quilt projects, both in the Challenge & the mini group's *Show & Tell* were wonderful!!! 

I left the house at 7:30 am,
with my car packed to the max!

My committee members, JoAnn & Norma & myself ran around like crazy women, getting all the placemats, teapots & napkin/cutlery into place just 2 hours before the event.

I made the PINK lemonade & the man who runs the hall had already made up ice tea.

He also got the coffee started for us, which you can't see over in the left corner.

Photo below is a partial set-up of the beverage area with fresh mint (from my garden...for the iced tea)
in one of my silver teapots along with
those lemons that got cut up, too!

I had a bouquet of fresh PINK flowers in a bigger silver teapot, set on a round mirror next to the sign-in sheet.

I thought it made a nice *first impression* as members entered.

I typed up a little label that said, (in PINK):

KISS

TEA PARTY PICNIC

2016

I tucked it behind that opening in this cute card from my grands &

had it sitting beside the silver teapot at the entrance.

This is a shot of the food tables & dessert area prior to everyone's arrival.  
That arch had white lights, which I remember to plug in at the very last minute!

Pink & Green were the colors throughout the entire day.

Every table had ONE place setting that did not get a knife inside the PINK wrapped napkin.
The person who sat at that spot was the winner of the little fabric sweetener holders!



The ladies loved the little fabric bowls for the sweetener & we gave all 20 of them away as door prizes.
Thank you to all my committee members for helping to make them!

We had TONS of really good food!  I wish I'd gotten back to the tables to take some photos but I was up on a stage, doing the announcing,
along with Lee B., Chairwoman of the Mini Groups.  

 Just a few shots of the yummy desserts that arrived early enough for me to take a picture.  
(note to self:  assign a photographer next year!)

The gals really got into the theme of the party, bringing little tea sandwiches, choc. covered strawberries, beautiful mini fruit tarts, similar to these, only smaller, bite size versions.

   The biggest hit of the party was the  "Tea Bag Cookies", made by my most helpful committee member, Norma.

  She baked shortbread rectangles, cut off the top corners & poked a hole with a straw in that top area.  After they cooled, she dipped them in melted chocolate.  Then she threaded some baker's twine with a tag (like on a teabag) that said "KISS 2016". 

 Everybody oohed & awed over them!  She displayed them on an antique pedestal cake plate which added to the ambiance of the occasion nicely.  Thanks Norma!!

Let's take another peek at Norma's spectacular cookie treats!!!  SEW CUTE!!

One member captured a few photos with her phone of the big mini group's reveal *Show & Tell* .
I'm sorry the pics are blurry but it was the best I could do to enlarge them for the blog.
It really gives you an idea of all the talent in this group!

               


 

Lastly, a peek at one of next year's

 mini group projects! 

 I can't wait to make this one!

Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House today to see the results of months of planning for the *Tea Party Picnic*.

  I hope you enjoyed viewing it as much as the members seemed to enjoy being there.

fondly,

Tea Party Picnic for my Quilt Guild

I am furiously working to finish making this "Time for Tea" table topper - 

Appliqué Pattern by Darlene Zimmerman & Rachel Shelburne,

 but it won't be done by this Tuesday's KISS Quilt Guild "Tea Party Picnic".  

The pattern for this quilt is now out of print but can be found in Fons & Porter's "Love of  Quilting"- May/June 2006.  You can buy the digital version of that issue for only $2.99 HERE.



This little limoges box was the inspiration for the theme of my quilt guild's annual picnic
...a "Tea Party Picnic"



Every member has been asked to bring a tea cup with them, 

but they have to put it down at a different place from where 

they are going to be seated.  

Everyone will take home a 'new to them' tea cup, 

after using it at the party!





Those of you who have followed my blog for years know how 

much I LOVE my TEA!! 

I collect teapots & teacups & will be bringing most of my 

collection to use as centerpieces on each table 

where members will be seated.

EDIT TO ADD FOR KITTY:
Here is a photo of the paper drip catchers for teapots.

and a LINK to where you can buy them!

Thanks for mentioning them, Kitty!

I only had to borrow a few from friends, 

to make sure I had enough large sized ones to use....

I didn't think the Christmas ones would work too well.

This darling little thatched roof one, 
with the bluebird looking at his reflection, 
is my newest aquisition!  
Isn't he TOO cute?!



This delicate treasure belongs to my friend Nicole & 
I'm almost afraid to take it, 
for fear of it getting damaged in transit. 
I'm so enamoured of its graceful lines.



My committee members & I have been busy
making little fabric bowls to hold sweeteners
on each table.  
Here is a link to the video that I used to make the fabric bowls, shown below,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_QOl_cHsJI



These are the measurements I used to get this little size:



I hope I remember to bring my camera 
so that I can share some photos of the picnic next week! 

This is the big end-of-the-year "Show & Tell" 
where everyone brings their projects 
that they learned to make in the mini groups
which are held all year long.

We will also sign up to take some new mini group 
classes for the upcoming season.  

Just wait till you see THOSE gorgeous projects...

can we say "EXCITED!!" 

Thanks for stopping by "The Gazebo House" today.

Wish we could share a cup of tea together!