header image

All posts in May, 2013

Buntings and Birthday Parties!!!  My daughters birthday was in April and she decided on an Ice-Cream Sundae party!  We looked at all the wonderful ideas on Pinterest and created a whole birthday party idea board!   I also made the bunting below and was quite pleased how it turned out.  It was fun selecting the fabric and putting it all together.  My husband added the paper icecream bunting above the fabric one.

A handmade fabric bunting added atmosphere

A handmade fabric bunting added atmosphere

The table was set ready for an ice-cream extravaganza, with lot’s of pink and lots of toppings for every taste.  The “cake” was a giant banana split, in a watermelon sized bowl … and used about ten banana’s, almost 4 tubs of different ice-cream (vanilla, chocolate, hokey pokey, and natural toffee), and a large bowl of whipped cream on top.  That was before the girls lavished their individual bowls with a variety of tasty garnishments from the table.  I even found some sprinkles and candy that did not have food colouring!

The table set the scene

The table set the scene

The party was a success and all the girls had a great time, especially the birthday girl – shown below with her individual ice-cream yummy creation.

A happy birthday girl!

A happy birthday girl!

Mom’s Recommendation -Ice-cream Sundae parties are easy and fun!  I recommend looking at Pinterest for inspiration and also my mom’s Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/listing/127404872/digital-birthday-straw-flag-pennants– where you can print all sorts of party flags, invitations, and cupcake toppers.

 

“A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, which is one you forget about afterwards.” – A.A. Milne

 My first tea cup is this lovely Shelley tea set that my mother got for me as a birthday present when I was about 17 and it is one of my favorites!

Colette's first tea cup, a Shelley

Colette’s first tea cup, a Shelley

When I was younger, I remember wanting to collect something that was both pretty and practical and I have been collecting tea cups ever since!  I have a beautiful china hutch that holds most of my tea cups! When unpacking my tea cups from our recent move – I realise how much I missed having them out.   My love for tea cups and tea parties has been re-kindled since moving back to New Zealand – where we drink hot tea all the time – well, most days!  Tea time in New Zealand is a lovely carryover from colonial days!

Just recently I stopped by a thrift store in Riccarton, here in Christchurch, and I was so delighted to find several trio sets to choose from!  I selected a lovely light blue Queen Anne trio for my self and I decided to get my daughter, Anna-Kate, a lovely lilac trio set of her own.  Anna-Kate is also collecting tea cups and we are planning to host some tea parties at our place!

Anyone for a tea party?

Anyone for a tea party?

I also have a lovely trio that my step-mother bought back for me on a trip to Europe.  Warren’s grandmother also collected tea cups and we inherited several of hers, including a lovely and popular Old English Rose set.  Just before leaving Atlanta, my friend Nedia gave me a tea cup that reminds me of our friendship!

I hope to write more about tea time and our upcoming tea parties.  I have had fun pinning lots of tea party ideas, tea cups and tea pots on my Pinterest board!  You can follow me there at: Colette’s Cottage

Mom’s recommendation – make time for tea – with friends and family!  Have tea parties with your children!   Come and have a cup of tea and follow me!