Evening Tea

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy.  I am trying to get back into my craft room, and create beautiful things again.  And yesterday, I was motivated to create something sweet, to share with a wonderful group of ladies.  As some of you know, I have started going to the gym.  Mostly, to help me with my running.  I still don't love running, but I want to improve on my time, form, and ease the struggles.  Anyways, I have met some of the nicest ladies there.  They don't judge, or sh*t talk about anyone.  They accept you for who you are, and encourage you to keep going.  How truly wonderful is that?  Anyways, I wanted to share a special treat with them, so I arranged to have an evening tea, to share with them.  (I made all of these arrangements back in April.  Thank goodness, because I am not sure I would have had the strength to do so now.)

And as you know, I can't just do a party!  There has to be favors!  But, first, let me enter my creations into a few challenges {smile}.  I love the challenges @ Really Reasonable Ribbon, basically, because they give you the freedom to just create, add ribbon, trim, or lace, and call it done.  Super sweet!

Then, I entered the challenge over @ Word Art Wednesday, because this group of talented ladies are inspiring with their words and creations.  They basically have the same philosophy: create something beautiful, made with your heart, and share it with the rest of us.  Simply wonderful!  Just like my gym ladies!

The theme for last nights evening tea, was Mid Summer's Night, by William Shakespeare.  The decorations were wonderfully right on point.  And the food was simply amazing!  I am never disappointed, or dissatisfied.  My friend Beth, always puts on the most amazing events!  So, my favors need to be worthy, and pretty, and shabby chic, of course! 

Here is what I made:

my favorite pink version:

and my favorite blue version:

Recipe:  I used simple 8oz mason jars.  I used various papers from the Jolee's Boutique paper pad, the Parisian Collection.  I cut pattern paper 8 1/2" x 2 1/2", and wrapped it around the jar.  I made sure the top edge of the paper went along the rim of the jar, to keep it straight.  I cut two strips, and used a lace border punch, to create the decorative kraft paper pieces.  I adhered them to the second strip of pattern paper 8 1/2" x 1 1/4".  I adhered these strips to the top center of the first pattern paper.  I wrapped seam binding around the jar, for decoration, and to help secure the pattern papers.  I tied the seam binding into a simple bow.  I used hot glue to secure the bow to the pattern papers.  I stamped my word friends in basic black ink, on to the same kraft paper, and punched a tag shape.  I tied the tiny tag to a matching button with kraft twine and hot glued the button to the jar.

For the lid, I cut out a paper doily, and used the jar's lid to hold it in place, and hot glued a paper blossom to the doily.  Viola!  not to crazy involved, but simply pretty.

So, inside the jars are some homemade Vanilla-Orange sugar cubes, and 2 Cinnamon Honey tea bags.

I wanted to make something sweet for my hostess Beth, so I added some homemade Vanilla-Orange sugar pieces to smaller mason jars (4oz), and created a simpler version of the jar decorations.

and a 'gift' for the hostess and her helper:

I added a strip of pretty pattern paper around the jar, tied some vanilla crochet trim around the jars.  I made the same tags, and tied them to cream vintage buttons.  For the tops, I added pale mint velvet leaf, and two paper blossoms in black and cream to match the pattern papers.

There were two ladies who did not make the tea, so I left their favors for Beth and her assistant.  I hope everyone enjoyed their time last night.  As we got a chance to sit and chat, and talk about ourselves, and what makes us happy.  Of course, we laughed, and shared our time together.  The food was delicious, the tea selected was a perfect pairing, and the company was unforgettable!  

I hope you get a chance to create something pretty and share it with the rest of us!