Amy's Free Motion Quilting Adventures: How to Free Motion Quilt: The Set-Up

Amy's Free Motion Quilting Adventures: How to Free Motion Quilt: The Set-Up:

AMY HAS A SERIES OF FREE MOTION BLOG POSTS INCLUDING SOME VIDEOS TO GET YOU GOING ON HOW TO FREE MOTION QUILT.   PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK, DIRECTLY ABOVE (IN SMALL RED LETTERS), IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY THERE.(The post is from a 2013 post).

HELLO FELLOW BLOGGERS!

HERE IS A DIRECT LINK TO AMY'S FREE MOTION QUILTING WHICH I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM HER VIDEOS AND HER WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF FREE MOTION QUILTING.

THESE TECHNIQUES CAN EASILY BE USED FOR MIXED MEDIA FABRIC JOURNALS WHICH IS WHAT MY PLANS ARE TO LEARN TO CREATE FABRIC JOURNALS.

AMY'S BLOG IS FULL TO THE BRIM WITH ANSWERS FOR THE BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE QUILTER.

HAVE FUN CREATING!!!

AND MAY YOUR BLESSINGS RUN OVER FOR THE END OF THE BUSY YEAR!

LOVE AND HUGS,
TERESA IN CALIFORNIA

FREE MOTION QUILTING AND MIXED MEDIA TIPS FROM THE PROFESSIONALS

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING SUPER SPECTACULAR SUCH AS A GLORIOUS FABRIC JOURNAL? OR A MIXED MEDIA FABRIC PICTURE TO HANG ON A WALL?

ME TOO! I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE SUCH PRETTIES!

RECENTLY, I JOINED 'CREATIVE WORKSHOPS' ON GAIL SCHMIDT'S SITE:
CREATIVE WORKSHOP LINK  to learn how to create Suzy Quaife's Peaceful Pondering Fabric Lace Book, a class Suzy has created for a basic (and swoon worthy!) fabric and lace journal. Suzy does not show how she does free motion techniques on this particular workshop as she only uses chip board between the pages and uses sewing or glue to adhere the fabric and laces onto her workshop journal. She shows how to make a fabric book with chipboard inserts which she glues or sews the fabric onto the cardboard. So if you are looking to make a journal with padding/batting, this is not included in the course. The course does give you the basics on how to make a fabric journal, with fabric and lace embellished cardboard but lacks the instructions on how to make a totally padded/batted fabric and lace journal, (which in Australia they call batting something different). In fact she hardly shows any scenes at all in her videos where she is actually sewing on her machine!

So, with that in mind, I needed more instruction as to how to do free-motion sewing where you drop the feeds on your sewing machine, and using batting, in between two layers of fabric, you would be on your way to learning how to make a journal with real batting instead of just a chipboard cover and 'pages'.  Suzy did not go into her superior batting and fabric technique in her workshop, which I was hoping that would be part of her class instruction.  Oh well.  I am still learning lots of things in her workshop.

So, I went on line, looking for other blogs which gave examples of free-motion sewing and came upon a blog titled: FREE MOTION QUILTING ADVENTURES which has the basic instruction/techniques to begin the beginner on the road to free motion quilting and mixed media fabric art and fabric journals.

AND HERE IS ANOTHER YOU TUBE LINK TO AMY'S FREE MOTION SEWING PLAYLIST VIDEOS:

AMY'S PLAYLIST FREE MOTION VIDEOS LINK

I have a few books in my craft's library which are also quite informative to learn the techniques of free motion quilting and mixed media fabric art.  My favorite one is 'Layered, Tattered & Stitched' by Ruth Rae.  Ruth's creations are so glorious!  I can only hope to some day accomplish what she has created.  Her swoon-worthy creations are exquisite!

I also have 'Sew Wild' by Alisa Burke where she shows how to create with stitch using mixed media projects.  There is a video included with her book which shows her sewing techniques, (but again, she does not instruct the student on how to do free motion!. She shows her painting and spritzing techniques, and block stamping on fabric, stenciling on fabric, and a myriad of other mixed media craft ideas you can create yourself! I highly recommend her book.

Stampington Publishing also has 'Art Quilting Studio' magazine which I have the Premier 2009 issue which has some of Ruth Rae's projects included in the issue.  I highly recommend purchasing it on Etsy or Ebay if you can find this out-of-print issue.It would be well worth your time to subscribe to 'Art Quilting Studio' if you are serious about creating free motion mixed media pieces.

Anyway, that is what is on my agenda to begin creating a journal from vintage fabric and laces.  I swoon every time I go to Suzi's Threadworks blog which you can find her link on the right had side bar of my blog.
Suzy is probably the most talented when it comes to creating her one-of-a-kind fabric and lace books, and also her one-of-a-kind mixed media fabric and lace wall embellishment hangings.

I hope you find yourself doing something like this during the autumn and winter months if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, or just want to have something very lovely to make for gifts.

You can always begin on a small scale and make a wall hanging fabric and lace mixed media piece to get the feel of the technique.

There are other gals who have made free motion journals including Nellie Wortman, which I also have one of her videos. 

Thank you for your continued visits to my blog.

love and light to you!
posted by Teresa in California

OUR VICTORIAN MASTERPIECE OF A HOME, CREATED BY A GENTLEMAN WITH A DREAM...

OUR BELOVED LAURELWOOD.  A DREAM HOUSE WHICH WAS 23 YEARS IN THE MAKING BY A LOCAL GENTLEMAN.  HE HAS PASSED ON, AND WE ARE THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS MANSION.

I WILL BEGIN WITH THE ORNAMENTAL SCULPTURES IN THE GARDEN.  THIS IS A CHERUB AND SWAN FROM AN ITALIAN SCULPTOR.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HUGE ANCIENT OAK TREES IN THE BACKYARD, ALONG WITH A SIDE VIEW OF THE BRICK GARAGE AND GAZEBO IN THE FAR BACK RIGHT.  IT'S NOT REALLY A GAZEBO BUT IT ACTUALLY A CUPOLA FROM THE TOP OF A VINTAGE SCHOOL BUILDING.

THIS IS AN ORNAMENTAL GRECIAN STYLE PLANTER IN THE BACKYARD

ONE MUST HAVE OF NECESSITY AN OUTHOUSE FOR THE GARDENER. THIS ONE HAS A FULLY FUNCTIONAL TOILET WITH A PULL CHAIN UPPER TANK.  NOTICE THE CRESCENT MOON UPON THE DOOR.

THERE ARE CHARMING FRENCH FRESCOES EMBED IN THE BRICK WALLS ALONG THE WALKWAYS OF THE BACKYARD.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HANGERS WHICH HOLDS THE OUTDOOR PORCH SWING. IT APPEARS TO BE A GRIFFIN.

A CLOSER VIEW OF THE GAZEBO. PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTOS FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

HERE IS A FULL  VIEW OF THE CHERUB AND SWAN SCULPTURE BY AN ITALIAN SCULPTOR.

HERE IS A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING WHICH IS FRAMED WHICH GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT THE GENTLEMAN WHO BUILT BEAUTIFUL LAURELWOOD.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A CLOSER VIEW TO READ IT.

THE BACKYARD GARDEN HAS A COUPLE OF LIONS IN THE HEDGE AREAS.

MY HUSBAND AND I GO TO ANTIQUE AUCTIONS.  THIS IS ONE PAINTING WE FOUND WHICH THE FRAME AND PAINTING WERE QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

THIS IS A HAND-PAINTED TILE SCENE WHICH IS IN THE MASTER BEDROOM BATHROOM WHICH HANGS OVER THE JACUZZI BATHTUB.

ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HAND-PAINTED TILE SCENE FROM THE PREVIOUS PHOTO ARE TWO SWEET HAND-PAINTED CHERUBS.

THIS SPIRAL STAIRCASE, AND FIRE POLE, CAME FROM A FIREHOUSE IN ENGLAND.  YOU CAN IMAGINE THE EXPENSE IT WAS JUST TO FREIGHT THESE TWO ITEMS ACROSS THE OCEAN TO AMERICA.

I BELIEVE THIS CRYSTAL CHANDELIER ORIGINALLY WAS IN A HOTEL IN RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA DURING THE GOLD RUSH DAYS. THIS HANGS IN THE FORMAL DINING ROOM.  NOTICE THE TIN CEILINGS.  ALL OF THE CEILINGS IN LAURELWOOD HAVE TIN EMBOSSED CEILINGS.

THIS IS A MARVELOUS ENAMELED IRON FOUNDRY CEILING LAMP HANGING, AND AGAIN, NOTICE THE TIN WORK ABOVE THE LAMP SHADE. 

THERE ARE OTHER LESS FANCY CRYSTAL CEILING LAMP SHADES.

THIS IS ONE SIDE OF A PAIR OF DOORS WHICH CAME OUT OF A LOCAL RESTAURANT IN OUR CITY CALLED 'THE VINTAGE PRESS' A FIVE STAR RESTAURANT WHICH SERVES CAVIAR AND VERY FINE FOOD.  THE RESTAURANT WAS REMODELED AT ONE POINT, AND MR. DONAL DOUGLAS WAS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME SO HE BOUGHT THE PAIR OF DOORS TO ADD TO HIS ASTOUNDINGLY GOOD TASTE IN DECORATING HIS VICTORIAN DREAM HOME.

PILLARS WERE ADDED THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE WITH BRASS FILIGREE, AND NOTICE THE BRASS FILIGREE UPON THE CEILING SCONE TOO.

HERE ARE THE FORMAL STAIRS LEADING TO THE SECOND FLOOR.  THE CARPETING IS A CUSTOM DESIGN AND IS WOOL, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR LAURELWOOD.  LOTS OF WOOD AND INTRICATE PANELING LINE THE WALLS OF THE HOUSE.

A HAND-FORMED CEILING SITS ABOVE THE WET BAR WHICH LEADS INTO THE KITCHEN.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

THE WET BAR HAS ITS ON SWEET COVE WITH ITS OWN LITTLE SINK WITH MANY SHELVES.  WE FURNISHED THE HOUSE AFTER WE BOUGHT IT WITH VINTAGE FINDS.  ONE FIND WAS THE VINTAGE CASH REGISTER.

THERE ARE MANY STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS OR INSET INTO WALLS WITH BACK-LIGHTING. THIS ONE IS IN THE WALL LEADING UPSTAIRS.

HERE IS ANOTHER PAINTING WE PURCHASED AT AN ANTIQUE AUCTION.

HERE IS A PORTION OF THE CORNICE AND BOXED IN CEILING OF THE FORMAL LIVING ROOM. LAURELWOOD IS A 3,400 SQ. FT. HOME.

HERE IS ONE OF THE SECOND-STORY BEDROOMS.  THE ROOF IS GABLED HENCE THE SLANTED LINES OF THE CEILING.

HERE IS THE KITCHEN WHICH IS QUITE SPACIOUS AND HAS LOTS OF CUPBOARDS (WHICH ARE NOT VISIBLE IN THE PHOTO).

THE FIREPLACE YOU CAN SEE IS PART OF A BELOW GROUND-LEVEL SITTING AREA.

THIS IS A BARBER CHAIR WHICH IS SITTING THE THE FAMILY ROOM.  YOU CAN NOTICE THERE IS A LOWER SITTING AREA BEHIND THE CAROUSEL HORSE.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A CLOSER VIEW.  NOTICE THE ORNAMENTAL RUG DESIGN.  IT IS QUITE INTRICATE.

HERE IS ONE OF THE VINTAGE GAS STOVES IN THE KITCHEN.

AND THE BLACK ENAMEL DOUBLE KITCHEN SINK WITH BRASS FAUCETS.

HERE IS A VIEW FROM THE SUNKEN SITTING AREA LOOKING TOWARDS THE FORMAL DINING ROOM.  THERE ARE SOME VERY INTRICATE STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS ABOVE THE UPPER GLASS WINDOWS. YOU CAN SEE THE BRICKED IN PATIO GARDEN AREA THROUGH ONE OF THE WINDOWS.  CLICK ON FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

THAT ABOUT WRAPS IT UP FOR TODAY'S VIEWING OF LAURELWOOD.  I AM NOT FINDING MY OUTSIDE PHOTOS OF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.  AS SOON AS I FIND THOSE, I WILL BE POSTING MORE PHOTOS.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE TOUR!

POSTED by Teresa

'JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL' A NOVEL BY SUSANNA CLARKE. A DEEP, DARK, MAGICICAL, ANCIENT FAIRY TELLING.

I CALL THIS BOOK A 'FAIRY TELLING' AS IT IS NOT QUITE A FAIRY TALE, BUT A TELLING ABOUT MAGICIANS USING FAIRY MAGIC.

A PHOTO OF A MAGICAL FAIRY HOME

WHEN I AM MOVED TO READ A BOOK AGAIN AND AGAIN, I KNOW THAT I HAVE FOUND A MASTERPIECE.

THE BBC HAS ALSO JUST RECENTLY MADE THE BOOK INTO A MINI SERIES, AND IT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD AT WALMART (I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES TO PURCHASES THE DVD'S WHICH THE TOTAL MINUTES ARE 406 MINUTES LONG).

THE NOVEL IS SITTING IN MY BOOKCASE (TO THE LEFT) AND THE HARDCOPY IS 782 PAGES LONG.  I AM ON MY SECOND READING OF THE BOOK.

THE TALE IS PLACED IN LONDON, ENGLAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 1800'S.  TWO MAGICIANS VIE TO BEAT EACH OTHER IN THEIR MAGIC IN ORDER TO BE THE BEST MAGICIAN.  THE MAGIC MOVES INTO DARK FAIRY MAGIC, WITH PEOPLE BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD, WARS BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND BEING FOUGHT WITH MAGIC.

ONE CHARACTER IS A MALE FAIRY WHO HAS 'THISTLEDOWN HAIR'.  HE IS SELF-CENTERED AND SELFISH, CAUSING THE WIVES OF PROMINENT MEN TO BE ENCHANTED AT MIDNIGHT TO DANCE IN THE FAIRY BALLROOMS ALL NIGHT LONG, ONLY TO BE FOUND IN THE MORNING, BACK IN THEIR OWN BEDS EXHAUSTED.

ENCHANTED MIRRORS ABOUND IN THIS FAIRY TALE

THE ONES WHO ARE ENCHANTED CANNOT TALK ABOUT WHERE THEY HAD BEEN.  IF THEY DO, THEY BEGIN TO TALK NONSENSE.

YOU WILL BEGIN LOOKING OVER YOUR OWN SHOULDER AT THE MIRRORS IN YOUR OWN HOUSE, WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANCIENT FAIRY ROADS WHICH TRAVEL TO THE MIDNIGHT BALLROOMS OR, WONDERING IF YOU TOO, SHALL SEE THE 'THISTLEDOWN HAIRED' FAIRY BECKONING YOU TO JOIN HIM IN THE FAIRY DANCES.

MAGICAL INTRIGUE AND ANCIENT BELIEVABLE TALES AWAIT THE READER.

IF YOU ENJOYED HARRY POTTER, YOU WILL BE HOOKED READING THIS DARK FAIRY TALE, AS SUSANNA CLARKE IS EQUAL TO J.K. ROWLING IN KEEPING THE READER IN SUSPENSE AS TO THE UNFOLDING OF THE STORY.

ENJOY!

POSTED by Teresa

PHOTOS FROM MY PAST GIVEAWAYS...

MY CAMERA WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN I WAS DOING MY PHOTO SHOOT FOR THE MAD TEA PARTY AND ALSO FOR ANOTHER GIVEAWAY I HAD WHICH HAD TO DO WITH IMAGES OF SHADOWS OF REFLECTED LIGHT.

I WANTED TO DO IT PROPERLY WITH COMPLETED MIXED MEDIA IMAGES BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE, AT THE TIME.

HERE ARE PHOTOS OF THE MIXED MEDIA 'TEA TIME GOWN' WHICH WAS MY GIVEAWAY FOR THE 'MAD TEA PARTY' ALMOST A MONTH AGO.

THIS IS THE COMPLETED MIXED MEDIA CANVAS 'TEA TIME GOWN' WHICH I ADDED MORE GOLD EMBELLISHMENTS AND OUTLINED MANY IMAGES WITH A UNI-BALL BLACK GEL PEN.  IT REALLY HELPED TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMAGES.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

THE NEXT ITEMS WERE TWO FABRIC FLOWER BROOCHES SENT TO THE TWO WINNERS OF MY GIVEAWAY FOR GUESSING THE CORRECT ITEM WHICH WAS REFLECTING LIGHT WHICH LOOKED VERY MUCH LIKE A SHIRE WITH AN ANGEL AND WINGS.  THE IMAGE WHICH REFLECTED THE LIGHT WAS THE SHINING SIDE OF MY LAUNDRY IRON.  IT IS AMAZING WHAT LIGHT WILL REFLECT. PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

HERE IS THE REFLECTED LIGHT PHOTO.  THIS IS HOW IT APPEARED ON THE WALL IN MY LAUNDRY ROOM. I DID NOT SHAKE THE CAMERA.  THIS IS HOW THE LIGHT WAS REFRACTED OFF THE SHINY SIDE OF THE IRON.

THE FABRIC BROOCHES I MADE ARE IN THE STYLE OF JULIE ARKEL, WHOSE STYLES I ADORE!  IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON YAHOO FOR JULIE ARKEL IMAGES, THE SEARCH WILL COME UP WITH A LINK TO MANY PHOTOS OF JULIE'S PAPER MACHE CREATURES, AND HER FABRIC CREATIONS.  JUST CLICK ON THE YAHOO LINK.  MAKE SURE YOU TYPE IN THE WORD 'IMAGES' AFTER HER NAME.  YOU CAN DO THIS WITH OTHER FAVORITE ARTISTS TOO. JULIE ARKEL ALSO HAS A PINTEREST PAGE.  I ADORE LOOKING AT PHOTOS OF HER CREATIONS!

THIS IS ONE FLOWER BROOCH WHICH ENDED UP GOING TO NEW YORK.  I CREATED THE PETALS WITH VINTAGE FABRIC, COMPLETELY MADE BY ME.  I AM AN AVID CROCHETER SO, THE BLUE PANSY FLOWER I MADE WITH FINE CROCHET THREAD. THE STEM OF THE FLOWER IS VINTAGE TRIM, AND I TOPPED IT OFF WITH A BRONZE COLORED VINTAGE BUTTON. PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

HERE IS THE SECOND FLOWER BROOCH WITH ACCENTS OF PINK, HIGHLIGHTED WITH A HOT PINK CROCHETED FLOWER BY ME, AND A VINTAGE FABRIC COVERED BUTTON.  THIS PHOTO WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN BEFORE I HAD SEWN IT ALL TOGETHER.  I WAS IN A RUSH TO FINISH IT SO I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE ANOTHER SNAP SHOT OF IT.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

I do enjoy creating mixed media pieces, and hand sewn items.

I ENJOY TAKING PHOTOS OF CLOUD FORMATIONS.  THIS ONE WAS JUST TOO FANTASTIC TO PASS UP.  IT LOOKS LIKE A WOLF'S FACE INCLUDING THE MUZZLE AND THE EYE AND AN EAR. A WOLF RUNNING THROUGH THE SKY. PLEASE BE SURE TO CLICK ON THIS IMAGE FOR A CLOSER VIEW.

PLEASE HAVE A LOVELY WEEK AND ENJOY CREATING WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO.

ALSO, PLEASE VIEW EACH SIDE OF MY BLOG SIDE BARS AS THEY CONTAIN MANY ART SITES TO VIEW FOR WORKSHOPS, INSTRUCTIONAL TUTORIALS, WONDERFUL BLOGS, AND CHILDREN'S BOOK SITES, AND DOLLS FOR SALE FROM SOME AWESOME DOLL MAKERS.

POSTED by Teresa

THE FRUGAL CRAFTER...A DREAMY BLOG WITH WATER COLOR PENCIL TUTORIALS AND LINKS TO YOU TUBE VIDEOS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T FOUND THE WONDERFUL BLOG OF LINDSAY AT THE FRUGAL CRAFTER, YOU WILL BE DELIGHTED WITH HER WATER COLOR PENCIL TECHNIQUES AND TUTORIALS.

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH ONE OF LINDSAY'S FLOWER TUTORIALS ON YOU TUBE WAS FOR HYDRANGEAS.  I WAS SO THRILLED TO LEARN THESE SIMPLE WATER COLOR PENCIL TECHNIQUES.

 PLEASE VISIT 'THE FRUGAL CRAFTER' WITH LINDSAY ON HER BLOG.  NOT ONLY DOES SHE PAINT FLOWERS, BUT MAKES GIFT BOXES WHICH YOU CAN DESIGN YOURSELF, AND CARDS, AND MANY FLOWER TUTORIAL LINKS TO HER YOU TUBE CHANNEL.

ENJOY! PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK ON MY LEFT SIDEBAR WHERE YOU SEE HER LOVELY PHOTO.  THANKS A BUNCH!

I ALWAYS ENJOY INTRODUCING OTHER AMAZING ARTISTS AND PASS THE LINKS ON TO OTHERS FOR THEIR OWN ENJOYMENT.

POSTED by Teresa

WE HAVE A WINNER! FOR THE GIVEAWAY IN THE MAGICAL MAD TEA PARTY! YAY!

YES, MY WONDERFUL KINDRED SPIRIT WONDERLAND FRIENDS.  TODAY IS THE DAY I ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY MIXED MEDIA ART PIECE: 'TEA TIME GOWN'.

AND THE WINNER IS.....DANZEL! AT HER SILVER SHOES AND RABBIT HOLES BLOG.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!  I WILL BE SENDING YOU AN EMAIL FOR YOUR SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS.

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE MAD TEA PARTY EVENTS.
IT WAS SUCH A MAGICAL TIME WE ALL HAD.

AND THANK YOU TO MAGICAL MISS VANESSA FOR HOSTING YET ANOTHER YEAR FOR THIS FABULOUS MAD TEA PARTY EVENT!

AND HERE IS ANOTHER COPYRIGHT FREE IMAGE FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR PRINTING ENJOYMENT!

THANKS EVER SO MUCH!

POSTED by Teresa

IT'S HERE! THE MAD TEA PARTY HOSTED BY VANESSA VALENCIA AT 'A FANCIFUL TWIST' BLOG.

 WELCOME TO THE MAD TEA PARTY! COME ONE COME ALL TO THE FRABULOUS TEA PARTY!

A PHOTO OF CHARLES DODGSON, PEN NAME LEWIS CARROLL WHO WROTE 'ALICE IN WONDERLAND' 150 YEARS AGO.

IT IS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'ALICE IN  WONDERLAND'. IT'S A TIME TO CELEBRATE ONE OF THE FIRST MAD TEA PARTIES PENNED BY CHARLES DODGSON, I.E. LEWIS CARROLL, WHEN HE TOLD A TALE OF WONDERLAND MAGIC TO ALICE LIDDLE IN A BOAT RIDE DOWN A RIVER IN ENGLAND ON A BALMY SUMMER'S DAY.

LITTLE DID HE KNOW (NO PUN INTENDED) THAT HIS BOOK WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED AND WHIMSICAL FANTASY TALES EVER WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN.  I, FOR ONE, FELL IN LOVE WITH THE BOOK AT THE YOUNG AGE OF SEVEN.

WELL, WITH NOT MUCH FURTHER ADO, COME WITH ME INTO A LAND OF ENCHANTMENT FOR THE MAD TEA PARTY!

ALICE WAS SITTING UNDERNEATH A TREE, LISTENING TO HER SISTER READ A VERY BORING HISTORY BOOK ABOUT ENGLAND.

SHE MUST HAVE BEEN GETTING VERY SLEEPY AS SHE HAD TO RUB HER EYES TWICE TO MAKE SURE SHE REALLY DID SEE A WHITE RABBIT RIDING BY BEING PULLED BY A RED HEN WITH A CART FULL OF EGGS!

'OH, MY EARS AND WHISKERS!' EXCLAIMED THE WHITE RABBIT. 'I AM LATE FOR THE QUEEN'S MAD TEA PARTY! CAN'T YOU GO A LITTLE BIT FASTER RED HEN?' ALL THE HEN REPLIED WAS 'CLUCK! CLUCK!'

ALICE GOT TO HER FEET AND DECIDED TO RUN AFTER THE WHITE RABBIT TO SEE WHERE HE WAS GOING.  SHE WAS ALWAYS CURIOUS ABOUT NEW ADVENTURES.

SOON, ALICE CAME UPON A SWEET COTTAGE AND SAW THE WHITE RABBIT RUN INSIDE, SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND FOLLOWED THE WHITE RABBIT INTO THE COTTAGE.

WHEN SHE GOT INSIDE, SHE SAW SOME KITTENS AND LOST INTEREST IN THE WHITE RABBIT FOR A BIT, AND SAW SOME CHESS PIECES LYING AROUND.  'CURIOUSER, AND CURIOUSER' SHE THOUGHT TO HERSELF.

ONE OF THE CATS SPOKE TO ALICE AND SAID, "ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMEONE?" 

"YES", REPLIED ALICE. 'I SEEM TO HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE WHITE RABBIT.  DO YOU KNOW WHICH WAY HE HAS GONE? AND WHAT IS YOUR NAME, BY THE WAY?"

THE CAT REPLIED "I AM THE CHESHIRE CAT. AND THIS IS A HUGE, MYSTERIOUS HOUSE. THE WHITE RABBIT COULD BE ANYWHERE."

"WELL," SAID ALICE, "I SEEM TO HAVE LOST MY WAY.  CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH WAY TO GO?"

THE CAT REPLIED "ALL WAYS HERE ARE THE QUEEN'S WAYS.  SHE WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHICH OF HER WAYS TO FOLLOW."

ALICE THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ABSURD ANSWER AND DECIDED TO FOLLOW HER OWN WAY.   SHE SAW A SPIRAL STAIRCASE AND DECIDED TO WALK UP IT.

"CURIOUSER, AND CURIOUSER" SHE THOUGHT. "I WONDER WHERE THIS WILL LEAD?"

 ALICE WENT UP AND UP THE STAIRCASE WONDERING WHERE IT WOULD LEAD.

THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE TOOK ALICE TO A DOOR WHICH OPENED ONTO THE ROOF OF THE COTTAGE. ON THE ROOF WERE TWO PHONE BOOTHS. ALICE THOUGHT TO HERSELF "MAYBE THE PHONE BOOTHS ARE PORTALS TO WONDERLAND".  SHE WALKED OVER TO THE ONE ON THE RIGHT AND STEPPED INSIDE.

IMMEDIATELY, ALICE WAS WHISKED AWAY TO ANOTHER DIMENSION.

ALICE SOON FOUND HERSELF IN A DINING ROOM WITH TEA POTS AND CUPS AND SAUCERS. "AH!" SAID ALICE. "THIS IS MORE LIKE IT!"

ALICE SAW THAT THE CHESHIRE CAT HAD FOUND HIS WAY TO THE MAD TEA PARTY AND WAS SITTING ON A STACK OF CHINTZ TEA CUPS AND SAUCERS.

"HELLO, CHESHIRE CAT" SHE SAID.  AND HE REPLIED "I SEE YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR WAY TO THE PARTY?"  "YES", SHE SAID "AND IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FINDING MY WAY HERE TOO."  

"LIKE I SAID" REPLIED THE CAT "ALL WAYS HERE ARE THE QUEENS WAYS!"  

"BY THE WAY?" ASKED ALICE, "WHERE IS THE QUEEN ANYWAY?"

"OH" SAID THE CHESHIRE CAT, "SHE'LL BE COMING ALONG SHORTLY.  THE WHITE RABBIT WILL BE ESCORTING HER."

"OH!" EXCLAIMED ALICE, "I HAD ALMOST FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE WHITE RABBIT." 

THERE WERE MANY OTHER DOLLS WAITING FOR THE RED QUEEN TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE.

EVERYWHERE ALICE LOOKED MORE DOLLS AND CREATURES WERE ARRIVING FOR THE MAD TEA PARTY.

WHILE ALICE WAS WAITING FOR THE RED QUEEN TO ARRIVE, SHE PEEKED INTO THE DUTCHESS' KITCHEN WHERE THE COOK WAS MAKING GOODIES FOR THE TEA PARTY. 

ALICE DECIDED TO ROAM AROUND THE HOUSE AND CAME TO THE LIBRARY.  SHE ENJOYED VIEWING THE TITLES ON THE FANTASY BOOKS.

"WELL, I MUST BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AS MY STORY IS FULL OF FANTASY!" SAID ALICE.

ALICE PEEKED INTO A CHINA CABINET FULL OF CURIOUS AND WONDERFUL GOODIES.  (PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEWS OF THE PHOTOS).

ALICE HAD NEVER SEEN SO MANY TEA POTS AND TEA CUPS AND SAUCERS IN HER LIFE.  SHE WAS BEGINNING TO GET HUNGRY AND WISHED THE QUEEN WOULD COME SOON.

ALICE SAW WHIMSICAL TREASURES EVERY WHERE, EVEN IN THE ART STUDIO!

ALICE WAS BEGINNING TO GET TIRED, SO SHE FOUND HER FRIEND, MS RABBIT WHO WAS A RELATION TO THE WHITE RABBIT.  RABBITS ALWAYS HAVE LOTS OF RELATIVES!  (ALICE DOLL AND MS RABBIT WERE CREATED BY RHISSANNA; PLEASE SEE THE LINK TO HER BLOG AND ETSY SHOP ON MY RIGHT SIDE BAR).

IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT THE WHITE RABBIT ANNOUNCED THE ARRIVAL OF THE RED QUEEN.

THE RED QUEEN FINALLY CAME DANCING INTO THE ROOM.  ALL EYES WERE IMMEDIATELY FOCUSED ON HER.  SHE ALWAYS MADE GRAND ENTRANCES WHEREVER SHE WENT!

ALICE WAS THRILLED TO SEE THE RED QUEEN.  SHE WAS SO EXCITED SHE GOT UP AND DANCED TOO!

ALICE WAS SO GRACEFUL WHEN SHE DANCED.

THE MARCH HARE AND THE MAD HATTER DECIDED TO DUNK THE DOOR MOUSE INTO A TEA POT.

ALICE THOUGHT THE PARTY WAS BEGINNING TO FALL APART AT THE SEAMS AT THIS POINT.  "STUFF AND NONSENSE!" SHE SAID.

IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT THAT ALL OF THE RED QUEENS PARTY GOERS TURNED INTO A DECK OF PLAYING CARDS.  ALICE WAS SO DISGUSTED WITH THE MAD TEA PARTY AS SHE HADN'T EVEN HAD A HER TEA AND CRUMPETS.

ALICE RAN OUT THE FRONT DOOR OF THE COTTAGE AND SAW SOME ORANGE LEAVES WHICH RESEMBLED THE CHESHIRE CAT.  ALICE THOUGHT TO HERSELF "NOTHING IS AS IT REALLY SEEMS HERE. I AM SURE THAT WAS THE CHESHIRE CAT SITTING IN A TREE.  HE MUST BE FADING AGAIN.  THIS MUST BE WONDERLAND AFTER ALL AS SURE AS I AM DREAMING."

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE MAD TEA PARTY EVENT, AND FOUND IT TO BE AS MAGICAL AND WHIMSICAL AS CAN BE.

FOR YOUR CREATIVE PLEASURE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY THESE COPYRIGHT FREE CROWNS SO YOU TOO CAN BE LIKE QUEEN ALICE!

WITH THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE STAYED TO THE END OF THIS POST, I AM HAVING A LITTLE GIVEAWAY IN THE THEME OF WONDERLAND.  I HAVE TITLED THIS MIXED MEDIA CANVAS 'TEA TIME GOWN' AND IS A CREATION OF MINE TO CELEBRATE THE 150TH YEAR OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF 'ALICE IN WONDERLAND'.

THIS IS MY GIVEAWAY.  I HAVE ACTUALLY ADDED MORE EMBELLISHMENTS TO IT BUT MY CAMERA DECIDED TO QUIT ON ME JUST BEFORE THE MAD TEA PARTY.  CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE A LARGER IMAGE.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING FOR THE GIVEAWAY PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND TRY TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT YOU.

I WILL BE LEAVING THE MAD TEA PARTY POST UP FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK, SO YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO LEAVE A COMMENT.

ALSO, I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF BLOGGERS ARE HAVING A SLIGHT PROBLEM WITH THEIR COMMENT SECTIONS.  AN ANNOYING 'POP-UP' HAS BEEN COMING UP AFTER YOU CLICK ON THE 'I AM NOT A ROBOT'.  JUST STAY TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE COMMENT SECTION AS FAR AS YOU CAN AND AFTER YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR COMMENT WHERE YOU WILL SEE THE WORD 'PUBLISH' THERE IS STILL ROOM ENOUGH TO CLICK ON 'PUBLISH' AND THE COMMENT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED.

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR COMING TO THE MAD TEA PARTY!


PLEASE CLICK ON THE 'MAD TEA PARTY' LINK TO VANNESSA'S BLOG ON MY RIGHT SIDE BAR.

GO TO VANESSA'S BLOG FOR THE LIST OF OTHER BLOGGERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE MAD TEA PARTY.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR HELPING MAKE THIS MAD TEA PARTY AN EVENT TO REMEMBER!

POSTED by Teresa

NOTE:  I AM PREOCCUPIED ON SATURDAY SO I AM POSTING THIS A FEW HOURS EARLY SO I CAN BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE ON TIME!