If you asked me what books I read as a child Enid Blyton's Famous Five along with anything by Lewis Carrol would feature heavily on my reading list with the complex and obscure tale of Alice in Wonderland coming out on top and becoming a life long love of mine and a book I've read (and tried to make sense of) again and again. I realise now that it is, in effect two books; one for adults and one for children. From what I can gather, Alice in Wonderland is the third largest best-seller in the history of publishing, behind only the Bible and the works of Shakespeare and that says it all really doesn't it?
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't-Alice, Alice in Wonderland
As a creative and a photographer, I am drawn to things that are a bit nonsense and whimsical and enjoy filling my house with odd little tidbits and items that are conversation starters. These are the pieces that make the most brilliant props and help me to tell a story with my photographs. Since we moved into the new house -our grown up tree house on the edge of the woods- dining and entertaining has been one of the most exciting things for us. Suddenly having all this outside space and large wooden terrace overlooking the trees, we wanted to make the most of it. Now with the weather turning warmer this space is the perfect setting for get-togethers and tea parties.
When Amara got in touch and asked me to have a look at their site I immediately knew what I'd like to feature here on the blog and a few items that I've been lucky enough to get my hands on have made the perfect centrepieces for my Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter's tea party.
The Alice in Wonderland tableware range from Mrs Moore’s Vintage Store has several stunning pieces featuring silk prints with many of the classic novels most iconic characters, there are mugs, teacups and saucers and tea plates each available in six different designs, along with a creamer, teapot, sugar bowl and a two tier cake stand. All items are made in Staffordshire, England are are decorated by hand. They are of the finest quality and the prints are exceptional. The teapot is large just how I like them, because you can never have enough refills of tea, can you?
Of course, there have been many adaptations of the illustrations from the books over the years but unless I am mistaken I believe the prints on this collection depict the original ones which is a very special touch.
This is a collection that can be added to over time and really will become your pride and joy, as it is mine. There is something completely resplendent about pouring tea from an 'Alice' teapot into cups placed on saucers printed with the famous quotes 'curiouser and curiouser' and 'drink me'.
Have I gone mad? I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are.-Alice to the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland
For the tea party, I hung up signs in the magnolia tree directing my guests 'This way' and 'That way' towards the table where they found cucumber sandwiches cut into tiny triangles and one of my favourite cakes to bake: a Victoria sponge topped with fresh fruit and cream; the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea, don't you think?
Alice in Wonderland Victoria sponge recipe
For the cake
- 200g caster sugar
- 200g softened butter
- 4 egg, beaten
- 200g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp milk
For the filling
- 100g butter, softened
- 140g icing sugar, sifted
- drop vanilla extract
- half a 340g jar good-quality strawberry jam
- fresh cream and variety of fruit to decorate
Method
- Preheat over to 190 degrees/gas mark 5
- Butter two 20cm cake tins and line with baking paper
- In a large bowl beat all the cake ingredients together until you have a smooth batter
- Divide the mixture between the tins. Dip a tablespoon in water and smooth the tops of the cake mix
- Bake for 20 mins until a skewer inserted comes out clean
- Turn out onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely
- To make the filling beat the butter until smooth and creamy and then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla extract
- Spread the buttercream over one of the cakes and the jam on the other and then sandwich together.
- Add fresh cream and fruit to the top of the cake for a final flourish
I also made some 'spring sheep' especially for the party from cupcakes (made with leftover victoria sponge mix) that I iced and covered in mini marshmallows with half a small creme egg for a face and a bit of icing for the ears, eyes and mouth.
Everyone really enjoyed the tea party on our terrace with the spring sun high in the sky, drinking perfectly pink tea from clinking bone china cups. I hope that there are many more wonderfully whimsical afternoons just like this one.
Pin this to your party inspiration board!
* I was gifted the Alice in Wonderland tableware from Amara for review consideration
Donna
Your tea party looks amazing and that cake looks incredible! Love the crockery too! x
Amy Treasure
Thank you, I felt like a proper grown up having a tea party with an actual tea pot!! Loving it now the weather is a bit better and we can get outside x
Jo
Lovely photos, it all looks beautiful.
Amy Treasure
Thank you, it was so lovely to photograph (and eat afterwards!)
Plutonium Sox
Oh these are gorgeous Amy. I didn't know you could buy an Alice in wonderland tea set. I'm going to check it out because my sister Alice is a huge tea fan and her birthday is coming up. The perfect present :)
Nat.x
Amber
This? Is AMAZING. I want to have a tea party with you!
Mim
Oh my word LOOK at that CAKE! That is hands down the best looking cake I've ever seen! What beautiful photos too - I want to come to your next picnic :) x x #TheList
Emma
Stunning photos as always! That cake looks amazing!! And I love the teapot and cups :-) I am also very jealous of the fact that you live in a grown up tree house and have lovely dinner parties #thelist
wendy
This is a my dream!I love Alice in Wonderland too and anything cake and tea related and I'm there. I love your fruity sponge cake and sheep cupcakes. The tea set is gorgeous, the cups and saucers are so cute.xx #TheList
Karen
I've had many a tea party! I think Alice in wonderland is probably the best! I love you your pictures and I may have to go buy some cake!! #thelist
Kate Tunstall
Oh my gosh, I want to come to your house for a tea party, for the stunning surroundings and crockery, but mostly for your baking! In a totally normal, non-stalkerish way, of course. Xxx
#TheList
Emma Jones
Love the crockery & cake. Yum! #thelist Lifeinthemumslane
Becky, Cuddle Fairy
What a beautiful tea set! Your sponge turned out amazing! I wish I could join you for this stunning tea party. #TheList x
Briony
Such a pretty tea set and that cake looks amazing! I love a good tea set but don't drink tea, I just think they look pretty and I feel more grown up for owning them! #TheList
Nige
That cake is awesome I love the Alice in wonderland story mad hatters tea party is amazing wonderful crockery
There's always time for tea
I love love love this! Your photos are amazing, and that cake looks delicious. I think I might have a go at making it. Thanks for hosting lovely xx #Thelist
You Baby Me Mummy
OMG! This looks so amazing! I LOVE Alice too and this tea set is amazing, but not quite as amazing as that cake! xxxxx
Katy (what Katy said)
Oh doesn't it look amazing!! I love the tea cups, definitely something to add to over time. xx
Rosie @greenrosielife
That tea set is lovely - you can't beat tea (made with tea leaves) from a proper pot and drank fro fine teacups!
Annette, 3 Little Buttons
Wow! I love your tea set. I am a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, and the images and text works so beautifully on all the items. A perfect tea party :-) #TheList
Silly Mummy
I love this! Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favourite books & sources of quotes (probably obvious from the number of times references & lines from it have snuck into my blog posts!) I love that tea set, and I have just taken my eldest toddler to a Mad Hatter's Tea Party in a beautiful Alice costume (her, not me!) today - she loved it! & I had managed to teach her to say 'curioser & curioser'. #thelist
My Petit Canard
I love this tea set! This is totally something that I would buy. I love Alice in Wonderland and whimsical type sets like these, its absolutely perfect for hosting afternoon tea. I think I'll be popping over to the Amara website now to have a look for myself :-) I have to say, your victoria sponge cake looks divine too, I'd love to be a guest at one of your team parties! Emily #TheList
Laura Edwards
Wow, hats off to you. The tea party looks amazing and the cake. ...yum. #TheList
Sian - The Mama Story
What a gorgeous theme! I love Alice, can't wait until one of my daughters choses the theme for a party (or maybe I shouldn't wait!).
Hannah Budding Smiles
If I could have afforded it, I'd have loved a Mad Hatter's Tea Party on my wedding weekend but I was doing the whole thing myself (ceremony, vows, decorations, food etc) and would have needed to hire people to do an afternoon tea too! What a fantastic and gorgeous tea set, I love it xx