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    Home » Cake » A madhatter’s tea party with Alice in Wonderland tableware from Amara

    A madhatter’s tea party with Alice in Wonderland tableware from Amara

    By Amy Treasure · Mar 23, 2016 · 26 Comments

    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?

    An Alice in Wonderland themed tea party

    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?

    Mrs Moore’s Alice in Wonderland collection

    Rabbit teacup and saucer from Mrs Moore’s Alice in Wonderland vintage collection

    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.

    Teacup & saucer and plate from the Alice in Wonderland collection at Amara

    A plate from the Alice in Wonderland collection for Amara

    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'.

    A teacup with ‘pink tea' from the Alice in Wonderland collection

    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

    ‘This Way’ sign from an Alice in Wonderland tea party

    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?

    A victoria sponge for our Alice in Wonderland themed tea party

    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

    A victoria sponge topped with fresh cream and a variety of fruit

    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

    A birds eye view of a victoria sponge cake filled with jam and buttercream icing and topped with fresh cream and a variety of fruit

    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.

    Spring sheep cakes made from iced cupcakes and topped with mini marshmallows and a small creme egg for a face

    An Alice in Wonderland themed tea party using the collection of vintage tableware from Mrs Moore’s vintage store for Amara

    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!

    An Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s tea party. Using tableware from Mrs Moore’s vintage store, fine bone china mugs , plates and teacups. We served pink tea and cucumber triangle sandwiches. Our cake showstopper was a simple victorian sponge topped with fresh cream and a fruit.

    * I was gifted the Alice in Wonderland tableware from Amara for review consideration

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Donna

      March 23, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      Your tea party looks amazing and that cake looks incredible! Love the crockery too! x

      Reply
      • Amy Treasure

        March 23, 2016 at 5:45 pm

        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

        Reply
    2. Jo

      March 23, 2016 at 5:25 pm

      Lovely photos, it all looks beautiful.

      Reply
      • Amy Treasure

        March 23, 2016 at 5:44 pm

        Thank you, it was so lovely to photograph (and eat afterwards!)

        Reply
    3. Plutonium Sox

      March 24, 2016 at 6:53 am

      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

      Reply
    4. Amber

      March 24, 2016 at 6:43 pm

      This? Is AMAZING. I want to have a tea party with you!

      Reply
    5. Mim

      March 25, 2016 at 5:18 am

      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

      Reply
    6. Emma

      March 25, 2016 at 9:12 am

      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

      Reply
    7. wendy

      March 25, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      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

      Reply
    8. Karen

      March 25, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      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

      Reply
    9. Kate Tunstall

      March 25, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      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

      Reply
    10. Emma Jones

      March 25, 2016 at 7:16 pm

      Love the crockery & cake. Yum! #thelist Lifeinthemumslane

      Reply
    11. Becky, Cuddle Fairy

      March 25, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      What a beautiful tea set! Your sponge turned out amazing! I wish I could join you for this stunning tea party. #TheList x

      Reply
    12. Briony

      March 26, 2016 at 5:50 am

      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

      Reply
    13. Nige

      March 26, 2016 at 8:48 am

      That cake is awesome I love the Alice in wonderland story mad hatters tea party is amazing wonderful crockery

      Reply
    14. There's always time for tea

      March 26, 2016 at 10:31 am

      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

      Reply
    15. You Baby Me Mummy

      March 26, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      OMG! This looks so amazing! I LOVE Alice too and this tea set is amazing, but not quite as amazing as that cake! xxxxx

      Reply
    16. Katy (what Katy said)

      March 26, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Oh doesn't it look amazing!! I love the tea cups, definitely something to add to over time. xx

      Reply
    17. Rosie @greenrosielife

      March 26, 2016 at 10:59 pm

      That tea set is lovely - you can't beat tea (made with tea leaves) from a proper pot and drank fro fine teacups!

      Reply
    18. Annette, 3 Little Buttons

      March 26, 2016 at 11:19 pm

      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

      Reply
    19. Silly Mummy

      March 27, 2016 at 12:02 am

      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

      Reply
    20. My Petit Canard

      March 27, 2016 at 12:40 am

      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

      Reply
    21. Laura Edwards

      March 28, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      Wow, hats off to you. The tea party looks amazing and the cake. ...yum. #TheList

      Reply
    22. Sian - The Mama Story

      March 30, 2016 at 7:03 pm

      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!).

      Reply
    23. Hannah Budding Smiles

      April 02, 2016 at 7:35 am

      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

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. What’s happening with Mr & Mrs T Plus Three: 25th March | Mr and Mrs T Plus Three says:
      25th March 2016 at 00:03

      […] My most popular post last week was: My Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s tea party  […]

      Reply

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