Taffeta and Lace Tea Tray Cover

I just finished the last item (for now) in the Taffeta and Lace series--a Tea Tray Cover. Have a look:

Shown on my White Wooden Tea Tray with English Rose Garden Tea Pot and Vintage Bone China Tea Set--available for sale in my shop.Detail of tassel trim and venise lace. I did not add the ceramic rose button to this piece, but I could, if desired.

More Taffeta and Lace...

I just had to show you the companion Dome Style Tea Cozy to my Taffeta and Lace Tea Cup and Saucer Tote... (Matching Tea Tray Cover coming soon.) I am envisioning a Victorian Tea in someone's future plans...

(Detail showing hand-built ceramic rose button from Cindy at Angel Heart Designs. This cozy can be ordered with ivory or pink button to match the totes.)

(Detail of totes with both colors of buttons.)

New Tea Cup and Saucer Totes--Taffeta and Lace

This Tote has been in my mind's eye for several weeks now. I envisioned something a little more elegant for a more formal, possibly Victorian-themed tea--hence the taffeta. But, I knew such a tote would require a very special finishing touch and it was that detail that held me up. After searching high and low, I contacted a friend of mine at Make Mine Pink, Cindy H. from Angel Heart Designs who does fabulous, handbuilt ceramic pieces. She designed the lovely ceramic rose buttons that are just what I was looking for. Thank you, Cindy! And once that was done, I could finally take my idea from mind's eye to design board and then to the sewing machine. Have a look and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from all my friends.

Tea Cup and Saucer Tote—Taffeta and Lace

In days gone by, when a woman wanted to have a tea party, she might not have enough teacup and saucer sets for all her guests. As a result, it was not uncommon for a guest to be asked to bring her own teacup and saucer--often carrying her treasure in a beautiful case for protection.

This lovely tea cup and saucer tote is a wonderful way to take your favorite tea cup and saucer to your next tea party. Luscious green taffeta, 4” Venise lace, pastel tassel trim and hand-crafted ceramic rose button (available in ecru or pink) are the elegant details that set this tea cup tote apart from the all the rest! Two layers of high loft quilt batting offer protection from breakage. A padded plate liner keeps the cup and saucer separated. Fully lined inside. Bottom is reinforced with a plastic insert to provide support and further protection. A coordinating cord drawstring closes the tote and provides a handle to carry your precious cargo. Holds a 6” saucer and tea cup. (Tea cup and saucer shown for display only and are not included.) An added bonus is a lovely coordinating, lace-trimmed napkin. No tea parties in the near future? It could also be used as a purse! Too sweet! Dimensions: 6 ½”w x 7”h
Directions for use: Insert saucer. Place padded liner on top of saucer. Place tea cup right side up on top of liner. Pull drawstring to close. Enjoy!

An Afternoon Tea

Now that we have talked about tea, let's actually have one! Put on your tea clothing and follow these steps to a perfectly delightful afternoon tea!

1. Select the prettiest, most delicate, china tea service you can.
2. Make sure your cutlery is gleaming bright.
3. Set the table with a snowy white lacy or linen table cloth. Add matching napkins.
4. Use tea leaves rather than teabags, if possible, and provide a tea strainer.
5. Set out the essentials. As well as milk and sugar, provide a small dish of thinly sliced lemons.
6. Provide two teapots. One teapot should contain the actual tea. The other one should be filled with hot water. (This would be used to dilute the tea if a guest finds it too strong or for a guest who has a caffeine sensitivity and prefers an herbal tea bag.)
7. Serve sandwiches, scones and cake. Have a three-tiered cake stand with sandwiches on the bottom tier, freshly baked scones on the middle tier and a selection of cake slices, petit fours, and/or cupakes on the top tier.
8. Set out the condiments. Put jam, honey, clotted cream and butter into small individual pots or dishes.
9. Have tea outside. Ideally, and weather permitting, serve your afternoon tea out of doors.

Tips:
1. Choose lump sugar over loose sugar; it is more dainty.
2. Remove the crusts from the sandwiches before serving and cut into triangles.
3. Use a mixture of white and whole grain bread.
4. Suggested sandwich fillings can be found in Part 4 of our Conversation about Tea on June 27

5. Garnish your sandwiches with fresh herbs and pretty up the scone and cake tiers by adding a few strawberries, fresh cherries, other berries, or kiwi slices
6. Place paper doilies on each tier before placing the food on it.

7. Enjoy!

A Conversation About Tea--Part 6

The clothing

Increasingly, our society is becoming casual—in appearance, attitudes, and thinking. Casual is not a bad thing. I love to wear jeans as much as the next person. But, there needs to be balance. Without the casual, elegance is not special; without elegance the world becomes mundane. Having a tea and dressing up for the occasion gives us a chance to experience life in a different frame of mind. Wear a skirt with a lace camisole and a lightweight jacket. A lacy underdress can be worn under a jumper or with a skirt. Put on heels instead of tennis shoes. Wear make-up. Take time to style your hair. Put on perfume and a bracelet. Wear a hat. Be feminine. Feel the elegance transform your mood and attitude!

As a hostess, you can make your guests feel pampered by wearing a tea apron while serving.

In this fast paced world we live in, taking time to smell the roses or spending time with loved ones over a cup of tea is a respite that refreshes. My hope is that I can inspire you do just that!

A Conversation About Tea--Part 5

The etiquette

Knowing a little tea etiquette will help you feel at ease if you’ve never been to a tea before.

Each place setting should have a napkin. Sometimes it is placed on the tea plate and other times beside the plate. When you are seated, pick up the napkin unfold it and place it on your lap. If you must leave the table for any reason, simply lay the napkin in your chair and not on the table.

Once everybody is seated, the hostess pours the tea and always ensures that each guest's cup is full. The hostess then offers milk (never cream, since it is too heavy for tea), sugar, or lemon. Milk and lemon must never be added to the same cup, since citrus instantly spoils the milk.

How to properly drink your tea:

The best way to hold a tea cup is to slip your index finger through the handle, up to almost the first knuckle, then balance and secure the cup by placing your thumb on the top of the handle and allowing the bottom of the handle to rest on your middle finger. Hold the cup lightly, by the handle - your pinky doesn't have to be extended (Contrary to popular belief, the ring and pinkie fingers should not be extended, but should rest by curving gently back toward your wrist).

If seated at a table, do not lift the saucer (this is only proper if standing; then lift the saucer with the cup.) When you taking a sip of tea do not look around at the other guests, but lower your eyes so you can see what your doing and not spill your tea down the front of your blouse or dress.

When stirring your tea, avoid clinking the sides of the cup while stirring. Gently swish the tea back and forth being careful no to touch the sides of your cup if possible. After stirring, place your spoon quietly on the saucer, behind the cup, on the right hand side under the handle. Once used, flatware should never touch the table again. (Tea stains are difficult to remove.)

When your cup is low try to avoid swirling the tea in the cup. If you need to stir, just use your spoon again. How embarrassing if some should happen to slosh onto the tablecloth!

The food:

Most foods served at a tea are fingerfoods. The exception would be pie or trifle. Your hostess will provide forks if they are necessary. When in doubt, follow your hostess's lead.

Scones are a traditional part of a proper tea. Split the scone with a knife. Since the knife is now used, lay it gently on the side of your plate. Jam or curds is usually placed on the scone and then top off with a dollop of Devonshire cream. Simply spoon a small amount of jam onto your plate, as well as some of the Devonshire cream. Using your knife, spread the jam and cream onto your scone. Never use the serving spoon for this task.

Be sure to take small bites, since attending a tea is a social occasion and you will want to participate in the conversation without always having a full mouth. Chew (with your mouth closed) and swallow completely before taking a drink of tea, since it is hot and is not meant to wash the food down.

The hostess will signal the end of the tea by picking up her napkin and putting it on the table to the left of the plate. Everyone else should then follow her example.

These are the basic rules and are not all that hard to remember and follow. If you want to practice your manners before hosting or attending a tea, simply have a cup of tea and a sandwich with a close friend. If you have children, once in a while have a manners lunch in which everyone practices being proper. This can be a learning experience and lots of fun at the same time. Most important is to just be as polite and considerate as possible.

July Contest

It’s time for a give-away! The prize this month will be one of my Tea Cup and Saucer Totes. But, there’s a catch. I would like for you to think about someone that you would like to reward for a special kindness. This person can be a mother, sister, good friend, special teacher, mentor, Pastor’s wife—anybody but yourself! Tell me who you are nominating, and a little bit about them and why they are deserving of the tote. Send your nominations in via e-mail ("Contact Me" on my web site) and at the end of July, I will read through the entries, pray for guidance, and announce the winner of the contest.

I will continue with our Conversation about Tea tomorrow. I hope to see you then! Tomorrow's topic will be Tea Ettiquette.