Sweet friend Nancy Itson hosted several little girls from our church for a Valentine tea party recently and planned her menu and decor around Alice in Wonderland. After sitting down to a delicious tea party with the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and Alice, the girls were ready to move into the den for activities.
Queen of Hearts: Now,where do you come from?
Alice: Well, I'm trying to find my way home ... .
Queen of Hearts: Your way? All ways are my ways!
Alice: Yes, I know, but I was just thinking ... .
Queen of Hearts: Curtsy while you're thinking. It saves time.
Alice: [curtsying] Yes, Your Majesty, but I wanted to ask you ...
Queen of Hearts: I'll ask the questions! Do you plan croquet?
Alice: Why, yes, Your Majesty.
Queen of Hearts: Then let the games begin!
Nancy planned to take the girls outside for a game of croquet, but a burst of winter weather kept us inside for the afternoon. Not to worry, though. Our creative hostess had several craft projects to delight her little guests. Above, Mary Ashley is happy to claim a spot at the craft table.
An avid crafter and excellent seamstress, Nancy has a treasure trove of ribbons, trims, beads, buttons and stickers. The girls gathered around Nancy's table enjoyed choosing their favorite fancies to decorate journals.
To fit with our theme, Nancy provided tags for the journals that proclaim "Write in Me." It was so sweet to see little hands at work. And how special for these little girls to have a place to record their thoughts and dreams.
After decorating journals, the girls made flower pens. To make one, hold a silk floral stem to the end of the pen and wrap it tightly with floral tape. When the pen is wrapped, trim the floral tape and finish off the pen with a ribbon bow tied under the bloom. Above, the Red Queen seems pleased to work with a pink daisy.
Finally, the girls used vintage clip art to decorate Valentine cards for someone special. They poured their hearts into this activity!
Queen of Hearts: And who is this?
King of Hearts: Let me see, my dear. It's certainly not a heart. Do you suppose it's a club?
What a blessing our afternoon tea party was to all these little girls. To be welcomed around the table with friends, to sit down to a lovely afternoon tea, to giggle and play, to use their imaginations in creative projects, to create memories to last a lifetime.
Most of all, to belong.
Nancy sent the girls home with a heart full of memories -- along with journals, pens and Valentines. But this was not all. I'll be back Monday to share party favors from Wonderland, along with a little gift to thank our gracious hostess.
"When you are describing,
A shape, or sound, or tint;
Don't state the matter plainly,
But put it in a hint;
And learn to look at all things,
With a sort of mental squint."
~ Lewis Carroll
