I've had several of you email me asking me to post when I find things. So here is my first post about what I've gathered so far.
Cameos were very big back then. I had this one in my stash of jewelery I had. I found this at a thrift store years and years ago. I never knew what to do with it but now I do.
I also found this sterling silver heart locket. Lockets were often worn in Victorian times. This one opens up at the top and has a little pocket you can slip a note, a small photo or locket of hair from your loved one in there.
I also found this cute sterling heart with a black stone. I can slip this on the chain from the locket when I want a change.
This darling little gold with green stones bracelet came from my aunt. She passed away and I was lucky enough to get it from her. Perfect Victorian look as they wore dainty pieces like this.
The ear rings they wore were mostly like these. Small stones set in either sterling silver or gold. They had the hooks like these. Posts were not around back then.
I also had picked these two broaches at thrift stores years ago. They too are perfect for the Victorian look I'm going for.
This is one of the skirts I picked up from eBay. Now I need to find hoops to go under this.
I also won this skirt. Cute for spring or summer looks. This is so fun hunting for items to use. I can't wait until I have a whole outfit and can finally put it all together.
My sister, Maureen, is also a member of the Victorian Tea Society with me so we can always swap items. That will be great because then it's like having access to double the items to use.
We have volunteered to help out at the Christmas Tea they are putting on. I can't wait. It's going to be a blast.
Who would have ever thought that even as an adult you can play dress up and have fun.
Hugs,
Joanne
Friday, August 22, 2008
VICTORIAN TEA SOCIETY
One happened to be the Centennial Heritage Museum that was only about 3 miles from where I lived.
As I read more I found out they had a Victorian Tea Society that meets there and often have Tea Parties as a form of a fund raiser. They were going to have a Tea Party that was free. It was their yearly way of opening up the group in hopes of getting new members.
I made reservations for not only me, but my two sisters also. I thought it would be fun if you wanted to come along too. So, let's go.
Wow! There it is. I never even knew this place was around. Where have I been?
Here is the Kellogg house. Not the cereal Kellogg but the fertilizer Kellogg.
Turns out the Centennial Heritage Museum bought it for only $1.00 from Mr. Kellogg. Can you believe it! They did have to move it to their property though so I guess that cost a pretty penny.
We ran out of time so we couldn't go through the house. But, I'll be back to take a tour inside.
This place is big! They even have their own orange groves.
Oh, look. There is the sign. Guess we should go this way to the tea.
I love gazebos. Don't you?
Check out that big tree. Looks like they are having the tea outside in the shade. We sure are lucky the weather is nice today.
OK, this is the right place. Everyone is starting to take their seats. But, we still have a little bit of time so let's go check out more of the surrounding property.
What a pretty entrance into the rose garden. I love roses so of course I want to walk through here.
Roses everywhere! Smells good too.
Looks like just about every color of roses can be found here.
Ooh! Pink roses. My favorite.
Although these yellow ones are beautiful too.
Looks like the young girls are lined up getting ready to wait on us.
Don't you love the costumes they wore. Sure puts you in the mood.
Of course a lot of the Victorian Tea Society members were dressed up in Victorian dresses and hats. They love to dress up for all the tea parties. How fun!
These ladies looked like they were enjoying themselves. The lady standing was the president.
There were so many pretty hats. I loved seeing all of them.
This lady was so cute in her dress and hat. She brought her granddaughters with her.
These two women wore full Civil War dresses. Very cute!
Each table was set up with different china cups and saucers.
We started out with little tea sandwiches and chicken wings. I didn't eat the chicken or the sandwiches with meat. Well, I really only ate the cucumber sandwich and gave the others to my sisters.
But desserts were great! Homemade cookies, little apple butter tarts, frosted grapes and homemade ice cream dipped in chocolate.
After we ate an actress came dressed up and did a portrayal of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The author of the Little House on the Prairie books. They were my favorite books as a child.
She really knew her stuff. If you didn't know better you would think she really was Laura! She knew all the facts and told great stories, sung songs and showed pictures.The one she is showing here is Laura's husband and child.
This is her real Pa and Ma.
She spoke for about an hour and then took questions. No one could stump her either. She knew it all. Just as if she lived the life herself.
They ended with a raffle drawing for these great baskets filled with all sorts of tea things, Victorian items and great gifts that anyone would be thrilled to get.
Nope, we didn't win.
Well, my sister, Maureen and I loved this so much, we signed up to join. My other sister, Patty, on the other hand couldn't wait to get out and go home. She said she felt like she was in a living nightmare. She couldn't understand why grown women would get dressed up and play pretend.
Maureen and I were all excited and were talking about getting dresses and hats and gloves. We are looking forward to our next Tea with the Victorian ladies.
How about you? Would you ever join a group like this and play dress up and have tea parties? Or, would something like this be a nightmare for you?
Hope you enjoyed your Tea Party.
Hugs,
Joanne
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