Friday, July 27, 2012

A Mad Tea Party and Giveaway!

Is it that time already???

It can't be! The years fly by so quickly these days, I feel like the White Rabbit himself, scurrying about....late, late, late...

Still, one must take a break sometimes, don't you think?

As a lover of All Things Tea, Miss Vanessa Valencia's annual Mad Tea Party is a must, and this year it just couldn't have come at a better time. For those of you new to the event, this is a cyber tea party and blog hop. Bloggers from all over the word are joining in the fun today, "sharing" virtual tea and chat, sometimes a giveaway (read on!), discovering new blogs and new friends, and of course delighting in the original (and fabulously over-the-top) Mad Tea Party, which Vanessa posts annually on her own blog, "A Fanciful Twist".

You can begin there, where you'll find a list of participating bloggers, and join each of us (or some of us, as time allows), for a cyber cuppa. ♥

Here the northeast (and other parts of the US, I'm sure), it's been a bit of a sauna lately...Hot, hot, HOT, and no end in sight. With this in mind, I'm breaking with tradition this year, and offering up some iced tea...


A Teavana blend of  Blueberry Bliss and Pineapple Kona Pop, brewed just this morning...


 Seriously good iced tea. The Mice President (a.k.a. hubby) even likes it, which is saying something for a Brit who loves his traditional Red Rose. ;)

I'm serving it with a blood orange mousse...


I cannot tell a lie.

I'm preparing for an art show at the moment, so I cheated and bought the mousse. I usually bake cupcakes or tarts or something, but there just wasn't time, and I had to have something to offer you. ;)

And speaking of something to offer...I'm having a little giveaway too (have to make up for the store-bought mousse, right?) Hehe...

Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole....


 A small, wooden trinket box, hand painted by *me*, embellished with buttons, and finished with a bit of lettering inside...


All you need do to enter is to leave a comment here. Be sure to include a way to contact you - your blog or email address. I will draw a name one week from today, Saturday, August 4th, at 9PM eastern time.

And now, I'm off to visit some of those other blogs...

Thank you ever so much for dropping by, and please do come back again! Working at home as I do, I just love visitors!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee






93 comments:

Donna A. said...

Oh I love it!! Your work is wonderful!!I also have so much fun reading your blog and I have to get over to a Fanciful twist also ..!!

Anonymous said...

As a fan of your art, and blog, I am I love whimsy and you do it so very well.

Marci
OzarksAngel06@aol.com

Susan said...

That tea is so delicious! Really wet my whistle! The mousse was delectable...may I have more of both, please?

Anonymous said...

I followed along last year with this magical party. It was so much fun. I spent hours looking, and admiring. Oh Carolee thank you so much for the delightful tea. I had planned on bringing lace cookies to the party, but I got overly anxious and ate them on my way. ;)

Carrie Lynn
Bagara98@aol.com

skyecoven said...

It's ADORABLE!! Love the details. My favorite- the heart flowers.

Anonymous said...

Your work never ceases to amaze me! I would be honored to win such a beautiful treasure. Thank you so much for the opportunity. Please save some tea for me, I'm a HUGE fan as you know! :)

~XoXoX~
Sondra Hill
hill2725@bellsouth.net

Carina said...

Alice would find my home delightful, including the cat Dinah.

Amber said...

love, love, love your work. My print hangs in my bedroom and it makes me so very happy. Amber amberdguerrero@yahoo.com

Sylvia Smiser said...

Hi Carolee! What a great tasting tea! Thank you and the Mousse was delicious also!!! I would SO LOVE to win your Down the rabbit hole treasure box.
I hope you will come to my mad Tea Party too. Or should I say my garden fairies' tea party ; )

http://www.anaboocreationsbysylvia.blogspot.com

Hugs,
Sylvia

beverly e said...

Thank you for the lovely tea and for the chance to win one of your creations... beautiful!

dixienites at gmaildotcom

Bit of Art said...

A wonderful adventure box!! So unique! You make decorative fun in so many forms!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Lisa

ljr00writer@sbcglobal.net

Cindi Knighton said...

Love, Love your wonderful designs!
c.a.knighton@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Very whimsical and cute. The blueberry blend sounds good. As a fellow tea drinker- I recommend midsummer's dream by upton tea imports. This is a blend good hot ir cold. Sambinaus@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, that tea sounds delicious, and such a yummy color, too. Never had blood orange mousse....pass that over here, please! And, as always, love the artwork! :)
Karen Hawkins
pootersnoots@yahoo.com

AmyB said...

I love your work, and I'd love to own some one day. ...

Mad Madam Mel said...

ooooh iced tea, what a good idea, could I have some of that hot weather too please, and rose tea is my favorite :)
I hope to see you soon at my party too, everyone is invited :)
Mad Madam Mel x

http://www.madmadammel.com/2012/07/a-mad-tea-party-2012.html

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE your work!
froggypartyof2@aol.com

petoskystone said...

Sweet! Lovely box & tea :) I also must use my Red Rose.

Unknown said...

I love your creations. Have fun at the tea party and hope this message doesn'T come up 4 or 5 times :P

Anonymous said...

Beautificent! :D

melissafuhr@gmail.com

Carolee said...

No worries, Georgette - I deleted the other two. ;)

Meeha Meeha said...

I love your sweet box, this is very cute and clever, too!

Rachel said...

The mousse may be store bought but it certainly looks delicious!

We don't get much chance for Iced Tea in the UK but I could have used a glass of that a few days ago when it finally got really hot.

maddyrose said...

Your choice for iced tea is quite different from my usual Red Rose but very tasty and I do like to try new things. The mousse is devine and I'm tempted to have a bit more but must decline. The little trinket box is delightful and now I must move along.

beth said...

The iced tea and the mousse look and sound delicious! And I love the box!

MelissaClyde said...

Ahh, as a tea lover you are after my heart....as is your beautiful art. What fun. Thanks!
Melissa

melissaferring@yahoo.com

Gerry said...

Hello Carolee!

Your tea and mousse are just perfect for these too hot days we're having.

And of course I would love to win your lovely, little, tinket box. Thanks for the chance :-)

Unknown said...

I love your work, count me in!
Hugs, Gunilla
gunilla.back@luukku.com

Ms Misantropia said...

What a cute box and what a yummy looking cake!

Flora Cruft said...

Ooh I love the look of that blood orange mousse nom nom nom..

Happy Mad Tea Party, and thank you for having me!

Please come take tea with me at my party:

http://www.idlebakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/a-mad-tea-party-in-idle-wonderland.html

The Weekend Artist said...

Am glad to stumble upon your blog again! It's been raining here all week compared your sunshiney weather would love a sip of iced tea instead but hot tea is what suits our weather. Your work is exquisite and would love to win that wonderful Mad of a Box! Thanks for the tea!

http://theweekendartist.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-tea-party-2012.html

Theresa MacNaughton said...

That ice tea looks so refreshing! Thanks for a fun Mad Tea Party - and I love your dormouse prize! :) Hope you can come visit with me, too.
http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-tea-party-post-and-giveaway.html
Sincerely, Theresa :)
Happy Mad Tea Party Day!

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Love this Carolee! And would LOVE a chance to give this piece a good home!
Candy
howlingmoondesigns@att.net

Christina Persson said...

What a beautiful wooden box!!! And the cake looks too delicious!!
Your can visit my illustrated Mad Hat Tea Party on: www.christinaart.se
Christina

Linda said...

Wow, how did you know? I loved your treats. They were so very good. I had a great time at your party and would love to be included in your giveaway. Your work is amazing.
Please visit me and have some sweet treats:

momentsinaneye.blogspot.com

Tami Von Zalez said...

Delightful detail work - hope I'm the recipient and can incorporate it into the 2013 tea party!

Give me a visit some time ~
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Toriz said...

Great tea party; iced tea is just the thing after all the hot tea I've had today. ;)

If you get time, please visit my tea party at http://ziglernews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/my-mad-tea-party-2012-fd.html

Lauren said...

What a lovely party!! Homemade or not, that mousse looks delicious :) Thank you so much for inviting me! ~Lauren

Unknown said...

Love the Alice in Wonderland box. I am a huge fan of your artwork.

Regards,
Katy
irish_delite@hotmail.com

AutumnWind said...

YUM! Everything just looks so delightful. I am so glad I stopped by. I hope you have a chance to visit me as well: http://beneaththewitchesmoon.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-tea-party.html

Danni said...

Store bought or not, that mousse looks delicious! And boy, do I ever know what you mean about time lately. :)

I hope if you find yourself with some extra, you'll pop by for a visit:
http://thewhimsicalcottage.blogspot.com/2012/07/moonlit-tea-with-king-of-hearts.html

Unknown said...

Magical party! Please stop by mine if you can! :)

Laura S Reading said...

Other than at these parties I am not much of a tea drinker but your concoction is the most beautiful!
I would love to look at it in a clear vase.

And my newest dog's name is Mousse, so I loved everything about this post!

Especially your artwork.

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Caroleeeeee!

I love iced tea, and the blood orange mousse, awesome!

What a HUGE treat for you to offer a giveaway of your brillant artistry! I always have LOVED your work sweet friend!!

Thank you for being here!!

Love, V

Happy Mad Tea Partying!

♥ Vanessa {a fanciful twist}

Melissa Etto said...

Thank you for having me to your tea party, I had a wonderful time. The iced tea looks delicious and the next time I buy tea at Teavana I will have to try that!

Iliana said...

What a wonderful tea party! The tea is absolutely delicious. And the mousse... just delectable!!! I love your work and would love to win your box.

ilisunsmi@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Carolee
love love love all of your art work! big fan of the halloween art work especially!
Nicole Reynaud
NIKKITHEDIVA76@YAHOO.COM

Anonymous said...

The tea was delish! Thank you very much for having me. What a wonderful little box...thank you for the chance to win!

Laurie said...

I am oh so glad to have been invited to your party, I am now so in love with your work!

Wow such talent - just sensational!

Please do visit my tea party!!

http://queencreative.com/illustration/fanciful-tea-party-2012/

Lots of sugar and spice and everything nice.
Queen Creative

Lisa said...

Such a lovely box and the mousse looks divine!
XO,
Lisa

Chelsea said...

This has inspired me to want to try and make iced tea like this, the cake looks perfect too!

I seem to be running awfully late for all these tea parties so must dash....
but do pop by

http://chelseaselkie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/mad-tea-party.html

Natasha said...

Thankyou for your visit. I love the look of that mousse, it sounds very delicious! xx

Angela Reeves said...

Lovely tea party! Here in England it never seems to get truly hot enough for ice tea, but as a midwestern American, I can certainly appreciate a nice tall glass :-)

I have a brand new blog so didn't get to participate in the party this time, but look forward to parties to come.

Your work is gorgeous and I look forward to visiting often!

Angela
http://www.whimsyways.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

What a lovely tea party! And I would be most delighted to be entered for your giveaway :)

Here is a link to my party so we can meet in Wonderland!

http://www.awoodlandfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/07/welcome-to-5th-annual-mad-tea-party.html

Wendy said...

Oh it was wonderful indeed. Down here in Texas it is sooooo dreadfully hot, that your lovely iced tea was a much needed delight. And the mousse, let me just say Delish.
I would be wonderfully happy to be included in your giveaway. It is a most whimsical of boxes and I could hide my key to wonderland in it I am quite sure of that.

**************
Thank you for inviting me. Oh please do drop in for a Spoonful of Mad Tea over on the Other Side of Wonderland
Wishes and Whimsy
Wendy from Wonderland

http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities/

Laura said...

Your work is beautiful! I just love it! Had a great time visiting for the Mad Tea Party!
blessings
~*~

Unknown said...

wonderful party! Im late! Im late! wont you visit me too?
http://flutterbeforeyou.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-mad-hatters-tea-party-blog-hop.html
xo Susan

Elaine said...

Love your work, also enjoy reading your blog.

Elaine

Waleskasomebody@windstream.net

Scrap Vamp said...

Oooh, iced tea! That was really needed for this hot day! Thank you for the invitation and for the mousse (no one need know it was store-bought). Everything was lovely! And the trinket box is amazing!

http://scrapvamp.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-tea-party-2012.html

CatHerder said...

lol..when i saw the pic, i was like, wow it looks like my teavana tea mixture lol..yes i brew the same exact one....try mixing the strawberry pu ehr with snow geisha..thats good too! Love all your new designs as always

The Gossamer Tearoom said...

What beautiful treats! I see nothing wrong with iced tea for a tea-party and I certainly see nothing wrong with blood orange mousse!! Yummy!

Won't you please pay a visit to The Tearoom when you have the chance?

http://gossamertearoom.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-mad-tea-party-2012.html

Wishing you a great week ahead!

Betty

Kelly said...

That tea would be perfect this time of year and yours sounds Sssooo delicious. Lets not forget the mousse. Now that LOOKs GoooD!
Such a talent you have and kind of you to offer us a chance to win.
Cheers!

Hunnybee said...

What a Gorgeous box!! Thanks for sharing. Thanks for letting me visit your tea party!

Lisa said...

The iced tea was delicious! Your box is so pretty, too!
Thank you for having me
lisa

http://lisabythebay.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-tea-party-2012.html

EveryOneIsMadHere said...

oh, I so much enjoyed visiting you indeed! Great party!

Please do take a moment and stop by my wonderland for a treat and a giveaway too!!

http://everyoneismadhere.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/mad-tea-party-♥-2012/

Mindy said...

Carolee, I am learning to enjoy our new PA home and the crazy summer. Even so I am off to visit my girls in Arizona in August. I must be crazy. Your work makes me smile and inspires me to look for the magic in every
day. Cavana5@aol.com

Rita said...

OOOOH!!! I would love to win this!! Love your work, so pick me!!!! bomberryr@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE all thing Alice in Wonderland. I always see your various painted items themed as such and just love each and everyone of them!

-Erin
eaweiss3112@cox.net

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolee I am Dea (Pumpkin Cottage) and I love your site! Look forward to visiting often!

Rhissanna said...

There is never any need, ever, to apologise for serving Blood Orange Mousse. Never! It's always welcome and besides, blood oranges are out of season now, and dashed hard to find.
As for Hubby, as a Brit in Arkansas, I've tried iced tea..and I can't do it. So if you hear the ping of the microwave, it's me sneaking off to heat mine up.

That box is just glorious! I love the heart flowers. And the rabbit!

Thank you for inviting me!

http://rhissanna.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-tea-party-adventure-lost-rabbit.html

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

So cute. Love the box and the quote on inside was a clever touch to the concept.


butterflyandbungalow.blogspot.com

Kelly said...

What a sweet little box! Love the hidden saying on the inside! Thanks so much for sharing!

A Magical Whimsy said...

Fun! Fun! Fun!
Loved the iced tea and blood orange whatever-you-call-it! Yum! Yum!
Thank you for coming to my party too!
I love your creations...always so cool!
It's hot here too in Central California (it gets hotter here than Los Angeles)!
So many fabulous Mad Tea Parties this year!
Love your Alice box giveaway too!
hugs,
Teresa
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
tscat@sbcglobal.net

Jaime said...

I love your artwork! It's so pretty and inspiring! :D

- Jaime
http://doomtwinkie.net

Birgit said...

Blood orange mousse, huh? What a treat! :)

Thanks for putting together such a great party post, Carolee.

Greetings from Germany,
Birgit

Karen in Alaska said...

I miss your eBay offerings and wish you did some more signs!! We moved and I wish we had a new one for the house.

Love the box!

karen87@gci.net

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

You know what -
I've never had iced tea! Or, should I say, I've never had iced tea BEFORE!

That is one fantastic looking painted box, well done...

Kat said...

I love love love love your work. Did I mention that I love it? I used to lurk on your blog forever ago and I'm beyond delighted that I found you again via V's Mad Tea Party.
That tea is amazing, I love Teavana's teas- I received an assortment for Christmas with a to-go brew mug.
I would not have even attempted to turn on the oven in this heat; it may be a Mad Tea Party but I'm not *that* crazy ^_^ I painted an Alice with blue hair portrait instead, so I didn't die of heat stroke (I'm in Florida) while still having a blast.

Well I just left you a book in a comment! Have a wonderful Tuesday!
-Kat

Leanne E said...

So happy to be included in your giveaway :) Love your work!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

One of the reasons I love visiting your blog is the big grin on my face when I am finished looking at what you have created! You remind me that whimsy and fantasy should always be in our lives.
♥, Susan

amgpaints said...

Oh MYY!!! I do hope I am not too late for the very important date!!! :)
I luv your work!!

Diane C. said...

Love your Halloween designs . And the Alice in wonderland designs are Amazing .

missgritsgirl@msn.com

Forgot to leave a contact before .

Jackie said...

I am so happy to have found you again. I have loved your work for years and first discovered you back when you were on eBay. Oh and tea....ahhhhh....there is nothing like a cup or glass of tea. It's pure enjoyment and just the act of making tea puts a smile on my face.

sassypackrat said...

What a fabulous little box! Thanks much for the iced tea as it is 92 here today. You set a lovely table!

Jaja said...

Lovely as always! Please add me to you awesome giveaway and thank you for the chance to win. Much Love Jaja tjlburke@ gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

This little box is delicious, and describes my life to a "Tea"....Curiouser and curiouser, indeed! <3

Jeannie
CancunMs@aol.com

Maryann D. said...

My daughter and I love tea. She is a fantastic artist too!
twinkle at optonline dot net

tarter95 said...

These are so pretty and I love tea...
tarter95 athotmail dot com

jcwega27 said...

cute!
jessicawedwards@gmail.com

jann said...

Please count me in Carolee! I would be honored to add this to my pretties!

Lucytheena said...

Love your creations, love your posts on FB. Glad to have "met" you, even if it is only online! ♥♥♥

Kristine said...

OH, I mustn't be late!! what a gorgeous tea..please add me to your drawing! I adore your work..love your latest midnight margarita..
Kristine :)

Teresa said...

I would love to be entered in your giveaway...tpescal@gmail.com