Musical Birthday Tea Party #2

Just prior to Lori's birthday in 2008, I attended Tea Time Magazine's, An Occasion for Tea,  in Victoria, British Columbia.  Designer, April Cornell, was one of the speakers and she did a presentation on tablescape layering.  She was so inspiring that the whole time she was talking and demonstrating, I was mentally layering the fabrics for my musical tea tablescape. 

The bottom layer was a floor length, black cotton broadcloth.   On top of that was black and white stripped canvas fabric to represent a keyboard.  The center triangle cloth was the same musical fabric used the previous year for placemats.  

Layering fabrics  provides a much more dramatic tablescape as opposed to a  single table cloth.  [Compare these photos with yesterday's post to see for yourself.]

Floral centerpiece was in a black teapot, placed on a pedestal cake stand.  The pedestal was removed when the guests arrived so vision wouldn't be obstructed.

  

 

The musical dinnerware was used again, with the addition of a newly acquired musical teapot with matching teacups and saucers, and Asian handleless teacups used for individual fruit bouquet containers.

White chair sashes also provided a more festive look.

Close-up of Musical Teapot, Cream and Sugar and Teacups.

 

Individual Fruit Bouquets

 

 

Lavender Cheese with Crackers

 

 

Tomato Dill Bisque Soup w/Teapot Crouton

 

 

Savory Course:

Avocado Salad w/Sesame Green Tea Vinaigrette

Tea Sandwiches:  Curried Egg Salad on Wheat

Steinway Key Chicken Salad with Black Olive Tapenade

Asian Spoon w/BBQ Shrimp on Creamy Grits

 

 

Scones w/Strawberry Jam and Mock Clotted Cream

Tea - Strawberry Green

 

 

Palate Cleanser - Jasmine Tea Sorbet in Vintage Egg Cup

 

 

Scones & desserts sat ready on the tea cart.

 

 

Dessert:  Shortbread Lemon Squares

Pecan Tassies

Earl Grey Chocolate Truffle

 

 

Lori [Center] with Piano Teachers Ruth and Betty

 

Lori and Me

 

After we ate we went into the living room for some music enjoyment.  Ruth and Betty  played separately as well as a duet.

Lori has a beautiful voice, and reluctantly sang for us while Betty accompanied her.

 

Come back tomorrow for 2009's tea where the theme was "All That Jazz" in New Orleans, Louisiana.