The Maryland Chapter of the Tasha Tudor Museum Society's December Gathering was held at
Dollie's Tea Room in Clear Spring, MD today. Here I am getting ready to leave with my basket containing my handmade gift for the gift exchange and folders for the three new members joining us today. . . .
Gaily decorated for Christmas, the Tea Room was one large room with windows across the front which made for a lovely setting in which to hold our Tasha Tudor Christmas party. There were several shelves of tea paraphernalia and vintage displays for us to peruse afterwards, as well as tea for sale. . . .
We sat at one long table and were the only guests during our 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. stay. With the three new members there are 12 of us now, but only 9 were able to attend today's gathering. Each place setting was different. Here is mine. . . .
We started off with a Roasted Vegetable soup and Spinach Pomegranate salad. . . .
Then several 3-tiered plates of sandwiches, scones, and sweets were set before us. . . .
Everything was delicious, especially those chocolate covered chocolate cake balls in the center of the dessert plate. . . .
Our hand-made presents awaited us in the corner. Everyone drew a number. #1 got to choose first. There were no tags to indicate whose gift we were choosing. . . .
Edie got that honor and chose the package that contained a hand-made ornament along with tea, flavored sugar, and some chocolate from Debra. . . .
Linda received a needle-felted Corgi from me. This was my first attempt at making a needle-felted animal. LaVonne, I'm very grateful for your
tutorial I found on the Internet. . . .
Louise received an apron from Edie. . . .
Jean received a decorated goose egg from Cindy. . . .
Cindy received tulip bulbs in a planter from Linda. . . .
By #6 no one had chosen that large package, so I convinced Karen to choose it because I knew no one wanted to be the one to take the BIG one! Plus, I was #8 and if it was still there it would look bad for me to choose it when there was just one person left after me. As it turns out Karen has always wanted a wreath for her door and has never had one! The a boxwood wreath came from Louise. . . .
Carol received a tile trivet (sorry about the blurry photo!!) from Karen. . . .
I received a pair of knitted fingerless gloves from Jean (perfect for when taking photos outside with my new camera once I learn how to use it correctly) . . . .
Debra received a jar of chocolate-filled rugelach from Carol. She was hoping she'd receive a food item since she hates to cook! . . . .
And because Debra was the last to choose a gift she won the consolation prize--a Tasha Tudor book. . . .
We had an enjoyable afternoon talking about Tasha Tudor. Jean brought this Christmas card with Tasha Tudor's drawing to show us, along with a delightful story of how she came to have it. . . .
About 1992 Jean's daughter, Gretchen, was on a flight to (or was it from?) Oregon in First Class when the stewardess asked if she'd mind if this lady sat next to her because she wasn't very comfortable in the economy section (or whatever it was called at the time)....(Jean, I hope I'm telling this right!). Anyway, she agreed and you already know who it was! Can you imagine! She knew who she was immediately--her attire set her apart from everyone else on the flight. Gretchen did not want to disturb her, but she told herself this was for her mother (Jean) who was a huge fan of Tasha's and told Tasha so. Gretchen had been writing out her Christmas cards so Tasha asked her for a card so she could sign it for Jean. Jean has framed it with a photograph of Tasha from one of Tasha's books.
Thank you Dollie's Tea Room for the lovely setting and food for our Tasha Tudor Christmas celebration!
•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!
Wow, that teashop was the perfect setting for a "Tasha Tudor" Christmas party. Just perfect. And the staff there certainly knows how to do tea! My mouth was actually watering looking at the tea cookies and other nummies you were served. You should make that spot the traditional place for your Christmas party from now on... Loved your little felted corgi too. After viewing some of YouTube videos on needle-felting I know just how much work is really involved, so that was a really nice present. Great story about Tasha on the airplane. It's almost hard to imagine her on a jet, isn't it? You kind of expect to hear that she traveled in a buckboard or even a Model-T, huh? Oh well, thanks for inviting us along to the party. Even attending virtually was fun... Take care and talk to you soon!
ReplyDeleteJanet, I have edited this (correcting several syntax errors and typos) after you probably read this! I agree--it seems hard to imagine Tasha on a jet! I remember reading that in the 90's she flew out to Utah, I believe it was, for some special presentation she gave, so I know she got around a bit more when she was younger. It needle felting was not hard. You just need a little confidence and a lot of patience. It's easy to correct mistakes. I'll post some better photos of it in my end of the month post. For a while it looked like a fox, then a mouse, then a rabbit, until I got the shape right. You just keep stabbing at it or pulling off or cutting off and reapplying where necessary.
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds like another wonderful Tasha Tudor time. What a lovely tea/luncheon you had provided for you. And I was surprised to hear the story of the card because I too cannot imagine TT riding on a plane.
ReplyDeleteOhhh! Each meeting just gets better and better! Im sad I'm so far from Maryland!~ What lovely gifts--- what a beautiful boxwood wreath! And that christmas card! OH! What a story! :D
ReplyDeleteYes, I think we're on a roll here! It's a great bunch of ladies, so you know we're going to have a great time!
DeleteSuch a fun, wonderful post......thanks so much for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelley!
DeleteCathy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gathering you had! Your doing such a fantastic job of leading your TT Chapter, those members are fortunate to have you:-) Such lovely gifts you all gave each other, all from the heart.
Take Peace,
Suzanne
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I love the felted corgi you made. I'm trying to picture Tasha Tudor on a plane and I have to admit I just can't seem to wrap my mind around that image. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt shows she was, indeed, an anomaly! She lived in both worlds and speaks to her belief we should be who we are, fully. We shouldn't box ourselves in or put ourselves in a category that prevents us from enjoying life. Yet she doesn't come across self-centered when you hear the stories of her generosity.
DeleteTrying a second attempt to comment ... LOVE the felted corgi - great job! Wish we lived closer so you could teach me how to get started :-) Thank you for sharing your monthly TT gatherings; it lets me participate vicariously.
ReplyDeleteYay! Your comment came through this time! There are lots of tutorials on-line. I tried to post the one I used, but I can't get back into the site. I took a short class last winter mainly because they gave us the needle and block you put under your work so you don't stab yourself. My TT group wants to give it a go, so I have to find a place that sells the special needles. Perhaps I can do a post about it. I want to try needle felting a Westie next. I've had the white roving for months, but it took my desperation to make something for the gift exchange to get me to attempt it.
DeleteIn my first attempt to comment, I stated that it would have been difficult to give away the corgi (selfish, greedy person that I am) - especially as it was your very first project. When Hobby Lobby recently opened in town, I purchased several felting items, including a small block and needle. Must gather the gumption to give it a go! Will look forward to your group's projects.
DeleteHa, ha. I know what you mean about keeping it. I made a stuffed animal in the 1970's (my first and only time) with the intention of giving it to a niece, but it took me SO long to make it, I just couldn't part with it. I was inordinately proud of it. As for the Corgi, I was intentionally trying to make it look so cute that I wouldn't WANT to give it away. Anything less would have been inferior and gift unworthy. Having said that, I've seen much much better on the Web (and selling for $120.00!!) But Linda seemed to love mine as it was, so I feel he's in good hands. ☺ That's good to know about Hobby Lobby and the needles. The closest one to me is about 25 miles away, so I've only been a couple times. It's such a huge store I've never come across them there. I'll have to ask where to find them next time I'm there. The thing about needle felting is it's pretty easy to make adjustments if you don't like it--just add move roving, or pull it off, if you haven't stabbed it too much, or even just cut it out. I had to shorten the legs and even them out several times before I was satisfied. Good luck!
DeleteOh Cathy what a beautiful tea room & such yummy sweets.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to spend the day with friends, I love the boxwood wreath.
Christmas is really in the air now.
Than you for another lovely post & story.
Fondly Michelle
Thank you, Michelle!
DeleteWouldn't Tasha Tudor be pleased to know that there are groups all around that meet honoring her lifestyle? How lovely your Christmas outing was in a tea room. I love going to tea rooms and always find them to be charming in their own uniqueness. Your felted corgi would be hard to part with for sure. Enjoy your weekend. ♥
ReplyDeleteShe would probably give us all a hard time! I can hear her saying that she's no example to follow and that we must do our own thing! But I think she is a good role model for doing just that!
DeleteWhat a lovely time you shared! The tea room is lovely and the food so well presented and I think you chose a lovely outfit for your party.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of the creativity of our group and especially your corgi!
What lovely memories you are creating together, Cathy. Thank you for sharing them with your readers.
Well, thank you, Elaine. I love that dress, too! I found it at the thrift shop when we drove out to Grantsville for lunch!
DeleteHi Cathy
ReplyDeleteThis looks like one of the best types of get-togethers!! And you look so pretty in the picture!!
I sure would love to hang out with you and all the gals if I were only nearer!!
Many Blessings, Linnie
Thank you, Linnie. I wish all my on-line Tasha Tudor friends could be there, too! Maybe I will meet you next June with the Take Peace group gathering?
Delete