Cottage Style by Cathy: MAD HATTER'S ICED TEA AND DESSERT PARTY

My tea cup chandelier has taken its rightful place center stage in the pergola garden, and it's time to party. The Mad Hatter theme was something I'd been planning for since early January. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Homemade invitations were sent to all the guests.

Guests did not have to jump down a rabbit hole--they were greeted with a quote from the Mad Hatter (or rather, Lewis Carrol) himself.

These hats were purchased online at Oriental Trader. I bought some organza ribbon in different shades of purple and then attached a glittery butterfly pin to each top hat. Very inexpensive, but really added a lot of fun. I've decided after seeing everyone in their hats, that everyone looks better in a top hat!

Loaded with clear and deep-purple crystals, the tea cup chandelier is SWEET!

Up-close view of the tea cup on chandelier. All the tea cups are various Royal Albert bone china patterns.

View of the table looking into the back yard. The glass jar holds butterfly almond sugar cookies coated with purple and pink sanded sugar. Everyone's hat was waiting for them on the back of their chairs.

The place setting consists of lilac colored chargers with a fleur-de-lis pattern. The dinner plate is the Ascot collection in Royal Winton's summertime pattern, followed by the Rose Cameo Peach salad plate from Royal Albert. The favor is a decorative tea cup, with lavender vanilla tea and shortbread cookies. Perfection is achieved by adding the crisp white linen napkin that was a gift from a fellow vintage-lover, Gayle. I love the butterfly pattern--they are so sweet and just make the place setting so special.

Purple and pink polka-dotted cupcake holders were so sweet. Not to mention the almond butter-cream frosting and sugared butterflies.

These cupcakes were amazing! My daughter wanted to post a picture of me eating my third, but I thought I'd spare you all that.

I chose the violet-colored impatients this year. These are planted in a tea-cup planter that's been completely overwhelmed by the flowers. You can't even sea the tea-cup anymore!

This is my potter's bench, over which hangs my candle chandelier. I always love to have my octagonal green glass drink dispenser filled with iced lemon water.

My sister and I bought these pots years ago and we both still love them. I brushed the leaves of mine with green paint. The boy and girl was something I bought years ago when I was first married, and now it reminds me of my son and daughter. . . and, hopefully, one day my grandchildren.

Peeking out from a profusion of violet impatients, she watches over me and my garden.

These plants are called blue heaven, and that's exactly what they are. My friend Jennifer gave me a clipping and I've started these from that. I keep them outside on my stair planter... as you can see, the bunny just wants a whiff.

I purchased this bunny, who was made in Haiti, from At West End. Of course, he wasn't purple when I bought him . . . that was my doing!

Deep purple wave petunias, violet impatients, and white bacopa in my wrought-iron planters.

I love the sound of trickling water in the background from the fountain.

Frog pick peeks out from amidst the endless summer hydrangeas. Adorable.

My frog prince, nestled amongst the balloon flowers.

I found this bunny at the Pottery in Georgia while visiting my brother. I just love him.

While shopping at Frank's Nursery, my daughter fell in love with this turtle and named him Speedy. He's been a regular inhabitant of our garden since she was three.