Well, I can't quite believe it, but it's that time of year again. The time when I have to start planning my daughters' birthday parties. How could a whole year have gone by already??? Boy, I am getting old! :-) But, yes, it's that time again and we are busy making plans. My older daughter is still trying to think of a way to top last year's Juicy party, but my younger daughter has decided on a tea party. A "fancy tea party", to be exact. I have done a great many tea parties over the years, so I am going to have to challenge myself to try to come up with some fresh, new ideas. I will be sharing many of the party details with you here because I think tea parties make a perfect theme for everything from baby showers to weddings to birthday celebrations.
Despite the fact that there is unlikely to be any real "tea" at our tea party (I am thinking pink lemonade), we will be in need of some sugar cubes...some fancy sugar cubes! I'm sure you've seen the kind I'm talking about. Places like Williams-Sonoma often carry them - sugar cubes decorated with royal icing bumble bees or little flowers. Unfortunately, they are often only sold in very small quantities with fairly large price tags. So, I decided to make my own. Here's what you'll need to make some, too...
* sugar cubes (readily available in the supermarket)
* icing
* fondant flowers (optional)
* gel food color in your choice of colors
* icing bag/couplers and small decorating tips of your choice
* wax or parchment paper
Begin by making your icing and tinting it to your desired shades with the gel food coloring.
If you are making your own royal icing, I would strongly suggest using powdered egg whites - especially if you will be serving these to young children or the elderly. Store your colored icing in small bowls and be sure to cover them with a damp towel, as the icing has a tendency to dry out quickly. Now the fun part - decorating the sugar cubes!
The sky is the limit here - I chose to make small flowers with dainty leaves, but you can do any design you like.
I like to pipe directly onto the cubes, but you can also make them on parchment paper first, allow them to dry, and then affix them to the cubes with a dot of royal icing. If you have never piped flowers before, I would suggest using the drop flower tip, as it is very easy to use and the results are quite pretty. You can also use cut-out fondant flowers, such as my blue forget-me-nots.
Let your icing set up and then store the cubes in a single layer in a sealed container. These sugar cubes are fun to make and quite a bargain. You can buy a box of 198 Domino sugar cubes for under two dollars! You can chose your icing colors to match your event decor. And you could even box these up and give them as gifts or favors.
Now, will that be one lump or two?
:-)
Jessica
Ooh, I can't wait to see what you do for both parties! I'm sure they'll be beautiful!
Posted by: Glory | January 14, 2010 at 01:29 PM
I did a "tea party" for my daughter when she turned 3. We used hot chocolate for tea, milk for cream, and mini-marshmallows for sugar cubes. :)
Posted by: Stacey | January 14, 2010 at 02:11 PM
I am also planning a tea party for my daughter and these are just darling! I am so glad you mentioned that Domino's offers these sugar cubes because I have been hunting them down only to find the pricey pre-decorated ones. I will be stopping by my local Publix to purchase a couple boxes today. I am excited to see what else you have planned. Best Wishes!
Posted by: Erikalisa | January 14, 2010 at 02:21 PM
What a beautiful tea party. The sugar cubes are wonderful. I love this. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Treasia | January 14, 2010 at 03:24 PM
I love your sugar cubes! It will be a very dainty tea party I'm sure. I must try my hand at making some flowers of my own one day instead of buying them, as I'm sure they are not too difficult. You make them look easy anyway!
Posted by: Sarah | January 14, 2010 at 05:09 PM
Jessica,
These are so pretty! I nevr saw how to make these before, it isn't that hard, you made a great tutorial! Thanks! I love tea parties!
Posted by: Sandy McClay | January 14, 2010 at 06:29 PM
way. too. cute.
What a special Mommy you are!!
Posted by: Tracy | January 14, 2010 at 09:24 PM
speechless
amazed
in awe
xo
Posted by: elyse | January 14, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Oh, what a pretty idea! What fun those will be at a tea party!
Posted by: debi | January 14, 2010 at 11:21 PM
How lovely! What a great idea :) Looking forward to seeing the progress of your daughter's tea party.
Posted by: Amanda | January 15, 2010 at 01:08 AM
just lovely! (of course!)
I serve herb fruit tea to my 3 year old granddaughter and she loves it. We add plenty of milk and sugar to it and she gets the whole tea experience. Maybe you could try that with the girls before the party.
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 15, 2010 at 09:04 AM
Beautiful photos...I am planning a Fancy Nancy party for my 4-year-old's bday and these would be perfect. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Ameena | January 15, 2010 at 12:42 PM
These are so fun! I don't really know anything about Juicy Couture, but your daughter's party pics were so SO fun, I'm off to go find out about it!
Posted by: Jessica | January 15, 2010 at 01:31 PM
Hi Jessica: Love these. Years ago, I did a tea party for my daughter's birthday and all the little girls came "dressed" up - some of the mothers said their daughters started getting ready at the wee hours of the a.m. One thing I did that the little girls loved was have a fashion show...my mother plays the piano and played some old Lawrence Welk music while I emceed. I had lots of "little" type foods that the girls would love - on china of course, and lots of lace and doiles. From your new best friend,Myke
Posted by: Myke Holt | January 15, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Great idea! I've decorated cakes for years and have all the necessaries to do this sweet project. And, just in time. My 3 year old is thinking of having a tea party for her 4th birthday! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: lalabymona.blogspot.com | January 16, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Cute, cute cute!
Posted by: Alison | January 16, 2010 at 07:11 PM
yay! i cant wait to see all the party pics!!
Posted by: keren | January 16, 2010 at 08:30 PM
Those cubes are lovely !! A really special touch that's sure to be a hit with all the guests .
Posted by: SmitoniusAndSonata | January 17, 2010 at 01:04 PM
soooooooo lovely!
Posted by: Janean | January 18, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Love the sugar cubes!
Posted by: Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage | January 19, 2010 at 08:38 PM
We will be having a spring tea at church and I love this idea. I do have a question though. When the icing melts , does it effect the tea at all?
How long can you store these? And if you have an easy Petit four recipe, I would be so greatful if you could share it.
Posted by: Debra Ganas | January 24, 2010 at 09:13 PM
These sugar cubes are lovely!
Posted by: Manon | January 30, 2010 at 06:20 PM
Thank you so much for the beautiful idea! I am planning my best friend's baby shower and looking for ways to make it extra special on a limited budget.
Posted by: Angela | February 10, 2010 at 04:26 PM
These sugar cubes are so lovely. Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: Deborah | February 10, 2010 at 07:23 PM
Cute!!
Posted by: Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage | February 11, 2010 at 04:31 PM
This is simply marvelous! I'm also planning a tea party for my daughter and will def. be making these. Would you mind telling me which tip numbers you used? I would love to get those same types of flowers/leaves. :)
Posted by: Erikalisa | February 18, 2010 at 02:04 PM
What a lovely blog! I happened by your blog through an image search, but I think I may need to subscribe because I love your taste and style with all the vintage stuff. Very cool!
Posted by: Dianna | March 03, 2011 at 02:38 AM
i know i'm late to this post, but i love the teacup and saucer...are they vintage or something that is available now?
thanks, cindy
Posted by: cindy mandernach | May 18, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVE these! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Not just the lovely idea... but also for the gorgeous photos!
Posted by: Laura | January 12, 2012 at 09:16 PM
I would like to follow your blog. How can I do it? Thank you.
Posted by: Cindy Knighten | August 25, 2012 at 07:00 PM
Can these be made ahead & frozen? How long will they last?
Posted by: Janis Truelsen | December 29, 2012 at 01:20 AM