Only a few tables left for this fabulous tea! I want to tantalize one and all with Chef Gail’s menu for the All Dolled Up! Vintage Valentine Tea at the Parish Center for the Arts. The date is Saturday, February 11 from 1-4pm. Music, art, delectable treats . . . can’t wait! Please review the previous blog posting for information on this exciting event!

Take a sneak peek at Chef Gail’s proposed menu!

Savories:
English Cucumber Sandwiches- sweet cucumber with cream cheese and chives on crustless wheat bread (vegetarian)
Mini Crustless Carrot Quiches- Vegetarian and Gluten Free
Roasted Tomato with Fresh Mozzarella Cheese and Basil with a Balsamic Vinegar reduction on soft rolls (vegetarian)
Chicken salad in mini wonton tart cups- diced chicken with celery, grapes and scallion with light mayo in a bite size tart (can dress without mayo if requested)

Allergy (General): Gluten, Eggs, Milk
Prepared in a kitchen that uses nuts. No nuts in this menu
Westford Board of Health Certified Kitchen

Emily and Gail are at it again! All Dolled Up!
Vintage Valentine Tea at the Parish Center For the Arts, Westford

Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 1-4pm
Fee: $100 for a group of 4 (all inclusive) | Limit: 14 groups of 4

Come out and celebrate old-fashioned romance in your prettiest dress at a beautiful and delicious tea event with vintage and antique tablecloths, china teacups and more. Bring your favorite doll, and we will create fancy vintage accessories for her. Plus, join us for a vintage Valentine-making workshop filled with Victorian scraps, old buttons, lace and more. Emily Piper will sing some favorite old-fashioned love songs for all to enjoy and to sing along to! And, of course, we will top it all off with a fabulous tea server for each table filled with romantic treats (sweet and savory) made by Gail Flannery of Sweet Visions Patisserie. This event is especially perfect to share with your child or grandchild, or for your child and her best pals. Please give us advance notice of any food allergies. We are happy to accommodate! This event is appropriate for ages 4 and up. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

To book your table ticket, please contact Emily Piper at 978.995.7002 or e-mail tickets@creativityunhinged.com. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your table. The balance will be due the day of the tea.

This August, I celebrate two full years of Rumphius Creativity Unhinged in Westford. Little did I know two years ago that my business would soon completely engulf our entire lives, that I would get to be creative with hundreds of children, that I would use over a hundred glue sticks in a week and that a flock of little hens and roosters would keep me company late at night in THE SCHOOLHOUSE! Yes, the Rumphius Recycled Schoolhouse is a transformed 1850 schoolhouse which has become the home of my dream business as of June 1, 2011 (my birthday!). I spend more hours here than I can imagine. The building has a life to it- perhaps it is its history and the energy of all the children who were schooled here for decades. And, now, children are schooled in art, music, theater and more. This summer, I held my first summer week-long workshops. We created 18 recycled dollhouses, used dozens of spools of thread, made midsummer fairies for the apple tree opposite the porch, played 18th c. parlor games and so much more.

Here is to another year of Rumphius. I raise my cup of tea and toast to another great year of stress, joy, and glue gun burns.

Still looking for a great way to make Spring Break incredibly special for your child (and for you)? Gail Flannery of Sweet Visions Patisserie and I have been working for weeks creating the ultimate tea party complete with 3-tiered servers for each table, fine vintage china, an outstanding selection of goodies, live music (with me singing songs such as Tea for Two with Bill Harman on piano), a doll bonnet buffet, a doll dress sewing workshop and even dozens of beautiful artsy paper flowers for each table!!! And, to top it all off, each child will leave with a special goody bag filled with a doll-necklace, Rumphius and Sweet Visions coupons and more . . .

We have been hard at work. And, there are just a few tables left. We would love to have you join us. Wednesday, April 20 at the Parish Center for the Arts, Main Hall. 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. The event is from 1:30 – 4pm. $75 for a table of four – includes fashion workshop, bonnet buffet, full tea, and gift bags. Ages 4-104! Reservations are a must as there are only 12 tables available for the event. To reserve, contact Emily Piper at rumphius@creativityunhinged.com or call 978.995.7002.

Curious about the fabulous tea menu presented on tiered china servers?
Here is a sneak peek (subject to change):

Traditional Cucumber Sandwiches
Jam Sandwiches
Tomato and Goat Cheese Sandwiches on Focaccia
Mini Currant Cream Scones
Assorted Filled Mini Cupcakes
Petit Fours
Spring Bonnet Cookies
Butter Shortbread Teapot Cookies
Honey Bee Cakes
Sparkly Pastel Meringues
“Tuxedo” Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Assorted Chocolate Truffles

I loved miniatures as a child. I spent hours decorating and cleaning my dollhouse my father made for me when I was 7. I still love little things, and I often think in 1/2 inch scale. When I lived in Chicago, my favorite place to go was not Millenium Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo or Michigan Avenue. It was a little vintage and antique shop in Evanston, called Secret Treasures. I spent a lot of time (and $$$) there finding all sorts of treasures for my charming city apartments and tiny ephemera for art projects. One day, as I was looking for a cabinet for extra storage in my kitchen, I spotted a $20 top of an old kitchen cabinet. It looked like the top of an old hoosier, and it was painted plain white. I thought, this will do nicely, and when I am finished with it as storage, it will make a fabulous dollhouse! So, I bought it, lugged it home in a van cab and almost lost it to city junkmen as it sat next to the curb for a few minutes while I searched for help to carry it up the stairs to my apartment.

It served its purpose in the kitchen and then became a bookshelf for my husband’s obscenely large book collection when we moved to our little farmhouse in MA. Then, last summer, I knew it was time. It was time to transform the vintage cabinet into a French Dollhouse! I was able to partially complete it last summer with the help of my dear friend, Gail. Then, I taught a camp for kids on making recycled dollhouses, and my own creation was put on hold. This winter, I finally found time to complete it. It made its debut at the Westford Winter Farmers Market here in Westford, MA. What fun it was to see children’s eyes light up – especially when they saw the sign, “PLAY WITH ME!” And, everyone was mesmerized that things we usually throw out or put in the recycling bin could become tiny masterpieces – Altoid tin refrigerator, cellphone box beds, soap box sofas, yogurt cup cafe tables, wine cork chairs, vintage linens-turned curtains, and etc. My husband especially loves the stove with old buttons for burners and metal snaps for knobs. It was a labor of love for me and my beloved glue gun.

The Recycled Dollhouse will do a bit of touring this Spring and then find its permanent home in the Rumphius Recycled Schoolhouse here at Meadowbrook Farm. And, every summer, it will inspire children to create their own Recycled Dollhouse at the Rumphius Recycled Dollhouse camps. I love having something that is totally unique. No two recycled dollhouses are alike which is part of their enormous charm! Enjoy!

Having tea and a biscuit at Kimball’s here in Westford with my gal pal, Gail Flannery, is dangerous! One can never tell what new project will come about when our two minds connect over tea! Within a few minutes of me mentioning that I would like for us to host a doll tea party, we already had the space booked and were working on the menu and doll bonnet buffet! Gail is a fabulous artist and baker here in Westford with her own certified kitchen. She specializes in butter-rich French treats that make your mouth water! We became fast friends last year when she helped me host my Winter’s Tea Gallery Reception at the PCA. The tea was such a hit, I knew that we would someday be at it again!

On Wednesday, April 20 from 1:30-4pm, Rumphius Creativity Unhinged and Sweet Visions Patisserie will host All Dolled Up! A Fashionable Tea at The Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street, Westford, MA. Join me, Emily Piper of Rumphius Creativity Unhinged for a doll spring fashion sewing workshop including a “bonnet buffet” for your favorite doll! Then, enjoy a grand tea hosted by Gail Flannery of Sweet Visions Patisserie.

Springtime fashion, fine china, vintage linens, old-fashioned tunes, delicious teatime treats and favorite dolls! It’s the perfect way to celebrate Spring for adults and children alike! Come “All Dolled Up” in your favorite Springtime fashions and bring along favorite dolls and teddy bears for a Springtime fashion makeover! This is a great event to share during Spring Break with your daughter, grandchild or your child’s best pals.

$75 for a table of four – includes fashion workshop, full tea and gift bags. Ages 4-104! Reservations are a must as there are only 12 tables available for the event. To reserve, contact Emily Piper at rumphius@creativityunhinged.com or call 978.995.7002.

Curious about the fabulous tea menu presented on tiered china servers?
Here is a sneak peek (subject to change):

Traditional Cucumber Sandwiches
Tomato and Goat Cheese Sandwiches on Focaccia
Mini Currant Cream Scones
Assorted Filled Mini Cupcakes
Petit Fours
Spring Bonnet Cookies
Butter Shortbread Teapot Cookies
Honey Bee Cakes
Sparkly Pastel Meringues
“Tuxedo” Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Assorted Chocolate Truffles

Plus, of course, an assortment of fine teas and punch served in Gail’s collection of lovely china tea cups!

This is an event not to be missed! We hope to see you there in all your finery!

Sign up now for the Winter Break Crafternoons at The Parish Center for the Arts in Westford!

Not going away during the February Break? Make it a special week for your child(ren) with one or more of Rumphius’s Winter Crafternoons in the big art classroom of the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. Hopefully the kids will not make quite as big of a mess as my cat, Callie, in the picture above! She loves her crafternoons!

Want to do all five Winter Crafternoons? Receive one free!
Cost is $30 for each Crafternoon. $5 Friend and Sibling Discount. All materials are included.
Crafternoons are from Monday – Thursday noon-3pm and Friday 11am-2pm and for ages 6-12. To sign-up, please e-mail me at info@creativityunhinged.com or call 978.995.7002. Registration forms and fees are due on the day of the workshop. Forms are available on the left toolbar under HOW TO REGISTER.

Monday, Feb. 21: Winter Painting on Canvas (with perspective)
Tuesday, Feb. 22: Needle Felting on Scarves
Wednesday, Feb. 23: Paper Quilling and Collage
Thursday, Feb. 24: Glitter, Glitter and more GLITTER!
Friday, Feb. 25: Potato Print T-shirts and Canvas Bags

I am pleased to announce the formation of a new choir in the region for all young singers living in Middlesex County between the ages of 8 and 14. For our first season, we begin with beautiful arrangements of old American songs. Our repertoire will always bend toward classical and folk music of many different cultures. If you are interested in signing your child up for the choir, we are holding an Open Sing on Sunday, January 16th in the multi-purpose room of the Cameron Senior Center, 10 Pleasant St., in Westford.

The details:

Middlesex Children’s Chorale
A newly-formed treble chorus for the children of Middlesex County with the goal of educating young people ages 8-14 in the choral arts and enriching their lives – and those of their audience – with an enduring love of music

Rehearsals begin on Sunday, February 6th. The final concert will be held on Saturday, May 21st at 7pm at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln St., Westford. We intend to make this a musical tradition in Middlesex County with a Spring and Fall concert each year with performances at local events and festivals in future seasons. The Choral Director is Christina Kennedy, MA Music, and the Artistic Director is Emily Piper, BA Theater. The fee will be no more than $125 per chorister with a sibling discount available. The fee will be in accordance with the number of choristers registered. To preregister, please e-mail Emily Piper at info@creativityunhinged.com with your child’s name and age and your contact information.

My parents were children in the 1950s and both believe it was the best time to be a kid. Well, I think it was also the best time for Christmas music! This decade produced more Top Ten Christmas hits than any other decade, and we are celebrating the music and the era this year in An Old-Fashioned Noel. Also, if you know and love Patti Mason, you know that she is one of the most innovative community-givers in Westford. When you see our skit, “Oh Sputnik Tree”, you will understand why Patti is so creative and inspiring. We celebrate her fifties childhood in this short play to be performed at both the 2pm and 7pm shows. So, come and celebrate Patti, great music, yummy treats and more at An Old-Fashioned Noel Celebrates the 1950s! And, remember, your ticket money supports three great causes: Big Fluffy Dog Rescue (that’s our Big Fluffy, Wallace, pictured above), Sustainable Westford and local arts programming.

An Old-Fashioned Noel Celebrates the 1950s!

Come and celebrate a vintage Christmas era on Saturday, December 11 at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA. This year, we celebrate the childhood of favorite local, Patti Mason, and her father’s creative genius in the short play, “Oh, Sputnik Tree!” We have two shows on December 11 to get you into the holiday spirit . . .

An Old-Fashioned Noel Family Matinee: Doors open at 1:00pm for shopping in our Santa’s Elves Workshop with gifts made by local crafters and food artisans. Our show begins at 2pm. Old-fashioned root beer and hot cocoa, “Oh, Sputnik Tree”, games and giveaways all wrapped in a bow of great live Fifties Christmas music . . . it is the perfect family outing for the holiday season. Family ticket: $25, Adult: $10, Children: $5 Look below for information on our Santa’s Elves’ Workshop!

An Old-Fashioned Noel BYOB Cabaret: Show begins at 7pm. Go back in time and join Emily Piper as a 1950s chanteuse with Bill Harman on piano performing songs such as Santa Baby, Baby, It’s Cold Outside and more of your vintage holiday favorites. Enjoy a performance of “Oh, Sputnik Tree” and live music from special guests. Complimentary savories provided by Sweet Visions Patisserie. Adults: $10 BYOB

For tickets, call 978.995.7002 or e-mail: tickets@creativityunhinged.com

Proceeds benefit Big Fluffy Dog Rescue, Sustainable Westford and local arts programming

Come and support local crafters and food artisans in our Santa’s Elves’ Workshop! Below is a sneak peek! Perfect for kids to shop for their families, teachers and friends! Only at our Family Matinee. Doors open for shopping at 1pm.

Susan Lyall Haley- an award-winning watercolorist and glass painter elf will have paintings, prints, greeting cards and gorgeous glassware.
Kimberly Scott – an accomplished and talented author and potter (and elf) will have her wheel thrown creations – functional and food safe art for anyone on your list.
Cindy Craft of Carlisle’s Subito Farm spins from fleeces purchased at Sheep and wool festivals throughout New England. Her handspun yarn is available for sale in natural and hand-dyed colors along with hand knit goods to keep you beautifully toasty and warm. Santa keeps this elf very busy indeed.
Terry Golson- elf, author and artist extraordinaire will have her tote bags made from feed bags, pins and even great toys for dogs!
Wendy Brown- felting wizard elf will have her adorable felted animals ready for those stockings hung on the chimney with care
Carmela Coughlan- owner of La Bella Dolce- Our own local baker elf will offer stunning handmade cookie garlands and herold-fashioned caramels- yum!
Corey Kingsborough- Santa’s top seamstress elf will have lovely and practical creations- reusable grocery bags, wine bottle sacks and more…
Marie Doctor- owner and Elf of Le Gourmet Jardin will have gourmet chocolates, holiday candy and gift items from her lovely store at 40 Main Street in Westford
Gail Flannery- Gail Flannery Fine Art & Craft and owner of Sweet Visions Patisserie -this busy elf will offer a luscious homemade holiday cookie jar bar and a variety of art and craft for your shopping pleasure.

I have often been teased that I move around to places near my literary heroines. (I used to live on PEI of Anne of Green Gables fame.) Well, I now live about 20 minutes away from wonderful Concord, MA – home of Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott’s beloved home. I am so excited to share this beautiful story of a very special family with a group of such talented young actors and actresses. Our hard work will soon come to fruition! Our play is December 18 at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA. There are two performances: matinees at 1pm and 4pm. Tickets are $5 each. Two acts with an intermission. For tickets, call 978.995.7002 or e-mail tickets@creativityunhinged.com.

Come for a history lesson, a life lesson and a lovely atmosphere complete with hot cocoa! Perfect for the whole family!