Tasha Tudor Society: CT Chapter

The Minnesota Chapter of the Tasha Tudor Society invites you to join a virtual May Day Tea Party on April 28th from 2:00-3:00 pm CT.

Be inspired by Tasha Tudor’s enchanting world. Picture yourself surrounded by Tasha’s illustrations of blooming flowers, sipping on aromatic teas, and indulging in delectable cookies—all while exploring Tasha’s influence on the cherished May Day tradition. It’s sure to be an unforgettable celebration of springtime.

For more details, please visit https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/events/

Did you know that donations from our members provide 100% of the Society’s annual operating budget? Your support makes it possible to celebrate Tasha’s legacy and produce two printed Journals of the Tasha Tudor Society each year.

Memberships of Forget-me-not and above receive tokens of appreciation with their memberships. The 2024 gifts feature an illustration from Give Us This Day, illustrated by Tasha in 1987. Some gifts will bring you daily, quiet reminders of Tasha’s peaceful way of life. Others, like postcards, notecards, and stickers (yes, stickers are back in 2024!) were created to share moments of peace with your friends and family.

Thank you for being part of the Society and supporting the preservation of Tasha Tudor’s remarkable artistic accomplishments.

To see all giving levels and their related member gifts, view the Levels and Benefits page of our website. https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/membership/levels-and-benefits/

On her Vermont homestead, Tasha’s life varied over the course of the year. Early January was a lovely time for writing letters by candlelight. Tasha was a prodigious letter writer, writing several letters every evening.

As you have dinner tonight, turn out all of the electric lights, computers, cell phones, radios and place candlesticks on the table - the more the better. As you dine, let your eyes get lost in the movement of the flame. You might find yourself occupying your space in the world in an entirely different manner.

Image from Tasha’s 1984 book "All for Love" illustrates a John Keats letter to F***y Brawne.

Another wonderful free, virtual event for us Tasha Tudor fans!

Tasha Tudor's Christmas Mice The Free Library of Philadelphia presents "Tasha Tudor's Christmas Mice" by Jeanette Chandler Knazek.

Live now!

📸 Watch this live video on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/L5nNhPz1GuGdqNrw/?mibextid=KsPBc6

Virtual Tasha Tudor event opportunity!

“In person attendees should RSVP. Remote attendees may watch the livestreamed presentation on the de Grummond's page.”

At first glance it may seem that Tasha’s illustrations were proof of her artistry. But Tasha’s artistry was inseparable from her daily living; the meals she made, the plants she chose, the fabrics she selected for the dresses she made. She instinctively curated her tea sets, her furniture, her greenhouse, her birds and even the quiet of her home. Tasha viewed the world through the all-seeing eyes of a child, no detail missed.

Some of you may feel that you are not an artist because you don’t make your living that way. Don’t be dissuaded. Honor the artist within you wherever it peeks out. Tasha lived the life that was in her heart, going against the grain to do so. Fans would write to her, expressing that they wished they lived like her. She’d write back, saying “Why don’t you?”

What a treasure she was. We know you agree. The Society set out to raise $12,500 this fall to continue to honor Tasha’s artistic and cultural legacy. We’re incredibly grateful that the wider Tasha community generously donated just over $16,000.

We welcome 52 new members who joined this fall. Many donors increased their giving beyond the basic membership level, enabling us to undertake projects above and beyond producing the Journal of the Tasha Tudor Society. Thank you!

The importance of celebrating Tasha's life and legacy shows in the 269 gifts from 42 states across the US, plus Canada, Japan, Italy—and even Australia!

To all who contributed, our deepest gratitude—you are bringing Tasha’s inspiration to the world. Many of you give two, three, or more times per year—and for that, we’re extremely grateful.

If you’re a current member, look for the Fall/Winter issue of the Journal by month's end - and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Join us for the program “Tasha Tudor’s Christmas Mice” on November 4, 2023 Online 1pm EDT Link to register: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/125902

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Literature Research Collection presents a talk by Tasha Tudor scholar Jeanette Chandler Knazek. Knazek will discuss Tasha's 1941 “Snow Before Christmas” illustration housed in the Library's archives and will explore Tasha’s use of mice in her early books, as well as in her published illustrations for Christmas.

Since the age of five, Jeanette Chandler Knazek has admired the wide-ranging artistry of the late children’s author and illustrator Tasha Tudor (1915-2008), whom she met for the first time at an Ohio book-signing event in 1976. As co-curator and lecturer for the Norman Rockwell Museum’s traveling exhibition “Tasha Tudor: Around the Year,” Jeanette was also honored to curate the centenary celebration “Longings Fulfilled: Tasha at Home in New England” for the Tasha Tudor Museum. With an academic background in psychology, nursing, and law, Jeanette spent much of her professional career teaching others and now most enjoys sharing her knowledge, and deep appreciation of Tasha, during live presentations.

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Literature Research Collection is one of the premier centers for the study of children’s literature in the United States. The Children’s Literature Research Collection promotes the history and study, and development of children’s literature. The Collection houses a repository of over 85,000 works of children’s literature and an archive of original artwork, manuscripts, and ephemera. The Children's Literature Research Collection engages the public about the importance of children’s literature in our culture and our society; expands the knowledge base of their patrons through research support; and fosters new ideas through displays and exhibitions.

We invite you to join the Society or renew your membership (if lapsed) by Nov 1 to receive the next issue of the Journal of the Tasha Tudor Society.

In mid-November, you'll be able to cuddle-up with the Fall/Winter issue of our twenty page, full-color Journal. Enter the serenity of Tasha Tudor’s world through articles, illustrations, photographs, and more.

The printed Journal is one of the ways the Society accomplishes its mission of inspiring people through the remarkable world created by Caldecott honor author, illustrator and early American lifestyle icon, Tasha Tudor.

Gift just $35 to become an annual member. Donations above $55 and up allow us to pursue other projects, above and beyond the scope of the Journal.

If your membership will be current on Nov 1, you will automatically receive a copy of the printed Journal in the mail.

P.S. If your membership will be current on Nov 1, you will automatically receive a copy of the printed Journal in the mail. Not sure when your membership is due? Send us an email.

https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/membership/

The Society invites you to celebrate Tasha Tudor’s 108th birthday on Monday, August 28. Several of our chapters have organized elaborate celebrations. From a Dolls’ Wedding in Nasalle, Washington to a High Tea in New Hampshire; a talk in Yamanashi, Japan to an elegant birthday bash in Lititz, Pennsylvania, our Society community of volunteers know how to find merriment inspired by Tasha’s life and legacy.

But there are quieter ways to acknowledge our debt to Tasha’s seemingly endless body of illustrations, her example of cherishing the simple joys in life and her affection for the natural world and animal friends. Tasha Tudor Day is a lovely day to revisit your favorite Tasha books, light a candle and sip a cup of tea as you remember all that you love about her.

Photo by Richard W. Brown

For more information on future events: https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/events/

A TASHA TUDOR CELEBRATION: https://enchantedbookclub.com/tasha-tudor/

"What a delight it was to celebrate the life and work of Tasha Tudor. The Enchanted Book Club co-hosted this special event with guests, Amy Tudor (Tasha’s granddaughter-in-law) and Barbara Weaver (Tasha Tudor Society Chapter Co-Leader), as we discussed Tasha’s love of nature, celebrations, and even showed her Jane Austen editions!" (Hayley Solano)

We'd love to share Tasha's magical world with you at one of our upcoming events. Attend in-person events in NJ, PA or attend two online events from anywhere in the world.

Potluck Gathering June 8, 2023 Burlington, NJ Revisit Tasha’s cookbooks and make a receipt to bring to the New Jersey Chapter’s potluck gathering.

Virtual Tea Party June 12, 2023 The Pittsburgh chapter will host a virtual tea party from 7- 8pm EDT. Grab your tea or other drink and let's settle down for some Tasha chat! Attendees from outside Pittsburgh are encouraged to attend, but you must join the Pittsburgh Chapter's private facebook group before the event to attend.

A Celebration of Tasha Tudor June 15, 2023 The Enchanted Book Club is thrilled to host an online discussion of Tasha Tudor’s life and work at 8pm EDT/5pm PDT. Proprietress Hayley Solano will be joined by guests, Tasha Tudor Society Executive Director, Amy Tudor (who is also Tasha’s granddaughter-in-law) and Barbara Weaver, Central Pennsylvania Society Chapter Co-Leader for a celebration of Tasha Tudor’s life and work. During this enriching discussion, we’ll delve into Tasha’s children’s stories, love of celebrations, gardening, and more.

Garden Tour June 24, 2023 Bordentown NJ Join the New Jersey Chapter for the HIstory in Bloom Annual Garden Tour to visit the gardens, parks and sites together. The 2021 and 2022 garden tours were spectacular and this year's tour promises to be even better! This year there are 17 unique and beautiful gardens on the tour. The chapter plans to lunch together at a local restaurant.

Blueberry Festival & StoryWalk® July 15, 2023 Bethlehem, PA Join us the Central Pennsylvania Chapter at the Blueberry Festival at Burnside Plantation. Details of the gathering will be forthcoming, but note that the chapter will also be presenting a Tasha Tudor StoryWalk® there on July 15 & 16.

Contact information for each event: https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/events/

Thank you, dear members, for making our Spring Member Drive a rousing success. We set out to support our Journal by raising $12,000. You responded with $20,419!

Your 385 gifts arrived from 48 states plus Japan, Norway and the UK! A record 86 new members joined the Society with a first time donation.

Current members will receive Issue 19 by late May or early June. Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for supporting Tasha Tudor’s legacy.

We invite you to join the Society or renew your lapsed membership by May 1 to receive the next issue of the Journal of the Tasha Tudor Society.

Hold our twenty page, full-color issue in your hands as you take a reprieve from the hectic pace of modern life and enter the serenity of Tasha Tudor’s world.

Spring/Summer Issue 19 features articles, illustrations and photographs celebrating the remarkable life of author, illustrator and simple-living lifestyle icon Tasha Tudor.

Gift just $35 to become an annual member. Donations above $35 allow us to pursue other projects, above and beyond the scope of the Journal. Thank you to the 181 members who recently renewed their membership or made an additional gift!

https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/membership/

If your membership will be current on May 1, you will automatically receive a copy of the printed Journal in the mail. Not sure when your membership is due? Check your membership card.

If your membership is due for renewal, you’ve likely received a renewal reminder postcard and/or a direct email. Still not sure? Please email us at [email protected] (No DM’s please.)

Photo by Richard W Brown.

When the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is behind us, it is a perfect time to let the peace and stillness of winter settle in and focus on the year ahead. We’d like to take a moment and wish all of our Tasha Tudor Society family the brightest and shiniest New Year. May 2023 bring you peace, prosperity and good health!

Artwork from “Take Joy: The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book,” 1966.

How exciting it is, even as an adult, to approach Christmas! Tasha Tudor was such a fan of the narrative poem “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement C. Moore, that she illustrated it three times–in 1962, 1975, and in 1999. They are some of her most beloved works, shared across households worldwide each holiday season.

Do you read a special book with your family on Christmas Eve?

Artwork from “The Night Before Christmas,” 1975.

It’s been said that Christmas carols date back to the 14th century and that these midwinter songs existed to keep up people's spirits, along with dances, plays and feasts during the darkest, coldest months. Fact or not, we love holiday songs and the memories attached to them!

We’d like to know: what are some of your favorite Christmas carols and songs?

Artwork from “Take Joy: The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book,” 1966.

One of the greatest joys of the holiday season is spending time with family and friends, both near and far. This coming week is usually fraught with movement: travels, shopping, and preparing for a feast with loved ones. May you find joy in the preparations and enough time to enjoy the activity and work of the occasion!

We'd love to know: are you traveling for Thanksgiving next week? Are you expecting visitors?

Art from Tasha Tudor's "First Poems of Childhood," 1967.

Don't Get Left Behind!

Today is the last day to get on the mailing list for the Fall/Winter issue of the Journal of the Tasha Tudor Society. We know you're going to swoon over the lovingly curated content. Don't miss out: join, renew or make an additional gift today!

Thanks to your generosity, we've raised more than half the Fall Membership Drive goal of $13,500, but we're still $6,000 short. Won't you help?

We can still make it! If you haven't renewed your membership, please consider doing so. Help us continue discovering previously unknown details of Tasha's life, such as the 85-year-old photograph of Tasha at her engagement party in 1937. Sign up details on our website: https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/membership/

It’s a thrilling month for us at the Tasha Tudor Society! We’re working towards raising $13,500 to connect people with the idyllic, peaceful world imagined through Tasha Tudor’s artwork and legacy. When you start a membership, you’ll automatically receive the upcoming Journal of the Tasha Tudor Society. Our upcoming issue will be mailed in November and highlights include exciting research that follows hints to a previously unknown Tasha Tudor illustration and its connection to historic New England churches and so much more! Links to start or renew your membership are available in our bio.

Photo by Ann Beneduce.

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” - Henry David Thoreau

Here in New England, autumn is abloom with all of the glorious colors and syrupy, golden sunsets each afternoon. Tasha Tudor created a world through her artwork that enables all of us to feel the warmth of the sun’s rays on our faces and hear the glorious sounds of the woods, all through the pages of a book.

Here’s hoping you get a chance to get outside and breathe in all of that outdoorsy goodness in your neck of the woods!

Illustration from Tasha Tudor’s Book “The Lord is My Shepherd: The Twenty-third Psalm,” 1980.

Our Fall/Winter Journal edition is coming soon! Is your annual membership up to date? With the generous support from our members, we've been able to produce our award-winning print periodical, Journal of the Tasha Tudor Society, since 2011. If you're considering a membership for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, please be sure to join before November 1st to ensure your copy of the newest edition. Annual memberships start at just $35 a year and help us do the work of securing Tasha Tudor's artistic and simple living legacy! More information and link to membership options: https://tashatudorsociety.org/home/membership/

Illustration by Tasha Tudor from The Springs of Joy. 🍁

Happy first day of September!

We received over 800 unique entries to our Tasha Tudor Day Giveaway. Thank you for sharing so many heartfelt memories of Tasha and the impact her work has made on your life and family.

We have randomly selected four winners and are in the process of making contact with the winners.

If you entered on Instagram, check your notifications and messages. If you entered via the form on our website/emails, check your email. Our Facebook winner has responded to our message.

Winners will be announced as soon as possible. Thanks again for your entries!

Image from Tasha's 1944 version of Mother Goose

Happy Tasha Tudor Day! How will you celebrate Tasha’s 107th birthday? Perhaps enjoying some quiet time with a book and a cuppa on the porch swing? Admiring the sunflowers in the garden, or picking a wild bouquet to grace the table? How about the perfect peach pie? There are so many ways to take joy this day!

Don’t forget to enter Tasha’s Birthday giveaway, which ends tonight! See previous post for details!

Photo by Richard W. Brown in Tasha Tudor’s Garden.