Framed Flower Vases

Thanks to a  lovely email from Katie of Newcomb Home, I found this fantastic DIY frame idea that I felt I had to share with you all.  Beverly of Flamingo Toes has created a stunning focal piece with this bud vase flower display using an old door with chicken wire, frames, and small bottles & vases.  This would be a great addition to hang behind a dessert table, or to use in home decor.  You can see the full tutorial by visiting Flamingo Toes blog.

Trend Alert: Lace

Oh My, I've been loving lace for so long now, I can't believe I haven't done a post about it yet!  Lace is one of my favorite materials being used in design these days.  From trims and ribbon, to large panels, I can't get enough of it!  The popularity is directly related to the presence of vintage inspired designs, but it's being used in very modern ways.

There are so many ways you can add a hint of lace in your decor.  Wrap wide lace borders around flower vases and candle votives as seen above.  Mix it up a bit by pairing it with a fabric underlay in another color, wrapping the entire glass from top to bottom, or using it only at the edges.   

Small delicate details are so impressive because usually they are the most unexpected.  Some eye-catching ideas here are to use it with place cards, create a cake stand border, wrap around napkins, and add a special detail to candy favors.  Search your nearest fabric store for some beautiful lace selections that you can incorporate in small ways. 

Lace can be a real statement piece when it's used in central areas of an event.  I love creating lace swags and draping it across other props.  It's easy to make a lace banner - just attach it at 2 points and use clothes pins to display cards, mini letters, photos, or anything else you can imagine.

Draping it along tables is a beautiful way to create runners or an interesting pattern.  There are so many colors and designs to choose from, you can have fun mixing and matching for a more eclectic combination. 

I hope you will give lace a try soon.  It's not just for grandmother's anymore!

Photos:

My Sweet & Saucy

Eileen Tran, Martha Stewart

Celebrations At Home, Style Me Pretty

Elizabeth Ann Designs, My Sweet & Saucy

DIY Yarn Pom Garland

Is this the most fabulous yarn garland or what?!  Found on Sew 4 Home, I had to share this today because I think this would be a fantastic whimsical touch to any child's party or baby shower.  Just choose your color scheme and have fun with it!

1. Begin by gathering your yarn colors and making yarn poms using this tutorial on Project Wedding, or this handy tool.  Leave a 4" tail to tie on to the garland.
2. Next make your garland base by braiding several strands of yarn together using 3-4 yarn pieces per strand.
3. Using a yarn needle with a large eye, thread one tail of a pom through the braided garland strip. Adjust as needed to get your hanging length correct, then loop back through the braid two to three times and knot to secure the tail. Trim off the excess yarn from the tail and repeat this step with the other tail.
4. Create a "V" pattern with the 2 tails and be careful to hang them evenly so the pom hangs straight. 

There, you've just created the cutest yarn pom garland ever!  For more tips you can visit Sew 4 Home.

Trend Alert: Paper Chains

What is it about the humble little paper chain of our childhood that makes it so chic today?  Maybe it's the fabulous papers available which introduces interesting patterns.  Maybe it's the ease and affordability of the project itself.  Or maybe it's the resurgence of all things retro and vintage that has brought it to the forefront.  Whatever the reason, these fun and whimsical swags that used to hang along Christmas trees, are popping up in the most stylish and modern designs from weddings to kids parties. 

 Ever since I posted this party last year I've noticed a definate increase in their presence.  The great thing is that anyone can incorporate this trend without being a craftsman or a crafter.  Just cut and glue (or staple) until your hearts content.  Get creative and use newspaper, old books, sheet music, etc.

Hope to see it at your next party!

Photos:

Style Me Pretty via P is for Party

Shana Faust; Martha Stewart

The City Cradle

The Purple Pug

Paper and Cake

Candy Cone Christmas Tree

Do you have one of these tabletop trees?  They are just darling and I love how this one from Country Living is trimmed with candy-cone treats - the perfect decorative element for a children's decorating party!  It's easy to put together with just a few items:

Using ready-made ice-cream cones, CAREFULLY drill 2 side holes with a wooden skewer (apply gentle pressure to avoid cracking). Brush with icing and dip in colorful sugar or nonpareils. Let dry thoroughly before slipping a thin ribbon through each hole, and then fill with small candies.

To simplify assembly, stand each cone in a small glass while filling. Fill in the bottom space of the cone with paper towel to keep fragile cones light enough to hang.  Now you have another fun favor/decor item that the kids will love!

How's It Hangin'?

To finish up our week of Autumn Entertaining inspiration, I wanted to share some unique and unexpected hanging decor that you can DIY, and use either inside or out.  I think the projects below are pretty self explanatory, using twine, a branch from the yard(or grapevine wreath), and various items to tie on: leaves, large nuts, pine cones, candles, and even small fruit.  They each provide a wonderfully rustic accent to your entertaining space.

All photos via Wohnidee

Trend Alert: Hanging Rags, Swags, And Lace

 

You know how much hanging banners and buntings can add to a party.  Now they are easier than ever to make!  You can create your own unique hanging decor for backdrops, or overhead swags and "chandeliers," using long strips of fabric, ribbon, and lace.   Depending on the colors and materials you use, you can create a vintage look or modern.  I personally love the eclectic mix of lace mixed with several coordinating fabrics & ribbons.  Which look appeals to you? 

Photos: Gabriel Ryan Photography, Amy Atlas, Amy Atlas, Kelly Moore Photography via Social Bites

Paper Crafts

I recently came across this fab feature in Utterly Engaged online magazine.  There are some fun and easy paper crafts from Sweet Paul, that you can easily add to any food or favors display.

Flower rosettes made from cupcake liners and pretty paper are used to add interest to bunting, favor boxes, and table decor.  I also love how the paper cone is made to fold over to create a little pouch.  You can add these small touches to any celebration!

DIY Framed Monogram

Here's a quick and easy DIY project perfect for your next shower or birthday celebration.  The idea is from Molly of Lilly Cakes blog, and I'm so in love with it, I incorporated it into a Sweet 16 birthday I styled.

Here are the easy steps I followed to create the frame above(my own adaptation of her original instructions):

1. Use the infamous Ikea frame above, or any other one will do.  Remove the glass and cardboard backing, and spray paint the frame the color of your choosing.
2. Using the glass insert as a template, cut out the shape from a large piece of foam core (I used one that is already blue), using a box cutter.  Insert the foam core into the frame as you would the glass & cardboard backing.
3. Choose your monogram letter from any craft store.  Spray paint it your color of choice, and attach with hot glue to the foam core board.

You can hang this above your dessert table, in the entry way, or any other prominent spot in the party space.  It is a great way to personalize the decor for the guest of honor!

See More DIY Ideas Using the Ikea Frame Here and Here

Unique Hanging Decor {DIY}

Move over poms and lanterns, and make way for the embroidery hoop!  This clever idea comes from Martha Stewart, and uses embroidery hoops in varying sizes, and fabric.  You can use a monochromatic color palette, or a vibrant array of colors to customize a look to your event.  Just fit the fabric inside the ring, and trim the excess.  Hang by tying a ribbon or mono filament to the screw which holds the rings together. You can change it out for lots of celebrations!

Trend Alert: Hanging Ribbon Backdrop

I love it when you can take simple, readily available elements, and create something amazing out of them. In this case, that is done with ribbon!

For the simplest project just hang long strands side-by-side to create a fun backdrop for photos or buffets.

Want to get a little fancy? Clip on some family photos, photos of the guest of honor, or postcards.

Last, but not least, add 'paper tiles' to the ribbon to add even more pattern and interest.

Hanging ribbon streamers not only make for an attractive backdrop, but they can also hide an ugly wall or act as a room divider. These would work really well for kid's birthdays, but given the beauty of satin ribbon, you can see it also works great for weddings, and anything in between!

top: The Wedding Co., My Sweet & Saucy

middle: Green Wedding Shoes, Make Merry! Events

bottom: My Sweet & Saucy

Florals, Ribbon, & Bling, Oh My!

These inspiring images come from Botanica Floral Designs of Sacramento. I don't have a lot of dialogue to add, except the fact that I love the use of "bling" in her arrangements, and the use of ribbon and florals on the lanterns. Just beautiful inspiration for your next event.

Which is your favorite?

Hanging Glass Vases

This is a fun and unique way to add decor to your next event. These hanging glass vases from Pear and Peony, can be filled with water and hold a single flower stem. A set of 5 is only $15, and the colored satin band comes in your choice of 9 colors.

These would look great hanging above a buffet table, a dining table, along walkways, or from tree branches. You could also fill with colored water or sand.

What do you guys think?

DIY Frame Decor

I found this fabulous frame project at Wire & Paper, using the infamous IKEA frame(about $25, only found in the stores). You can order your own custom wired paper flowers from Wire & Paper for a project like this, or use this as inspiration to DIY. This frame was made for a store to hang in their front window.

Start by inserting some fabulous fabric into the frame, and then attach wired butterflies, wire garland, or your own project of wired flowers using flowers and wire from the craft store. The important thing to remember here is to create a nice dimension and spacing around the frame using the wired element.
This would be so beautiful for a baby shower, or "Fairy/Garden" birthday party.

Create A Focal Point ABOVE The Table

You've gotta love this idea from Country Living! Hang a large tree branch above the table (make sure there's no chandelier in the way) and hang Christmas balls from it. Instant chic on a budget, no less! Use a branch that's not too thick or heavy and 3M Command strips should hold it up. Just attach with string, twine, or ribbon.

And since we are at it, I thought I'd pull out this example from a post I did last year. Don't just think about this for the holidays. Also use it for birthdays and showers!

Things Wrapped Up Like A Gift

Sounds like the old Pyramid game show, but 'things wrapped up like a gift' can be so pretty for Holiday decor... Create a floral 'gift' with blocks of floral foam, small simple flowers, and a big bow! Use pearl-tipped pins to hold the flowers in place and add extra detail.

Wrap an everyday pillow with a bow and you have holiday decor on the cheap. Hang a tassel for a special touch.

A pretty place setting gets dressed up for the holiday with a nice big bow! I think this is my favorite because it is so simple but has lots of impact.

Vintage Is The New Modern

Have you noticed? There is something about Vintage that is just so.......Modern! I've been noticing this for a while now, on many of the wedding blogs. Designers are taking vintage items and placing them or styling them so the look is very current, and not at all dated.

With details like floral or vintage linens, lace, milk glass, depression glass, china, and simple flower arrangements, you can easily create a beautiful dining table perfect for bridesmaids luncheons or any ladies luncheon, bridal showers and baby showers, engagement parties, and even birthday tea parties for little and big girls alike. Shop thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, and grandma's attic for fabulous finds.

Adding 'everyday' items like a vintage table fan, train cases, old typewriters and books, bird cages, and tea storage canisters filled with flowers, adds charm and authenticity to the setting. Use antique bookshelves to hold food, dessert, extra plates and napkins, and old photos or portrait silhuettes in boroque style frames.

Don't forget the finishing touch: any homemade or home baked item is perfect for your party favors and looks great in packaging reminescent of a bygone era. Jams with a fabric lid topper, cookies wrapped up in lace hankies, a small box wrapped up in old news paper print, old fashioned candy shoppe candies,or salt water taffy placed in handmade fabric sacks. These are all simple ideas that help carry your look through to the end.
So, as we all want to be a modern hostess, remember this: ...Sometimes Vintage IS Modern!

Credits:

Collage 1: JL Designs, LaLaLaurie, Lolliblog,

Once Wed, Green Wedding Shoes

Collage 2: Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart,

Once Wed, Green Wedding Shoes, Ritzy Bee

Collage 3: Style Me Pretty, Duet Weddings, Tec Petaja Photography,

Once Wed, Once Wed, Ritzy Bee