CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Duck Wing Quill Place Cards

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:50 -0800

I recently passed on a leaves place card idea to you from Another Shade of Grey that would be great for your upcoming Thanksgiving party. A couple of you liked the idea, but I didn't get a huge response. So, I figured I'd give it another shot. Instead of painting your guests names onto leaves, try feathers! According to Another Shade of Grey, you can buy a pack of 20 duck wing quills for about $1.99 (10 cents a quill). But, I'm really loving the look of these Pheasant Feathers ($.99/each). Whichever feather you fancy, paint each guest's name using a fine tipped brush and some acrylic craft paint.
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Cool Idea: Leaves Placecards

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:00:34 -0800

I saw this cute idea for placecards over at Another Shade of Grey and couldn't help but pass it along. I feel . . . what's it called? dumb for not thinking of this first, but that's life. My life at least. Just pick some fallen leaves up from your own backyard or neighborhood, the most colorful ones you can find, and use a paint pen to write the names of your guests. If you don't already own one, you can snatch up paint pens in a wide range of colors and metallics at your local art store for under $3. Or, if you're artistic, you could attempt to paint leaves with real paints: not as easy. I love the way these leaves pop against the white plate, so I'd suggest either laying it on a white tablecloth or napkin, or directly on your dinner plate, although that's not as cleanly. What do you think? Cute, right?
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DIY: Wine Cork Placecard Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:36:07 -0700

I spotted these Wine Cork Placecard Holders ($23.95) at Bright and Bold, which are actually made of resin, and thought they'd make a fabulous and simple DIY for a bridal shower brunch (or any other event). It's kind of a sad fact that these are being mass produced, but we won't get into that. I'm sure most guests would get a kick out of them, especially my girlfriends who are staunch wine fans. If you can handle drinking a few bottles of wine to save up for this DIY, then I think you'll be in the clear, supply-wise. But, you can also have cork stoppers special ordered from an industrial retailer and personalized with "Mrs. X" or "Angie & Brad" etc.

Supplies:

1 wine cork per place setting
Razor blade or X-acto (craft) knife
Cardstock
Calligraphy pen
Optional: Hot glue gun and magnet strip

To hear the steps, read more.

Here's how:

Using the razor blade or craft knife, slice off one side of the cork lengthwise, so it can lay flat on the table. Make sure to use a fresh (sharp) blade, otherwise the cork may crumble.
Then, with the cork set flat on the table, make a slice down the middle lengthwise, but not all the way through.
Cut the cardstock to a rectangular shape (or a fun shape) a bit larger than the width of the cork.
Scribe your guests names using a calligraphy pen.
If you like, you can hot glue a magnet strip to the bottom of the cork placecard holder. If your table happens to be metal, this will keep it in place and weighted down. If not, you can slip an adhesive magnet under your table cloth to make sure it stays in place.

You can also use this cork placecard holder to display photographs or your bridal shower invites at the center of each table. I love the recycling factor of this DIY, but if you'd like to have your corks personalized, some retailers include Manton, Widget, and Amorim.

Open House: How Do You Dress Your Thanksgiving Table?

CasaSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:30:04 -0800

When it comes to the Thanksgiving table, how you dress it is often as important to the hostess as what food sits upon it. Over the years, I've seen family members fuss over table settings, switching out placemats, rethinking china sets, and shifting floral arrangements.

I admit that I'm known to fuss over my Thanksgiving table as well. The first year that my hubby and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family, I stayed up late into the night sewing a dozen napkins, pressing tablecloths, and arranging flowers. In the end though, it was all worth it. Not only did the food turn out wonderfully, but the table looked spectacular as well. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, deciding on color schemes and flower arrangements is all part of the fun.

So tell me, how do you dress your Thanksgiving table? Do you keep things casual? Is your feast a buffet-style affair? Or do you get formal with placecards and calligraphied names? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Source: Flickr User thedabble

Love It or Hate It? Wedding Graffiti

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:00:28 -0700

Instead of wasting paper on placecards, menus, or programs, the company Wonderful Graffiti suggests these wall stickers as an option. I think it's a lovely way to make your wedding more eco chic. What do you think?

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:00:58 -0700

AT:SF goes on a mobile house tour with a family educating America about eco living.
Design Happens has an interview with carpenter cutie Carter Oosterhouse.
Craft has a cheap and chic thrift store chair makeover.
Design*Sponge shows you how to DIY atlas-inspired shelves.
Re-Nest reveals 10 ways to a greener bathroom.
Simply Stated rounds up stylish placecard holders.
SavvySugar clues you in on one vacation doubling as an investment.

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