entertaining Archives - A Sweet Spot Home

Entertaining: A Travel Themed Tablesetting

April 29, 2013 By Carrie 8 Comments

Recently, I was contacted by Stampendous and was asked if I’d be willing to test out a few of their products. Considering that I like to add lots of DIY elements to my parties, in order to make them more personal as well as keep the costs down, I immediately said yes. While browsing through their catalogs, I came across a large collection of travel themed stamps and immediately knew what I wanted to do…a travel themed table setting. This would be a perfect idea for a Bon Voyage party, or for a birthday party for your favorite jetsetter. The concept was to keep the colors neutral, with just a few pops of light pink here and there. I’ll be sharing tutorials for some of the projects I did later on in the week, so be sure to stay tuned!

Here’s a list of the products I used if you’d like to order them for yourself!

Cling Suitcase World Stamp: used on flour sack napkin
Cling Luggage Labels: used on votive candles
Timeless Tags Perfectly Clear Stamps: used for placecards
Air Travel Perfectly Clear Stamps: used on fondant cupcake toppers
Baggage Claim Perfectly Clear Stamps: used as a decoration on white plate
Jumbo Perfectly Clear Handle: made stamping SO much easier!

To find out more about Stampendous, visit them practically anywhere online!

Website: http://www.stampendous.com
Blog: http://www.stampendousblog.wordpress.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/stampendous
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stampendous
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stampendous/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stampendous
Tumblr: http://www.stampendous.tumblr.com

If you’d like to pin this post (and of course, I REALLY hope you do…) here’s a pinnable image you can use.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Stampendous. A Sweet Spot: Home received product or compensation for the purposes of this post. All opinions are strictly my own.

Filed Under: Entertaining, Tablescape Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged With: bon voyage, DIY, entertaining, parties, stampendous, stamping, stamps, tablesetting, travel, traveling, wanderlust

{ENTERTAINING} Rustic Place Card Holder

April 15, 2013 By Carrie 2 Comments

Adding rustic and natural elements to a table setting is something that I love. Even though I’m not necessarily an “outdoor girl”, bringing in elements of nature into my home is something I find comforting and calming. So, I created these very simple rustic place card holders that you could use for your next party. This look will work well for a party for adults, or for a fairy or woodland party for kids. It’s a very versatile look that you can alter to fit your event.

instructions:

1. After you’ve collected everything you need (and you most likely have everything you need in your house/yard), take your three 4″ sticks and arrange them in a design that would give you two sticks side by side and one sticking out towards the back. The top of all the sticks need to be together. It may take a little finagling, but you’ll get it.
2. If you prefer, you can add some hot glue to the top pieces to secure them a bit more. I didn’t use any for mine, however, and they’re holding together just fine. Wrap your twine or string around the top of the sticks until they feel secure.
3. Next, you’ll need to add the “shelf” that your place card will sit upon. Again, you can choose to use a bit of hot glue here. Then, secure more tightly by adding twine or string.
4. Add your place card, and you’re done!

Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party

Filed Under: Entertaining, Uncategorized Tagged With: birthday, DIY, easy, entertaining, fairy, parties, party, rustic, table decor, woodland

{ENTERTAINING} Handmade Place Cards

April 12, 2013 By Carrie Leave a Comment

When setting the table before guests arrive, a great way to add interest to your table decor is through the use of place cards. It gives you an opportunity to dictate how everyone will be seated. If you have guests who are extremely sociable, you can seat them next to your quieter guests to allow the conversation to flow all around the table. Plus, you’ll avoid that awkward scene where everyone is just standing around the table staring at it because they don’t know where to sit!

If you’re short on time or feeling thrifty, you can make a simple place card using the paper that you have on hand. Quick, easy, and free, it will do the job just as well as any of the fancier versions. But, if you feel like taking it up a bit I love the ideas behind these adorable place cards that I found on Etsy tonight.

1. Simple calligraphy: Sometimes, the simplest ideas can be the best. These colorful place cards paired with the gorgeous calligraphy writing would make a lovely statement on your table. If you’ve got nice handwriting, or know someone who does, you could duplicate this look yourself as well.

2. Fox place card: I love the pop of color and the whimsical shape of this fox place card. It adds a bit of fun to the table but the simplicity of the design keeps it appropriate. This look could be recreated with a Cricut or Silhouette machine if you wanted to try and design it yourself.

3. Alice in Wonderland place card: Again, with the whimsy, I LOVE these place cards! I love the vintage look and the simplicity that comes with the basic stamp. This look is classic, but fun…something to consider when designing your own table setting.

4. Glitter place card: A little sparkle is always a great addition to your tablescape, whether added through a shiny fabric, candles, or in the case of this place card, glitter! I love the way the glitter really comes through on this particular card, even though there’s actually no glitter on the actual card itself. The graphics are great, and it’s a great idea that you could easily do yourself. Every girl loves a little sparkle!

Give your table a little pop of something fun and help support a small business (or your own creativity by making them yourself) by using handmade place cards!

Filed Under: Entertaining, Uncategorized Tagged With: classic decor, decor, decorations, entertaining, place cards, table decor, whimsical decor

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

March 4, 2013 By Carrie 1 Comment

March has arrived! Even though Easter is early this year, and happens to fall in March, I still like to remember to do a little something special for St. Patrick’s Day…despite being the only member of my household without a drop of Irish blood in my veins. I tend to shy away from the super kitschy St. Patrick’s Day celebrating, though. While some of you may love to dye all of your food green, and drink green drinks, and decorate with gold and rainbows and leprechauns, it’s just not for me. (But for those of you who do that…if that’s how you like to celebrate, go for it! Whatever makes you and your family happy is good in my book.)

So, here’s my idea of a fun St. Patrick’s Day celebration…

This is my idea of a simple St. Patrick’s Day celebration that celebrates all the things we love about the Irish.

The Food:

Shepherd’s Pie: I make shepherd’s pie throughout the year, but I always make sure to make it on St. Patrick’s Day. Since my family has a bit of an aversion to cabbage, Corned Beef & Cabbage isn’t a dish that would go over well in my home. So, I substitute Shepherd’s Pie and everyone’s happy. {image source}

Irish Soda Bread: I love Irish Soda Bread because it doesn’t require hours and hours of rising and kneading. It goes together quickly and the end result is a tasty bread that didn’t require you to be in the kitchen all day long. {image source}

The Decor:

Shamrocks: As I mentioned before, don’t expect to walk into my home and see the Lucky Charms leprechaun on the walls or rainbows hanging from the ceiling. What I do like, though, is shamrock plants. Your local florist should be able to get in a shamrock plant for you during this time of year, and with proper care, they can live for quite a while as a houseplant in your home. {image source} {image source}

The Dessert:

Irish Coffee Cupcakes: So, maybe not the most kid friendly of recipes, considering it contains both whiskey and Bailey’s, this will definitely be a treat that the grown ups can enjoy after your delicious dinner. {image source}

The Drinks:

Isn’t this part pretty self-explanatory on St. Patrick’s Day?? {image source}

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

Filed Under: Entertaining Tagged With: beer, cooking, dinner, entertaining, food, guinness, ireland, irish, irish coffee cupcakes, irish soda bread, March, shamrocks, shepherd's pie, spring, St. Patrick's Day

Some Glittery Ideas for Your New Year’s Eve Parties!

December 26, 2012 By Carrie Leave a Comment

Remember the post I did recently about throwing a silver and gold holiday party? I was thrilled with the response that post received, so I was extremely tickled to see this post show up in my inbox this morning! Thanks Melissa, for contributing yet another fabulous post!

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1. Dress via Mod Cloth

2. Glitter Horns via ShinDigz

3. Clock Display via

4.Cake via

Glitter is a HIT this year and I suspect many New Year’s parties with more glitter than ever! I searched Pinterest and created this inspiration board with a couple of my favorite finds. Not sure it’s appropriate to wear this dress everyday but if I had it I just might. From glittered cakes to a collection of clocks styling a New Year’s Eve celebration allows for lots of fun and creativity. For more New Year ideas visit my Pinterest board.

Have a rockin’ New Year!