DIY Beverage Cart --- or How to invite a Changing Table to a Party.

Forecast calls for Cool Breezes with a Good Chance for Cocktails by the Fire!

With a beverage cart your 'party' can go anywhere! 

If you want your guest to congregate on the patio, or perhaps by the fire . . . 

just roll your beverage cart out and fill it up with every thing a well-stocked party needs!

Our beverage cart wasn't always such a party girl.   I found my stable, reliable friend in a garage sale. 

She was once a hard-working Jenny Lind changing table; 

that is until she got her invitation to PARTY!

I gave her a pair of party shoes {a.k.a. casters} and

dressed her from head to toe in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg Blue. 

Accented her with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Versailles 

. . . simply by dry brushing and adding a swirly graphic on her top.  

Gave her a wax and a buff (kind of like a trip to the spa ;)

Now, she was feeling pretty, but also needed a little BLiNG . . . it IS a Party after all!

A little touch of Gilding Wax in King . . . 

. . . was all she needed to feel like a QUEEN!

I applied the gilding wax using a tiny paint brush, and boy does that stuff shine!  

Gorgeous!

Now she was dressed for the Party . . .

. . . so it was time to Accessorize with all our Cocktail Party Essentials.

I love how our martini glasses mimic her spindles. 

She was once sequestered to the nursery . . . now she is dressed and ready to join the party!

Thank you for joining me for her debutante party!  

This beauty is available at my 'shop' in the Vineyards Antique Mall and is ready to Party with You!

What's that?  Okay . . . one last curtain call ;)

Here is where Me and my Party Cart are Partying this week! :::

Miss Mustard Seed                                               Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special

Elizabeth & Co.                                                    Savvy Southern Style
Under the Table & Dreaming                                 I Heart Naptime
Nifty Thrifty Sunday                                              Cowgirl Up
French Country Cottage                                        The Shabby Nest
My Romantic Home                                              Mod Vintage Life
Between Naps on the Porch                                  Homemaker on a Dime
Not Just a Housewife                                            The DIY Dreamer
Southern Lovely                                                    Fine Craft Guild
Uncommon Slice of Suburia                                   Home Stories from AtoZ
From My Front Porch to Yours                             Stone Gable
Jennifer Rizzo                                                        Common Ground
Redoux Interiors                                                    The Charm of Home                                             
Say Not Sweet Anne                                             Fox Hollow Cottage
Too Much Time on My Hands                               Tater Tots & Jello  
Pieced Pastimes                                                     Finding Silver Pennies
Three Mango Seeds                                              The Tablescaper
The Rustic Pig                                                        Alderberry Hill
Uncommon Designs                                               Shades of Amber
Married Filing Jointly                                              Salt Tree Social
If it ain't Baroque                                                    Homemaker on a Dime
A Stroll through Life                                               Lil' Luna
X0X0Rebecca                                                       Blue Egg Brown Nest
House of Hepworths

All Hallow's Eve Table

When it comes to All Hallow's Eve, I lean towards spooky, not horror and I am a big fan of suspense.

Cute is not only discouraged, it is practically forbidden by my family of critics . . . 

SKULLS . . . Yes, Smiling Jack-o-Lanterns . . . not so much.  

The dripping candles were very inexpensive -- they are toilet paper rolls.  As as I see in the daylight, my impatience is showing as they all could of used another coat of spray paint (Oops!).

I followed these directions from Crafts Unleashed.  Super simple, all you need is a TP roll, scissors, hot glue and spray paint.  For the black candles, I covered the candle 'wick' with a piece of tape and I spray painted the battery operated light too.  I stuffed cotton balls inside the tubes to allow the little lights to be at the perfect height.  I even put a small bead of hot glue on the base of the black ones to adhere to the metal Lyric Candelabra -- knowing the hot glue will pop off of the metal when I want it to.

All the small crows are from Dollar Tree - bought just this past week. And the large crow I have had for years -- thinking I bought him from Grandinroad, but not completely sure.

Originally the center Tiered Stand was decorated for a Willow House WHINGO Party (Willow House Prized Bingo) . . . sorry for the shoddy picture, this was taken at the very end of the night . . . . zzzzzz.

I wanted to add to the centerpiece for an upcoming Halloween Party's buffet table.

The small cages are called Lollie Lanterns, and I spray-painted them as well

(pretty much nothing is safe with me) with a matte black.    I added an branch to mingle

with the stand to give it more of a tree-like appearance.

I love how the crows' and raven's eyes seem to follow you  . . . 

For the table covering, I picked up some cheese cloth at Target and 'grayified' it. 

I opened it up completely and then wadded it into a ball and put it in a bowl of water.  

I squirted out some gray craft paint into one hand and picked up the wet cheese cloth 

with the other, squeezed out some of the water and then wiped my gray painted hands all over it. 

I reopened up the cheese cloth, and hung it out to dry (which took no time at all).  

Cheaper than Halloween gauze.

I really like how the cheese cloth lays across the table like fog.

The smiling skeleton coming out of the coffin was purchased from Red Envelope years ago . . .

the candles always burn too quickly, so I will need to find small tapers with battery operated lights for it.

Thimble Domes hold another smiling skeleton buddy -- one that lost his head, on a bed of Spanish Moss.

Black Roses add an elegant touch in a 'Mercury Glass' Votive Holder

How do you decorate for Halloween?  Spooky, Cute or Horror?  I'd love to hear your tips!

As ALWAYS -- Thank You for Stopping By!

Tabletop Sources :::

•  White Tablecloth - cheap-y from efavormart.com

•  Raven flocked table runner - Pottery Barn several years back

•  Cheesecloth from Target 2 square yards $2.49 (in kitchen utensil area)

•  Lyric Candelabra from Willow House

•  Green Glittery Spider from Michael's

•  Willow Sprig Tiered Stand from Willow House

•  Manzanita Branch from Save-on-Crafts 

•  Lollie Lanterns from Willow House (spray painted black)

•  Spanish Moss from Hobby Lobby

•  Small Crows from Dollar Tree

•  Black Roses from Gumps

•  'Mercury Glass' Celestial Votives from Willow House

•  Small Skeleton Heads from Pier 1 Imports a few years back, Michaels had similar ones

•  Small Glass Amelia Thimble Domes from Willow House

•  Skeleton coming out of coffin from Red Envelope several years back

Linking Up With ::: 

•  The Lettered Cottage Fall Table Decorating Ideas

•  It's Overflowing with Creativity Party

•  One Creative Mommy's One Creative Weekend

•  Cedar Hill Ranch's Cowgirl Up Party

•  Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

•  Cozy Little House's Tweak It Tuesday

•  Salt Tree's Open Call Tuesday

•  Homemaker on a Dime's Creative Bloggers Party Hop

•  1929 Charmer's Sunday Best

•  One Good Thing by Jillee Share the Blog Love

•  I Gotta Create's Wildly Original Link Party

•  Mom on Creative Time-Out Link Party

•  Hookin' Up with the House of Hepworths

•  Tip Me Tuesday with the Tip Junkie

•  Bloom 

•  ADD Housewife Pin Party

•  Love Bakes Good Cakes Fall Link Party

•  The Style Sister's Centerpiece Wednesday

•  Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays

•  Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday

•  Fine Craft Guild Time to Party

•  DIY Project Parade at the DIY Showoff

•  Confetti Diaries' Wednesday Goody Bag

•  Pretty Life in the Suburbs Halloween Link Party

Eight Great Ways to Set a Place for Dad!

Do you have a man in your life?  One that is King of the Castle, Lord of the Manor, Master of his Domain -- Dad of course!   It doesn't matter if you are serving Eggs Benedict, homemade chili or take-out pizza, you can still set a special table for dad that reflects his good taste.  He picked you didn't he?

I've put together eight great ways to set a special place for dad! 

Each brings to focus, Dad's personality, hobbies, passions or perhaps his retirement plans :)   Hosting a Father's Day brunch, luncheon or dinner?  Make each Dad's place at the table unique to him!

Handy Man Dad

He takes care of your 'To Do List' . . . now take care of him.

If you are worried about your table smelling like 'the garage' -- wipe all the tools & cording down with 'wet wipes'.  :)

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth and use a piece of lumber (cut to length for the runner).  Rob dad's tool box for an assortment of tools and nails or screws (wipe down with 'wet wipes' if needed).  Recycled bottle candles add a nice touch.

2.  Use an extension cord as a charger.  Add a few tools of choice -- Swiss Army Knife, flashlight, toothpicks -- and flatware (just in case).  His favorite beer in a koozie would be a welcome site too.

3.  Give him a man-sized plate with a Riverstone oval platter.  And man-sized utensils.  These Berghoff steak knives are fabulous!

4.  Top the platter with a gorgeous Core Root Plate - or any plate worthy of his artistry as a master craftsman.  

Use a fitting for a napkin ring -- give that tool box a once over.  Use a 'shop rag' for a napkin.

Dad, the Outdoor Man

Does he find an excuse to wear camouflage, even during the off season?  Set the table in his 'comfort zone'.

Outdoor Man Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth.  Decorate the center of the table with robe, antlers and burlap wrapped potted plants or flowers.  Use a rustic tray as a charger plate.  Add the details - stoneware beer stein, flask, toothpick holder, camouflage napkin (use a bandanna). 

2.  Top tray with a plate or platter worthy of dad -- this Riverstone Tapas Tray fits perfectly.  And man-sized utensils.  These Berghoff steak knives are fabulous!

3.  Add a bowl for chili -- his starter course ;)

4.  Top with a gift -- tucked away in a camouflage bag.  Ammo?  perhaps.

Your Mariner Man

The man loves his boat, or perhaps he dreams of sailing away with you at his side one day.  Let him know he will always be the captain of the family with a special place at the table.

Now are you ready to buy a boat?

Mariner Man Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth and top with netting.  Decorate the center of the table with driftwood or ghostwood, and a sailboat if available.  Form a circle from a length of rope (approx 2 yards) as a 'charger'.  You might also want to tuck in a 'pearl' -- a small glass ornament. 

2.  Riverstone Dinner Plate with its rope edge detailing works perfectly, alongside the Tuscan Goblet with the embossed vine design that mimics coral.  

3.  Riverstone Salad Plate comes in a beautiful gray blue - perfect compliment to the natural tones.

4.  Top with a starfish -- letting dad know he's the STAR of the family.  The napkin ring is simply a knotted piece of cotton rope.

Add Special Touches :::

Write or type out clever sayings that follow your table's theme.  Shop your house for nautical accessories or borrow from a friend.  Life preserver & sail boat from Hobby Lobby.  Message in a bottle was created for my son's 4th birthday Pirate Party.  Resin starfish tops an accent plate.

Sports Enthusiast Dad

What's dad's favorite sports team?  I bet you have a lot of memorabilia around the house don't you?  Put it to use as decorations for Dad's special day and serve tailgate food such as hot dogs & hamburgers.

Sports Enthusiast Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth.  Use a jersey as a place mat.  Decorate the center of the table with whatever sports fan memorabilia you have available (can you tell my husband is a big Texas Rangers fan?).  Use a glove to hold the rolled up napkin & flatware and of course a stadium cup -- this is no time to be fancy!   

2.  A Baseball dart board makes the perfect charger for this sports fan.  

3.  Riverstone Dinner Plate topped with a gift of Texas Ranger tickets (hope there is a parking pass!).  

Western or Cowboy Dad

Beyond the bar-be-ques, you can set a beautifully appropriate table fitting for your gentleman cowboy.

John Wayne approved.

Sports Enthusiast Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth.  Use narrow lengths of burlap for two runners down each length of the table.  A bull whip becomes a 'charger' (use a length of rope if you do not own a bull whip) and a cowhide coaster is a welcome home to a cold beer.  

2.  Add a Riverstone Dinner Plate and a container of toothpicks. 

3.  Add details -- A bandanna makes an appropriate napkin, adorned with a cowboy book ornament.  Add a flask (just in case your cowboy requests a shot of whiskey) and wildflowers -- these can be burlap wrapped pots, pitchers or even boots with a flower filled vase tucked inside.  Include man-sized utensils.  These Berghoff steak knives are fabulous!

4.  Despite what Lonestar says . . . most Texans believe Shiner to be only beer of Texas.

Dad likes to Camp & Fish

I love not camping :)  But my husband and son love it -- and so they go and we all enjoy the weekend. If your hubby is a camper -- consider setting a table geared to the gills with his passion!

* Ribbit . . . Ribbit . . . Ribbit *  why not add cricket, frog and crackling fire sound effects?

Fisherman / Camping Enthusiast Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth and use a piece of lumber (cut to length for the runner).  Rob dad's tackle box for an assortment of lures -- PLEASE, Please, please DO Not use lures if you have young kiddos at the table OR if you or a family member is so attracted to shiny objects that you just can't resist touching!!  These puppies can hurt!  I included some fun frogs and of course fishing poles. Birch bark candles add a nice touch.

A wire tier (the large bottom tier to our French Wire Tiered Stand) becomes a charger.  Add a few tools of choice -- Swiss Army Knife (essential) and a blue enamel tin coffee pot.  Blue jean beer koozie and man-sized utensils.

2.  Add a Riverstone Dinner Plate (hey, there is no use for me to rough it). 

3.  Top the dinner plate with an enamel tin blue bowl and include a little fish (gummy fish work great).

4.  Bonus points if you have a tabletop fire bowl.  We don't -- but we do have this plug in make-believe fire that we used on my son's cub scout Christmas float.  The boys sat around it singing carols while pretending to roast marshmallows.  Very Cool!

The Old-Fashioned Gamer / Strategist Dad

Does your dad like to solve puzzles, and / or plot a strategic plan for world-domination (on a game board of course)?  We really enjoy family game night -- and it typically doesn't involve any games that require batteries or electricity.  Here is an fun table perfect for a gamer dad or family game night!

Dad's the Dealer, of course.

Game Enthusiast Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth followed by game boards placed at an angle.  For a large table place several boards tip to tip as a runner down the table.  

2.  Add a round tray for a charger plate.  I used the tray that is included in our Entertaining Bucket, flatware and assorted games -- I went with dominoes, cards (Crazy Eights), and puzzle games.  Add a coaster for your drink -- don't want to mess up the game board now do we?  Add a goblet, love our Salud Goblets.

3.  Top the round tray with a Riverstone Tapas Tray and fill in the space between with assorted game pieces (in this case I used Monopoly houses, hotels and figures).  

4.  Top with a Riverstone Cafe Bowl -- that you can fill with chips -- poker chips!  

A Table Set for Dapper Dad the Business Man

You husband doesn't have to be a business tycoon or even voted best dressed from his class -- you know he is the most charming, dependable and certainly debonair man in the world.  This is also a perfect table setting to display pictures of some of your families favorites fathers.

This is one of our favorite pictures of my dad whom we lost in 2010.  He baked some pies to surprise my mom
and set the kitchen on fire in the process -- but he saved the pies!!  His buddy took this picture.

Dapper Dad's Table Layering Detail :::

1.  Cover the table with a tablecloth, in this case I used hounds tooth fabric.  I created several table runners (that also double as bread basket liners) from my husband's old dress shirts that I cut up in an earlier post.  Make a long table runner by buttoning up several together as shown.   Use a newspaper as a place mat :)  Let's hope the news is good that day.   

2.  Add dapper hurricanes that I show how to make here.  A few family photos and business ledger paper made into paper airplanes.  Add an Emerson Wine Glass, Estate Coaster, Adelaide Flatware and a wonderful Berghoff Steak Knife (dad wants steak!).  

3.  Use a fabulous Covington Accent Tray for a charger plate.  

4.  Top with a Riverstone Dinnerplate . . .

5.  . . . and Riverstone Salad Plate.  

6.  Use photos for place cards to personalize each plate.   

Just because the kids know 'Dad Means Business' doesn't mean his businessman table can't include some fun details . . . 

Paper Airplanes made from Ledger Paper -- whose plane can soar the longest?

Shrinky-Dink glass charms.
I made these years ago with a caricature of every family member, young and old --
we use them all the time.
I promise to do a Tutorial on how to make these soon!  Very fun part of our gatherings.

Incorporate family photos -- it stirs fond memories and fabulous conversation.
Your kids will appreciate (if not today, someday) that you made a point to tell
stories of your grandparents and great-grandparents to them.  

Be sure to check out my earlier post on setting up a cocktail station & decorating your fireplace mantel in honor of Dad!

It's 5 o'clock somewhere!

Lastly . . . here are a few more ideas to keep the wheels rolling :::

•  Movie Buff Dad :::
☼ Use Film Reels for charger plates. Available at most craft stores; but if you own, or have a neighbor who does . . . BORROW, she won't mind removing from her media room wall just for the day (in the name of dad).
☼ Print out some trivia related to Dad's favorite flicks!  The kids will know he's the KING when he answers his one correctly!  IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) is a great resource.
☼ Have the table set with movie snacks -- popcorn, boxes of Junior Mints & Rasinettes for example.
•  Car Enthusiast Dad :::
☼ Use hubcaps for charger plates.  License plates, road signs etc. are all perfect down the center of the table.  Many are available at craft stores, but again, BORROW if at all possible.  Does your son or nephew have Hot wheels?  Borrow those too!  Bonus points if they are scaled models of Dad's first car or dream car!
☼ Use black & white checkered napkins -- look where bandannas are sold before you buy fabric to make your own, chances are they are already available for $1 each.
•  Golfer Dad :::
☼ Pick up some artificial turf grass to use as a table runner.  Try the garden supply or outdoor (carpet) section of Lowes or Home Depot.  Add clubs, tees and golf balls down the runner.  A few outdoor hurricanes for ambiance.
☼ Print out some famous golf courses (google them) to use as place mats.  Bonus points if you can add notes of dad's score on a particular hole.
☼ Serve Arnold Palmers (half iced tea / half lemonade -- spiked or non-spiked).
•  Music Lover Dad :::
☼ Use Record Albums for chargers.  PLEASE, please pick up used ones from thrift or used stores.  We don't want Dad's favorite LPs to risk possible damage.
☼  Music sheets or album covers down the center of the table as a runner.
☼  Hang 45s from the chandelier from thread or fishing line.

I am sure you can come up with a few on your own, and I would LOVE to hear them!
Thank YOU so much for stopping in!  I would love to hear from you, and I read each comment with enjoyment!  Happy Father's Day!!

Linking Up with :::

•  Between Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursday

•  Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

•  Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special

•  It's Overflowing's Overflowing with Creativity

•  Sisters of the Wild West Link Party

•  504 Main Tickled Pink Friday

•  Party Time at It's So Very Cheri

•  Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday
•  Five Days Five Way's Feature Friday Free for All
•  Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading
•  Stuff and Nonsense: Friday's Unfolded
•  At the Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
•  The Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday
•  French Country Cottage, Feathered Nest Friday

•  I Heart Naptime's Sundae Scoop

•  DIY Showoff's DIY Project Parade

•  Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things

•  Addicted 2 Decorating's Addicts (not so) Anonymous Party
•  Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper
•  Six Sisters Strut Your Stuff Saturday
•  My 1929 Charmer Sunday's Best
•  Under the Table & Dreaming's Sunday Showcase
•  Tator Tots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
•  Sew Many Ways Sew Darn Crafty
•  Alderberry Hill's Make the Scene Monday
•  Blissful & Domestic Fabulous Shop Linky Party
•  Under the Table & Dreaming Sunday Showcase Party
•  Sweet Anne Designs' Sweet Sharing Monday
•  Winthrop Chronicles Share it Party
•  Salt Tree's Open Call Tuesday
•  Craft-o-Maniac Monday Party
•  Sumos Sweet Stuff Market Yourself Monday
•  Making the World Cuter Monday
•  Singing Three Little Birds' Inspire Me Monday
•  C.R.A.F.T.'s Making Monday Marvelous
•  Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts
•  Get Your Craft On Today's Creative Blog
•  Debbie Doo's Newbie Party
•  Tuesday Tidbits at Naptime Delights
•  Home Stories AtoZ Tutorials & Tips Party
•  Cowgirl Up Link Party
•  How to Nest for Less' Just a Party with My Peeps
•  Carolyn's Homework Inspiration Board Party
•  Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night Ta Da Tuesdays
•  Cozy Home Scenes' Cozy Home Party
•  Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays