Outdoor party: Garden Touches

As soon as we got back from Maine, the summer weather came back - ugh! But trying to look on the bright side - still plenty of time for summer themed parties!

 Today's inspiration is how to Frost your party with simple things you have from the garden (especially if you didn't keep up with the watering heehee)

Flowers don't have to take up the table... put them UNDER the glass table! Great way to add color and interest to your buffet.  Source

Planters hold ice perfectly! Use pots as serving bowls! Source

Serve up appetizers on terracotta planter bottoms! Use garden bricks for height and texture and don't forget to decorate with clippings or plants, too! Source

Make a fun, edible favor and package in simple kraft boxes.  Use chalk for names and a simple clipping of on of your bushes or herb plants for a dab of Frosting! Source




















 

Natural woodland party ideas/inspiration

It is finally feeling like winter here! ugh! Hopefully Spring will be here soon ;o) I am snuggling in tonight with a mug of cider, Pinterest and my hubby!

Here is some inspiration if you are planning a natural/woodland party theme...

Your setup can include all the neutral woodland colors - browns and greens... I love the wood biscuit tree in the background! Source

Use moss around your space on buffet frames, candles and look at these moss covered risers! Beautiful! Source

Create a wishing tree with found branches! This would be great for guests to leave notes of love or inspiration! Source

For desserts doing something rustic like these caramel apples with cinnamon sticks! Source

Nature theme ideas/inspiration

You know I would have a nature themed party for every party if I could!

Here are a few ideas/inspiration to incorporate into your next event! (Don't forget about this older - but still fresh! - nature inspiration here)

Nature inspired color pallet, moss and rock accents and a graphic background - I am sold! Keeping a table to just a few colors really helps pull the theme together - different textures and patterns keeps it from being boring! Source

With any any setup, incorporate plants, moss and branches and instantly tie it into your natural theme... Source

Use different heights of wood to display items and a wood grain inspired background to print buffet cards. Source

Rustic garden items paired with wood and moss make this chocolate bar over the top! I love the juxtaposition of the nature elements with the silver pieces - swoon! Source

Natural/Rustic party inspiration

You know me and needing a little rustic/nature vibe to my parties! Here are a few ideas that will hopefully inspire you! ...I am gonna go veg on the couch - wicked zumba workout ;o)

Take an old frame, dry brush a little paint to make it look rustic, use rustic planters, twigs and burlap to really tie in the theme. Source - my autumn brunch ;o)

Remember paper chains as a kid?!? Well they are back in a BIG way! Make them rustic chic with craft paper - either print and image and cut them into strips or use stamps! Source

This doesn't have to be just a nature inspired look - just look for a box, put a piece of styrofoam inside, top it with something, add a little embellishment and va-la! Instant fabulousness! Source

I love the use of chair cane to create natural looking cones! I also adore that they used different patterns too! Source

Simple packaging can make a huge impact! Wax paper envelopes with a simple ribbon and flower on the front.  Source

More nature party inspiration!

Sorry guys but we have wedding on the brain here! We are starting to look at venues!!! WOOHOO! For those that don't know, our theme is fall/nature kind of feel... here is some inspiration from my wedding folder that hopefully you can incorporate into your next event, too! (older, but still fresh, nature inspired frosting)

swoon! Lots of great elements to learn from ... huge painting used as a backdrop, lots of different heights, mix of stands and pops of color... LOVE IT! (pssst... did you notice the moss initials? fab!!!) Source

Natural fiber envelopes would be fantastic for the invites and for the thank you cards! Tied off with a little twine and you have an amazing presentation! Source

I love favors that people can actually enjoy... edible is my 1st choice, plants might just be my second! I love how they used a piece of burlap on the cactus with twine and a little note "love grows" swoon!  A few moss rocks really add a great scene! Source

LOVE this design... but moreover, I love the format... you could do this for any party - use hole punch and rings to create a fantastic keepsake for your folks! (p.s. you so see the birds on there right?!? ... hint hint... pretty close to our format!) Source

Ok, this needs a little twine and maybe a chocolate branch... but I am loving it! ...plus it's a chocolate cupcake, hello!?! Source

Stamped (bird) party touches!

You know I have to force my bird obsession on you! lol... but these ideas are easily modified for any theme!

I love how simple and beautiful these favor bags are! Just look at how a stamp in the corner of a brown bag and some braided twine turn these brown bags from drab to fab! Source

Wooden drink skewers are a simple way to add a little dab of frosting to your drinks! Just like the bags above, a simple stamp can really dress them up! Source

How beautiful are these?!? Coordinating pieces of fabric over jars, twine and stamped favor tags would make any guest happy! Displayed in these rustic box... rustic, birds, fabric and twine... swoon... I am in heaven! Source

Take heavy card stock, stamp in the middle and roll up into a cone.  Great for serving snacks! Source

Party with a rustic/natural flare!

I am SO a rustic/natural girl, but not in the flannel in the woods chopping down trees or skip shaving kind of way... more like a/c cabin with hot tub heehee....

here are some ways to add some rustic and/or natural frosted touches to your next party!

How about this fantastic idea?!? A cupcake bar! Use rustic elements like this weathered looking steel serving platter.  Add some mason jars full of different frosting and toppings, a chalkboard and you have a fantastic party element! Source

Set up a s'more's bar with natural elements that fit the season - here pinecones make the perfect buffet card holders! I love how they make the signs look weathered - excellent detail! These would look great served on planks of wood or slate too! Source

For the perfect nature element use terracotta plates and pots for serving! Looks beautiful, it's functional after the party and so inexpensive!  Think of other outdoor materials you could use like brick and stone! Source unknown :o(

Another use for pots is for utensil holders! How simple, but fantastic do these look? Use white paint pen to label, or just leave plain! Source

Use slices of tree branches as coasters, candle holders or serving elements! Wrap leaves from the yard around candles or vases - tie off with twine for a great rustic natural vibe for little to no cost! Source

Rustic inspired party ideas!

So those new to the Frosted Family... I am getting married next year! (yippee!) ... our theme is fall/nature/rustic inspired, so until we get married, I will be showcasing some of our ideas from our inspiration file in hopes that you can find a way to incorporate into your next event!

I so want to figure out a way to incorporate this idea! You could use them for table setting, buffet listing, bday girl's favorite things, etc - get creative! Best part, wipe of the writing afterwards and use it for something else! Source

Moss covered risers are perfect for a nature, fairy, woodland or dirt bike/atv/camping themed party! Keep an eye out, you might just see these soon ;o)  Source

 I love the idea of draping fabric (even burlap! can look elegant!) on rented chairs to add a bit of interest and texture - don't hesitate to do for even those dusty folding chairs I know we all have in the garage! Look for fabric clearance and you can do for not much money at all! Use pinking shears and you can even skip the sewing ;o)  Source unknown

 I am SO in love with this sign! Just on a side of a piece of wood, but can you say fantastic?!? Source

Green Flowers

I love how flowers can really bring a room to life - I think the same thing is true for a party.... here are a few inspiration pics with small green flowers (ummm... don't ask me their real name ;o)

Take a square piece of floral foam and fill it up with the same colored flower, tie with a bow - how simple!? It would look beautiful on a table and even make a great hostess gift.  What if you piled up a few of different sizes and colors together - fab! Source

I love this idea not only as a decoration but as a gift.  Giving someone a baking pan or serving dish and filling it with fresh flowers - after the flowers are dead, they are left with a useful gift! Source (unknown)

This is a beautiful corsage... but what if you did a long one and used it to tie up a gift with or on a basket! Or tied them around the chair top or railing post or tie back your curtains for a beautiful touch during the party - go crazy! Pick a low cost flower and just pepper in ones that may run you a bit more.  Source

For a simple, yet beautiful touch, add one to a place card.  Simple cut out a circle (use a bowl to trace if need be), use a hole punch to punch a hole at the top and insert a single bud.  Source

(not a real flower, buy hey - it's green!) Take clear swizzle sticks & floral tape (find at local craft store). Cut a bud with a little bit of stem - hold the stem against the swizzle stick and wrap the floral tape around to hold it on.  The trick to floral tape is wrap it like an ace bandage pulling slightly as you wrap to ensure it adheres.  Or, like shown, you can make paper ones! Source and Tutorial

Tree/Nature Inspired (con't)

In case you are reading this in reader - you might not notice I spent a day off working on a new layout - hope ya'll like it! And I have been trying to post a recap of posts under "types of frosting" to make it easier to search on themes - I am far from done, so keep checking back! Thanks for all the blog love and support!

For those of you just now joining in all the Frosting Fun, I am getting married next year! WOOHOO! We want to have a nature theme (but not overly woodsy) wedding.  I have been sharing ideas on the blog because I think they could be used for other events, as well, not just weddings - lord knows there are enough wedding blogs out there!

I LOVE, LOVE this idea! This would be fantastic for any family focused event really - reunions, anniversaries, baby showers... whatever! Just do up a bare tree and have your guests thumb stamp and write their name creating a "leaf".  How sweet would this be to look back and remember who was there to spend that special day?  Think outside the tree, too, and think of other shapes that you could "finish off" by doing a thumb print to match your theme! Source

Another guest "book" idea would be to have everyone sign a slice of wood. Source unknown :o(

Use slices of wood to paint table numbers on them - how economical AND green! Source








Use wood or wooden boxes as stands for desserts, appetizers, drinks, etc... don't stop there! Look around the house, you probably have TONS of things you could use unconventionally to create display stands - just put on your creative glasses and go peek around! Source

These are beautiful, wooden leaves - they would look so pretty on a buffet table or to help you create a woodland theme! Source

Here's a trick you can use at any event! Just use a craft punch, stencil or something in the right shape - lay it on your dessert and sprinkle with powered sugar - carefully lift up and va-la! Instant design and no real skill needed!Source unknown :o(








Link to past Nature Inspired posts