There are so many fabulous options for trays in stores, but I am very fond of these recent DIY trays that I spotted — both using cork. Cork is a sustainably-produced, natural material with a very organic feel. It is easy to work with, readily available, and fairly impermeable, making it a great material to use on a tray.

The first project I spotted came from  Design*Sponge, one of my favorite sites for inspiration. The basket-weave pattern of the cork provides texture to an otherwise drab tray (I know because I own that tray!) from IKEA. The process looks fairly simple and the instructions are easy to follow.

an IKEA tray transformed by cork

the weaving process

This Martha Stewart-inspired tray also features cork but in a completely different way. The punched cork adds a bit of whimsy to the tray and will also help to keep things from slipping.

Martha Stewart-inspired Punched Cork Serving Tray

"How to" for the Punched Cork Tray

This year, our lobster feast was fairly low key. We had spiced shrimp with cocktail sauce to start, a mixed greens salad, lobsters, all followed by strawberry shortcake for dessert.

I often blog about the presentation of a meal — the place setting, the tablescape — the little details that make the event special. While those things are important, the practical work of preparing and cleaning up after the meal should also not be overlooked. Here are a few practical matters we ran across when preparing our Valentine’s Day lobster feast:

serveware and lobster tools

Our lobster platters aren’t used everyday so we keep them stored in a sideboard rather than in the kitchen.  Items you don’t use regularly need not be crammed into your kitchen cabinets. Make sure they are clean before you store them and set them in a sideboard or your storage room. If the item is decorative, you might wish to display it in a hutch or elsewhere in the dining room.

The lobster tools were on our registry.  Knowing we loved lobster, we knew they would be useful to have on hand.  We only registered for a set of 4 tools, realizing we probably wouldn’t be having large lobster dinners at our home. And in the case of lobster and crabs, not everyone always needs their own set of tools. When registering for or buying speciality kitchen items, linens, or serveware, consider how you will use them and only buy what you need.

lobster rolls

We decided to cook four lobsters and eat two for Valentine’s Day and prepare the meat from the other two for lobster rolls — another all-time favorite of ours. I always buy Pepperidge Farm top split buns for the rolls — the sides of the buns are perfect for buttering and toasting. Fill them with some lobster meat mixed with chopped celery, a little mayonnaise, salt & pepper and voila! Decadence!

lobster shells

After cleaning all of the lobsters we were left with a mountain of shells. My husband suggested we make lobster stock. Brilliant! We added the shells to water, chopped onion, celery, and carrots, and a little white wine and let it simmer for a couple of hours. Now, we’ll have homemade stock on hand when we need it.

freezer label for lobster stock

We often end up with a ton of things in our freezer and sometimes it’s hard to tell how long something has been in there. (Scary!) So I’ve started using freezer labels to mark the date on each item. Martha Stewart’s template for freezer labels came in very handy. I printed the template onto full-size label sheets and cut them with paper cutter. I keep a stash in my drawer near my freezer for when I need them. No more guessing how long something has been in the freezer!

Simple things like properly storing serving pieces, making full use of every food item in your kitchen, and keeping food organized and well-stored can make the behind-the-scenes preparations of any party much more enjoyable.

This fun idea need not be used exclusively at weddings. Why not collect wishes at an engagement party, anniversary, or other major milestone? The “wish station” can add an interactive element to any party.

conversation-starting note cards (via Martha Stewart)

Punched cards were used as garland, gift tags, and even sewn together as a runner. So clever — and inexpensive to re-create at home!

playing card garland draped across the "fireplace"

garland adorns the tree

playing cards cut into circles are sewn together with red thread to make a simple garland

a playing card accompanies a "to/from" gift tag and red bow -- great for topping a present

playing cards sewn together to make a runner

I absolutely adore the idea of custom coat check tags. Since we are in the colder months now, the idea is particularly appropriate as guests will need to wear and check their coats at weddings and other events.

This coat check recently featured on Style Me Pretty is stunning. Instructions for making similar tags are included on the site.

custom coat check tag featured on Style Me Pretty; photo by Corbin Gurkin

Elizabeth Anne Designs also created an adorable DIY coat tag template that is featured on her blog. This particular one shows how even black and white tags can be striking.

DIY Coat Check Tags via Elizabeth Anne Designs

A similar template for coat check tags is available on Putting the R in Mrs, a site which chronicles other beautiful DIY wedding projects, as well.

DIY coat check templates available at http://mrs.allieandjosh.org

Finally, if the above templates are not enough, Twig and Thistle sells the customizable templates featured on Style Me Pretty on their on their Etsy store.

I love this idea from Martha Stewart on what to do with leftover candy — particularly the wrappers. Absolutely brilliant! I could see the cans used as a decor for a children’s birthday party or used next year for trick-or-treat pails.

Martha Stewart's candy-wrapper buckets

Custom Table Numbers

While the idea of using frames to display table numbers at weddings is not a new one, I love how My DIY Wedding Day finds a way to make it fresh — and easy!

Simply find frames that complement your tablescape, choose a decorative paper (think wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, etc) that reinforces your color scheme and overall design, affix a printed table number (using the same font as your other wedding stationery) and voila! Simple. Elegant.

The idea could be used equally well at a rehearsal dinner, bridesmaids luncheon, or shower.

Thanks, My DIY Wedding Day!