Outdoor Party Decor

Artist Mary Engelbreit has ideas for some eye-catching party designs. At the center of things is a custom-made table consisting of an aluminum-clad board set on sawhorses . Dressed with a colorful runner and napkins, the table fits perfectly beneath strands of party lights. Stylist Lori Hellander, from Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion , demonstrates (see video above) how to use nut cups to make colored "shades" to fit around each light.

Colored Nut Cups

Steps:

1. Gently tug on the edges of the nut cup and dip in a cup of water to remove the wax coating.
2. Dip a paintbrush in a bowl of food coloring and apply to the cup.
3. Once dry, cut a small "X" in the center with a craft knife.
4. Slide a cup onto each light (make sure to push the cup past the light bulb.)