How to make a nautical rope covered monogram letter.  This was used as a chair decoration for a Rain Gutter Regatta birthday, but it would work well as a table number, or for wrapping a present.

A fabulous chalkboard photography backdrop for less than a dollar!  

How to make paper fans with a nautical theme, easily customizable for any party or wedding.  Keep your guests cool with this thoughtful craft.

How to make easy, no sew semaphore flags for a nautical rain gutter regatta party.

How to make a preppy plaid bow tie for a little boy without any sewing, plus a link to the free pattern for the driving cap.

How to make a rustic rope serving tray, just like the ones you see at Pottery Barn.

How to make a hair bow using this easy technique to make a no sew fabric bow.

Classic nautical style in a fabulous girl's headband in this tutorial for making a sailor's knot hair accessory.

Plain deli containers are such useful, inexpensive things.  For lunches, for favor packaging, for making quick and easy maracas for an impromptu preschooler's marching band--and probably thousands of things I haven't thought of yet.  One thing I know for certain:  they're completely awesome for picnics and parties, doing the thing they were designed to do, hold food.

I mentioned in an earlier post how much I love doing boxed lunches for birthday parties.  They're made ahead of time, and the kids feel like they're getting a present when they get to open it up, and they tend to eat more of the healthy food that way.  I decided to take it a step further, and have fun with the food inside the box this time, too, and turn the turkey and cheese sandwiches into nautical life preserver rings.