It's no surprise that scrapbooking supplies are all the rage in the photo & crafting worlds, but what you might not know is that they're also one of the smartest resources you can turn to for stylish, affordable entertaining! Not only do they come in hundreds (and potentially thousands) of designs for all different types of tastes and occasions, they also often come in "stories", meaning that when you find a paper you love, you can also usually find lots of embellishments and accents close by that perfectly match.

The tablescape pictured in this post was almost completely created with scrapbooking supplies.  12" sheets of paper, a few coordinating embellishments, and about 20 minutes was all it took! (s•e•i's Black Orchid collection was the inspiration for this table.)

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Quick & Easy "Scrapbook Tablescape" Tips:

1. Use standard 12" sheets of scrapbook paper as placemats or as the foundation for centerpieces. Mix it up with a variety of coordinating papers to add interest to the table.

2. Create "napkins rings" from 1"-2" strips of paper. Accent the napkin rings with rhinestones or other matching scrapbook embellishments such as buttons, plastic or chipboard die-cut shapes, or ribbon.

3. Decorate glasses - and even glazed ceramic vases, bowls and serving trays - with rub-on transfers. (See wine glasses in image below for an example.) Add designs to the desired surfaces just like you would if you were transferring them to paper.  Rub-on transfers should wipe off most glazed ceramic or glass surfaces with a sponge and hot soapy water, but it's always a good idea to test a small area on one of the items you'd like to decorate first.

4. Wrap cylinder shaped vases in scrapbook paper to create perfectly coordinating - and super easy - party decor! Fill the vases for floral bouquets and greenery, or use shorter, more shallow cylinders as containers for candies, party favors, and more. In the centerpiece pictured here, I even created the "flowers" for the vase from coordinating die-cut embellishments by attaching them to standard wooden skewers wrapped with green floral tape.

5. Use paper punches to create custom drink charms for wine and cocktail glasses. Punch shapes from the same paper patterns used throughout the table, then use a tiny hole punch to string ribbon through the paper shape and tie it to the stem of the glass. Optional: decorate the paper tags with rhinestones, alphabet stamps or stickers, or other matching scrapbook embellishments. (This concept also works well for creating party favor gift tags.)

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One of the best things about using scrapbook materials for entertaining is the creative freedom it brings to the table. For example, if you're throwing a baby or bridal shower, no longer are you limited to just the themed plates and napkins available in the aisles of your local party supply store.  With decorative papers, you have the ability to bring colors and patterns in via your "placemats" and decorative accents, so you can even stick to neutral or solid-colored dishes and partyware and choose from a much larger "library" of patterns & color palettes to serve as the foundation for your party!