Monday, April 16, 2012

More Polka Dots and Daisies

In my last post Beach Towel Tablecloth, I mentioned a polka dot project. I am sharing it today as well as how I made the napkin holders for that tablescape.


I did a little decorating for St. Patrick's Day but never got around to posting.
Well, this was the origin of my polka dot project 

The topiaries are set in Plaster of Paris
I have topiaries that I use all over the house
I wanted to give them a different look but didn't want to paint the pots
I had this fabric for another project and thought this spring color would work for several spring celebrations.
The mathematicians out there 
can skip this step!!

I tape several slices (sheets to you) of copy paper together.  The "slice" is  a family thingie. Nana Diana will understand. I do a little math that doesn't work out. Hey, my grandsons are the geniuses not me. Finally,  I measure around the top (under the rim), and cut an arc from the paper. I then measure down, from under the rim, the height of the pot, transfer that measurement to the center of the first arc and create a lower arc on the paper, creating a pattern. This wasn't an exact fit but worked well enough for me to make adjustments. Leave a little extra at top and bottom. I left a lot of extra on the ends. This would be easier if only I had a compass. 
I cut two straight strips, yeh! Straight, to fit around the rim plus a little extra and three times the width of the rim.  
This fabric was part polyester, cotton works better.
After I cut the fabric, I get out my special friend. As you can see, I was a dedicated crafter in my day. 

I wet the fabric with water and wring it almost dry. I am just trying to limit the absorption of the glue. I might need the rest for another day. 
I worked on my quartz countertop with no protection, nothing penetates and cleans up with soap and water.
I use a small bowl and add my white glue and water. I used 3/4 cup of glue and 1/4 cup of water (that was too much solution for this small project). I then place the fabric in the bowl, one piece at a time. I start with the bottom piece. Saturate the fabric with the glue solution, wring lightly and begin to apply to the pot. Smooth any wrinkles and allow the top edge to overlap the rim just a bit. This will give a clean look when I'm finished. 

Saturate the straight fabric the same way. I will  fold the fabric in thirds, lengthwise. I apply this around the rim and I will have two folded edges exposed. Trim excess. I already decided where I want the back and I overlap the fabric there. Now you can fold or trim the fabric at the bottom of the pot. I folded mine under. 
This was the look for St Patrick's Day
This is how the same topiaries moved into the Easter season.





When I tire of this look, I will hold the pots under hot water and the fabric will come right off.

After that quick look at Easter
Let's make some napkin rings!
EASY!
 Buy one pack of shower rings from the Dollar Tree.
 Select The flower you want to use. I already had thesel
 Cut the stem as short as you can. I was able to shear this one completely off.
I placed one of the leaves (forward) and the others to the sides. I glued the decoration on the opening portion of the ring. It allowed me to have a space to  place the embellishments and get a little more glue around them. Glue on your flower and you have a one of a kind napkin ring.
I added a little puffy scrapbooking flower to the center.
And placed it on the table.
Click on the picture to see this tablescape.

I still have enough shower rings for eight more napkin rings.
WHEE!
I hope you enjoyed my take on these craft projects.

Join me at these parties:
Tabletop Tuesday-A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday-Coastal Charm
Twice Owned Tuesday-House of Grace


22 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Ginger- You have slices of paper and we have pods (not pads) of paper- Yep...I GET it! Those turned out great...I LOVE that polka dot fabric and what a great idea so that you did't have to paint the pots. GREAT job and what a GOOD idea for napkin rings! Hope you are feeling good! xo Diana

Unknown said...

Green, my favorite color and then polka dots? Love. And by the way very creative too!!!!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Ginger your topiaries look fabulous and I LOVE the napkins rings you made!! You have a great collection of cabbage plates I love the one with the lid.

Debbiedoos said...

You sure are the clever one Miss Ginger. I love it. I also love your napkin rings, too cute!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I love the napkin rings and shower curtains is pure genius! I am stealing this idea. I like the idea of fabric for the pots too, I have tons of great fabric, oh. thank you for all of the great ideas today!!

Carol

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love your polka dot planters, sweet lady! You are also very talented. Lovely napkin rings and shower curtain too! Great ideas Ginger. Have a fun and blessed week.
FABBY

Adriana Iris said...

super cute

Adriana Iris said...

super cute

Unknown said...

Hi Ginger. I love your new flower banner. Great photos.
Traci

Heirloom treasures said...

OOOh I love all of this post. Everything is so cute and pretty. Can't wait to get to the shops for some rings.
xx

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

What a great tutorial on topiaries! You explained it very well and it looks fabulous! Linda

Creations By Cindy said...

Love it all! It all looks fun and bright. Made me smile this morning. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

LindyLouMac said...

You are so creative.

Beverly said...

Fantastic ideas, Ginger. I love polka-dots. And, the napkins rings are so pretty.

Suzy said...

Hi Ginger. You do math the same way that I do - in other words, I don't! The pots turned out so cute! I love the fabric and it's great that it can carryover multiple seasons. Thanks for sharing how you made your napkin rings. I'm gonna have to make some of those. Sooo...I'm just wondering about your "friend". Looks like you're stuck (pun intended!) with him for a while! xo

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

So very cute! Dots are so popular! Love the topiary! Thanks for visiting with me too!

Pat M said...

I'm adding the napkin rings to my "must do" list! they are too cute! The polka dots seem very Springy and what a creative way to decorate a pot! Thank you!
Hugs, GraceinAZ

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,

So glad you're showing this 'belated' St. Patrick's and Easter topiary to us today. You are a very smart and crafty lady! Not that many of your age will put together such showcase items. The polka dot pot looked remarkable; despite the mathematics.
Love to you,

Mariette

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I didn't know you had a wedding coming up! Oh how exciting! We love weddings and would love to see pictures. Have a fun weekend!

Carol

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Great little post and cute ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes said...

Those napkin rings are so cute! Thanks for sharing how you created them. I love the polka dots! So cheerful.

Babs said...

Ginger..what fun craft projects. The both are so cute and I could do the flower napkin rings...but,I'd probably go crazy trying to make the pattern for the flower pot. :)
Cute, cute, cute.

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