No-Sew Table Runner

Several people asked me about making a table runner like the one I made for my Giveaway.

I think is my first tutorial, but considering that I was a teacher for more than 30 years, I should be able to give decent instructions.

 My materials are drop cloth , paint and stickers.

I am big on making things quick and easy so I simply tear the fabric - there will be a more detailed pictured later on in this tutorial.

For the method of stenciling on this piece, I needed to mask off an even stripe down the center of the runner - the white book in the left corner is my measurement - I'm obviously not an engineer!

I'm also big on crooked letters so that I don't have to be exact.

My runners definitely have a primitive homespun feel because it is difficult (for me at least) to get the paint perfectly even on cloth.

I remove the stickers and the tape right away - it helps to have a trash can right next to the table so paint doesn't get on anything.

After the paint is dry (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint dries quickly) I put the piece in the dryer to heat it.

The hardest part of the runner is the fringe because the long sides of the drop cloth tear and fringe easily, but the shorter sides are thicker and fringing is much slower.

To make the knots, I gather 4 strands in each hand and tie a knot and then a second knot.

After I used the sticker, I used the outer edges as stencils to make a pillow.

I get double use out of the stickers, but I don't save them for re-use because they lose their stickiness.

And now I just need to sew the pillow together.

Here is the finished runner just before I packaged it up to mail off this afternoon.

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Join me at

The Pin Junkie for the Pin Junkie Link Party

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday

and the winner is ...

I had a very productive week and it's too bad that I didn't know the winner of the Giveaway because I had plenty of time to make the table runner.

I tackled the pile of fabric in my sewing cabinet and finally made things I had been planning to make for ages.

4 pillow covers made from dish towels now adorn the guest room bed.

6 stockings made from scraps are all ready for November 27 when I begin decorating the house for Christmas.

These embroidered hearts are quick to make when I am sitting by the fire watching a movie.

Scraps from Steve's canvas stretching were given stripes and sewn into stars - the plan is to make a bunch of different sizes and hang them on the garden ladder.

My sewing basket is packed with projects and ready to grab whenever I have some spare time.

Today I will be busy making the table runner for Lucky 13 who is the winner of my table runner Giveaway.

Lucky 13 happens to be Diane of Lavender Dreams.

Diane gave me creative license to use whatever words I want and I must say, I love all the ideas people suggested.

I'll be branching out in what I stencil on future projects.

Thanks to all who left comments on the Giveaway - it's amazing what a few kind words can do!

I'm Busy Being Creative

I have too much "stuff" so for the month of November, I am challenging myself to 30 Days of Creativity with the goal in mind of using up lots of supplies.

In cleaning the garage, I came across a stack of plain white tea towels I ordered from Amazon last year and I can't for the life of me remember why.

I stenciled two of the towels and will hang them in the kitchen when it finally gets painted next week.

I have way too much paper on hand so I used a little to make a Thanksgiving banner for the mantel.

I painted a Welcome sign on an old cabinet door

and used a scrap of wood from the wood pile for this Christmas sign.

I have been making wire wreaths

and trying (unsuccessfully so far) to write words.

My sewing cabinet is overflowing (way too embarrassing to show) so I am making Christmas decorations to use up fabric.

I don't really need any more banners or stockings so I did a Giveaway on Instagram.

I announced the winner on Saturday and was incredibly touched by the response.

As I drove into Los Angeles yesterday, I thought about the winner's reaction and decided that I need to do a Giveaway on the blog too.

If you are interested, leave a comment on what colors and words you would like for your runner.

It's Day 9 of my Creativity Challenge so I need to get away from the computer and make something.

It's Doodle Time

I love our little cottage, but sometimes finding space to be creative is a challenge.

Most of my supplies are kept in the garage

and I have a desk in my little garden house, 

but it has been too hot to work in either space.

The other day, I was cleaning the guest room and it occurred to me that this table could be functional.

 I love to doodle 

and I decided that a doodling workspace in the house would be fun.

We don't have any company scheduled for awhile and even so, I don't think anyone would object to sleeping near art supplies.

I had some fun arranging things on the table to provide inspiration.

I bought this box from Betsy of My Salvaged Treasures and it's perfect for holding paper and other supplies.

A variety of pens are easy to grab

and I added a few books to spark ideas.

More books and pads of paper are stored beneath the table.

With supplies on hand, I am doodling more and

I'm even doodling on fabric!

I wrote Give Thanks in pencil on a scrap of fabric and then doodled around the words.

A little doodling, simple embroidery, a quick crocheted edging 

and I have a little table runner for this month of Thanksgiving.

Adult coloring books are the latest trend, but now that I have the space,

I can just doodle my own drawings and then color them.

Want to come over and color?

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Now, I am headed over to

Knick of Time for the Vintage Inspiration Party

Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday