Wicked Painted Table Topper for Halloween

I’m almost done with my Halloween projects for this year.

Almost.

Since our new house has two levels, basically two different houses, that means I have to decorate twice.

Have to.

Luckily, I never seem to run out of ideas.

Or paint.

When I saw this silver and black runner at Pottery Barn, I thought it’d be perfect for Mom’s dining room table.

My table, downstairs, has the burlap runner I painted a couple of years ago. Not coincidentally, inspired by Pottery Barn. I like the burlap and rustic feel it gives.

But for Mom, silver and black is perfect. Just her style.

I’m in the middle of about four projects right now and I really didn’t intend for this to be a tutorial but you certainly could paint one yourself.

I’ve included the steps so you can see how to paint one – for Halloween or any day!

You might want to leave off the bats though.

Or not. Your call.

You can use any fabric, even a store bought tablecloth or runner would work. I happened to have this remnant of black satin-like material.

To hem it I used Heat ‘n Bond rather than sewing.

I had picked up this stencil for a mirror I’m painting for Mom’s living room but it’s too wide. It was the perfect jumping off point for this table topper though.

You’ll also need a piece of cardboard to put behind the fabric while you’re painting.

After I hemmed each side I divided the fabric into quarters and made the design fit that section, then mirrored it for the other side.

I measured (roughly) the stencil placement so I’d have some type of symmetry.

Since I was flipping the stencil over for the other corner, I didn’t use spray adhesive. I just pressed the stencil with my fingers and had no bleeding.

Of the paint, underneath the stencil. Not my fingers.

You probably already figured that out though, huh.

When you stencil, do you use a stencil brush or a roller?

I started with a stencil brush. For a minute. Then I quickly looked around for something easier and quicker and remembered I had these wonderful foam rollers that screw on to the top of Martha Stewart Craft paints.

Just squeeze the bottle a little, work the roller back and forth to spread the paint, and you’re good to go.

I kept the roller in a ziplock baggy, like I do my paintbrushes when a project takes a day or two.

I probably painted this off and on for maybe 3 or 4 days and the roller was perfectly soft and fresh on the last day.

They’re super easy to wash too because they come completely apart.

Martha isn’t paying me to say this. I just really like these rollers. And her paint.

I stenciled the design on each edge of the topper’s corner, then freehanded some scrolls, leaves and doodads off of the stenciled design.

It probably would’ve been easier to draw a design once and then transfer it the other three times.

Note to Self: remember that for next time.

As it was, I used white chalk. I’d heard you could sharpen chalk, which I’d never tried. By golly, they were right. Just wet the chalk, then sharpen it in a regular pencil sharpener and you have a nice little point.

Who knew?

Oh.

Yeah. “They” did.

Like I said, I didn’t draw a pattern so it was more of an ‘eyeballing’ thing.

Look at one side then try and draw the mirror image.

It exercises my brain muscle to do things like this.

When I’m taking a break from playing Candy Crush Saga.

Don’t even get me started on that . . .

Here are the doodads and some loose leaves. I wish the silver showed up better in the pics. It’s so shiny and pretty in person.

Each corner got a couple of bats. Just to make it “wicked”, dontcha know.

Symmetrical but not completely symmetrical. Just what I wanted.

Really! I wouldn’t lie to you.

And that’s why I called it a table “topper” and not a tablecloth. It just tops her table off. With plenty of room in the center for other wicked cuteness.

Like Spooky Eyeballs.

Love those little guys.

When Mom first saw it she said it looked like a pretty shawl.

Aw, thanks Mom. But um . . . no.

It’s for the table.

We could call it a table shawl though. Maybe start a new trend?

Target, are you listening?

I like it even draped over a smaller table too.

I just might have to sneak it downstairs and class my joint up a bit.

I’ll throw some Fall stuff on her table and she’ll never notice.

No, I don’t think so. This one, I think she’d miss.

Who knew Halloween could be cute and glitzy?

Colleen

about Colleen

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Painting Tutorials Used For This Project

• How To Paint Bats
• How To Paint Easy Leaves
• Painting Scrolls

Supply List

• Heat ‘n Bond hemming tape
• Chalk
• Pencil Sharpener
• Ziplock Bags
• Martha Stewart foam roller
• Martha Stewart Craft Paint Sterling
• #10 Flat brush
• #8 Round brush