Oh the  challenges of decorating a large wall!  Well, if  you do not have large artwork—-consider grouping like sized accessories and wall art to create your own personal style in a big way!   This is my family room cathedral wall and believe it or not— the artwork is original (made by me!)  To create this vignette,  I gathered flea market finds and thrift store frames for a casual look.  Each frame was painted black and the photo mats were painted white (yes you can paint the mats!)   This gave me the ultimate opportunity to finally frame some vintage fabrics I found at a yard sale in New Hampshire years ago.  The road sign has sentimental value to me as it was one of the original signs in the neighborhood where I grew up.

The vase was a great steal at $2.00 from a church flea market and the two white bowls I found when I was featured on HGTV’s Longest Yard Sale a few years ago (another steal deal).  And the cow creamer was given to me over 20 years ago from one of my best friends.   What I like best about this decorating idea is that I got to go on a treasure hunt in my own home PLUS  it didn’t cost a fortune!

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

Here’s a pretty table top idea using yellow and grey for a charming Valentine setting.  Yellow roses are an ideal symbol for joy and friendship so spread the love with someone your courting.  The yellow stenciled cloth uses both my Lattice and Fleur stencil collections in several sizes and I love the contrast of the black and white animal print.

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

Here’s another idea for setting your tabletops.  By layering your plates and colors you will  instantly inspire your table plus add a lot of depth.  In this place setting I used 5 colors including pink, black, white, silver and grey.  I stenciled the tablecloth using my Kathy Peterson Inspired Vine Stencil.  I also added a stenciled backdrop using my Fleur inspired stencil just to give you another idea for serving horderves or drinks.  Notice how the black and silver fleur stenciled background really adds even more depth.  The flower I made using Faber-Castell Gelato’s on circles of canvas which becomes the guest party favor.

Stay inspired!   www.KathyPeterson.com

Here’s another spin on decorating the same table (see below post) using some of the same table toppers but with a few additions and a new twist!

I love, love the crisscross design of the serving spoons mixed in with more wooden elements like the salt and pepper shakers!  By adding a tiny bit of sparkle with the clear glass pieces, mixed in with a few more black accents, this table top would satisfy any appetite! 

 Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

Question:  How do you find your own inspiration for decorating table scapes?  Well over the years, I’ve discovered that my best bet is either finding inspiration in colors and textures.  This table top design was initally inspired by the fabrics shown and the bamboo rolled place-mat.

By adding other design elements like these wooden serving spoons, the blue bucket, the fruit, the folliage and a blend of serving plate styles and textures gave way to an unfussy look with a touch of nature. 

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

Although this was originally a New Years Day table setting I did for CBN TV with former Miss America Terry Meeuwsen a few years back, I wanted to share this idea except change the celebration to a Valentine’s Day table setting.  By using the unexpected color combo’s of aqua, black and white instead to the traditional red, gold and pink,  you cam create an unforgettable and very colorful experience for your sweetheart or your guests if you’re hosting a Valentine’s dinner.

I started this table scape by  layering pieces of black and white fabrics, then added just a touch of aqua using ribbon and sequins.

To to top off each plate, I layered the plates then wrapped them with a satin ribbon and placed a ceramic flower onto the plate.  This flower can also be a gift to each guest or you could possibly use it as a place-card holder.

I layered the sequins onto a mirror for added glow and then nestled in some ceramic flowers to add more dimension to the table.  Oh and don’t forget to add a few candles!

 Stay inspired and have a great Valentine’s Day celebration!  www.KathyPeterson.com

This Christmas add a little “charm” and sparkle to your table glass!  All it takes is just a few minutes using wire, beads and a charm!  Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

 This is a great project if  you have some leftover white scrapbook paper.  And if you have a small space, this little Christmas tree will make a festive statement!

Supply List:

• Pitt Artist Pen big brush Stampers pen (Black 199*** , Magenta 133*** & May Green 170***)
• Pitt Artist Pen “s” (Magenta 133***)
• scissors
• white glue
• stick pins
• Faber-Castell stamp
• Floral Craft Styrofoam Stack Tree
• White scrapbook paper 12 x12
• Gems in various colors

Step 1:

For this Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Mix & Match design team project, I gathered several Pitt Artist pens and randomly drew multi-color lines to create the tree fringe.  Then to add a bit more dimension to the tree, I stamped the lines using a contrasting color (black).

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Step 2:

This little tree used about 1 and a half pieces of 12×12 scrap paper.  When you have all your lines colored in, simply gauge the size of the strip to the size of the Styrofoam cone piece.  Once you have your strips cut to size, snip the edges almost to the top of strip using your scissors. Glue each strip to each cone and secure with stick pins if necessary.  Allow to dry then assemble the cones to create the tree.  If any bare space show, simply fill in with some more fringed paper strips and gems.

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

Christmas will be here before you know it and it’s my favorite time of the year to decorate my home.  So for this Faber-Castel Design Memory Craft Mix & Match design team project, I decided to make this easy holiday table runner using some scrap fabric and Pitt artist pens!

 Supply List:

• Quilted muslin fabric (32″ or more)  finished project measures 13″ x 32″ however you can make yours smaller or larger
• fabric glue & scissors
• Pitt artist pen fine point (Dark Sema 175*** ) 
• Pitt Artist Pen big brush Stampers pen (Nougat 178*** , Deep Scarlet Red 219*** & May Green 170***)
• Gellato® (Coconut)
• Paint brush 
• Red or multi color red, black, green, white RicRac  64″
• NOTE:  use photo as a guide

Step 1:    Cut fabric to desired size and randomly sketch out tree limbs using the Nougat Stampers pen,  leafs and pine needles using the May Green Stampers pen.

Step 2:  Using the May Green Stampers pen, fill in the leafs making some area lighter and darker than others.  Next, sketch in berries and pine cones suing the Deep Scarlet Red and Nougat Stampers pens

Step 4:  Once you have all the elements colored in,  outline the leaf veins (and a few of the pine needles)  with the Nougat Stampers pen.   Next outline the berries and pine needles with the fine point artist pen in Dark Sema.   Lightly add in some Gelato® Coconut over the pine cones for a snowy look and blend with water and paint brush.

Step 5:  Once you have finished coloring and outlining the design, glue the RicRac onto the edges of the fabric.

Stay inspired and be sure to check out more holiday craft projects next month!  www.KathyPeterson.com

This week I created a fast and fun paper flower to set the perfect table as part of the the Faber-Castel Design Memory Craft Mix & Match design team.  Now if you’ve ever been intimidated by paint or combining colors,  Faber-Castel makes it really simple for any level of crafting!

 Supply List:

• White scrapbook paper
• scissors
• paint brush
• thick white glue
• Chenille stems (red )
• Gellato TM (redcherry & coconut)
• Pitt artist pen fine point (Deep Scarlet Red 219***)
• Pitt Artist Pen big brush Stampers pen (Nougat 178***)
• Stick pins with white or yellow pin heads

Step 1:    Randomly cover most of the paper with the red Gellato TM ( however leave some white space unpainted). Next sprits with water then  blend the paint with a paint brush.  Allow to dry.

Step 2:  Cut out 9 large poinsettia petals and 2 or 3 smaller petals to desired size.  Using the Stampers Pen, randomly color the edges and surface of the leaf cut-outs.  Using the fine pen, draw the leaf veins.   If necessary, apply some white Gelato onto areas of the leaf and blend with your finger tip.

Step 3:  Cut a small hole at the base of the each leaf.  Using a chenille stem, bend the stem in half and insert both ends of the stem into the leaf.  Bend the stem to the shape of the leaf .  Assemble all the leafs with stems in a bunch and adjust to shape of a poinsettia flower.  Secure stems by twisting the stems together.   Add a dab of thick glue to the stick pins and insert into the middle of the flower.  Use as a table or gift ornament. 

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com