By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

When your event needs a little more POP, here’s an easy and fun removable idea! For this application, I was hosting in intimate dinner party inspired by cherry blossoms. The environment was very organic and I thought I needed to add a bit of a modern twist. Boom. A simple chair decal on a white ghost chair brought it all home…and was so fun to do.

What you need:
1 Plastic chair
Vinyl Sheets (Available at Michael’s Crafts. For this chair, I used one light pink, one bright pink and one copper)
1 piece thick card stock
Pen/Pencil/Marker
Scissors

What to do:
1. Make a Paper Flower Template: Depending on what your inspiration is for the chair (mine was cherry blossoms), Draw a simple outline of a flower, bud and leaf on the card stock and cut out. NOTE: for this application, I did two different sizes of the same flower. Flower were 2 to 2.5-inches in diameter.
2. Cut Out Flower Template: Cut out the flowers, buds and leaves from the card stock.
3. Cut Out Vinyl Flowers, Buds and Leaves: Working on the back side of the vinyl, use the paper templates to draw around onto the vinyl and cut out. Note: for this application, I did a full sheet of light pink flowers and a used the bright pink for buds and flowers. I didn’t cut leaves.)
4. Apply the Vinyl: Do a simple sketch on paper of the the design you want to start with. Beginning with the limbs, cut out strips (1/4-inch wide and various lengths), peel backing off and apply to the chair. Working one at a time, peel off backing from the vinyl flowers, buds and leaves.

Before and After!

The whole process took me 1 hour and was the perfect modern touch the table needed.

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

I find inspiration for meals and events great or small in those things blooming and growing around me. This dessert moment is inspired by the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms.

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

An Easter lunch table is the perfect time to have a little fun. I love this table for so many reasons, from the gingham chair cushions to the papier mache bunnies! What I love most? Dessert on the table in the form of jelly beans! 

Jelly Bean and Bunny Easter Tablescape
serves 4

What you need: 
Adorable hand-sewn gingham cushions

3 Papier Mache Bunnies (lavender, pink and a certain shade of orange) for the center of the table
Get the HOW TO HERE! 

Pink glassware, vintage bunny pressed glass dishes, white plates, flatware, torn gingham fabric napkins and JELLY BEANS!!!!!

Bunny costume with festive Easter hat (optional)

Happy Easter!!

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

Handmade papier mache bunnies painted lavender, pink and orange are the perfect centerpiece for an Easter luncheon table because actual bunnies hopping is typically never a good decision.

Ingredients:
Scissors
Cardboard
Masking Tape
White Glue
Water
Joint-Compound
Latex Glove
Paint
Paintbrush
Newspaper ( Half the paper cut into 1″x5″ strips, half left for filling)
Marker

What to do:

Bunny Body
Step 01: Create a form

With your cardboard, use a marker to sketch out your bunny’s body. You’ll want to draw the main body, cutting slits about half way down the top of the head, up the front legs, and down the middle back. Create three more forms to fit in those slits creating a 3-D bunny form.

Make sure to trace these forms before assembly if planning on making more than one!

Use masking tape to seal the form in place and to add extra support. Your bunny should stand on its own, if not add more masking tape to level her up!

Step 02: Fill in form

Using one half of the newspaper, bunch up and tape onto your form. Once you see the form looking more like a bunny, use the masking tape to completely cover the newspaper and round off any hard edges.

Step 03: Paper Mache Time!

In a large mixing bowl; mix equal parts white glue, joint compound, and water. Make sure to wear gloves and mix together. Once fully mixed, take your newspaper strips and dip into the mixture and place onto your form. Continue until entirely covered. Let dry overnight and repeat.

Your mixture may need to be mixed up a few times as the joint compound will settle on the bottom of the bowl.

Bunny Ears
Step 1: Create a form

Take any extra cardboard and draw out an ear for your bunny. Create a line a crease up the middle and a small triangle at the bottom. This will help your bunny ear look realistic with a curve and also fit onto her head!

Using your masking tape, fix your ears to the bunny body. Use extra tape to ensure they’re firm and won’t move. Tape around the entire ear.

Step 2: Paper Mache Time!

Using the same mixture as with the body, cover your ears completely. I also took advantage of the dry body to add another layer of paper mache to the whole body.

Step 3: Finishing Touches!
When you’re satisfied with the bunny’s look and she is completely dry, mix up some paint and give her at least two coats. I painted mine three times, added some handmade pom poms for a nose and tail and paper whiskers for the perfect finish!

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

I am OBSESSED with these hand painted wooden psychedelic mushrooms! They are the perfect conversation starter centerpiece and would make a fun luncheon craft for your guests…no ingestion required. 

Learn how to make the psychedelic mushrooms HERE.
Now let’s make them a centerpiece! I liked the idea of treating them like they were just foraged in some kind of trippy forest and cooked up in a chic copper pan with all the colorful woodland animals looking on. All you need is a skillet and some deer moss (I picked up at Home Depot).

Now let’s set the table!

You’re not on a crazy trip, we used some purple gels to make the room more psychedelic! I only wish I had a black light!

Now let’s serve up some soup!

Get the recipe for my REAL Mushroom Soup with Matcha Cream HERE.