Hot weather means summer, and summer means pool parties. Luau, anyone?

OK, it's only April, but it never hurts to kick off the season early and in style.

This cheery tropical table runner will do the trick when it comes to setting the mood for an outdoor soiree. The vibrant look is achieved by dismantling bunches of silk flowers, which are often on sale this time of year, or leis, separating the layers and then adhering them petal to petal in rows and columns. Once you've finished, top it off with a large pineapple or tiki god for a centerpiece. Silk flowers can be found at craft stores.

Tropical table runner

Supplies
4 bundles of silk flowers (or leis) in assorted bright colors
Hot glue

Directions: Remove the flowers and leaves from the stems. Take each flower and remove the back and front plastic centerpiece that holds the layers together. Working on a smooth flat surface, pick up one flower layer at a time and hot glue the edge of one of the petals to another layer's petal edge. Repeat the process until it measures approximately 12 inches across. Keep adding to the row lengthwise until it's 36 inches long. Use the longer shaped leaves for the border - glue them from underneath, sticking out all the way around the runner to achieve a framed look.

Tips and variations: Be careful when using the hot-glue gun - it's almost inevitable that you'll singe your finger at least once. This project requires a lot of time and patience; it took me 2 1/2 hours to complete. Use the idea to line a window, pillow, book or other flat surface.

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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: flowers, garden