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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape

August 1, 2012 Leave a Comment

Last Friday, some friends came over to watch the Olympics’ opening ceremony on TV. I had been wanting to do something with styrofoam wreaths for the Olympics, but I wasn’t 100% sure what I should do. As I served my friends hummus, veggies, cheese and crackers on my shabby countertop, it hit me. The party was missing a tablescape! While I didn’t quite get this project ready in time for the party, I threw a sweet party for one to shoot my vision and share it with you guys today. Now I have lots of party snacks to eat while I watch the Olympics for the next couple weeks.

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

When I talked to my friends at FloraCraft about this idea, they supplied me with some of the supplies this simple project requires. 

Supplies

5 styrofoam wreaths (such as these)

blue, black, red, yellow and green gloss acrylic paint - the gloss is optional, I just thought it looked cooler

sponge brush

waxed paper

party snacks

a flag-shaped piece of canvas that doesn’t quite cover your table (optional)

Directions

Paint your rings in each of the 5 olympic colors. Some colors, like blue and green, take more coats to completely cover. Other colors, like yellow, might only require one coat. I recommend using a sponge brush to paint your wreaths. I also recommend using waxed paper rather than newspaper to dry these on. The waxed paper won’t stick to the paint as it dries.

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

When they’re completely painted and dried, you’re good to go! Simply set up your tablescape – remembering the correct rings color arrangement – by placing your party snacks within each ring. If you want to add a flag-shaped piece of canvas as a table cloth before laying down your food, the tablescape ends up looking a lot like the olympic flag, and if you have a dark dining table like mine, it helps the black ring stand out on the table too. The table cloth is totally optional, as is color-coordinating your snacks with the ring it’s in. I’m a dork, so I wanted both the flag and color-coordinating effect.

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

I wanted to add a dessert to my table, as well as something metallic to nod to the winners’ medals earned at the Games. I looked for gold-wrapped chocolate coins at the bodega near my place, but had no luck. Instead, I got creative and grabbed a few rolls of Rolos, which come with a nice, shiny wrapper! I used the foil wrapping to line the bowl I served the Rolos in, not realizing until after the fact that I could have also grabbed a good ole Hershey bar with its convenient silver wrapper. Hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it ;).

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

Sorry for the weird angle on this picture, but I wanted to share it since it’s the best way to see the flag:

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

After your party is over and the food is cleaned up, you can convert your tablescape rings into a mantle decoration with almost zero effort. Here’s where my rings are going to live for the next couple weeks as I cheer on team USA.

How-to: Olympic Rings Tablescape | HandsOccupied.com

 

Filed Under: How-to, Olympics, Parties Tagged With: entertaining, floracraft, olympic rings, olympics, tablescape

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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I independently released a knitting pattern today, I independently released a knitting pattern today, my first in 5 years! The Intarsia Flower Pillow is a 16” (40cm) round pillow knit with an intentional combination of intarsia, stockinette, garter and seed stitch. This pillow has everything you need to level up your intarsia technique while also knitting something you can use. 
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Intarsia Flower Pillow is available in the Hands Occupied Sh0p and on @hi.ravelry . You can read more about the pattern on the bl0g, the🔗 are where you’d think.
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YARN: @universal_yarn Uni Merino in Antiquity, Fjord and Conch / NEEDLES: US 2 (2.75 mm) / PATTERN: Intarsia Flower Pillow by Heidi Gustad
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