Tablescape with Calico Craft Parts by Julie Ann.

 December already and I've been browsing Pinterest, where I came across a new concept - tablescapes! What were they? Just a click and I was in awe at the most elaborately decked dining tables. These glamorous tables were vast enough to seat at least fifty with room to spare for miniature pine forests; porcelain reindeer and winter chapels housing belfries of tiny silver and gold bells! We are usually eight for Christmas lunch in our little cottage and it's a tight squeeze to fit all the serving dishes and plates on the table, but I did like the idea of a Christmas world in miniature as a centre-piece. I decided one of the Calico medium sized triptychs wouldn't take up too much room on our table and still add some seasonal magic to our special meal.

The arched triptych forms part of a simple arrangement of natural, found objects including pine-cones and vine leaves placed on an antique silver plate.

As it's visible from both sides of the table, I've aimed to create interest whichever side you view it from.

I think there's something magical about Crackle glazes on festive projects, so I started by painting both sides of the triptych black and smoothing on some Crackle with a palette knife. I was excited at the opportunity this project offered for using some of the delicate and detailed new Calico Christmas/Winter Craft parts. These pine cone corners were perfect for the kind of centre-piece I had in mind.

One of the new Calico festive products, this jolly robin on his branch won my heart too!

I've had this window in my stash for a while and I think this was the perfect project for it. My Winter Princess and her cat have just paused from decorating their own festive table with a little greenery and a few hot-house flowers and they're scanning the white table-cloth  world, looking for their guests in a moment of stillness before the merry feast begins.

Apparently blues and pastels are this year's festive colours. I chose gentle twilight shades.

 Birch wood circle plaques were ideal for adding interest to the side panels. I attached this cardboard circle from a 'master-board' of 3D gel applied through a stencil and then crackled with DecoArt One Step crackle.

Some blobs of snowy white paint, frosted with Distress Glitter; touches of melted gold ultra thick embossing enamel and all that needs to be added are ribbons to link the arches.

I'm looking forward to the contrast between the twilight textures on my triptych and the snowy white linen of the table cloth.

The cosy world of indoors meets the icy beauty of the outdoors.

More Crackle, glitter, ivy and more jolly robins!

Now all we need are our guests and some delicious food to share!

As the Festive Season gets under way, I wish you Joy and Peace in the midst of the excitement and activity. See you in a fortnight with one last Christmas make.

Calico Craft Parts used in this Project
Arch Top Triptych MDF Wood Kit - Medium Size
Mini Garden Birds Wood Shapes
Joy Bauble - MDF Christmas Word (New)
Decorative Window - MDF wood shape - Medium Size
Circle Birch Ply Wood Blank Plaque
Sheet of Mini MDF Christmas Snowflake Wood Shapes
Robin on Snowy Fir Bough (New)
Fir Cones & Branches MDF Wood Corner (New)