Outdoor Tablecloth Weights

You have an outdoor gathering, tablecloths are in place, the table is decorated and set beautifully, and along comes a gust of wind. Ever had that happen?
You end up wrestling with the tablecloth repeatedly because it keeps flying up. Yes, two years ago at my eldest son's open house this was a problem.

2011 Open House

See the tablecloth in the bottom left corner? This was just the beginning of my battle with the tablecloth. The wind eventually died down and all was forgotten, but I had a hard time getting a good picture. This year that wasn't a problem, BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET TO TAKE PICTURES!!! Yes, I'm a little bitter about that fact, but on to the real reason it wasn't a problem. Tablecloth weights, yes, tablecloth weights. Genius!

I struggled for a long time trying to figure out what to use and how to make a tablecloth weight, but nothing came to mind. The only theme was a graduation theme, tassels seemed like the logical choice. There were a few good ideas out there, but not what I wanted. They were either too labor intensive (I was really trying to keep things simple), or something that I didn't think would be practical to use again.    I prowled around in the hubby's garage and found some nice washers that I thought to decorate and use a heavy magnet to adhere to the tablecloth. Decorate how? My weapons were Mod Podge, scrapbook paper, paint, glitter, and adhesive. I had used these items again and again, but with washers?

After trying roll-on adhesive and scrapbook paper, which was cute, but not quite "it". I thought of glitter. Glitter? Yes, I still had lots of glitter. After a quick search on what might be the correct way to glitter washers, as opposed to what I thought would work, I found they were the same. Mod Podge and glitter. Simple enough? Yes. Cute enough? No, kind of boring, and a bit messy. But then I found a tutorial at Mellywood's Mansion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. She used the washers for pendants, and darn cute pendants. There's also a bracelet and earrings. You've got to check them out, very clever.

To the idea in my head, I used, from her tutorial, the addition of the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. This stuff is aaaawwwsome!!!! Love it. It's so easy to work with, and lots of fun. The possibilities are many. I can't wait to try something else. Anyways, back to the tablecloth weights. School colors: blue and gold. Gold glitter? Check. Mod Podge glue/sealer? Check. Mod Podge Dimensional Magic? PROBLEM!!!! But nothing a trip to the craft store wouldn't fix. $5.99 and a 40% off coupon for a total of $3.60 (+tax), and I was ready to add some bling to my weights. It was easy. The hardest part was trying not to touch them while they dried for 24 hours. But here they are.

One washer made unmanly.

Magnets used on the back side of the tablecloth.

Pretty washers are to be placed on the outside of the tablecloth.

Love the dimension of it, they look...puffy. Very cute.

One washer and one magnet for each corner and one on each side if windy.

These pictures were taken inside the house, the day after the open house, because Hubby is way too efficient on the clean up sometimes. But, hey, he does clean up. Can't complain about that. Just give me time to take pictures please. Well, these turned out pretty and practical. They worked great keeping the tablecloths in place, and since they are just round with yellow glitter, they will work well during the summer months. Sunny.

So glad you stopped by.