1. The first thing I did was to arrange the popsicle sticks on my table. I left room for a place setting at each end, and I purposely didn't line the sticks up perfectly.

2. Once I had an arrangement I liked, I used blue painter's tape to connect them. I did long strips down each row, then little pieces of tape intermittently connecting the two rows.

3. I set out lots of paper bags outside and laid my assembled runner on top of them (tape side down). I recommend laying down more paper than you think you'll need and wearing clothes that you don't care much about, because the paint will get everywhere!