Rusty Lantern and Bittersweet Simple Fall Table Centerpiece

Have you ever driven around your village early in the morning on trash day?  I do it. In fact, I did it one day this spring when it was raining. On that day, I found two perfectly good rusty metal lanterns that someone had carefully placed next to their trash bin.  It was like they had left a gift especially for me.

Spring Flower Basket Easter Table Centerpiece

Good morning, sweet friends and happy Saturday! Both of my sons are home from college for a 48 hour whirlwind Easter weekend! I'm busy packing up for a trip to my parents' house to celebrate Easter with my extended family today.  Since my mom and sister are doing all of the cooking this year,  (yes, my oven is still acting wonky) I decided to make an Easter basket table centerpiece using spring flowers.

Wonderful Saturday Wedding Details: Florals, Lanterns, Burlap and Mason Jars

As I know I've probably mentioned several times, I have a dear friend named Sadie who is an incredibly  talented florist and who owns The English Garden Flower Shop in Clarendon Hills.

PB Moss Basket "Rescue and Rehab"

You've probably figured out by now that I'm a bargain hunter...and a that I love to rehab things that should have probably been thrown away other people may not have the same vision for.

Thanksgiving Table Decor - Recycling Outdoor Plants

It's been said that "clothes make the man". If that's the case, then I believe that accessories make the woman.  Think about it.

Way back in second grade, when I was playing Barbie's with my sister, it was always about the accessories!

Centerpieces for Heather's Wedding Reception- Pinned and Produced

 Several months ago, my friend Ann, from Nellie's Barn Sale  called to ask me if I'd consider helping her to arrange reception flowers for her friend Heather's wedding.  If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you know that Ann and I have been friends since childhood and that I'd do just about anything for her. So, of course, I said Yes.  We both made boards on Pinterest. Mine was called Heather's Wedding and on it was this pin:

Source

Happy May Day - May Basket Tutorial

Some of my favorite traditions are "leftovers" from France which are still observed in various areas of the U.S. For example, ever since I was a young girl, it has tradition in our area to pick flowers from the garden to share with neighbors on the first day of May.  I remember fashioning crude "May Baskets" from small, wax covered milk cartons, bits of construction paper and chenille stems (pipe cleaners) when I wasn't more than six or seven. Filling them with whatever was blooming in our yard (usually lilacs, violets and often, dandelions) and hanging them on the door knobs of neighboring homes, ring the bell and run. If the person caught you hanging it on the door, they got to give you a kiss! Over the years, I've made May Baskets out of a variety of materials. This year, I decided to try chicken wire and moss.

Here's how you do it

• Make a paper template of a cone and cut the chicken wire in the same shape as  the pattern. 

• Shape the wire into a cone (cutting off any sharp edges) and stuff the inside with moss, leaving a hole in the center.

• Use the template to make a liner from a one gallon plastic bag which  I then place in the center of the cone. Roll the wire cage around the top of it to hold it in place.

• Decorate by gluing  leftover bits of  ribbon and lace to the top and the sides of the basket. I then printed a cute French image from The Graphics Fairy which says: "small flowers speak for me" (appropriate, don't you think?!) to which I added my own note at the bottom. I cut them out with my "fancy scissors" and attached them at the side of the basket. 

• I filled the basket with Lilacs and Heuchera Leaves from my yard, Delphinium, Spray Roses and Wax flowers from the market. You can use whatever you have on hand.

I've decided that I like them so much that I'm going to make a few for Mother's Day and maybe a bridal or baby shower  this summer! 

Happy May Day!!!!

xo,

S

Linking to;
A Stroll Through Life
Coastal Charm
Knick of Time
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Not Just A Housewife
Uncommonly Yours
Someday Crafts
Savvy Southern Style
At The Picket Fence
The Creative Paige
{PRIMP} - Primp your stuff Wednesday
Common Ground
French Country Cottage
Tater Tots and Jello
Funky Junk
Craft-O-Maniac
Under The Table and Dreaming
Homemaker in Heels
A Diamond in the Stuff

Featured:

Behind the scenes - Thanksgiving Tablescape.

As promised, here are the details of the table scape posted yesterday:

Table Cloth: two 9x12 PAINTER's DROP CLOTHS (yep, that's right, folded them in half, put them on the table) - they came from our local paint store and cost $9 each.

Table Runner: Men's suiting fabric, hounds tooth wool. Closeout at Joann's $3.99 used my Merry Moolah coupon for $5 off my purchase of $25.00 so the table runner and a ball of jute were FREE
Had enough left over to make a runner for the sideboard and wrap 14 votive cups for individual centerpieces at each place.

Wood Chargers: These were a challenge at first but I found out that anyone with a steady hand and a chainsaw can make them.  Traci at Whimsy in Morris has a guy who will do it. I found a really nice man named Tim who owns a mill in Yorkville that will do it and I found out that I can actually do it as well. 

Vintage Brown and White Transfer ware Dinner Plates: Borrowed from my friend, Ann at Nellie's. They were PERFECT...and although priceless, they were FREE to borrow.

Small Bread Plates: Purchased at the Goodwill on a Tuesday during customer appreciation and got a 20% off scratch off. They cost 35 cents each. Total $4.90

Candlesticks, teapot, candles, silverware, glassware, votive holders, napkins:  From my collection.

Centerpiece: Old, wooden shipping crate gifted to me by the same friend (Ann) who loaned me the dishes.  She waxed it brown, I added 4 men's belts from Goodwill ($0.99 each), dried hydrangea and dried flowers from my yard, a couple of nests that I had on hand, some lotus pods, pine cones and dried artichokes (also on hand)  I purchased greens, tallow berries, 3 "quails" and 5 magnificent turquoise hydrangea. Total investment for an incredible centerpiece that I'm going to redo slightly for Christmas as well as the 14 individual place setting pieces: about $40.
Jute Tied Napkins with Leaves:  Punched out the leaves at Archivers. Bought 3 sheets of card stock, used their die cut machine at no charge: Cost $1.50.

Total investment? $68.50 and while that is a significant amount of money, the dropcloths, plates and table runner are all reusable and I was able to set a table that made an impression that will last a lifetime for my family and friends. 

I spent today cutting down the last of the garden and raking the last of the leaves (16 barrels and bags full...it took me all day!) Tomorrow, I'm planting tulips for next spring. Then, it's on to Christmas Decorating!

P.S. Yes, we removed the centerpiece during dinner. It's probably taller than the "ideal" would be but it is PERFECT for me!

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo,

S

Giving Thanks

It starts when we're young.  Older adults shape our lives. They teach us about love...and gratitude. In some of my very earliest memories, I was taught to say "please" and "thank-you". It's a basic concept for most of us.  Human decency, kindness, thoughtfulness. I like to think that I do a pretty good job, most of the time, remembering, to express my thanks.