Saturday, October 15, 2011

DIY Table Centerpiece - Easy, Beautiful and FREE!

I recently made a centerpiece that we use on the dining room table and the buffet, and I'm so happy with it!  I love how the twine and burlap gives it a natural, rustic feeling, but the glass and mirror gives it a polished look....it gives off the most beautiful glow.....


I was inspired by Thrifty Decor Chick's beautiful centerpiece, and thought that something like that would be perfect for our dining room.  I didn't want to spend anything on it though, so I used what I had on hand and it turned out to be a great free project!

I started telling the hubzy about it, and said I wished that I had a "back of the door" mirror like she used......he suggested just using one of our rectangular wooden framed mirrors that we have arranged on top of our china cabinet (you can see them in the pictures where I showed you our Easter egg craft)......he's so smart!  ;)

I had no time to spare since it was the busy week before our housewarming party, but I was so excited that I just went for it - and it came together so quickly! 

I grabbed any clear or blue jars and vases we had around the house......some were recent thrift store finds I showed you on the Facebook page....(just the blue ones below, the clear one holds Q-tips in our bathroom, and though it's pretty I didn't think it would be stable enough for candles)


Next I got out some white votive candles and arranged (and re-arranged) all the jars, vases, and candles on the mirror until I was happy with the layout.  I put a candle inside any container that was big enough to hold one.

I liked it like that, but thought it needed a little something more, so I got out my twine and burlap (2 of my favorite things!) to soften it up.

I wrapped a couple of the votive holders with twine, and added strips of burlap and twine to some of the bigger containers.....no rhyme or reason, just whatever I thought looked good.







I like how the burlap and twine feels "Fall-ish".....I'm thinking about finding some little bits of orange -- ooh, maybe some of those tiny pumpkins! I'll probably change it up for the seasons too.....around Christmas time, adding ornaments, changing out the blue containers for reds or greens, and ribbons instead of twine....adding some color with dried beans, lentils, or coffee beans around the "inside" votives.....maybe adding shells or starfish in the Summer.....









What do you think??  I'm so happy with it!

If you try this and use a frame/mirror like I did, and it has a "teeth-y" hanger thing on the back, you may want to tape over it or remove it so it doesn't scrape anything you set it on.......like when your daughter tries to move it off the table and leaves a big old scrape across it.....just sayin'.  =/  (that's ok though....the next week she had a sleepover birthday party and nail polish remover got spilled and took the finish off one of the legs.....ahh, that poor table -- it's so overdue for a makeover)

**I made sure to position the twine and burlap away from where the candles will be burning.  We often light it after the kids are in bed, but I usually keep it out of the reach of kids anyway so that they don't play with it and leave the twine or burlap over the flames.


Linking up......


I {Heart} Naptime!

"Look What I Made" party at Creations by Kara


Thrifty and Fabulous


HookingupwithHoH




Photobucket





















7 comments:

Tips from the Heart said...

I LOVE it! So simple yet beautiful! Burlap is one of my favorite fall decorating tools. :) Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such kind comments on my blog!
-Robyn from http://tipsfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Vicky @ Mess For Less said...

What a great display! Love how you used things you already had around. I am big fan of the blue grass. So pretty!
I am a new follower from Tatertots and Jello. Vicky from www.messforless.net

Lindsay Artsy-Fartsy Mama said...

I love this! Thanks for sharing it at Weekend Craft Soiree! :)

Mara @ Super Savings said...

Thanks for coming by ladies and I'm glad you liked it. =) I'm following you all and look forward to checking out your blogs!

~ Mara

Unknown said...

SO pretty! Wow! Would you share it here?

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/csh-thursday-link-party.html

Mara @ Super Savings said...

Thanks Amy! I'd be happy to.....thanks for the invite, I'm all linked up. =)

~ Mara

Heather said...

I love it! It looks absolutely elegant! You did a great job.

Thanks so much for linking up over at our Handmade Holiday linky!