Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas centrepieces out of old bakeware




I was called upon to help decorate for my son's youth Christmas banquet not long ago. 9 Christmas centrepieces were needed as well as other room decor.

So I hit the thrift store to see what came to mind. And brought home a bunch of old bakeware, glass dishes and galvanized whatevers.


Luckily we had also just had a big wind storm and spotted the greens on the side of the road.

Scooped up the mirror and ironing board from the thrift too! I already had the cat. :)


Hitting the dollar store for a few candles, candy canes, fake snow and fresh produce, I was ready to play.


This is an old drain cover from 1948 that I had in my own stash. It's sitting on a pizza pan. :)


Someone at the thrift pointed out that fluted pan was from Germany. 
OK then! I have here a fluted pan from Germany! And here I thought it was just pretty. :)


Fresh cranberries added a bit of extra colour.



This guy was cute but it got HOT. So beware if you try this. 

But how fun! I didn't really finish any of these as I knew they wouldn't travel well, so I packed it all up and head to the church, fully anticipating doing this all myself.


With half of my house packed as well. :)

Once I arrived at the church, I had a TEAM of helpers!  Everything was brought into the room, the delegation process began and I realized how very little I was even needed. They were soooo awesome!

And here's what they came up with.



LOVE.



Honestly, some of these accessories were brought in just to carry things in. They were ALL USED as props. Beautifully done!


Every table had a different yet similar centrepiece like the ones I was playing with at home. The gals were whipping them up faster than I could unpack the boxes!


A light sprinkling of snow went on every crisp white tablecloth as well. It was simple, and PERFECT.

They did an amazing job!



The end result was price efficient, very homespun and unique. And the feedback? Nearly blew me over.

Thanks team, you were fabulous! And it was a blast.

Junk and a little creativity to the rescue once again! Wouldn't you agree?
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42 comments:

  1. PriorDecember 15, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    How fun, they all turned out great Donna! Lezlee

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  2. Sonya@Beyond the Screen DoorDecember 15, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Very creative! I like the fact that they're all different but still have a similar look.

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  3. LyndaDecember 15, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    It's a real gift, girl....this creativity you have and it's real nice to share with others....we are blessed because of you!

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  4. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Everything looks so very festive! You have "the" touch!

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  5. ReenieDecember 15, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Very Very cute!!!

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  6. Trails of GraceDecember 15, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    I love how you take everyday things and make something spectacular out of them! Thanks again and again for sharing your ideas with us! Merry Christmas!

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  7. Linda@Coastal CharmDecember 15, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Donna,
    These are all so very neat...love the ideas you had here!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  8. kate blueDecember 15, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    clap clap clap clap -love love love love!

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  9. Deborah@Green Willow PondDecember 15, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    How fun and very cute!

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  10. Laura at Ms. Smartie PantsDecember 15, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    My very favorite thing is to work with others being creative, it's sooo much more fun when there are others to collaborate with kinda why I like blogging!

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  11. BrittDecember 15, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    I love love love the cheese grater all lit up! You are always inspiring!! Thank you!

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  12. Connie (aka LOU)December 15, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    OMG, you come up with the best stuff. Love looking at what you are up to next. Funny line about the cat! Very smooth :)

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  13. DawnaDecember 15, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Great ideas! Love it when people all work together. Merry Christmas

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  14. Moore MinutesDecember 15, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Wow! this is awesome! I'm impressed. It's so beautiful, especially the grater candle hurricanes.

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  15. Rosemary@villabarnesDecember 15, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Awesome decorating job Donna. Love that creative brain of yours. I just picked up a bunch of vintage bakeware and galvanized pieces at an estate sale. I thought of you.

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  16. MarianneDecember 16, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    Funny! Did you catch my Advent vignette a few weeks ago? I used an old baking pan from my mother that is exactly like that "German" pan you found. I know those baking dishes well they are used to bake these flat fruit pies that are the signature baking in my region. I can send you a recipe so you could use it for real :-)
    Everything looked great and how wonderful that all those ladies really got your idea and went with it. You all did a fabulous job.

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  17. aliceDecember 16, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    Donna,
    Great job and all refreshingly different.
    Smiles, Alice

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  18. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    Nicely done, Donna....such a good imagination....each center piece is very pretty, the colors, the collections and the evergreens with ribbons....nice....thanks again for sharing at Christmas....Mel's Designs

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  19. SueannDecember 16, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    I totally agree! And the fact that you had talented hands to help is definitely a bonus! They did do a fabulous job!
    Well done all of you
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  20. FlowerLady LorraineDecember 16, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    What a great homey, Christmasy post. Every one did a fantastic job with whipping up the table settings and other decorations. I love it.

    FlowerLady

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  21. Blondie's JournalDecember 16, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    You really gave everybody the inspiration for some great creations!! Love it!

    XO,
    Jane

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  22. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    I love the fact that you involved them in the decorating as well. What a super time they must have had as well! The decorations are awesome!
    Merry Christmas.

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  23. PeggyDecember 16, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Ah a German torte pan! We have a couple but I never thought to use them as a centerpiece. The dessert Marianne is talking about is delicious! In fact as far as cake type desserts it is my absolute favorite aside from divine chocolate truffle cake from a bakery that is now closed... :(

    I am smitten with your center pieces! Trust me I am always looking for new ideas, not necessarily for myself but for church as somehow I've ended up w/ the decor. LOL

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  24. AudreyDecember 16, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Donna ... Love what you did and got the other ladies involved. They likely had more fun than you did.
    Audrey Z. at Timeless Treasures

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  25. {northern cottage}December 16, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    junkfabulous! - i love me some old bakeware! love how you put it all together!

    www.northerncottage.blogspot.com

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  26. Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage DesignsDecember 16, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Everything looks awesome!! Oh my gosh you gotta love it when people actually "get" the look you were going for!

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  27. Korrie@RedHenHomeDecember 16, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    I completely agree! Fun, original, clever...love it all!

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  28. JoaniDecember 16, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    Simply gorgeous. Congratulations on a job well done. Merry Christmas.

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  29. Dana @ Cooking At Cafe DDecember 16, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Oh, there are simple lovely.
    Like Mamma always said, "Use what you've got!"
    Thought she wasn't talking about galvanized steel :)

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  30. The ReFind HomeDecember 16, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Wow, you are one creative chick!!! I LOVE what you did here. You've inspired me big time.

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  31. UnknownDecember 16, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Simply....beautiful! So easy...anyone has these items in their home...inexpensive and so down home Christmas! Love it! I am off to go create...I wasn't going to do it this year but now I have the bug....

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  32. tree-shadesDecember 16, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....love them all....

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  33. Rebecca Scott (aka Otter)December 16, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    I love that so much of this is made from unexpected things! SO cute. The cheesegrater had to be really pretty with the lights down low. :)

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  34. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Girlfriend those are amazing! Seriously you out-did yourself! LOVE them - especially the old cheese grater. Totally ingenious ideas - which is why I love coming over here to your blog. And why I want to drive my butt over to the nearest thrift store to see what I can make out of old stuff... right now!! :)
    Wishing you a Merry Christmas! xo

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  35. Laura S ReadingDecember 16, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Usually at our church dinners one final act of the evening is giving away the centerpiece to someone at the table.
    I would have been thrilled to ein any one of yours.

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  36. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    omigosh. Love this You inspired those ladies. I did a vintage bakeware holiday garden display a few weeks ago. You can find those pieces so cheap and they're so chic when paired with holiday greens!

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  37. YONKSDecember 16, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    I love your ability to make anything look so elegant and decorative. Marvellous!
    Di
    x

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  38. Patty's StitchesDecember 16, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    I certainly agree! Now I'm headed to the kitchen to search for my grater and fluted pan! Thanks for the awesome inspiration!

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  39. ElsieDecember 16, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Wow that is one Funky Junk bonanza. Your right the grater does get hot. I saw that in Country Home a long time ago and tried it. You are so darn creative, I bet you eat, sleep and dream junk.

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  40. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Wowza......I love how you can take nothing and turn it into something..

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  41. Money Saving EnthusiastDecember 17, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    Wow! The sky is the limit here. How unique. I love the grater with the candle in it. I wouls never think to put a ladder with a bow on it. Genius!

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  42. Christina at I Gotta Create!December 21, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Perfect materials for table centerpieces! Love the glow through that grater!!

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