Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Galvanized Love!

It's certainly feeling like autumn now here in the Midwest!  I really love this time of year when we can cozy up to a nice fire, bring out our favorite sweaters, and put flannel sheets on the bed.  What I don't like is the season that comes after fall!  Today I put together this fun arrangement, using a large galvanized tote-tray thingy.  Notice if I don't know that correct term for something, it automatically becomes a thingy?!  Anyway, I love anything galvanized!  Until recently, I had never even heard of the term "Industrial Chic", which galvanized metal seems to play a large role in.  Now it seems as if I hear that term everywhere!  I picked up this tray thingy last year at a neighbors yards sale, for around $3, I think.  I initially had it full of little pots planted with hens-and-chicks.  It looked so neat!  So today I had a brainstorm to use it as part of a fall centerpiece for the coffee table.

In it I placed little clay pots filled with moss from our U.P. trip.  I also added a few pinecones, and some bittersweet from the woods.  Next came some Osage oranges that I found on a back country road yesterday.  (geeeeeze!  I sound like a real scavenger!)  Some glass votive holders with tea lights, a few mini pumpkins and some gourds, and I was good to go!
I really love all of the textures and colors, and the best part was that the only thing I needed to purchase was the gourds and mini pumpkins!

 I really love the patina of galvanized metal.  Now I can't wait to decorate it for Christmas!

Oh, a few tips:  I used some mini clay pots turned upside down to elevate the glass votive cups and some of the moss pots.  I also used crumbled up newspaper in the bottom of the tray, so that I wouldn't have to fill it so full of stuff, and yet it would appear overflowing.  To hide the newspaper, I placed some gray moss in all of the nooks & crannies so it wouldn't show.  I am so pleased with the end result!  Quick, easy, and not alot of cash!
 I've been on a huge pinecone and acorn and moss kick lately!  We collected all of these when we were in the Upper Peninsula.  I found this sweet little silver creamer in an antique store in the U.P.  I really love the patina!  I never realized how much I loved silver 'til I saw all of the wonderful silver pieces you all have collected!
Cute little glass squirrel with more moss.
I found this little metal leaf shaped dish at a thrift store in the U.P.  Love it!
I discovered this adorable little bird's nest on a walk the other day.  Of course I had to fill it with more acorns!
Well, that's it for today!  Now I need to get caught up and do some blog hopping.  I can't wait to see what you've been up to!
I am joining todays post with the following linky parties:
Cindy at My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday 
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors SNS 
The Tablescaper Season Sundays

29 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

Great idea for a center piece. This is something that can last all through Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see what you do with it at Christmas.

Michelle Palmer said...

So very sweet! "Thingy" is a perfect description~
Beautiful photographs... thank you for sharing!

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

Beautiful pictures!
I need to find me some pinecones and acorns, too -- maybe when we go to our parents' houses...
Thanks for sharing, and for leaving such a nice comment at my blog :)
I'll be back soon
Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

Trisha said...

That turned out great. What a fantastic idea!

~Trisha

Anonymous said...

L-O-V-E the centerpiece! I bet it will make a stunning showcase for Christmas as well with a few changes. The little bird's nest with the acorns is adorable too. Thanks for sharing your creative ideas with us.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I love the look of galvanize with all the fall items....reminds me of the farm!! Great job!

Christine said...

"Thingy" is totally a technical term! I love your centerpiece. You are very clever...

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna!
I'll take galvinized anything! LOL! Love it too along with the enamelware and a gazillion other things!
I just love your galvinized metal basket. It's perfect to hold all your wonderful gatherings and pretties. It's so colorful and very fall!

hugs
Sissie

NanaDiana said...

Hi Donna-Great display piece. I'm not sure what it is really for but we had a very similar piece that we used on the farm to feed the baby chicks. My father would fill it with mash and the little chicks would like up on each side and start eating...jumping all over each other and falling into the middle of the thing. After seeing how you are using it I sure wish I had that one back!

I have lots of "thingys" at my house too...including 4 little visiting ones that are sleeping right now;>)

I picked up acorns when we were in the parks in the UP too. Great minds think alike! (Hmmm...now that I think about it-one of the parks did look like it had been picked bare-Were YOU at Herbster park-campsite 17?) just asking...lol HUGS- Diana

Carol said...

The galvanized centerpiece is very nice... I can never figure out how to mix that many elements together and make them look that good. You should link it up to my link party!

Carol
antiquetexan.blogspot.com

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, I love it all!!! And I never heard of Industrialized Chic...with what Ralph does for a living, I should have tons of it...lol
Everything looks gorgeous--I love the centerpiece...You've been as busy as me today!! (I still didn't get pics yet.)
AND, I love the acorns in the bird's nest...how adorable!!! Your talent amazes me!!!
XO

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

I love your galvanized "thingy," as well as all the natural touches you've used.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Donna, love that thingy! And for 3 bucks, what steal! It looks great with all of your bounty that you have picked up. I noticed our acorns are still green. I guess I should wait a bit. I don't think they'll brown up if I pick them huh?

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This turned out wonderfully, Donna! I love your tote and all your goodies! Mosses and pinecones are so pretty, too! Can't wait to see it at Christmas, too!

kimmykats said...

You go girl!! I love it all and the metal thingy is to die for. Can't wait to see what you do for Christmas. Wonderful pictures.

Erin said...

Gorgeous Donna! I can't wait to see the Christmas one!

Donna said...

Beautiful fall things...love the acorns!!!

Karen said...

Amazing arrangement! You really have a knack of including so many elements and they each seem to compliment one another. I hadn't heard the term industrialized chic, but this is IT.

I have a squirrel like that somewhere... Also, have the bunny one.

Enjoy your day!

Love, Karen

mizdarlin said...

Always love whatever you do-it's amazing!
Thought I'd let you know that Ikea has lots of inexpensive galvanized stuff, too-I have dinner from a wonderful oval galvanized trayfrom Ikea, and I agree with you-love the patina-stay cosy!

Biljana said...

Amazing, it looks gorgeous, bravo:))
Have a great weekend, hugs Biljana

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Wow, your "thingy" looks fabulous. It's really says "fall" and I love the addition of
the acorns and moss.
Isn't it funny how we all have words to use when we don't know the proper word...I use the word "thing-a-ma-jig"
Have a great weekend!

Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

Love the galvanized tool box. Very creative centerpiece!

Anonymous said...

Oh! I love your arrangement, anything with claypots, moss, I'm in. Simply gorgeous!!!!

~Rosemary...

Debbie said...

Hi Donna....Your Fall "thingy" is so neat! LOVE all the natural elements you used to fill it up. How wonderful that you can use collected treasures from your trip.
Debbie@houseatthelake

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

Lovely... I wish we had oak trees here; the little acorns are adorable in your arrangements! :)

The Tablescaper said...

Wonderful arrangement. Just love it. It's so full and lush.

I host a weekly meme called Seasonal Sundays and would love to have you and your galvanized tub come join us.

- The Tablescaper

suzieQ said...

Oh, just had to post a note because I feel the same way about the fall; I love it but it means that the too long winter is coming. Winter wouldn't be so bad here if it would leave in the spring on time. However, it is a very rude season and overstays its welcome. I want a law passed that winter must leave by March and no late snow storms.
We don't have those Osage oranges here in Maine...lots of pine cones and acorns however. It has been a banner year for acorns. I brought my little squirrel friends some huge ones I found at a teacher thrift store in Portland. They were so big, I wondered if they would dent the car if I had parked under the oaks. I know many people don't like squirrels, but I think squirrels are so cute and well dressed in their gray and white. And, I admire their tenacity, trying to out think humans who are trying to thwart them in their quest for birdseed. They brighten up the winter yard and I thank them for that.

Laura said...

What an amazing centerpiece.
Scavenging is my all-time favorite thing to do!
Enjoyed visiting,

Laura
White Spray Paint

The Tablescaper said...

Thanks so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper