A Nature Inspired Thanksgiving Table Scape

 

This year is my year to do the family Thanksgiving and I decided I'm going in a natural direction.  It's probably because I've been spending a lot of time at Otten Bros. Garden Center with my friend Sue Whitney.  She's been working on transforming it to add that "Junk Factor" to the place.  So for my Thanksgiving table scape, most of the items I purchased at Otten Bros.  I really love how it turned out.  Here's a sneak peak.

Some of the things I picked up, used clay pots, bird seed, twine, bright green moss, magnolia leaves and pine cones were just what I needed.

The clay pots were pretty dirty, but had great patina.  And I loved the moss growing on them.

Again, I loved how the pots looked, but sitting on my dinner table I was concerned about how my guests would feel.  So I cleaned them up a little (but not too much as to destroy their patina) and then added a clear matt poly spray.

I wanted to add bird seed to the pots, so I just used tape to cover up the hole in the bottom.  I don't want any seed spilling out on my table.

I also picked up some old canning jars with zinc lids.

I added bird seed, some greens and a pine cone tied with twine as an embellishment.

This is a great idea Sue suggested, using garden burlap as a table runner.  It adds to the more natural feel.

 

I love magnolia leaves, but the green side didn't work so much with my color scheme.  I instead used the underside of the leaves.  The color was gorgeous!  This bright green moss also has amazing color.

The finished design!

On top of my old iron English street sign, I added some candles, the green moss and magnolia leaves.  These extra large pine cones were also a cool addition.

I'm having 21 people for Thanksgiving (am I crazy??) so I have a few additional tables.  This table scape includes one of my favs, an old grate, a vintage European cup, some greens, a clay pot and a paper white bulb.  Probably a good thing the paper white's not in bloom  (although this one is suppose to be not so smelly).

Here I added a weight from an old scale for that extra junk factor.

And this table I have a small log stump (who'd 'ave thunk), and some more jars and pots, plus another vintage grate.  I think I done good, don't you?  Now I have to worry about how my turkey's gonna turn out.  Yikes!  Remember from my last post, I'm better at makin' toast.  LOL!  Here's wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

To see more of my JUNKMARKET projects, click on the link on the side of my blog. 

Industrial in the Kitchen

Out and about at the local occasional sales I came upon this uber cool industrial cabinet.  It had narrow shelves on the inside so I wasn't quite sure what to do with it.  But the price was right and it was in great shape, so I knew I had to buy it.  When I got it home I tried it in a few places.  But it's final resting place ended up in the kitchen on my counter.  It fit my cook books perfectly.  And although I'm not much of a cook, to say the least, maybe I would use them more if they were more convenient.  Ha!  We'll see.....

Looks like my cat Jazzy is kind of fond of the piece, too.  She even matches!

 

It fit perfectly under the cabinets. With a few metal letters, it gives a clue to what it holds inside.

I can't quite make out the emblem on the front.  I think it says it's from a Theater Supply Company that was located on Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis, MN.  Now I'm really curious as to what it was used for.

 It has great patina.  Love that!

And as you can see, the shelves are very narrow.

There's a cute little rusty spring that holds the door open.

And like I said, the shelves fit my cook books perfectly!

This is probably my favorite of all my cook books, "The Household Searchlight Recipe Book".

 

And it's an old one...copyright 1936.

Here's a recipe I could probably make.  Ha!  Toast??!  You need a recipe for that?

My distressed "eat" sign hangs near it and goes along with the theme (as if eat isn't the theme for the kitchen already).

And I think it fits in perfectly!  Now off to make toast!

To see more of my JUNKMARKET projects, click on the link on the side of my blog. 

Finally...AAJMS Pictures!!

I know I've been a little slow in getting these pictures out.  I'm always as they say a day late and a penny short.  But here they are....finally.  And it was a great show.  I just hope these pictures do it justice.  We had a lot of fun and were able to meet and greet a lot of fun and interesting people.  Truly.  That is what I love most about what I do, being able to connect with people from all over.  Stay tune for details on the next event in March.  It will be under a new name and location.  Can't wait to share more, but in the meantime, enjoy the pics!

Loved these film reels and cases....you'll see more later.

Yo...these bowling pins were a hug hit!

Let's just say I was a fan of this fan!

This bird house will be showcased in a future issue in Country Garden Magazine!

Oooh, we were so tempted to go bowling....

A Sue Wolfe Original

Let me tell you, we had some good "junk".

Told you we would see more reels.  And there is more....

The cigarette advertising sign oversees the wine section.

Wine anyone?  Another Sue Wolfe Original.

Our red, white and black section.  And it wasn't "ew", it was "ahhhhh"....

It looks like this section has gone to the dogs.  That's a good thing.

Talk about a good selection of signs and letters!

The harvest section was beautiful.  Loved the pale fall colors.

And some unique pumpkins enhanced the space.

Sue Wolfe adding finishing touches on the displays.  How about that kale!

This was a great display of newel posts.

Here I am with Gretchen of Mimitoria Designs before the rush hit.

Her jewelry is amazing!

Julie of Julz had some amazing pieces herself.  She specializes in belts and wrist cuffs.

We even had a library section.

These shoe forms were creatively redone.

Talk about your drawers!

Then there was the industrial section.  Love that "S"!

More industrial.  The restaurant light up numbers...one of my favs!

The night of the gala, there were appetizers.  Nummy!

What time is it?  Great display!

Another bowling rack held these globes perfectly.  The Barnum and Bailey Flame was way cool!

"I'm breaking out of here suckas".  LOL!  This pumpkin guy was a cutie!

Here we find his three accomplices!

Told you there were more reels!  Wow!

And there were a plethora of coffee bags!  Another wow!

More bags were found in this vintage Coke Cooler.

This HUGE barn door was to die for!

And then there was the massively heavy Bull door.  Amazing piece!

These Tolex chairs were originally from Texas.  Funny thing?  They were headed back to Texas!

So there ya be!  My photos from the sale.  Hope I didn't bore you or inundate you with pictures.  I have to thank Carolyn Olson, a friend of Gretchen's, for taking the pictures for me.  I was way too busy and as you can tell, she took lots!  Thanks, Carolyn, you saved me!