Well time really flies, doesn't it?!! I didn't mean to ignore my blog for so long! We have been caught up in all kinds of crazy projects, including completely reworking all the storage in our home, starting to redo Maurie's office, and planting a huge fall garden up at our Elementary School's community garden. Crazy! But I have been adding a few more fall touches to our home along the way.
It finally feels a little more like fall here in the South! We woke up to mid-60s this morning, and our temps will be a little lower this week. "Little" meaning high 80s, and we will still hit 90 a couple of days. Pumpkins are beginning to arrive in the stores, but for now I'm sticking with *faux* pumpkins :) I think I'll let Mother Nature give us a little more cool weather before I stock up on the real thing!
A few weeks ago, Abby and I were hitting thrift stores and garage sales in a last-ditch effort to find a few decorative items for her condo. We found a set of two wonderful harvest baskets at the thrift -- for $5.00!! She took the smaller one for her buffet, to store placemats and cloth napkins. I kept this larger one, and do I mean large! I almost keeled over when I set it on the table, thinking about how I would ever fill this baby! It's 34 inches long, and nearly 6 inches deep.
To start, I decided that propping everything up a little bit was the key to helping fill this gigantic basket. Some crumpled grocery sacks raised the fall leaf garlands, and an iron plant stand was used to hold up the paper mache pumpkin. I grabbed a couple of cat food cans to prop up the Pier 1 lanterns.
I pulled out all the leftover fall leaf garlands and bushes from my stash, then filled in with extra acorns and berries. And now you can't even see the props beneath it all! The random mix of elements works together, just like in nature.
Final cost for this great centerpiece? $5.00!! Getting creative and using what I had on hand really paid off this time! I love the blue color of the lanterns, and I'll be on the lookout for some thrifty, soft-colored blue hydrangeas to add to the basket.
I hope you are enjoying some lovely fall weather, where ever you may be! Thanks for coming by to see my new centerpiece. I'll have more fall inspiration for you this week!
xoxo, Andrea
Joining:
Yvonne's Tutorial Tips and Tidbits
Debra's Be Inspired
Cindy's Show and Tell Friday
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
I love it Andrea!!
Posted by: Martina | October 02, 2013 at 04:54 PM
I LOVE your centerpiece, Andrea. It really looks like you are ready for Fall there. xo Diana
Posted by: Nana Diana | October 02, 2013 at 06:06 PM
Andrea - Love that centerpiece. The basket is perfect for your table and the lanterns just finish it off. Great job!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Clark | October 02, 2013 at 06:24 PM
It looks beautiful, Andrea! That is a pretty long basket, too. I love the lanterns you added in.
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | October 02, 2013 at 06:48 PM
Your centerpiece is wonderful! What a great price you got!
Posted by: Penny @ The Comforts of Home | October 02, 2013 at 06:48 PM
Too cute! and if the cat jumps up on the table then you know why! lol....I thought I was the sneaky one using tuna cans to prop stuff up....That's too cute and made me laugh, thanks!
Posted by: christine | October 02, 2013 at 07:13 PM
WOW! What a find! You filled it just beautifully! Thanks for sharing at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS!
Posted by: Yvonne @ StoneGable | October 02, 2013 at 07:25 PM
Love it especially the final price tag! Nothing better than a bargain.
I was wondering where you got the lanterns. You must have read my mind.
Enjoy your night!
Leann
Posted by: Leann | October 02, 2013 at 07:57 PM
What a terrific basket for $5.00!! You stole that! Looks beautiful filled with all your fall decor!
Posted by: Kathy | October 02, 2013 at 08:31 PM
So pretty and festive looking.....and what a steal of a deal!!! Looking forward to the cooler weather that is supposed to be arriving this weekend here in central Texas....it's just been hard to get into the Autumn spirit with the heat!
Posted by: Jane @ Janie's Porch | October 02, 2013 at 09:57 PM
I recognize those lanterns! I have them on my front porch. Love them mixed with the pumpkins and the basket. Very pretty.
Posted by: Nita {ModVintageLife} | October 02, 2013 at 10:42 PM
It looks beautiful Andrea! I love how you incorporated the lanterns.
Posted by: Gail | October 03, 2013 at 04:26 AM
This looks fantastic. I can't believe you got that huge basket for $5.00. I can also see how it would be a bit intimidating to fill.Love the disclosure of the props underneath - particularly the cat food cans! LOL!
Hope you'll be sharing photos of the Fall garden you were planting. Maybe at this week's Seasonal Sundays?
- The Tablescaper
Posted by: The Tablescaper | October 03, 2013 at 07:47 AM
just beautiful!!! love the addition of the lanterns!
Posted by: Debra@CommonGround | October 03, 2013 at 01:58 PM
Your lanterns are wonderful!
Posted by: Ann | October 03, 2013 at 10:10 PM
Lovely fall basket! Hugs Cristina
Posted by: Cristina | October 04, 2013 at 08:21 AM
I really like your basket centerpiece. Very creative and the lanterns look great!
Blessings! Carol
Posted by: Carol | October 04, 2013 at 11:11 AM
It looks so beautiful! What a wonderful idea! I love the colours :) Happy October!
Jennelise
Posted by: Jennelise | October 04, 2013 at 10:15 PM
Andrea,
This is so pretty! The colors are absolutely beautiful!
Happy fall to you!
karianne
Posted by: Thistle | October 05, 2013 at 12:58 PM
A beautiful basket is a great container for fall. You scored on this $5 find. The pretty faux pumpkin and lanterns is a lovely way to create a centerpiece with the autumn leaves. Have a wonderful week!
Pam
Posted by: Pam | October 05, 2013 at 06:48 PM
What a great basket! Thanks for the secret tips!
Posted by: Jenna | October 05, 2013 at 07:31 PM
This is a really lovely centerpiece!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Posted by: Susan | October 05, 2013 at 09:13 PM
This is gorgeous and I cannot believe what you paid for that fantastic basket! Thank you for sharing this - cat food cans and all!!!
Posted by: Diane | October 06, 2013 at 08:02 AM
Beautiful centerpiece! I love those lanterns.
Posted by: Bev | October 07, 2013 at 05:57 AM
The pale blue of the lanterns next to the bold oranges make this centerpiece special!! LOVE it!
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | October 07, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Ah...that is beautiful!!! I am laughing out loud though....I also use catfood cans as risers. I can wrap them with colored paper if necessary and usually they are the perfect size :^)
Blessings to you,
J
Posted by: Jaybird | October 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Where did you find a basket that long?
Posted by: Paula Webb | September 08, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Great tuitorial and that basket is lovely and could be used for so many tablescapes. Never seen one that long..a steal for $5..now where did you say you found this basket? Almost looks like a Longeberger but I've never seen any of theirs that long either. Great catch! I have pinned this centerpiece and bookmarked the tuitorial for later..like Fall of 2015..Too much going on in my life right now..Thanks for sharing your tuitorial with us.
Posted by: Betty819 | October 18, 2014 at 10:47 PM
I love this and want to make it. I'm having trouble finding a long basket that isn't dark. Any suggestions? Thanks!!
Posted by: Linda Simpson | September 15, 2016 at 01:29 PM
Thank you for this lovely idea! It looks amazing and it's so simple! We'll feature it in the next article!
Posted by: Maya M | September 20, 2017 at 08:14 PM
Hi Andrea,
Beautiful basket design!
Could you give the dimensions of the basket?
I would like to make one exactly like yours.
width, length, depth...
and Perhaps some pictures without the decor.
thank you so much!
Posted by: Art Perez | September 14, 2018 at 10:32 AM