BHG - Inspiration

I know, I know that this isn't the best photography work, however, it was the best picture to see some of the details. In future blogs I will share with you some details regarding this table setting. As for now, I want to share with you one inspiration - Better Homes & Gardens. Although I quit subscribing a few years ago, I picked up their Christmas edition at the gym and was totally inspired.
The centerpiece was actually from something I saw a few years ago. BHG had boxwood twigs and cranberries in jars floating in water. They had quite a few running down the center of the table. I cannot remember if they had floating candles, or if I added them. Well, every Christmas I do some kind of version of it and this is the 2009 version. I took a galvanized steel planter that I bought a few years ago on clearance and never used. Filling it with foam blocks and moss, I put the jars on top. Two of the jars have small wreaths around them.

From the 2009 BHG Christmas edition I was inspired to make the table runner. I honestly was at my max of spending money and knew I needed something. This is a simple piece of my kids drawing paper on a roll that I used. I then used a border punch to make the detail on the edge. (Punches are available with scrapbooking supplies). So, for the price of the paper punch (which I used a coupon for), I got a new runner for about $4.00.

My island was also inspired by the 2009 BHG edition. None of my photos truly do this justice. I used cylinder vases, or candle holders to show off some sweet black & white photos of my kids at the park one Christmas in Texas. I simply filled the jars with...red wooden beads. They look like cranberries! Even up close people thought they were cranberries. But, wooden beads that I cut off a bead garland. I filled the vases part way, slid the picture in and then continued to fill the vases. I should have put photos on the backside too. I believe in the BHG magazine they showed the vases filled with ornaments. My ornaments were not small enough and I already had the bead garland. I actually liked this effect more. Someone who visited my home used this idea as inspiration for her daughters upcome wedding reception centerpieces. I also used the BHG magazine to inspired my advent candles. I always have a hard time with my advent candles. I love the tradition, but the colors don't match my home! Sounds crazy, I know. By simply using apples and cranberries (not beads) I was able to create my favorite advent candle display thus far. I did use molding clay at the bottom of the candles to help stabilize them.
More posts to continue on another day! Merry Christmas!