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29 November, 2009

Decorating with Thrifting Finds...or...Four Dollar Christmas Fun!

IMG_9085 As I mentioned in my Christmas mantel post, I have decided to do something a little different this year…repurpose what I have or use thrifting finds to create a new Christmas look for my home! So my little wheels started turning when I came upon…


pagethese while Goodwill hunting with my friend Linda at Nina’s Nestan old French wire basket for $1.91 and eight silverplate forks for $2.00! (I’m still working on what to do with the knives.) I have to thank Linda for finding the basket, which I absolutely love! It makes me think of my grandmother’s egg basket, with handles worn from years of use.


IMG_8825 I imagine that the original owner would chuckle if she saw what I have planned for this old basket! All I need is candy canes and ribbon, which I already had in my Christmas stash, my trusty hot glue gun…


bk2…and the assistance of our celebrity co-host, Baby Kitty! Are you ready?


basket1 First, I tied the ribbon around the basket and then hot-glued the candy canes to the ribbon from the inside…burning myself several times in the process! Ouch! Do not try this at home unless you are a professional! lol


IMG_9098 Next, I added a bow, some greenery and pinecones …and voilà! What do you think?


IMG_8978 I was so excited about the next project that I forgot to take photos until it was finished! I simply tied some of the ribbon around a pillar candle that I had on hand, forming a nice bow. I spaced the forks around the it and…taaa daa! It’s my new favorite Christmas decoration! I didn’t even polish the forks because I think they look more old-fashioned with a little tarnish. What do you think of this one?


IMG_9102 And there you have it…new Christmas decorations made from thrift store finds and items that I had on hand for less than $4.00! I am having more fun and spending less money this Christmas than ever before! Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please head on over to Mary’s at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday to see one of her beautiful mosaics and to find a list of this week’s participants. You will be treated to some wonderful photos from some very talented people!

met mon Next, be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday where you can get a peek at her gorgeous home and see what sorts of changes she is making, as well as find out who else is playing along! I’m betting there will be lots more Christmas decorations today!

deck the hallsAnd then on Tuesday, please join Susan at thoughtsfromovertherainbow for Deck the Halls! We will be showing off our Christmas decorations every Tuesday between December 1st and January 5th, so come get in on the fun! Thanks again for stopping by! See you next time! A la prochaine!

68 comments:

  1. Love them! I am using TONS of pine cones this year myself. I actually did a wire basket with them too. I'm doing a new 'theme' this year myself and using help from nature and a few very frugal budget friendly finds. Taking photos of my tree today. Can't wait to post it!
    Don't you just LOVE making something new out of what we have? Sparks creativity!

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  2. Love everything you did here! The basket with candy canes looks perfect filled with the pine cones and the forks on a candle with a bow? Unbelievably cute!! All of it is so cheerful!! Great projects! And I love the price!

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  3. I love the wire basket and what you've done with it.

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  4. You used the plain old wirebasket and made it to a gorgeous Christmas basket. I love it Debbie.Have a nice week.

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  5. Mornin' Debbie! I love how your basket turned out! And the candle! You are doing a fantastic job decorating this year! You've given me such great ideas! You have a blessed day! Lauralu :)

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  6. Debbie, these are great! I love the basket, it's adorable. And what a great idea for the candle. You are so creative! Even though you did it for less then $4.00, they look like a million bucks! Hugs, Kat

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  7. Debbie, that is just toooooooo cute. I love your basket and the pinecones and candy canes are fabulous. Love that ribbon choice too. Your candle is gorgeous. You really are being creative. They are both so creative. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Hi Debbie, I love the transformation of the basket. I have one as well may have to borrow your creation. Love, Love, Love the candle and flatware decor. I'm sure we'll see those on some tablescapes as well.. I hope all is well with your family...hugs ~lynne~

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  9. What a darling basket! I can't believe you found it at Goodwill for a $1.91! I'm looking for odd sets of silverplate and can't believe you paid only $2. I want to create place settings where all the pieces are different, yet coordinate. Check out Pottery Barn catalog--they sell the idea for $95 a place setting! I want to go to your Goodwill! Love your ideas and can't wait to start decorating. --Delores

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  10. I adore your basket! It is wonderful, as I love the peppermint candy. Great ideas!

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  11. Debbie, you are one creative lady! The basket turned out to be a charming piece of Christmas decor filled with natural pine cones, and I'm betting that you will repurpose it yet again after Christmas with another creative idea. The candle with the forks....who would have thought? That is the best idea! Love the detail on those forks. And all for $2! Great finds!!!
    I wish I could take a tour of your home during the holidays. I love what you did on the mantel with the red plates. I'm working on a new idea for my mantel but it hasn't jelled as yet. Perhaps I need you to fly in for some consultation!
    Thanks for sharing these wonderfully creative and festive ideas.
    Holiday Hugs to you, sweet friend. ~ Sarah

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  12. Oh, so cute. I love it. Now you've got my rusty mind churning. You sure are a clever lady!! Rosie

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  13. Very creative & festive!! I love it. You have a great idea here~ crafting and decorating on a thrifty budget...I hope to get a lot of ideas and I think I will try your candle project. I am sans a wire egg basket, unfortunatly or I'd try that idea too!

    Happy Sunday, Debbie! :-)

    xoxo
    Jane

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  14. Both are just adorable! I think that little fork fortress might even keep my kids from blowing out the candles everytime they pass by!
    Isn't this a wonderful time of year?
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  15. Love that basket and what you did with it! That hot glue....I've burned my fingers so many times making trees this week that I started using eyebrow tweezers so I wouldn't have any chance of touching the hot glue!!

    Now that candle is sooo adorable! I may try that since I have all that monogrammed silverware - thanks for the idea!

    Manuela

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  16. You haven't been to the attic with me yet? Well, it's rather dusty but if you click on "attic" in my Labels list on my left sidebar you'll see all the posts where I've found neat old stuff.

    Our home was built in the 30's by hubby's grandparents. They both were in their mid nineties when they passed on. We bought the home from the estate, hubby's mom and sisters. They all grew up here but have their own places so we are the lucky second owners. Nothing was every tossed out here. Even things that were worn to pieces were saved for parts. We have a whole acre of chiken coops, sheds and lean to's to go through too! We'll be cleaning up 'till we're in our nineties!
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  17. Debbie,
    This looks like a million bucks, it shows it's about how you put it together rather then money! Cute basket & love the ribbon.
    Cathy

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  18. Love what you did with the basket!! Very original..putting the forks with the candle! Your ribbon is so festive..can't wait to see what else you come up with!

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  19. Hey Debbie,
    This is just up my alley! I just love what you did to that Christmas basket with the candy canes and cones~ Are you sure you weren't an Art Teacher? Your so very creative! I'm lovin the funky candle fork too! I think this is the way to go, I am kind of sick of all the materialism involved with Christmas but I do like to decorate and try to be creative! Have a good week my friend, Cindy

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  20. Debbie, j'adore le panier - adorable! Mais les fourchettes autour de la bougie - oh, que tu es créative! Je parie que PB verra ton idée et le copiera (franglais?). Encore un grand merci pour tout ton aide! C'est très gentil de ta part! Linda

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  21. Your little egg basket is adorable all decked out for Christmas. I ♥ the candle adorned with the ribbon and salad forks...neat ideas! I just love thrift shops...so much more than going to the mall...you just never know what little treasures you will be taking home.

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  22. This is as cute as can be, Debbie! You did a super job here. I'll be thinking of what you can do with the knives. I saw some today that were being used as the tops of bottle stoppers for wine bottles. They were in a very chic shop.

    I love your Christmas header. I have a similar painting that I use in the winter. Of course, it's a magpie by Monet. :-) Love this one so much. It looks great!

    I found an ornament that is a hoot, and that is my new header. Not sure if it will be for the whole season, or just for a few days.

    I always look forward to Sundays when you post!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  23. Love that ribbon!! Those are great projects - you are so clever. Have a great week. Sally

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  24. Just wonderful! I love the basket with the candy canes. Great idea.

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  25. Those look great! Now tell me how do you keep kitty away. I'm having the darnest time with my little hellion. hehe

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  26. Oh Debbie, how wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful creations at MM. :)

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  27. You're so creative ;-)
    I love all the decorations you made with candy canes and the mosaics with your precious kitty!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  28. I like what you did with the egg basket - very festive.
    Just think, for Easter you can fill it with coloured eggs!

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  29. Love what you've done! and your helper is adorable! Fun post! You're very creative!

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  30. Aren't you the clever one? Are you sure you weren't an Art teacher??:)
    It looks great, and I love the idea of using what we have..and I have way too much! No new decorations this year for me..not one, well...maybe one!
    Thanks for stopping by, I have missed you!

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  31. What a clever one you are! The fork candle is so cute!! I may have to steal that idea... :)

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  32. Great job on both projects !
    I adore them both !
    Kammy

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  33. Very cool (well except for the burned fingers). Cats are too curious....my cat goes crazy over peppermint tea (now I haven't noticed about candy canes!

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  34. Beautiful project.

    Visit me!
    http://www.jeanneselep.blogspot.com

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  35. The basket & candle are ridiculously adorable! Wonderfully creative.
    @cheapchichome.blogspot.com

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  36. Really cute and frugal ideas! You have the touch, my friend. I love the basket and the candle- so colorful!
    :-) Sue

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  37. You did so great! I love the way the basket came out. It looks so bright and festive. What a great idea on how to use those forks. Love it all!

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  38. Super cute! Gonna hafta steal that fork idea for my buffet!

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  39. Oh wow! What a great transformation, Debbie! Love them both, worth all the burning of your fingers with the hot glue gun, lol!...Christine

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  40. You are just so clever! Your basket is gorgeous - hope your fingers are feeling better! Hot glue HURTS! Love the candle idea too. Now when do we get to see a tablescape with the candles???? ☺♥☺

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  41. You have such a great and creative skill! A wonderful transformation at low cost!

    I have always admired your "staff". They look so cute! I am getting a lot of scratches from mine!

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  42. What a brilliant idea...so homey and Christmasy....hmmm!...thinks I might have to have a go and do something the same.....thank you for the inspiration. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Teresax

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  43. Great ideas - I especially love the candles. Candy canes are so fun and festive - I have some that I reuse every year. Sure hope one of the sons doesn't decide they look tasty - might break a tooth :-)

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  44. Debbie,
    These are two very cute ideals.
    I love the old basket and all the texture you added to it, but the candle might be the show stopper.
    My friend you are toooo clever. Thanks for sharing.
    Sandy

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  45. What a fantastic idea!très créatif !and you got extra paws to help.
    Très bonne journée!

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  46. Debbie what an imagination you have! Who would have thought to put forks around a candle ( and they won't burn) so creative and the candy canes and ribbon against the black basket, stunning! Thanks for sharing.

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  47. Debbie that turned out BEAUTIFUL! Such a clever and precious idea. LOVE it! Candy canes always make me smile at this time of year. The pinecones look wonderful inside.

    Mr Chestnut says Hi to sweet Baby Kitty. What a beautiful and happy cat he is! You always take such great photos of them. Chestnut usually won 't cooperate for me. LOL!

    Have a good week! ~Melissa :)

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  48. I love the Basket idea. I also grew up with the egg basket. I will ahve to go dig mine out and work on it.
    Thanks.
    I enjoyed reading your blog.

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  49. I love this! Very creative and thrifty and absolutely festive to boot!

    Wonderful ideas!

    Dena

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  50. Hi Debbie,
    I love it, so bright and festive. What a wonderful centerpiece with your thrifty finds. Have a wonderful day and thank you for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  51. very clever and fun and festive... who knew that all those little thrifty finds would marry into something so merry and bright!

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  52. You found treasures! Great ideas for thrifty finds. Notice how cats are always willing to "help"?

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  53. Very nice! Especially like the basket.

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  54. How creative! I love the way the basket turned out. I'm surprised the hot glue didn't melt the candy canes!

    Sue

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  55. Debbie, I love those wire baskets and have two of them! How cute you have dolled yours up for Christmas:) I also love how you used the flaware as embellishment with the cute ribbon on the candle. Love it!

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  56. Deb, This is adorable, you are one clever lady,I need you around my home to get me going on all this wonderful decorating.It is so happy and cheerful, just like you. I love it and kitty was a great help, I can tell. xo Kathysue

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  57. YOU ARE SO WONDERFULLY CREATIVE. I LOVE EVERYTHING. I COULD NOT GET OVER THE CAT NIBBLING THE PEPPERMINT.

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  58. Debbie_I love your fork candle!! You are so creative and thrifty to boot! Thanks so much for participating. I think Mr. Linky and I have our issues worked out now...men! :)

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  59. Hi Debbie...only you and Linda would find a French egg basket at the Goodwill....Love what you did with it!!

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  60. I love that candy cake basket - so creative. Great job with thrift store finds and a challenge for the rest of us to create something for $4~

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  61. Oh my gosh!! I LOVE them both!! But especially the forks around the candle!!

    So ingenious!! LOVE IT!

    Lou Cinda:)

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  62. Very, very clever! I need to do more projects like this - I used to.... Now if I could just remember where the glue gun is.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Carol

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie