Center of Attention

This past Saturday a friend and I attended the Holiday Open House at Trees-n-Trends.

For two hours the designers showcased holiday projects and provided instructions for specific projects.  They also did some tree design.  Here are a few of the projects that were shown.  Sorry about the bad photos but it's always crowded and I was in the middle of the pack.  Also, the presenters didn't stay in one spot for very long. 

Garland made with wide mesh ribbon

Centerpiece using charger plate, candle, ornaments, & greenery.

Close up of centerpiece.

Centerpiece from votive candle holder and snowmen ornaments.

Another pic of votive candle holder and snowmen.

Here's the votive candle holder that was used.

Sweet little birdhouse with additional greenery.

Square Christmas design plate with emblishments.

Another charger plate design.

Close up of charger plate design.

Add three ribbons in "S" pattern to tree.

Use 4 each of 4 different sprays to create topper for tree.

As always, there were more great design ideas than what I have shown here.  The only problem is that after the presentation everyone wants to find the items to make what they've seen so the store is worse than Black Friday!  After pushing our way through the crowds we managed to get a few of the items shown.  All the wide mesh netting was gone as well as the wreath forms they used but I had already decided I wanted to make a centerpiece.  I love snowmen and the votive candle holder was adorable but I have had something circular in mind for the table for some time now.  So when I saw the charger with the candle and white deer I knew I had found what I was going to create.



Here are a couple more photos of the project.  Again they're not the best because it was completely surrounded by other items as well as people!

I purchased a few supplies from Trees and Trends since they were having a 40% to 50% off sale as well as they gave us coupons for another 20% to be used after the open house.  I also purchased a few items from Goodwill and WalMart.

 And here's how I put it together ------  

Note:  Trees n Trends hot glued all their pieces together including the candle to the charger.  I chose not to do this since I like to reuse items.

Place the candle in the center of the charger.  Fluff greenery and place around candle.  Adjust twig and berry spray and place behind candle (I left the spray intact but the individual stems could also be snipped and placed randomly through greenery).  Add tree and deer ornaments.  I used the greenery to wrap around the legs and stem of ornaments to keep them in place.  Insert pine cones.  These had clips which made it easy to keep them in place.  Add ribbons.
 

That's all there was to it.  I think it took me longer to get all the supplies than to put the whole centerpiece together!  Here are a few more shots.

 

 Here's a cost breakdown:

Charger:  $3.00 (Goodwill - original price tag was $9.99)
Candle:  Free (already owned)
Greenery:  $1.99 (originally $4.99 at Trees n Trends)
Deer & Tree Ornaments: $6.24 each (originally $12.99@ at Trees n Trends)
Pinecones:  $.97 each (WalMart)
Berry & Twig spray:   $7.20 (originally $14.99 at Trees n Trends)
Ribbon: $1.27 (white) and $2.97 (black)

Total:  $30.85

So for a little more than $30 I have a great looking centerpiece for the upcoming Christmas season.  I like it so much I'm not sure I want to have it on the dining table....it might have to move to the living room so I can see it more often!!

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