Thursday, January 10, 2019

Thrifty Thursday Valentine's Day Centerpiece

Upcycled Thrift Store Finds

With Christmas all put away, I decided I need a new centerpiece. I thought about a wintry one, but chose to jump into Valentine's Day.

DIY centerpiece for Valentine's Day made from thrift store finds

DIY centerpiece for Valentine's Day made from thrift store finds
I started with the idea that I wanted "love letters". I also knew I wanted a "bouquet" and some height, a candle or fairy lights, and some red and cream for Valentine's Day. 
old dictionary
I decided for the love letters I would use old book pages that I could paint on. I chose some from a few pages I have from an old dictionary (the A's and a few B pages--I found this in a night stand I bought from a thrift store).
watercolor old book pages
I used watercolors to paint stripes, hearts, swirls and to wash a couple of the pages.
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I then needed to decide on a base or something to build my centerpiece on. I had lots of thrift store items to choose from--tarnished silver trays, old books, wood plates, trays, etc. i chose a small, thrift store wood box that I painted red.
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I used a thrift store vase for my "bouquet". I could have used fake flowers, branches, rel flowers from the store, or taper candles for my "bouquet". I chose to use the dictionary pages, i.e. the love letters. I did chose the page the had the word amore on it for one of the pages. A little detail that you can't see, but I know. I rolled the pages and tied them with jute, leaving the strings long. 
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I tied a craft store key I painted red to the handle of the white pitcher.
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
Okay, this next part is a potential fire hazard--I mean paper and fire, but I included a real candle that burns with real fire. I will only light it when we are dining. A battery operated candle is a great, safer option. Remember, never leave burning candles unattended. 
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I needed a third item--the rule of odd items in decor (which only applies sometimes) and decided on a heart. I looked for a wood heart in my thrift store/junk stash but could find one. I decided to make one from BINGO cards.  I cut a heart from a piece of cardstock for a pattern and then cut out two hearts, making sure to use BINGO cards with a 14 for February 14th.
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I glued the hearts together and painted a heart on the 14.
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
My centerpiece box needed some filler. I thought about just using a piece of burlap. Beans, buttons, pennies all would work too. I spied the bingo markers and decided they would be perfect.
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I accidentally found the B14 and made sure it was front and center. 
DIY Centerpiece for Valentine's Day Made from Thrift Store Finds
I placed the centerpiece on a vintage towel from the thrift store. It is perfect for my smaller sized, round table and a fun way to get creative with thrift store finds.

2 comments:

  1. Well that's just adorable! Love the rolled up papers, how clever! And the bingo card!

    Tania

    ReplyDelete
  2. I came to your site and have analyzed your post. There are excellent details you posted here. happy valentines day my love in spanish

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!