Well, I didn’t make it to the final two in the contest.
But it’s ok. The two gals still in the running deserve to be where they are so kudos to them! I’m pretty proud to have had the opportunity to hang in there as long as I did!
I’m going to do a post about my experience about So You Think soon, however for now, here’s the last submission for this contest, even though I’m no longer in. This one is special to me as you’ll soon see why. Enjoy. 🙂
When you think of a tablescape, in most cases it’s about what’s used on top of your table. It’s my feeling a tablescape can equally be about your chosen environment and perhaps even the tabletop itself.
This farm sign is very familiar to me. I grew up with this planted in my front yard for many years, and to me, it speaks of all things comfort and home. It’s also beautiful. And I was excited to find a special way to honor it coming home to live with me recently, thanks to So You Think – Tablescape Edition!
Gathering inspiration from the amazing sign tones, my casual outdoor tablescape all came together. Lavish porcelain and rich silverware need not apply here. 🙂
This tablescape is all about memories from living on the farm. The dishes are a casual mix and match of whites collected over time.
The authentic cow tags that label each place setting are adorned with a touch of nature, little cowbell and hay like raffia.
The silverware is the exact eclectic mix you’d find in the farmhouse kitchen.
The placemats are simply cut plywood blanks.
And the napkins are charming, old style hand stitched tea towels found in my Mom’s linen closet.
The centerpiece speaks of nature, galvanized farm goodness and twinkling flames, placed on a wooden shutter. Not to mention, finding encased candle lanterns are a total bonus for the drafty outdoors!
Add a little fireside ambiance, farm style…
… and a pretty view…
… and you have a farm inspired whimsical tablescape that will no doubt bring about many smiles and memories as days go by. The only thing that’s left to do is pass the pizza! 🙂
Below is a slideshow, paying true homage to the entire meaning behind this cozy little farmscape. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Funky Junk’s ‘A tablescape of memories’ from Funky Junk Donna on Vimeo.
(Edited to add: My mom had just passed away in March so that’s why this video touched alot of viewers)
Thank-you Stephanie, for this amazing experience, to the girls that I teamed up with for your support, as well as all of you, for your kudos and thumbs up along the way. I really had a wonderful time. 🙂
LOVE this post.
Thanks for sharing the story.
Donna, I love everything you do and this one is no exception. The cow bells are just such the perfect finishing farm touch!
Jeanine
That is so beautiful! I’m so glad you shared!
Wow! so beautiful! The slideshow was so relaxing. Can I come stay for a while?
That is amazing! I am so sad that you were eliminated, but you are first place in my book!
Donna,
The slideshow was fabulous. What a lovely tribute to your parents. It really makes the whole tablescape have so much more meaning than just another pretty table.
Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Rose
i love everything about it!
this has your signature all over it. what a lovely tribute to your mom. so glad that sign is home with you. it is wonderful.
can’t believe you are out of the contest. i have SO enjoyed looking in awe of what you created for your enteries.
What a wonderful, moving tribute. As always, you know just the right touch for everything. It must have been beautifully difficult for you to put it all together – what memories your tablescape retells. God Bless you, Donna.
Oh Donna, I loved that video and the song was perfectly fitting too! It made my eyes all watery! Thanks for sharing it!
I think your table scape is so beautiful and holds so much meaning – You have such creativity and such a unique way of putting things together that I am always left with my mouth hanging open.
So glad you posted this beautiful and creative table. How wonderful it would be to sit outside and enjoy all the prettiness you created.
What a great tribute Donna! And a beautiful farmstead! Love your tablesetting!
What a great old sign and I love the idea of the fireside ambiance! I loved seeing each week what your next entry was for SYTYCD. You are one very creative and talented lady.
What a beatiful story and tribute to your mom. I loved the video. I’m so sorry you’re out. All your creations are amazing and inspiring. Your photos are always beautiful too.
You are the true winner…to have loved and been loved.
(That’s all I can type right now. I’m so choked up. xoxo You’re the best!)
~Kolein
How absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine how many tears must have been shed while putting this tablescape togehter, and how many more when you put the video together. You such a special way of conyeving meaning in the things you do, and this definitely takes top billing so far.
The tablescape itself is amazingly Donna -funky and fun. The video, well, I’m still in tears.
I had no idea you grew up on such a large farm. I was fortunate enough to have grown up on one as well, but nothing compared to that. Your pictures of your mom in the garden reminded me of those hot days in the garden with my own mom.
I sure hope you put that video to CD for the lad to look back on in his older years. I wonder if he even knows what an amazing woman his mom is.
I’m so sorry you didn’t win – but that was gorgeous!! I love it. And what better than memories to create it by?
I am sooo totally diggin’ the fireside pit – southern style!! 🙂 Love it. Made me laugh. I’m a southern girl, too.
Just lovely! I would love to be invited!
dena
sweet pickles and chocolate
NOOOOOOO!!! I can not believe that you did not make it! I am so surprised! I love your post tonight! You won in my book Donna!!!!
Touching and creative, both the tablescape and the slideshow. A loving tribute Donna.. they’d be so proud!
Hugs
Lisa
Hi Donna-
What a special sign, a happy one with a smiling cow. I love the fact that your table has so much meaning, not only does it looks pretty , but a table is for gathering loved ones around to enjoy a meal together. Whenever you eat here, you will always be with your mom and I assume your dad (from the video) and the fond memeories you cherish of growing up on a farm.
Your video was touching and I don’t think any one of us got through it wihtout shedding a few tears.
I am sad you didn’t win, but you will always have my vote.
Donna, the courage, strength, creativity, and grace you’ve shown from week to week throughout this competition speaks volumes about the great woman that you are! I’m sure that your loved ones who have left you are smiling down upon you and giving you two thumbs up letting you know that you’re already a winner! Your slide show was so touching and brought tears to my eyes, what a wonderful way to pay tribute to the life you had growing up and to what the future holds for you and your son!
Kat 🙂
you just continuously amaze me! gorgeous!
I’m sorry to see you go. All your entries were awesome!! I love your white trash bedroom so much, that’s what caught my eye several months ago and got me started following your blog. I love how fearlessly you tackle any project.
Angela
Thank-you everyone.
The video was incredibly difficult to make but in a very good way. It was the right thing to do. I tear up everytime I see it, yet it feels so heartwarming to watch it over and over again.
Your ongoing support blows me away! So many of you take the time to comment. They feel like hugs right now, so I truly thank you!
FJ Donna
That tablescape is so beautiful and the video was so touching.
The fire pit in a wheelbarrow – GENIUS! You never cease to amaze me, my friend.
Donna, what a moving tribute to your parents. I see by the pictures of your Mom and where you get the knack for making a home beautiful. She must have loved the flowers,huh?
I know she must have beheld the simple beauty in the tea towels, you so lovingly display.
Lovely table, lovely tribute.
Blessings Donna,
Pat
I’m still wiping tears from my eyes…thanks for sharing your memories and lovely tablescape with us all!
The tablescape was lovely and the video was amazing. You keep it up Donna!
can i come have lunch with you and roast some marshmallows in the wheelbarrow!?! I LOVE the little firepit – i have never seen that done before – so cute and fits the whole ambience that you created 🙂
Oh, and thanks for the sidebar feature on my dresser!
Such a wonderful tribute to your parents!! And I love this Cow Sign!! And your tablescape is amazing!! What a great idea!!
Thanks for sharing that special place in your heart.
Hugs
SueAnn
Beautiful and so tactile – which I adore! I must admit I’m very surprised you didn’t make it to the final of ‘So You Think’ though, like you siad, kudos to the girls who did!
Kristine
xxx
i’m very sad to see you go! i loved all your projects throughout the entire competition and thought you were very deserving of the top prize.
Oh Donna! There’s just something wonderful about looking back at the legacy our parents have left to us, the gifts they gave us and memories they built in our hearts….thank you so much for sharing with us! Just yesterday my 21 year old son asked me if I thought he could build a fire pit in a wheelbarrel…I cant’ wait to show him yours! I think his will be more college boys crude than yours somehow! You are such an inspiration to us all…keep up the great work!
Oh, that video – yes, I’m crying! Thanks for sharing with us.
And congratulations on how well you did in SYTYCD – I really thought you had it in the bag. Regardless of the outcome, I’ve loved (and voted for) your projects every week. Not because I follow your blog, but because you truly have original and inspiring ideas.
Now I have to go find some kleenex…
That was so beautiful! Thanks for doing that. LOVE that song and your pictures were SO sweet. Great memories. Thanks for a great start to the week! 🙂
I love your projects, not to mention your story. This statement is often overused, but honestly you inspire me. I voted for you and I am sorry you didn’t make it into the final two. Thanks for sharing with us.
Such a beautiful table setting and a very touching video. You’re so talented and so sweet!
What a beautiful slideshow! As soon as the music started my 15 mo old daughter climbed up on my knee to watch it with me. Something about the nostalgia of slideshow made me cry (well, I’m also 5 mo pregnant… that helps lol), happy tears. My daughter turned around and looked at me, touched the tear on my cheek and then wrapped her little arms around my neck and gave me the best hug ever. Ugh, my heart!
Thank you for such a beautiful post, that created such a beautiful moment with my baby girl.
Okay, you got me all choked up. I have always loved that song, but it means even more to me since Mom passed away. My grandparents had a farm too, and I have such amazing memories there as a kid. Your pictures were so beautiful and the peacefulness warmed my heart. God bless you!
Traci
You’re out! I had you picked for the winner for sure. Well you are the winner in my book.
I love your tablescape but that view of the mountains took my breath away. You live in a gorgeous corner of this world!
I love the fire in the wheel barrel! What a clever idea. So funny but cute.
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
I cannot believe you’re out of SYTYCD! Anyway, I love what you’ve done and it cracks me up that you have pizza out there! (I got your URL, thank you!)
I loved your photo montage, Donna! Stunningly beautiful and touching!! I was thinking about why I was so moved by what you shared and I realized that, while I can’t relate to these particular experiences, just having them honoured in such a loving way with just the perfect music caused me to reflect back on my own memories of childhood and family. Somehow each photo felt like a gentle caress… especially the photos of your Mom.
Victoria
I just love, love, love that cown sign table setting and name place signs.
Your site is Funky great!!!
I will be back.
~Dore~
Oooop’s COW SIGN TABLE!! I love it sorry on the typo!!
Dore
Boy oh Boy and I ever happy I stumbled across your blog… LOVE EVERYTHING about it. HaPpY DaNcE!!!
I’m so surprised you’re out of the contest. Your entries were always my favorites. I love your style, and I’m always amazed at your outside-the-box ideas for junk. Thank you for continuing to inspire your readers to find re-purpose for old, well used, well loved junk.
Well done Donna on your Montage, lots of aahhh’s and mmmmmm’s and sigh’s on my end, that was just beautiful….. you done good….
Wow…this made my eyes leak. So beautiful, peaceful and loving. Thank you for sharing this incredible tribute with all of us.
Love the tribute and love the tablescape! The fire in the wheel barrow is genius. Yes, I notice EVERY detail! 🙂
I CANNOT believe you aren’t in the contest any longer – that is just plain crazy! LOVE your style and grand ideas – keep ’em coming!
P.s. Sorry to hear about your mom too. Don’t know if I ever left you a comment before or not and I wanted to do that. Take care, girl!
Andrea
Beautiful testament to the simpler times where faith, family and hard work were your blessings.
Very poignant and lovely…
you are right the back story of the tablescape makes it all the more special…
I love your ideas and enjoy getting lost in my imagination after reading a post.
Thank you for taking the time to share with your readers.
Blessings,
Cindi
I love the table and your colors and the natural look but my favorite is the wheelbarrow grill! It gives me an idea of a cool fire pit, wheelbarrow-site!
Too cute!! I wish that you would have won…:(!!
~Morgan
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
I always love what you do, always. I can’t see the video because I’m on dialup and it just takes forever, but maybe that’s a good thing, it’s probably too emotional for me anyway. My own mother just fell in her kitchen on Sat., she is 82 and it took her 3 hours to crawl to her phone only about 15 feet away. She had broke her hip and has had surgery and doing okay.
I still can’t believe you are out of the contest.
Take care,
Julie
Donna, what a treasure that slideshow will be to all who knew your family’s farm. So neat that you took the time to do that. The tablescape is fantastic. I love the plywood “placemats” and the wheelbarrow firepit! Kelly
Donna, I don’t even know what to type. I only followed you in the sytycd so i wasn’t really sure what it was all about. After having read this post, I believe you to be the winner anyway and the table scape and video is a BLESSING. I’m so very sorry about your Momma but she obviously raised a courageous, brave and wonderful lady who has more “sticktoitiveness” in her pinky than most people have at all.
what a loving tribute to your parents and their calling as farmers. the last photo summed it all up…so much love between the two of them snapped up in visual memory.
the tablescape was pure ingenuity and i loved it. that’s what’s so great about your creations..the “real” take and funky interjections.
you’re such an inspiration and one of my all time fav bloggers!
judi 😉
Its a wonderful setting, the fire pit is great!
You are so talented! I marvel at the way you put normal every day things together! Love the wheelbarrel firepit!
Hi Donna, I just love your funky farmhouse tablescape and your cow sign is the best! Deb
Donna, what a wonderful tablescape! So many of the elements are unexpected and so interesting. Love,love,love the cow tags and the farm sign. Well done!
Donna, that table scape is so you…it’s perfect. But your video was the highlight. I’m in puddles now. Sniff.
Just found this and LOVE it! But I’m generally a little addicted to great tablescapes. . .Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you, Donna, for creating this beautiful tribute. I just came across it today and it seemed meant to be that I saw it today. I’m a hospital chaplain and am present in many difficult situations. I come home in the evenings looking for nurturing and always find it on your blog. Many, many thanks!
Donna, what a beautiful spirit you have and wonderful memories. Thank you so much for sharing with me and making me remember what is important in this life.
Donna, you are one talented lady. I love your style and ideas. When ever I look at your blog it inspires me. Can’t wait for more.
How beautiful and what a thoughtful and amazing daughter you are….could you be my daughter?
Thank you for sharing your parents with all of us…
hugs…
shirley
I loved the video and yes I did cry. What a touching tribute. Blessings to you! Thanks for all you do!
O’ I want to move back to the farm… Thank you for sharing a little bit of you!
Hold on, there’s something in my eye.
What a special tribute. Thanks for sharing it again, or I would have missed this.
Rita
Beautiful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s like a walk down memory lane. I grew up on Salt Spring Island and was blessed to have a great childhood playing on the beach, swimming and just being a child.
Thank you for posting for all to see. I appreciate it.
Sonja.
Such a beautiful video and love the song. On this Mother’s Day, it brings a tear to my eyes as I remember my Mother and miss her so. She has been gone for 26 years but I have such found memories as if it was yesterday we talked.
Thank you.
mE AGAIN! jUST LOVE THE FARM TABESCAE ETC. grew UP OM A FARM, SP ;PVE COW STUFF, THINK I GOT CARRIED AWAY WITH ITAT OE POINT! I THINK IT WAS YOUR SITE WHERE YOU PAINTED A CLOTH CHAIR, IF SO DID YOU RPLL ITON, WANT TO TRY I AMD HAVE DO WHAT I CAN AS LOSING MY EYESIGHT, THAT EYE DISEASE, SO ENJOYING WHAGALS COME UP WTH! THANKS, AND HAPPY CRAFTING GWEN
Loved this – We’ve only been on our little farm for 6 years but it’s where we finished raising our family. As we prepare this place to sell in the coming year I find myself filled with such emotion. Memories are a wonderful thing – they keep those good moments alive in our hearts.