Branch and Nest Centerpiece

Isn't this the perfect shape branch for a centerpiece?  I am hugging myself with joy...I am that excited.
Yep.  Over this branch.
I wanted to create a nest and branch centerpiece to compliment the "We are Family" theme for the gala. Yet I really had no idea how it would look until I started.  But I knew I needed JUST the right branch.

Picture this...I trudge out to the backyard hoping the little stick pile my husband created cleaning out the yard will surface the ideal branch since it is kind of the MAIN ATTRACTION. And all I am finding are long sticks with no branches.  As I begin to pray to find just the perfect one, I glance down and THERE IT IS!  The hallelujah chorus commenced above and with the angels, I rejoiced.

Honestly, this centerpiece requires more than one post but I crammed it all into this one, big, happy one.  So get a snack and come back to read. :)

Back to my divinely found branch...

So I take this bad boy, check for insect life that will reduce my excitement significantly and begin to dry brush it with a light grey paint.

Now the branch is lightened up a bit and not too, too rustic.

I decided I was going to make a nest from Spanish moss and use river rocks as my eggs.  I tried to find the flattest rocks that I could.  I bought those big ones in the background at Wal-Mart and they were way big and heavy.  Since the backyard proved fruitful once before,  I tried again...and I found smaller rocks (foreground) that worked!

I apparently have the BEST stuff in my backyard.

I painted  my rock/eggs to match the look of the table.  Alone they look kind of Easter like but I still liked it.  They are sorta distressed to give an appearance of speckled eggs.

 Next, I used my Target dollar section alphabet stamp set that is probably my most favorite ever dollar find.  Ever! 

And stamped our names on each rock. 

 How fun is this?

For the nest, I just kind of shaped it to look nest-like and used spray adhesive to keep the mess to a minimum so it would all stick together.  

It helped a lot but I am going to have to accept there may be some fall out. 

When I do the set up, I am bringing one of those lint rollers.

The nest was also a little dark for the look I was going for so I spray painted it white as well. 

Not completely but enough.

 I also added the slightest bit of sparkle with some really fine glitter.  I was not looking for anything obvious to bling the nest out.  I just wanted something subtle so that when candles are lit, it will sparkle a little.

 Can you see it a little here?  The sun kept hiding from me but I do detect some sparkles. :)

 Don't the eggs look so cute in there?

They totally rock. ;)

My husband also helped me again when I asked him to carve our last name into the branch.

(now you can friend me on FB...but I am never on there.)

Then I cut some fabric leaves that will compliment the fabric chargers and finish off the branch.
The following photos are blurry because my camera was on the wrong setting. Sorry!

I made the leaves by folding the fabric in half and then cutting it out, and gluing the leaf pieces together.
This way, the right side of the fabric is on both sides.
It looks like a green, flowery mustache, doesn't it?

I needed to pinch the bottom and glue to give the fabric some stability using a glue gun.
And clearly some paint just prior to snapping this pic.

 Then I simply glued the pinched leaves on the branches.

 

 

Our Family Nest.

I am pretty excited about how this turned out. And I love the idea of doing this for so many things.
How about a wedding with the couple's names in the nest?  How cute would that be?
Or a baby shower with pink or blue eggs.
Oh, or  a way to announce a baby gender?
My mind is whirling with ideas!

We are almost there to the completed tablescape!
What do you think so far? I would love to hear from you!

Until tomorrow sweet friends...

linking to this week: