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Turn an Antique Grater into a Flower Vase

November 14, 2013 by Barb 37 Comments

When I saw a rusty old grater at my favourite junque store, it didn’t take me but two seconds to scoop it up and tuck it under my arm. If anyone else was looking at it, they were going to have to fight me for it…

The tag suggested that it could be used as a candle holder, and yes, that would work, but I had other plans. The globe thistles (echinops) that I had harvested from my garden and were drying in our basement were crying out for a home.
antique, flower vase, echinops, barb brookbank, keeping with the times

I knew instinctively that the rustic style and greyish tones would be the perfect complement to these quirky, spiky flowers.

Antique-Grater

I was quite surprised at the top of it. What would this grid have been used for?

antique grater, flower vase, barb brookbank, keeping with the times

Well, no matter. I saw the perfect flower frog! What a treasure!!

I donned my (thickest) garden gloves, stripped away most of the very prickly leaves, trimmed the stems, and stuck them into the grid. I put the tallest stems in the middle, and the shorter ones at the edges. Piece of cake.

I love it when a project comes together so easily. I couldn’t wait to post until Friday so here it is today…

Have a wonderful Thursday! and see you tomorrow!

Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors

Filed Under: DIY AND CRAFTS, HOME DECOR Tagged With: diy, flower, friday finds, kim klassen, photoshop

Comments

  1. Gail says

    November 14, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Great idea! Careful handling it though.

    Reply
  2. TexWisGirl says

    November 14, 2013 at 9:40 am

    a perfect stem holder! awesome find!

    Reply
  3. Carol says

    November 14, 2013 at 10:33 am

    That is wonderful! I have never seen a round grater before – love it! As for the “frog” perhaps it was used to cut fries?

    Reply
    • Barb says

      November 14, 2013 at 10:40 am

      Thank you, Carol! I was wondering the same thing, and it would make sense!

      Reply
  4. Cheryl L. says

    November 14, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Carol is right. This is the side to cut French fries, carrot sticks, etc. Aren’t the old kitchen gadgets wonderful!

    Reply
  5. Viv says

    November 14, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Gorgeous the colours complement each other.

    Reply
  6. Rosie Grey says

    November 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    What a great find and idea – I’ve never seen anything like this before!

    Reply
  7. Dotti says

    November 14, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    A beautiful example of repurposing a cast-off. Ever so clever you are!

    Reply
  8. Roxi says

    November 14, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    So very cool! I’ve never seen a globe thistle. I love this!

    Reply
  9. Barbara Hurst says

    November 15, 2013 at 5:47 am

    Guess you just made something into another for sure. It does look somewhat like a flower frog for sure. An and attractive one at that. Good find Barb

    Reply
  10. kelly kardos says

    November 15, 2013 at 7:23 am

    Hi Barb…seriously adorable. I’m filing this away for when I go to the Vintage Faire.

    Reply
  11. cathy @ ma vie trouvee says

    November 15, 2013 at 7:39 am

    A wonderful Friday find! How creative and the perfect flower for this. Love that roll of ribbon too!

    Reply
  12. Tiaras & Tantrums says

    November 15, 2013 at 8:03 am

    yes, that is pretty perfect!

    Reply
  13. Sarah C says

    November 15, 2013 at 8:50 am

    Stunning!

    Reply
  14. Jill says

    November 15, 2013 at 9:02 am

    Really neat!

    Reply
  15. Linda says

    November 15, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Coming from Diana Rambles Pin Party. Pinning. Love your mantra. I love doing new things, learning new things. Linda

    Reply
  16. Michelle B says

    November 15, 2013 at 10:37 am

    What a great find! The colors go together wonderfully. I’m going to keep an eye out for one of those graters at the next flea market!

    Reply
  17. Nina says

    November 15, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Hi Barb, your creativity is so inspiring – this is absolutely lovely! A great idea …. and your Photos are so beautifully composed – the ribbons are very pretty as well.

    Reply
  18. Beverly says

    November 15, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Oh am I in love with these colors, and the find! Beautiful and such a nice “wintery” mix.

    Reply
  19. Kristen @ Creative Iphoneography says

    November 16, 2013 at 10:03 am

    Wow! What a great find and idea! Way to be resourceful ~ and the photos you took are marvelous!

    Reply
  20. Lori says

    November 16, 2013 at 10:36 am

    What a great find! I think Donna over at Funky Junk would have wrestled you for that one! Catching up today on comments ~ love that sunset photo and how you made an imperfect table look beautiful. Happy weekend.

    Reply
  21. Feli Caravaca says

    November 17, 2013 at 5:47 am

    So Beautiful composition of flowers, and inspiring!

    Reply
  22. Funky Junk Interiors says

    November 18, 2013 at 10:21 pm

    Barb, your photography is just OUT of this world. I’m sorry it took me so long to clue in. :) I know who you are… I know your wreaths a mile away. Girl, it’s time you get featured. And this sifter flower vase did it for me. I Love That Junk and various other places around the land will be catching a glimpse of this beauty! Thanks for linking up!

    Reply
    • Barb says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:38 am

      Donna, I’m overwhelmed! I woke up this morning to more followers on fb than I thought I would see in a lifetime! I am so grateful – your feature has given me the break I was looking for. You’re influence is magical, and you’re an angel for sharing your success! Thank you so much!!
      I’ve been working hard on my photography, and it has really evolved since I started my blog. I’m thrilled that you like it!

      Reply
  23. Jeanette @ Creating a Life says

    November 19, 2013 at 12:23 am

    Just beautiful! Your photos are simply amazing.

    Reply
  24. Susan says

    November 19, 2013 at 4:51 am

    I love repurposing kitchen items… and Donna is right your pictures are awesome!
    Susan

    Reply
  25. Babette says

    November 19, 2013 at 8:19 am

    Very interesting! I have never seen such a use for a grater. You are so creative. :)
    Many Blessings to you!!!
    Babette

    Reply
  26. Denise... On a Whim says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:23 am

    What a fantastic find with that grate in the top! So perfect for a vase and it looks lovely!

    Reply
  27. Sue says

    November 23, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    How perfect is that grater?? I’m in LOVE with it! What a find!! Enjoy your photo’s on IG and thought I’d take a peek at your blog! Can’t wait to spend some time reading your previous posts! Thank you for sharing! :)

    Reply
  28. karen@somewhatquirky says

    December 13, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    I’m incredibly envious of your grater! I collect vintage graters and have never seen one like this! Just love it!

    Reply
  29. Kaleen Green says

    December 25, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    The top was to cut French fries,but it is a great idea for a built in frog.

    Reply
  30. Kaleen Green says

    December 25, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    The to was use for cutting French fries. But it makes for a great built in frog.

    Reply
  31. Suzanne says

    January 16, 2014 at 6:20 am

    This is such a wonderful idea. Your ‘treasure’ is perfect as a vase and I love your ‘thistles’. The colors are amazing!
    Thanks for the inspiration,
    Suzanne
    Pieced Pastimes

    Reply
  32. judy domschke says

    February 22, 2014 at 9:09 am

    scrolling through and saw this round grater. I have my grandmothers and that is what they used the top for (french fries) great idea, I love it!

    Reply
  33. Louise says

    July 7, 2014 at 2:19 am

    Fabulous idea, over here in the UK, I don’t think I would find such a similiar item, but if ever I do, I shall know exactly what to do with it! Love it!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Good Morning Friday! says:
    November 22, 2013 at 7:35 am

    […] found out about the power of a helping hand in blogland. Last Friday, I posted my Antique Grater to the Party Junk linky at Funky Junk Interiors. Tuesday morning when I checked my fb page, I […]

    Reply
  2. Opätovné využitie strúhadla na syr | kreativita.info says:
    January 17, 2014 at 11:26 am

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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