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Home » DIY Projects » Driftwood Tablescape

DIY Projects Faith

Driftwood Tablescape

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Vacation memories can make gorgeous décor, this driftwood tablescape is a summer vacation memory…driftwood decoration

An easy summer tablescape that anyone can make is what we’re talking about today. Not much else signals summer than the beach. Any body of water really – lake, pool or river. It’s time to take a dip and escape the heat for a while. Bringing the elements of summer in the house helps make your day at the beach last ALL day, even all year. Lots of people comb the beach for shells, but one item that is universal to all natural bodies of water is driftwood. It’s laid back soft spoken style lends itself to a relaxing summer scape. Not near a body of water? That’s ok, most craft stores now carry driftwood in a variety of sizes. This unique pieces make great vacation souvenirs too!driftwood table setting

Some of our distant cousins own souvenir shell shops in the outer banks of North Carolina and have an impressive selection of large pieces of driftwood. I use a big chunk I got from them as a perpetual decoration, you can check it out here.

driftwood table setting

The pieces I used in this project were selected from a trip to Manteo, North Carolina. Strolling through shops I came across buckets of driftwood. I knew these little pieces would be perfect for a table setting or small vignette.

driftwood table setting

To make these treasures extra special I used a woodburning tool to etch meaningful words into the tender wood. These are words that come to mind when I think about the power of the ocean. You could paint or even use a Sharpie instead.

driftwood decoration

It’s so astonishing to think about all these small scraps of wood went through to wind up on my dinner table.

Bits of trees, broken from their original source, somehow found themselves dumped in the ocean. No telling what spurred their journey…hurricane, decay, man?

driftwood decoration

Wandering in the depths they are tossed and thrown throughout the ocean. Drifting aimlessly, in whatever direction the ocean decides to push them. Following the strongest current.

driftwood decoration

Rolling.

Over and over.

And over some more.

Like clothes in the dryer.

driftwood decoration

The salty water striping them of any fragile extremities. The sun bleaching their color. As they continually thrust over the sand, new shape takes form. A softer surface, sharp edges whittled down. Banging and crashing against obstacles and items that cross their path. Each encounter refining them even more.

driftwood decoration

Until, one day, the ocean is done with them and ejects them onto shore. There they may sit and age more in the glow of the sun. Maybe they are picked up by a passerby. Either way they are completely different than when they first encountered the ocean. Of course their outward appearance is different, but their purpose is too. No longer part of a tree flowing life to leaves, driftwood has to take it’s life changing knowledge and experience to find a new purpose.

driftwood decoration

These pieces found a new purpose not only in adorning a precious summer table, but reminding me of who is in control.

driftwood table setting

Life mimics this scenario all the time. Ripped from our comfort zone and thrown into the fire of trials and adversity. Sometimes we just roll along aimlessly. Going the path of least resistance. Battered and bruised, life can hurt. Layers of our lives get peeled away until we feel exposed and raw, as if there is nothing left. Like well worn driftwood we may look in the mirror and not even recognize ourself.

driftwood table setting

This is the pivotal moment to evaluate our path. Am I following the one who can save me from drowning or am I relying on myself and others to pull me from the abyss?

driftwood table setting

Christ controls the real ocean just the same as he controls the ocean of our lives. Refining us with each toss and turn, the waves keep coming and the depth is unfathomable. In the end, He is over all of it. Never letting us roll along the sandy ocean floor for longer than we can stand (1 Corinthians 10:13). In our flesh we can’t tell the waves to cease or the undercurrent to stop pulling us out to sea. What we can do is relinquish ourselves to the one who can. Our battle for control over the trials life brings is as futile as calming the ocean.

driftwood table setting

Only when we fully recognize and turn our lives over to the one who controls the wind and the waves can we learn to find peace in the tides (Matthew 8:27). Once you give up the fight, it will just happen…you will look up and be on dry land. Freshly spit out of the mouth of the sea and ready for a brand new adventure.

driftwood tablescape

Blessings, Kim from Hunt & HostConnect more here:

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18 Comments

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Comments

  1. helloredds says

    August 17, 2015 at 12:10 PM

    You are SO creative! I love your ideas!

    I pinned a bunch of your pins to a couple of my boards today! I want others to see your stuff!

    Hope you are having a good Monday~

    Blessings,
    Melanie

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 17, 2015 at 2:20 PM

      Melanie – you are so sweet to me! I appreciate it friend and you know I love everything you do. Your articles are so right on!

      Reply
  2. anne says

    August 17, 2015 at 11:24 PM

    I LOVE this!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 19, 2015 at 5:43 PM

      thanks Ann!

      Reply
  3. Bps says

    August 18, 2015 at 7:23 AM

    beautiful visual – thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 19, 2015 at 5:43 PM

      🙂

      Reply
  4. homeonthecornerblog says

    August 26, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    I love driftwood and anything beachy! Thanks for sharing such a cute idea!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 27, 2015 at 8:42 AM

      me too…when you don’t live by the beach you have to work it in somehow! thank you!

      Reply
  5. Susan B Mead says

    August 30, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    Beautiful Kim!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 30, 2015 at 4:18 PM

      Thank you Susan 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ruthie says

    August 26, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    I, also, love anything that is ocean/beach related. Your description of how the ocean takes the driftwood and refines it then puts it on the shore reminds me that the world tosses and knocks us around in many different directions throughout our lives. However, with our faith in God and the saving grace of Jesus, we are refined and molded into works of art. When we are complete, we are placed in their loving hands and taken to live with them forever. It’s amazing how God creates all things and all things should remind us that He exists in everything and everyone!

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 27, 2017 at 9:13 PM

      thank you Ruthie, and yes we are constantly being refined, just like that driftwood. It is important and sometimes hard to remember that God is everywhere!

      Reply
  7. Betty Nelson says

    August 26, 2017 at 11:28 AM

    What a beautiful message. The pictorial presentation is lovely, but I appreciate the spiritual message you presented. I will be using some of these statements from time to time. I hope you don’t mind.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 27, 2017 at 9:18 PM

      I would be so honored, thank you and so thankful to bless you today!!!

      Reply
  8. Lisa B says

    August 26, 2017 at 8:26 PM

    Kim, I don’t know how you do it, but you always seem to send the right message at the right time when I need to hear it. Thank you. Lovely tablescape by the way! Sending you much love and many blessings.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      August 27, 2017 at 9:19 PM

      Thank you Lisa, I can assure you the timing and message have nothing to do with me. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Barbara Smith says

    August 27, 2017 at 9:33 PM

    What a wonderful devotional. Love, love, love the driftwood and your story of it. Creative idea to engrave words of hope and life! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 6, 2017 at 3:19 PM

      I LOVE driftwood, it is just so naturally gorgeous!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Kim. I believe getting your hands dirty can be a way to get your heart clean. This blog is a decorating and DIY guide to seeing God in the details of your day, hobby and home. Read more...

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