(NAPSA)—Wake up and smell the coffee! Old tin food containers—especially coffee cans—can serve as the basis for a charming centerpiece for a kitchen table or casual dining area. Appropriately enough thecoffee cans are filled with coffee beans and their welcoming aroma. Plain white pillar candles work well but decorative ones add floral touch to the design. The following recipe for creating a Vintage Coffee Can centerpiece comes from “Suddenly a Centerpiece,” (Creative Publishing international, $16.95). In this book author Sher Simon, a floral consultant, offers 25 projects to transform a dining table. Each centerpiece is easy yet interesting. No crafting experience is required and you may already have many of the materials involved. Here are Simon’s tips on creating a coffee can centerpiece: Elements Vintage painted tin tray Three small tin coffee cans 2 lb. coffee beans Three pillar candles Putting It Together 1. Set the coffee cans on thetray. 2. Fill the cans three-quarters full with coffee beans. 3. Wiggle the candles about 2” into the coffee beans until they feel secure and look the right height. While the coffee’s brewing, take time to savor the decorating possibilities inherent in decorating with antique coffeetins. Adaptions Replace the candles with potted geraniums Other possibilities for fillers are dry beansor elbow macaroni * Replace a candle with a small vase of fresh flowers. Choose something friendly and bright such as gerbera daisies. Other possibilities for tin cans are biscuit tins and nuttins. Don’t use paper food packages since these could catchfire. This coffee tin project is but one of many surprisingly easy projects found in the one-of-a-kind book. The designs include centerpieces for every season, holiday gatherings and casual or special entertaining. “Suddenly a Centerpiece”is available where books are sold, including online at www.creative pub.com.
