Archives for February, 2010
Posted on Feb 24, 2010 under silk flowers |
Silk flower arrangements are beautiful additions to your home. Whether you place them in your living room, dining room bedroom or even your kitchen, they fill your senses with their beauty.
You can find silk flower arrangements in every imaginable style, color and arrangement, from silk ferns with bamboo in a pot to window ledge planters and magnificent table centerpieces. The wonder of silk flowers is how very realistic they are. You want to walk up and smell them, they’re so real. Along with that feature, they are easy to care for and keep clean. And, there are no allergies to be found in silk flowers. No water spills on fine furniture, either and they don’t die while you’re away from home!
Several years ago I decorated my home for my daughter’s wedding with stalks of silk grape leaves and crystallized grapes on an arch covered with chiffon, all in shades of lavender to wine. It was absolutely outstanding! I didn’t think I was creative enough to do something like that! She and her husband loved it. The arch and chiffon and flowers were used in several other weddings by those who saw it at my home.
Silk flowers are easy to keep clean. You can do several different things to maintain their beauty. They may be cleaned with a feather duster, canned air, or an ozone-safe spray for silk flowers. After time, you can swish them in warm, soapy water and then gently rinse and hang to dry. They are remarkably sturdy.
I have a quantity of different silk flower arrangements and loose blossoms that I change from time to time, storing the unused ones in plastic bags and perhaps a box if there’s a chance of crushing.
The more exotic combinations of silk flowers such as orchids and feathers can be expensive, but not as costly as live ones that don’t last long. Often, special treatment is required to maintain live potted flowers…and, if you’re not constant in that maintenance, they’ll die. No fun there!
Technorati Tags: FlowersDo, Green, Require, silk, Thumb
Posted on Feb 24, 2010 under dried flowers |
Lavender flowers and products provide soothing fragrance and relaxation. Some varieties of lavender maintain nearly their full aroma when dried. The Provence and Grosso lavender variety is has excellent fresh and dried fragrance: this is the type of lavender grown at Laura’s Lavender. Dried lavender flowers can be used in sachets or arranged in bowls for adding soothing scents to your home. Dried lavender flowers can even be used in cooking such as recipes for shortbread cookies. Dried lavender can also be added a bubble bath to make fragrant as well as fun!
Some of the choices you have for putting to use your dried lavender flowers are discussed here:
Insect repellent – lavender is a natural insect repellent. Hang bunches near your door and on the window sill to keep insects at bay. Place a handful of dried lavender blossoms under the doormat. Dried lavender flowers can also be used under your car seats or in the trunk to keep insects away.
Lavender oil – bunches of dried lavender flowers are used to extract lavender essential oils. A good recipe for making some lavender oil at home is this: 1) Tie some dried lavender flowers together and lightly crush them; 2) Place the crushed blossoms in a jar with some olive oil and let sit in a dark place for 7-10 days; 3) Strain and discard the crushed lavender blossoms and bits, cap tightly and use the oil for cleansing, moisturizing and massaging.
Freshener – If you want to avoid sewing your own sachets, simply tie up some of the dried lavender flowers together into a loop by bending up the stems. Leave the ends free; tie the bunch with a ribbon. Hang the dried lavender bundle in your wardrobe to freshen up your clothes. A loop of dried lavender flowers can even be slipped under the seat of your car.
Sachets or pouches – for those people, who have the skill to sew, make pouches or sachets with muslin cloth and fill them up with handfuls of dried lavender flowers. Use these under your pillow to fight insomnia and dream of beautiful lavender filled fields! Hang in clothes closets and drawers to ward off moths. Dried lavender flowers have and even a stronger aroma when it is warm so place them in sunny locations around the house.
Tea – Dried lavender flowers can be added to green tea to add flavor and fragrance to your daily cuppa! Lavender tea can also be prepared and many recipes are available online.
Gift wrappings – during the holiday season or for a wedding gift, use handfuls of dried lavender buds and flowers and add them to the wrapping. Dried lavender flower may also be spread at the bottom of the box before wrapping up the gift. Wedding/ birthday gifts can be made special by adding some dried lavender flowers in the folds of tissue papers! These could also be added to greeting cards as fragrant confetti. Not only will the soothing scent of lavender bring a smile to the recipient, it will keep the gift fragrant for weeks.
Cooking – dried lavender flowers can be used to simmer over the stove. Lavender is a member of the mint family and increases the flavor and appearance of food. Try adding some dried lavender flowers to your salads for a fragrant flavor! English lavender is considered the sweetest and is used most commonly in cooking.
As you can see, dried lavender flowers have many uses and many more are possible with a little creativity!
Technorati Tags: Dried, flowers, lavender, uses
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under wreaths |
- GKI/Bethlehem Lighting offers this lovely lighted designer berry 24-inch wreath.
- This soft mauve and cream berry wreath is lighted with 35 clear/white frosted mini lights and is perfect for every occasion.
- What a perfect way to add cheer and color to your home, patio, garden, party or celebration.
- This wreath plugs into your 110V outlet!
- Lights are UL listed for indoor/outdoor use.
Product Description
GKI/Bethlehem Lighting is the best in holiday and home decor lighting. These soft designer pre-lit wreaths and garlands are perfect to decorate your home, your office and your party celebrations. Use in your home, at the office, in the patio or in your garden–add a soft ambiance for every occasion…. More >>
GKI Bethlehem Lighting 35 Clear/White Frost Mini Light Designer Soft Mauve and Cream Berry 24-Inch Wreath
Technorati Tags: 24Inch, Berry, Bethlehem, Clear/White, cream, Designer, Frost, light, lighting, Mauve, mini, Soft, Wreath
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under how to dry flowers |
For those who love flowers and love having outdoor and indoor flowers around their home, they know that winter can be a tough season on their plants. Cut flowers and potted flowering plants such as poinsettias and flowering bulbs can last longer when one adopts a few flower care techniques.
The following is a list of tips on how to make your flowers last through the winter:
Potted Flowers
1.When selecting a potted plant, the best choice would be a plant where there is just the bud that is showing. If there is no plant with just a bud, then pick a plant with bright green leaves. The plant you choose should not have roots protruding from the drainage holes. If there are roots this means the plant is root bound and should not be chosen
2.Fill a water catcher with small stones. Fill the water catcher with enough water to barely cover the top of the stones.
3.Water the plant. Pour the water until it coming out of the drainage holes. Place your potted plant on top of the stones in the water catcher.
3.Place your potted plant in an area where it will be exposed to about 6 hours of sun each day. Temperatures of the room that the plant is in should be about 60 degrees F., even at night.
4.Whenever there are dead leaves and faded flowers, remove them.
5.Keep the water fresh and clean.
Cut Flowers
1.Prepare a vase for the flowers. Get your favorite vase and thoroughly wash it with dish detergent. Rinse the vase thoroughly and dry it.
2.When selecting your flowers, pick flowers that have just begun to open or are still a bud.
3.Place the stems in a container of cold water. While the stems are soaking in the water re-cut the stems by using a pair of scissors. When you cut the stems, make sure you cut it on a slant to allow for better water uptake. Take out any leaves that are in the water.
4.Fill the vase with half water and half with citrus soda such as Sprite. A teaspoon of sugar added to the water is a suitable replacement for citrus soda. You can add a few drops of lemon to the mix if you do not use citrus soda. Add the appropriate amount of flower food. Add a 1 tsp. of bleach. Mix and then add the flowers and arrange them.
5.Place the vase of flowers in a cool area out of the sun for about 2 hours. This will help the flower absorb the water/food mixture thereby increasing the lifespan of the flowers.
6.Put your vase of flowers in a place that is away from direct sunlight, drafts, and excess heat such heating vents. At night, place your arrangement in the refrigerator, but remember to take it out in the morning. Change the water and food every few days.
If properly cared for, you can extend the life of cut flowers and keep potted plants throughout the winter.
Technorati Tags: flowers, last, Through, winter
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under dried foliage |
Perennials are the shining stars in a full bloom garden. Every year I look forward to planning and planting perennial flowers. It’s probably my favorite garden experience. Because they blossom only three to six weeks you want to insure you always have plants in bloom. So just like annuals, you need to be aware of your plants specific growing needs. Be aware of their climate zones.
Perennials are a little fussier than annuals to temperature requirements. We generally buy our flowers from our garden center in order to take advantage of the short bloom seasons of these plants. The majority of perennials require well-drained soil conditions. If you have low lying areas in your garden it would be wise to not plant perennials there because standing water and soggy soil can damage the roots and very likely kill your plants.
If your garden annuals and other assorted plants require a richer soil than most perennials like you can find some perennials that also prefer those conditions. This goes back to knowing the plants requirements and if you can provide the optimum growing conditions for them. Talk to other gardeners that may be able to provide tips on your particle planting needs.
Perennials need less watering than your vegetables. My suggestion is to just keep an eye on them. If you notice they are beginning to wilt you know they are thirsty. Water the plants when they are young, or during unusually dry conditions. Make sure to water deeply or skip watering all together.
Keep in mind when your design your garden flowers to keep the shorter plants up front so as not to be hidden by the taller plants. When we plant our flowers we try to plant contrasting foliages next to each. This is our favorite method because the foliage contrast can be as appealing as your flowers. Water your perennials after you transplant them. After digging the hole fill it with water and let it drain before placing your plant in the hole. Water the plants deeply.
I hope you enjoy planning and planting your perennials as much as we do!
Technorati Tags: garden, Kitchen, perennials, Shining, Stars
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under silk flowers |
Find a comfortable chair, sit down, lend me your ear for five minutes, and I’ll tell you how to seize the beauty of flowers but with none of the maintenance commitment. The secret to water free, sunlight neglect and allergy free pollen is to buy silk flowers over real ones. Hey, sit down you promised me five minutes to try and persuade you to buy artificial flowers.
Before I get started let’s take thirty seconds to visualize the most beautiful bouquet. Go ahead, visualize the flowers — guess what? They’re not real flowers they are silk. That was just a little exercise to show you the life-like properties of quality silk flowers.
Now that you understand that you can have the same real flower beauty through silk flowers think about the fact that you’ll never have to water again. No more filling up spouted buckets or glasses from your cupboards. No more cleaning up spills from over watering. Buy silk flowers and save on water.
Never dance the awkward steps of “too much, too little sunlight.” Buy silk flowers and place them where ever you want. Lock them up in the closet for twenty years but do you want to know something remarkable? After twenty years they will still look as beautiful as ever. Try locking up your roses for a week and see what happens.
Allergy season is a witch. Stuffiness, sneezing, redness and swelling are just a few symptoms caused by pollen floating around. Now ask yourself, are real flowers worth all that tissue? I don’t think so. Buy silk flowers and forever be pollen free, well, at least in your home. If you can’t go without that fresh flower smell then you can scent your silk flowers, too.
I don’t doubt that by know you’re searching the Internet for pictures of high quality silk flowers right? Was it the part about never having to water, or the part about the awkward sunlight dance? It was probably the pollen free home that pushed you over the edge. Whatever the reason, buy silk flowers and make your life a whole lot easier.
Technorati Tags: flowers, silk
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under dried pods |
They say that disco is dead, I say it has been reinvented. Saturday night fever may not be high on the agenda, but all that is disco is back on the club scene and the folks are funking it up in a multi decade mash-up. The eclectic taste of the I pod generation covers everything from James Brown to Britney Spears, with a liberal dose of Debbie Harry and Liberty X. The rules are out of the window, like the veritable rock n roll TV leaving a 5th floor hotel room.
One of the oddest reinventions of the new disco generation is the introduction of headphones in the club. I’ve also heard a rumour that this has been happening at festivals across the country. To combat noise complaints and yet keep the little pixies dancing all night long, wireless headphones are being used as part of the PA system. I can’t quite comprehend how odd it would be to walk in to a dance tent or nightclub, with thousands of people quietly raving. It is a surreal notion, and one that requires a bit of contemplation. Surely its failure would lie in all those folks singing along. What is going to keep them quiet? Sure, it’s not going to be anywhere near as loud as a 35k rig, but it’s going to be a cacophony of wailing cat noises and people still screaming at their mate asking if they want a pint.
The quality of such a system can’t be up to much either. One of the greatest things about going to a really loud rave is the feeling of the bass travelling through your body. Standing in front of the speakers and feeling the air moving with the sound waves, rumbling through, from your toes to your nose. That experience is not going to happen from a pair of headphones. Maybe they have air blasting speaker simulation systems and an earthquake machine or something. Ah, as long as the music is good, the people will dance.
I’m more of a trad disco girl myself, a bit of Jackson 5 or the Bee Gees; a dance floor that is lit up like Manhattan with a liberal injection of dry ice and the obligatory disco ball keep me a happy little dancing bunny. Although I really don’t want to take part in the weird wireless disco vibe, I’m ready to make a move toward the new days of disco. I was miffed enough as it was when CD decks took over from vinyl, and all my DJ friends were up in arms at bedroom DJ’s making up disks and just ‘sticking them on’. The move from vinyl to CD seemed to somehow be cheating at being a DJ as far as the professionals were concerned. I thought it gave other people a chance to play their music, and is surely less painful than carting a flight case of vinyl around the place!
However, the iPod disco babies have another trick up their sleeve, a DJ-less club night. The new style disco nights consists of anyone in the club plugging in their iPod for 3 songs, any songs, and cutting out the mix master altogether. Hang the DJ or what! This is not a good move; the jockey of discdom provides a seasoned and reasoned entertainment service. As a selector of tunes, the DJ seamlessly spins one tune into another, judging the mood of the crowd and dancing them into a crescendo. A spotty Herbert with iPod can’t match that, but an old bloke called DJ Derek can. I was fortunate enough o watch his set at a festival recently and there he was, 75 years old, with his iPod plugged in to the PA and he has the whole crowd grooving to the funkiest tunes this side of the 70s. Goes to show that a good workman doesn’t have to blame his tools – Hail DJ Derek and the return of the Disco Days!
Technorati Tags: Blame, Disco, Equipment, Hang
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under dried flowers |
Fresh cut flowers add vibrancy and color to any room. When people receive a gift of fresh cut flowers, they want to keep them for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep fresh cut flowers.
The following are a list of tips to help you take care of your fresh cut flowers:
1. Remove the flowers from the wrapping and cut the stem on a slant (about 3 cm) as this will expose more of the stem to the water. Remove any leaves that will be in the water. For roses, do not remove the thorns as it will cause them to deteriorate at a much faster rate. Place the flowers in a vase of water. Lukewarm water should be used as it contains less oxygen than cold water which reduces the amount of air bubbles likely to form in the stem’s system. Distilled water is the best water to use. Use cold water for bulb flowers such as hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils. Add flower food to the water. Do not use metal containers as they reduce the effect of flower food. The stems should extend half way down the vase. As well, your vase should not contain any residue which can be a haven for bacteria that can cause flowers to wilt.
2. Flowers stay fresh in the light and at temperatures of 65-72F. Warm temperatures cause flowers to deteriorate faster so they keep them in a cooler room and out of direct sunlight. As well, keep them away from any appliance that gives of heat. Make sure you keep the flowers away from open drafts such as open windows.
3. Keep cut flowers away from fruit. Fruit releases ethylene gas that causes flowers to age quicker.
4. Daffodils should be placed in their own vase because the stems of these flowers give off a substance that is toxic to other flowers. Keep flowers out of direct sunlight
5. You should spray the flowers with a mild mist of water daily and remove any dying flowers and dried up leaves. Flower food contains a biocide which helps inhibits bacteria growth. The food can be purchased at local florists and nurseries. If you do not have a plant food packet, add a little sugar to water.
6. Take care of the flowers every day. Remove wilted flowers. Rotting flowers and leaves can make the water toxic to flowers. Change the water every 2 days. Make sure you add a preservative each time you change the water. You can also re-cut the stem for better water absorption. The lower the temperature of the room, the longer the flowers will last. It is important to be aware that flowers in temperatures below four degrees will diminish faster.
Most people receive flowers for a special occasion such as Valentines Day, Mother’s Day…etc, so they want the flowers to last for a long time. By implementing the above tips, you will be able to enjoy your fresh cut flowers for a longer period of time.
Technorati Tags: care, flowers, fresh, Taking, tips
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under wreaths |
I always know when the Christmas season has officially begun when my mom and dad tell my brother and I that it is time to shop for a new Christmas wreath. Every year on the first of December we go as a family to pick out a wreath for the front door. I really like helping pick out a Christmas wreath because it is the first thing people see when they walk up to our house, so we always pick out a Christmas wreath that is sure give visitors a warm welcome.
There are always a lot of different wreaths to choose from. We always see a lot of wreaths made out of plastic that are covered with decorations like lights or fake fruit, and sometimes we see wreaths that are made out of shiny tinsel. Plastic and tinsel wreaths can be really pretty, but I wouldn’t want one hanging on our door because our guests may think our welcome is fake, just like the wreath. One time I saw a wreath that was made out of feathers! A lady told us that they were fake peacock feathers, and that they are supposed to bring good luck to the home. The feathers were really bright blue and green, and even though it was beautiful we decided that it just wasn’t Christmas-y enough. We want a wreath that reminds people that it is the most joyous time of the year!
My favorite Christmas wreaths are definitely fresh wreaths, because they smell as good as they look. Last year we picked out a fresh Douglas Fir wreath that we decorated with pine cones and ribbons, and I always loved walking up to the front door after school. There’s nothing like smelling Christmas as you walk up to the front door! Any problems I might have had during the day just melt away when I smell that fresh wreath. Every time I see a fresh Christmas wreath it reminds me of home. It reminds me of walking through the front door to find my mom baking gingerbread cookies and warming up by the fire after playing in the snow. Fresh Christmas wreaths remind me and my family of all the good the holidays have to offer.
That is why every year we always pick out a fresh Christmas wreath for our front door, even if we look at all the other types of wreaths first. I just don’t think that any other type of wreath would be as welcoming as a fresh wreath and they don’t have that Christmas-y smell. My dad always tells us that a wreath symbolizes eternal joy, and I can see why he says that. Every time I get home from school and see a wreath on the door the joy of Christmas fills my heart.
Technorati Tags: christmas, shopping, Wreath
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under how to dry flowers |
Drying roses with this method is fairly easy, and they turn out beautiful. Mine usually are mistaken for being freeze dried roses. First you’ll need a microwave safe bowl, one big enough that the entire rose will fit completely into. Next you’ll need silica gel, which can be purchased at a craft store. Silica gel is a granule-based substance, similar to the texture of sugar, which pulls moisture out of objects. It usually has blue “indicator” crystals in the gel showing you how much water has been absorbed. Cut the rose about 1/4 inch or so from the actual rose flower. This is perfect length for use in a wreath. If you need a longer stem for an arrangement, you’ll need to use floral tape and wrap a floral wire to it to create a stem. It is best to cut the rose late morning after all the dew is totally dry. Harvest the rose as it is in the early stage of full bloom. You don’t want it at the point that is has fully opened wide. Put about 1/2 inch or so of silica gel into the bottom of the bowl. Set the short stem of the rose into the gel. Begin slowly with a spoon to fill the bowl totally around the outside of the rose. Then gently sprinkle the gel onto the top of the rose. The gel will begin to work its way into some of the layers of the petals. Finally take the silica gel and completely cover the rose. At this point the rose should be fully buried in the silica gel. Microwaves vary on their power, but as a starting point put the bowl in, and set the microwave on the lowest setting and microwave for 2 minutes. This is the part that you’ll need to tweak with by experimenting with your particular microwave. Let the rose sit in the silica gel for about 3 hours or so. After that time gently dump the silica and the rose into another container to get the rose out. Take a soft artists’ paintbrush and gently brush off the silica gel that you can. Take a clothespin and clip the bottom of the rose stem, with a wire to the clothespin, and hang the rose upside down for a few days in a darkened room preferably. This will finish drying the rose completely. Take the soft paintbrush again and brush off any remaining crystals. Your rose is now ready for use. Roses will change color some from fresh to this dried state. Some of the discolorations will be for the good; some will be not so good. It depends on the rose variety. Try different ones and you’ll soon find your favorites. If you rose turns out brown however, it’s because you micro waved either at too high of a setting or too long or both, and it literally cooked. Back those down and try again. When the silica gel crystals start to turn a pink color, put the silica in a baking pan and cook for 1/2 hour or so according to directions in the oven until the indicators turn blue again. This evaporates the water in the crystals so they can be used again.
Technorati Tags: microwave, roses
