A wedding cake we did using amazing silk flowers in a cascade with rhinestone trim around each tier and the couple’s initials on top done in “cake jewelry.” Real wedding cake bling. The cake “paparazzi” (ie, the bakery employees) were out in full force taking pictures of this with their phones!
Product Description
The Garden Of Eden Collection is designed with pink and green silk hydrangea, natural larkspur, yarrow, caspia, bear grass and sinuata with a satin pink ribbon for accent…. More >>
Decorating your home for the holidays can be so simple. Those of you with very busy schedules may want to consider an area in your home that you can transform in to a showcase vignette that can be easily changed out for each holiday. For this project we choose a kitchen garden window.
Step 1 – Position a suction cup hook to the inside of your garden window determining the height that your wreath will hang from. Next, begin by wrapping multi-colored red and white satin ribbon to the top of the resin berry wreath creating a pretty bow. For this step, take the stained glass holly ornament and hang it on to the suction cup hook. The stained glass ornament becomes a sun catcher as well as a focal point. Once your bow is secured in place, position your wreath on the suction hook with the bow at the top.
Step 2 – Below on the window base, set a desert serving tray (we used a brown metal tray and added a small Christmas desert plate to the base of it). This now becomes a display stand to showcase some of your favorite decorative kitchen items. Next, fill one small outdoor ceramic pot with fresh red berries, then insert a rustic moose ornament and a small pinecone pick to add an outdoor woodsy feel. Next, position 3 small artificial pears next to the pot which will add a nice Christmas kitchen theme touch.
Step 3 – A Christmas sleigh was added to balance the look of the display and to house 2 small artificial potted herbs. A small Christmas country style wired ornament hangs from the sleigh reminding us of the holiday season. In the center of the window base, another small outdoor ceramic pot with a red bow tied around the top rim of it was added. As a final touch fill the ceramic pot with fresh red berries, an outdoor find.
Supplies: Step 1
Supplies: Step 2
Supplies: Step 3
Sandy from Afloral.com shows you how to make a beautiful and unique european dish garden using silk flowers.
This is a very simple decorating idea for that garden window of yours that screams out for attention. Use a lovely resin berry wreath, accented with a stunning heart shaped ornament, and accessorize around it with other some other eye catching décor for a conversation generating Valentines Day decorating idea.
Step 1 – For this project, you will need to position a large suction cup hook to the garden window determining the height that your wreath will hang from. Next, begin by wrapping multi-colored red and white satin ribbon to the top of the resin berry wreath creating a pretty bow. For this step take the silver heart shaped ornament and hang it on to the suction cup. Once your bow is secured in place, position your wreath on the suction hook with the bow at the top.
Step 2 – On the base of your garden window, set a desert serving tray (we used a brown metal one). Take a small glass cake stand (we used a pink scalloped one), and flip it over so that the stand it facing up and position it on top of your desert serving tray. This now becomes a display stand to showcase some of your favorite decorative kitchen items that you can incorporate in to your Valentine vignette display. For this project we also used a red beaded heart shaped ornament to rest on the top of the cake stand, a vintage red and white ceramic rooster, 1 strand of clear glass shaped grapes, and a small silver heart shaped ornament to set the stage at the base of the upside down cake stand.
Step 3 – When doing a grouping, it’s always best to work with odd numbers. So in this case, to tie the wreath and serving tray together, a third piece was added to balance the look of the display. We used a small outdoor ceramic cranberry colored pot. Next using pink sheered wire ribbon, tie a bow around the pot and fill with 3 small artificial golden colored pears. Then, insert a decorative store bought Valentine pick. To soften the window, try adding a red fabric knit by draping it around the base of your window.
Supplies: Step 1
Supplies: Step 2
Supplies: Step 3
You’ve nourished your herbs and lovingly watched as they developed from seeds and grew into beautiful plants. Your herbs have been a joy to grow and now your efforts will be rewarded by their many exceptional uses. Yes, your home herb garden has been a little work but it has been well worth it.
Now it’s time to harvest and recognizing when your herbs are ready is a very big key to maximizing their benefits. Elements such as the heat and the wind can rob important herb oils. So try to select a midsummer morning that is dry and calm to collect your bounty. Herbs do not produce as much oil on days that are very wet. On the harvesting morning wait till the dew dries from the herb leaves, and just prior to its flowers opening, to harvest your herbs. By the way, we’re not talking about digging up the whole plant at this stage. We just want to take the amount of herb leaves that we need, either for present use or to preserve them for a later use. It’s important to not remove greater than a third of the leaves during a single harvest. Your plants will continue their growth better by taking no more foliage than this. Also, before harvesting, be sure and check for insects and injured leaves prior to harvesting.
Generally, folks preserve their herbs in three ways: a salt or vinegar preservation medium, freezing, or drying.
Preserving Herbs Using a Medium
Herbs like basil, chopped mint, or tarragon can be preserved for several months just by covering with vinegar. You can also alternate layers of fresh herbs and flavored salt to preserve herbs. Once they’re totally dry, divide the herbs from the salt and place in an airtight container. Certainly, herbs are most frequently used fresh out of the garden. Just be sure to clean the herbs prior to use in your favorite recipes. A great way to clean herbs fresh from the garden is to put them in a sink or bowl containing cool water. The sink is definitely the way to go if you are cleaning a fair amount of herbs. You’ll also want to add about two tablespoons of salt into the water. This will drive away any insects without harming the herbs. Now you can dry your herbs in a salad spinner or a method of your choosing.
Freezing Herbs – A pretty easy process of preserving.
1. Cut into quarter inch sections.
2. Place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
3. Put them in the freezer
4. Once frozen, put the herbs in a freezer bag and return them to the freezer till needed.
Easy Steps for Drying Herbs
1. Take 6 -12 stems and group them together. Check the base of the stems and remove any foliage.
2. Tie the bundle with a string
3. Then hang them in a cool place apart from sunlight.
Drying Individual Leaves
1. Use a rack or screen to place the leaves on
2. Flip the leaves often so that they dry correctly
You can also use an appliance like a dehydrator, microwave, or oven for the drying process but many people have found this method to be less satisfying.
Freezing Herbs – A simple process for preserving.
1. Cut into quarter inch sections.
2. Place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
3. Put them in the freezer
4. Once frozen, put the herbs in a freezer bag and return them to the freezer till needed.
Remember, each herb is unique in its uses. Each herb has its own instructions in using, harvesting, and chopping as well. Learning about the herbs you are growing will help you to use them correctly and enjoy the maximum benefits your home herb garden is sure to provide.
