Posted on Mar 18, 2010 under dried flowers | Comments are off
Picture a constant supply of beautiful cut flowers for your home, or fresh cut flowers for friends, and special occasions. Beautiful flowers at your disposal are possible by planting a well-stocked flower garden.
To begin your flower garden, select a sunny area, as a flower garden usually requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The selected area should be easily accessible for watering, in case your climate encounters long dry spell. Another factor for your flower garden is easy access for cutting your flowers, such as a raised flowerbed. The raised flowerbed is then accessible from all sides.
Fall Bulb Planting In order to have a constant supply of flowers available, consider when each flower blooms. For instance, plant Daffodils and Tulip bulbs in the fall for the earliest spring flower. A couple of other early spring flowers to consider for fall planting are: Giant flowering onion, grows 3-4 feet tall, with large purple flowers, and blooms early spring to mid-summer, and Crocus’s bloom in early spring, though there are varieties that bloom through autumn.
Spring Planting Gladiolus bulbs can be planted in early spring for beautiful blooms from early summer through the first frost. You can plant your gladiolus bulbs as early as two weeks before the last frost. Continue to plant the gladiolus bulbs every two weeks and you will have cut flowers until the first frost.
Annuals such as snapdragons, cosmos, zinnias, etc., are also planted in early spring after the last frost. Consider the length of time it takes your annual to bloom and plant accordingly so that you will have a flower bouquet right through fall.
With a little bit of planning and a little bit of work, your home can have beautiful cut flowers all summer long. Good Luck!
For more information, visit http://www.flowergardeninfo.com and http://www.springgardenflowerguide.com
Posted on Mar 18, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
Using Herbs from a Home Herb Garden
You have planted the herbs and watched them grow and flourish. They are extremely useful in so many ways. But, using herbs from a home herb garden requires a little bit of work first.
In order to use the herbs you will need to harvest them first. Timing is a factor that cannot be ignored. The heat and the wind could break up the necessary oils of the herbs. You need to pick a dry and calm morning to harvest your herbs during midsummer. Lesser oils are yielded by the herb on days that are highly wet. The herbs need to be harvested after the dew dries form the leaves prior to the flowers opening. Removing the entire plant is not necessary when harvesting the herb. Upon reaching this point, you are just removing some amount of growth to be used. The herbs that you are harvesting aren’t necessary for use at the time that you pick them. You can preserve them for later use. Be careful to remove not more than a third of the plant’s foliage at a time. For the plant to re-grow well, it will need a good amount of foliage. Before you harvest it, you need to make certain to inspect the plant for insects and impaired leaves.
In preserving herbs, typically there are three ways for use later; drying, freezing or preserving them in salt or vinegar, which you have in your kitchen. To succeed in properly drying herbs, you will need twelve stems to bundle together and spruce away any foliage close to the base of the stems. You can use a string to securely bundle them with. In a cool location away from sunlight, there you can hang the bundle. You can use a screen or a rack if you are looking to dry leaves individually there, you can place them on. Do not forget to flip them constantly in order for them to properly dry. Few people have resorted to utilizing appliances like microwaves, dehydrators or ovens to dry herbs as well although these are ways that offer results that is less satisfactory. Freezing herbs is a quite simple way to evenly preserve herbs. Using wax paper to line with cut the herbs into ¼ inch pieces and place on a baking sheet. Once the herbs are frozen, you can put them all together in a bag and place them inside the freezer until use. Through a medium is another (third) way you can use to preserve herbs. For example, you could cover herbs like basil, chopped mint or tarragon with vinegar and for several months it will be preserved. Or by making flavored salt, you can preserve herbs by alternating layers of fresh herbs between salt. When dry completely divide the brown herb from the flavored salt and set it aside in a container that is airtight.
Sure, people use herbs often fresh right out of the garden. Use caution cleaning and preparing the herbs prior to being placed fresh in recipes. Using a bowl filled with cool water, clean the fresh herbs. You can use the sink if there is a large quantity of herbs. In the water, put around two tablespoons of salt. The salt in the water will repel away insects without causing damaging to the herb plant. Take the herbs away from the water and dry them in a salad spinner.
Various kinds of herbs are used for much variety of uses. Each different kinds of herb have their own list of instructions on how to use, harvest and chop. Make certain to research the particular type of herb you are using for correct use.
Posted on Mar 17, 2010 under wreaths | Comments are off
Adding decorative accents to your home makes all the difference in creating a warmly welcoming environment. Even better is to use your talents and imagination to create unique décor to adorn your living space! The creations are limitless when you think about it; wreaths, flower arrangements, decorated wooden plaques, dishes filled with potpourri, and homemade soaps and candles. Giving your creations out as gifts is another great way to save money while touching the hearts of those you love!
Save Money Whenever Possible
The best part about making your own décor and gifts is that you can really save some major dollars in the process! Buy dried flowers, candle-making accessories, soap makings, and potpourri ingredients at wholesale suppliers or use discounts and promotions offered by your local stores or on their Web sites. Buy wholesale dried flowers at warehouses open to the public. This is a great way to save up to 50% or more off what you’d pay at the craft stores.
Flower Arrangements
Purchase a vase or tall container (wood vases are especially eye-catching) and fill it with dramatic stalks of dried flowers and other accents that make a statement. Dried gourds on sticks, cattails, bamboo, and other long, thin accents bring an elegant touch to any of your arrangements. You can use one or two of the aforementioned items all by themselves for a bolder look. When using bunches of dried flowers in an arrangement remember not to overcrowd the container. Dried plants are delicate and can easily be damaged in a crowded situation. Look at the color scheme of your room and choose the most common color in the room as your base. Then, buy dried flowers that meet those criteria. Accent the arrangement with colors in the room that you wish to highlight; hydrangeas, cornflowers, and dried chrysanthemums are favorites.
Wreaths and Wooden Plaques
Wreaths and wooden plaques are charming additions to doorways, walls, and front doors. Plaques can be painted in any color prior to mounting flowers to them or can be customized with a family name or address. These make great personalized gifts for anyone! You can bunch dried flowers together and tie them together with floral wire and then cover the wire with a decorative ribbon. Drill a small hole into the center of the plaque to mount the flowers to the wood. You can put plaques above doorways inside or to one side of a front door for a gorgeous decoration. Wreaths are also great additions to any exterior or interior area. Extra large wreaths on the front door make for a warm and welcoming feeling for your guests. On the wall, they add charm and style to any room. You can choose fragrant flowers for either of these projects to add a pleasant fragrance.
Soaps, Candles and Potpourri
For these crafty items, fragrant flowers and essential oils are the very best materials to use because their fragrance is long-lasting and natural. Lavender flowers, dried rose petals, lemon oil, and vanilla are especially popular choices because they smell wonderful, fresh, and are non-irritating to most people’s skin. You can make your own candles, soaps and potpourris from kits and ingredients found at your local craft stores and wholesale dried flowers suppliers. Don’t forget to buy dried flowers at a discount whenever possible to save money!
Posted on Mar 16, 2010 under wreaths | Comments are off
Do you love Christmas decorations? Then don’t leave any area undecorated. Get ideas for Christmas decorating every area of your home, inside and out!If you’re like most people, you don’t have much time left at the end of a busy day to do anything extra. But at this time of year, you want to do something to make your home look festive and special and create the wonderful Christmas holiday atmosphere.You’ll find some ideas here for quick and simple ways to add a festive look to your home without spending a lot of time or money. And you’ll have time left over to really enjoy Christmas!
1st. Decorate Everything with Ribbons & BowsBows look festive and the ribbons you choose should tie together with the rest of your decorating. Choose ribbons in colors and patterns that coordinate with your decorating scheme.Tie generous ribbons to chair backs, candlesticks, picks in plants, wreaths, garlands, basket handles, drapery tie-backs, stair railings, and doorknobs.You don’t have to stick with red and green. Choose plaids or florals that tie in. If you can’t find anything that looks quite right, then choose metallic silver, gold, green, or red.Choose a ribbon that you can untie and re-tie each year. This will save money in the long run, and you’ll end up with a good collection.When the holidays are over, untie the ribbons and press them lightly. The bows won’t get crushed and the ribbons will be ready when you want to take them out the next year.2nd. Turn Off LampsArrange lots of candles on the dining table and dine by candlelight, even if you’re just having leftovers. Every meal will feel special.Burn a fire in the fireplace each evening and encourage family members to gather around and read, do homework, write Christmas cards, or snooze.Arrange pillar candles in your bathroom, on the sink or around the tub. Take time to soak and enjoy! If you have little children in your home, you should be very careful with candles around the house. Always have an adult in the room.3rd. Put Wreathes or Swags on Every DoorsPut a wreath or swag on every door you have. Of course, start with the front door to welcome guests.Go on to the back door, inside and out. Remember over the mantle, and in all your front windows. Don’t forget bedroom doors, inside and out.Use real pine, holly, or grapevine, decorated with bows, berries, fruit, pinecones, raffia, ornaments, birds, photos, or candy.4th. Use Holiday Tableware for Every Meal in DecemberLook through your cupboards and get out any dishes that look festive.Discount stores often carry seconds of name brand porcelain, as well as fun designs that are not so common.Start a set of holiday dishes with dinner plates that coordinate with your everyday dishes. Add new pieces each year, like salad plates and mugs.Note: Be sure the pattern you select will be continued from year to year.Buy 1 or 2 place settings each year. Before long, you’ll be able to serve a feast.If you’re adventuresome, choose a different pattern and one place setting each year. Arrange the different dishes around the table and get lots of comments and rekindle memories. When they’re not in use, the dishes can be displayed around the room.To keep wreaths year after year, buy artificial wreaths that will last. Remember, you’ll need room to store them!When Christmas is over and it’s time to get back to basics, you might find these organization and storage tips helpful. Get your ornaments, wreaths, garlands, and other decorations organized for next year. Other common Christmas decorations include plants such as mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias. Although church and state have been separated, many cities still sponsor secular decorations in their downtown areas such as banners and Christmas trees.
Posted on Mar 13, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
A home herb garden is a great source of fresh herbs any time of the year and has many benefits. The herbs you grow can be enjoyed fresh or preserved by drying or freezing for later use.
Herbs are tremendously useful in so many ways. Your home herb garden has been planted, watered, taken care of, and you’ve watched the plants grow and thrive. Now it’s time to learn how to use those wonderful herbs and it requires a little bit of work.
The first step in using your herb garden results is to harvest them. Harvesting the herb does not mean removing the entire plant and timing is a very important element. The herbs’ essential oils can be dispersed by the wind and the heat, and on extremely wet days, fewer oils are produced by the herbs. The best time to harvest your herbs is during midsummer, on a calm and dry morning. Harvest the herbs right before the flowers open in the morning and just after the dew has dried from the leaves. Take only a certain amount of growth and be careful not to take more than a third of the herb’s foliage at one time, since the plant will need the remaining foliage to continue to grow well. Also inspect the herb for any damaged leaves or insects before harvesting it.
Using fresh herbs right out of your home herb garden is a delight. Make sure to clean the herbs before using them fresh in recipes. To clean fresh herbs, fill a bowl with cool water and place the herbs in the bowl. For a larger quantity of herbs, use the cleaned kitchen sink. Add about two tablespoons of salt to the water. Any insects present on the herbs will be driven away by the salt in the water, without damaging the plant. To dry the herbs, remove them from the water and place in a salad spinner for quick drying.
Of course, herbs don’t have to be used at the time they are picked. Herbs can be preserved for later use in three ways by: drying, freezing, or preserving them in salt or vinegar.
Drying herbs: remove any foliage near the base and bundle six to twelve stems together, securing the bundle with a string. Hang the bundle upside down in a cool place and away from sunlight. Some herbs lend themselves to drying in individual leaves. To dry individual leaves, place them on a rack or screen. To dry the leaves properly, it’s important to remember to turn them often. A few more automated ways of drying leaves, though also less satisfactory, are appliances like dehydrators, ovens or microwave ovens.
Another fairly simple way to preserve herbs for later use is freezing them. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with wax paper. Cut the herbs into ¼ inch pieces and place them on the baking sheet in the freezer. Once the herbs are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place them together in a bag. Store the bag in the freezer until needed.
Herbs can also be preserved herbs in a medium such as salt or vinegar. For example, to preserve chopped basil, mint, or tarragon, cover the herbs with vinegar and they be will be available to use for several months. Making a flavored salt is a great way to use herbs. Alternate layers of fresh herbs and salt on a flat surface. When the herbs are completely dry, separate them from the flavored salt and store them in an airtight container.
Each herb can have its own set of instructions on how to use, harvest, and preserve. To get the most out of your home herb garden, make sure to research each type of herb and the best ways to use it.
Posted on Mar 06, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are off
Cleaning silk flowers is easy with the right cleansers, learn about house cleaning in this free video. Expert: Gale Gassiot Bio: Gale Gassiot makes her own organic compost or “gardener’s black gold.”
Two little old ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress. One leaned over and said, “Life is so dang boring. We never have any fun anymore! For five dollars I would take my clothes off and streak through that stupid flower show.”
“You are on!” said the other old lady, holding up a $5.00 bill.
The first little old lady slowly fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked (as fast as an old lady can) through the front door of the flower show.
Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause and shrill whistling. The smiling old lady came through the exit door surrounded by a cheering crowd.
“What happened?” asked her waiting friend.
“I won 1st prize as Best Dried Arrangement!”
Many of us know that we do not have to be pushing eighty years old to suffer from dry skin, especially in the cold, winter months. When furnaces are blasting, woodstoves are roaring and fireplaces are crackling, our skin can pay the price. Space heaters and electric blankets can also dry out the skin, and so can the excessive use of tanning beds and saunas.
Dry, flaky skin is not a disease. It is a condition – brought on by a lack of moisture or water in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin.) The epidermis is composed of tissue primarily made up of sulfur-containing fibrous proteins called keratin, the same chemical basis as hair and nails. Keratin needs water to keep it supple and pliant. When moisture evaporates more quickly, the result is dry, itchy skin.
Think of what happens when you take a fresh, soft slice of bread and put it in the toaster for two minutes. The heat removes the moisture and the bread becomes hard, dry and crumbly.
A common misconception is that the dryness is a result of a lack of oil in the skin. This is not true. It is water that the skin thirsts for and the answer is to keep that water in.
Here are eight easy home remedies for dry skin:
1. Turn down the thermostat. Try keeping the air somewhat cooler by turning the thermostat down a notch or two. Think of the dry, parched heat-baked desert floor as opposed to the smooth, malleable soil of the forest. Just like the ground we walk on, skin will react better to cooler conditions.
2. Use a humidifier. Place humidifiers throughout the house, especially in bedrooms. If you do not have a humidifier, keep a kettle of water on the woodstove.
3. Get more plants. A healthy dose of plants in each room will help to keep moisture in the air, but be sure to water them frequently.
4. Take a bath. Instead of showering every day, revitalize your skin by spending a few minutes soaking in lukewarm water every other day or at least two times a week. Do not use hot water and do not oversoak. A simple fifteen minute bath will do the trick.
5. Use the right soap. Not all soaps have the same ingredients and some are much harsher than others. Some of them contain lye, which can wreak havoc on dry or sensitive skin. Using a brand that contains lanolin, cocoa butter or cold cream will help reduce dryness.
6. Lubricate your skin. Use a moisturizing lotion to trap the water in. First, pat dry with a clean, soft towel. Do not rub because this only tends to irritate dry skin. Then apply a moisturizer. Although most lotions will work just fine for helping to keep the water in, the most effective of all moisturizers are a class called humectants, which include alpha hydroxy acids. They help the skin to maintain moisture.
7. Get your omegas. Incorporating the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 into the cell membranes is another way to combat dry skin. These can be found in nuts and seeds as well as the oils of soybean, sunflower and evening primrose.
8. Enjoy the sunshine. Get out there and frolic in the snow but be sure to cover your skin with the proper clothing and use lip balm and suntan lotion on exposed areas. Sunshine helps the body to convert Vitamin D, and exercise helps to circulate the blood throughout the body. Good circulation is crucial to good health.
While few of us are in line to win the “best dried arrangement” prize, many of us do know the discomfort of battling dry, itchy skin during the cold, winter months.
Just remember that the most effective treatment is to keep the water in. By applying the above-mentioned remedies to our daily and weekly schedules, you will not only save your skin from premature wrinkling, you will also breathe cleaner air and you will save money as well in lower heating costs and less expensive soaps, lotions and ointments.
Posted on Feb 23, 2010 under dried flowers | Comments are off
Floral arrangements are enhance a space with ease. There are different forms of floral arrangements which vary in shapes and sizes. There are three basic forms of floral arrangements which are circle, square and triangle. You can either make the arrangement yourself or hire an excellent florist who will understand your needs and brighten up your home There are many different styles in which you can decorate your home with flowers. If you’re lucky a good florist will understand your style and make sure something reaches your home every other day. You need to explain to them the way you want the flowers to be. You could be extremely modern in your tastes and choose floral arrangements and flowers that bring flow with the space and available light in the house. These arrangements balance space with the amount of light available. The flowers chosen are usually bright so you can expect reds and bright yellows. In a contemporary design you have to match natural colours of the interiors with the colours of the flowers. These arrangements enhance the space and its internal design. You can choose extremely old school English designs. They will remind you of the English country side that has a lot of green accented with flowers. If you have a lot of prints in the house it is a good idea to opt for English style floral arrangements. It also compliments wooden flooring and dark wood furniture. The flowers that we suggest are tulips, roses and gardenias. If you have a country style home with a lot of earthy colours we suggest flowers in another form; try potpourri to compliment the wooden smell and tones. You can also opt for wreaths. Choose flowers that will add more colour to the space. Think about carnations and sunflowers. If you want to be more creative use natural elements to place the arrangements in. Try a bamboo vase or wicker basket for the dried flowers. You can also choose tropical and oriental floral arrangements. They compliment furniture from India and Bali. If you have a beautiful teak table accent it with white flowers emphasising on the texture and colour of the table. Here you need flowers like orchids, tiger lilies or tuberose. You can also use ferns in the floral arrangements to add more depth in the arrangement. If you are a fan of the orient, try Ikebana arrangements which are extremely creative and fun. Being florists in Bellevue, Bless Florists can create beautiful floral arrangements for your home or to gift your loved ones. You can have a look at more floral arrangements or get all the information you need about florists in Sydney. Visit www.blessflorist.com.au to find out more.
The scent of lavender has been proven to lift people’s spirits by fighting depression, can relax the mind after a grueling day, and can even help soothe body aches and pains. When used in our homes, lavender can enhance our moods and make life more enjoyable. There are many ways to use the power of lavender and incorporate that power into our daily lives. These gorgeous purple flowers can be dried and used either in stalk form or through the dried buds of its flowers. You can also purchase lavender essential oil for a highly concentrated source that will give a tremendous amount of aromatherapy with using only a few drops of the oil.
Dried lavender on the stalks can be used to create gorgeous wreaths or a dried flower arrangement. Wreaths with solid lavender all around make a dramatic purple accent to any room while adding a fragrant scent that lasts for months. If the stalks need refreshing, a little spray from an atomizer filled with lavender essential oil is the perfect solution. If you either want to tone down the lavender scent in your wreath or don’t have a lot of purple in your décor, you can always use a few sprigs here and there to add a touch of purple and a hint of fragrance to your setting.
A dried flower arrangement is the perfect place to add lavender. Again, you can intensify the impact of the color and scent of this flower by filling a vase or basket with just lavender. A few stalks here and there can be used to add pizzazz to an existing arrangement. The bathroom and bedroom are great areas for dried lavender because, respectively, it hides odors and brings relaxation. This is why when you go to the spa or to a massage therapist they always use lavender to enhance the ambiance for their clients.
Essential oils are simply the scented components of the lavender flower that have been added to a liquid for easy application; this is usually oil, but can also be in an alcohol-based liquid such as cologne. Oils are wonderful because they hold the scent for a longer time when applied to the skin or to sachet or fabric. Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used in soaps and laundry to soften skin and give fragrance to clothing. You can purchase essential oils from a perfumery shop, natural foods store, or online.
Here are some tips for adding the scent of dried lavender to anywhere in your home:
