Decorating with Flowers

Well, we are moved and mostly settled...it's amazing how much one can accomplish with no internet for over a week! This rental home needs a lot of work, and we spent about 15 hours or so scrubbing the kitchen alone (in terrible heat without any electricity) before we felt comfortable enough putting food or dishes in the cabinets, and a lot of the appliances don't work.. and the bathrooms need work, (one we don't even go in)... but what can I say, it has a spare room for my crafts and it's our first backyard ever, so the boys love that, though we do miss family dearly.

So, this post will be kept short and sweet. I came across this clever flower arranging idea on Country Living. It's so simple, and easy to arrange. I love the idea of categorizing and keeping the flowers loosely arranged as well.

"A bunch of vintage milk bottles gives this arrangement—featured in Decorating with Flowers—its structure. Simply line up nine same-size vessels in three rows of three. Then wrap gardener's twine around the grouping twice and tie the ends. Finish the blooming display by placing two to three stems in each container."

 Our home also has a few rose bushes in front that need some serious work... so I thought this pressed flower idea would be neat to try with the very first roses that greeted us when we arrived. Also, we were given a handpicked widflower bouquet as a greeting to the area, so maybe I can press those, they are so lovely.

In any case, the whole flower segment is beautiful, I especially love the doily vase and the picture vase ideas.

 "Tightly wrap a doily around a vase. Snip away any excess, then hand-stitch the doily securely in place to create a snug fit. A clear glass vase creates an elegant illusion, but experiment with different vases and doilies to find a combination you like"

Homefront: Something out of Nothing

I went a-garage sale-ing and found a huge pile of fake berries and such for about $5 (though the bag of awesome Christmas beaded garland was thrown out when I discovered it had a massive cat urine smell). When it came time to create some Thanksgiving centerpieces, I had plenty of stuff to use.

Only there wasn't much of any one kind of pick to pull any actual design concept together. By starting with a base of the berry garlands, and just working my way up, I think the little creations came out very sweet and festive indeed. 

~Arrangement 1~

 

a bunch of nothingness

a bunch of weird yellow things

pinecones and leaves are nice

a white feathered bird, glittered acorns and a feathered pick adds some balance

~Arrangement 2~

For the second arrangement, I'll spare you the details, but here is my "spread" of choices:

 

almost finished...

a nest, bird and some berries complete it (though, I wish I had cut off that weird daisy)

~Thanksgiving display, on my overcrowded bar~

 

  

  

fin. 

* yes, this post is 4 months overdue, but I had to write it so I could delete my pictures ;)  But, the concept here can apply to any season, with any type of riff raff you have strung around the place.  Nester also has some good advice and ideas on making a centerpiece with things you have.

A Very Happy Unbirthday

design mind via house of turquoise

It was my son's birthday this past weekend and we of course, decorated for him. He wakes up every morning still thinking it's his birthday because some of the streamers are still up. I like giving him a little bit of excitement over holiday decorating magic, so I gradually take decorations down.

  

style files by styled by Sweet Paul

 

So, what kinds of party festivities can go year round, without being too party like? The above tree branch with ornaments, I believe is an old Christmas idea, but imagine changing the ornaments throughout the seasons. Starfish, little burlap or vintage fabric potpourri filled hearts, berry garlands, large chandelier prisms, hand sewn birds... so many easy and affordable options for a natural statement piece!

  family fun.go - streamer bed curtains

This streamer curtain idea wouldn't last longer than a few hours in my home, but maybe your little girl (or craft office space) could use a little sprucing! Wouldn't it look lovely in pales shades of creme, white and soft grey?  It is super cheap and takes minutes, instructions here.  ps, love the unicorn picture, haven't seen anything like that since the 80's, I'm pretty sure it says "Believe Your Dreams"!

 

style me pretty - more photos from this gorgeous wedding shoot here!

You don't need to be having a wedding to enjoy colorful table linens, fresh flowers and a few colorful party pom mobiles hanging above. Besides, fresh strawberries are a joy to munch on for any day. A little color, polka dots and table scape ingenuity can make a blah day, seem a little more exciting.