Dried Lavender Wreaths

Mother’s Day is a special day. What makes this day special is that, it is day for the mothers. And in this world there is nothing more special than a dear mother. So this mother’s day pay a tribute to your mother by making a beautiful spring wreath. A spring floral wreath will be a fitting compliment that you can present your mother with this Mother’s Day.

To make this spring wreath you will need:

• A 12 inch grapevine wreath.
• A metallic cord in purple color.
• Colorful silk flowers and dried ones.
• Spanish Moss.
• A 12 inch long ribbon in pink color.
• Floral wire, a pair of scissors, glue gun and a ruler.

Here are the step by step instructions to make the wreath:

• To start with cut the purple cord into a length of about 100 inches. Then wrap this cord round the wreath frame leaving a space of about one and half inches in between. After completing the circle with the cord tie the two ends of the cord into a small knot. You can add a few drops of glue to the knot, to prevent the it from opening up.
• Then cut the stems of all your spring flowers leaving about an inch of the stem with the flowers.  The inch long stem will make the insertion of the flowers into the wreath bit easier when you will need to arrange your flowers.
• Next make small bunches of these silk spring flowers, three blooms in one bunch will do. Altogether make six bunches of this kind. Then take one of the bunch and insert its stems into the wreath. To secure the bunch more firmly dab some glue to the bottom of the flowers and attach them to the wreath.
• Next take another bunch of the spring silk flowers and secure it to the wreath leaving a space of one inch from the first bunch. In this way after every inch arrange your remaining four bunches along the wreath.
• Last of all, bunch together five of your dried spring blooms  and secure it to the center bottom of the wreath in the same way as the silk flowers. This way you will have three bunches of silk flowers on either side of the dried flowers.

Congratulations! you have just made a spring flower Mother’s Day wreath.

Orchids are beautiful flowers, which are very useful in various flower arrangements. We will discuss here how we can make a unique purple orchid bouquet. This is a very modern design and proves great for brides. First of all let me tell you the things and materials you require for making it. You will need purple vanda orchids, white tuberoses, ruscus leaves, bear grass leaves, floral wire, sisal fibre, floral tape, adhesive spray, copper wire and a strand of pearls. Now we start with the steps.

Step 1: At first separate the orchids into individual flowers. Then we must wire orchid and tape it all the way down. Do this for all orchids. We do this so that we can easily bend orchids.

Step 2: Do the same thing even to each ruscus leaf to make them easily bendable.

Step 3: Separate the tuberose into each flower. Also wire and tape these tuberose using floral wire and tape.

Step 4: Taking the orchids one by one collect them in your hand to form a round shape. Now form a collar around the orchids taking the ruscus leaves.

Step 5: Take each wire-stemmed tuberose and form a collar outside the ruscus leaves still holding it in your hand.

Step 6: Using floral tape, wrap all the wire stems.

Step 7: Form a circle with two thick floral wires. Make the circle big enough to fit the orchid bouquet. Using floral tape attach the two ends.

Step 8: Now, spread the sisal fibre evenly onto the round-shaped wire. Ensure there is a hole in between to place the orchid bouquet. Attach the sisal fibres onto the wire using adhesive spray.

Step 9: Now taking one tuberose flower unwired one and using a copper wire attach it to the end of a bear grass leaf. Repeat it for four or more bear grass leaves.

Step 10: Insert the orchid bouquet into the sisal fibre. Then you insert the bear grass leaves. Then after wrap the stems together using floral tape.

Step 11: Now you cut the stem into equal length. Cover the uncovered wire with floral tape.

Step 12: Add pearls to the orchids to add more character to the bouquet.

Now, your bouquet is ready to be gifted. This is how you can make a unique purple orchid bouquet.

“No man is an island,

Entire of itself.

Each is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main …..

Each man’s death diminishes me,

For I am involved in mankind.”

                                                John
Donne

 Death, the final going home, the
inevitable journey into the other world, leaving the near and dear ones
heartbroken for life. But it’s said; they are not dead who live in the hearts
of their loved ones. Death is nothing but a mere change of worlds.  We mortals can do nothing to stop the
onslaught of death, we can only pray for the peaceful passage of the soul to
heaven.

 In such difficult moments, when
cruel fate snatches away those who meant the life to us, words are a poor
medium to express our sorrows. Flowers, especially white, the symbol of eternal
peace and rest, with their delicate beauty serve the purpose better. They seem
to convey our heartfelt prayers, love and condolences to the afflicted. Giving
flowers does not lessen the pain, it does not help to forget the one you loved
so dearly, but it can begin the process of healing and give some comfort to the
anguished heart.

Below we have given tips of some white flower arrangements you may choose
as condolence flowers:

White flowers in easel spray design:

You
may select an elegant tribute which features beautiful white blossoms, such as
Stargazer lilies, roses, novelty poms, stock, carnations, monte casino, and
other seasonal favorites, in an easel spray design. A thoughtful tribute and
loving remembrance.

White lilies bouquet:

Offer your sympathy with a bouquet of white lilies, carnations,
delphinium, gladioli, or similar fresh flowers

Yellow and White Spray:

Convey your condolences with golden yellow and pure white blossoms of
carnations, cushion poms, button poms, monte casino, or similar flowers, in a
traditional spray design. .

White Carnations Sympathy Tribute:

Carry a pure and simple arrangement of creamy white carnations against a
field of fresh green foliages.

White roses in vase:

Take a simple yet elegant arrangement of twelve stately white roses with
fresh foliage in a clear glass vase. The flowers are a beautiful expression of
reverence and purity.

White table arrangement:

Send a thoughtful message of love, hope, and purity with this tasteful
white table arrangement featuring lilies, alstroemeria, carnations, poms,
gypsophila, or similar fresh flowers. It is a simple and understated way to
express your thoughts and condolences.

Wedding favors are small gifts the bride and groom give to the guests during a wedding ceremony and there is nothing like flowers to bring a smile on a dear one’s face. So bring out the pearlies on your guests’ faces with cute white flower wedding favors. They will make the most important night of your life, elegant and fragrant….and unforgetful.

Take your pick from the adorable white flower favors given below and surprise your guests:

Flower wedding candle favor:

Inspired by the beautiful white orchid flower from Hawaii, this flower wedding candle favor comes in 3 different colors in a celo packaging ready to give as a wedding favor or bridal shower favor gift.

White Calla Lily spreader:

Share your joy and happiness with these elegantly packaged pearl calla lily design spreaders on their special day. Each gift comes with 2 spreaders and each spreader is made of high quality stainless steel. You will find pearly, translucent calla lilies embossed on the handles. Pack the spreaders in a velvet lined black bottom box with a clear top. The favor is complete with a sheer organza ribbon and a designer tag that reads, “Spread the Love.”

Flowerpot placecard holder favor:

Greet your guests with charming mulberry paper rose flower in a pot placecard holder. Available in 3 beautiful colors of ivory, lavender, and pink. Place card metal clip holder is included. You can also place the flowers in little boxes and hide little treats inside.

Bud Vases:

Place little bud vases with a single white flower on the tables of your guests.

Rose shaped soaps:

Buy little heart gift boxes with aromatic rose petal – shaped soaps for your guests. They look so cute and smell heavenly. You will find them in white and other colors. Tie the boxes with organza ribbon for a prettier look.

Heart shaped spoons tied with tulle and few white roses

Elegant orchid gel candle wedding favor:

Spread the magic of romance on your wedding day. Gift your guests exotic candle wedding favors with pale blue gel and white or fuchsia orchids inside a glass jar.

You would be surprised to know about the usefulness of dried lavenders. You can use them for several purposes. To name some few of its uses, you can use dried lavenders as medicinal herbs, perfumed oil and scents, bathing oil, sachets, shampoos and incense. You should definitely have it at your home. You can make beautifully smelling potpourri for your room using dried lavenders. You can buy dried lavenders from so many places. Some of the common and reliable places to buy dried lavenders are as follows.

WHOLESALE BUYING

If you are interested to buy dried lavender at large quantity then wholesale market is perfect place for you. Here you can buy good lavender at much cheaper price i.e. at wholesale price. The wholesale price is lesser than retail price. You may also get some discount at the wholesale price as well.

OVERSTOCK AUCTIONS

Sometimes the dried lavender remains overstock. So these dried lavenders are sold at the auction. The kind of product sold here are of good quality but you will use your own idea and pick out the best one. Try to make reasonable and wise bid so that you can get the right dried lavenders.

BUYING ONLINE

Buying dried lavender form the online seller is perhaps the easiest and fastest. You can spot both online overstock auctions and online wholesale sellers there. There are several dealers online and anyone of them will definitely match your requirement. Beware of showy display of facts. Collect each an every formation that is needed for you to select the right online seller. See that the dried lavender is of best quality, after all it’s your money and you have a full right.

Storing the dried lavenders at proper place is just as important as buying the best lavenders. You will store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. This kind of container will help you to preserve the fragrance of the dried lavender. You will check them from time to time to see whether they are in good condition. Make sure they are free from molds and moisture.

Buttons with flowers embossed or painted on them are known as flower buttons.  You may find them on artificial flowers, adding a zing to the floral beauties .Add flower buttons to any object like dresses, shoes, bags, and containers that you may find boring or dull and watch them getting a new life. You can create a variety of fun craft items with button flowers, like bouquets, embellishments on scrapbooks, kid’s tea sets, funky jewelry and so on

You can make jaw dropping photo frames with flower buttons combined with a variety of easily available materials.

Materials

Wooden picture frame/s

Glue, tape

Paint

String

Sea shells, sand, small pebbles, jigsaw pieces, buttons

Cardboard

Dry pasta shapes

Your favorite photos

SEA THEME FRAME:

Collect some shells, sand and some small pebbles from the beach. Paint the frame blue. Apply glue to the bottom half of the frame and cover with the sand. After the sand has stuck properly spray some more glue on it and stick the pebbles and shells on the sand. Take a yellow cardboard and cut a small sun from it. Paste it on the blue space of the frame. Decorate the border of the frame with blue buttons.

PASTA FRAME:

Paint the frame in bright jazzy shades of pink or yellow. Paste S- shaped pastas all along the border of the frame. You can make it funkier by adding bright yellow buttons on the pasta shapes. Stick your friend’s photo and gift it to him .You can use multicolored pastas for a bright look

MUlTICOLORED BUTTON FRAME:

Stick multicolored flower buttons in a zig- zag manner all along the border of a photo frame

JIGSAW PUZZLE PHOTO FRAME:

If you were just about to throw away the broken jigsaw puzzle, just hold on! Color the puzzle pieces in black and white. Keep the big and the small pieces separately. Stick white buttons on the black pieces and vice- versa. Arrange the bigger pieces alternately in black and white on the left and right and the smaller pieces similarly on the top and bottom of the frame. Your unique picture frame is ready to gift a little child. 

Buttons with flowers embossed or glued on them add a unique zing to conventional silk flower bouquets. Give a twist to your wedding or prom bouquet by embellishing them with glass, shell or pearly flower buttons. You can choose vintage buttons too, for a classic look.

SILK BOUQUETS WITH FLOWER BUTTON EMBELLISHMENT:

You have heard about bouquets made of feathers, plastic, junk, wax and son, but have you ever heard of bouquets with button embellishments? Amazed? Don’t be, for not only are they available but you can make them easily at home too. You will be surprised to know that you can secure buttons to the flowers without thread or glue.

Materials

Glossy buttons

Silk flower bouquet

Ribbon

Needle

Thread

Method

To attach the buttons thread an 8-inch length of narrow ribbon down through one button hole, around the bouquet’s ribbon, and up through the other hole; tie a bow and trim ends. Repeat for other tail.

Below: run needle and thread in and out of holes in each button to create “stitches,” for the first and third ribbon, but do not sew buttons to the ribbon; instead, glue them in place with fabric glue, and trim ribbon ends.

For the second ribbon, place several buttons on top of each other and stitch them together; cut the end of the ribbon straight and fold the corners in, now glue them in place with the button stack on top.

For the fourth ribbon, cut ribbon end straight, and fold it up by about two inches, then fold the corners in; glue in place with a single button on top.

For the fifth ribbon, thread a narrow ribbon in and out of buttons, lay the button chain on wide ribbon, tuck ends under, and glue in place; trim ribbon ends into a curved notch.

BOUQUET WITH BUTTONS:

Materials

Vintage or new plastic buttons of various colors and sizes

Florist wire

Pliers

A small glass bottle or vase

Method

1. Put one end of the wire through a hole of the button and takes it out of the second hole

2.Thread another button on and then twist the wire underneath, so that the buttons stay in place.

3. Add more buttons in the same way, leaving some gaps between the twisted portions.

4. Place the stems in a vase and arrange.                                                                                  

Have you ever imagined that the humble button lying uncared for in your work basket is such a versatile thing. You can make bouquets with it and use it to embellish almost every thing under the sun. Kids love to make various fun crafts with buttons. So this vacations when your kids are home give them some colorful buttons and guide them to make a cute garden with them.

Materials 

Pattern

Tracing paper

Pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Six two-hole or shank buttons measuring from 5/8 to 7/8 inch across in colors of your choice

12-inch-long chenille stems (pipe cleaners), two green and one orange

One sheet or scraps of green craft foam

2 x 5-inch piece of 1-inch-high green Styrofoam (or a piece of white packing foam painted green)

Black felt-tip marker

Method

1. To make the flower stems, cut six 3-inch-long pieces of green chenille stem.

2. To make the flowers, add a shank button, pull one end of a stem through the opening in back of the button and bend the end down to hold the button in place.

3. To add a two-hole button, pull one end of a stem from back to front through one hole of the button. Pull the same end from front to back through the second hole to hold the button in place.

4.  Trace the leaves pattern onto tracing paper and cut out. Lay this pattern onto the green craft foam and trace around its shape with pencil. Trace five more sets of leaves in the same way. Cut out the leaves.

4. Poke the bottom end of a stem through the center of a pair of leaves. Pull the leaves up so they are about 1/4 inch below the button flower. Add leaves to each stem in same way.

Worm: Cut one 2-inch-long piece of orange chenille stem. To form the worm’s head, bend down the first 1/4-inch, and then curl this same end down another 1/4 inch.

5. Use the black felt-tip marker to draw a dot on each side of the head for eyes.

6. Referring to the photo for position, push the flower stems and worm into the 2- x 5-inch block of green foam, pushing some pieces deeper so they appear to be shorter. Place drops of red and yellow food coloring randomly over frosting. With a spatula, blend colors randomly over frosting.

So you have created a flower button garden all by yourself!

Are your kids coming home for the holidays? Keep the kids happily busy by giving them a box of buttons and some craft ideas. Join your kids to make fun crafts with flower buttons. Try the interesting tips below

BUTTON BAUBLE PINS:

Materials

Lightweight cardboard

Buttons

Safety pin

Felt

Cut small shapes from lightweight cardboard. Glue buttons on the cardboard shapes and let them dry.

Hold a safety pin by the side that opens, and glue the other side to the back of the cardboard. Do this with each button pin.

Cut a small narrow strip of felt for each button pin. Glue the strip to the cardboard and across the back of each safety pin. When dry, wear the pin or give as a gift.

BUTTON ANIMALS

Materials

            Buttons

            Pipe cleaners

            Permanent markers

            Craft glue

            Googly eyes

            Craft beads

Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less

1. Gather buttons, pipe cleaners, permanent markers, craft glue, googly eyes, and craft beads.

2. Then encourage your child to make any creature he can imagine by threading the pipe cleaners through the buttonholes.

3. Get creative by linking multiple buttons and by molding the pipe cleaners into interesting shapes such as tails, antennae, legs, wings, and more. (Remember that you can twist together 2 pipe cleaners for extra length.)

4. Once a body’s done, add a mouth with a marker and glue on 2 (or 3 or 4!) eyes.

Button bracelet

You’ll need:

One piece of elastic cord about 10-12 inches long

Several shank buttons

Scissors

String a button onto the cord. Leave it about 3 inches from the end and tie a knot to secure. Continue stringing on more buttons. Tie each one on with a knot. As you approach the end of the cord, test the bracelet size around your wrist. Stop when the bracelet fits loosely around your wrist Knot the two ends together and you have

your bracelet. Trim the ends. Turn this into a key chain by adding a key ring!

Tip:

If the elastic frays while stringing the beads, trim the edges or wrap some tape around the ends.

Flower buttons are a fun and innovative way to jazz up any outfit or accessory or anything for that matter. You can use them to embellish everything, from your tea set to your little girl’s hair clip and everything in between. The best thing however is, it is the cheapest option and very easy to do as well. Flower buttons are easily available in craft stores. You can also find some antique flower buttons in your mother’s workbasket. Flower buttons come in all shapes, sizes, designs and colors. You can make your own flower buttons with cotton, crochet, felt, velvet and even paper and use them to brighten any article which you may find dull and boring.

Below are some ideas you can use.   

WEDDING STATIONERY:

You can adorn all your wedding stationery, like wedding programs, food menu etc. with cute daisy shaped buttons stuck on white cream colored paper flowers. They will give a delicate beauty to the stationery, especially if you have selected a flower theme wedding.

KIDS QUILT:

Brighten up the quilts of your kids with flower button lining. Embroider with outline stitch and French knots on simple sack cotton. You can make the buttons with cotton fabric, mother of pearl and trim with fine hand crotchet. Sew the buttons securely to the quilt.

LITTLE GIRL CLIPS:

Make your little girl look all the cuter with pretty girlie clips made of buttons. Secure a little red, green or pink flower button on a piece of flower shaped felt. Attach the felt to the clip with hot glue and your dainty flower button clip is ready to bring out the dimples on your little girl’s face.

EVENING BAGS:

Sew bright flower buttons on flower shaped felt pieces and sew them back on the border of your evening bag to make heads turn.

PARTY SANDALS:

Sew glimmering glass or metallic flower buttons on a green metal toned satin rose. Sew the rose tightly on the top of your metal toned party sandal. There is one drawback of this embellishment; people would be looking at your feet rather than your face!