How to Press Flowers

Courtesy of Debbie Wolfe
Photography by Shutterstock/Abdoabdalla

Hi Friends,

Pressing flowers is a time-honored method of preservation. It's simple and quick, which is why budding botanists and flower lovers have been using this method for centuries. Pressing flowers can be done in a few different ways depending on the materials on hand and how many flowers you want to preserve.

If you press a lot of flowers, consider making or purchasing a flower press. Otherwise you can just use a heavy book. Pressed flowers are perfect for adding to cards or for your own DIY botanical prints.

• Remove any unwanted leaves. Or just remove the flowers and press the leaves separately.
• Open the book about a quarter to halfway.
• Place absorbent sheets of paper (such as watercolor sheet or cardstock) on the book's pages.
• Position the blooms face down on parchment paper and lay the parchment paper on top of the absorbent paper. Place another sheet of absorbent paper on top of the flowers. Carefully close the book.
• Place more books on top of the book with the flowers.
• Place the books in a safe place for 3 to 4 weeks.

Tip: Heavy books like dictionaries work best.

Preserve the memories...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Preserving Cut Flowers

Courtesy of National Gardening Association

Hi Friends,

Spring is around the corner, so let's spring forward with flowers to beautify your home.

Bringing fresh-cut flowers indoors is one of the many joys of gardening. Keep your arrangements beautiful with these step-by-step tips.

Materials Needed

• stem-cutting shears or sharp pruners
• pail
• vase
• 1 cup regular 7-Up
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon household bleach

Step 1: Cut Flowers
Some of the best and most widely adapted annual cut flowers with the longest vase life include alstroemeria, aster, celosia, cosmos, gypsophila, lavatera, rudbeckia, scabiosa, snapdragon, statice, sunflower, yarrow and zinnia (pictured). It's best to cut flowers in your garden in the morning, before the dew has dried, or in the early evening. With stem-cutting shears or sharp pruners, snip above a node or dormant bud to spur new blooms. Put stems in a pail of lukewarm water as you cut them. Tip: Flowers with hollow stems do not have a long vase life.

Step 2: Recut Stems
Once indoors, recut stems on a slant under water to eliminate air bubbles that block uptake of food and water. Certain types of flowers (including celosia, sunflower and zinnia) benefit from scalding the stem ends in boiling water for 20 seconds or over a candle flame to stop nutrient-rich sap from oozing. To prevent decay, remove bruised leaves and foliage below the water line.

Step 3: Condition Flowers
Condition flowers several hours before arranging. Rest stems in lukewarm water in a cool, dark place so they can absorb water.

Step 4: Arrange Flowers
Arrange conditioned flowers in a vase of warm (110 degrees F) water. To slow aging, place the vase in a well-ventilated cool place (as low as 38 degrees F). Don't store flowers near unsealed fruits and vegetables, which produce ethylene, a gas that hastens ripening, or in the case of flowers, aging.

Step 5: Add Water
Fresh-cut flowers have enough stored sugars to survive in a vase, but if you would like to add a preservative, try a homemade version. Tests have found commercial floral preservatives to be less effective than the following formula; the sugar in the 7-Up provides energy for the flowers, and the bleach controls bacteria. Simply mix together 1 cup regular 7-Up, 1 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon household bleach. If you need more liquid, just increase the amounts proportionately.

Step 6: Change Water
Change water in the vase every couple of days. In mixed bouquets, some of the flowers may give off sap that is toxic to other varieties, shortening their vase life. That process can be avoided by frequently refreshing the water.

Enjoy the fragrance of fresh flowers from room to room...

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Yvonne

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Courtesy of The Holiday Spot

Hi Friends,

Found some history on St. Patrick from The Holiday Spot and thought we would share this information about the patron saint of Ireland with all of you.

Enjoy!

History of St Patrick
  St Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland. True, he was not a born Irish. But he has become an integral part of the Irish heritage, mostly through his service across Ireland of the 5th century.

Patrick was born in the later half of the 4th century AD. There are differing views about the exact year and place of his birth. According to one school of opinion, he was born about 390 A.D., while the other school says it is about 373 AD. Again, his birth place is said to be in either Scotland or Roman England. His real name was probably Maewyn Succat. Though Patricius was his Romanicized name, he was later came to be familiar as Patrick.

Patrick was the son of Calpurnius, a Roman-British army officer. He was growing up as naturally as other kids in Britain. However, one day a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped this boy along with many others. Then they sold him into slavery in Ireland. He was there for 6 years, mostly imprisoned. This was when changes came to him. He dreamed of having seen God. Legend says, he was then dictated by God to escape with a getaway ship.

Finally, he did escape and went to Britain. And then to France. There he joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. He spent around 12 years in training. And when he became a bishop he dreamed that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland to tell them about God. The Confessio, Patrick's spiritual autobiography, is the most important document regarding this. It tells of a dream after his return to Britain, in which one Victoricus delivered him a letter headed "The Voice of the Irish."

So he set out for Ireland with the Pope's blessings. There he converted the Gaelic Irish, who were then mostly Pagans, to Christianity. He was confident in the Lord, he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. And, in a diplomatic fashion he brought gifts to a kinglet here and a lawgiver there,but accepted none from any.

Indeed, Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. Through active preaching, he made important converts even among the royal families. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times,but escaped each time. For 20 years he had traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion. He developed a native clergy, fostered the growth of monasticism, established dioceses, and held church councils.

Patrick's doctrine is considered orthodox and has been interpreted as anti-Pelagian. Although he is not particularly noted as a man of learning, a few of his writings remain extant: his Confession, a reply to his detractors, and several letters. The Lorica ("Breastplate"), a famous hymn attributed to Patrick, may date to a later period. By the end of the 7th century Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then. There are many legends associated with St Patrick. It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity; which refers to the combination of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hence its strong association with his day and name Legend also has that, Saint Patrick had put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland. And he drove all the snakes into the sea where they drowned.

True, these are mostly legends. But, after some 1500 years, these legends have been inseparably combined with the facts. And together they have helped us know much about the Saint and the spirit behind celebration of the day. Patrick's mission in Ireland lasted for over 20 years. He died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. The day's spirit is to celebrate the universal baptization of Ireland. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, 'be an Irish Day '. And the Irish has borne it as part of their national tradition in everywhere they populated and prospered. The Catholic feast day for this most loved of Irish saints has become a holiday in celebration of the Irish and Irish culture. The leprechaun, a Celtic fairy, has become entrenched as a chief symbol for this holiday, as is the shamrock, an ancient symbol for the triple goddess Brigit. It is fitting that this holiday should fall at the time of the year when the return of spring begins to seem at hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

1st Day of Spring!

Courtesy of Allison Norton
 
Hi Friends,

  Spring is the most hopeful season of the year. Along with the warmer days and budding blooms that symbolize spring also come the hopes of dining outdoors, and the exciting feeling of trying new activities. Be an advocate of making seasonal to-do lists in order to keep life interesting. Here are a few ideas that will have you ready to embrace any adventure that comes your way before Labor Day. Without further ado, here are 10 Spring adventures that should go on your Spring bucket list…

  10 Things to Try This Spring

  1. Go to an outdoor music festival.
In the past few years, I have come to associate the month of April with Coachella. If you have never been, there is no better time to go than now (the lineup this year is amazing!). And if you’ve been before…do I even have to convince you? For those of you who don’t live in Southern California, be sure to look into Mile High Music Festival, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo, which are all in the summer.

  2. Go on an impulsive weekend road trip.
The best kinds of road trips are the ones that happen in a spur of the moment decision. Pick a place you have always wanted to visit (I’m dying to go to Big Sur), grab your best friend or boyfriend, and just make it happen. Be sure to bring a cool camera to take snapshots along the way.

  3. Create a cozy patio set up for springtime entertaining.
My apartment has a darling little back patio that is just begging to be used for an al fresco dinner party. This spring, I vow to add outdoor furniture, twinkle lights, and potted succulents to make the space inviting and useful. If you have a patio, I encourage you to do the same!

  4. Springify your closet.
There’s nothing like a bit of spring-cleaning to help get you excited for new warm-weather wardrobe staples. Donate items you haven’t worn in a while, and reorganize the clothing and accessories you plan to keep for a fresh perspective. It will give you a good idea of what to add to add to your spring shopping list.

  5. Hike to the highest spot in town.
Los Angeles has some pretty amazing hiking spots that are especially enjoyable on a gorgeous spring day. This season, take advantage of getting a good workout and enjoying the view by hiking to the highest spot in your town. You might even see your city in a whole new light.

  6. Volunteer once a week.
Volunteering once a week this spring (and beyond!) is so rewarding, and it will enrich your life. I highly recommend researching a food bank, soup kitchen, or inner city school closest to you and lending a hand. It doesn’t even need to be once a week—even going once a month will make a difference, and it will make you feel good in return.

  7. Learn how to nurture.
Practice cultivating something this spring… Whether that means planting an herb garden, bringing home your first goldfish, or buying a puppy, learning to take care of something else will give you a broadened outlook on life.

  8. Learn how to bake a pie.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to bake a pie from scratch, and this season I’ve decided to make it happen. Bake a pie with seasonal spring fruits like rhubarb, strawberries, or cherries.

  9. Add a flea market addition to your home.
While you may be quite familiar with the flea markets in your area, a vintage splurge might not happen every time you make the trip. Promise yourself one special purchase at your local flea market that you will love in your home. It will refresh your décor for the changing seasons and get you excited about adding more new pieces in the future.

  10. Add a few sun kissed strands to your hair.
In my opinion, one of the best parts about spring is that it leads into summer! Get your tresses beach-ready by adding in a few highlights. If your hair is chestnut brown, throw some golden strands into the mix. If you’re a redhead, try a bit of strawberry blonde. And if you have golden locks, bright blonde is the way to go.

  These are just a few ideas to get your started, compliments of Allison Norton but if you might also be inspired by Malavika Suresh with Spring Inspiration.

  Spring Inspiration: Things to do this spring...

  1. Go on a detox/cleanse.

  2. Spring clean your home.

  3. Have a yard sale (or an e-bay sale) to get rid of what you don’t need anymore.

  4. Rearrange the furniture in your home. Feng Shui up your life and bring in a newer and fresher energy.

  5. Have fresh flowers in your home.

  6. Take care of your legs (it’s time to get those bad boys out!) and toes. Get pedicures and manicures often.

  7. Update your Spring/Summer wardrobe.

  8. Learn some new hairstyles.

  9. Detail your car.

  10. Start a brand new project.

  11. Plan a summer trip.

  12. Start a reading list.

  13. Get a new hair style.

  14. Take more walks in beautiful places.

  15. Ride your bicycle.

  16. Have a picnic.

  17. Start running again.

  18. Drink more water.

  19. Wear lighter colours.

  20. Start an outdoor hobby.

  Both list are great, but whatever you decide to do this Spring have fun with family and friends...  

Check back for more great ideas and enjoy this Spring from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Dayling Savings Time Begins!

Hi Friends,

Just a friendly reminder to set your clocks ahead...  

  Check back for great decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

What's Your Birth Month Flower?

Courtesy of Lynn Coulter
Photography by Shutterstock

Hi Friends,

Like gemstones, birthday month flowers have different meanings. Which one is yours?

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and they may make money from these affiliate links.

A bouquet of fresh-cut blooms, a flower arrangement or a living plant makes a lovely gift. It feels especially thoughtful when someone gives you birthday month flowers. Roses are June’s birth month flowers.

The red ones symbolize love, which explains why they're often given on Valentine's Day. For December birthdays, poinsettias send cheery good wishes, while yellow daffodils, the birth flowers for March, means new beginnings and joy. You don’t have to wait for someone to send you flowers. Grow your own larkspurs if you have a July birthday, cut a handful of irises if you celebrate in February or plant fall-blooming asters if you light the candles on your cake in September. If you’re giving a birth month flower to someone else, skip the store-bought card and tuck in a handmade card instead. Then you can tell the recipient what the flowers mean — and what he or she means to you.

January: Carnation

Spicy-scented carnations, like 'CanCan Scarlet,' are the birth flowers for January. Different colors convey different meanings. White carnations symbolize pure love, while yellow means "wish you were here" and pink says, "you're unforgettable." Snowdrops, which indicate hope and beauty, are also flowers for this month.

Red Carnation Seeds
$35 True Leaf Market

February: Iris and Violet

February birthdays are represented by violets or irises, flowers that suggest loyalty and faithfulness. The three upright petals of an iris bloom can indicate courage, faith and wisdom, or friendship, hope and compliments. These 'Tall Dutch' irises come in a mix of vibrant colors.

Mixed Tall Dutch Iris
$21 Amazon

March: Daffodil

Daffodils, sometimes called jonquils or narcissus, are the birth flowers for March. Because they often bloom in early spring, they symbolize new birth, beginnings, happiness and joy.

Mixed Daffodils
$13 Amazon

April: Daisy and Sweet Pea

Cheerful daisies, like 'Crazy Daisy' Shasta daisies, represent April birthdays. While they often symbolize beauty, innocence, love or purity, they can also mean, "I'll never tell." Sweet peas are also birth flowers for April.

Shasta Daisy Seeds
$20 True Leaf Market

May: Lily of the Valley

Lilies of the Valley, with their sweet perfumes, celebrate May birthdays. They suggest humility and happiness.

Lily of the Valley
$29 Amazon

June: Rose

Like carnations, roses, which represent June birthdays, have different meanings for different colors. Red roses signify love, while yellow ones indicate anything from jealousy to friendship. Orange or apricot roses, like 'At Last,' mean desire and enthusiasm.

Rose Plant
$30 Amazon

July: Larkspur and Waterlily

While pink larkspurs can symbolize fickle love, purple ones mean first love, and white indicates a happy spirit. These pretty flowers are linked to July birthdays. Waterlilies, which stand for a pure and open heart, or majesty, also represent this month. Shown here: A mixture of 'Giant Imperial' larkspur.

Larkspur Seeds
$3 True Leaf Market

August: Glads

'Remember me" is the message of gladioli, birth flowers for August. The flowers can also mean strength and integrity, while the sword-shaped leaves suggest love-pierced hearts. In ancient times, glads were associated with magical powers.

Gladiolus Bulbs
$30 Amazon

September: Aster

Fall-blooming asters symbolize a strong and powerful love and are the birth flowers for September. They also indicate faith and wisdom.

Aster Seeds
$2.50 True Leaf Market

October: Marigold

Marigolds, in their rich, autumnal colors, symbolize undying love and represent October birthdays. These pungent-smelling flowers can also mean "I'm thinking of you" or indicate sadness and sympathy.

Marigold Seeds
$10 Amazon

November: Mum

Chrysanthemums, plants especially prized by Japanese gardeners, stand for November birthdays. White mums signify innocence and purity, while yellow ones indicate that a loved one feels slighted.

Red Mum Seeds
$7 Amazon

December: Narcissus, Holly and Poinsettia

Several plants represent December birthdays, including narcissus (think forced bulbs), hollies and poinsettias. Hollies show a desire for a happy home, while poinsettias stand for good cheer. Narcissus, like these 'Paperwhite' bulbs, signifies modesty and faithfulness.

Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs
$21 True Leaf Market

Happy planting...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne