Sunday, April 18, 2010

Creative Touches - Floral Design

Inspired by arrangements I found in Creative Touches, a book my mom gave me years ago when I was first married, I went out this weekend to buy some fresh flowers and greens for my home.  Usually I just buy fresh cut flowers from Whole Foods or our local farmer's market.  This time, I did things a little different.

Contemporary Elegance
This would make a fabulous Mother's Day gift, hostess gift or even baby/bridal shower decorations!  I actually made two of these arrangements, one for the family room and one for my bedside table.



WHAT I USED
3" potted Parade Rose
4.5" cylinder clear glass vase
green moss
rafia

WHAT I DID
I placed the potted roses in the cylinder vase (still potted) and stuffed moss down around the edges to cover up the plastic pot the roses are in.  To finish it off, I simply tied a bit of rafia around the vase!  It was super simple.  I think this arrangement would look great with most potted flowers or plants, I just happened to find these roses on sale!




Serene & Sophisticated
I went to the market with a picture in mind of an all-green arrangement with very specific foliage that I wanted.  Of course, they didn't happen to have anything I had in mind!  This was a last minute plan that I put together while browsing all my options.  I really wasn't sure about it at first but it's definitely growing on me!





WHAT I USED
white rectangular vase - $12 at Michaels (4" W x 4" D x 12" H)
cut flowers and greens in different textures and shades of green


WHAT I DID
At the mouth of the vase, I placed baby's breath so it was just popping out the opening.  From there, I layered lady's mantle and then lime green chrysanthemums.  I topped off the arrangement with a spray of bear grass.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Tutorial: DIY Earring Display & Organizer

Three or four years ago I came across an article in Real Simple on how to make your own earring display for your dangly earrings.  Perfect!  My dangles were always getting misplaced or wrapped up in each other.  So that weekend, I purchased the supplies and set my husband to work (yes, I could have done it myself but he was more than happy to help!).  I love my earring display and have been using it ever since!


WHAT YOU NEED

  • wooden frame (without glass or backing) - we used a shadow box and carefully broke the glass out the front of it
  • piano wire
  • small eyelet hooks (two per wire)
  • pliers
  • ruler
  • pencil
WHAT YOU DO
Using your pencil and ruler, mark where you want each wire to hang. Screw in the eyelet hooks. Using the pliers, pull the wire taut and twist it around the hooks.



Hang your earrings from wires.  The frame can sit on a dresser or hang from the wall.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Giveaway for Facebook Fans ONLY!

When Four Harp Designs reaches 100 Facebooks fans, 2 winners will receive a photo card digital file of their choice (can be used any time in 2010).  Head on over to my fan page and don't forget to spread the word!!

I've added some new categories and designs to my etsy shop...

Religious 
(baptism, dedication, first communion, christening)



Baby Shower Invitations



Kids Birthday Invitations