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.

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.

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

Tweeting or Twittering?

You can now find Four Harp Designs on Twitter!  Follow me!

14 days of giveaways!!

It's here!! The Knotties & Nesties on Etsy Valentine's Day giveaway extravaganza!

One team member is giving an item from their Etsy shop EVERY DAY. Items vary by shop so make sure you check every day!! Each giveaway will be posted at midnight the day the giveaway starts and will be drawn the same day at 10pm CST. Make sure to come back everyday and enter as many giveaways as you want!

The first day's giveaway has already been posted - check it out!

Check out the shops of participating KNET team members:

• Madas Place
• Belle Papillon
• Christie Creations
• Go Against the Grain
• Embellished Bayou
• TwobyTwoCrafts
• Mop Top Maven
• Damask Diva
• Mary Mule
• Swish Designs
• Karmas Creation
• Certainly Chic
• Four Harp Designs
• Plumb Pretty

And the giveaway winner is...

Congratulations to Kim who wrote:

Kim said...

I am a fan! I love Simple Modern birth announcement! My baby is due to arrive March 4th!

JANUARY 11, 2010 7:12 AM 

 Please claim your prize by emailing me at FourHarpDesigns@gmail.com by Monday 1/18 at noon PST.

If you didn't win, don't worry!  The Knotties & Nesties on Etsy Team are having a special "KNETteam loves you: 14 days of lovely giveaways" running February 1-14.  I will be giving away another free digital file on February 1st!  Stay tuned for more details!  :)

** CLOSED ** Giveaway Time!

* This giveaway is now closed - please check back for future giveaways! *

I love giveaways!  I really do - giveaways make me happy. :)  My oldest is turning 2 in just a couple weeks so I figure, let's do a giveaway in his honor (that's him... isn't he cute?).

I'm giving away TWO FREE digital files.  Winners can use their prize on any type of photo card (birth announcement, birthday invitation - or contact me to create a special card not listed in my shop - I love custom cards!).  Prizes must be claimed within 3 days but may be used at any time in 2010 (even for a holiday card at the end of the year).

You may enter up to FOUR times. The winners will be chosen from among comments on this blog post. You must comment one time for each entry, so you may comment up to four times.  Here's how to enter:

1. Become a follower of this blog by clicking "follow" in the righthand column. THEN comment on this post with the words "follower".  (e.g. I'm a follower!) - If you are already a follower, skip that step and simply post "I'm a follower!".
2. Become a fan on facebook (click here) THEN come back here and comment on this post with the words "I'm a fan!". (e.g. I'm a fan!) - If you are already a fan, skip that step and simply post "I'm a fan!".
3. Visit my etsy site and browse through my photo cards. THEN come back here, post a comment on this post with one or two of your favorite cards. (e.g. I love the Simply Stated birth announcement!)
4. Leave a comment on this blog telling me what event you have coming up in 2010 for which you would use a photo card (having a baby? child's birthday? moving?).

** Please make sure you either leave a way for me to contact you if you win - with your email in the comment or make sure your email shows in your blogger profile! **

Giveaway will end at 4pm PST on Friday January 15th.