Iced green tea. Violet red baby Carnations and Carums
It's been terribly hot the last couple of days, or is it just me? Nothing beats having a refreshing iced green tea on a hot, hot day.
I am into the 3rd week in this new abode and this is the 3rd bunch of flowers that I have bought for the home thus far. And I have to conclude that this florist that I have been buying from has a limited range of flowers, I guess having $10-14 budget a week will not give me much variety to start with. I guess I am just a cheap fresh flowers lover and will go with colour stories, rather than variety of flowers. Wish flowers were more affordable locally though…
I am sure some of you prefer to go with fake flowers for the home, as fresh flowers can't survive for long. However, if you want to start buying fresh flowers for your home on a weekly basis, do try these tips which have helped my fresh flowers survive at least for 7-8 days;
1. Cut all the stems of the flowers in a 45 degree sharp cut, that makes them soak up water much better.
2. Remove the leaves that will be under water in the arrangement, but do not remove thorns from roses as it tends to shorten their life.
3. Use plain, lukewarm water for most cut flowers, Change water in the vase every 2 days.
4. Keep cut flowers away from fruit, which releases a gas that causes flowers to age faster.
Usually 7-8 days is good enough for me, as I prefer to refresh the fresh flowers in the living area on a weekly basis. Here are 8 more ways to help your flowers last longer. I have yet to to try these methods, so do share your experience if you have tried any of these methods that has worked for you.
Felt Citrus Coasters
Just completed this hand-made for the home; Citrus Coasters. Love this for a home with a neutral palette, as it will certainly brighten up the dining/coffee table. I was rather conflicted when I completed this handmade, could not decide if I should keep it for myself or give it to a friend for her house-warming. I finally gave in and decided that my home needed them more then hers at this point ;P
You can get the pattern and the instructions to make this coasters here.
We are finally into the September school holidays starting today! Need to start planning what to do to keep the little man busy for the coming week.
Hi Rachel,
Just want to say hello, I’ve followed your blog for about a month or so. I like your writing and your photography :).
Hi Yen, Thanks for coming by my blog and liking it :)))…I would love to follow your blog too. Can you add me? My email add for google is rachtll76@gmail.com
Yeah… I love to have fresh flowers at home too… Our hot weather and limited variety of “affordable” fresh blooms available makes it hard to maintain their use in my home. Although I do find daisies alot more lasting in our climate.
Try these varieties:
http://www.fiftyflowers.com/flowers/AllFlowersDaisyandPoms_97.htm
And somewhere along the way, various aunties volunteers the “secrets” of “preserving” fresh flowers; everything from a pinch of sugar to panadol… If you ask me, I think it hardly makes much difference (prob. a 1/2 day extension).
Maybe adopting a couple of low-maintainence indoor / table top plants might just be the long-term answer to bring greenery into your home.
I do see alot of geberra daisies in the florist, but somehow the colours are not very rich
So I am always looking out for new varieties at the florist.
I have no green fingers so too many plants at home is not a good idea…plus I don’t know what to do when it starts to grow a little to big / tall for their pot. Am I suppose to transfer the plant into a bigger pot? See I told u, I have no clue…
How pretty are the coasters! I’m so going to try them! I love your pictures too, really nice.
.-= Adora´s last blog ..Ice Cream Fixes Everything =-.
Have fun making the coasters! Thanks for your compliments on the pics.
I’m inspired to try putting real flowers in my vase for a change.
Lovely citrus coasters you’ve made. Where do you usually buy felt from? I’ve been wanting to get some too but have yet to have the time to go shop for them.
.-= Ing´s last blog ..baby-following starts now =-.
Yeah! Give it a try, I am sure you will be hooked as well 😉
I usually buy felt from a US wool felt/fabric retailer online. Their felt are wool felt, unlike the polyester/acrylic ones that we get from Daiso or Spotlight. After crafting for a while, I prefer the feel of wool felt as they are more durable, washable and don’t tear easily even when sewn/machine sewn. Very suitable for making of small softies. I think the selection from Spotlight is better, more colours available and they have a selection that is I think 10-20% wool + Polyester, definitely better quality.
I love fresh flowers for the home too. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Those coasters are super adorable. Such a fun project to do! I however have way too many coasters in the house – mostly gifts accumulated from the years. And we hardly use them!
.-= Corsage @ A Dollop Of Me´s last blog ..A Dollop Of My Home: Kitchens, Big and Small =-.
Hehe..that’s why I decided not to give it to a fren for housewarming gift. Coasters have a danger of being shelved into the drawers and not being used. So I figured I will make better use of it in my home!
Those are great tips, Rachel! When I do get the chance to put fresh flowers in my home, I will be sure to follow them!
Thanks Joyce. I am sure u will enjoy beautifying your home with fresh flowers
Love the coasters! Very cute idea.. I might just try it heh
.-= Madeline´s last blog ..Rediscovering the Far North =-.
Have fun crafting!
now i know why my roses tend to be shorter life-span in my house~!
anyway, love those citrus coasters. the tutorial looks friendly to follow, im super keen… but then again, i have to completed those sewing at home first…
More patterns available soon on my site as I start doing more handmades…some I am sure u will find hard to resist as they are so easy to do!