Hydrangeas: How to Make Cut Blooms Last

I am super thankful that the person who owned this house before me loved hydrangeas as much as I do.  She planted about 15 different bushes with at least 4 different varieties.  They line my driveway and make my heart happy every time I pull in.  Along with that goes threats from me every time someone is backing out of my driveway..."you hit my hydrangeas and I may literally kill you!!"  I'm only partially kidding :-)

The best part for me is having more to cut than I know what to do with!  Back before the days of Pinterest I actually pulled an article out of Southern Living written by the Grumpy Gardener on how to make your hydrangea blooms last.  It is old and wrinkly and I still refer to it to refresh my memory at the beginning of every season. 

1.  Plunge stems in cool water immediately after cutting
2. Pour about 1 inch of boiling water into a container and let it cool for a few minutes.
3. Cut the stems at an angle at the length you want for your arrangement.
4.Hold the bottom 1 inch of the stems in the hot water for about 30 seconds.
5. Transfer the stems to cool water for your arrangement.

Do not ask me the reason behind this method because I can honestly say I do not know why... but it works!

I love these blue hydrangeas in a simple white pitcher.

The arrangement on the left is in my dining room.  It has been on this table with only one water change and stem trim for over two weeks now and is still looking amazing!  The one on the right I cut and brought in yesterday without going through the above steps and as you can see it is already more wilted than the other.  It is worth the extra time to have your arrangement last literally weeks longer!  These little arrangements are my go to hostess gift all summer.  You can pick up a cute vase at a thrift store, add hydrangeas and have a gift most anyone would love. 

Here are a couple other varieties from my yard.

Nightingale Lace Cap Hydrangea

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

For all other cut flowers refer to Rebekah's post from last week.
For tips on drying hydrangeas refer to this post on our dried hydrangea wreath.

Coming up Wednesday will be the Entry Closet Makeover reveal! I just have to find a few baskets I like and do some touch up painting.  See here for the inspiration and before pictures.  Also, and recap of the greatest weekend ever with the Hendricks and Moody's including lots of pictures of muddy husbands and kids from the Mad Mountain Mud Run. 

Last but not least Rebekah and I are planning a series on getting balance is all aspects of our (your) life because we have decided we both are in serious need.  We are going to figure out how to get our bodies, parenting, homes, and work lives more balanced, organized and healthy.  Stay tuned.  We have a lot of work to do in a lot of areas and we want you to follow along, help us out, and join in with us!

Kandi

Partying at some of these awesome places!

Motivate Me Monday  Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Serendipity and Spice Destination Craft Mrs Happy Homemaker Make it Yourself Monday Ask Anna C.R.A.F.T. The Southern Institute The DIY Showoff Craftomaniac Raising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday

A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown Home Organizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials  Be Inspired Tuesday Time Out A to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds Eye Heart Our Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Too Cute Tuesday Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in Training Sugar Bee Crafts Hope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’ Tuesday To Do Party Cherished Bliss Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft On Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade Off Tip Junkie T2T Tuesday Tuesday Treasures Ladybug Blessings Creative Itch Toot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Spicy Link Up

Junk in their Trunk  Polkadots on Parade Sugar and Dots Rock N Share Clean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little Tipsy Women Living Well Primp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday

  Live.Laugh.Rowe Adventures in Dinner Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously Flawed It’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change 52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom Designs A Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone Beagle The Brambleberry Cottage

 The Shabby Nest Tidy Mom Joyful Stamper My Simple Home Life Remodelaholic Delicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon Time Joy in the Jumble The Grant Life Dotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising Oranges Making Lemonade Redoux Interiors Sassy Sites One Artsy Momma My Romantic Home Petals to Picots Pandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us Four Mommas Kinda Crafty Craftionary Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4 Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home

Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird Lane Serenity You The Gingerbread Blog

Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley

Decorating with Orchids

I think C's Room has put me in the mood to update a few more spaces much to my husband's dismay! :)  Just last week, I finally found lamps and a cache pot for the console table in our foyer.

Console Table Before...

A pair of crystal lamps and a new cache pot full of orchids make all the difference.

I love the details on this cache pot. (I have also seen this word spelled cachepot). I found this one at Urban Merchant. I actually saw it weeks before I bought it, but it was a little much for my budget, so I stalked it for a couple weeks, before breaking down and buying it! I am so glad I did.  It is just perfect.

 Today I want to share with you my method for planting orchids in a large vessel.  Any vessel will do as long as it is deep enough to cover the planted pots. 

1.  I place as many orchids into my container as I can.  In this case, I used 4 orchid plants.

2. Keep the orchid in it's plastic container.  Orchids like to be root bound. 

3. Put potting soil in the bottom of the pot, place your orchid plants in their container in the pot, then fill around plants with potting soil to keep pots upright.

4. Cover with moss.  I bought mine at Michael's.

5.  Place 3 ice cubes around the base of each plant twice a week.

6.  If possible avoid direct sunlight, but place in indirect light.

7. Orchids will bloom for up to two months. 

 I love spaces that include gorgeous arrangements of orchids.  Here are a few inspirational pictures from Pinterest and Houzz.com 

This last picture is from my mudroom room. I hope I was able to give a few helpful tips to decorating with orchids.  Thanks for joining us today!

Rebekah

How to make a terrarium

I have been loving terrariums for a while now (with plants... no live animals!).  They have been all over blogland it seems.  They are so beautiful in apothecary jars which is what I planned on using until I stumbled upon this awesome little terrarium at the Goodwill for only $4!

This Pottery Barn Terrarium would be a good substitute but will cost you a little more than mine at $129!!  I cannot get over how similar they are!

Tabletop Greenhouse from Pottery Barn

I did a little Google research, gathered my supplies, and had an adorable terrarium in about 15 minutes!! 

Here is a link to an awesome Better Homes and Gardens slide show on terrariums and great plant options!

Supplies:

-Glass containers with or without tops

-Gravel, sea glass or beach stones

-Activated charcoal (found at a nursery or pet supply store)

-Terrarium plants

-Sterile potting mix

-Moss (optional)

Steps:

1. Start with a clean container and add your layer of rocks.  This is to give the water somewhere to go instead of soaking the roots.  I gathered mine from outside but you can buy the pretty decorative ones too.

2. Sprinkle your rocks with a layer of activated charcoal.  This helps keep the water from stagnating.

3.  Add a layer of moss if you wish.  This keeps your dirt from filling into your rocks and adds another layer to help with drainage.

4.  Layer of potting soil.

5.  Plant your plants and water. 

Such an easy project!  There are lots of resources on methods and types of plants.  I really wanted succulents (because I think they are pretty) so I hear you need to open it up and let it air out because they are not big fans of humidity.  Stick with small plants and you'll be fine.  You can always switch them out or trim them down if they start to outgrown your container.  Other than that check to see if it needs water every week.  Water if the soil is dry.  Simple way to add some life to your house!

Don't forget to check out the new Wedding Line of pillows!!  We are LOVING them!!

Kandi

Partying at some of these awesome places!

Motivate Me Monday The Cure for the Common Monday Just Something I Whipped Up Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Polish the Stars Serendipity and Spice Destination Craft Mrs Happy Homemaker Made for You Monday Make it Yourself Monday Ask Anna C.R.A.F.T. The Southern Institute The DIY Showoff Craftomaniac Raising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday * A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown Home Organizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials Giggles Glitz and Glam Be Inspired Tuesday Time Out A to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds Eye Heart Our Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Frugal Treasures Tuesday Too Cute Tuesday Sugar and Dots Topsy Turvy Tuesdays Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in Training Sugar Bee Crafts Hope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’ Tuesday To Do Party Cherished Bliss Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft On Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade Off Tip Junkie T2T Tuesday Tuesday Treasures Ladybug Blessings Creative Itch Toot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Junk in their Trunk Polkadots on Parade * Laugh Love and Craft Rock N Share Clean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little Tipsy Women Living Well Primp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday Live.Laugh.Rowe Adventures in Dinner Easy Digital Scrapbooking Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously Flawed It’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change 52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom Designs A Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone Beagle Schoolhouse Scraps The Brambleberry Cottage * The Shabby Nest Tidy Mom Joyful Stamper My Simple Home Life Remodelaholic Delicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon Time Joy in the Jumble The Grant Life Dotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising Oranges Making Lemonade Redoux Interiors Sassy Sites One Artsy Momma My Romantic Home Petals to Picots Pandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us Four Mommas Kinda Crafty Craftionary Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4 Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home* Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird Lane Serenity You The Gingerbread Blog* Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley

Garden Inspiration

Rebekah and I have decided to write a few "gardening blogs" in the coming future.  Why you ask, because we both love to garden.  Rebekah is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to gardening;  I usually Google  any plant before I plant it to make sure I'm doing it right!  But, I learn a little something every time I Google (and maybe if my child will start sleeping I might begin to retain at least a tiny amount of knowledge).

source
This is not my house.  But like my Pinterest pin says, "a girl can dream, right!!"

I will be putting in a vegetable garden this year!  Yay!  I've have had two veggie gardens of my own in the past.  The first one my mom planted and I LOVED her for it.  The second one I planted, did a wonderful, beautiful job... and just as all my yummy veggies were getting ready to harvest... we moved!!!  BUMMER!  I really hope those folks who bought our house at least ate a few of my cucumbers and tomatoes. 

Photo from Better Home and Gardens

I am looking forward to this project.  I plan on getting the kids involved (I hear you laughing!).  I grew up on a farm and it is a big part of who I am.  Now I know that a little veggie garden is not the same"growing up on a farm" but hopefully they will at least take something away.  And anyway, there is nothing better on this planet than a tomato sandwich with a juicy homegrown tomato, on soft white bread, smothered in Dukes mayonnaise with tons of salt and pepper.  If your not from the South you are probably gagging but TRY IT!  When tomato juice drips down your wrist you will know you have arrived at perfection

I am entertaining the idea of a wall mounted succulent garden.  They are just so beautiful.  I am not sure if it will happen this summer but I have the perfect spot right outside my kitchen window!

Picture courtesy of Country Living

I am a huge fan of container gardening.  Its like jewelry for your house.  Here are a couple pictures from my house last summer.  This summer I plan to add a little more color I think. 

A couple of containers on the back porch

Front Porch

From my mom's garden last summer.

We also created a backyard last fall!  Before and after pics to come.  Picture an over grown forest with weeds and vines to your neck going to a beautiful, lush shaded yard.  It happened!  More on that to come.  These projects along with a cut flower garden are what I have on the agenda for Spring/Summer 2012 (along with a laundry room redo, dining room makeover, and 20 zillion other projects sitting in my head).

If you love flowers its easier than you think to get started.  BHG and Country Living are great sources for garden plans and other plant knowledge.  Get a plan and head to your garden store.  The people are always so helpful and will get you on your way.  I guarantee if you start with just one container you'll be addicted in no time (speaking from experience)!

Go get your hands dirty!

Kandi

Hydrangea Wreath Tutorial

This happens to be the worlds cheapest and easiest wreath tutorial.  I was inspired by what else... Pinterest.  I randomly searched "wreaths" on afternoon and you wouldn't believe how many awesome ideas popped up!  Seriously... go search it!  I ended up making this one because I not only loved it, but I had plenty of dried hydrangeas so I knew I could make it quickly and easily and for zero dollars. 

Supplies:

- piece of cardboard

- dried hydrangeas

- hot glue gun and glue

- scissors

- length of string

For me it made more sense to make a wreath for out of cardboard because the flat back worked well for hanging it on a wall and the dried hydrangeas are so light weight that the cardboard will be plenty sturdy. I used the old elementary school method of making a perfect circle.  Tie a length of string to your pencil at the desired circumference of your circle.  Draw around while holding tight in the center.  Shorten the length for your inner circle.  Cut out.  If you are like me you will not care if your circle isn't 100% perfect because its going to be covered up.   If you are like my husband you will start over and do it until it's perfect therefore wasting precious time...

I only have one picture of the glue it on step because it's kind of a no brainer.  Add a length of ribbon to the back for hanging if needed first.  Next, cut the stems from your hydrangeas  and cover a surface area of the form with hot glue.  Stick your hydrangeas  down putting even pressure so it will stick but taking care not to crush it.  Continue until you're finished!

You will have to go back at the end taking small cuttings to fill in the gaps.  I think this wreath took me a total of 15 minutes from start to finish!  I have had it a few different places and I like it everywhere.  I have a love affair with hydrangeas though and my house is surrounded by them.  Their leaves are just now beginning to come out for the year and I'm already excited! 

I have since moved it to the dining room.  Quick  note... if you are going to be hanging it from a window or in front of a mirror take into account what the back looks like.  I ended up covering the back of mine with strips of burlap so it would look a little better from the other side. 

Check out my new dining room chairs!!!  More on those later this week along with the beginning of the dining room makeover.  (See the old ones here)

A note on drying hydrangeas.
I had the dried hydrangeas for this wreath already from my yard last year but drying them is super easy even if you buy them from the grocery store.  Basically display them in a vase with water and they will slowly dry as the water evaporates.  They usually retain their color but it may be a little more muted.  It doesn't always work as well with flower shop hydrangeas but I have had plenty of luck.  If you are planning on drying them from your own bush wait until the second half of summer when the start to feel slightly papery.  They seem to do perfectly from here.  If there are a couple brown petals they are easily removed once dried.  The funny part about this is this is the way I have always dried my hydrangeas but before typing it here I thought I better Google to see the "real" way.  Love it when I just happen to do things right the first time... that's not usually the way things go for me! 

This is an easy peasy and potentially free beautiful wreath.  I am thinking it is worth it for you to go ahead and plant yourself a hydrangea or two if you don't have one already!  Now is the time! 
I hope you are having this amazing spring weather like I am!  I am headed outside to enjoy it and start working on weeding my flower beds, doing a little pruning, and getting the ground ready to add annuals in a few weeks!  YAY!!  Spring is the best time of year!  Stay tuned for some gardening posts and tutorials coming up.

Kandi

We Party Here:
http://www.alittletipsy.com/
 http://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/.