Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Light and Bright Hand-Made Bouquets for the Home

White Roses and Lilacs by Raoul de Longpre, French 1859-1911

 

In the previous post I shared home-made versions of high-quality and high-priced floral bouquets in interesting containers. The catalog versions of these artificial florals are made of sturdier materials by special designers and that probably accounts for higher prices. The recent Victoria magazine features a lady who makes delicate floral bouquets from clay, pictured, above.

 

Here is another catalog bouquet that is held in acrylic. The price in this catalog was much lower than those in the previous post - only $20.00

With a few silk florals that had detached from a vine, I created a similar bouquet in a round jelly jar. The flowers are placed on pieces of wire stems from old fake flower bouquets. If you do something like this, you may have to anchor the lightweight stems by filling your vase with clear glass stones from the floral department of the dollar store.
Look at paintings and catalogs to get ideas for bouquets and the. Head to Goodwill or the dollar stores and other places having clearance sales and buy the lilacs and roses you need.
 
 
 

Recently in blog-land there was link party to share what you had done with one of the glass candle holders from the dollar store. I did not join the party because I was not sure I could make the deadline, but I want to show you what I did with my dollar store candle stick. The candle in the round ribbed glass jar is a linen scent, also from the dollar store. The jar has to be affixed to the candle stick with a special glass glue or a type of clay, which you get at fabric and craft stores. I placed a led tea light on top of the candle.

In keeping with my previous post I have made a topiary arrangement on top of the candle holder, by taping a piece of floral foam on a juice-can lid and then taping it to the candlestick. I put small flowers and leaves into the foam to create this bouquet.

 

I spent the entire day in the kitchen with cleaning and then baking and of course one thing leads to another in homemaking and then the kitchen towels needed laundering. The entire time I was thinking about how hard it might be for a new homemaker to adjust to working all day alone at home.

You may have done a lot of things in schools you attended, as a group,and if you were ever employed elsewhere, there often would other employees around. Homemaking can be a lonely job sometimes and you have to be self motivated and arrange your time to get things done. You might need to have some goals and some rewards as incentives.

One of the best rewards is seeing your house looking orderly at the end of the day. Another incentive to complete tasks is to have interesting things you like to do. I like to choose some small thing that is not really practical or necessary but artistic and relaxing, so the last couple of days I have enjoyed creating florals and centerpieces with things that I believe most people have already or can find very inexpensively.

The other reward, truly an incentive, is knowing the work will not pile up and you will not have twice as much to do the next day and not be twice as tired.

One of the best ways of organizing housework and completing it is to list daily items that must be done every day. And add one extra thing each day that is not something that needs done daily, such as cleaning the fridge, the laundry room, a closet, a drawer or decluttering the front porch. This way, the daily job of dishes, meals and general room-cleaning get done and you make further progress by having one additional thing on your list. I like to include one leisure item on my list, such as reading time or sewing. I have a notebook in which I keep a list of all the things I would like to do, so I am never at a loss for creative or leisure ideas.

I think in all this, there has to be an attitude of contentment and a thankful heart. I am always glad to have heat and lights and hot water. They seem like such luxuries. A sense of thankfulness can create contentment in your life at home.

I was looking at some of the fashions that are coming in the next season, and thinking that many homemakers would want something prettier, so I am working on a sketch of my new "line" of clothing. I expect if I sew it all, I will hang it on the line for a picture.

This is the view from the living room window today.

 

10 comments:

Christine said...

I was a stay at home mom while our children were in school. When the last one graduated from high school, I went to work. I would dream of the day I could "retire". After 12 years, I'm at home again and LOVE it!
~Home Sweet Home~

living from glory to glory said...

Good Day!
I was struck by the comment you made on how a new homemaker might find the task of being home alone all day a bit of a challenge! I think this is a very accurate statement.
That is why the ideas you gave are very wise and it will be the core for them for a successful home.
Of course, many other things with her being the helper of her Husband.
Then you realize the day is gone.
That is why learning early on to be creative and restful for a portion each day is very wise and much needed.
Great Post!
Blessings Always, Roxy

Lydia said...

I love fresh flowers but growing up in Alaska, my mother grew them outside and encouraged us to leave them outside. Once picked, they fade and you have to throw the. Out and clean the vases.

Window boxes are like having indoor bouquets, if you can see them out your windows. I have always wanted them but my windowsills are not built for attaching them. I am thinking of ideas for that, using plaster and wrought iron boxes

Unknown said...

Lydia,
I have been inspired and delighted by your posts for over a year now.
Thank you for your lovely thoughts and wise words!
I also love the wonderful blogs that you have recommended.
I would like to share another great blog with you and all of the ladies who enjoy your blog: www.peacefulwife.com
It is written by April, a godly wife, mother, and mentor. There are also great guest posts from time to time. This blog is for all women who want to have a happy marriage that glorifies God.
Love,
Paulina

Kathleen in IL said...

Mrs. Sherman, your post about being lonely just hit the nail on the head for me. My Beloved Husband has been able to go back to work, at least temporarily, under a VA program, and now I'm trying to get a "schedule" for the housework and not feel lonely and rather at loose ends! Thank you for thie timely post.

Kathleen in IL

Lydia said...

Christine, that is such a wonderful feeling!

Roxy, I have always noticed the career days for students never cover the type of jobs where you will be working for yourself , and homemaking is like being an entrepreneur. You have to do what you can on your own, often without any praise or encouragement from anyone, so you must have a deep devotion to it that will get through anything discouraging,including some lonely hours and house renovations when things are not easy.

Paulina, thank you for the link. I will look at it soon. I appreciate your visit.

Kathleen, my husband has had his work in his home office for many years but every now and then has been gone to work elsewhere. Getting used to the change can leave you going around in circles all day but eventually you will develop some kind of a routine.

Karen said...

Came to visit you from Roxy's blog. God bless you!

Sola Scriptura said...

I'm visiting from the link on "living from glory to glory" You have a very lovely and encouraging blog!

Lydia said...

Karen, thank you.
Sola scriotura, I like the meaning if yiur name

Stephanie said...

Hello dear Lydia! I pray this reaches you doing well :) I apologize for not visiting very often. I was at Roxy's blog where she kindly mentioned you in her post and it struck me that it has been ages since I popped in - shame on me!

Your post was so refreshing and encouraging - thank you! May you have a beautiful week :) Hugs to you!