Friday, March 19, 2010

Flower Power . . . .

Progress.....

No, this isn't the same picture I posted on Wednesday!!!! This picture has TWICE as many 2 1/2 inch four patches, 200 down, 200 more to go.

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about putting up my winter decorations, and even though it didn't look or feel like spring, I put up most of my snowman knick knacks.

Then I did nothing. Since it didn't look or feel like spring, I just didn't feel like getting anything springy out.....so these shelve just sat empty......don't they look depressing!

Finally the sun came out and I happened to notice that Easter is early this year, so I got a few things out. The gerbera daisy napkin rings set out until Labor Day, and the bunnies are good for a couple of weeks. My daughter gave both items to me and I love them.

I was still thinking the house could use some color so I stopped in a silk flower shop this week. Their setup is a little unusual, they don't have any arrangements prepared for cash and carry, they just have silk flowers and vases, it's up to you to put it all together.

I was a little bit out of my element but was really wanting some color so I just bought 3 sacks full of stuff and hoped for the best.


I made this arrangement for the dining room. After I pushed all the stems in the vase, and stood back to admire my work, I remembered walking by some beautiful purple tulips that would have really looked good in this arrangement. (note to self, red does not have to be in every item in the house!)

And I made this for the kitchen table. I'm happy with how both arrangements liven up the house. Being the picky person that I am, I can't walk by either arrangement without rearranging something, I hope to get over that soon, but probably won't.

Have you heard of water pearls?

See how ugly this vase looks, those plastic stems just staring back at you?


All it takes is a tablespoon of water pearls and some water and you go from the above photo


to this in a couple of hours,


to this after a good night's sleep (for me, not the water pearls). Supposedly all I have to do is add a little water whenever these gel beads start to shrink. So far I'm very impressed with how they look, I think it's a huge improvement.


The weather is supposed to turn this weekend, and not for the better, cold and freezing rain are back in the forecast. Maybe I'll have some time to spend on Jacob's Ladder. Surely I'll have more to show on Monday than a box full of 4 patches.

I hope you have a great weekend.

19 comments:

  1. Thelma! What a talent you have with the flowers! I am hopeless arranging my own. I really love the second one and the water pearls make a tremendous difference in the look.

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  2. Wow, the flower arrangements are just gorgeous! I have never heard of water pearls. They look like a fantastic way to remedy holding stems still in a vase. Love the look!

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  3. WOW Those arrangements look amazing. I love the bubble pearls. Those really are cute. I'm going to have to see if I can find some, for the someday when I have room for such things.

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  4. Wow I love your table arrangements. They look so bright and springy. I've never heard of water pearls before, but sounds like a grand idea. Happy Spring.

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  5. i'm gonna hafta get me some of those - the last time i "arranged" silk flowers i poured those glass marble things into the vase and they sent cracks up the sides ... maybe i shouldn't have used quite so much force

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  6. You have quite a talent for flower arranging! Those certainly look like Spring to me. Those water pearls are cool - I've never heard of such a thing!

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  7. Gorgeous arrangements...where can I get water pearls???

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  8. Water pearls. Now that is new to me! I love changing out my silk arrangements with the seasons. I think for someone who thought they couldn't arrange flowers, you did a professional looking job. You underestimate yourself Thelma, there isn't any thing you aren't good at!
    Quick question--what does the addition of water do to the stems of the silk flowers? Do you have to toss the arrangement after a couple of months? Or do the pearls absorb all the moisture?

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  9. Way to go with the 4 patches! :-) They look great! I love your flower arrangements~ just beautiful! Where do you find water pearls? They are new to me too.

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  10. Never heard of water pearls - they're great! And they add just the right touch to your lovely flower arrangements!

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  11. Good luck on Jacob's Ladder. I love that block, and the design of a Jacob's Ladder quilt. Your fabric choices are perfect. I, too, love your flowers. I saw real gerbera daisies at WalMart about a week ago; I'm tempted to go back and see if any remain...they'd look mighty nice on my kitchen table. And, yes, we are supposed to return to wintery weather this weekend, too. Boo.

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  12. Oh my goodness, your flowers look wonderful. I've never heard of water pearls, but those are so cool I'm going to have to look for some.

    I instantly saw that you had made progress on your Jacob's ladder. It's going to be so wonderful when you're done (I think I said before that I love that fabric combination).

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  13. You can add a little bit of food color to the water and the water pearls will pick that up! We use them a lot at the flower shop!

    And your flowers look gorgeous! You did a great job!!!

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  14. Beautiful arrangements as they are, but I know that irrestible urge to keep fiddling. You're making great progress on Jacob's Ladder -- love your color choices.

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  15. Isn't it fun to see the progress of your Jacob's Ladder? They are gonna be great! Love the tan and black.
    I have never seen any thing like the water pearls,so where did you get them? The food color tip sounds interesting,too. Your flowers are beautiful,too! Silk, huh? I wouldn't have guessed.

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  16. Lots of Jacob's Ladder pieces...very exciting! Love your flowers...I've never seen water pearls...what a wonderful idea!

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  17. You did a great job with those flower arrangements! And those water pearls are very cool.

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  18. Great floral arrangements!!! Both of them are beautiful. Your four patches are looking nice as well. Can't wait to see how much you got done over the weekend.

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  19. water pearls -- how pretty. i've never seen that, thank you for sharing the info in the next post. Your arrangements are perfect for spring.

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