HOW TO: STOP Hydrangeas Wilting As A Cut Flower...

Do you LOVE hydrangeas ?

Do you pick them for a cut flower, pop them in a vase and within a few hours or days, the flower heads wilt?

Today, I'm sharing a few simple florist secrets on how to prepare hydrangeas for a long vase life.

As you know, I have the KISS motto...

(It means 'Keep it simple, stupid'!)

I dislike complicated with a vengeance...

So when it comes to hydrangeas...

This is a simple way to ensure a longer vase life,

AND guess what?

It actually works!

What you do is:

Pick your flowers early in the morning. (cool time of day)

In fact, that is something to understand when picking flowers or foliage for the vase.

Always pick in the cool of the early morning.

Fill up your tub or sink with cold water.

Place the picked stems into the water.

Soak for two hours.

Then:

RE-CUT THE STEMS UNDER THE WATER!

Then:

Place EACH stem on a board and whack with a hammer.

TIP: If you do this with all woody stems - chrysanthemums, foliage, etc, they will last much longer in the vase.

Place immediately into a vase of water.

Arrange your flowers as desired.

I use an opaque cut-glass style vase which hides the crushed stems from sight.

 

Keep the vase OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT!

This Vase of hydrangeas is in my hallway with Mr Cat.

 

Have water level as high as possible to the top of the vase.

Change water every two or three days.

 DAY THREE: NO WILT!

DAY EIGHT: NO WILT!
YIPEE!!

DAY TEN:  NO WLIT!

And still smelling gorgeous.

 DAY TWENTY ONE!!!!
I'M YELLING THAT FOLKS- DAY TWENTY ONE!!!
I kid you not...The flowers have lost the purple hue...

And they are now very blue!
There is a little yellowing of the leaves.
And the tips of some of the flowers are spotted brown.
But they still look GREAT, and they still smell lovely!
More importantly, there is no wilt!!!
This 'KISS' Hydrangea picking technique is a forever keeper secret, for it sure beats the 2 hours or days vase life if picked and placed directly in a vase.
I simply ADORE HYDRANGEAS, don't you?

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you can join for free HERE.

#hydrangeas #stophydrangeawilting #hydrangeasascutflowers

Ocean blues...

I live by the sea...

I love the beach...

There is nothing more soothing to the soul - 

than the ocean, sand and the sound of waves.

I think that is why painting the ocean is a love of mine.

This painting is called 'Submersion'.

Painted in oils it is a gift for my son who is a free diver.

If you would like to see the beach on my doorstep, visit the link to  Ohope Beach.

DIY Pallet & Mason Jar Organiser...

So this is what happened...

 when one moves the hand towel hook in the bathroom to a new position, 

(because you have found the perfect storage shelf for the teeny tiny little gap!)

This would not be a problem if:

You had spare wallpaper...spare paint for patch ups...and the gloss anti mold seal.

(Now that is a lesson if you pay someone else to do the painting -

 make sure they leave you the leftovers!!!)

This created a how will I cover that hole dilemma in the blue bathroom.

Soooo...(and thank goodness for Pinterest)

I found the perfect solution!

A DIY Mason Jar Organiser...

which I attached to pallet wood for a super rustic look.

 They are really quite simple to make: 
Measure wood to desired size.

 Cut wood.

  Paint wood or age it.

I used a grey as a base colour...

as I wanted a rustic look that would match the concrete exposed stone lino floor in this bathroom.

 Then dry brushed white paint over the top.

PVA glue the middle of the two pieces of wood.

Turn over and nail three staples to hold together.

Using an electric drill and a small bit,

drill the last slot on the clamp into a round big enough for your nail to go through.

 The hose clamps were $7.50 each (sourced from Bunnings).

Measure and mark on the wood where the top of the clamps will sit.

Nail into position.

 The short mason jars were from Briscoes,

 and had 40% off this price.

Attach wood to wall and then add your jars.

These jars are fab storage for makeup brushes,

but you could use the jar organiser idea anywhere in the home decor, 

to hold all sorts of things. 

#masonjar #bathroom #organiser #diy

FREE Inspirational Quote - Live What You LOVE!

 A new inspirational photo quote just for you

❥❥❥

Purple and lime green gorgeousness with a powerful message that says:
❥
LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE 
❥

Free to print for personal use.

Print frame and gift, or pin to your mood board.
(copy & save to your computer)

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quote #quotes #lifequote

The latest from the ART studio...

Here are a few of the latest works in the art studio...

This oil painting is almost finished.

It is called 'Flight of Freedom'.

And this one is finished and framed.  It just has to be installed in the studio gallery.

Title: 'Beyond the sphere of time'

Medium: Mixed media

As you can see there is a whole lot of AQUA love going on...

:)

Passion...

Passion

is

the genesis of genius!

Galileo Galilei   (1564 – 1642)

Design available on Notebooks and other products HERE.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#passionquotes #abstractquotes #artquotes

Lets create a doily cushion...

I LOVE repurposing things. 

 In fact, there is a cupboard in the house, and a cupboard in the shed that stores stuff
 that fits the  'Keep this - because I could change it up one day!' category.

This cushion had really seen better days and was in the said cupboard.

The minty colour is adorable, 

and I have a new duvet cover that it will fit with quite nicely.

Also in the cupboard was this beautiful vintage doily.

Put the two together and this is what was created.

It was really easy to do.

Place the doily centred on the cushion cover (inner removed).

Pin to the cover.

 Machine stitch around the outer edge.

Or handstitch if you prefer.

 Put the inner back inside the cover.

The old cushion was transformed into something delicately beautiful.

 And with the intricate lace doily on the front, 

has a new lease of life.

Repurposing is so much FUN!

Every room should have something in it that makes you smile.

And this doily cushion does just that for me!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#doily #upcycle #diy #cushion #sewing

How To FREEZE Rhubarb...

Rhubarb - deliciously tart 

Perfect stewed, served with custard sauce

or

in cakes, muffins or slices.

The trouble with rhubarb is it is ready to pick from the plant all through summer,

and then winter comes...

and the plant becomes dormant.

So here is a little knowhow so you can enjoy rhubarb treats year round.

To freeze:

Pick your rhubarb.

Remove the leaves.

Wash the stalks.

Slice or dice.

Blanch (dip into boiling water) for 90 seconds.

Remove.

Cool.

Bag into lots of:

 1 cup (for muffins)

4 cups (for stewing, cakes and slices)

Label bags... 

and place in freezer.
Thaw before using.

Stop by in a few days time...

I'll be sharing how to make this Rhubarb Vanilla Custard Slice. 

#rhubarb #dessert