An Outdoor Wedding

I wanted to end the summer with an outdoor wedding.  It's not one wedding, it's a fantasy of what an outdoor wedding could be using my favorite pins from my Wedding Details board. 

If you study some of the images you can see how much thought went into the details....and love is in the details.

Martha Stewart Weddings

Nantucketweddingsunveiled.com

Style Me Pretty

Seattlebridemag.com

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

?

Rachelevents.com

Style Me Pretty

Happy Labor Day!

 

Meet Ingrid

I have a new friend for all of you to meet......unless you already know her....then you can just see your friend's new idea! This is Ingrid from the blog Now At Home Mom.

Ingrid is one crafty girl. Check out her craft room.

Can you believe how beautiful and organized this space is? How much creating could we do in this space....I definitely have craft room envy.

To see more of this room, go here. Welcome Ingrid!

Hi everyone, my name is Ingrid and I blog over at Now At Home Mom. I am very happy to be here with you; 'Calling It Home' readers sharing this small project. Linda has great taste when it comes to décor, I remember discovering her beautiful blog through the 'One Room Challenge' series and I was immediately impressed with how she was decorating her entrance. Thanks for having me over Linda. I love decorating my home with pretty things that make me happy. I also love making my home comfortable with simple DIY projects. Please let me share one of them with you: a centerpiece These are the supplies I used :

• 6 mason jars
• a wood crate
• burlap
• twine
• fresh flowers (or fakes ones if you prefer)
• scissors
• glue gun

I am never in short supply of these items. Okay ... maybe just the flowers:

Over a week ago, I was having two of my best friends over for lunch and I needed a centerpiece. I thought of just adding flowers to some mason jars but what's the fun in that? So ... I remembered admiring some projects on different blogs and how nicely they decorated them. I always have burlap and twine around so I gave it a go and added my personal touch to them. I started by wrapping the burlap around the mason jar to cut it to size:

once cut, I wrapped it around:

I then glued it. At first, I tried securing the burlap with safety pins but it didn't work, it just kept unwrapping. This is when I had to take my trusted friend out: my glue gun

I then removed the excess burlap with scissors:

I used freshly cut flowers from my front yard, added twine around the top of the mason jar but something was missing

  for inspiration, I went through my craft supplies and found pink twine. It was a good idea and loved how lovely the pink twine popped against the burlap:

I didn't build this crate, but what a great DIY project that would've been. I already had it and got it on sale from Home Sense weeks ago. I love this crate because I can use it in my kitchen or living room when needed:

See how pretty these mason jars turned out, just by adding twine around and a pretty flower to each one of them softens the burlap. I didn't work too hard at putting this centerpiece together but my friends loved it, they said the pink twine is so me. I was glad they liked them and that we had a great time:

I left the mason jars inside the crate untouched on top of my pantry, except for the flowers of course so I can use this centerpiece again very soon. After all, summer is relaxing and is all about keeping things simple, isn't it ?

I would love it if you stop by and say hi over at Now At Home Mom anytime! Thank you very much Linda for having me over at your lovely blog today

Hydrangeas & Happenings

Today's Monday, right? I can tell that summer has started because I was not sure what day today was...and it is going to be like that for the next few months.
My kids are still in school. I think they are working on next year's projects by now. It feels like the movie Groundhog Day. 
On the bright side, my hydrangeas are starting to bloom. One of these days, I am going to cut all of them and make a huge topiary like Preston Bailey does. Well, like his people do.

Preston Bailey

I do have enough to make a table setting like this one. 

Via

I definitely have white ones, and could do this.

Source?

Country Living

And on another note, my daughter had a birthday. I was shocked...almost fell off my chair...when she announced she would be keeping all the items I gave her! 
Could it be that I am now able to shop for my teen?....Probably not, just dumb luck.
Here are the items she loved.

this top
This one in mint that is now on sale! Yes, I will go back for an adjustment...wouldn't you?

Mint top now on sale
This Michael Kors wristlet

Available here
And a few other goodies. Have a productive Monday...if possible.
Was your weekend more exciting than mine? How did you fill your days?

Field Trip Time

I am going over to The Pink Pagoda. 

Jennifer is doing 31 Days of Pink, and I am guest posting. Here is a hint of my topic.

Come visit me.

Air Plants

Have you noticed all of the fun creative things that people are doing with Tillandsias (aka Air Plants)?   

Source

They grow without soil and need very little watering...once a week, I think. 

Source

Because they will grow on almost anything anywhere...I find myself fascinated by the endless possibilities. 

Source

Southern Living

Etsy Seller

Etsy Seller

Etsy Seller

Etsy Seller

Etsy Seller

Flora Grubb Gardens

This plant is a creative person's dream! Would you DIY it or buy it?

How To Care For Cut Hydrangeas

Today, I am borrowing a post from my blogging friend, Mimi. She is always posting great floral tips for your own arrangements. Like the time she convinced me to try this one. Recently, I received a question about how to care for cut hydrangeas on the Hydrangea Centerpiece post that I did.

So here is Mimi's answer

How To Care For Cut Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are beautiful, but they do require a little special care. Follow these steps below and enjoy:

 8 Tips for Caring for Cut Hydrangea

1) Purchase hydrangea from places that always sell fresh flowers. Hydrangeas, or any flower really, purchased from shops that sell old, poor quality flowers won't last long.

2) Buy hydrangeas that look full. There should be no brown spots. No wilting or gaps between the flowers either.

3) Fill a clean vase with room temperature water.Hydrangeas are big drinkers. So don't skimp on the water.

4) Add a little floral preservative. Yes, use that little packet that comes with the flowers. It helps the flowers last longer. I use it all the time.

5) Don't smash the stems with a hammer. That's old school advice. It destroys the cell structure of the hydrangea stem.

Instead, just cut the stem twice. The first cut should be on the angle. The second cut should be a vertical one at the bottom of the stem.

6) Spray the hydrangea blooms with water.Remember, hydrangeas are really thirsty. 

7) Place hydrangeas in a cool spot. Away from the sun and other sources of heat.

8) Change the water. Remove hydrangea from the vase. Wash the vase with soap and water. Repeat steps 3-5 above.


Now for a quick tip, find out how to make a 5 Minute Flower Arrangement.