Tips on Making an Artificial Topiary Tree

Author: IC

Artificial Topiary trees are small decorative trees that are used to add decoration to your home, and are often placed in corners or archways or halls or rooms to help give the room a finished look. Artificial Topiary trees are commonly used for special occasions simply because they can add a little but of glamour to your room. Artificial Topiary trees are highly common at weddings.

You can be as creative as you want with Artificial topiary trees because they don’t have to be a plant. You can even make candy topiary trees and place them near your bridal party so you can give them away as wedding favors. Not only are candy topiary trees super fun to make but they make awesome gifts. It is a lot less time consuming than wrapping fifty individual gifts.

Artificial Topiary trees are easy to make and are perfect for just about any event. You can use different trees at your children’s birthday parties, dinner parties, baby showers, anniversary parties, or just about any other special event you can think of. To make a Artificial topiary tree you will need a foam ball, some candy, a pot that is about the same size as the foam ball you use, a piece of dowel, colored patty-pans, some plaster-of-Paris for filling the pot, some pebbles for decoration, as well as curling ribbon.

Begin making your Artificial topiary tree by pushing the foam ball on the piece of dowel so that it makes a hole in the ball. Be sure that you push hard enough so that it will stay when the candy and other decorations are applied. When you have made the hole, remove the foam ball because it is easier to work with on the table. Turn the patty-pans inside out so that the colored sides are showing. Next push lollipop sticks through the patty-pans, then into a ball.

If you have gaps fill them in with some wired curling ribbon, then wrap some of the curling ribbon down the piece of dowel. Set the dowel in the pot with the plaster-of-Paris. Slide the ball on top of the dowel and place some pebbles in the top of the pot to cover the plaster-of-Paris.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/tips-on-making-an-artificial-topiary-tree-227397.html

About the Author

IC endorses Jane Smithston. Find the latest in
Artificial Topiary Trees at Fantasie Flowers

Wedding Flower Arrangements

Author: Katie

Last month, I undertook a most fortuitous task. I did my own wedding flowers. You see, I live in a rural part of the country and was having a wedding far from the city lights and most florists. I did locate a city florist willing to drive 3 hours to setup my wedding flowers for my special day, but 2 weeks before the actual event, my florist called to tell me the florist business was being closed due to the poor economic environment and needed to cancel our arrangement. I then frantically tried locating another florist but to no avail.

So it came upon me, after taking the advice of many online brides-to-be, to arrange my own wedding flowers. Less than two weeks before my wedding, I found myself poring through wedding flower books and magazines to learn the intricacies of floral wire, floral foam, stem cutters, thorn strippers, blah, blah, blah. I also read as much as I could online. And I interviewed many online wholesale flower companies to see what flowers were available in the market.

After a couple of stressful days, I finally came out with a list of flowers I thought I could arrange myself. Most consisted of flowers from my original plan with some adjustments to my bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets (to permit easier setup). The bouquets were made from chocolate or deep burgundy calla lilies and dendrobium orchids. Aisle pew flowers consisted of oriental lilies while the floor runners were sprayed with fresh rose petals.

Reception tables were adorned with tall glass vases filled with water and tall, thick cymbidium orchids. Underwater lights in these vases helped illuminate the asian beauties and add a touch of elegance, befitting for an evening reception. The wedding cake was dotted with splashes of fresh rose petals and a few pink peonies strategically placed on some of the corners. Finally, the reception room was highlighted with a few master centerpieces consisting of white hydrangea, green hanging amaranthus, and pink garden roses that diffused an ever sweet smell of fresh perfume.

All in all, I was quite proud of the floral arrangements. Granted, they weren't Four Seasons hotel quality but good enough to solicit inquiries from my guests which florist handled the arrangements. Ha!

We sell different types of wedding favors such as: wedding invitations, place card holders, winter and summer wedding favors.  We carry many different wedding accessories and wedding gifts such as coasters, personalized gifts and cookie gifts.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/wedding-flower-arrangements-1952218.html

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How Can You Attract Butterflies to Your Garden?

Author: Janet Ashby

Butterflies can be attracted to your garden by a variety of methods including planting brightly coloured flowers and bushes, providing food in the form of rotten fruit or by providing other places where they will congregate.

Flowers and Bushes

To attract butterflies to your garden you need to provide attractive food in the form of brightly coloured flowers and feeders and puddles for drinking water. Leave a part of your garden wild by allowing the grass to grow longer and sprinkling wild flower seeds throughout the area. Choose an area that has sunshine for most of the day but is sheltered from the wind. A few flat stone scattered about will provide resting places. At the edges of the wild area plant flowers and shrubs with brightly coloured blooms.

Butterflies prefer single flowers rather than double blooms as they are easier for gathering nectar. Mix up the colours as butterflies have different preferences. Some will be attracted to flowers in shades of red, orange or yellow, some prefer whites or blues or purples. Also plant in clumps to provide an attractive mass of colour. Annuals and perennials to plant include phlox, lavender, zinnias, asters, candytuft, catnip, daisies, goldenrod, verbena and Marigold. Shrubs and bushes include the butterfly bush (buddleia), honeysuckle, mock orange, potentilla, hawthorn, lilac, and hyacinth.

Make an Artificial Puddle

Shallow puddles will attract butterflies so you can make a permanent artificial puddle. Take a shallow dish and add some sand then moisten with water, stale beer or some fruit juice. Bury the dish up to the rim in a sunny part of the garden.

Food for Butterflies

Butterflies love fermenting fruit and vegetables. A fruit tree in the garden will attract the butterflies if you allow the fallen fruit to stay on the ground. Put out small amounts of over ripe fruit, any type will do, butterflies will love it mushy and fermenting. Uneaten bananas can be stored in the freezer and defrosted when required. The freezing process will turn them black and the fruit inside will be mushy. Just right for attracting butterflies!

Feeders for Butterflies

An easy butterfly feeder can be made by using a shallow saucer or dish with a sloping rim and hanging to a tree branch or pergola with flower pot hangers. Hang it higher than the surrounding flowers. To attract the butterflies plastic or silk flowers can be attached to the hanger. Put some mushy, fermenting fruit sprinkled with water or fruit juice in the dish. Check regularly to make sure it is still damp as butterflies do not like dried food.

Butterfly Nectar

In place of the rotten fruit you could make butterfly nectar by boiling together 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water. Do not add any food colouring but, to attract the butterflies, add some brightly coloured objects or plastic flowers to the feeder. You can store the unused nectar in the refrigerator for around a week.

Sponge Butterfly Feeders

Brightly coloured sponges can be soaked in butterfly nectar and hung from pergolas or trees in areas where there are no other flowers.

By providing the ideal conditions for butterflies you will enjoy their visits throughout the summer.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-can-you-attract-butterflies-to-your-garden-680108.html

About the Author
Janet Ashby is a keen gardener who finds gardening in the tropics a challenge. For more information and lots of craft ideas visit Easy Craft Ideas or Easy Garden Craft Ideas

Micro Blinds, Miniblinds, Blind And Macro Blinds Defined

Author: Genius Monkey

When shopping for a new window treatment, you will quickly come across, micro blinds, miniblinds, blinds and even macro blinds. Do you wonder what the difference is? Is there a difference or are they just different names for the same thing? Here we will discuss each one and how the differ.

They Differ in Size
The most obvious difference is in the size. The smallest is the micro blind and the largest in the macro blind. The size refers to the width of each slat.

• Micro blinds         Generally, micro blinds are ½ inch wide.
• Miniblinds          Miniblinds are 1 inch wide.
• Blinds            Blinds are generally around 1 1/2 inches wide.
• Macro Blinds        Macro blinds are normally 2 inches or bigger.

Of course, this is a rough guide. You can find blinds that are 2 inches and not called  macro blinds. Just like macro blinds, you can find miniblinds that are smaller than an inch and are not called micro blinds. Again, this is a general guideline to size.

Miniblinds: Generic Term for Aluminum Blinds
Miniblind is a generic term used for all aluminum blinds. Whether the blinds are ½ inch or they are a large 2 inch, if they are made from aluminum, you will hear them referred to as miniblinds.

Sometimes the term miniblinds refers to cheap or low quality blinds. It is true that aluminum blinds are cheaper than other materials. However, you can purchase aluminum blinds made from 6 and 8 grade aluminum, which makes them high quality at discount prices.

Blinds: Generic for All Window Treatments
This is most often used in store names. They will have blind or blinds in the name and yet still sell a variety of window treatments. A blinds store could sell solar screens and window shades along with a wide variety of blinds.

Blinds can come in a variety of materials. While most people think of aluminum, blinds can be made from wood, faux wood, fabric, bamboo, or a combination of two different materials.

In addition, blinds can come in any size and any color. They will also come in horizontal and vertical varieties.

Macro Blinds: Big Blinds
You will not hear macro blind used very often. When you do find macro blinds, they will be larger. While you will most likely see this in aluminum blinds, macro blinds are found in all materials.

Now that you have the terminology down, shop knowing you are well informed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/micro-blinds-miniblinds-blind-and-macro-blinds-defined-1818469.html

About the Author

Order free samples and see for yourself the quality Miniblinds offered at Blinds Chalet. Visit http://www.blindschalet.com/ or call 1-888-633-7840 today and see how you can get no payments for 90 days with PayPal Pay Later.

Choosing Candles for Christmas

Author: Guy Bridge

Candles add so much charm to a room. They add a special type of light that you can only get with a candle. So candles are a must at Christmas to add to the holiday spirit.

Types of Candles

Candles come in many shapes, sizes, colors and scents. It can be confusing to choose sometimes. Thinking how you are going use them first is a great way to help you choose which ones you want. But here is some information to help you decide:

Shapes include taper, pillar, votive, and tea lights. The taper candles are the tall thin candles used in candlesticks. Pillars can be large or small and even come with more than one wick. Votives can also be used in centerpieces but they are smaller candles and usually are in holders unlike pillars that can stand-alone. Tea lights are small little candles for just a hint of candlelight. Candles also come in specialty shapes for Christmas such as Christmas trees, ball shaped, stars, angels, and even Santa Claus.

- Sizes vary from real big pillars to the tiny tea lights. You just need the size to fit where you are using it.

- Candles come in all colour shades. For Christmas this means that you can find the right shade of red, green, and even gold and silver to match your decorations. Burgundy and white are becoming popular Christmas colours.

- Choosing a candle with a scent can add that extra dimension. Cinnamon and spice are particularly popular at Christmas time.

Candles at Christmas

Candles add ambiance, lighting and joy to a room. Candles have also been symbolic of the hope, the renewal, the joy that our lives go through. They also add special warmth to a room that is so welcome in the winter months. That is why candles are special and used so much at Christmas.

How to Choose the Right Candle

- Decide where you are going to be placing the candles first then follow these few suggestions:-

- Tapers are great on the dinner table in the centerpieces or in candelabras. You can also just have them in simple candlesticks too. Tapers are unscented so they will let you enjoy all the food aromas.

- Pillars are great for centerpieces dressed up with holly, poinsettias and sitting inside a small wreath.

- Votives can be placed in votive holders and located around your house even in the bathroom.

- Tea lights can be placed in holiday holders and set throughout the house but they don't burn as long as votive.

- Choose a scented candle to add that extra special Christmas feeling

How to Create the Perfect Candle Centerpiece

Creating a candle centerpiece does not have to be difficult. You can take 3 or 4 medium pillar candles and put them on a plate and surround them with artificial poinsettias, holly leaves and berries, add some mini Christmas balls, or even some fake little presents.

Special Items to Add to Candles

You can even write on the pillar candles with special markers or paint.

- Cranberries or holly berries

- Jingles bells

- Tinsel or garland

- Pine boughs

- Fresh or artificial flowers

- Pine Cones

- Faux Snow

Enjoy the Christmas season more by using candles to light up your house.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/choosing-candles-for-christmas-667708.html

About the Author

The On the Table Christmas gifts section has more great ideas for creating the perfect Christmas dining table. Choose from a range of Christmas Candles for that perfect Christmas setting. Visit http://www.onthetable.co.uk.

Flowers, Gifts, Balloons, Flower Shops Send to Ft Hood, Killeen Tx

Author: steve

We’re a local Killeen, Texas florist with over 13 years experience, as well as a lovely variety of fresh flowers and unique gifts to suit any style or budget.

Check out our Gift Pages  !!!!

We hope you enjoy your online shopping experience with secure 24-hour ordering right at your fingertips. If preferred, you may call us to place orders direct at (254) 690-4005.  Our shop is also a member of FTD and Teleflora.

It is our pleasure to assist you with any local, as well as worldwide deliveries and remember that corporate accounts are always welcome. For your convenience, we offer daily floral delivery to local funeral homes and hospitals.

Sharon’s Floral & Unique Gifts is open to serve your floral and gift giving needs: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm ~ Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm ~ Sunday closed, except by special request or for holidays and funerals.

The beauty of flowers at weddings and events ~

Our talented design staff is ready to help you plan the bouquets, arrangements and on-site decorating for your dream wedding or a special occasion. Call in advance and set up an appointment for a consultation. 

Send quality sympathy and funeral flowers ~ 

We will design and deliver a funeral arrangement that beautifully conveys your expression of sympathy and serves as a lovely memorial to the deceased.

Large selection of plants and unique gift ideas ~

Choose from our Green & Blooming Plants, Dish Gardens, Fruit & Gourmet Baskets, Baby Gifts,  Handmade Clay Flowers, Indian Dolls, Miniature Tea Sets, Angels, Eagles, Glass Roses, African Décor & Gifts. 

We also offer a variety of Ceramics, Candleholders, Fruit Décor, Clocks, Animated Wall Hangings, Crystal Lights, Gifts in a Balloon, Candy & Chocolates, Other Unique Gifts, Silk Flowers, Plush Stuffed Animals and more.

Thank you for visiting our website with flowers delivered fresh from your local Killeen, TX flower shop - Sharon’s Floral and Unique Gifts.

Convenient online ordering is also available 24 hours a day!

http://www.sharonsroses.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/flowers-gifts-balloons-flower-shops-send-to-ft-hood-killeen-tx-952265.html

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Wedding Flowers Basics - 5 Easy Steps to Planning Your Wedding Floral Arrangements

Author: Cori Russell

Aside from the bouquet you spring for each Mother's Day, chances are you're a novice when it comes to flowers. However, now you are a bride-to-be planning your dream wedding, and suddenly you must make decisions on bouquets, boutonnieres, reception centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. Overwhelming? We know! Fortunately, we are here to guide you through this process so you can enjoy planning your wedding flowers without wilting from the stress. Read through these useful tips gathered from experts in the field. And if you have any questions not answered here, ask us.

Discover Your Style

Close your eyes and envision the perfect look to your wedding. Will it be formal or casual? Elaborate or simple? Bold or neutral colors? Are you a traditionalist in favor of roses or lilies, or do you favor a more contemporary floral theme incorporating grasses, fruits and herbs? Your wedding flowers are more than eye candy; they set the ambiance for the entire event. Knowing your wedding style is a start in the right direction, because you'll want to choose blossoms that match the formality of your wedding day.

Pick Your PaletteYour color scheme should flow directly from your desired style. Today's floral trends embrace an anything goes mentality, from wedding flowers in traditional whites and pastels to modern and adventurous dark hues and citrus shades. Flowers in matching shades or cool contrasts are breathtaking, but make sure they coordinate with your overall wedding theme. Choose your wedding colors accordingly, and your wedding will express your spirit. If you are still not sure where to begin, bring a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch when you meet with your florist and choose coordinating shades.

Go With the SeasonYou know your floral theme and you've chosen your color scheme. When deciding on the specific blooms your want in your arrangements, be sure to consider the season in which you are marrying. Consult this seasonal wedding flowers guide for help.

Set Your Floral Budget

Let's face it: Determining how much wedding flowers cost is probably not the aspect of your wedding you've been dreaming of since grade school. You may see your floral budget as the biggest nemesis between you and your wedding flowers. If you plan wisely, however, you should have enough money to create the floral theme of your desires. Expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall budget on wedding flowers.

Hire a Florist

Even the most creative and artistic bride will benefit from a florist's professional capabilities. Your wedding day will be full of activity, and you won't want to spend vital hours fumbling with the wiring of each bouquet. A florist is not necessarily a budget breaker; a good one should be able to work with any floral budget. We'll teach you the ins and outs of hiring a florist that suits your needs.

Now that you've been prepped with the basics, this complete wedding flowers guide will walk you the rest of the way towards planning your floral and decor scheme.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/wedding-flowers-basics-5-easy-steps-to-planning-your-wedding-floral-arrangements-588470.html

About the Author

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings and Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process.

View the complete sitemap to find everything you need to plan your wedding.

Autumn Wedding Floral Arrangements

Author: Joe Palladino

Flowers are symbols of eternal life in many different religions, cultures, and traditions. So why not bring them into your wedding to show everyone how you are now eternally bonded to your new spouse. Flowers used as decorations at your wedding will show everyone that you truly understand what it is to be in love and, very soon, in a marriage of never ending trust, love, forgiveness, and support. The flowers will affirm everyone's faith in you and your new spouse while adding brilliant color, scents, and patterns to your precious wedding décor. Floral arrangements often inspire some kind of emotional or mental response or process based on their smell, feel, color, look, blossoms, leaves, textures, or anything else you can think of that you notice on a flower. The fact that certain flowers evoke certain feelings is an explication of the reason why you would want a themed floral arrangement; especially if you are having a themed wedding. Autumn is known for rich colors, crisp air, and romantic escapades. You can bring the colors and feelings of autumn directly into your wedding reception with some great floral arrangement that use all of the season's natural beauty to your advantage and work fantastically with your well planned wedding decorations and themes. You can shop online and find floral arrangements that are top grade and can be shipped right to your doorstep. Here are a couple of examples to get you jump started on your search for a great addition to your décor.

Autumn Jewels Fresh Wedding Flowers:

This autumn palette of flowers contains an array of Jewel Tone Snaps, mini Daisy Gerberas, dark blue Iris, Matsumoto Jewel Tone Asters, Asiatic lilies complemented with assorted seasonal filler greens. Not only does this floral arrangement bring the season directly to your wedding but also it enhances the colors by putting together complementary tones, flowers, and seasonal greens. Your guests will be impressed no matter where you decide to fit this great arrangement in.

Fall Rhapsody Fresh Cut Wedding Flowers:

This palette offers a really romantic and rich color scheme with Daisy Gerberas, Jewel Tone Snaps and Asiatic lilies, radiant yellow Sunflowers, red and brown Hypericum with assorted seasonal and filler greens. Each of these flowers complements the other and really brings together an enticing mix of flowers and greens to appeal to the eyes of all your guests. Try using this as an accent to an already fantastic cake or centerpiece.

You can compliment your floral theme with the White floral wedding cake serving set. This will add an extra touch of elegance to your wedding day.

This White floral wedding cake serving set design features a delicately sculpted handle with intricate flower detailing. With this White floral wedding cake serving set you can add a Monogram, Your Names and Wedding Date or your own wedding message to this product.

These cake serving sets can make excellent keepsake gifts to the guests who come to attend your wedding. If you plan to use floral design as your theme wedding decor, make sure the pattern and styles go with one another.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/autumn-wedding-floral-arrangements-285997.html

About the Author
Joe owns an online wedding store offering wonderful wedding gifts such as wedding favors and bridal shower favors to assist you in your wedding planning needs.

New Concept in Silk Ties for Men And Women

Author: Patrick McMurray

Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time. Capturing the idea transforming it into a saleable item is hard work and you have to go the extra yards to realise your inspiration. Seeing the product is most satisfying.

Based on a concept, we enlisted the expertise of textile designers, printers, silk weavers and makers the world over. Now, gathered to produce a range of exceptional, original silk ties. Each piece is produced to specific design requirements exclusive to this brand. The true essence of the original designer tie, dating back to 1920 is captured in the brilliant hues of nature and will never date with style in mind. Cut, Made and Trimmed in England by skill full needle workers they will endure the rigours of everyday uses, so value is retained for many years.  From conceptual origins to technical specifications conclude all the essential elements of a world class designer silk tie. “Wear your colours with pride”

This thematic concept is based on the original designer tie, and, is also working on numerous exciting new concepts that are steeped in history. He is taking a totally new approach, because in fashion you have to do something different, because that’s what the public expect from fashion. In essence fashion is a culmination of the past, present and future. Designers will draw from historic archives, design in the present, with future in mind.

“In the 1920s a pioneering Paris fashion designer, Jean Patou, invented the designer tie. He made ties from women's clothing material including patterns inspired by the latest art movements of the day, Cubism and Art Deco”.

“Targeted toward women purchasers, his expensive ties were highly successful and displayed near perfume counters or women’s clothing departments. Today women buy 80 percent of ties sold throughout the world”.

In pursuit of this, we are attempting to revive the essence of Jean Patou’ concept and attract interest. At some point everything has an impact on fashion/style, the way we live, the games we play, our changing environment, it’s satisfying to capture these things in fashionable items that people like to wear.

To the future; we are working on a new luxury designer silk tie collection titled “Oceania” reflecting the essence of Australian landscape. The ties will display as never before, Aqua Oceans, Red Earth, Blue Mountains and Pink Sunsets in horizontal stripes, depicting the brilliance of Australia’s colours, and, faintly embossed into the background, Donkey Orchids and Spider Orchids reflecting the subtle beauty amidst one of the harshest environments on earth.

The mineral earth, and sands, the unique colours of eucalyptus as it evaporates and refractors the sunlight turn mountains blue and rock faces purple, just like Albert Namajira’s imagery.

The collection still in its infancy will include leather goods, sport wear, silver cufflinks and men’s jewellery all in line with a thematic style, capturing Australia’s mineral wealth in belt buckles and leather wallets, bags, packet squares and scarves.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/new-concept-in-silk-ties-for-men-and-women-1154737.html

About the Author

Welcome to the home of finely crafted designer ties handmade from fine Italian and English silks. And, purveyor of exclusive luxury silk ties and cufflinks