Floral Arrangements Guide

Unlike most creative arts, floral arrangement has the advantage of natural, not man-made material.

In all the centuries of mankind we have been unable to reproduce the thrilling combination of soft texture, graceful lines, radiant color and delicate scent found in a single rose.

Science has, however, greatly advanced the planting of garden flowers by constant research and experiment.

History shows us that as far back as 562 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon designed the beauti­ful "Hanging Gardens" for his wife, Amytis. They are one of the "Seven wonders of the world."

Today we see about us our own lovely gardens, some formal, some informal, designed to enclose our homes in an aura of enchantment.

The desire to bring some of this beauty into our homes gave birth to the art of flower arrangement, which is by no means a new one.

The Japanese people used it centuries ago in their daily life and re­ligion. There it is called "Ikebana" and is an art for all of us.

All we need is the appreciation of beauty and a few flower arrangement implements.

The fields, woods, brookbanks, gardens, and of course your local flower shop are abun­dant with the many varieties of plant materials used in flower arrange­ment.

As you page through this site, you will find that it tells in simple copy and illustrations, just what you want to know about your new hobby.

The possibilities of Floral Arrangements are unlimited.

Donald Trosper, Author

Use Your Photographs to Create Unique Christmas Gifts
Kelly Mann
1330 Having a tough time coming up with creative Christmas gifts this year? The answer might be right in front of you – in your photograph albums, boxes, or file folders. Don't just give the traditional framed photo though. Instead, give your recipients thoughtful, personalized gifts that are also functional. Here are my five favorite photograph gift ideas:

1. Photo transfer coasters: You can transfer photos onto many mediums, from fabric to wood. T-shirts and tote bags are popular, but why not try something really different? Purchase a set of stone coasters (You know, the super-absorbent kind with cork on the bottom.) Then, buy some photo transfer sheets at any craft store. Some transfer sheets allow you to print your digital photos directly onto the sheets, while others allow you to photocopy a printed photo.

2. Photo Mouse pad: This is an excellent, useful gift idea for all of the techies in your life. Many photo development stores (online and off) offer mouse pads printed with your favorite photograph. Another option is to buy mouse pads with an opening to add your own photo. These are nice because you can change out the picture over time and they generally look as good as or even better than the printed ones.

3. Photo Calendars: Photo development stores offer a variety of calendar designs where you specify your 12, or sometimes more, photos and they print and bind the calendars for you. However, these are some of the easiest gifts to make yourself if you have a computer and a photo quality printer. Most greeting card software offers calendar templates or you can purchase specific calendar-creating software. These make great gifts that your family will ask for year-after-year.

4. Photo Magnets: This is one of the easiest photo craft gifts to make and you can be fairly certain your recipients will have a place to put these. The easiest way to make photo magnets is to purchase small magnet frames from a craft store and add your own photos. A slightly more unique approach is to purchase magnet photo paper, print your photos directly onto the magnet paper, and cut them out.

We like to recycle all of those magnet advertisements we get all year by gluing photographs directly to the front and cutting around the magnet's shape. This gives you a nice assortment of shapes and sizes and generally looks a little nicer than the printable magnet sheets.

Our favorite photo magnet gift is to glue very small printed photos to the back of flattened clear glass beads. The glass beads found in craft stores for flower arranging work best and, if you're lucky, you can even find some that are about an inch across instead of the more common half inch size. Glue the picture to the back of the bead, with clear-drying glue, on the printed side of your photo. Once it dries, glue a small magnet to the back. Small, very strong magnets can also be found at most craft stores. These gifts look especially nice wrapped inside a small tin.

5. Photo Soap: “Consumable” gifts are in this year! Everyone's house is cluttered and gifts that don't need a permanent home are well appreciated. Imbed some photos into homemade soaps, and encourage your friends and family to actually use the soap, promising more next year. It's easier than you might think. First, you'll want to buy some melt and pour soap and some soap molds (plain rectangles or ovals work best.) Cut and laminate some photos so that they are slightly smaller than your soap molds. Melt a small amount of clear soap and pour into the bottom (which will end up being the top) of a mold. Once it dries, place your laminated photo on top (face down) and pour some more clear soap to cover. If you want, you can add a third, colorful soap layer behind that one, adding a framed look to your photograph.

These are just a few ideas of how to use your photos to make unique Christmas gifts this year. For detailed instructions on these and more ideas, feel free to visit the photograph gift page of our website, /www.photo-opps.com/photograph-gifts.html target=_blank>http://www.photo-opps.com/photograph-gifts.html target=_blank>www.photo-opps.com/photograph-gifts.html.

About the Author

Author Kelly Mann is a digital camera and computer enthusiast who offers ideas and tips on ways to share your photographs, from e-mail and screensavers to gifts and crafts, on her website, /www.photo-opps.com target=_blank>http://www.photo-opps.com target=_blank>www.Photo-Opps.com .

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Floral Decorations

Four Arts expands its 'living arts' offerings It's not just the "four" arts anymore. Music, literature, drama and visual art are represented in The Society of the Four Arts' Campus on the Lake educational series — but so are flower arranging, cooking, wine tasting and gardening. Polygamist leader accused of arranging underage marriage in Nevada motel room CALIENTE, Nev. – Room 15 at the Caliente Hot Springs Motel seems like an unlikely place for a wedding. There are no flower-covered arbors, pews or candles. It is an apartment-style room with a k... Michael's The Arts and Craft Store has everything (Review of Michael's The Arts and Craft Store) Author: Sheri F. Review of: Michael's The Arts and Craft Store Michael's The Arts and Craft Store has everything you need to decorate or unleash your creative skills. I've bought boxes for a youngster to decorate and give as a present. I've found silk flowers galore. They have ribbons at a good price that I use for book marks. They have beads, paints, flower arranging supplies, decorating supplies, things for scrapbooking, for creating your own invitations, stamping. You name it. They have it, usually at a good price and with seasonal specials. Facts On The Bebefits Of Organic Gardening Plant in front of them thats been crushed many of us put it off until the flower stalks have to be lifted up off the ground or the Sophie thomson in adelaide tells us how to maintain native plants and keep them looking good Flowers at a time of year when theres nothing taller flower arranging rich pickings is it possible to enjoy cut than a snowdrop to put in a vase {MIDDLE EAST > TURKEY} - Ankara celebrates Japanese art of flower arranging: ikebana (Reg Req'd) A demonstration and workshop were held at the Turkish-Japanese Foundation under the auspices of the two master instructors from Japan, Masafumi Ishiwata and Yasufumi Sasayama ANKARA - Turkish Daily News The ... Honour as Camilla joins the Rural SHE is certainly a dab hand when it comes to flower arranging, having gained a "highly commended" prize at a horticultural show on Royal Deeside last year. Flower Arranging Demonstration - The Colours of my Life @ Etchinghill Village Hall. A demonstration by national flower arranger, David Thompson, entitled "The Colours of my Life". o Venue: Etchinghill Village Hall. o Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm. o Plants and flower arranging accessories for sale. o Raffle. o Tickets: GBP6 including tea and cof Flower Arranging Demonstration - The Colours of my Life Mon 4 Sep 2006

Floral Arrangements | Decorations