March 2010 Archives

Giving someone a bouquet of spring flowers out of your garden is a great gift for any occasion.

Choosing the right vase makes all the difference in how flowers look, and how long they will last after being picked.

I keep a stash of favorite flower containers in a cabinet in my garage.

I like using unusual containers like hand thrown coffee cups, teapots without lids, and coffee creamers.

You can find them at garage sales, resale shops and thrift stores.

Most of them don't have as much value without tops or because they are missing the matching sugar container but they make fun flower containers.

Rose bud vases are also nice to use when you only have a few flowers; just remember once you put flowers in, there won't be much room for water so check frequently.

Cut flowers take up the most water immediately after being cut so I leave mine in a vase with a lot of water for a couple of hours before putting them in their final vase.

It's also good to pick most spring flowers while they're still in bud; daffodils will open nicely once exposed to warmer room temperatures.

Early daffodils are small; they need flower vases that are no more than 6" tall.

Mid-flowering and late flowering daffodils and tulips will easily fit into standard, taller vases. You can also cut them to fit smaller containers.

Anemones, snow drops, glories of the snow and other small spring flowers will best fit in 2-4" containers.

If you plan to mix daffodils with other spring flowers, let them sit by themselves in water for a few hours before mixing them.

Daffodils have a toxin that will kill other flowers if you mix them immediately.

I leave cut daffodils sitting in a vase by themselves overnight, then mix the flowers in the same vase in the morning.

There's nothing like a bouquet of home grown spring flowers to brighten someone's day, including mine!


Charlotte
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com
Making life easier: custom quilts, gifts, garden tips...

Custom Quilts and Gifts at Bluebird Gardens
http://www.facebook.com/bluebirdgardens

Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluebirdgardens

Bluebird Gardens Blog
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/bluebird_gardens_blog

Chirps!
http://www.twitter.com/bluebirdgardens

Gardening to distraction on a MO hill
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/gardening_to_distraction

I have a 50 x 60 cotton throw that looks like it is hand
embroidered with our courthouse picture, statutes and other county symbols
on with lettering for each in red and white.  Do you know what it could be
worth and how to get more made?


Hi Jan,

Sounds like you're talking about custom throws woven on a loom
representing local landmarks.

Here's one example:

http://www.presspublications.com/weekly-features/168-people/3352-landmarks-featured-in-full-color-cotton-throw

There are companies who make these by scanning in photos and producing
these to your specifications.

If the throw is really hand embroidered, then someone locally used a
similar process of printing off landmarks to make a pattern, then adding
embroidery.

Hand-embroidered throws are much more valuable, especially if they are
signed and dated. You can contact Julie at the Quilt Complex for an
appraisal.

Best regards,

Charlotte
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com
Custom Quilts and Gifts

Bluebird Gardens Blog
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/bluebird_gardens_blog

Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluebirdgardens

Chirp!
http://www.twitter.com/bluebirdgardens

Gardening on a Missouri limestone hill
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/gardening_to_distraction


PS I did a quick online search; looks like Signature Creations makes these quilts.

This is one of my all-time favorite projects, printing original children's artwork onto printable fabric blocks so they can be made into charming quilts.

These custom quilts have been very successful as school fund-raising projects and retirement gifts.

This set of jungle animals will become a quilt for a school fund-raising project:

I used an Epson Workforce 40 printer with Color Plus Fabric blocks $9 each for the blocks and printing service.

Wouldn't these drawings also make charming pillows and framed wall art?

"My boyfriend and I are going to a very posh wedding in June, and the bride
and groom have absolutely everything already.   They both are quite
wealthy.  (This is also the second time around for both of them).

My boyfriend and I are definitely Not Wealthy, but want to get them a
special gift.  You see, my boyfriend and the groom)have been big buddies
since childhood.

I thought about a wedding ring quilt.  My boyfriend's brother is a Lawyer, and he
will be chipping in for the gift also.

I looked at your prices.  What does 'Unfinished' mean?  I do have friends
who sew, I'm sure they could help me.

Anyway, I look forward to your reply.

The couple's interests inlude boating, fishing, cats, sailing and they have
two cottages.

By the way, I keep trying to get the ladybug off of my screen. Thanks for any help or advice you can give..."

Hi Beth,

Double wedding ring quilts are great wedding gift ideas for any couple. We've
been making and selling them for 11 yrs, with several dozen going to very
wealthy weddings.

We have both very high quality, ready-made, imported double wedding ring
quilts, and some we make ourselves.

Usually people like to have the couple's name and wedding date added so
sometimes we have unfinished, pieced quilt tops where embroidery can be
added before the quilt is machine quilted and finished.

If you order a custom quilt by the end of March, we could still get one
done for you by June.

One very nice option is to order a throw size quilt - it's the size you
curl up with on a sofa or throw over a chair. It can still have the
couple's name and wedding date on it without being very expensive - it
really is the thought that counts. We have this one ready to personalize
and ship:

http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=1187

Another option is to get one of our charming sleeping cats quilts. We are
the only company making them and that would be especially touching to them
if they have cats - many people forget to celebrate pets in a wedding and
that can be a very special gift:

http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=179

We can make these in both throw and regular bed size. My favorite is the
pillow that turns into a throw:

http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=1432

If you want something that costs less, there's always our best-seller
country double wedding ring quilt or throw:

http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=390

And then there are double wedding ring pillows:

http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=636

If you have any other questions, please let me know!


Best regards,

Charlotte
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com
Making life easier. Custom quilts, gifts, gardening...

PS Aren't ladybugs fun???!

Bluebird Gardens Facebook Fan Page

http://www.facebook.com/bluebirdgardens

Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluebirdgardens

Chirp!

http://www.twitter.com/bluebirdgardens