Please vote

I do have a great recipe to share, but instead of preparing that blog post I was out taking more picutures for my class on Wednesday.

 Here are my selections of pictures to decide between to turn in to my instructor...the only input we received was that we cannot bring in pictures of our kids (he doesn't want to critique something that might mean something personal to us) and only bring in between 4-6 photo's.

Please help me pick out my better shots by leaving me a message on which ones to print.

Dusk

Blaine's Tree

My daisy's

B&W Sunset

The music hand

Almost sunset

Set your world on fire

 Loving the sun

Prairie sun

The fly catcher

Rookie-Roo

It's all in the fingers

Sittn' on the dark of the bay

Taking a break

Love the colors

I really would like some help here, please...please leave me a message.

canning flowers

I found this sweet litte DIY on a random blog one day so I cannot give proper credit but, I think it is ok becuase this is no big secret.

This makes a perfect easy desk or table bouquet, a pop of color in any room or quick gift to make for someone?  These mason jar vases are kind of fun and I like that it can be done in less than 30 minutes, plus it doesn't hurt they look great!

All you need is a Mason jar or more of whatever sizes you want, a can(s) of spray paint (note to use flat paint and not gloss as the glossy paint will not stick to the jar), flowers and ribbon.

I decided to add these two to my bathroom so I picked out pink and black to accent against my grey walls.

Directions:
1.  Turn jar upside down and lightly spray the entire jar with coat one.

2.  After about 5 minutes, turn the jar upright and spray another light coat also including the top rim this time; you only need enough to not be able to see through the jar.

3.  Once completely dried, add ribbon to the top of the jar and/or add a note to the front like Congratulatoins, Happy Birthday, Thanks etc. - this looks cute if on colored fancy cut stock paper and the words stenciled on it)

4.  Cut the flower stems down to match the size of the jar, and arrange them so they look just how you like them.

5.  Va-la, your mason jar vase is complete!

I would love to hear if you have some other ideas, please share!

Melon bowls

Ever wonder what you could do with the shell of a watermelon?  How about use it for a centerpiece at your next barbecue or get together?





I chose a cute mini seedless watermelon to make my flower vase and found how very simple this is and how cute it can be.




Here is all you need to make your own.
1.  Watermelon - size of your choice
2.  Knife
3.  Toothpicks
4.  Water glass or vase
5.  Flowers
-- yep, that's it!

You will want to first slice the bottom about 1/4" thick to make the watermelon level, then slice the top off enough so that you can scrape the insides out but not too much so that still get the rounded edges (approximately 1 1/2" to 2"), this piece will be used face down under the body of the watermelon like a vase pedestal.

Scoop and scrape all the watermelon fruit out of the shell, I found with this small of one that I could use a butter knife to cut along the inside edges before I scooped out the insides; this made it very easy to get a nice close edge.

Once all the fruit has been removed, secure the large upside down slice you took from the top of the watermelon to the bottom with toothpicks.  It can be a challenge with a small one to get the toothpicks far enough to the sides so your vase will fit inside flat.

After you are confident the two pieces are secure insert your water filled vase or glass, the arrange the flowers of your choice into the water-filled vase/glass.

The watermelon can last up to a week, but you can also apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the inside and all the cut edges, this will help to seal in the moisture and help it last a little longer.

Other Uses:
- Cut a large melon and hollow out, fill with ice and add bottles for a drink cooler.

- Cut melon and hallow out, cut various holes randomly through out the watermelon with an apple corer, add a candle to the inside, and attach small flowers around the rim by poking holes and inserting the flower stems. Makes very cute candle holder!

-  Cut the watermelon along the side (lengthwise) and slice a small piece from the bottom to level out, hallow out and add back the watermelon and various other fresh fruits for a natural fruit bowl.