Family Resources Kid's Resources
Family Support
The Parlor Join us on our message boards for conversation, introductions, support, encouragement and chit chat. Stop by and introduce yourself Here!
Recipes
Tea
Crafts
Garden
Forums
Preserve and Display your Wedding Memories
By Fresca Leddy
For this project you will need:
*A large shadow box frame
*Paint or stain of your choice
*Brush
*Fabric of your choice (satin or silk would be nice)
*Handkerchief
*Needle and thread
*Invitation
*Lace gloves
*Garter
*Ribbon
*Wedding photo
*Pearls by the yard
*Glue
*Dried wedding flowers
Alternate suggestions:
*Instead of a handkerchief think about a piece of lace
or doily.
*Instead of your own wedding flowers try buying some
dried flowers at a craft shop.
*Instead of your invitation pen your vows or a bible
passage onto parchment or pretty paper.
Gather all your wedding memorabilia together before
choosing a background fabric or ribbon. It may be that
a color scheme will become apparent.
Select a large shadow box frame. Paint or stain the
frame to compliment your decor. The frame would also be
pretty with a crackle finish. Cut a Piece of Cardboard to
fit the back piece of the frame. This will allow you to
change the shadow box display in the future should you so
desire. Cut your fabric an inch larger on all sides and
cover this cardboard using iron on fusible web following
the directions on the web.
Arrange the remainder of your keepsakes without actually
gluing or sewing until you are pleased with the overall
layout.
The first piece to arrange is the handkerchief. Allow
this to drape from the upper right corner to the bottom left
corner. When you attach this use either small stitches or
a small amount of glue.
The next memento to attach is the invitation. If you
like the look of torn edges use a brush and wet a rectangular
line around the invitation before tearing to make sure the
tear goes where you want. Layer this over the lace at an
angle pleasing to you in the upper left hand corner.
Dry a few of your wedding flowers by hanging upside down
in a cool dark place. After they are dry tie a small bundle of 3
blooms with a ribbon and place on the right hand side of the
arrangement on top of the lace. If you have lace gloves
place them over the stems. Arrange the garter next to the flowers.
Place a small wedding photo overlapping the bottom right
hand corner of the invitation.
Final Step
Finally, scatter any other mementos you may have such as
napkins, a special card, ticket stubs, or a cluster of rice in a
piece of netting in the bottom left hand corner.
When you're pleased with the composition wind the ribbon
and pearls over and under in a large 'S' shape and glue or stitch
each item into place. Assemble the frame and hang.
About the author
Fresca has a great crafting site and a wonderful free monthly newsletter you may
subscribe to by using the link below or visiting her site. If you love
crafts be sure to give her a visit!
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
Growing and Using Garlic Chives Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.
The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!
The Perfect Porch Swing Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.
Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.