supplies needed:
newspaper
tape
ribbon (I used a plain white and a hemp cord)
flower

supplies
mason jar (You can find at some grocery stores or most craft stores. I got mine at Beverly’s Fabrics for $1.49.)
nails or screws (You can find at all hardware stores. I borrowed mine from my husband.)
ribbon (You can find at any craft store. I just used a thin simple white ribbon.)
pencils (You can find at most grocery or craft stores.)

I know in an ideal world we all should use our own grocery bags, but for the times where we forget, why not make the regular paper bags useful?

supplies
grocery paper bag
ribbon
flowers

directions
Simply cut down one side of the grocery bag, and then cut the bottom off, leaving a long diagonal strip of paper to work with. Turn inside out. Next, wrap your package, tie ribbon, and simply place your desired flower under the bow or knot. Simple as can be!

Surprise your “Mr. or Mrs. Special” with a simple yet beautifully wrapped present. The décor is natural, simplistic and understatedly elegant. Enjoy!

you’ll need:
dried hydrangeas (see note below on drying instructions/tips)
thin white ribbon (I got mine at Michaels)
simple wrapping paper (You can always find some at Cost Plus, Michaels, or even Costco)

directions: Simply wrap your present nicely, wrap your ribbon around both sides, and tie off on the front with either a nice bow or a knot (I usually prefer). Next slip the dried hydrangea (either one or two, depending on the size) under the bow and there you have completed your simply beautiful package…

drying hydrangea tips: The secret to perfectly dried hydrangeas is very simple. Wait until they are ready before picking them. The timing is much more important than the method one uses to dry them. While it is tempting to cut the hydrangea blossoms for drying at the height of their color, this doesn’t work. Fresh, recently opened blooms, rarely dry well in the open air. Hydrangeas do best when allowed to dry on the plant before picking them. Experiment with harvesting from August through October. One can cut the blooms, strip off the leaves, arrange them in a vase, with or without water, and leave them to dry. It is not necessary to hang hydrangeas up side down to dry unless the stems are very thin and weak.

Planning an elegant party, shower, wedding, or special night with a great group of friends? Yes, we’ve all seen the fake, yet cute, flower pens. Why not freshen-up the idea? Although these pens will only last a day without water, they’ll be something that your guest will find unique, simple, and something that they’ll never forget.  They’re perfect for a wedding guestbook (I would use something more permanent than a pencil), or at a wedding/baby shower for writing utensils during the games, or at a simple party where you want to add a special little touch.  Whatever you use it for, make it simple, beautiful and most of all, your own.

directions

Simply cut your desired flower to ½ or ¾ the length of your pen/pencil. Then cut a generous amount of your ribbon/ribbons that you’d like to wrap around the writing device (I used a green and white thin ribbon on some flowers, and a thin white and paper raffia on the others). Next, simply tie the ribbons in a tight knot and wrap one side after the other into a tight wrap, followed by a knot or bow to finish off. From here, place into your favorite vase, penholder, or decorative piece (I used a simple vase filled with dried lavender to hold the pencils/pens in place). Now you’ve successfully created a simple, elegant, and beautiful arrangement with functional writing utensils.

supplies

flowers (I found mine at my local flower supply store. I’d recommend Trader Joe’sor your local florist as well).

ribbon (you can find at any craft supply store. I got mine at Michaels)

simple vase or mason jar (I would suggest the simpler the better. My vase I got at my local flower supply store for $4.95 but you could also use a mason jar for under $2.00)

filler for the vase (I used dried lavender which I found for $5.95 for 1lb at my localflower supply store. You can also use rocks, pennys, bolts, corks, or whatever matches the theme of the party/event.)

Are you planning, or helping plan, a small wedding without a wedding party or ring bearer? Here’s a simple idea incorporating the wedding bouquet and rings.

First, strip the leaves and thorns off each rose stem so you have a nice smooth clean bouquet. Then take the Jute Ribbon and wrap it around your bouquet about 3-5 times making sure it’s tight. Fold the last edge over about 1 centimeter so you have a clean crease, and then wrap the Raw Silk Ribbon around the bouquet, just like the Jute, but this time about 8-10 times so you have a tight circumference. Next, fold the end of the Raw Silk Ribbon over slightly to make a nice crease and push your 6-10 pins all the way though (you may need more pins depending on how thick your bouquet is). My pins were longer than the diameter of the bouquet, so I had to use wire cutters to cut off the sharp ends sticking out the back. You can also cut the ends off prior to placing the pins in the bouquet. (FYI: make sure you do this in a place where you can easily find the sharp ends that you cut off. Mine went flying everywhere and took crawling on my hands and knees to find them!) Once your pins are in, cut the ends of the stems so they’re a nice even length. Then, lastly, tie a thin white ribbon in the middle of your bouquet into a tight knot, leaving about 3-4 inches length leftover on each side. Take your rings, and slip the ribbon from one side through the rings and tie off in a tight bow. Make sure it’s a tight bow so your rings don’t get lost, and also not a knot so you can easily take them off at the appropriate time. There you have your beautiful wedding bouquet and ring holder. Good luck and enjoy!

supplies
– your desired flower
– jute ribbon (you usually can get at any fabric store. I got mine at Sequoia Floral)
– raw silk ribbon (you usually can get at any fabric store. I got mine at Sequoia Floral)
– round pearl pins (you can get at most fabric shops in the wedding/bridal section.
I found mine at Beverly’s Fabrics for 10 for $0.99)
– your special wedding rings