Friday, June 29, 2012

How To: Make A Glass Mosaic Vase

Making your own mosaic vase can be a fun way to create your own designs and proudly display them with floral bouquets, surely a great conversation piece!



You will need:
  • vase of your choice, square vases are great for beginners
  • stained glass: purple, pink, green, light blue, and orange are great colours
  • clear construction adhesive such as Liquid Nails gel
  • tan sanded grout
  • rags
  • safety glasses
  • gloves
  • a small glass cutter
  • tile seal

1. Wearing safety glasses and gloves, use a small glass cutter to score lines on the smooth side of the glass to make shapes. Turn the glass over and tap with the round end of the cutter until all pieces are broken.



2. Have a pattern in mind and keep your colors separated. Draw your pattern on the vase with adhesive. Place the glass. Let dry for 24 hours.



3. Mix grout slowly with water according to the manufacturer's directions. Wearing gloves, spread grout thickly over the glass, making an effort to get in between the small pieces. Let dry for 15 to 30 minutes.



4. Use a rag to wipe all the dried grout off the glass. Polish. In 24 hours, finish with tile seal.


And there you have it! A simple and easy way to be create your own unique vases, and you will surely be showing them off with pride!


Thursday, June 28, 2012

National State Flowers Part 2

Montana
Bitterroot


Nebraska 
Goldenrod


Nevada
Sagebrush


New Hampshire
Purple Lilac


New Jersey
Violet


New Mexico
Yucca Flower


New York
Rose


North Carolina
Dogwood Blossom


North Dakota
Prairie Rose


Ohio
Red Carnation


Oklahoma
Oklahoma Rose


Oregon
Oregon Grape Flower


Pennsylvania
Mountain Laurel


Rhode Island
Violet


South Carolina
Yellow Jessamine


South Dakota
American Pasque Flower


Tennessee
Iris


Texas
Blue Bonnet


Utah
Sego Lily


Vermont
Red Clover


Virginia
Flowering Dogwood


Washington
Coast Rhododendron


West Virginia
Big Laurel


Wisconsin
Wood Violet


Wyoming
Indian Paintbrush


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

National State Flowers Part 1

Just because we're Canadian, doesn't mean that we're not interested in our Southern neighbours and their national flowers! Here's a partial list of each state's national flower:

Alabama
Camellia


Alaska
Forget Me Not

 
 Arizona
Sugaro Cactus Blossom

 
Arkansas
Apple Blossom


California
California Poppy


Colorado
White and Lavender Rocky Mt. Columbine


Connecticut
Mountain Laurel


Delaware
Peach Blossom


Florida
Orange Blossom


Georgia
Cherokee Rose


Hawaii
Pua Aloalo


Idaho
Syringa


Illinois
Purple Violet


Indiana
Peony


Iowa
Wild Rose


Kansas
Sunflower


Kentucky
Goldenrod


Louisiana
Magnolia


Maine
White Pine Cone and Tassle


Maryland
Black-Eyed Susan


Massachusetts
Mayflower


Michigan
Apple Blossom


Minnesota
Pink Lady's Slipper


Mississippi
Magnolia


Missouri
Hawthorn