Sign Up for Jo Rae’s Blog
Share the Love – Create Your Own Valentines from Jo Rae Johnson on Vimeo.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Small or Medium Sized White Raw Eggs
Cooking Pot (Medium Sized)
Silk Neckties or Silk Fabric (I used a skirt)
White sheet or pillowcases cut into squares
Twist Ties
3 Tbsp. white vinegar
Warm Water
Tongs
Use any silk item you’d like, but it must be silk. You won’t get results with other fabrics. I suggest you hit thrift stores to pick up silk ties for a nominal amount. I purchased around eight ties and one skirt. The brighter patterned skirt made my favorite egg. The louder the pattern and brighter the colors – the better your eggs will look! Read More→
Wrapping Christmas gifts doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are a few tips to help make wrapping up Christmas frugal and fun.
PAPER:
BOX NOT BAG!
RIBBONS AND BOWS:
Of course the best time to buy holiday paper is AFTER Christmas when prices are slashed. Stock up the day after Christmas on all of your gift wrapping items.
How do you wrap up Christmas in your house? Any tips you’d like to share?
A garden would not be southern if not for hydrangeas. The sunset shades of pink, purple, and blue add early summer color to gardens fading from spring’s early sunshine. Hydrangea blossoms last for days inside when arranged in a vase filled with water or you can enjoy them forever when you attach them to a simple straw wreath and allow the flowers to dry in place. I purchase these straw wreaths from Goodwill or other thrift stores for around .50 to $1.00.
I prefer a straw wreath, but you can buy a wire wreath form and fill it in with moss. Be sure and stuff it very full and tight to give you resistance when pushing the pins in. Wreaths come in a multitude of sizes and shapes and provide you with lots of options.
The other item you’ll need is floral pins. You can pick up a 2 ounce package of these u-shape pins 
for $1.47. I found mine at Hobby Lobby, but any craft store should have them.
Next you’ll need your flowers. I have several choices of colors in my garden and decided to go with blue as the core color with a hint of pink for added interest. Cut blossoms from your hydrangea bushes or you can purchase cut blooms at local grocery stores. I’ve found them at Whole Foods, Publix, and Bi-Lo here in the upstate of South Carolina. If you don’t have hydrangeas available, you can use roses instead.
Although I didn’t use it in this wreath, you might want to gather some baby’s breath. I keep mine from the floral arrangements I’ve been given, and also plant Euphorbia each year in containers. It dries beautifully and looks great in cut arrangements. I also use raffia and shear ribbon (in a complimentary color to my blossoms) to make a decorative hanger.
SCENTS OF HOME from Jo Rae Johnson on Vimeo.
