How-To Floral & Lifestyle Blog by Expert Julie Mulligan

DIY Memorial Day Crafts the Whole Family Can Make

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. It’s a time for families to be outside enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and freedom we have in this country. This freedom, however, comes at a price. On Memorial Day, we honor all the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free.

Depending on the ages of your little ones, you may be challenged to find things for them to do while also conveying the meaning of this holiday. Here are two simple DIY Memorial Day crafts using recycled materials to keep kids busy and happy on this important day.

Making patriotic-themed red, white, and blue decorations gives you a chance to have some fun while teaching your children about Memorial Day and why it’s important to acknowledge the sacrifices made for our country.

DIY Memorial Day craft No. 1: Memorial Day wreath

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with Memorial Day wreath

One way to get crafty with all those cardboard shipping boxes you have lying around is to create a red, white, and blue Memorial Day wreath out of them. It’s easy to make, and all ages can get in on the patriotic fun.

Of course, you’ll need more than just cardboard to get started…

Materials needed for Memorial Day wreath

Scissors
Straight edge cutter
A package of red, white, and blue tissue paper
White yarn
Various size plates
A pencil
String, ribbon, or yarn to create a hook for hanging

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with cardboard circle cutout

You’ll need two different-sized plates to create your wreath outline. I used a cardboard cake round and a plate to cut out the inside of the circle.

Since I save so many knick-knacks for future projects, I had a few plastic gold medals on red, white, and blue ribbons left over from a “Family Olympics” day. The ribbons were just what I needed for this wreath. If you a have red, white, and blue ribbon, it will add an extra patriotic pop to your Memorial Day wreath.

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with Ribbon on wreath cutout

To add the ribbon, I simply cut off the plastic gold metal and tied it around the base of the cardboard wreath before adding the tissue paper flowers.

When tying the ribbon, you don’t need to make a bow. Just loop the ribbon around the cardboard to create a loop for hanging.

To make the tissue paper flowers, take five large pieces of a single-color tissue paper and cut them into layered pieces that are 5 inches wide by 10 inches long. Watch the video above to see how to fold the tissue into an accordion, staple it in the middle, and separate and fan out each individual piece on either side of the staple.

For reference, I made:

Three blue tissue paper flowers
Five white tissue paper flowers
Five red tissue paper flowers

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with Tissue paper flower on wreath cutout

To get the tissue paper flowers to stick, use any type of adhesive that will keep them in place. I used a hot glue gun, as I find it easy and fast to work with. If you are doing this with young children, stick with craft glue or glue dots.

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with Tissue paper flowers on wreath

Then, attach the three blue flowers on the top left of the wreath.

Next, add and alternate the red and white flowers to represent the stripes of the American flag.

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with Starbrusts on Memorial Day wreath

To make the American flag’s stars, use white yarn to create little starbursts that can be nestled and glued into the “petals” of the blue tissue paper flowers.

DIY Memorial Day Crafts with Hanging Memorial Day wreath

Follow these steps and you’ll have a beautiful homemade Memorial Day wreath. You can hang your wreath on your front door — if it’s protected from the elements — to acknowledge and send a message of thanks to the fallen service members and their families.

DIY Memorial Day craft No. 2: Memorial Day garland

This idea for a festive Memorial Day garland is made from materials that you probably already have around your house.

Materials needed for Memorial Day garland

Cardboard boxes
Paint or markers
String or ribbon
Hole puncher
Scissors or straight edge cutter

You can make the garland any size you want. I decided to do 4-inch triangles.

diy memorial day crafts with red white and blue triangles

I cut out enough triangles to spell out “Thank You” and added additional triangles decorated in patriotic colors to complete the garland.

This is a great DIY Memorial Day craft for kids. Let them use their imagination to decorate the individual triangles.

diy memorial day crafts with kid painting triangles

It’s also fun to do together, and I like that it can be worked on in stages. Whenever you have the time or feel like chilling out, just sit down and paint or draw a few designs.

Once you have all the triangles decorated and have punched two holes at the top of each one, simply lace a string (twine, ribbon, jute, etc.) through each triangle.

diy memorial day crafts with wrapping string with tape

I found it helpful to wrap the end of my string with a piece of Scotch tape; it made it easier to thread through the holes. I also laid out all the triangles on the table in the order they should go in, before starting to connect them to create the finished garland.

diy memorial day crafts with memorial day garland

I am thrilled with how this DIY Memorial Day craft turned out and how easy it was to do. And the fact that it created a second life for all the extra cardboard I had makes me very happy. I’ll be doing these garlands for birthdays, Fourth of July, anniversaries, etc.

Take a little time this Memorial Day to reach out to a veteran or a family of a vet with a simple “Thank you for your service.”

Happy Memorial Day!

St. Patrick’s Day Decor: 2 DIY Ideas with Flowers

St. Patrick’s Day brings together unique colors, and color combinations, that you don’t get to play around with much during the rest of the year. Here, we offer two St. Patrick’s Day decor ideas with flowers: A centerpiece that mimics the Irish flag and a floral arrangement constructed from symbols of the holiday: green carnations, cabbage, and potatoes.

st. patrick's day decor with irish flag made from flowers

Irish flag centerpiece

Creating a centerpiece modeled after the Irish “tricolour” — as the flag of Ireland is frequently referred to — is very easy and will last for a few weeks. This works out great for anyone (like me) who likes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for the entire month of March!

The simplicity of the flag’s design of three colors in three equal parts makes it easy to recreate in flowers. The meaning behind it, however, is deep and captures the desire for peace during conflict. Here is what each color of the flag represents.

Green

Green is a color long associated with Ireland and Irish republicanism. Back in the 1700s, the Society of United Irishmen, who were predominantly Catholic, launched a rebellion to end British rule, resulting in the creation of an independent Irish Republic.

st. patrick's day decor with Saint Patrick's Day parade with Irish flag

Orange

Protestant King William III led an army that defeated the Catholics, led by King James, in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. King William was known as William of Orange because he came from the Principality of Orange. More than 100 years later, the Northern Ireland-based Orange Order, a Protestant supremacy group, was formed. Over time, orange came to represent Protestant British unionists.

White

Between the two opposing colors of green and orange is white, which represents peace and the hope of a lasting truce between the two sides.

The flag represents the ideal that every Irish person has a place in Ireland regardless of political association or ethnicity.

Flowers you’ll need

Green button poms
White cushion poms
Orange spray roses

How to make it

Choose a shallow rectangular container that is either waterproof or can be lined with plastic.
Soak a few bricks of floral foam in a sink or bowl of water.
Cut the foam to fill the entire container. The foam should sit just at the height of the container.
If you’re transporting your centerpiece to another location, use waterproof tape to secure it to the container; otherwise, it’s not necessary.

st. patrick's day decor with irish flag floral foam container

Cut each individual flower from the main stem, leaving only about 1-1½” of stem to insert into the foam.
Measure and mark the foam into three equal parts.
Starting at one side, insert each flower in that colorway, one at a time, directly into the foam. Continue until you have finished the three color sections of the flag.
Spritz your flag with water and add water to the tray/container every few days to keep it fresh.

Tip: An easy way to add water to the container is to slip a few ice cubes between the flowers. They’ll melt and keep the foam moist!

st. patrick's day decor with beer mug flowers

Looking for another fun craft to make for March 17? Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day like a big old mug of “beer”!

St. Patrick’s Day DIY floral arrangement

What better way to decorate your house this March 17 than with this easy-to-make DIY St. Patrick’s Day floral arrangement!

st. patrick's day decor with green floral arrangement

Materials needed

1 large head of cabbage
6 green carnations
6 stems of Bells of Ireland
2 stems of monte casino
A small piece of floral foam
Paring knife
Plastic cup
A few red potatoes (optional)

Instructions

Carefully cut out the top of the cabbage (about a 2-by-2 hole) with a paring knife, cutting at least 2 inches deep.
Cut a plastic cup to fit into the hole, making sure it sticks out at least a half inch above the opening in the cabbage.
Place the soaked foam in the cup so it is at least 1 inch higher than the cup. Note: Make sure to use the plastic cup because the floral foam and cabbage together are not aroma friendly.
Starting at the top, place your first Bells of Ireland into the floral foam (about 1-1/2 times the height of the cabbage). Continue to add the bells in a triangular shape.
Add the green carnations.
Complete your arrangement by adding the monte casino as filler.

Optional: We added some potatoes alongside our arrangement, so feel free to accent your St. Patrick’s Day flowers with some spuds at the base of the cabbage.

How to Make a DIY Christmas Stocking to Add Holiday Cheer to Your Home

When I was asked to write an article about making DIY Christmas stockings, the first thing I did was to go to my favorite fabric store and head straight for the clearance remnant table.

diy christmas stocking with fabric remnants

I picked up the holiday color “trinity” — red, white, and green — as well as various prints and florals that just spoke to me. I knew I wanted to show how to make a basic Christmas stocking, but I also wanted to inspire creativity, to make you, the reader, go beyond what’s expected and design a stocking that matches your own personal style.

I started with a basic red stocking with white cuff. I am not a sewer and do not own a sewing machine, so I decided to make the stocking using glue — both hot glue and fabric glue. Easier said than done! Here’s how it went.

Making a basic Christmas stocking

diy christmas stocking with Christmas stocking template

diy christmas stocking with Christmas stocking cuff — Click images to enlarge

Using an old Christmas stocking, I created a stocking template that you can download here. This stocking measures 7 inches wide at the top and 14 to 16 inches high. Don’t feel like your stocking has to be these same dimensions — make your stocking any size you want!

Trace the stocking template onto your fabric.
Use a sharp scissors to cut out the stocking. You will need two pieces of fabric. Before cutting, fold the fabric so that you can cut both pieces at the same time.
After cutting the two stocking pieces, place them right side together.
Sew or glue the edges together, except for the top, with about a quarter-inch seam.
Cut the material you are using for the cuff. The length should be two times the width of the stocking at the top plus another 1 1/2 inches. The height should be between 3 and 4 inches. If you are using a material that will need to be hemmed, add an additional quarter inch on the top and bottom.
Hem the cuff, if necessary. Glue or sew the cuff with the right side against the wrong side of the stocking along the top edge only. Remember, your stocking is inside out at this point.
Turn the stocking right side out and roll the cuff down.

This is your basic stocking. However, I felt it was a bit plain looking, so I used a buffalo plaid wired ribbon to add some personality to it.

Embellishing a basic Christmas stocking

diy christmas stocking with buffalo plaid wired ribbon

DIY Christmas stocking with ruffled ribbon — Click images to enlarge

To make a ruffled edge, simply hold the end of one of the wires and keep sliding the ribbon down the wire on that one side. Keep doing this until you have the length of ribbon you need.

I attached the ruffled ribbon all along the edge of the stocking using a glue gun. I also made the loop for hanging from the same ribbon.

At this point, I thought it needed a little more personalization, so I added a name on the cuff. If you want to create your own custom stocking but don’t have the time, you can always order one online.

While making this stocking using only glue was fairly simple, I decided that sewing the stockings would be faster and easier, and make them more secure and functional. However, as I said before, I am not a sewer, so I called my good friend, Ann, who is a master quilter, for assistance. She was happy to help, and it turned out to be a great afternoon of holiday crafting and spending time together.

Making a mini Christmas stocking

We decided to do two stocking sizes: a traditional size and some minis that would be great for gift cards.

DIY Christmas stocking with tracing shape on fabric — Click images to enlarge

DIY Christmas stocking with cutting out shape

No matter the size you choose, you still need to start with a template. I used a credit card/gift card as a guide and drew the finished size that I wanted the mini stocking to be. Next, I created the final template that is a quarter inch larger all around to allow for the seams. Then, I followed the same steps as above.

Place the template on two pieces of fabric and cut both pieces at the same time.

diy christmas stocking with white stockings with black and white buffalo plaid ribbon cuffs

How adorable are these? We went all out on the buffalo plaid, making both red stockings with red and black ribbon cuffs, and white stockings with the black and white buffalo plaid ribbon cuffs. For both versions, we used the same ribbon for the loops.

I will definitely incorporate these mini stocking gift card holders into my wrapping plans this and every year!

More DIY Christmas stocking design ideas

Next, I laid out all the beautiful fabric remnants I bought and had fun putting these fabulous combinations together. Holiday stockings are just one more way to customize your holiday decorating or gift giving. Who said stockings need to be traditional? Why not have them match your style, maybe even using the same fabric as your pillows or curtains?

DIY Christmas stocking hanging from mantle

This stocking would be perfect as a gift bag for my quilting friend, Ann. I love the layering we did using both fabric and ribbon for the cuff.

This version is so pretty and modern looking. Adding the burlap and lace ribbon trim on the cuff adds just a touch of rustic to an otherwise elegant stocking.

DIY Christmas stocking with magnolia leaves

How great does it look on a front door brimming with magnolia leaves?

There’s something about all the texture in this combo that just did it for me! Again, it’s all in the details. Braiding the green yarn before gluing it to ribbon edging just brings it to the next level.

Ann and I had so much fun creating these beautiful stockings, and we hope they inspire you to try making some of your own.

I found the right combination for a detailed and structurally sturdy stocking was sewing the main portion and gluing the details. Find the method that’s right for you and remember — just have fun with it!

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces and Table Decoration Ideas

Thanksgiving provides us with a cornucopia of ideas for decorating a table…including cornucopias. The flowers, plants, decorative elements — even foods! — of the season offer limitless possibilities when it comes to sprucing up your tabletop and creating a veritable work of art to show off to your guests when they sit down for the big meal.

A beautifully designed table, with its layering of colors and textures, along with personal touches play a part in the delight and ambiance of this special occasion. Thanksgiving, after all, is as much about the feeling that the holiday evokes as it is about the food we eat or the TV programming we consume.

To offer you some inspiration for setting just the right mood for your gathering this year, here are a few easy, creative, and inexpensive Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas to get you started on your tablescape art.

Thanksgiving centerpiece idea No. 1: Fresh flower wreath centerpiece

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with floral wreath centerpiece close-Up

Wreaths are one of my favorite design styles for a more traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece. Having the center of the wreath open provides endless opportunities for additional personalization. Here, I used a beautiful amber Fenton glass vase as a candleholder; the amber glow is the perfect complement to the rich hues of the seasonal flowers in the wreath.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with elements for Floral Wreath Centerpiece

When creating a fresh floral wreath, I like to use flowers that air dry nicely. Using flowers like the varieties featured in this photo — roses, hydrangea, celosia, succulents, and more — can extend the life of your centerpiece by weeks.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Succulent Wreath Centerpiece

Some varieties of hydrangeas dry better than others. The variety that dries the best, and is featured in the wreath above, is known as an “antique hydrangea.” It is typically soft moss green with burgundy edging, and works beautifully with all the rich colors of autumn.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Fall Wreath Centerpiece Top-Down View

This wreath is all about the vibrant and saturated hues of the season. To create the perfect backdrop for this intensity, I kept everything else very neutral. A burlap table runner on a natural wood farm table and wooden chargers holding amber depression glass plates let this centerpiece take center stage.

How to make a flower wreath centerpiece

How to Make a Thanksgiving Centerpiece or Fall Wreath DIY

Regardless of your choice of flowers and color combinations, the step-by-step process of constructing the wreath is consistent. Various types and sizes of wreath forms are available. The one I used here has a papier-mâché backing, so I placed it on a charger plate after soaking it to protect my surface.

1. Prepare the floral foam

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Soaking the Floral Foam in Water

Thoroughly soak the floral foam wreath base.

2. Add your greens

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Adding Greens to Floral Foam

Start with a base of foliage, inserting short pieces around the outside of the form, adding additional sprigs on the inside rim as well as the top. Your foam does not have to be completely covered at this point; you can always go back and fill in any empty spaces after you add the flowers and dried accents.

3. Add your flowers

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Adding Hydrangeas

Start with your largest flower. Each hydrangea bloom has multiple stems of flower clusters. Because you are cutting the stems so short and inserting them directly into wet floral foam, you can cut these laterals from the main stem and use them as separate insertions. This allows you to bring the color and texture of the hydrangea all the way around the wreath without overpowering the other flowers.

Step 3 Continued- Add large flowers (hydrangeas) all around

Here, I used only two hydrangeas, but I have six separate insertions that already make my wreath nice and full.

4. Add your décor

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Adding Decor

Next, I added the dried pods and burlap roses. These are both substantial and add fullness, especially as the fresh flowers begin to dry. Flowers will lose their vibrant color and shrink in size during the drying process.

5. Fill in any empty spaces

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Filling in Empty Spaces

Fill in the spaces with the rest of the floral that you have chosen, cutting as many short stem laterals as possible.

6. Add your finishing touches

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with adding Finishing Touches

I used rose hips to add dimension to the wreath. To do this, cut the woody stem of the rose hips a little longer than you cut the stems of the flowers. Then, insert the bottom of the stem between the flowers until it is secure in the foam and the berries are positioned just above the flowers.

7. Add colored leaves

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Adding Leaves

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Fall Wreath Floral Centerpiece Complete

Adding the fall leaves, with their touch of gold and rust, is just what this wreath needs to tie it all together. Now, you’ve got a perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, and all season long!

Keep it green and lean

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Green Plant Centerpieces

Plants are a great option for tabletop decorating. They are relatively inexpensive and, if you use seasonal varieties, last for weeks. These millet plants I picked up at Smile Farms are a bit taller than normal for a centerpiece, but they still work. I find that everything gets moved around once the food starts getting placed on the table anyway.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Green Apple Candle

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Succulent Plate Decor

Having small, unexpected accents, such as the green apple candles and fresh cut succulents, on each plate can complete your look and keep your table decorated and festive even after all the food has been served.

Thanksgiving centerpiece idea No. 2: DIY garden trug centerpiece

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with DIY Garden Trug Centerpiece

This rustic-looking table accent brings in the fruits (and vegetables!) that Mother Earth provides us this time of year. It’s one of those Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas that really adds a touch of nature to the look and presentation of your dining area when you’re entertaining during the fall.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Wooden Garden Trug

First, you want to start with the foundation. I used a wooden garden trug, but you can employ any kind of gathering-style container, such as a rectangle- or oblong-shaped wicker basket.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Gourd Trug Ingredients

Choose materials to nestle into the container that complement your color scheme and vary in shape and texture. Including seasonal elements, such as gourds and bittersweet branches, adds a festive holiday feeling.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Gourd Trug Close-up

Use pieces of floral foam as build-ups to give your display varying heights, and add a few stems of fresh flowers as well. To keep your flowers fresher longer, put a piece of wet floral foam in a small plastic container, or just add water to a small plastic cup, place it in the trug, and then add the flowers.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Gourd Trug with Bittersweet Branches

My favorite part of this design is the addition of the bittersweet branches. These seasonal berry branches do not have to be in water — they dry nicely and, with minimal handling, will hold the berries for weeks.

Thanksgiving centerpiece idea No. 3: Foraged bouquet centerpieces

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Foraged Bouquet Centerpieces

This final idea couldn’t be easier — it just requites you to do a little foraging in your garden (or your neighbor’s)! I live at the beach, so my garden is full of ornamental beach grasses and millet…and turning leaves are everywhere! You know I love flowers, but this time of year offers a plethora of branches, berries, and grasses that are beautiful in their own right.

thanksgiving centerpiece ideas with Candle Artichoke

Keep it simple and natural by adding an LED votive candle to the center of a fresh artichoke and placing a single stem of millet and sprig fall foliage on each plate.

How to Make DIY Halloween Centerpieces for the Table

Halloween is arguably the most DIY-friendly holiday on the calendar. Between costumes for kids and adults, spooky décor, and parties decked out with frightfully ghoulish embellishments, there are countless opportunities to express your creativity and craftiness.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate the season is with colorful, over-the-top Halloween centerpieces. And with flowers that show off the vibrant colors of fall and the sugary treats we all have lying around the house this time of year, we have plenty of materials at our disposal to make some eye-catching pieces to be the focal points for our festive tablescapes.

Halloween centerpieces with Halloween M&M arrangement

DIY Halloween candy centerpieces: the candy vase

I love the purple, lime green, orange, and black color combination that’s prevalent for the holiday, so when I saw Halloween M&M’s in the store, I bought a few bags. Just another reason to buy candy!

To create this look, I used a nested vase, which allows the filler to rest between the walls of two containers. You can make your own by putting a narrow vase or glass inside another large glass container. Ideally, both glasses should be the same height, but if they’re not, then the inside glass should be slightly shorter than the outer one. For the floral, I used shamrock spider mums and purple statice. Not only do they look great, but both flowers are hardy and will last about two weeks.

DIY Halloween table décor: papier-mâché pumpkin vase

When I’m going for a more retro look, I break out this original papier-mâché pumpkin from the 1950s — it’s my favorite Halloween table decoration. If you don’t have a decades-old, trick-or-treating pumpkin handy, just reuse one of the plastic baskets your kids take with them around the neighborhood on All Hallows’ Eve. It creates a similar — albeit not quite as spooky — look that positively screams Halloween.

With a few cuttings from your fall garden — here, I used dahlias and asclepias — this old pumpkin becomes the happiest jack-o’-lantern in town!

Halloween centerpieces with Halloween pumpkin centerpiece

DIY candy corn flowers

Planning a kids Halloween party? This candy corn arrangement is a sweet addition. It’s great as a centerpiece or as part of a Halloween-inspired dessert bar! Not only will guests love the final “treat” but the kids can help put this together prior to the festivities.

Halloween centerpieces with candy corn floral arrangement

Materials needed

Approximately two dozen yellow carnations, two dozen orange carnations, and a dozen white carnations.
1 brick of floral foam
1 waterproof dish or tray

Instructions

Thoroughly soak the floral foam and stand it up vertically on the tray.
Cut your carnation stems to about 2 to 4 inches in length.
Starting at the base of the foam, insert the yellow carnations all around the sides, using the longest stems at the bottom to make the base of the “candy corn” wider.
Repeat with the orange and white carnations, creating the shape as you move up the foam.
End with a single white carnation at the top to form the point of the candy corn.

You can take the basic directions for this floral candy corn arrangement and scale it up or down depending on your desired finished size. If you plan to display it on a mantle or foyer table, this arrangement can also be done as a one-sided design.

Halloween table decoration ideas: flower arrangement with Halloween candy

Here’s another decoration that’s perfect for a Halloween party table. This DIY Halloween flower arrangement featuring a ceramic pumpkin, your favorite candies, and the best fall flowers will wow your guests (and help satisfy their sweet tooth, too).

Create this festive centerpiece for your own home or as a gift for the hosts of a Halloween party you’re attending this month. Either way, it will help set just the right mood for you to have a monstrously good time!

halloween centerpieces with Halloween flower arrangement with Halloween candy

Fall Table Decorating Ideas

Your tabletop is a blank canvas. Your choice of fabrics, flowers, and candles, the layering of colors and textures, and adding personal touches all play a part in the delight and ambience that a beautifully designed table brings to any occasion. Go as big or as simple as you want. It’s one of my favorite elements of entertaining!

Here are a few easy, creative, and inexpensive fall table decorating ideas that I hope will provide some inspiration to get you started on your tablescape art.

fall table decorating ideas with fall tablescape

I am a big believer in reusing/recycling, so I have pieces that I keep and use in different ways each season. Here, I reused my 1-800-Flowers decorative pumpkin from a few years ago, filling it with flowers, grasses, peppers, and succulents in a farm fresh palette.

fall table decorating ideas with fall table setting

I find these little berry baskets to be the perfect size to use as multiples, as I did on the dining table, or to add just the right festive touch on the dessert or buffet table.

fall table decorating ideas with floral foam

Just line the basket with a small dish, bowl, or can. Cut a piece of floral foam to size and thoroughly soak the foam before placing it in the dish. The foam will make it very easy to create your piece, as it holds each insertion in place and provides hydration to keep your flowers fresh.

Keeping it green and lean

fall table decorating ideas with millet plants

Decorate your fall table with plants! They are affordable and have the added benefit of naturally cleaning the air in your home. The millet plants I picked up at Smile Farms are a bit taller than normal for a centerpiece, but they still work. (I find that everything gets moved around once the food starts getting placed on the table anyway.)

Having small unexpected accents, such as the green apple candles and fresh-cut succulents, on each plate can complete your look and keep your fall table decorated and festive even after all the food has been served.

fall table decorating ideas with potten succulents

You can also use small potted succulents as individual place cards that double as a take-home gift.

Forage around

fall table decorating ideas with a votive candle

Don’t be afraid to do a little foraging in your garden (or your neighbor’s — with permission, of course!). I live by the beach, so my garden is full of ornamental beach grasses and millet. And falling leaves are everywhere! This time of year offers an abundance of beautiful branches, berries, and grasses.

fall table decorating ideas with a spring of millet and fresh artichoke

Keep it simple and natural by adding an LED votive candle to the center of a fresh artichoke and place a single stem of millet and a sprig fall foliage on each plate.

Interested in learning more about decorating with fall flowers? Sign up for a workshop with Alice’s Table to discover the joys of creating your own floral arrangements!

How to Grow, Handle, and Care for Sunflowers

Sunflowers come in a variety of colors and sizes, but the most familiar type is the annual sunflower that grows to 10-feet tall. It has thick, fuzzy stems, heart-shaped leaves, and bright yellow petals circling the flat flower head, from which small, fertile flowers bloom and develop into seeds that make for good snacking (read until the end to find out how to dry them yourself).

These beautiful, colorful flowers can enhance any garden or living space — if you take care of them the right way.

Growing sunflowers in a garden

You can grow sunflowers from seeds or small plants that you buy. They are either annual or perennial, depending on the variety and region where they are grown. Many sunflower varieties are perennial in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, and some are annual or grown as annuals.

Choosing the right spot

care for sunflowers with sunflowers growing in the sun

True to their name, sunflowers love the sun and will bend to follow it as it moves across the sky. Choose a spot in the garden that gets six to eight hours of sunshine a day. Tall sunflowers are stunning against a bright fence or wall, and shorter varieties, with smaller flowers in yellow, orange, maroon, or brown colors, liven up a sunny bed or border. They bloom all summer into fall, providing consistently bright colors to the garden as other flowers bloom and fade.

Planting your sunflowers

Your sunny spot needs to have loose, well-draining soil that allows the sunflower’s roots to easily grow down and establish strong support for the tall plant. If you’re seeding sunflowers directly into the ground, dig a hole 12 to 24 inches deep, and mix in some compost or other organic matter with the native soil.

care for sunflowers with couple watering seedlings

Plant the seeds two to three weeks before the last predicted frost. Drop them into holes 1 to 2 inches deep and water them thoroughly. You can plant multiple seeds to give yourself the best chance for a healthy crop; after they’ve grown to about 6 inches tall, thin out the weakest, smallest seedlings. Tall sunflowers will need to be thinned to 1 to 2 feet apart, but smaller varieties can be thinned closer together. You can gauge the best distance apart by how tall or branching your varieties will be.

If you want to start the seeds inside, plant them in a loose seed-starting mix five to seven weeks before the last expected frost. It will take them about seven to 10 days to sprout. Then, after the date of the last estimated frost, acclimate the seedlings to the cold weather by setting them outside a week before you want to plant them. Dig small holes and gently transfer the seedlings from their starting pots to the soil. Water them thoroughly.

Small plants bought at a garden center can be set in the garden in the late spring or early summer. Tall sunflowers should be set 1 to 2 feet apart; smaller varieties can be set closer. Water them well, and watch them grow.

Care after planting

Sunflowers don’t require a lot of care since they’re drought and heat tolerant, and resistant to pests. They are, however, heavy feeders. You can add a weak dilution of liquid fertilizer at planting to encourage good root growth, and then apply a liquid fertilizer monthly throughout the growing season. Sunflowers tolerate periods of drought, but they will be healthier and produce larger flowers if their soil is moist. When you water, stay a good 3 to 5 inches from the stems of the plants to prevent fungal disease. As an alternative, you can mix a circle of slow-release, granular fertilizer into the soil around the plants once in the spring.

Growing sunflowers in containers

care for sunflowers with sunflowers growing in a container

Shorter varieties of sunflowers can grow very well in containers. They will need a good-quality, well-draining potting mix and a big enough pot so that their taproots can develop. Sunflowers that grow up to 2-feet tall will need 10-to-12-inch pots, and those that grow to 4 or 5 feet or more will need 3-to-5-gallon pots. Make sure the pot is deep and has at least one drainage hole to keep the roots healthy and prevent root rot.

Set the pot in a bright spot that gets sun for a good portion of the day. When the soil is dry, water 1 to 2 inches down from the top. Fertilize with a weak liquid fertilizer two to three times over the spring and summer or work some slow-release fertilizer into the soil once in the spring. Take care to keep both the water and fertilizer away from the stems of the plant to keep them from developing a fungal disease.

How to prepare a cut sunflower

Cutting sunflowers early in the morning will give you the best chance for fresh flowers that haven’t wilted in the heat and sun. Use a clean, sharp knife or clippers and trim the ends at an angle before putting them in a vase.

Choose a clean vase that is tall enough to support the stems, and fill the vase with lukewarm water. The flowers should last about a week if you change the water every day. Keep them in a cool part of the house, away from direct sunlight.

Drying sunflowers for seeds

Sunflower seeds are a healthy snack for people as well as wild birds, and harvesting them from your flowers is a simple procedure. The traditional tall sunflower varieties with large flower heads are better for seeds than the new hybrids that have been developed for their smaller, colorful, ornamental flowers.

care for sunflowers with girl holding sunflower seed

Toward the end of the summer, when the leaves are wilted and have turned yellow, and the petals are drooping and going by, the seeds should be brown and plump, and ready for harvesting.

Cut the stalks about a foot down from the flowers and either hang them up or set them out to dry for about five days. If they’re drying outside, be sure to cover them so birds won’t get to them before you do.

After that time, rub the seeds off with gloves or a tool, and collect them in a pan. Spread the seeds out so they are all exposed to the air and pick out any dried petals or leaves. Let them sit overnight to dry further, and voila! You have your own homegrown, healthy snack.

A Drink to Sip With Your Sis: Key Lime Martini

My sister, Peggy, and I could be the poster girls for National Sisters’ Day. We are best friends and, believe it or not, have never had a fight. And we don’t need a reason to laugh — we just laugh all the time when we’re together.

So, when I won two tickets from a local radio station to see Alanis Morrissette, I immediately decided that my sister was going to be my plus one.

And what better way to kick off the night then with a delicious cocktail?! In this case, we went with a key lime martini, which also happens to be my brother-in-law Bob’s specialty. And because, technically, we were celebrating National Sisters’ Day, I enlisted Bob to whip up a batch for us.

This particular recipe was inspired by one I found online. It includes Tuaca, an Italian brandy “with subtle notes of vanilla and citrus, hints of butterscotch, cola, dried fig, and other flavors.” How can you pass on an ingredient with that description!

key lime martini with peggy holding a martini and bob

Once the drinks are made, thank the bartender/husband/brother-in-law and enjoy your key lime martini in great company.

key lime martini with holding drinks at concert

Then, head out for an amazing night of live music by a strong and powerful female artist, where you get to spend time with your sister — and best friend — and perhaps enjoy another cocktail as well!

Print Pin

Key Lime Martini

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings 2 drinks

Ingredients:

For the martinis

3 ounces vanilla vodka
2 ounces Tuaca
2 ounces key lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup

For the garnish

Lime juice
Crushed graham crackers
Slice of lime

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the vodka, Tuaca, key lime juice, and simple syrup, and shake together.
Garnish the rim of each glass by dipping it first in lime juice and then in the crushed graham crackers.
Pour mixed martini into the glass.
Add a slice of lime to complete the look.

DIY Magical Unicorn Decorations

Unicorns love to party — that’s one thing I love about them. So, to maximize the magical effect of these mythical creatures, I came up with these two DIY unicorn decoration ideas for my next get-together.

Unicorn party platter

An adorable unicorn party platter is perfect for serving Unicorn Dipped Oreo Cookies, or any other unicorn-themed snacks you might have (unicorn truffle cake pops, anyone?).

Before you start to make your platter, you need to gather your “stuff.”

unicorn decorations with unicorn party platter materials

It has become my goal in life to GET RID OF STUFF! And let me tell you, that’s not easy for a “stuff person” who writes a lifestyle blog. So, the first thing I did was go through all my craft stashes and gather anything that looked “unicorn-y” — in other words, bright and sparkly! Besides cardboard and decorative paper, I also got out scissors and glue.

I’m proud to say I didn’t have to buy anything for this project; I just looked around my house and saw what I already had that I could repurpose in new and interesting ways.

What you’ll need

Template for the eyes, ears, and horn.
Enough cardboard for:
- 1 12-inch round for face
- 2 ears, 2 inches x 4.5 inches each
- 1 7-inch horn

I still have a few cardboard cake plates left over from my daughter’s stint as a baker, so I used those. If you don’t have something like that, just grab one of the many cardboard boxes I’m sure you have lying around from all the deliveries you’ve gotten lately. If you don’t have cardboard with a white side, you can always paint it or cover it with white paper before assembling.

To add character to the ears, I cut out a smaller piece in a nice lavender paper to add to the center of the ear. Then I used hot glue to add a silver sparkly pipe cleaner all around the edge.

I covered the horn with a scrap of sparkly fabric left over from a Christmas stocking project. I cut the fabric slightly larger than the horn and wrapped it around, glued it in the back, and then wrapped the horn with two silver pipe cleaners.

unicorn decorations with flower template

Using the flower template, cut out all the pieces needed to make each flower. Make sure to use different colors for each part of the flowers and green for the petals.

Assembling the first flower

Starting with the large petals, dab a small amount of glue onto one side of the stem and gently bend the other stem to overlap the glue. Press and hold to secure. Do this to all four petals.

Assemble the first layer of the flower by overlapping…

…and gluing the petal stems together as you go.

unicorn decorations with polka dot paper

Repeat this step with the smaller petals. I chose a polka dot paper to add a little whimsy.

Then, glue each layer on top of the next in the following order:

Large petals
Smaller petals
Large center circle (that I fringed the edges of)
Medium-size center circle
Smallest size center

Again, for a bit more pop, I used a wooden bead with a sparkly pipe cleaner laced through the center. Remember: Use what you have and be creative.

Creating the second flower

The other flower on the template is a single layer with a pom-pom center. To add more dimension to this flower, add a crease to each petal by simple folding the flowers in half three times.

Assembling the unicorn party platter

unicorn decorations with drawn on unicorn eyes

With a black marker, draw eyes on the face using the template as a guide.

unicorn decorations with cellophane unicorn head

Cover with a piece of clear protective cover, such as cellophane, plastic wrap, or clear contact.

Glue the horn on, then the ears, then the large center flower, then the green leaves — three on each side — and, finally, the two smaller flowers on either side of the center flower.

unicorn decorations with unicorn party platter with place setting

How adorable is that! I really love the way it turned out. And the fact that I made it using bits and pieces of things I already had is my kind of upcycling!

This platter is perfect for serving sparkly unicorn cupcakes, too!

Mini unicorn planters

These mini unicorn planters will take the decor at your unicorn birthday party to the next level. They have a gazillion different uses and, as most of my projects are, are very easy to make. They are a fun project to do with little kids, too.

unicorn decorations with materials for mini unicorn planters

What you’ll need

Mini clay pots
White paint (acrylic, spray paint, any kind will do)
Paint brush
Craft paper and foam sheets (in various bright colors, and one with sparkles)
Decorative elements (washi tape, faux flowers, sparkles)
Black permanent marker

Instructions

unicorn decorations with painting a mini clay pot

Paint all the pots.

unicorn decorations with gluing horn and ears in pot

Cut out the horn and ears, and glue them to the inside rim of each pot.

unicorn decorations with mini unicorn planters with decorated rims

Decorate the rim to add a fun pop of color.

Then, draw flirty little unicorn eyes under the rim on either side of the horn using a black permanent marker. You can find many templates online from which to draw inspiration. I like to do them freehand because, just like snowflakes, no two unicorn’s eyelashes are exactly the same!

unicorn decorations with mini unicorn pots filled with plants

I filled my uni-pots with mini plants: one cactus, two succulents, and one fern. They would look amazing with fresh flowers as place settings or filled with candy for a sweet take-home gift.

These planters are the perfect complement to the Enchanting Unicorn™ floral arrangement, one of the most popular gifts in the Enchanting Unicorns collection. Pair them at your next magical unicorn party, and your little one will be over the moon!

unicorn decorations with mini unicorn planters with wine and kaleidoscope roses

But unicorns aren’t just for little girls — they’re for everyone! I heard their favorite type of wine is, in fact, rosé. Pop open a bottle at your next unicorn-themed party and let the good times flow.

Have a magical day!