Last Minute Tips for a Stylish 4th of July!

Some of the styling tricks I used for Better Homes and Gardens "Glory Days" feature. The magazine features an outstanding 4th of July tips for a super fun celebration.

Oil hurricane lamps, red ticking runner and 12 yards of 3/8" roping makes a stunning centerpiece!

Wrap a flag around a napkin! The flag napkin ring! 

Turn a large terra cotta pot into a ice cooler. Glue gun on yardage of roping to make it special,

 fill with ice!

Little toothpick flags turn any store bought or home made cake into a red, white, and blue  party cake in seconds.

Place assorted glass cookie jars, and fill them with summer treats for your guests.

Red white and blue water bottle, Remove lables: Wrap water bottle with small flags, use double stick tape down the back to hold.

scatter collections of canning jars filled with flowers and flags , how easy is that

Treat pails: Each guest gets a different number.  You can find adhesive numbers at Loews.

Fruit Vases Featured In Good Housekeeping Magazine June 2012

Last year Good Housekeeping magazine asked me to create and style easy summer projects for their  “Make It” feature. The "Make It" projects are quick,  fresh ideas that are easy to make and fun to do.

I sketched out a dozen ideas and this was one of many that the editors chose. It is also one of my favorites.  We set a day aside last summer to shoot these project ideas with photographer Michael Partenio. Check out Good Housekeeping June 2012 issue for more floral arrangements. 

Give it a try!

Cut a four inch opening at the top and Scoop out fruit.

Scrape out most of the fruity flesh. Place a small glass inside with water and fill with flowers that mirror the inner fruit color.

More Summer Entertaining! Setting the Garden Table with Daisies and.... (Part 3)

With America's birthday not to far away, I recall this story I did for a major magazine in 2010. 

A table setting that has the perfect patriotic grasp for any July 4th dinner celebration incorporating the red, white and blue in a lighter way. Easy to replicate for the 4th luncheon or dinner table, or any summer dining experience.

 

These centerpieces are easy to make with a few things you can buy and put together in a snap. 

The list of things you will need:

Glass chimneys

Pots

Candles

Daisys

Pebbles or Beans

 

The daisies also add a fresh summer feel to any summer table setting! 

Styling and Ideas created by Karin Lidbeck

  Photography by Andre Baronowski

Daffodils - The Wee Tree!

While daffodils are blooming,  you might consider making this.
I came up with this simple arrangement for a Good Housekeeping Spring Issue. With just a few materials in hand you can be put this together quickly.

1 dozen Daffodils  about 12" of a pretty ribbon ribbon,  a rubber band, floral foam and moss.

wee tree

Tightly gather a bunch of daffodils and secure with rubber bands. Cut floral foam to fit inside small container and soak in water; insert stems. Cover foam with moss and wrap with bright ribbon.

Daisy Eggs Centerpiece

This giant daisy egg was a design idea I created as a table centerpiece for Good Housekeeping magazine.  A fresh idea and so easy to make.  It will last longer than you think, many years actually,  since the daisies are artificial flowers from the crafts store!

Carve an 8 or 9" high egg shape from a floral foam block or purchase  a large styrofoam egg.

You will need approximately 50 artificial daisy heads ( many stems have multiple heads)

Cut the head with wire cutters approximately 1/2" below the flower head.

Push the stem into the styrofoam.

Repeat with each flower placing them closely together so the styrofoam is completely covered until the entire egg is covered in daisies.

Place the egg in a small white bowl as a base to hold your daisy egg upright.

The Looking Glass Holiday Centerpiece

Art director Scott Johnson of Better Homes and Gardens magazine asked me to create a garden inspired holiday decorative centerpiece for their BHG 2011 December issue.  The looking glass globe of birds on snow is a favorite of mine!

Photograph by Michael Partenio 


The Looking Glass centerpiece vase is so easy to make yourself! Use a glass container, any glass container, even a round fish bowl! Place artificial snow ( or salt ) at bottom for the base. Add some greenery from the outdoors with the artificial birds and nest from a craft store or garden shop.

Place on plate, and you now have your very own Looking Glass centerpiece.

The Regal Amaryllis

Holidays are soon approaching, and so are the regal Amaryllis! 


Last year, Ann Blevins editor of Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas magazine asked me to design and style seven Amaryllis projects for the upcoming 2011 Christmas ideas magazine.


One traditional Victorian holiday decoration inspired me to replicate, only to find this DIY easy to do!

Sugared Amaryllis and fruit centerpiece

Lightly brush egg whites mix ever so gently upon fruit and flowers blooms. Sprinkle super-fine sugar partially on both fruit and flower. Place upon cake plate with some greens!  Flower is cut short and placed in silver votive. A centerpiece appreciated by many!

My holiday centerpiece favorite! 

Amaryllis Pineapple Centerpiece

I am often asked to design holiday tables. This centerpiece is a favorite. This will add a hit of elegance to your table with hardly any effort.  Slice off the top of the pineapple. Scoop out the delicious contents. Place amaryllis flowers in center.  Add eucalyptus, or any natural green around the amaryllis. Surround your centerpiece with cranberries, and you have a great holiday centerpiece! Don't forget to put water in this natural vase!


You can buy cut amaryllis at the florist or buy the flower bulb in the pot. 


PS. Cut stem of the amaryllis flower will last up to two weeks, maybe longer provided you keep cutting the cut stem back every few days. 
Look for more of my Amaryllis ideas in the current issue of Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas magazine!



Photographs by Michael Partenio