Friday, October 8, 2010

Flowers from my hubby, and a dry cleaning bag!!!

Sorry couldn't resist taking a few more pics, trying to get it perfect so you guys could see the potential, and how cool this really looks. 



Hope now you can see what I'm talking about :)
Ok now for the story.... read below, to find out all about this lovely creation!


Last week, out of the blue my hubby sends me flowers. Doorbell rings, and flowers are waiting at the door, lovely lady hands them to me, and I smile. 
A week later they are kinda dying, and so I keep trying to figure out something different in terms of preserving a small piece of them. I've done the upside down drying of the roses, and flowers between books before, but I wanted something different. 

This is all thats left, the rest have wilted and are gone. So I take one rose, and two daisies , and a TWO dry cleaning bags. Yes the clear ones, that come over your clothes that you probably throw away, and I have a secretly huge stash of them, always on the lookout for ways to not have to throw them away. I recycle the regular grocery bags, when I have them, but these aren't recyclable as far as I know, umm anyway......
 So I love reading books on recycling, and crafts from trash, and fun stuff like that, and last week I got a book from the library, called
ECO CRAFT
recycle  recraft  restyle
by
Susan Wasinger
and immediately fall in love with this book. Out of the 30 craft ideas, I'm telling you, literally every one is not only super simple, but hello so cool. I mean the brain behind these cool ideas is really super talented. So one of the projects, was to make a lamp shade or lunch tote from plastic bags. I couldn't get this out of my head and JUST HAD TO TRY it out. 
 At first I just took one bag, and folded it in four, and placed it between parchment paper per the instructions, and ironed away, slowly. Revealing a lovely textured piece of plastic, so then I thought hmm, what if I put some of the flowers in between and place another piece on top, kinda like laminating the flowers. 


Well I did just that, and it turned out as expected. Kinda not so cool, just looking at it, because the flowers were not so visible, and I mean this was a VERY quick attempt just to see how it looked. BUT I took a pic above (second one) with the rest of the flowers, in a jar, inside the makeshift vase, with a light underneath, trying to get it to illuminate. When holding it up to the light it was incredible beautiful, so I knew that light was the key to bring out the beauty. 
This pic is taken in my bathroom, the only dark place in the house, and I have a small light in there, glowing from behind. Not bad. I am surely on to something, what do you guys think???


Now don't  go perfecting this idea before I get a chance to make something REALLY super cool. Ok, promise????


Secretly go try it, and wait for my big debut, and then after I give you the go ahead, wow everyone with your designs, lol. Ok if you must beat me to it, enjoy, this was SUPER fun, EASY, and I am glad to share it with everyone. BUT for real, I want to make something really cool, with this. Thinking, thinking, and can't wait to do it again. 


I know I've been kinda MIA, but with being sick, and my sister finally moving here from India, and mommy and daddy coming within the next week or so for a long overdue visit, I've been busy. I've been taking pics of my FOOD, CLOSET ORGANIZATION, and much more, so there is stuff to come, but until then, I just had to share this. 


Don't forget about my weekly party

For anything Halloween related PLEASE join 

Linking up to these fabulous parties:

http://crystalscraftspot.blogspot.com/
http://www.decormamma.blogspot.com/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
Hookin up w HOH @ HOH






As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
http://www.blogger.com/bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com

13 comments:

  1. GREAT idea Bella. Very creative. The pics came out great too!

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  2. Help me Rhonda... this is beautiful!

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  3. Wait.....you have a life? Why wasn't I informed????

    Gorgeous effects with the lighting and botanicals.

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  4. Hi, just found your blog and it's so FUN!!! Thanks for hosting the Halloween link party. I linked up some of my projects. Looking forward to following you!

    Leslie
    Stop by if you get a chance!
    www.thechicuniquery.blogspot.com

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  5. Great idea and a great way to preserve memories!! You are so cute and clever!

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  6. Love the post! What a neat way to save the flowers! Thanks again for hosting the parties and for always commenting back on my link ups. Hope you have a great weekend!

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  7. Awesome blog!...i just found it! i also linked up on the spooky party sounds soo FUN! ;)

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  8. Visiting via Thrift Store Decor Junky and WOW this was beautiful, to me! I am NOT crafty at all. I lack patience, time (& ability) when it is just as easy to go to a Craft Fair and buy someone else's beautiful design! But I love looking at what others can do because they do it so much better.

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  9. Wow, Bella! I love the way that looks! Your flowers were the perfect addition. Thanks for dropping by my blog! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  10. I love that idea!! I hate to throw away flowers - especially when they are a gift and I'm besottedly sentimental - this is a great way to save the memories!

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  11. What a fabulous idea! I love the way this turned out and I bet it is gorgeous lit up! Great idea! Thanks for linking up to the Sunday Showcase! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  12. Looks great especially lit up. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. SO COOL! I LOVE it! Fabulous job!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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In my spare time I enjoy cooking, and baking. In fact my mother and I have been making cakes for over 30 years. I also love gardening, traveling, and all things crafty. I struggle daily to keep my like organized, along with my never ending battle to keep the house clean. I adore my three kids MOST of the time, and can usually be found doing the mom thing from morning till night. I try to catch a few mommy moments, but those are hard to find in this wonderful life of mine. I am blessed and happy, and am thrilled you stopped by today :)