Floral arrangements uplift our spirits, brighten a room, and create a touch of natural beauty in our interior spaces. Flowers come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, each with its unique character. Some popular flowers used in arrangements include roses, lilies, tulips, daisies, sunflowers, and orchids, but don't be afraid to play with any of your favorite flowers and greenery. Creating a balanced floral arrangement is all about channeling your creativity while following (more or less) the principles of floral design. In this blog post, we'll explore the art of floral design and share some valuable tips on creating balanced and visually appealing flower arrangements for your home. So let's get started! Choose a Focal Point Every floral arrangement needs a focal point that grabs attention. Select a standout flower or an interesting element like a unique branch or ornamental grass to act as the centerpiece. This will serve as the anchor for your composition. Consider Height and Proportion It's crucial to play with varying heights and proportions to achieve balance. Combine tall flowers or branches with medium-sized and shorter blooms. This creates depth and visual interest within your arrangement. However, the height differences should not overpower or overshadow the other flowers. Balance Colors and Textures When selecting flowers for your arrangement, consider using colors and textures that complement each other. Choose a color palette that harmonizes with the room or environment in which the arrangement will be displayed. Pair delicate, airy flowers with more robust blooms to create a balanced contrast of textures. Embrace Odd Numbers Odd-numbered groupings of flowers tend to create a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Create flower groupings of threes or fives for visual appeal and unity. Odd numbers are more captivating to the eye than even numbers, which can sometimes appear too symmetrical and static. Pay Attention to Vessel Selection The vessel you choose for your arrangement is just as essential as the flowers. A tall vase pairs well with long-stemmed flowers, while a shallow dish is perfect for a low and compact arrangement. Use the rule of thirds when selecting your containers to make the overall floral arrangement visually pleasing. This means your flowers should be either one-third or two-thirds the height of your container. (A composition that is too equal in size will not feel natural.) Experiment with various containers like mason jars, vintage pitchers, or elegant glass vases to find the perfect complement to your chosen flowers. Creating a balanced floral arrangement is an art form that allows you to showcase your creativity and infuse spaces with natural beauty. By keeping the principles of floral design in mind, playing with height, proportion, colors, and textures, and embracing odd numbers, you can create stunning arrangements that breathe life into any room. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment and even break the rules if it makes your arrangement look better! In time, you’ll learn to trust your eye and creative instincts, and those floral designs will look gorgeous! So, grab your favorite flowers and get creative! Happy arranging! If you'd like to watch me do an arrangement and learn how to do a simple floral design watch my videos on my new Youtube channel! There is a Part 1 and Part 2 tutorial video for this project! Related blogs you may want to read:
10 non-flowering houseplants that are toxic to cats 8 flowering houseplants that are toxic to cats 6 more flowers that attract fairies to your fairy garden 8 flowers that attract fairies to your fairy garden 7 houseplants you can't kill 7 more houseplants you can't kill 7 ways to kill a succulent How to repot a bonsai ficus How to repot a pothos plant
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Hey there, fellow cat lovers! We all know how much our feline friends adore their scratching posts. Over time, though, these scratching posts can begin to look ragged. In this blog post, we'll walk you through rewrapping your cat's scratching post, giving it a fresh lease on life. So grab your materials, and let's dive right in! Why are scratching posts so essential for our furry companions, you might ask? The answer is that scratching is a natural behavior for cats. It helps keep their claws healthy, allows them to stretch their muscles, and provides an outlet for pent-up energy. A dedicated scratching post will save your furniture from sharp nails and provide a designated spot for your cats to do what they love. I have a large, multi-level cat tree and another small scratching post that my kitties adore. The small one--the scratching post I am using for this blog--was purchased from Amazon a couple of years back. What you'll need for this project
Assess the condition of your existing scratching post If your existing scratching post is frayed, torn, or no longer appealing to your furry friend, it's time to refresh. Remove the old wrapping Carefully unwind and remove the old sisal rope or twine from the scratching post. The existing twine on my scratching post had small upholstery tacks at each end for extra reinforcement. I made sure to keep these in case I need them later. Prepare the new wrapping material Ensure you have enough twine for the height of the scratching post. It is better to have more than not enough! I made the mistake of not ordering enough and needed to order two more rolls to finish the second pole. Unfortunately, the second order of twine was a slightly different color than the first batch, but I made it work! Begin wrapping Start at the bottom of the post. Secure the end of the rope with a knot or a dab of adhesive, if desired, to keep it in place. I used a hot glue gun to secure the end of the twine in place while I wrapped the twine around the pole. Keep it tight As you work your way up, maintain consistent tension, keeping the rope as tightly wound as possible. Wrap the twine around the pole, then push down against the previous row to close gaps. This will prevent sagging and ensure a sturdy surface for your cat's scratching pleasure. I also used Elmer’s glue on the pole for added adhesion. Finishing touches When you reach the end, secure the rope with a knot or adhesive. I used a hot glue gun for this step. Trim any excess rope to ensure a neat appearance. Make sure there are no loose ends that your cat could accidentally unravel. Extra reinforcement (optional) Reinforce large or frequently used posts with staples. Use an upholstery gun to add staples at each end. This way, the twine will not get pulled off by an overzealous cat! I saved the small upholstery tacks from the original twine and used a small hammer to tap them into place at the ends. Let it settle After the rewrapping process, let the scratching post settle. Cats have a keen sense of smell, so a transitional period will allow your cat to get used to the different scents. Don't forget the toys! Now it's time to add a few toys to your finished DIY scratching post. Dangly feathers, crinkly balls, or catnip-infused mice will entice your furry friend to use their newly rewrapped post. By following these simple steps, you will not only extend the life of the post but also provide your feline companion with a renewed space to stay active, happy, and healthy. Remember to observe your cat's behavior and check the scratching post periodically for signs of wear. Happy scratching to your furry friend! You can watch my Youtube video of this process here! Related blogs you may want to read: How to clean a fabric lampshade DIY chalk painted tray with chippy effect How to reupholster dining room chair seats in 9 simple steps A little project with jute twine and an old foot stool DIY refurbishment of a dining room cabinet DIY upholstery cleaning methods Creating a kithcen coffee bar How to replace a clock mechanism Affiliate Disclosure Some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. If you enjoyed one of my latest articles, “8 Flowers that Attract Fairies to Your Fairy Garden”, here are six more fairy flowers for your garden! Interest in fairy gardens has been growing for quite a while now, and the trend shows no sign of stopping any time soon! The act of creating a fairy garden awakens the inner child, providing an escape from the problems of the mundane and sometimes stressful world around us. And it’s a gift that keeps on giving! Once you create the garden, it becomes a refuge where you can escape from it all and let your imagination out of the box. I have been experimenting with my fairy gardens, and—being a lifelong lover of fairy tales—it got me thinking about the types of flowers fairies might like in their garden. I’m sharing some of my research with you to help you on your way to creating a fairy-friendly garden! Columbine Columbine is a beautiful, graceful flower that reminds me of the layers on a fairy dress! The flower is closely associated with women and sensuality and symbolizes the balance between fragility and strength. The word Columbine has a Latin root that means “dove” which symbolizes peace, but the flower also has associations with the eagle and war. This duality in meaning is also reflected in other names for this flower, such as Granny’s Bonnet and Lion’s Herb. Plant this stunning flower in your garden to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees…and fairies! Pansies Pansies are such sweet, colorful flowers! You can often find them growing wild just about anywhere, especially in shady or tucked-away places where the fairy folk like to hide. Other names this flower may go by are Johnny Jump-ups or Viola. Symbolically, the flower represents the act of reflection or remembrance, keeping someone in your thoughts. In folklore, pansies can attract love or make someone fall in love with you and are known to ward off bad spirits and evil spells. Look at the flower petals from a certain angle and see a fairy face staring back at you! This is a must-have flower for your fairy garden! Petunias Petunias (with their velvety petals) are a visually stunning and aromatic addition to any fairy garden! This flower symbolizes positive vibes of well-being and friendship, and is thought to repel negative energy and evil spirits. A garden filled with petunias will invite wonder, inspiration, and creative ideas. These beautiful flowers also attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Any fairy would feel quite at home surrounded by a patch of petunias! Snapdragons Snapdragons (also known as dog flower, dragon flower, or lion’s mouth) symbolize peace, grace, and inner strength. In folklore, this flower wards off spells and evil spirits, attracts positive vibes, and provides magical protection. The curly petals of the snapdragon attract bees…and—of course—fairies! Tulips What would be a fairy garden without tulips?! Fairies have been known to hide or sleep inside the tulip flowers, away from the prying eyes of us humans. They even use these flowery havens as cribs for their infants. But the tulip is not just significant to fairies…According to old superstitions, tulips symbolize luck, abundance, love, and declaring new love. So plant a few in or near your fairy garden for your special guest! Violets Violets have powerful symbolism, and any garden would be bare without them! In many traditions, violets are associated with transformation and the cycles of life, birth, and rebirth. This flower can also represent new love. The magical and mystical time of twilight--when the veil between worlds is thin, as they say—is also closely associated with violets. This is the perfect flower for your resident fairy for easy travel between here and the Otherworld, and a must-have plant for a magical fairy garden! So there are six more flowers that you can plant in your fairy garden to attract the fae folk. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first article with eight flowers that attract fairies, the link is down below! Happy planting! (And say hi to the fairies for me!) Related blogs you may want to read: 8 flowers that attract fairies to your fairy garden Who are the Irish fairies? 10 essential elements for a magical outdoor fairy garden A brief history of the origins of fairy gardens My spring 2022 indoor fairy gardens Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens My outdoor fairy garden Sources: https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/05/wildflower-season.html https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/05/wildflower-lore.html https://theforestfairy.com/flowers-that-attract-and-welcome-the-fairies-into-your-garden/ https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/3028 https://greenwitchfarm.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-columbine/ https://amovitam.ca/the-fairy-in-the-pansy-flower/ https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@yidneth/violas-and-pansies-folklore-mythology-legends-and-properties-of-these-beautiful-flowers https://www.petalrepublic.com/petunia-meaning/ https://a-z-animals.com/blog/snapdragon-meaning-symbolism-and-proper-occasions/ Bringing flowers into your home is one of the easiest ways to add beauty, color, and texture to an interior space. Flowers can make a statement all their own or complement existing decor, and many have an amazing fragrance that can be a natural room deodorizer. But if you have cats (or other pets) or even small children in your home, you must be selective about which flowers you use and purposeful about where those plants are placed. In some cases, it could mean the difference between life and death! I have two beautiful cats in my home that share a space with my plants, so I’ve embarked on a journey to discover which plants and flowers might be toxic to my fur babies. Today’s blog is part of a series of articles on this subject, where I pick a few of the most popular houseplants and flowers that pose a threat to cats. The focus will be on cats, but this information could pertain to other pets and small children. So here are a few flowering plants you should avoid (or monitor) if you have cats… Amaryllis The entire amaryllis plant is toxic, but the bulb is the most toxic, containing raphide oxalate crystals. The rest of the plant contains phenanthridine alkaloid and lycorine. Symptoms of toxic poisoning from this plant may be breathing problems, drop in blood pressure, vomiting, irritation of the mouth, drooling, pawing at the face, diarrhea, and tremors. It’s best to keep this plant out of the reach of your cats! Azalea The azalea is not typically an indoor plant, but it's worth noting due to its popularity and use in some floral arrangements. Azaleas contain grayanotoxin, which affects the heart and can cause diarrhea and vomiting. The whole plant is toxic to cats, so watch your outdoor cats! Begonia Begonias are one of the most popular potted plants but are not the safest flowering plant for cats. The whole plant is toxic, but the roots contain soluble calcium oxalates, which can cause vomiting, drooling, and kidney failure. This one may be better off as a hanging plant! Carnation Carnations--while not as bad for your cat as some other flowering plants--are still mildly toxic. Signs that your cat has ingested this plant might be upset stomach and dermatitis. So be careful with those flower arrangements! Chrysanthemum Commonly known as mum, this pretty but hazardous plant contains pyrethrins, sesquiterpene, and lactones--toxins found in pesticides and certain flea and tick meds and can be very bad if ingested by your cat. Some toxic symptoms might include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin issues. Cyclamen This is a whimsical plant with colorful pinwheel petals reaching toward the sky, but make no mistake, Cyclamen is extremely toxic--if not deadly--to your cats! The toxins it contains include Terpenoid saponins, also known as triterpene glycosides. The entire plant, including the tubers, is toxic, and ingesting any part of the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, heart problems, seizures, and possibly death for your cat. Daffodils Also called Narcissus, the whole plant is toxic—flowers, leaves, and especially the bulbs. Daffodils contain lycorine, phenanthridine alkaloids, and calcium oxalate crystals, which even in small quantities can result in diarrhea, stomach upset, vomiting, tremors, drooling, drop in blood pressure, and cardiac issues. Be very careful with this flower around your cats! Hyacinth Like most bulb plants, hyacinths are dangerous for cats. The hyacinth plant contains alkaloids like lycorine and calcium oxalate raphides, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, dermatitis, and tremors. So, if you receive one of these aromatic flowering plants for Easter or Mother’s Day, it may be best to keep it outside, away from your indoor cats! So, there are a few flowering plants to monitor if you have cats. There are many more, and I’ll add more articles with additional plants as I do more research. Please remember I am NOT a vet, so if you are at all concerned that your cat has ingested part of your plants, please consult a veterinarian immediately. Also, remember to do your own research so you can properly care for your plants while keeping your pets and small children safe. Related blogs you may want to read: 10 non flowering houseplants that are toxic to cats Eight tips for assessing natural light in your home How to repot a bonsai ficus How to repot a pothos plant How to propagate bromeliad pups Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity Eight health benefits of decorating with plants Let’s talk about houseplants Sources:
https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/house-plants-toxic-to-cats?lightboxfired=true# https://www.thespruce.com/houseplants-toxic-to-cats-4775359 https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/common-household-plants-toxic-to-cats https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants?field_toxicity_value[]=02 https://www.marthastewart.com/8376743/houseplants-toxic-to-cats https://www.farmersalmanac.com/toxic-houseplants-30149 https://pethelpful.com/cats/Houseplants-Poisonous-to-your-Cats https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/health-care/cat-poisoning-toxins/plants-toxic-to-cats https://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-poisonous-plants https://www.sleepyhollowanimalhospital.com/the-houseplants-that-could-poison-your-cat/ If you have houseplants AND pets, this information is for you! For most of my life, there has always been a cat or two in the home, and I can’t imagine life without them! Houseplants, on the other hand, are a far more recent phenomenon. A few years back (after our 14-year-old fur baby passed away), our household was blessed with two beautiful munchkin kittens. It’s been five years, and they have grown into such sweet cats! Suddenly, I’ve become aware that the house is full of luscious green plant babies that may not get along with my fur babies. I’m only just learning the ins and outs of plant care, and one of the topics on my mind is plant toxicity. I finally carved out time to do some much-needed research on the subject. This would be an actual book if I tried to list ALL the plants and flowers that could be toxic, so I decided to break up the list into several blogs featuring the most common houseplants. Today we will look at ten houseplants that are (more or less) NON-flowering that could be problematic for your cats. So, let’s get to it! Aloe vera Who doesn’t love an aloe plant? They are easy to maintain and look good in just about any pot. Their simplicity and good looks, however, hide the fact that these plants can be harmful to your kitty if it should happen to take a nibble. Aloe plants contain toxins known as saponins (anthraquinone glycosides), so this plant is harmful if ingested, although on the more moderate end of the toxin spectrum. If your cat eats this plant, it may show symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. Asparagus fern Another mildly toxic plant that contains sapogenins is the wispy asparagus fern. This green plant looks like something out of a fairy forest, but what appeals to the fairies can make cats sick! Cats ingesting this plant may develop skin allergies, dermatitis, diarrhea, vomiting, and upset stomach. Caladium The caladium plant is a bit more serious when it comes to toxicity. This plant with incredibly striking leaves contains Insoluble calcium oxalates, and these toxins can be quite bad for cats. The toxic symptoms could include vomiting, swelling of the mouth, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing and will require--at the very least--an immediate call to your vet. Castor bean The castor bean is a plant that you should cross off your list. This is a very toxic plant containing ricin, and anyone who ingests this plant is in very real danger from the effects of the toxins. In cats, the toxins of the castor bean plant can cause damage to the nervous system, kidney failure, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, convulsions, and even death. Coleus Coleus is another houseplant that flaunts striking leaves but contains toxins that are very harmful to pets and small children. If you have this plant, look for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and changes in your cat’s mood. Cutleaf philodendron Also known as Monstera, Ceriman, split leaf philodendron, or Swiss Cheese plant, this popular plant contains Insoluble calcium oxalates, which—just as with the caladium—means they are toxic to cats. If one of these large trendy plants has found a home in a cozy corner of your living room, keep an eye on your kitty and look for symptoms such as mouth and tongue swelling, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Dieffenbachia This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates that, as previously mentioned, can have terrible effects if ingested by your pets or small children. Also known as Dumb Cane or Charming Dieffenbachia, a proteolytic enzyme makes this plant a very toxic choice for a houseplant. The toxins negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract. These poisons also cause difficulty swallowing and swelling of the lips, tongue, and face. Dracaena Also known as the Corn Plant, the dracaena contains saponins, which can cause vomiting, lack of appetite, drooling, and lethargy in your cat if ingested. Many different plants fall under the category of dracaena, so do your homework before bringing unknown plants home! English ivy One of my all-time favorite plants is English ivy, but unfortunately, this can never have a place inside my home. Ivy contains Triterpenoid saponins, making it very toxic and dangerous to animals, causing excessive drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting. And this may be the case for many types of ivy, so do your research! Eucalyptus The trendy eucalyptus plant—unfortunately—contains eucalyptol and harmful essential oils. Contact with this plant (or the essential oil) can cause excessive drooling, oral irritation, airway swelling, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and low mood in your cat. This may look gorgeous in wedding bouquets and on Instagram, but keep it away from your pets! I recently found out that essential oils can be harmful to pets, so use these oils wisely. It's best to keep them away from your dogs and cats. It’s important to point out that certain plants only require minimum exposure to bring on symptoms, but others need quite a bit more ingestion. Your kitty's response to the toxicity also depends on their size and constitution, so this list is only meant to be a guide. I am also NOT a veterinarian, so please consult a vet if you believe your cat is reacting to any plant in your house. This article is meant to raise cat owners' awareness of hidden dangers in common houseplants. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have your favorite plant baby, but maybe place it somewhere out of reach of your other precious babies of the furry variety! Related blogs you may want to read: 8 flowering houseplants that are toxic to cats Eight tips for assessing natural light in your home How to repot a bonsai ficus How to repot a pothos plant How to propagate bromeliad pups Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity Eight health benefits of decorating with plants Let’s talk about houseplants Sources:
https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/house-plants-toxic-to-cats?lightboxfired=true# https://www.thespruce.com/houseplants-toxic-to-cats-4775359 https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/common-household-plants-toxic-to-cats https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants?field_toxicity_value[]=02 https://www.marthastewart.com/8376743/houseplants-toxic-to-cats https://www.farmersalmanac.com/toxic-houseplants-30149 https://pethelpful.com/cats/Houseplants-Poisonous-to-your-Cats https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/health-care/cat-poisoning-toxins/plants-toxic-to-cats https://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-poisonous-plants https://www.sleepyhollowanimalhospital.com/the-houseplants-that-could-poison-your-cat/ https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/17-plants-poisonous-pets |
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