Are we already in August? As usual, the summer is going by too fast, and now we only have a few weeks left – with so much we want to do. So I’ve decided to put this blog down for a little late-summer nap. While it’s sleeping, I’ll be working on projects to share with you in September. At least that’s the plan.
And since this is my last post until then, I have all kinds of things to show you.
Costco Roses with Summer Garden Clippings
As I mentioned in my previous post, My Three-Season Greenhouse, my husband gave me two dozen Costco roses for our anniversary.
With so many roses, I thought it would be fun to break them into several different arrangements and include some fresh clippings from the garden.
I gathered some of my favorite vases and headed to the greenhouse.
I had to work fast because it was warm in there and I didn’t want the roses to wither. I came up with these three arrangements.
Thriller, Filler, Spiller
The old thriller-filler-spiller technique used in container gardening also works well for floral arrangements.
- Thriller: Red roses
- Filler: Lady’s mantle flowers (Alchemilla mollis or Alchemilla vulgaris)
- Spiller: Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)
I love the fresh green of the lady’s mantle flowers as a substitute for fillers like baby’s breath. The crimson-tasseled annual called love-lies-bleeding adds a little drama and works nicely with the color of the vintage glass vase.
Manicured
I set yellow roses upright on a spike frog in a vintage milk glass vase for this buttoned-up look for the master bedroom.
I tucked in maidenhair fern (Adiantum) fronds from the shade garden and, around the perimeter, Bishop of Llandaff dahlias.
This late in summer, most of my summer perennials are starting to fade, but because I deadhead these dahlias, the plants bloom for months.
Classic
I put the remaining roses in a tall crystal vase with honeybush (Melianthus major) leaves around the perimeter. These large silvery leaves add a touch of glamour.
An Easy DIY Patio Tablecloth
Feeling like the summer was getting away from me, I hosted several small get togethers on our patio last week.
Planning the table decor is always half the fun, and I wanted a tablecloth that would complement our china and the chair cushions.
At the fabric store, I came across a whimsical home decor fabric called Sannio Cabana by SMC Swavelle Millcreek.
It was 54 inches wide, so I just asked for a 54-inch cut of fabric and hemmed it to have a square tablecloth.
The square tablecloth worked well with the 42-inch round table. I positioned it so that it draped elegantly between the chairs yet guests didn’t wind up with a bunch of extra fabric on their laps.
With a tablecloth this lively, I didn’t need much else in the way of table decor – especially on such a small table.
Not wanting to attract bees, I didn’t use any flowers. The centerpiece was a citronella candle.
That and a couple of dryer sheets under the tablecloth did a fairly decent job of keeping pests away. (Note: For more tips on keeping bugs from crashing a patio party, see this post.)
My Recent Vintage Finds
I always look forward to the annual garage sale that my neighborhood hosts. I never participate because I would rather cruise around and see what everyone is selling.
This year I scored with two of these tall fir cabinets with leaded glass doors – for $5 each! The style is an exact match to the original built-ins in our house.
They have that “old schoolhouse” smell that I love. I have several ideas of where to use them in our house, so we’ll see what happens.
My friend, Carolyn, participated in the sale and when I admired these adorable mid century salt and pepper shakers that belonged to her mother, she gave them to me. Thanks Carolyn!
They are perfect for our vintage trailer, the June Bug.
And then while visiting an antique store in the historic Fairhaven district of Bellingham, we found this spike frog to add to my frog collection.
I couldn’t resist that rustic patina.
See You in September
I hope those of you living in the Northern hemisphere have a chance to get out and enjoy what is left of your summer. Let’s meet back here in September!
Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links.
Resources:
Here are a few fun tidbits from around the web, including the fabric (at a lower price than I paid) and the salad plates I used in my table setting.
Center: Villeroy & Boch Switch 3 Cordoba Salad Plate Clockwise from top: Set of 2 Vintage Flower Frogs | Sannio Cabana fabric by the yard | 4″ Daisy Milk Glass Ruffletop Vase | Beettle Kill Pine Candleholder with Citronella Candles
You might also enjoy:
- Budget-Friendly Finds for a Fun Tailgate Party
- A Late-Summer Porch Refresh
- Rustic Greenhouse Lights from a Mad Scientist
- Taking Walkway Lights to New Heights
Heidi, I love our Blog. Also love you very cute picture I will miss you during your break but will look forward to what is to come in September.
I love YOUR blog. I definitely cannot take credit for any part of it.
Thanks Elin! Truth be told, it will be hard for me not to post anything until then.
Your flower arrangements are so lovely. You have a great eye for how flowers should be arranged. My Mom always used flower frogs in her arrangements and I was always enchanted with them. So as an adult I started a collection of my own. It contains a couple that belonged to my mother. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm and can’t wait to see what you have to share in September.
Sharon, I’ve seen some of your collections and I’m guessing your flower frog collection is pretty spectacular. Sounds like your Mom was as artistic as you are!