When my kids were little, money was sparse, and we lived way out in the backwoods. There was little, if any, activities we could afford. We did discover one, however, that may sound a little morbid at first, but is actually wonderful.
We visited cemeteries. We never removed floral arrangements from a gravesite, and if we could pick up and restore one to its proper place, we did. But at the back or in the woods around the perimeter of most cemeteries, there are usually piles of discarded silk flowers. Many are still beautiful when brought home, washed in the bathtub with some regular washing powder and bleach, and dried.
If one is especially pleasing in shape, but faded, there are sprays sold at craft shops to "paint" them colorful again. We disassembled the arrangements first, washed them, and reused cleaned containers, or yard sale vases; perhaps using a jelly jar with a cute grosgrain ribbon, to re-arrange them into beauty again.
Maybe a card, pair of socks, pocket comb, a box of bath powder or similar dollar-store item was added.
Then we would make a trip to our local nursing homes, assisted living houses, battered women's shelter, or the like, and my children learned to give from the heart, and received such gratitude in return.
It was like an Easter-egg hunt in the bushes, a recycling project and art class at home. We also has a Sunday school lesson in the faces who smiled back at us as we shared all we had, and let a "forgotten" person know they were special. And I now have some really special, loving, giving adult children.
By Gloria Hayes
Dress up a simple tee or wear it in your hair, either way they are fun to make and wear.
Take a Styrofoam ball, pull heads off of silk flowers and glue and press into Styrofoam ball. Glue silk leaves from silk flowers throughout ball. Hot glue matching ribbon so you can hang.
This natural and artistic piece is a great way to add some dimension and class to a room. The round stone base and graceful grass top create a unique planter looking decoration.
I went to a Tea Room awhile back and used their restroom and when I washed my hands they had this dish with silk flower petals in it that had scented soap that coated them. You used one petal to wash your hands, that was all you needed.
I bought the soap making pack of soap base at Michael's and melted according to instructions. I dismantled my artificial flower blooms and dipped them, then let them dry on wax paper...very easy.
These are very easy to make. Just use melt and
pour soap you can buy at a craft type store.
You can melt this two way, in a double boiler or in themicrowave. Just be careful
to not let it get to hot. You may add a scent to the melted soap. Have wax paper laid out. Using tweezers dip the silk
flowers petals you have cut apart into the melted soap. Place on the wax paper to dry. That's it.
Hey Kay,
I live in Abilene, where is this tea shop you are talking about? I'd like to go myself. And if I do, I'll ask them if they can tell me! It sounds really pretty and feminine. I love stuff like that! You don't get to see stuff like that very often. Have a great week!
Hi Cindy, It was in Baird, Tx. It is closed now due to slow business. In a small town it is so hard to make a living with a small clientele. It was a lovely old 2 story house and I really did enjoy going there and the two ladies that owned it were so sweet. I'm sorry you missed out on such a delightful place. The whole place was decorated so beautifully. Sorry you missed out on it. Love Kay
That sounds so lovely! And what a great use for silk flowers that are no longer fresh looking! Thanks!
That sounds so cool. It will be a great touch to the bathroom. I am in Brownwood, Texas would love to see something like that.
I purchased from the "Dollar Store" a box of decorative soap that looks and appears to be silk flower rose buds. they even had all separate petals and everything but they were actually perfumed bath soaps that you add the petals to your bath.
This craft can be a lot of fun and very complementing to a rooms décor. You can make simple country kitchen designs or something more contemporary and modern.
I had some plaster of Paris and wanted to use it for a craft item. I found out that I could make my own porcelain looking flowers.
