As a contributor over at Birds On The Blog, I am running a mini series, encouraging us to make handmade Christmas decorations and gifts this year.

Last week we looked at some suggestions to make Christmas tree decorations.

For my second part of my series, we will be looking at general Christmas decorations for the home, including a Rachel de Thame Christmas wreath, using material gathered from around your garden, and a cute Christmas garland (will be published 10.00am 10th December).

As well as making personalised greeting cards from my botanical photography I also enjoy a range of crafts such as paper crafts.

Earlier this year, I picked up some blank candles which were on special offer and wondered how I could add a decoration to them.

Through various designs such as using dried flowers, and adding transfers that I made with my flower images, I also came up with an easy project to share, using stamps and ink.

To make this decoration you will need:

• Plain candle – You can pick one up for a couple of pounds at a variety of shops
• Stamp ( if you have a local Hobbycraft, or independent craft shop near by)
• Pigment Ink (as in below image)

As you can see I used a pretty dragonfly stamp, but you can use any stamp.

My recommendation would be to either use very small ones dotted all over the candle or long stamps.

Here is how I decorated the blank candle:

Directions:

• Put stamp on table with the stamp facing up
• Dot the ink pad over the stamp image until the raised section is covered evenly with ink
• Place candle carefully from the right hand side and roll gently and firmly over the image carefully so as not to smudge the image
• If you do accidently smudge the image, take some tissue and wipe it off gently and try again
• Leave to dry.

Finished candle:

For a gift suggestion you could wrap in tissue paper and finish with some festive ribbon (once it has dried)

I hope you will enjoy making some decorations this Christmas

What have you been making?

Related articles

• Make Your Own Handmade Christmas Decorations And Gifts 2011 – Part One (birdsontheblog.co.uk)

Flowers have always been associated with Valentine’s Day

In thelanguage of flowers also known as floriography, flowers associated with love are -

Roses are red, violets are blue valentine's card © Nita Joy Designs

• Roses
• Bluebells
• Chrysanthemum
• Lavender

Other flowers that convey a secret message that would be suitable for Valentine’s Day are -

• The Amaryllis -  ‘splendid beauty’
• Calla Lily – ‘delicacy and beauty’
• Dahlia – ‘ for ever thine’
• Hibiscus – ‘delicate beauty’
• Orchid -  ‘a belle, loveliness’
• Sunflower -  ‘adoration’
• Zinnia – ‘lasting affection’

All of these flowers would make a lovely gift for Valentine’s day

If the love of your life loves roses, then a traditional bouquet of red roses will be be perfect. If you want to surprise your loved one this year, how about choosing one of the above flowers as a gift, or ask your chosen florist to add a few to a bouquet. If your chosen flower isn’t ‘in flower’ such as bluebells and lavender, a beautifully scented candle would also make a lovely gift, with a handwritten note explaining why you chose that scent.

If you want to try your hand at making a handmade gift, in an earlier post I talk about how you can make a Valentine rose heart.

If you are looking to complete your gift with a special Valentine card, Nita Joy Designs has a bespoke range of  Valentine’s Day cards. I can also design a special card to your specifications. Please visit my website for further details.

Send a card, brighten someone’s day!

Nita Joy Craft Design has been working hard this year to broaden our range of gifts for our flower photography.

After many requests and enquiries, I am pleased to announce our first collection of handbags.

Geranium Handbag

I have had wonderful comments from customers who have said how they have had many people stop and ask them where they have bought their handbag.

Here is a recent comment  -

‘Hi Anita, I just wanted to let you know that on a recent holiday trip, I was stopped and asked 8 times where I had bought my bag!

It’s so lovely and unusual, it makes a real statement that adds a little extra  touch to any outfit.

Many thanks.’

Another popular item in our gift range is our tote bags, which are very useful for shopping trips and my new collection of handbags is being received just as well.

The handbag collection has 7 designs which include glorious shades of pink, lilac, greens, yellow and blues. These colours will suit a number of outfits and suitable for special occasions or for every day use.

Here is our collection -

Our handbags are available through our online shop – Floral Gifts – Handbags

Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery as these handbags are made to order.

We have some more exciting news to share with you.

A previous blog post we talked about a new floral splashback we designed for the high quality kitchen fittings and accessories shop – My Kitchen Store.

We have been asked if we could provide a  bespoke, floral collection, for kitchen splashbacks.

We loved designing the oriental poppy and jumped at the chance to provide a special collection.

There are many ways that we can bring a touch of nature into our living spaces, such as house plants, vases filled with bouquets of flowers, floral greeting cards,  framed and canvas prints, as well as kitchen and bathroom splashbacks.

Working with My Kitchen Store, we are delighted to announce our brand new flower collection for kitchen splashbacks. I am sure that they could also be added in your bathroom if you wish.

Our collection has been designed baring in mind various styles and colour schemes, as well as providing a complementing floral framed and canvas prints to carry your chosen design into your sitting room or dining room.

We hope you like our collection -

For further information about this collection please visit my website – Bespoke Kitchen Splashbacks

They are made from 6 mm toughened glass and conforms to the BS 62606 and PREN 12000 standards.

If you would like any of the above designs on an eco friendly tote bag, please let us know.

Any enquires about kitchen splashbacks  and other fittings and accessories please contact My Kitchen Store

All images © Nita Joy Craft Design

Related articles by Zemanta

• Floral Accessories to Brighten Up the Kitchen (thekitchn.com)
• Working Traditional Florals Into Modern Spaces (apartmenttherapy.com)

The Daffodil

Daffodils are known as the flower for March birthdays, so would be a great idea for a gift and personalised birthday card.

In the language of flowers the daffodil means–

• Regard
• Respect

This greeting cards is available through our online shop – Easter Cards

I think this flower would be most appropriate for use in business, as well as for a personal message.

Business strive to be respected in their given profession, and want to show respect to their customers /clients.

It could also be a great gift to give someone as a thank you.

Various cultures and religions have various associated meanings with this flower –

• The Greeks have a rather sad mythology associated with this flower, involving a punishment from God for our human failures, such as the story of Adonis. There was also a man named Narcissus who thought of himself better than anyone else. He died staring into his own reflection in a pool of water. A flower grew where he died and was named the narcissus.
• Psychologists use the term ‘narcissist’ to describe those who are obsessed with themselves, excluding all others.
• The Egyptians used the daffodil bulb skins as part of their burial ceremony.
• Christians associate the daffodil with re birth and resurrection; the daffodil is used as a symbol of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We use the daffodil as a part of our Easter card collection for this reason.
• On ‘Mothering Sunday’ or ‘Mother’s Day’ – it’s traditional to give your mum daffodils. The tradition goes back to when those who were in service (maids and servants), were allowed the day off from work to visit their families. As a gift to their mums they would pick wildflowers, including the daffodil. In church services, it’s common for Mums to be given daffodils as part of the service celebrating this day.
• The Daffodil is the emblem for Wales – also worn with pride on St David’s day (Welsh - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant) St David is the patron saint of Wales and the celebration takes place on the 1st of March.
• William Wordsworth in 1804 wrote a poem called Daffodils. To hear Jeremy Irons read it beautifully -  Daffodils
• The Marie Curie Cancer Charity has the daffodil as their emblem.

Here is some information about the lovely daffodil

• The Latin name for the daffodil is narcissus.
• There are thousands of different types of daffodil.
• Due to the huge number of varieties, they have been divided into 13 specific groups to help narrow them down to particular styles, shape, growing conditions and so on…
• Plant them from September onwards to flower in the following spring.
• Need help with growing daffodils? -  Then The RHS have provided a helpful guide – Daffodils
• Daffodil Bulbs are a tasty treat to snails and slugs, and squirrels have been known to dig them up. They are also prone to diseases such as bulb rot.
• You can grow them indoors as well as outdoors. The indoor varieties brighten up your living space and often have a wonderful smell.
• Advice from Gardener’s world suggest that the best varieties to grow indoors are -

-          Grand Soleil d’Or an early flowering narcissus

-          Minnow

• J Parker have a lovely Narcissus indoor bulb collection
• Fentongallon Flower Farm in Cornwall has an amazing array of Daffodil bulbs and cut flowers They donate £1.00 to the Marie Curie Cancer care from each cut flower purchase.
• Scilly Flowers – offer daffodil cut flowers

Gardens to admire the beauty of the daffodil

Daffodils tend to be a park favourite, and you may also see them planted alongside roads and roundabouts.

• Exbury Gardens in Hampshire
• Docton Mill in Devon – they have also been awarded best tearooms!
• Hartland Abbey and Gardens in Devon – they have a daffodil day on 21^st March
• Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire
• RHS Wisley in Surrey
• The National Trust – Grasmere

– Daffodils at Glencoyne Bay, Ullswater

-  ‘Doras Field’

We have daffodil cards and a daffodil tote bag.

Please see our online shop for further details – www.sendaflowercard.com

Where are your favourite gardens to see daffodils?

I have been mainly focusing on personalised cards using my flower photography for the past two years.

My floral gift collection includes personalised totebags and notebooks, as well as coasters and candle holders which will be available to buy through my website soon.

For those who enjoy gardening we have the lovely ranges – Pocket Garden and Bee Good candles from Canova

Within the last few months we have been working towards providing a larger complementing gift range using my flower images.

Many customers and friends have asked if my flower photography was available as framed or canvas prints, so I have been working to expand my range. The below image is an example of the prints available to buy. They would make a lovely Easter or Birthday gift, bringing a touch of nature to your living space.

As well as my special collection of floral art prints, I am pleased to be able to tell you that we are now able to provide a range of personalised mugs, t-shirts, aprons, baby outfits, shoes, tote bags and so on through our zazzle shop.

I am particulary excited to have my floral prints available on shoes.

I hope you will like my collection.

If you are interested in our gift range please visit my website for further details. – www.sendafloralgift.com