Nov 7 2012

Going Green: Homemade Orange, Rosebud Scented Centerpiece

“Orange is the happiest colour”

Frank Sinatra

New season, new colours, new experiences and brand new ways of doing old things. That’s what makes life interesting, right?

And that’s precisely why this little gem caught my eye.

Spectacularly artistic, yet simple, this homemade stunner of a centerpiece is a beautiful spin on taking everyday items and transforming them into something special…or in this case, scent-sational

Use the easy to follow pictorial below for a seasonal, citrusy treat for the eyes and the nose.

For some extra oomph sprinkle some all spice or cinnamon on your arrangement, or add a tall vanilla candle to the centre of your vase. The heat will not only release the fragrance of the candle, but enhance the orange scent, and carry it further. (Note: be sure to monitor candles closely, especially as the leaves and other materials in your arrangement become dryer over time.) Use large grapefruits or pummelos for bigger buds and different colours. Adding seasonal leaves, shrubbery and interestingly shaped twigs are great for height and interest.

The best part of this bright little do-it-yourselfer? It’s 100% green, organic and fully compostable.

If you try this project, let me know how it goes! Better yet, send a picture that I can feature on Z & G!

Got a fresh and crafty design of your own you’d like to share here? Hop on over to my Contact Me page for details on how to get in touch.

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IF YOU ENJOYED THIS POST CHECK OUT THESE Z & G GEMS:

Upcycling: Old T-Shirt to Apron/Bib/Smock – No Muss, No Fuss (and No Sewing!) (Video)

“ART UN” #2: Canlove – Eco-Art Out of Graffiti

GOING GREEN: Tumbleweed Tiny Homes (A Tour of Two Houses) (Video)

GOING GREEN: Hula Hoop Your Laundry To A Squeaky Clean

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Happy orange image courtesy of source

Pictorial steps to making arrangement images courtesy of MarYvelous Cakes

Going green planet image courtesy of source

May 25 2012

Pics of the Week 10: Waterlily, Who Needs A Farm, Turned On, Rose Word Bouquet, Medusa and Just Do It

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Pics of the Week day!

And with it, the realization that another whole seven days have flown by in a blink. Where does the time go? The kids have started into a new soccer season, beach volleyball is here, track and field is on the horizon and the days (thankfully!) are getting longer, sunnier and more deliciously vibrant. One of my favourite times of the year, yahoo! This also marks jumping into double digits with POTW installments! Ten whole weeks of getting to share some of, what I think, are the coolest bits of this and that around. I hope this post adds a wee bit of extra sunshine to your weekend. Enjoy!

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PICS OF THE WEEK

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TRANQUIL WATERLILY

Perfect stillness

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WHO NEEDS A FARM TO BE A FARMER?

As people from all walks of life seek out more sustainable and hands on initiatives to go greener, a new trend has emerged: rooftop farming. Providing food, flowers and insulation, a rooftop ecosystem is a perfect rainwater capture system for your organic fruits and veggies. Food and living space, animal habitat and forests are no longer forced to compete for area. Win-Win-Win-Win!

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TURNED ON

Poland’s Katowice Street Art Festival, ran this April and drew a small band of artists who transformed the visage of the city. Valencia’s most famous of these, street artist Escif created his enormous On/Off Switch Mural on the side of an apartment building.

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A ROSE WORD BOUQUET

Etsy shop owner, Photomamaregina, handcrafts these exquisite floral pieces using old Readers Digest pages. Upcycling at it’s most delicate, beautiful best.

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ETHEREAL MEDUSA

Roxy Russell designed these jellyfish-like, floating lamps. Dubbed “The Medusa Collection”, they create an other-worldly air to any space

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JUST DO IT…LOVE FRUITS AND VEGGIES, THAT IS

Yes, someone went there. A 100% fruit and vegetable Nike shoe to capture the imagination and shine a light on just how versatile produce can be

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Waterlily image courtesy of Tracy Louise Photography

Rooftop Farming image courtesy of Earth Insulated Homes

On-Off Switch image courtesy of Katowice Street Festival

Book Page Roses image courtesy of Photomamaregina, Etsy

Medusa lamps image courtesy of Roxy Russell, Designer

Nike shoe image courtesy of Next Nature

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DID YOU MISS ANY OF THIS WEEK’S DAILY SHOTS?

Check ‘em out below

05/18/2012 – A Pretty Pair (Tree Frogs)

05/19/2012 – Pretty Pink in Green

05/20/2012 – Even Flowers Celebrate

05/21/2012 – The Future Queen Victoria, Age 4

05/22/2012 – Open Your Eyes, It’s A Wonderful World

05/23/2012 – Like A Lotus Flower

05/24/2012 – You Are Never Too Old….Dream

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This week’s “Oldie but Goodie”

Remembering Wistawa Szymborska: Nobel Prize Winner and “Mozart of Poetry” Leaves A Profound Impression

Apr 20 2012

Pics of the Week 5: Ear to Ground, Dahlia Ball, If Nothing Else, Mug O’ Bunny and Boom Boom Pop

Friday, at last, Peeps!

I have a couple of new things lined up next week that I’m so excited to share! (Hints: An interview you won’t want to miss, and the rollout of another Z & G series that will challenge your perceptions. Juicy stuff, folks, jooo-sseee stuff!)

‘Till then, here are my chosen Pics of the Week. As always, I’d love to know what you think! Feel free to Comment, Like, Share, Pin, Vote…or all of the above At the moment, last week’s favourite pic (as voted on by you!) is “First Swim”. Go two weeks back and it’s a tight race, with “Little House in the Valley” gently nudging out the others. Of course, voting is still open, so if those weren’t your chosen ones, clickity-clack on over and vote again

PICS OF THE WEEK

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EAR TO GROUND

(A different sort of throwdown…)

A goldmine for the Occupy Gardens movement, guerilla gardeners and those of us who just want to “spread some pretty” where we can, Lea Redmond’s “spontaneous seeding” earrings allow the wearer to choose from a variety of flower, veggie and plant seeds that are always in reach and make a unique fashion statement.

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MUG O’ BUNNY

Did I find it odd that the Mug with Ducks Daily Shot was such a hit? Nope. But it did make me know this little guy was a shoo-in for this week’s POTW

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DAHLIA BALL

A single, multicoloured dahlia bud

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IF NOTHING ELSE…

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BOOM BOOM POP

This tank (made purely of balloons) was created by Hans Hemmert and eventually, slowly deflated, revealing that in truth, the tank was all just “hot air”…political statement, or party favour fun?