Simple and pretty Floral Arrangements

     Hi friends, How have you been ? Hope you had a great holiday time and a wonderful New Year !!Wish you all a very Happy,successful and healthy 2012 ;-) ;-)

     I thought that I would start the first post of this year with something that I have always loved and love to do - 'Floral Arrangements' ... Flower arrangements are the easiest and affordable way to cheer up a space in an instant. During my brief stay at home during the holidays, I  could see my mom doing some lovely flower arrangements using flowers from her garden...  I was amazed to see that even simple arrangements could look soo adorable... ;-) ;-)  ..

All Images are mine and Copyright belongs to Liven Things Up

- Please do not re-use without written permission.

Bye, until I see you with my next post.... !! Stay tuned and Have a great week ahead !!

I am linking this post to :
Potpourri Friday #19 at 2805.
Friday Fun Party & Features -2 at Craftionary.
Weekly Story-Wk 63 at Colours Dekor.
Inspire me Fridays #42 at Joyful Stamper

DIY : Candle Centerpiece with flowers for Christmas .....

Hi  friends, How have you been ? Hope have put up the christmas tree and decked up your home for the festival season... !!!  I have already put up the tree - but there's lot more to be done with very little time left..Hope to complete everything in a day or two......  I promise to share the pictures soon... ;-) ;-) 

For this festival season, I tried out a simple floral centerpiece with  roses and greens - This is how the flower arrangement looked with a few more co-ordinating tea lights and some christmas ornaments simply strewn around. - It takes just 15-20 minutes to get everything done ;-) Hope you will try this out for christmas and let me know how it turned out ;-) ;-) ...!!

Materials Needed :
Flower of your choice - 3  or 4 ( I used roses / carnations)
Fillers  ( I have used white statice flowers, baby's breath and cypress tree leaves)
Floral Foam (Brick Shaped)
Plate - 1

Cut the floral foam lengthwise into half and soak it in water for 5 minutes. 

Place it on the plate.  

Cut the stem of the carnations

( approx equal to the width of the foam) and place them 

at the corners as shown above. - Leave space for the candle at the centre. 

Place the fillers (White statice flowers) horizontally at the edges.  

  Now add the cypress leaves at the edges, under the statice flowers. Cover the remaining space completely with filler of your choice - I have used baby's breath flower here.

Cover the sides of the foam with a ribbon - Pin it on the edges.

Place the candle at the center - Cover the left over space with baby's breath flowers .

Now here's the completed arrangement ....!!
To check my previous year Christmas posts click here and 
don't forget to link in your christmas posts to the Itz' Festival Time blog party here .

I am linking this post to the following blog parties :

Santa Stories at Colours Dekor

Itz' Festival  Time'2011 at Liven Things Up

Deck the Halls Friday at Tinsel & Company
TableTop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Christmas Party at Holiday Haven
Rednesday at It's a very Cherry World

Nature's Bounty Tablescapes ......

Hi Friends, How have you been ? Today's blog post is a guest post from Joanna of Arcadian Lighting. Thank You, Joanna for this wonderful post . We are so delighted to have you here  ;-) ;-) .

Hi I’m Joanna, a guest blogger for Arcadian Lighting, the place to learn about lighting fixtures, from tiny pendants to awe-inspiring chandeliers. I spend my days writing guest posts such as this one for blogs like Liven Things Up. Thanks for letting me share with you today!

With the holidays fast approaching, our thoughts turn to holiday decorating. One area of your room’s décor which can have the biggest impact is the table. Magnificent tablescapes bring a festive feel to any gathering, whether it is for a full course dinner or an afternoon eggnog and dessert—laying a beautiful table will delight your guests. Here are a few of our favorite tables from around the web. Enjoy!

This lovely tablescape features white tulips in small glass vases alongside ceramic candleholders. The place settings are simplistic and straightforward.

Magnolia flowers and English ivy create a lovely centerpiece while two massive red candleholders stand by providing a lovely candlelit glow. Red salad plates carry the color through to the place settings.

Floral centerpieces sprout out of ornate silver teapots on a cleverly placed piece of weathered wood. Acorns add a touch of nature to the setting.

A dramatic centerpiece of moss covered limbs is visually stunning. The table, laid with dainty white place settings, contrasts with bold arrangement. Wall sconces or track lights in this room would be best in order to not get in the way of this impressively tall tablescape.

Turquoise is the order of the day on this cheerful table. Little potted plants play nicely off floral place settings.

A lovely white peacock stands watch over a brilliant tablescape of miniature roses and fine china.

A bountiful tablescape overflowing with fruit, gourds and roses gives a festive appearance to this lovely holiday table.

Purple, burgundy and pink flowers take center stage below a beautiful pendant light. Rich, warm colors really set the mood for a cozy feast with family and friends.

I hope this puts you in the mood to start thinking about your own Thanksgiving table. Which of these beautiful tablescapes do you like the best? Don't forget to visit Arcadian Lighting's blog and discover even more wonderful seasonal decorating ideas for your home! (Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Have a fab week ahead ....!!!

 

Have a great week everyone ;-) ;-) .... !!!

Nendo No Tetsukuri ...

     Hi friends, How was the weekend ?.. Before explaining about the unusual title of the post, I would like to ask you something... Can you spot anything different in the flower seen below ? ... If you had really found out what the difference is , do let me know in your comments - Also, I would love to know your guesses.......... ;-) ;-) .. !!    

     The difference is that the flower is not natural and  is made of clay !!!  The flower looks amazingly perfect and natural that it is difficult to believe that it is handmade out of clay ...!!

     This is the incredible work of clay artist Jenifer Rajkumar  who learnt the art of  "Nendo No Tetsukuri" - the Japanese Clay Art form in Japan for four and half years. Jenifer is  a licensed instructor who is affiliated to the Deco Clay Craft Academy in Japan and her passion is to spread this unique art in Chennai and make this art form familiar to more number of people in the city.     

     This weekend, her works were featured in an exhibition in a Japanese Language school in the city. Jenifer's works that comprised of figurines, bouquets, centerpieces, wall hangings and realistic clay flower arrangements were showcased in the exhibition followed by a clay art demonstration where the audience stood captivated as she slowly rolled out the soft clay in her arms to make beautiful rose petals in a few seconds. The soft clay that she uses is specially imported from Deco Clay in Japan.    

From Jenifer's collection of Tropical Flowers ... Aren't they cool ?

       

  

Her work -  " Looking Through the Window "....!!

 

Pieces from the "Bridal Collection"..

Love these bridal bouquets , which will hold special memories

and can be kept for ever...

       

 

  

Deco Clay Figurines... Aren't they cute...?!?!?

My favorite is the last one - the girl in the orange floral dress.. !! 
  

 

 

All image copyrights belong to Liven Things Up. Please donot use without permission.

     Thanks Jenifer for letting me photograph your stunning pieces and All the very best !!! Jenifer also takes craft classes for those who are interested in knowing this beautiful craft and there is also a Deco Certificate course included - You can contact her here ...!!!

I am linking this post to the Weekend Wrap Up -37 party at Patty's Blog.