Pattye Duffner teaches you how to sew a vibrant Spring-influenced table runner.
Read more
See Also : Easter Product Store
Wedding Invitations and Ideas For Your April Wedding
Image : http://www.flickr.com
An April wedding can be a beautiful spring affair. The weather is not too hot, the spring blooms are starting to poke through and everyone is enjoying a sense of renewal and rebirth. April can be the perfect time to begin your lives together with a beautiful wedding.
Invitations
Take advantage of the light pastel colors to create a bright wedding invitation. Some patterns that look great for an April wedding invitation include seersucker, pinstripe and polka dots. Take your cues from Easter tones with pale yellow, baby blue, light pink, muted green and lavender are all great for April. Include a lavender sachet or a pretty pastel ribbon with your invitation for a beautiful and subtle spring touch.
Also, if you're sending your spring-themed wedding invitations on time, they should reach your guests around February or March (depending on when in April your wedding is set for) - just in time to relieve your guests of the winter doldrums.
Decorations
Seasonal flowers for April include Bells of Ireland, Chrysanthemum, Snap Dragons and Sweet Peas. Take your cues from these light colors and accent with your flowers. Choosing flowers that are in season can save you some money and give your wedding bouquet a fresh look.
Since April is also Easter-time you may have to deal with Easter decorations. Make sure you check with any venue you rent or the church where your wedding ceremony will be held to make sure you either like the decorations or can have them removed for your event.
Reception menu
While there is no rule about which foods to serve you might consider fresh foods and baby vegetables to pair with a light chicken or salmon dish. A crisp salad with strawberries or apricots can add zing to your April menu. For the bar, served chilled white wine and a fruity punch or signature cocktail
Weather
In many areas, the weather can be unpredictable in April. But don't let this deter you from an April wedding. If you're planning for an outdoor wedding, make sure you have some indoor space available in case the April showers loom. Make a note on your invitation about your 'plan b' so guests know where to go in the event of inclement weather.
Attire
Again, the weather may dictate some of your details for you. Make sure you to note your indoor or outdoor plans on your April wedding invitation so guests can dress accordingly. Any day in April can be warm and sunny or rainy and chilly. Additionally, plan on dressing your bridesmaids appropriately for the weather; consider a sleeved dress or a wrap to go with their dress. This will keep them warm and prepared for just about any weather situation.
April is a beautiful time to plan your wedding. Start with a bright spring invitation and you'll have everyone excited for your beautiful spring affair. Stay ahead of the fickle weather with a great 'plan b' - just in case - and you'll enjoy a great April wedding day
Related : Easter Product Store
The Origins of Our Easter Traditions
Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate the traditions of Easter. But do you know where those traditions came from? What do a bunny, eggs, and a basket have to do with Jesus? Why does the date vary so widely? Why is the holiday even named Easter? This article will help clear some of these questions up.
1. The Date
Did you know that prior to 325 A.D., Easter was celebrated on many different days? It might fall on Friday one year, and Saturday the next year. However, in 325 A.D., Emperor Constantine brought together the Council of Nicaea to determine a wide variety of Christian issues. One of the issues they resolved was to always place Easter celebrations on Sunday. They decreed that Easter shall fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. Since the spring equinox is on March 21st, this means that Easter will always fall on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25th.
2. The Name
What does "Easter" mean? It is actually a modern spelling of the pagan holiday Eastre, celebrated by the Germans. This in turn was a day which celebrated the goddess of fertility and springtime, Oestre (or Eostre).
3. Lent
Among Catholics and many other Christian denominations, Easter is the last day of Lent. During the 46-day period of Lent, Christians are expected to fast or make other sacrifices in recognition of the "ultimate sacrifice" that Jesus made. Mardi Gras is the day before this long period of fasting and sacrifice, hence the name "Fat Tuesday".
4. Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny also dates back to the ancient pagan religions of the Anglo-Saxons. Since Easter is a time of rebirth and fertility, they usually used this day to pay tribute to their fertility goddesses. The bunny, rabbit, or hare was generally thought of as the earthly manifestation of fertility. Rabbits are able to reproduce extremely quickly, and humans wished to be blessed with some of that fertility. Although the Germans brought the Easter Bunny to America early in its history, it wasn't until after the Civil War that it was widely incorporated into America's Easter traditions.
5. Easter Egg
The egg has been a symbol of rebirth throughout history and within many mythological traditions. People of ancient cultures used to exchange colored eggs long before the practice was incorporated into our modern celebrations of Easter.
6. Easter Basket
The earliest Easter Baskets weren't baskets, but were actually nests. Dutch children would follow the tradition of filling their caps and bonnets with grass and leaving them out overnight. If they were good, the fertility goddess would lay brightly colored eggs in the nest. This tradition has since been adapted and modified to the modern Easter basket filled with fake grass.
Recommend : Easter Product Store
Sugar chargeless Easter fun
As a society we consume more candy and sugar on Easter than all other holidays, except Halloween. Something about the fasting and abstinence during the weeks leading up to Easter makes us more open to the practice of downing as many sugar-coated marshmallows and crème eggs as our insulin levels can stand, and usually guilt free. Of course, there are many people who can't partake of the annual sugar infused ritual of tearing into a basket of goodies, and Easter should be no less enjoyable for them. Whether you're watching your waistline or your blood sugar, here are some sugar free, fun alternatives to pop into those Easter baskets this year:
Make your own sugar-free chocolate Easter eggs. Make your own hollow chocolate eggs with sugar-free chocolate wafers. Buy sugar free chocolate wafers at bulk stores or crafting stores and melt in a microwaveable dish on high in the microwave for twenty seconds (add 10 seconds at a time until the chocolate is smooth). Place a tablespoon or two into a plastic Easter egg and snap closed. Swirl chocolate around the egg until it hardens to produce your chocolate egg.
Add a few green-topped carrots. If your loved one believes in the Easter bunny, this is a great way to get him excited about eating carrots. The bunchier the green tops are, the more authentic they will look.
Tuck in some music or movies. Whether you're stuffing a basket for a child or for an adult, you're sure to brighten their day with music from a favorite group or a movie featuring a favorite character. Adding new media to your sweetie's basket also means you won't have to listen to the same Barney tape for the millionth time.
Fill out with springtime toys. A jump rope, sidewalk chalk and bubbles are all great springtime treats from the Easter bunny. Who cares how old your diabetic husband is? We should all lighten up and get more active, and there's no better way than with some outdoor toys!
Go ahead, stick in a few marshmallow Peeps. Sugar free Peeps marshmallows are new this season. You don't have to get a sugar high when you go on a rampage and eat a whole nest full anymore, and you can even skewer them into lollipops to make them more fun for your little one.
Make it look great!
Don't dwell on the fact that this basket is different. Either make all the baskets left by the bunny the same as this one, or make this one stand out as more special. If other baskets get sugared treats, make sure they don't get the special carrots from the bunny. If other baskets seem to have more edible treats, fill this one with more toys and music. Easter is traditionally a time of plenty after the fast, so no one should be left wanting!
Friends Link : Easter Product Store
Easter Fun and Egg Decoration
Image : http://www.flickr.com
Easter is a celebration of fun, laughter and togetherness. It reminds the world of a new beginning. The day when Jesus Christ erupted from the dome. Easter egg decoration is an age-old practice followed in many countries of Christianity. An egg is a symbol of resurrection. It marks the beginning of a new life. It also is a symbol of fertility. It emphasizes on the emerging of new entity giving space for love, joy and happiness. Easter is a celebration of happiness since it is the day that Christ came back to us. To add splendor to the occasion, many traditional fun games are carried out to amuse the kids. In fact, even elders enjoy the event. It gives you the essence of togetherness and keeps you filled with enthusiasm.
Let's glance on the history of Easter egg decoration. In olden days, eggs were once given as gifts in times of celebrations. The reason being that the egg had a fascinating capacity of beginning a new life, which was seen as a miracle, then. This practice stepped into Christianity and now it has taken the form of enjoyment during Easter. From 6 to 60, everyone participate in this celebration without any barrier, as it gives utmost joy to everyone involved in it.
There are varieties of Easter egg decoration ideas available in market. It is also important to have as much as creativity one can show in the decoration. There are varieties of artificial and natural dyes available to color the eggs. Apart from dyes to coloring them, there are also many articles and accessories available to decorate the eggs. Beads, color papers, glitters, etc are available which adds beauty to the decoration. There are a variety of methods to dye an Easter eggs.
Natural dying.
Food colored eggs.
Sponge colored eggs.
Crape paper eggs.
Dip n dye eggs.
are a few of them.
There are different ways to embellish an egg. Many craft techniques can be used to beautify them. It all depends on how one puts it into action. Such decorated eggs are also a great piece of decorative articles, which can serve you as an excellent piece of artwork to adorn your sweet home. Not only that, it can also be gifted to your near and dear ones. It is always a great feeling to give a gift, which you have made yourself.
Thus, Easter brings a smile to your face and joy to your life. Enjoy Easter time with your family and friends and taste the true essence of happiness and bliss. Make the occasion pleasurable and useful. Make your kids think and improve their creativity by organizing an Easter egg decorating competition. You can witness the excitement of the kids once this is announced. Bring out the elder ones and let them enjoy for they have very few chances of enjoyment in their old age. The youth as usual find their enjoyment and the working men and women find place to vent out their job tensions.
Thus Easter is definitely a celebration of togetherness!
Recommend : Easter Product Store
Easter Flowers
Easter is Sunday, March 27th! Don't forget the flowers! Your spring celebration is the perfect setting for beautiful flowers! You can also have a lovely floral gift delivered to your loved ones for Easter!
A popular choice for Easter is the Easter lily. The Easter lily's true name is Bermuda lily. For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, hope and life--the spiritual essence of Easter. Your local florist can even add a festive basket & bow to your Potted Easter Lily. They are great as floral gifts for mom or grandma, or to decorate your home or office. They are grown from bulbs, and can be transplanted into your home garden after the blooms have died off. Then, they will bloom in your flower garden every spring!
As a sign of Spring, Tulips are in full bloom, making this a perfect time to send a beautiful vase of fresh colorful tulips as a gift! Many spring flowers are at their peak in the Spring. Your local florist can recommend the many colorful options available.
Centerpieces are a wonderful choice for Easter Brunch or Dinner. Your local florist can create a custom centerpiece in any size, color or style you prefer. They make a great gift for a host/hostess and can also be delivered to your recipient with a personalized Easter message!
Attending Easter Services this year? An elegant corsage or boutonnière' will compliment your Easter attire!
The Easter Cactus, otherwise known as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, is a beautiful spring blooming plant similar to the Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus. The obvious difference is that the Thanksgiving & Christmas cactus usually blooms at Thanksgiving and Christmas and the Easter cactus usually blooms at Easter. The vivid blooms arrive every Easter and put on a spectacular show! What a fantastic Easter Gift for your loved ones!
Finally, Easter Baskets aren't just for kids! Send a delicious Gourmet Gift Basket or Fresh Fruit Basket to your loved ones for Easter. Gourmet Gift Baskets can contain many goodies; Jelly Beans, Chocolates, Cookies, Crackers, and other snack items. Beautifully designed Fresh Fruit Baskets offer a healthy option and can contain a variety of fresh citrus and other "in season" fruits. Your local florist can also create the "Ultimate" in Gift Baskets for young people! A Gift Basket full of Easter Chocolates, Jelly Beans and a Plush Easter Bunny anchoring a colorful balloon bouquet would delight any child this Easter! Ask your local florist for details. Happy Easter!
My Links : Easter Product Store
Ideas for your Interior Christmas Decorating
Image : http://www.flickr.com
There are many different ideas for interior Christmas decorating. Interior Christmas decorating is an important part of most people's holiday festivities. For many people, the interior decorations are what defines the season of Christmas.
Your home will feel warm with the proper interior Christmas decorating/> scheme. There are a variety of decorating ideas on the market today, but the best way to complete your interior Christmas decorating is to make the items yourself or with your family. The holiday season is about spending time together, and making things to warm your home will only help signify that to your family. There are several great ideas for your interior Christmas decorating needs.
Make yours the perfect holiday home with interior Christmas decorating
First, create a diorama of bears or dolls dressed in festive seasonal clothes. You could put a small tree with little presents in your display. This is a great way to get your kids involved in the decorating process. Just be sure you don't use a favorite security object, as it might prove difficult to disassembly the diorama throughout the course of the season.
Second, meet your interior Christmas decorating needs by creating bows from Christmas print ribbon and putting them in various places around your house including your curtains.
Third, hang stockings throughout your house, even if you know they aren't your stuffing stockings. It offers a festive feel to your home.
Next, use fabric paint and a traditional white table cloth to make a holiday patterned table cloth. This is another great activity to do with your little ones. Just be sure to express to them that they are not allowed to paint on the tablecloth on a year round basis. Next, dress your bathroom for the holidays by attaching ornaments and other decorations(of the unbreakable type) to a clear shower curtain with a hot glue gun. Another decorating idea is to get your houseplants into the swing of the season by hanging ornaments on them after you decorate your tree.
For a quick ornament idea, try hanging a cookie cutter with a bit of Christmas ribbon. To help with your decoration as well as your Christmas trivia knowledge, place a basket of seasonal books on your coffee table or end table. It will look festive, and it may just help you win a quick family game sometime. Interior Christmas decorating does not have to be difficult or expensive with ideas like these.
My Links : Easter Product Store
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
