Truth About Flowers for Kids

Flowering plants are important areas of the natural world and hold key positions in the ecosystem and group of life. Teaching children about the wonders that flowers hide inside their petals can be an exciting introduction into the world around them.

Reproduction

Pollination is one of the most interesting processes that flowers proceed through. Although most flowers have both male and female components for others do not. Some blooms depend on insects to deposit the feces in the crucial places, but some rely on bats, bats or the end. Many flowers have evolved to possess exquisite colours, shapes and scents to help attract pollinators to them to help in their reproduction. Plants which are pollinated by the wind may have little, inconspicuous flowers, while those who rely on butterflies tend to be brightly colored.

Flower Characteristics

Many flowers have habits which help in their pollination. Some flowers, like the 4 O’Clock flower, open at night or in the day since they are pollinated by nocturnal insects and creatures. Some blooms produce sweet nectar to either attract pollinators or their food, like the carnivorous Venus flytrap. A flower’s shape, height and color determine what sort of animal pollinates it or feeds it. As an example, long, tubular-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds.

Food for Thought

Flowers compose a huge area of the food chain, both directly or indirectly. They’re the direct food or source of food for many insects, birds, mammals and other creatures. Therefore, they’re also important in feeding bigger predators since carnivores have to eat the creatures that eat the plants. People eat a few flowers regularly, but mostly consume different components of plants. Some edible flowers include hibiscus, roses, nasturtiums and broccoli.

Protection

Some flowering plants have evolved to possess built-in security features for either themselves or the creatures that feed them. Raspberries and roses, by way of example, have thorny stems which can help protect them from being destroyed or eaten. Other flowers may be toxic to certain animals but not many others. Poison oak, as an example, contains a certain chemical that creates a allergic reaction in most people.

Cultural Significance

Flowers have been used by different cultures for different events or circumstances for many centuries. Chrysanthemums, as an example, are considered funeral flowers and some cultures believe them unlucky if they are within a home. Daisies symbolize innocence and loyal love, while distinct colored roses symbolize several kinds of love. Many flowers hold distinct cultural meanings, which is precisely why certain flowers are provided as gifts for a variety of events.

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Creative approaches to Hang Pictures Without Frames

Hanging a photo in a frame may be the most conventional way to display pictures, but it is far from the only way. Step out of the traditional mold by hanging images in unconventional ways which make your space uniquely your own and will have guests commenting on your imagination.

Clipboards

One of the simplest ways to hang a photo happens to be among the most fascinating. Simply clip your image onto a clipboard and hang it on the wall with the built-in nail opening. The trick to making this look deliberate rather than just a clipboard on a wall is to produce a grouping. Hang at least three photographs in a row, or even create a grid of clipboards on the wall. Wood clipboards work nicely for a vintage vibe, while clear plastic clipboards seem good in a contemporary space. Colored clipboards look fantastic in a child’s room.

Clothespins

Clothespins are a flexible choice which allows you to make a screen wall without the hassle of a conventional portrait wall. String wire or sturdy string across the region in which you wish to hang pictures. This can be done with long nails to get an industrial feeling, or screw hooks to get a completed look. If desired, use a third nail or hook, then swag the cord or string over it — or fasten the cord or string so it is taut between two hooks or nails. When this is completed, clip images onto the wire or string with clothespins. Evenly spaced pictures look more formal while randomly spaced pictures seem casual and astonishing.

Magnets

Turn your wall into a giant refrigerator by using magnets to hold your photos. Using a thin piece of sheet steel, lay the metal to the wall with screws. Drill a hole to every corner of the metal and insert a screw through the hole. If the metal weighs more than five pounds, use a stud finder to locate studs in the wall, and insert screws through the metal and in the studs with a drill. When the metal is set up, secure photographs onto the metal using magnets.

Frame Alternatives

Rather than using a framework, photographs may be mounted either on or utilized in framework options. Many business turn a picture into a piece of artwork by printing the photograph onto a canvas, mimicking the expression of a hand-painted masterpiece. For a simpler non-frame alternative, slip the image between two pieces of acrylic plastic sheets and drill a hole through the pieces to get a nail to fit through. Tape the image to the back bit of plastic and hang the pieces on the wall by means of a nail. This creates the illusion of a floating bit of artwork while preventing the image from getting curling or damaged in humidity.

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Emerald – Las Vegas Market 2013

At a partnership with Pantone and , Emerald is amazing with notable products from current and future vegas Market renters, all against the background of recent Pantone colour selections.

View the virtual Emerald ideabook to get product and vendor details whether you are attending Market or engaging from home.

Larry Hanna

Tap the labels for detail about these and other items:

-Mr. Brown Granta armchair and Pablo coffee table

-Arteriors house spore chalk-white mirror

-Capel Arabesque Shade

-Classic Home Penley couch

-Julien Chichester Ptolemey chest

-Jiti Design cushions

Larry Hanna

Larry Hanna

Larry Hanna

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Ants in Pineapple Plants

Pineapples (Ananas comosus) are typical edible landscaping plants in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, though they are gaining popularity since indoor denizens as well. Pineapples are generally hardy and also have few pests, but do suffer from scale insects and mealybugs, both sap-feeding insects which attract ants.

Ants

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile), the most common ants in the house and garden, are mainly sugar-feeding insects that live in shallow mounds from the dirt. Sometimes infesting houseplants or finding their way in through tiny cracks in homes, these 1/8 inch long, dull brown ants are not dangerous to humans but can be ascertained nuisances once they’ve located an ample food supply.

Honeydew

Although ants may be drawn to over-ripe pineapples, it’s considerably more likely they are farming scale insects or mealybugs which are feeding on plants. These insects excrete a sticky, sweet substance called honeydew that ants will go to great lengths to procure. When ants find a colony of scale or mealybugs, they’ll protect these nuisance insects, even moving them about from plant to plant to help increase their numbers.

Potted Pineapples

Pineapples in pots may host ants as permanent guests in their land, especially if the ants are feeding on honeydew produced by insects living on the plant. If you discover that ants are living on your own potted pineapples, take the plants outside and submerge them into the very top of their pot for approximately 20 minutes in a bucket of water laced with 2 tbsp of insecticidal soap each quart of water. This will kill all the ants living in the pot without damaging the plants. Treating the leaves of the pineapple for sap-sucking insects is crucial to keeping ant control — spray them using the undiluted insecticidal soap you used to kill the ants.

Outdoor Control

Ants in exterior pineapple plantings can be more difficult to handle, but it’s not impossible once sap-feeding insects have been controlled. Argentine ants easily accept sugar-based ant discharges when they are put on each side of their paths. Check these bait stations regularly so the food supply doesn’t run out as worker ants carry the poisoned bait back to their nests, slowly poisoning the entire colony. Any pineapples planted in containers or raised beds can benefit from an application of a sticky barrier.

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How to Make a Deep Seating Patio Cushion

Revamp your outdoor space by making deep seating patio cushions, an achievable project for anybody with basic sewing skills. It only requires that you measure and cut out three pattern pieces and sew a few straight seams, and also you’re able to complete the cushions in a matter of hours. Making custom cushions is much less expensive than buying them, and you’ll have a huge selection of fabric options to select from. Use firm-density upholstery foam to get a seat cushion or soft-density foam to get a rear cushion; preferably, purchase deep seating cushion forms that fit your chairs.

Assess the width and depth of the seat or the rear of the seat for which you’re making the cushion.

Mark a rectangle on 5-inch upholstery foam matching the dimensions of the chair seat or back. Use the present straight edges of the foam just as two of the pillow sides, if at all possible. Cut out the foam along the marked lines using a serrated knife. You may also ask the personnel at the upholstery store to reduce the foam to size for you. Instead, purchase a deep seating cushion kind that suits the seat.

Mark and cut out two rectangles of upholstery fabric 1 inch more and one inch wider than the seat or back of the seat.

Mark and cut out a 6-inch deep rectangle of fabric with a length equivalent to the perimeter of the seat or rear of the seat — two times the length and 2 times the width — and one inch. This is actually the boxing strip.

Fold the boxing strip in half across its width using the right-sides facing and also the brief edges aligned. Place pins along the short edges. Sew the short edges together, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press the seam open.

Pin one side of this boxing strip — now sewn into a loop — around the perimeter of one of this fabric rectangles, with the right-sides facing. Sew the boxing strip to the rectangle around the whole perimeter, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Pin the other side of this boxing strip around the outside of the other cloth rectangle using all the right-sides facing. Sew the boxing strip to the rectangle and three sides only, leaving the fourth side seam open.

Make 1/4-inch snips to the corners of this seams using scissors. Be careful not to cut too close to the stitching. Turn the pillow cover right-side out through the open seam.

Insert the upholstery foam or cushion kind into the cover through the seam.

Thread a needle and sew the open seam closed using a slip stitch.

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Streamlined Texas Home

Jacquelyn Lawrence and Jeremy Levine always wanted a home on Bridle Trail, located in a beautiful and Tranquil Area of west Austin, Texas. They discovered their 1976 home whilst driving around their favourite neighborhood and jumped on the chance to make it their own. A photographer now studying fine art and printmaking, Jacquelyn added a darkroom and applied the principles of photography — spacial equilibrium, color placement and gratifying lines — when designing her home. “Powerful, vertical lines have great appeal to mepersonally,” Lawrence says. “As a family, we’re not of those mind-set that we must get a good deal of things. We enjoy clean, open spaces with abundant natural light.”

at a Glance
Who lives here: Jacquelyn Lawrence and Jeremy Levine; daughter Esme Skye
Location: Tarrytown neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size:
2,750 square feet; 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms
That’s intriguing: Jacquelyn discovered to create prints with a professor who was formerly photographer Robert Frank’s printer. Many of the prints are out of her time studying with him.

Kara Mosher

The living room includes seating options and piled end tables, perfect for entertaining. This round stainless steel coffee table from Copenhagen Living ties in with stainless steel in the kitchen and baths.

Kara Mosher

A wall of windows in the kitchen looks out at the front lawn, which will be lined with Austin’s signature live oak trees. “I love to cook for my loved ones members and friends,” Jacquelyn states. “All we had to make this home our own was [to] possess our intimate friends over. I cooked all day to my favourite songs, and by the time our last guest left, the home actually felt like it had been ours.”

Kara Mosher

The family feels at home in their kitchen. Of the cabinetry and appliances are stainless steel, and the countertops are made of glass. Although lots of natural light flows into the home, Jacquelyn states, “If money were no object, I’d splurge on converting the home to solar energy”

Kara Mosher

The entrance to the home flows into this dining room area, where a simple black table contrasts the cherry-stained wood floors.

Kara Mosher

Two soft red leather chairs, from Austin’s Skandinavia, form a cozy sitting area.

Kara Mosher

A neutral painting behind the sofa, from Austin’s Four Hands, complements the easy yet warm layout of the family room. Jacquelyn states I do not have a doctrine when it comes to decorating, except that for almost any thing to come into our home it must be functional, well made or possess a distinctive aesthetic”

Coffee table: Skandinavia

Kara Mosher

Jacquelyn learned to create prints with a professor who was photographer Robert Frank’s printer. She left these prints, and also those in the guest bedroom, even while researching with him.

Kara Mosher

Jacquelyn retains some of her most cherished items in her home office. “I have a box of negatives and pictures and a very small turquoise inlaid box given to me by a friend, in which I keep my daughter’s baby teeth,” she states.

“two photographers that I respect are Hiroshi Sugimoto and Keith Carter,” Jacquelyn adds. “Sugimoto for his quest of mild and lengthy exposures. One feels that photography’s science fascinates him as much as the art. Keith Carter could reside anywhere in the world, and he resides, works and photos Texas. He discovers poetry in backyards and small towns.”

Desk: Design Within Reach

jacquelynlawrence.com

This black and white photo, taken by Lawrence, reveals her personal darkroom for developing her photos by hand.

Kara Mosher

The easy, modern master bedroom includes a white, black, gray and green color palette. The next home project Lawrence and Levine would love to complete is incorporating solar panels.

Kara Mosher

The master bath has marble tile and a soaking bathtub. Lawrence says, “My toilet is very peaceful. My cats approve of it” Zen-like statues from Four Hands complete the distance.

Kara Mosher

The reflective toilet cabinets are stainless steel.

Kara Mosher

The guest room continues the peaceful vibe of the home, with patterned bedding from Peacock Alley. The three framed black and white photos were taken by Lawrence in Seattle. “I place them especially from the guest bedroom to get when my Seattle friends visit,” Lawrence says.

Kara Mosher

The small and easy guest toilet includes glass tile detailing.

Kara Mosher

The family’s favourite place in their home is the outside patio. “We eat as many foods as possible outside,” Lawrence says. The terrace was added to the home when it was remodeled in 2006. The fence matches the clean lines of the property’s interior.

What Lawrence loves about Austin is the artistic energy. Some of her favourite items include, she states, “BookPeople, celebrating Thanksgiving drinking margaritas in summer clothing, meeting new people that defy stereotypes, and the unbelievable gift living in this city”

jacquelynlawrence.com

Lawrence took this portrait of daughter Esme within their front lawn.

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Breadboard

A breadboard is connected to each end of a board assembly made up of many joined planks; it provides rigidity into the assembly and restricts the quantity of motion that may occur in the boards’ ends. It can be attached in a lot of ways, but a popular method is via a tongue and groove joint.

Chris Hill

Here the breadboards have been milled using a tongue, while the mating boards have a groove cut into their endings.

Thick and heavy tabletops, especially those with pedestal legs, benefit in the augmented strength of a breadboard.

D’apostrophe layout, inc..

You’ll observe breadboards primarily on big, rustic farmhouse-style tables, on classic tables or ones created from reclaimed lumber.

Tara Seawright Interior Design

Because of the shift in grain direction, breadboards normally stand out, but with carefully completing techniques they can be made to blend in with the rest of the table.

Browse photos of plantation tables in dining rooms

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Organic Greenhouse Herb Production

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), sage, (Salvia officinalis), cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), parsley (Petroselinum spp.) , rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), dill (Anthum graveolens), mint (Mentha spp.) , oregano (Origanum vulgare) are culinary herbs that prosper in the greenhouse. Some greenhouse gardeners grow for the market that is immediate, others cultivate herbs for family consumption.

Marketing

Greenhouse operators provide restaurants, health food shops, produce distributors, garden facilities and market clients, locally potted or grown, fresh-cut, dried cultivated herbs.

Greenhouse Temperature

Its important to keep a temperature in the greenhouse. Greenhouse temperature must be approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit with a soil temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where in the country the greenhouse is situated, supplemental heating may be required in ventilation or winter and cooling in summer. More plants die from the rainwater from heat than they do from chilly temperatures. By Adding a shade fabric to the greenhouse 8, sun is filtered and lowers temperatures. Air flow is crucial to quality manufacturing. The air to move around.

Lighting

Most herbs need eight to 12 hours of bright sunlight daily. Sunlight is supplemented with synthetic methods. LED grow lights are energy.

Organic Seed

To grow organic herbs, it is necessary to purchase certified organic seed or spread cuttings from a certified organic”mother” plant.

Natural Methods

Organic greenhouse herb production differs from conventional methods in fertilizer methods and pest management. Organic farmers use products that are natural. Synthetic ingredients and toxic chemicals found in commercial pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers have been prevented.

Fertilizers

Worms for their castings, also known as vermiculture, is an ideal way to generate organic fertilizer that’s rich in the herbs need to flourish in a subtropical environment. Georgia wigglers will be the easiest to raise. They multiply and grow rapidly when fed a diet of kitchen scraps or garden waste. Worms could be increased in bathtubs or specially designed worm bins out there. Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells and fruit peels are favorite foods of garden worms. Mix with 3 parts for transplanting potting soil or split one cup of castings in 1 gallon of water. Every two weeks with a watering can, massaging the solution around these plants’ origins. Herbivore manure — sheep, cow, goat, horse, lama — is also an organic fertilizer; abundant in nutrients and minerals necessary for vigorous plant growth. Mix 1 part pulverized or manure , aged garden mulch, two parts potting soil, 1 part horticultural sand and 1 part peat moss to create a potting mixture that works for many herb transplants.

Watering

Water in a fashion that keeps the leaves of these plants dry as possible to discourage the development of mould and mildew. Most herbs do best in dry and sunny conditions. For plants, allow soil to dry between waterings.

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Luxury Bathroom Remodeling

According to this 2009-2010 Price vs. Value Report, issued annually by”Remodeling Magazine,” an upscale bathroom remodeling job cost an average of $52,295 and generated a 61.6 per cent return-on-investment. Luxury bathroom remodels are cost-effective in upscale neighborhoods with comparable surrounding properties. A luxury bathroom might appear out of place in an older home with other updates. Think about the total compatibility of your remodeling job before beginning, in order to make the most of your investment.

Install a new shower, toilet and bathtub. Use the most recent, energy-efficient models. “Remodeling Magazine” urges a 42-by-42 inch neo-angle shower, which includes a in-wall shower pan and may fit right into a bathroom corner for space efficiency. Enclose the bath with glass and include ceramic tile walls. A steam shower is. If you want to put in a bathtub, opt for a whirlpool tub separate from the shower. You may either put in a typical one-piece toilet, as recommended by”Remodeling,” or opt for a tiled bathroom, which is a lot easier to wash and conserves floor space.

Update cabinets and vanities. Countertops made from laminate or other inexpensive materials should be replaced with stone, which is attractive, durable and high quality. If at all possible, add a double sink on the countertop. Install custom-made cabinets that complement the overall look of your bathroom. Built-in cabinets are another upscale alternative. If you’ve got an extremely spacious bathroom, add a built-in vanity like the photos pictured at Kitchen Bath Ideas.

Replace outdated lighting fixtures with models that are upscale. Contain recessed lighting in medicine cabinets and a light fixture in the shower. For an elegant look, put in wall sconces alongside mirrors, or utilize chrome lighting fixtures for a more contemporary design, as recommended at This Old House. Install a skylight or window to increase natural light in the bathroom.

Lay tile floors. If you have experience, you can cut costs by doing it yourself, or hire a professional if you do not feel comfy. Ceramic tiles come in a wide variety of styles and colours, and you’ll be able to use patterns to bring a little bit of style to your bathroom. “Remodeling Magazine” recommends placing tiles diagonally and utilizing ceramic tile molding, which enhances the ground’s appearance and makes it more resistant to moisture.

Replace the smaller details of your bathroom, such as towel racks and exhaust fans. Use heated towel bars for added luxury. “Remodeling Magazine” urges installing a humidistat-controlled exhaust fan, which controls the humidity level in your bathroom mechanically. And needless to say, don’t forget accessories such as mirrors, matching towels and bathmats, and wall art.

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Shared Household Cleansers for Leather Upholstery

You do not need to obtain fancy, expensive and smelly leather cleaners and conditioners to maintain your leather upholstery appearing top-notch — only try one of those recipes that may be mixed up in your home using common household ingredients. Most leather upholstery is made with a finished leather that has been dyed and sealed, therefore it has a bit of a sheen. But even if it has a sealer, an active pets and family may make a mess of your lovely leather furniture. From ballpoint pen marks to protein-based stains such as blood and meals, there are substances that may work their way to the beautiful hide, leaving it looking messed up, dried out and ratty. These natural cleansers, when used properly, can bring back the natural beauty of leather.

Caution: Always make sure you do a sample test in an inconspicuous area of the leather. And don’t utilize those cleansers on bare suede or leather.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Fundamental cleaner and conditioner:
1/4 cup olive oil1/2 cup white vinegar10 drops lemon or eucalyptus essential oil (optional)

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

The leather sofa at my brother’s home gets lots of wear and tear. This all-over cleanser that was fundamental left it polished and wealthy appearing.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Mix the olive oil and white vinegar in a clean jar and shake, then add blossom oil for a fresh smell if you like. Dampen a clean cloth in the mixture and clean the entire piece of furniture. Use another clean cloth to wash off the remaining oil and cleanser. Don’t saturate the leather ; you are just cleaning the face and reconditioning the leather.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Protein-based place or stain:
1/4 cup lemon juice1/4 cup cream of tartar A paste of equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar will remove protein stains such as blood, mud, food and much more. Create a paste, rub it onto the stain, let it sit 10 minutes, then wash it off with tepid material (I use Castile soap and water for this measure) and wash the piece with a sterile cloth. Make sure you test a place to make sure the lemon will not moisturize the leather.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Ballpoint pen:
Rubbing alcohol, hairspray, nonacetone nail polish remover or cuticle remover

For ink and pen stains on leather furniture, auto upholstery or handbags, dab rubbing alcohol or some of the other substances listed. Let it soak in for a couple of minutes, then wipe it off with a sterile cloth. Rinse with water and gentle soap, then dry. For stubborn ink stains, then repeat till the ink has dissolved.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Mold and mildew:
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol1/2 cup waterFor mold and mildew, combine equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a small bowl, then soften a sterile cloth and lightly the area. Wipe off with another clean cloth dampened with water, then wash.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

I used this solution when I noticed some suspicious-looking black grime inside my car.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

The black mess arrived off having a bit of robust rubbing. It looks better, and I feel much better knowing there’s no lurking gunk in a hard-to-see area.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

After I have started, I chose to present my leather upholstery a good once-over with the simple recipe of olive oil, vinegar and lemon oil. Today it looks great and smells brand new.

Tell us : What are your tips for keeping your house’s leather products looking new and shiny?

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