Colection hand made

Top 12 most beautiful flowers in the world

Mar 20, 2015

Henry Beecher once said: "Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul." We could not agree more! In fact, God is an artist and flowers are perhaps one of his best creations! The flowers have a very short life, but certainly very important. For centuries, this wonderful gift of nature allowed us to express our emotions and feelings! Beauty, fragrance and bright colors are enough to make a person smile. A beautiful bouquet of fragrant flowers can be a perfect gift for any occasion, be it birthdays, anniversaries or weddings! A number of flowers are also used to make cosmetics and medicines and many of them have a meaning or a meaning (for example, the red rose is the symbol of love!).

Roses, carnations, tulips, sunflowers, dahlias ... and the list continues. With so many options to choose from, selecting 12 most beautiful flowers in the world is certainly not an easy thing to do .. Here is a list of the 12 most beautiful flowers in the world!

12. Passion Flower

Passionflower is a perennial plant with over 50 species and belongs to the Passifloraceae. This white flower and purple blue ten petals and sepals and is about 10 inches wide. What I like about the passion flower is its original shape. In addition to being an exceptional beauty, this exotic flower has great medicinal value.

11. Gazania

Gazania is native to South Africa, where it is also known as "treasure flower." The best thing about this flower is that it is available in a variety of strange pattern and bright colors such as shades of pink, dark red, yellow and orange. The petals of this beautiful flower come in single colors, as well as progressive tones. This Hardy beauty with daisy like flowers definitely deserves a spot on the list of most beautiful flowers in the world!

10. Plumeria

Frangipani, who hails from Brazil, the Caribbean and Central America, comes in several varieties. It belongs to the family of the dogbane, Apocynaceae and is known for its aroma and fascinating beauty. Plumeria has medium sized flowers that come in a variety of bright colors like pink, red, yellow and more.

9. Chrysanthemum

Carolus Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, gave this beautiful flower its name, which means "golden flower" in Greek ("Chrys" means gold and 'anthemon' means flower). The flowers come in many forms, they can be buttons, pompous, decorative or as margarita. Although yellow are the traditional colors of chrysanthemum flowers, they can also be found in other colors including red, white, and violet.

Chrysanthemum flowers are extremely important, not only because these beautiful, they also have a number of meanings associated with them. Chrysanthemum symbolizes optimism, long life, fidelity and joy.

8. Dahlia

The name of Anders Dahl, botanist, this thick tuberous perennial plant is commonly found in Mexico, Colombia and Central America. Dalia has more than 30 species. One of the most surprising of this beautiful flower is that it comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 2 to (Dahlia button) to a foot (plate dahlia) !! The flower consists of a floral head surrounded by several delicate petals. These flowers come in different shades of orange, red, pink, purple, white and more. Dahlia was declared national flower of Mexico in 1963.

7. Orchids

Orchids have a large number of varieties, more than 25 000 species in 800 genera! This plant can easily adapt to their environment and is available almost everywhere. With its beautifully crafted petals and bright colors, orchids are a favorite among lovers of flowers and florists around the world! Did you know that some orchids petals 30 inches and can weigh about a ton?

6. Tulip

This perennial plant with showy flowers in the genus tulip. From Asia to Africa, the tulip is one of the most cultivated flowers. Several species and hybrids of this exceptionally beautiful flower can be seen in the garden, cut flowers or pot. Tulips come in different colors and shape of the flower. There are over 100 known species of this amazing plant.

5. Water Lilies

The lilies are beautiful flowers that come with a carpet of floating leaves (lily). Flowering lasts about three days and then replaced. Lilies come in different colors and are often fragrant. Basically there are three types of water lilies- Nymphaeaceae or shared water lily, Nelumbo or Lotus Water Lily and yellow, yellow lily.

Nelumbo lutea and Nelumbo nucifera are two known species of Nelumbo. In addition to being the national flower of Vietnam and India, N. nucifera is considered sacred by followers of Buddhism and Hinduism. Yellow water lily belongs to temperate region of Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Nymphaeaceae consists of more than 70 species

4. Magnolia

Few things are as beautiful as a magnolia in bloom! The name of Pierre Mangol, folk botany, Mongolia has over 200 species. Magnolia flowers are pink, purple or white, and size can not be anywhere from 3 to 12 inches in diameter. This flower is a symbol of beauty, gentleness and femininity. Magnolia kind can be found in the Caribbean, Southeast and East Asia, Central America, North America, among others.

3. Calla Lily

A symbol of the greatness and beauty, Calla Lily is a beautiful flower, which is widely used in floral arrangements, bouquets and decorative purposes. These flowers are native to South Africa. Calla Liles are carved unique and come in various colors such as shades of green, yellow, pink, purple and more.

2. Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise, an unusual name for a flower, right? Well, this exotic flower called Bird of Paradise have their way. Also known as the crane flower and belongs to the Strelitiaceae family. With its unique shape and bright colors, the bird of paradise is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful flowers available in the world. This colorful flower has no smell.

1. Rose

Oh, yes, most of the "top most beautiful flowers" reserve lists out there at number one for this. This smell beautiful flower has everything it takes to be the most beautiful flower in the world. It would not be wrong to say that the rose is synonymous with beauty and love. This perennial woody shrub of the genus Rosa '. Roses are found almost everywhere on Earth. This beautiful flower comes in a variety of colors and each color has a different meaning, for example red rose is a symbol of love, while a yellow rose means friendship. Poets of artists rose was an inspiration for people for centuries!

You agree that these are in fact the most beautiful flowers in the world? Are there any other flower that deserves to be on this list? Let me know in the comments section below!

Easy Easter Fun With Bunny Paper Printables

Printable Easter Paper Crafts from Smallful

With Easter coming up super-duper fast, your best bets for Easter decorations and activities are these ready-to-print crafts from Smallful. Printables are such an easy and creative way to get crafty with the kids – and Smallful’s printables feature lots of innovative ways to do just that. Don’t think that paper will limit you to 2D creations – these 3D and animated projects are the perfect way to welcome Spring into your home.

With a Bunny Ears Crown and Top Hat, every boy, girl, mom, dad, friend, and neighbor can be dressed for the occasion. Both the crown and hat also come in color-your-own versions, so you can customize them any way you like!

Classic sugar eggs are one of my favorite Easter items. The real-deal eggs are pretty hard to make, so craft your own dioramas with these April Showers May Flowers Scenic Egg sets. You’ll get two “shells” and lots of fun accessories to customize the scene for your own little chick and bunny.

Did you know that the Easter bunny is actually kind of obsessed with dressing up? I suppose all those bow ties and vests should have been our first clue. Grab your own Bernie Bunny and pose him/her in all kinds of poses, with all sorts of silly accessories – there are 4 mix and match outfits included, providing endless combinations!

Looking for the crafty motherload? You can nab Smallful’s Spring Bundle and get all of these goodies, plus the adorable rainbow crown, at a discount. Peter Cottontail approved :)

Happy Spring everyone!

Easy Easter Fun With Bunny Paper Printables

Looking for the crafty motherload? You can nab Smallful’s Spring Bundle and get all of these goodies, plus the adorable rainbow crown, at a discount. Peter Cottontail approved :)

Happy Spring everyone!

For The Love Of Graphics

Mar 19, 2015

You know what? I’m in a great mood today folks! It’s springtime here in the South of France and wherever I look I see life. Blossoms, blue skies, birds, and teeny tiny flowers peeping out of the soil! I’d almost forgotten how uplifting this season can be. I even have a spring in my step! I’m feeling positive, full of energy and my head’s buzzing with ideas for new projects – activities to do with my kids and of course, plans for our summer vacation.

The kids’ design world is humming with activity, as well. After the annual flurry of trade fairs, all kinds of new and interesting products are starting to appear on the market. I’ve picked a few “graphic” favorites to share with you. I hope you’ll enjoy my finds :)

Wooden Graphic Memory Game
Approx. $38 from Pinch•Toys

Pinch•Toys came across my radar recently (thanks Tiffany!) and I am really impressed with their modern, minimal designs. Run by two friends from Croatia, this new brand offers the kind of simple yet stylish handmade toys I would have loved my own children to play with, and I have a feeling we will be hearing much more about them in the future.

Wooden Boat & Wave Stacking Toy
Approx. $33 from The Wandering Workshop

Oh yes, the talented team behind The Wandering Workshop have done it again! The latest handmade wooden toy to come out of their Greek atelier (told you I was dreaming of holidays…) is a modern, graphic boat and wave set. The construction/stacking toy is composed of 8 differently shaped pieces to stimulate children’s imagination through play. And of course, to put on display!

Bruno and Mountains Crib Bedding Set
Approx. $77 from Fine Little Day

Ok ok, I know this isn’t exactly new, and is perhaps a more wintery design, but I love the clean, fresh graphic look of this crib set. It always makes me smile whenever I see it online. Made from organic cotton, it comes in a textile bag with a ribbon. I guess mountains just make me happy!

Wooden Color-In Family Postcards
By NK Design, Hungary

Speaking of putting a smile on your face, I thought Klaudia Nagy’s (NK Design) handmade wooden postcards were something a little different – definitely something I’d never seen before! I like the simple graphic design as it is, but once colored in by a loving little Picasso, these cards would make an original, heart-warming gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day. Contact Klaudia via Facebook for more information.

DIY Chalkboard Reward Chart
See tutorial at Ukkonooa

Last but not least, Ukkonooa’s DIY chalkboard reward chart ticks all my graphic-loving boxes. Maija used some old blind curtain material and chalkboard paint to create the chart. Her four-year-old daughter is having a great time filling it in with all sorts of colored chalks. Much more fun than gold stars!

Top Image:

I have been a fan of Hillery Sproatt’s work for years, and quite frankly, I’d love to buy everything in her online shop, Specks & Keepings. Hilda the Ragdoll is a one-of-a-kind soft companion, lovingly made from linen and cutting room scraps. Hand-embroidered and beautifully dressed, she was designed to be enjoyed for years to come.

Make Your Own Easter Egg Doodle Book

There’s just something I love about carrying around a notebook – especially during this time of year. With colors blooming and spring chicks afoot, you just never know when inpiration is going to hit. Give your kids a jump start on this tradition with an easy DIY Easter Egg sketchbook. It’s the perfect springtime craft for little writers, artists, and any creative child who likes to color outside the lines. Plus, it makes for a clever candy alternative in Easter baskets.

For quick, easy crafting, we called upon our handy helpers FolkArt Home Decor Chalk and Handmade Charlotte Peel & Stick Stencils. Parents can cut out the cardboard egg and bind the book, then little somebunnies can use the stencils to decorate their new notebooks to their hippity-hoppity heart’s content. With hundreds of stencil designs and an endless variety of colors, every egg is sure to be a one-of-a-kind Easter creation.

What You Need

Two pieces of clean, non-marked cardboard (about 6 x 7 inches each)
Handmade Charlotte Peel & Stick Stencils
Handmade Charlotte Lettered Stencils
FolkArt Home Decor Chalk
Plaid Paint Daubers
Fiskars Circle Hand Punch
Red Heart Yarn
White cardstock
Scissors or craft knife
Washi tape of your choice (I used a skinny blue)
Easter Egg Doodle Book Template (download here)

How-To

1. Using the template provided, cut out and trace the larger Easter egg shape onto your two pieces of cardboard. These will become the front and back covers to your book.

2. Use the smaller template to trace slightly smaller egg shapes onto your cardstock. These will be your inside pages. We used white, but have fun experimenting with bright colors or different textured papers! Cut out your egg shapes.

3. Once you’ve cut out the pages and the back and front covers, it’s time to start decorating. Arrange the peel & stick stencils and use your dauber and paint to create a colorful, customized design. Next use your letter stencil to give it a extra touch of personalization. After everything is dry, add stripes of washi tape to complete your cover!

4. Bind your book! Use your hand punch to punch two holes into the lefthand side of both your front and back cardboard covers, as well as into your inside paper pages. Make sure all the holes line up with each other. Cut two small pieces of yarn and thread them through the pieces of your book. Tie the ends together with quick bunny-eared bows and boom! You have a lovely little sketch book.

Kids big and small will love this fun new twist on “dyeing” Easter eggs and will fill them up with oodles and oodles of doodles in no time! Who knows – maybe one will even hatch a best-selling novel or priceless work of art!

Painted Soccer Player Hand Puppet

Mar 17, 2015

In my busy schedule of raising two boys and running three businesses from home (the studio, my shop Mossy JoJo, and Kids Nation Mag), I’m always on the lookout for kids activities that are fun, but also quick and easy for me to prepare. Last year during the World Cup, I did this activity together with my kids and they absolutely loved it. Mind you, they’re not even huge soccer fans. If your kids love soccer, they’ll enjoy this activity even more!

This Painted Hand Puppet Soccer Player took us less than 5 minutes to make and provided hours of play. All the materials are quite basic, so you’ll probably already have them at home (cost and time saving – yay!).

What You Need

A willing hand
Paint (best to use face/body paint, but I used watercolor paint and it worked just fine)
Plastic plate to mix paints (optional)
A small ball or a piece of paper
Two small boxes or containers (goal posts)

How-To

I didn’t take step-by-step pictures because my kids (okay… myself included) got a little too excited, but it’s pretty self explanatory :)

Step 1
Paint the outline of a soccer player on your child’s hand (head, shirt, hands, feet). Use your child’s index finger and middle finger as the soccer player’s feet. Add face and hair for details.

Note: I used black paint for the outline, but you can use any color you like as long as it is visible enough.

Step 2
Paint the shirt using your child’s favorite color. You can also do a quick search on Google to see the color combos of different soccer team uniforms.

Step 3
If you do not have a small ball, crumple a piece of paper into the shape of a ball.

Step 4
Locate two small containers to use as goal posts and you’re ready to play!

GOAL!

Set The Table With Simple DIY Coasters

Whether you’re into smoothies, juicing, hot tea, the coffee crutch, or you know, libations, now that we’re grown ups we have to think about things like protecting the woodwork. It’s so boring, isn’t it?

But hey, we can prettify anything – and coasters are no exception. Whether it’s adding some golden bling, color, texture, or children’s art, there’s something here to make those coasters sing. And prevent us from feeling like boring, old, stuffy folk. Instead, we’re the vibrant, creative kind!

Modern Scribble Art Coasters
see tutorial at Classic Play

Even the youngest can get in on the fancy coaster action with this quick doodle project. The results are most definitely of the artsy variety.

Color Blocked Coasters
see tutorial at Poppytalk

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. I know it can be hard to hold back when you’re in making mode, but these colorblock coasters prove it’s worth the restraint.

Modular Felt Coasters
see tutorial at How About Orange

The layering technique on these coasters is just so intriguing. I’m going to take a whack at making them just to understand how it all fits together!

Gold and Silver Coasters
see tutorial at The Purl Bee

If you’re a lover of sewing, this quick project is for you. The color combinations are simple stunning and definitely worth splurging on some good wool felt!

Cinco de Mayo Coasters
see more pics at Style Me Pretty

There isn’t a tutorial for these, but it looks pretty straight forward – cut out some square snowflakes, then use Mod Podge to glue them onto white tiles. Those brilliant colors feel like the perfect way to welcome Spring into my house.

Pictured at top: Pin Loom Coasters, see tutorial at The Purl Bee.