Drying Roses

Roses are really easy to dry -- Look for ones either in you garden or to buy that are fairly fresh -- and not too past peak.   They need a place where the air is fairly dry -- you have to be careful that they dry out before rotting.  Do not leave in direct sunlight as the sun will fade out the color.   I find my house is perfect in winter months for drying -- when the air in the house is dry and harsh but we will see what happens here in July. 

While at trader Joes, I found these roses on sale called "Savoy".  They are a creamy shade, with darker pink around the edge.  They looked like they were in decent shape. 

The smaller tea roses dry better since there is less chance of rotting because they dry faster.  The pink shades dry really nicely.  The color intensifies as they dry so a pale pink might become quite vibrant when dry.  These are not the smaller tea roses and I'm not sure how the creamy shade will dry so we will have to see how they come out. 

 So, all you do is take off wrapper -- hang in a dry spot -- out of direct sunlight.  Here are mine hanging in a corner of my kitchen.  You might want to group them into smaller bunches so that they don't touch one another -- or separate by stuffing some tissue paper in center of the bunch.  A fan might help also to dry them more quickly.  Check on them in two weeks or so and make sure the stems are completely dry and stiff before taking down.  You then can arrange in a vase will some kind of filler like baby's breath or dried greens or break buds from stems and use to decorate a wreath or wall hanging.  Check back here in two weeks to see how these come out and see what I plan to do with them.  You can visit my Etsy shop here to see some of my wreaths and wall hangings.

Sand Sculpting Festival Photos

Here are my photos from the completed sandcastles at the festival this weekend on Revere Beach.  Visit Reverebeach.com to see their photo collection and read more about the artists who created these works of arts.  

It was a beautiful morning on Monday when I took these photos.  The weekend had been unbearably hot but this morning the air had cleared and it was cool and comfortable with a beautiful sun rise.

Sometimes the sandcastles last for quite a while, although we had such torrential downpours this afternoon that they might have gotten destroyed.  If you are in the area you can check them out. 

Sandsculpting Artists at Work

The sandcastles are starting to take shape at the Revere Beach Sandsculpting Festival this weekend.  Click here for a more info on the festivities and information about the participating artists. 

This sculptor resembles Santa Clause -- maybe that's what he does off season. 

Revere Beach Sandcastle Festival

Here is a pile waiting to be shaped

These sand piles will all be castles soon.

 This weekend is the yearly sandcastle festival on Revere Beach.  This week they were just bringing the sand and putting it in piles for the artist to work on. 
 

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a child playing along the shoreline with the seagulls

It was going to be a hot day for the artist to be working - already the sun was bright in the sky. 

The beginning of the sponsor presentation

My Beach Photos

I have been trying to spend as many mornings at our local beach as possible this spring and summer.

I try to take a few photos each morning and was really anxious to share them but my computer died recently so I was unable to post them. I finally took my computer to be looked at and it was determined that it was not worth fixing.  

This week I purchased a ASUS Laptop which I really like.  It is really difficult to live without a computer these days. 

One thing about the beach is that it is new every morning.  The tide is different -- the sun is in a different spot.  What washes up on the beach is slightly different too. 

  You never know what you will see.   These seagulls were having their breakfast and were rather annoyed with my presence.

 The colors are different depending on whether the sun is shining or if it is grey and overcast. 

 

 These photos were taken at Revere Beach which is just north of Boston.  It is a 5 minute drive from my house. 

 I try to collect seashells or sea glass each time I am there which I use in my Angels n Everlastings Etsy shop.   I use these finds in my beach theme wreaths, photo frames and wall hangings.  Sometimes it's nice to find a perfect seashell but I also like to find a seashell that has been tossed and broken and polished.  It makes it a unique find. 


 
 
 

 I have some other photos taken at Rockport, Ma. which I will post next time. 

  

Summer Sale - Angels n Everlastings Coastal Decor

Use coupon code "google20" for 20% off these listings or any listings in my Angelsneverlastings Etsy shop.  Here are a few unique one of a kind items - click on my shop for others.  Coupon code is good through 7/31/13. 

Seashell Heart Twig Wreath

Beach Themed Photo Frame

Ocean Scene Diorama

Beach House Seashell Mirror 

My Favorite Beach Home Decor Pins

I don't know how comfortable this bed would be for sleeping but I'd like to try it!



Beach Homes to Inspire


I love designer beach tone color pallettes like this one from Better Home and Gardens.  Such peaceful coastal shades!

 

Soft and peaceful shades

 

 

Here is a delicate and beautiful coastal accent by Dana of Cereus Art on Etsy.  Check out her shop for more coastal décor listing. 

Starfish and Shell Garland by Cereus Art on Etsy

 

 Last but not least please check out my Angels n Everlastings Etsy shop where you will find all sorts of beach décor listings like this Beach Scene Diorama:

Bit of Beach in a Box

 

 

 Thank for stopping by! Visit my Angels n Everlasting Pinterest for more of my beach favorites.