Check out this sign that Erin created for her office building.  Before, the stairwell just had an ugly magnetized bulletin board.  With a canvas, some red paint, an old newspaper and some serious modge podge, she made an awesome professional-looking sign!  Erin says, “I just needed a little color in our depressing, drab hallway!  This was quick (I did it in two lunch breaks) and easy.” Great job, Erin!

BEFORE:

boooooring

DURING:

cutting out the letters

this stuff changed my life

applying modge podge to letters

AFTER:

fab

Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Dahlia Society

These tips, courtesy of design*sponge are awesome things to know.  I have never heard of adding lemon-lime soda to the flower’s water or bleach!  Check them all out:

o Clean all leaves, stems or thorns that will sit below the water-line in whatever container you use.
o Use sharp tools and clean, cool water.
o Give flowers a fresh, angled cut and change the water every other day.
o Try adding a dash of lemon-lime soda (like 7up or Sprite) to the water – the sugar perks up the blooms!
o Try adding a few (just a few) drops of bleach to the water – it will keep the stem-rotting bacteria at bay.
o For tough or woody stems, use warm water and try snapping the stem with your hands instead of cutting. The splintered stems increase surface area for the water to travel up to the bloom.diy project:
o When in doubt, cut the stems short, so that the heads of the flower rise just above the neck of the vase. This pavé style is very European and chic.