CasaSugar

DIY: Sculptural Rose Tape Artwork

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0800

On an Italian trip long ago, I fell in love with our hotel lobby's massive artwork. It was an eight-by-five-foot canvas with rows and columns of raised roses. After staring it down, I decided I could craft my own version at home. It may not be showcased in a museum, but I saved a pretty penny by doing this on my own. To see how I whipped up my own budding canvas, read more.

Supplies you will need:

Any size canvas
A roll(s) of wide (two-inch or so) painting tape
Paint of your choice
Sponge paint brush

Steps:

To start, measure your canvas and make marks for the center of each rose.
Pull off a long piece of tape (about four feet) and fold it so that you have about 1/2 an inch of sticky side still showing.
Place one end of the tape on the rose's center on the canvas. Start creating a spiral and sticking it to the canvas along the way. You can add to it if you need more length.
Keep making the roses until all the spaces are full.
When you are pleased with the buds, it's time to paint!
Use your brush to slather on the paint. Sponge brushes are great at covering all the spots. Don't forget to color the outer edges of the "petals" as well as the insides of the flower.
To complete the look, paint the edges of the canvas if you're planning to hang it unframed.

You don't have to paint a large canvas to make this work. Do a single rose or a pair of any shape for a simple statement. If you decide to make one, be sure to share photos in our Su Casa group!

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Guess What This Product Is?

CasaSugar — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:30:34 -0800

This rose-shaped product is actually a set of four separate pieces, which you can use for a number of things around the house or in the kitchen. Can you guess what they are?

Midday Muse: Everblooming California

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:00:58 -0700

Since I grew up in the Midwest, I associate mid-September with falling leaves, chilly temperatures, and apple picking. However, here in California, where I've lived for seven years, I'm still getting used to the concept of mild seasons. As if to prove this to me, my rosebushes, which were just blooming back in May, are back in full yellow-and-red splendor again. I suppose I'll get used to it eventually, right?

Garden Therapy: Can You Help With This Rose?

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:09:30 -0700

TeamSugar member Davie_K wrote in, saying

Okay, my fiancè is the most romantic guy. He bought us a white rose bush for our place. The thing is, I know very little about roses and I can't even find out what this one is. It's called "princess snow" and it's a small tree with light green-colored foliage. It's been outside a couple of days and I'm worried that we're not looking after it properly. It's a white rose, as I said, with occasional pink spots and dark stamen. I'm not even sure if the foliage is supposed to be light green. Can someone help me out please? It's seriously deteriorating. ANY and ALL advice is greatly appreciated!

Your fiancè is indeed a romantic-and appropriate-gift giver, Davie_K, since white roses are traditionally thought of as the bridal rose. They also represent true love, purity, innocence, sympathy, and spirituality. But this symbolism doesn't really aid you in your question, does it?

To see my advice, read more
You say that your rose is outside, but I don't know if it's still in its container or in the ground. If you still need to plant it, dig a hole for your rose that's 2 ½ times the size of the root ball. It is a good idea to put some well-composted organic matter in the hole, and mix more composted matter with the soil that you removed. Take the rose plant out of the container and put it in the hole, packing dirt under and around the rose. Make sure to put a straight stick across the hole to see if the dirt level of the rose is the same as the ground level. If it's planted above or below ground level, it may have a difficult time growing properly.

Also, make sure to water thoroughly, but not in the heat of the day. Consider planting garlic or chives around the roses to aid their growth. And finally, since we're into autumn, your rose plant will want to hibernate for the season, so after the end of October, don't fertilize it anymore. It may drop leaves, but with some luck, it's just settling in for the hibernation season.

Anyone else have rose advice for Davie_K?

How-To: Raise Roses Even If You're a Beginner

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:43 -0800

Who doesn't love roses? The classic bloom adds elegance to any home, even if you only have room for a few potted varieties on your balcony. A recent SFGate article offered some tips and tricks for raising roses, even if you're a newbie to the flower world. See some of my favorite tips in the slideshow.

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Su Casa: The Bloom's on These Roses

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:26 -0700

Su Casa member Demure20 snapped some photos of her beautiful rose garden. The color and variety of roses she has at her home is impressive - as is the beautiful health her roses appear to be in! We only have three rose bushes at my house, and although I've never considered myself a rose type of girl, I think that Demure20 has changed my mind.

If you're interested in posting pictures of lovely flower gardens like this, make sure to join my Su Casa group!

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Casa Quickie: Smell the Roses

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800

When I shop for everyday flowers, the two biggest deciding factors in my purchase are form and hue - aside from, of course, vitality. For instance, I love the way the color persimmon looks against my peacock-blue walls. I also prefer a few blooms mostly for their shape, including calla lilies, peonies, and tulips. But if I'm hosting a dinner party and need those blossoms for a centerpiece, scent is the most important thing to consider.

For some reason, I think people tend to forget that flowers smell! I can't tell you how many luncheons and parties I've attended where the scent of the centerpiece has been so strong, it has either tainted the taste of my meal or made me nauseous. So in that case it's best to choose flowers that are mildly scented, such as ranunculus, yellow lilies, and hydrangeas. Steer clear of petals like sweet peas, most roses, and gardenias, and just use your judgment!

Desire/Acquire: Ruffled Shower Curtain

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:11:00 -0800

It was love at first sight when I first set eyes on Anthropologie's Flamenco Shower Curtain ($118). Those cascading ruffles can't help but make a girl's heart go pitter-patter. The same goes for India Rose's Ruffled Shower Curtain ($110). Unfortunately, neither panel is very wallet-friendly - especially considering that shower curtains go for less than $30 at places like Bed Bath & Beyond. Luckily, I've found a ruffled curtain to help you get the look of these beauties for much, much less! Wanna see it?

Roundup: Modern Roses

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:30:10 -0700

Do you think that roses should be relegated to old ladies' perfume bottles and shabby chic pillows? If so, I'd like to change your mind.

You'll be happy to hear that an updated take on the beautiful bloom is easy to find and decorate with. In fact, the rose is making a comeback in hip, modern homes. Take this Je Taime Poster ($40), for example. With a modern font and a blockprinted rose outline, I dare you to find anything fuddy duddy about it.

To find roses that are more modern than the norm, look for designs that utilize abstracted designs and simplified color palettes. See some of my other favorite modern rose finds when you read more.

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:30:00 -0800

Mischa Barton can't afford her Beverly Hills manse.
How well do you know the names of flowers?
Check out these 10 choice chairs to reupholster!
Rachel Ashwell put her shabby chic cottage on the market.
Make some sculptural rose artwork from tape!