Valentines Inspiration and DIY by Annabella Charles and Haute Horticulture (Magnolia Rouge)

It’s not often, if ever, that I feature DIY’s on Magnolia Rouge, but when the fabulous duo of Annabella Charles and Haute Horticulture send me such prettiness as this how could I refuse! They have also done two super simple DIY’s up for you to try out…

Thin Taper Candle Display

Materials:
Floral Foam (that is not soaked in water) or Desert Foam for Silk Flower
Thin Taper Candles
Scissors
Knife
Vase or Bowl
Filler (Rose Salt)

To start use the knife to cut a block of dry foam (no water or soaking needed) that will fit securely in the bottom of the vase. The less wiggle room for the foam, the better.

Begin to arrange the thin taper candles to desired pattern by pushing them into the foam precisely in a straight ‘up and down’ motion, making note not to wiggle them side to side or they will be wobbly. Also note if placed too close together they may melt one another while lit.

At this point you may cut the candles at the base to make them short and long in the foam or not cut to keep them all the same height. We chose to cut some candles and leave other longer.

Finally, select a filler that will not be too flammable such as a pretty rock salt or sand and pour around the candles to cover the foam. You can also layer sand in the base and use the prettier filler on top to cut cost.

When using this design keep in mind that thin tapers burn quickly and should NEVER be left unattended. The candles will melt down and wax will likely drip in the filler, thus non-flammable filler is best. We found our thin tapers at a local craft store and they are also sold online in many pretty colors and heights for all lovely occasions.

Wishing you a beautifully candle lit Valentine’s Day! XOXO

Sugared Garden Rose Petals

Materials:
Organic Garden Rose Petals
Egg White
Superfine Sugar (or Caster Sugar)
Small Brush
Tweezers (optional)
Drying rack or cloth

For best results hold rose petals with tweezers, but if you don’t mind getting a little messy you can hold with your fingers at the petal tip. Using small paint brush, cover both sides with egg white and immediately sprinkle both sides with superfine sugar. Allow to dry by placing petals on a wire rack, cloth or paper towel after sugaring.

Rose petals are edible but be aware store bought roses typically have pesticides not meant for consumption. Egg Whites are safer if pasteurized. An Egg White substitute is sugar syrup. To make sugar syrup, combine 1 cup of standard sugar with 1 & 1/2 cup of water and cook until dissolved. Allow syrup to cool before painting on petals or dipping petals in syrup.