THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 30, 1995 TAG: 9507280061
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
A COMPANY IN Boulder, Colo., has come up with a new way to ``say it with flowers.''
Bloomin' Flower Cards Inc., which took root in January, recently introduced a line of greeting cards with at least 100 wildflower seeds embedded in each card. Read the card then plant the card, say the directions. One to four weeks later, a mix of fragrant annuals and perennials will sprout, provided you have watered well.
A card may contain up to 30 species of seeds, including sunflowers and snapdragons, baby's breath and black-eyed Susans. One card design is named ``Bird and Butterfly'' because it yields flowers that attract those creatures of the meadow.
Made from recycled junk mail, copy paper and scrap cardboard, the cards are ``100 percent environmentally friendly,'' according to company spokesperson Don Martin.
The product is still in its seedling stage, with vegetable- and herb-infused greetings, Christmas cards and gift enclosures coming soon, Martin said. The Christmas greeting will contain blue-spruce seeds, which should become a tree in 10 or 12 years, he added.
Widely available in stores in Colorado at about $4.50 each, the cards should soon be in full bloom throughout the country, Hampton Roads included.
Meanwhile they can be ordered by writing or calling the company: Bloomin' Flower Cards, 3307 4th St., Boulder, CO 80304; phone (800) 894-9185. A sampler containing one card in each of nine designs sells for $39.95, shipping included. The minimum order is five cards for $24.95, shipping included. DO-IT-YOURSELF DESIGN
You may not be an interior designer, but that doesn't mean your home can't look like it was styled by a pro. Tips from Margi Daniels, design consultant for La-Z-Boy Chair Co., tell how to get in touch with the ``style'' that's right for you:
Ask yourself a few questions. Do you like formal or casual living? Traditional or contemporary looks? Open, airy spaces or cozy retreats? Are your tastes dramatic or simple?
Look through your closet. You'll find useful clues about the colors and patterns you prefer.
Borrow ideas from homes of friends. Visualize how they might work in your decorating scheme.
Consult decorating publications. From magazines, clip and save pictures of at least a dozen rooms you like. Spread them out and look for common features. You may find that you favor a certain mood or color scheme.
Visit furniture stores. Many retailers display furniture in room settings complete with accessories. And many stores have decorating consultants on staff.
For more information, request a free La-Z-Boy decorating guide by calling (800) MAKE A HOME. SUMMERTIME SAVINGS
It's summertime. Don't let the heat and the hammock and the party-on attitude lull you into a lazy disregard for being thrifty. Here's some warm-weather tips from the Skinflint News:
Recycle charcoal. When you finish cooking, pour water on the briquets. Let them dry thoroughly. Next time you grill, mix half new charcoal with half used.
Don't toss paper and plastic milk cartons. Freeze water in them to make blocks of ice. Tucked into a cooler, these will keep food and drinks cold for hours.
Before leaving on vacation, purchase postcard stamps at home. You won't waste time (trying to find a post office) or money (spending more than you need to in a stamp machine).
Keep ants out of your picnic by placing each table leg in a bucket of water. Ants can't swim, so they'll have to look elsewhere for dinner.
For a free copy of the newsletter, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Skinflint News, P.O. Box 818, Palm Harbor, FL 34682. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
The cards contain up to 30 species of seeds.
by CNB