You'll need the stamps, a piece of silverware, a hammer of some kind - I prefer a larger metal mallet type hammer (better to smash your fingers with), a magic marker, something to stamp onto (I used a small brass block that I found in the garage) and for safety you should wear gloves and safety glasses.

Instructions are below the photos and a much more detailed tutorial is on my blog post.

Oh, and I've had quite a few people asking on my blog about using them for weddings (stamping Mr. and Mrs. on forks or wedding dates, etc). Avery cute idea, BTW. I would say if you are expecting people to eat with them, I would skip the steps about using a magic marker, because that could be toxic. And you certainly don't want to start the marriage off on a bad note. If you still want to do the last step where you "color" them in a little, you could use liquid food coloring and wipe it into the letters a little.

Have fun stamping. Watch out for your thumbs and please wear you safety gear!

Can I cut the flower part off? Are there male and female plants?

Every new flower is an awaiting surprise and , as I stroll our garden, bird song greets me. A red fox streaked across the front lawn this early morning, probably from the cat food on our porch. We've had lovely rains and everything is an intense shade of spring green.

See more at http://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/may-gar... or http://pinterest.com/barbrosen/our-fairfield...

#SummerStyle

#Gardening

Here are some tips to get a Clematis started up your tree!:

-Choose a tree with rough bark, like a maple or oak. A smooth tree, like a cherry, with not get enough grip for your Clematis as it grows.

-Plant it on the shady side of the tree trunk and add compost. Mulch well. This enables you to give its roots the shade they need to start well.

-If you are not planting by another vine, then add a way for the Clematis to make it on to the tree bark. Use small bamboo canes, fishing line or twigs to make a scaffold for it to climb.

-Help the Clematis along by occasionally tucking its loose new growth into the rough bark of the maple.

It has turned out beautifully! I especially like the dreamy blue of Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' when viewed on the tree trunk against the blue sky. I hope yours does too!