Rose Garden Wedding

Well, they are not getting married in a rose garden, but all the flowers for the next wedding are coming from the bride's grandmother's rose garden! This will be an exciting challenge. I have never designed with roses straight from the garden (and I did tell the bride this ahead of time!)

So we will be getting buckets of roses from the nearly 300 rose bushes from Grandmother's garden. When we get these, since we don't know yet exactly what we are getting, we will decide exactly what to do with them. Bouquets, corsages, table decor--they all depend on what is growing, blooming and thriving in Grandmother's yard.

We are praying for God's blessings and good weather for roses!

Texture!

Don't be afraid to experiment with texture when you make a flower arrangements. Texture is just as important as color or balance.


This arrangement is full of contrasting textures which adds interest and surprise. Who would expect roses and succulents? But they make for a very appealing arrangement.
















These roses have glitter on them to add texture to their beautiful, soft petals.












Sharp, prickly hens and chicks are a stark contrast to the velvety smooth lamb's ear.

There is even texture in the coffee cup that the arrangement is in. This adds even more interest.


Use texture to bring life and interest to your next arrangement!

Contest

So, my dh is encouraging me to enter a bouquet contest held next month. I've been pondering if I should and decided (with his encouragement) to go for it. One of the good things about contests is the judges will usually make plenty of comments on your entry. It's a good learning experience.

The contest is part of the Colorado Fall Home Show, Sept. 10-12, held downtown at the Colorado Convention Center. The theme of the contest is "A Bouquet to Remember."

This ought to be interesting. I've never entered a floral design contest. We had a little competition when I was in floral school and I didn't win--and there was only 4 of us in the class! :) But I have learned a great deal since then and I just hope to not come in last place. And, even if I do, it will be a learning experience--at least that is what I would tell my kids :)

I have spent the day shopping for glitter and flocking, and experimenting with flowers. I am narrowing down my flower choices and design details. Already it has been more fun that I expected. I've only got a couple of weeks until the contest and school will be starting soon. So I am getting on this right away.

I'll keep you posted on how it is going. In the mean time, know that I am enjoying myself with yet another little adventure!

Flowers and Jazz

A kitchen full of flowers and jazz playing (blaring?) in the background. Now that is what I call a very good combination. Kinda like ice cream and hot fudge...Charlie and Snoopy...basil and garlic...fireworks and watermelon...ocean breeze and sunset...Autumn and sweaters...babies and rocking chairs...Danny and Amy....

Decisions...

It is hard for me to make these simple decisions. Which photo to use on my web-site? I like the one with the little hedgehog peeking out behind the fan. It's just kinda fun and whimsical. But I like the one with the hand holding the fan. It shows what a fan arrangement would be like when it is actually being carried. Which photo is better? It is hard to say. Just one more decision when setting up a web-site. Not a big deal, but another decision! Which would you choose?

Ordered Wedding Flowers

Today I ordered Sheree and David's flowers.

Alstromeria, snapdragons, Queen Anne's lace, hypericum, Royal Sunset lilies and my favorite, chocolate cosmos.

Sheree wants her bouquet to look like a casual walk thru a garden. I think this combination of flowers will give her the look she wants.

Typical garden flowers like lilies and snapdragons...airy cosmos which seem more like wildflowers... hypericum will look like berries...combined with the brides favorite alstromeria...all hand tied with raffia to complete a garden feel. This will be perfect for her out doors wedding!

We are going with bright and dark colors which will be great outside. The flowers will be competing with nature all around and these more intense colors will show up great in this setting.

Can't wait to get my hands on the flowers--but that is 10 days away. Flowers should be ordered early so the wholesaler can contact their suppliers and get the exact flowers needed.

Out doors, garden style, hand tied bouquet...looking forward to this beautiful combination!