fleurishes

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Weddin's

We've been quite busy the last several months, working on what my favorite little neighbor likes to call "weddin's"... as in "are all these flowers in here for the weddin' ?" He's very thoughtful, and always asks this question before he picks out a few flowers to give to his mom. Too adorable! I've adopted this expression, so weddins, weddins, it's all about the weddins!

I've been wanting to post pictures of some of the ones we've been working on lately, but I've been waiting to get some better photographs, as mine are not the greatest. In the meantime, however, I've finally discovered how to put photos into collages! Not rocket science, I realize, (in fact it was embarrassingly simple) but for someone as computer-challenged as myself, this was a major accomplishment. I much prefer playing with flowers and plants to playing with computers, but I'm trying, and actually learning a few things. I definitely think that pictures that are "not the greatest" look much better in a collage!

So, with that said, here are some practice collages, from a couple "weddin's" we've worked on recently...

Yamile and David's elegant flowers

Susan and Robert's lovely French-themed reception

Love the collage!

Still working on gathering pictures of some of the others. More to come!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Experimenting

The truth is that I read quite a few blogs (mostly floral and decorating ones :)) and I really admire the style of several very talented floral designers out there, who are doing truly spectacular, natural arrangements. So here I am, determined to try to stretch my design skills a bit, and try some slightly different things. Had a few fun things in the cooler, local hydrangea, artemesia, saracena, a few ranunculus left over from a wedding, garden roses, etc. And a cute little pitcher a friend gave me, left over from a recent garage sale (can't believe no one bought it, I love it!)
I plopped a frog in it, and here's my attempt at a slightly different, more natural style...

I know it's not radical change from my usual style, not really. I love seasonal flowers and foliage, and always try to use them as much as possible. However, I want to try to design in a way that really highlights the beauty of each individual flower. Trying to "loosen up" a little bit, to be more "free" with the flowers! Anyway, I loved the results of this little experiment.

Not the greatest pictures (from my phone), but here they are after they made their way to my dining room table for a little belated celebration of my husband's son's wedding.

flowers and cake - yum

I'm trying! And loving a less "structured" style. Gonna keep working on this!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Color!

A few arrangements we put together for a party last week. Totally loving these rich summer colors!

Deep blue delphinium and gentiana, burgundy dahlias, magenta peonies, viburnum berry, green hydrangea, saracena, nigella pods, sweet peas and more. Loved working on these!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Work

Just a few pictures of what we've been working on lately...

Centerpieces for a graduation party

peonies, roses, hydrangea, snapdragon and sweet peas in vintage blue mason jars

Centerpieces for a 90th birthday party

dahlias, snaps, amaranthus, green hydrangea, roses and herbs

So "gardeny"!

Arrangements for delivery

"Peach finesse" roses, lacecap hydrangea, nigella, lavender and bunny tails (love those bunny tails!)

"Amsterdam" roses, viburnum and purple sweet peas

We're happy to be busy at the shop right now, and enjoying all the floral "treats" this time of year has to offer!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Devon Horse Show

So... there's been a serious lack of blogging around here recently. Fortunately it's because we've been extremely busy at the shop with lots of fabulous weddings, parties and just daily "busyness"!

Catching up a little bit... at the end of May into the beginning of June we had the fun job of setting up a booth at The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. I grew up in Devon, and the Horse Show has always been one of my favorite events, so we were very excited to participate for a second year.

We had a fabulous time decorating our little shed and tent, turning it into a mini replica of the shop. Burlap is a decorating marvel, what would we have done without it?

We had lots of garden inspired gifts, plants, planters, artwork, jewelry and many other goodies

Every day we brought over lots of fresh flowers for display, especially gorgeous local peonies, one of my favorites.

Our amazing drfitwood horse head

The tent at night

We were there for 11 days, through the first crazy heat wave of the summer (Memorial Day weekend, yikes!) and then some truly gorgeous early summer weather.

Fun "vintage" jewelry

We had a great time. Loved watching the horses, spending time with other vendors, seeing our customers and meeting new ones, and eating tea sandwiches... lots of tea sandwiches. They are the best! We actually ate them every day, along with the occasional funnel cake and lemon stick, of course!

A wonderful, exhausting but enjoyable week and a half at the horse show, along with some lovely weddings, prom flowers and graduation bouquets at the shop. Phew, we survived! Thanks to all my fabulous helpers.

And finally, that week, the climbing rose by our back door actually bloomed!

I was barely home to see it (mostly just in the dark when I finally crawled home at night) but I was so thrilled. After chopping it to the ground in frustration a year or two ago, I belatedly figured out that it was a climber, not just a gnarly attack bush lurking by the back door, and drawing blood every time I passed by. Poor thing, it just wanted to grow! Now it is so beautiful, a lovely soft blush color, and I'm off to buy another trellis, I want to plant another one on the other side of the door!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!