A Passion for Flowers

The first day of spring is March 19th and I can’t wait. Every year at this time I long for the warm days, cool evenings and the earthy fragrance after a spring rain. And how about the amazing abundance of fresh greenery and flowers!

As I start a new wedding season I reflect back on some of my favorite 2019 creations. I hope you enjoy these arrangements as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Today, here in the northeast, the temperature is a balmy 67 degrees. Maybe spring is closer than we think?

Please, take a seat.

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Katherine & Shaine’s Sun Filled Wedding

Although the day started with an epic downpour, the rest of Katherine and Shaine’s wedding day was dappled with glorious pops of autumn sunshine.

Their wedding was held at the historic 1740 Duportail House in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania. And photos are by the brilliant Lauren Driscoll. I hope you enjoy the images of their autumn wedding as much my team and I had pulling it all together.

Wondering what my team and I do to pass the time while waiting to break down an event? Check out the video at the end of the gallery. This is how we ‘break it down’. Oy vey.

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Jackie & Jeff’s Spring Wedding

This gallery contains 14 photos.

One of the reasons I love planning and styling weddings is the opportunity to think out of the box and to create unique venues for clients. Fortunately, my clients have allowed a little design craziness. And as expected, some cockamamy ideas … Continue reading →

Lynn & Quin’s Mountainside Wedding

This gallery contains 23 photos.

I’m convinced I was a butler in a former life. And like Mr. Carson in the TV show, Downton Abbey, I appreciate and expect order. With proper planning, agendas, and lists what could go wrong, right? For Lynn & Quin’s … Continue reading →

Simple Flower Arrangements & Flea Market Finds

 

Last week I had the privilege to do some floral styling for a video shoot. The photographer we worked with was photo journalist and Pulitzer Prize recipient, Matt Rainey. The images he captured are exquisite and Matt was kind enough to share these photos with me so I could share them with you.

For this assignment, I used simple and elegant thrift store vessels to compliment the freshly cut spring flowers. There’s really no need to spend big buck on vases … let the flowers express themselves.

How To Make A Unique Spring Wreath

Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than to make this unique and elegant garden wreath. Simply gather nature’s gifts and start creating!

 

With the exception of the plants, I found all my project ingredients at A.C. Moore craft store.  You’ll need:

• A wreath – an inexpensive and sturdy grapevine wreath will do just fine
• Small plants of your choice – I am using a tiny fern and two Forget-me-not plants
• Sheet moss
• Green florist wire

Here’s how you do it:

Expand the wreath by pulling apart the vines to create a nest for the plants.
Remove the plants from their pots and gently remove most of the soil from the root ball. Not to worry, these little guys will survive just fine.
With your hands, create a small ball at the base of the plant by molding the roots and the remaining soil.
Cover the root ball with sheet moss and tie it securely with florist wire and insert into your wreath.
Your done!

It’s so simple and to keep your creation fresh, simply water when the moss surrounding the root base is dry to the touch.

Happy spring and happy crafting!

Spring Bulbs in Vintage Bowls

If you’re looking for a super quick way to spruce up your table or create a unique Easter gift, you’ve come to the right place.

Pick up a couple inexpensive vintage flower pots and bowls, some spring flowers, remove the flowers from their nasty plastic containers, insert into their new homes and garnish with moss …. voila’!

Photograph by Christa Neu

Happy Easter and Happy Crafting!

Chalkboard Flower Pot Easter Gifts

Chalkboard paint is so much fun to work with and it allows you countless ways to produce unique and functional pieces like this project, Birch Log Table Numbers.

I have a giant pile of unused terra-cotta flower pots so putting them to good use, I cracked open a can of chalkboard paint and created these simple gifts for the upcoming Easter holiday.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Terra Cotta containers (any paintable container will do)
• Chalkboard paint
• Foam paint brush
• Chalk
• Small plant or flower of your choosing (I used Baby’s Tears)
• Egg (optional)

You can find all of the project ingredients, including terra-cotta pots, at any craft store. Oh, with the exception of live plants and real eggs but you could substitute with artificial. For live plants, visit your local nursery and for eggs, visit your fridge.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Clean the surface of the container and paint away!
2. After the paint dries completely, with chalk write or draw anything you want on the surface.
3. Insert plant or flower.
4. Your done!

For an added surprise, I placed a simple brown egg that I blew out then glued twine into the hole to hang.

Here’s how you blow-out an egg:

1. Using a long stick pin, poke a hole in the top and bottom of the egg and move the pin around to break op the yolk. Make one of the holes a little larger than the other. That’s the hole you’ll insert and glue twine.
2. Holding the egg in one hand, force the egg contents out by gently blowing into the smaller hole in the egg. The egg insides will come out the other side. Note to crafters – save the insides and make a scrambled egg for yourself – no waste!
3. After the insides are empty, insert the egg in warm soapy water to clean the inside of the egg. Rinse and let dry on a paper towel.
4. When dry, insert twine into the larger hole, glue in place and your done!

Happy Crafting and Happy Easter!

 

Hallelujah – 12 Days Till Spring

Colorful flowers are a great way to say goodbye to winter and hello spring! This combination of light pink tea roses, orange kalanchoe, blue grape hyacinth, and thistle in a birch bark vessel are the perfect combination of color, texture and fragrance.

If you’re looking for one of these custom creations, please look me up at Rodale’s General Store. I would be delighted to create one of these lovelies just for you!

Pink…Feminine, Soft, Sweet

Last August I had the honor and privilege to design and create the bridal party bouquets for the sweetest of brides. For Tina and Miguel’s wedding, Tina requested pink for her bridal party. For me the hardest part of her request was focusing on the perfect combination of flowers and since there are a gazillion to choose from, I needed to create the perfect recipe for a perfect pink bouquet. Anyone who knows me knows well that I’m a gigantic mess before any wedding or event. This wedding was no exception and ultimately, Tina loved the bouquets….phew!

Tied with pink fabric remnants from the bridesmaid dresses, Tina’s bouquet recipe included:

Pink Garden Roses
Dusty Miller
Calla Lily
Pink Dalia
Deep Pink Cockscomb

Tina and Miguel you are beautiful and thank you Candid Moments Photography for providing these stunning images of their special day.