{Fresh Floral Art}

Eat Local Challenge

I still promise to be blogging here at Fresh Floral Art.  But I would like to invite you to join me at SKY BLOG!  Our family will be sharing our experience of eating a completely local diet the month of July.  We are slowly getting rid of everything in our fridge, freezer and pantry to make room for all of the yummy food available right here in south central Kentucky.

If you are interested in eating local in your community you may be interested in these websites:

National Eat Local Challenge

100 Mile Diet

Market Maker

We will also be selling tomatoes, watermelon and cantaloupe at SKY Farmers Market

Sorry I've been a bad, bad blogger

 I have been terrible at keeping up on top of the blogging thing.  I have so many things to share with you and promise that I will soon.  But here are a few of the reasons why you haven't seen much from me lately.

1.  We are having trouble with our USB cord so I am unable to download photos from my digital camera.  Which means that I haven't been sharing photos from Mackenzie's, weddings, or even the cute kiddos.  But I will soon, I promise.

2.  I have had tons of weddings.  This past weekend was my first weekend off in five weeks. 

3.  Nathan and I are expecting again!  Yep, I'm pregnant. I am about 14 weeks now, but I have had terrible morning sickness which seemed to increase at the computer.  But now that I am feeling better I promise to be a better blogger.

Eco Father's Day Gifts

Looking for a green gift for that dad in your life?  Organic Bouquet has tons of great options.  Visit them by clicking on the Organic Bouquet link HERE!

7

Of the ten centerpieces I created for this KBM project this design represents my own personal style the most.  I love the color combination and variety of flowers.  The candlelight adds that special touch.  But most of all I am drawn to the clean, neat lines that the organization of flowers creates in this piece.  As I made my top 10 list I quickly filled 8 slots with must have flowers, containers and designs.  This was one of the two I couldn't make a final decision on.  I ordered two of the plastic based wreath rings knowing that I would use one for my raised white piece and the other one in some way.

The sage green candle became my inspiration for a soft, tropical color combination.  The pale yellow roses, green cymbidium orchids and pink lisianthus were a perfect compliment.  Green hypericum berries were added to create some texture and interest.

Photography by Clinton Lewis

6

Fresh fruit has become a trend in itself.  Lemons, limes, oranges, kumquats, and several other exotic forms of these fruits have become widely used to fill containers and as part of the arrangemnet itself.  I think that it is the look of freshness it creates that makes it so popular.  This photograph demonstrates how accents can change the entire look of your reception tables.  These (candlestick) napkin folds were used to mimick the height of the citrus arrangement.  Learn how to make this fold here.

The cylinder glass container is filled with halved lemons and limes.  Kumquats are used to fill in the spaces so that there are no holes in the container.  A fresh foam ball was used to create the floral top and could be removed for easier transit.  Green Cymbidium Orchids, Pale Yellow Roses, Green Hypericum Berries, and Italian Ruscus were used to complete the arrangement.

Photography by Clinton Lewis

5

I ordered these amazing containers from Decorative Traditions, Inc.  Their service, shipping and prices are great.  In keeping with our Tiffany Blue/Espresso color scheme we painted the containers a darker brown with a slight sheen.    The flower selection includes Cream Lisianthus, Fresh Blue Hydrangea, Cream Lilies, Chocolate Geranium Leaves, Green Hypericum Berries and my all time favorite Fern Curls.  With the popularity of brown's Fern Curls are the perfect accent for centerpieces, bouquets and especially boutonniere's.

Photography by Clinton Lewis

4

    What else is more beautiful than an arrangement that reflects the elements of nature.  There is nothing more inspiring than a branch loaded with fruit dangling softly or a vine that has wandered from one plant to another.  As a landscaper I learned that when plants are in close proximity they tend to entertwine and grow together, eventually becoming one plant with a variety of flowers, fruit and foliage. 

   Ariella Chezar's is one of my favorite designers that has mastered the art of nature and style.  This natural combination of Kumquats, Antique Green Hydrangea, Peach Lisianthus, and Green Viburnum is nature at it's finest.

A special thanks to Kathi Milam who let me borrow this beautiful white dish.  She was the inspiration on several of my pieces.

Photography by Clinton Lewis

3

There are two things I am loving right now.  Orchids & Coffee.  Orchids are the new rose~just pick up any floral design magazine or book and you will see what I mean.  They come in a variety of colors and sizes.  The are easy to use in bouquets, centerpieces, boutonierres and of course the traditional leis.  And they stay fresh even in harsh circumstances, such as sweating men in black tuxedos standing on the pavement in 90 degrees smoking a cigar!  If you are a wedding florist you know exactly what I am talking about.  This particular variety is a large burgandy cymbidium.  I also love green, light pink, gold/bronze, and white.

The second thing I am really loving now is coffee.  When the kids get settled down for their nap I make me a cup of coffee~really good coffee.  It's my time during the day when I can relax and read or work on the computer.  And the caffeine helps me get through the rest of the afternoon.  Coffee beans were used as inspiration for this centerpiece.  A thin slice of floral foam was put in the middle of the rectangle glass vase.  Coffee beans were poured in around the foam and I must say that they smelled heavenly!  The orchids were placed one by one into the foam.  Another element that really worked in this photo is the napkins in the glasses.  Here is an excellent napkin folding source complete with videos.  This is a centerpiece the groom will love too.

Photography by Clinton Lewis

2

This chandelier inspired candlestick holder was inspiration in itself.  Wanting to incorporate a "ball of flowers" I used a 4.5" round floral foam ball surrounded in red carnations.  Carnations were the perfect choice for this centerpiece because they are very easy to work with and hold up well.  The bottom three flower arrangements were made with a bouquet holder that I cut the handle from.  Then I cut the center section out and they slipped right over the chandlesticks.  They were decorated with Miniature Red Carnations, Red Hypericum Berries, and Italian Ruscus.  I can't wait to work with the bride that requests this style for her wedding! 

Photography by Clinton Lewis

Ten Trendy Centerpieces-REPRINT

This is a ten part countdown from last year that I thought I would share with my upcoming bride's.  These photos were published in the Kentucky Bridal Magazine.   I purchased the Base, Pillar, and Container from Afloral.  The flowers include White Lisianthus and Lilies.  The foliage include Belle of Ireland, Green Antique Hydrangea, Green Viburnum, Green Hypericum Berries and Italian Ruscus.  I think it's interesting that even thought this arrangement has more green than white it is still considered a white arrangement.  I love how the pillars raise the centerpiece above eye level allowing guests to have eye contact with one another.  These arrangements could also be alternated with lower centerpieces to save on cost.

Check back tomorrow for another centerpiece!