{Fresh Floral Art}

The Garden is Almost Ready...

The Details

The newest trend in floral design is the little details.  And there is nothing more dramatic than a large display of rose petals.  This is actually a pratice run for a wedding I am doing in Septemer.  What do you think?

The Table

I have had several people email me and ask where my pictures were taken.  We are very blessed to be surrounded by beautiful views.  So I am able to take pictures outside and let nature be my backdrop.  The table is very special because it served as the alter when Nathan and I were married.  Nathan found it at an antique store one day and came home and surprised me with it (love him for things like that).    The table normally sits just inside my front door next to the steps.  We store our shoes under it and a variety of items on top.  When it comes time for me to take a picture I just clean it off and carry it outside (my neighbors probably think I'm crazy).  I love the fact that if my children look back at my blog or the photos I have taken they will recognize the table and be flooded with memories.  Do you have a piece of furniture with a story behind it?  Please share...

A Special Bouquet

This bouquet is for a very special woman in my life.  My mom and I first met Rosie when we moved to Kentucky from California.  She was the youth minister at our church.  After raising her 3 girls as a single mother she went back to seminary and is now a Methodist Minister.  She has long been an inspiration to me.  She prayed over me during my childhood and teen years.  She was the minister who married Nathan and I.  Now her time has come and she is going to be married.  I was very honored when she asked me to make the bouquet she will carry down the aisle.

This bouquet is a combination of Lavendar Roses, Green Hypericum Berries, and {gotta love} Cream Hydrangeas.  The bouquet is wrapped in double satin cream ribbon and accented with silver. 

Farm Fresh Lilies

These are farm fresh lilies grown at Sullivan Farms here in Kentucky (my husband surprised me with them tonight).  They are in a tall glass vase that has been lined with dried ornamental grass.  The grass has been sprayed with Moss Green design master.  The paper art was created with Apricot Appeal cardstock Sweet Shop Ribbon and Stickers by SU!

There are so many Farmers and Horticulturists growing fresh cut flowers in every state.  For a complete list you can go HERE.  If you don't see your favorite grower please leave a comment and let everyone know about them.  There is nothing like arranging fresh flowers that have been grown on local soil.  Even better, your own soil.  Can't wait until my little babies start producing beauties like this.

I used this opportunity to use the free features at Picnik.  If you have checked it out yet you should.  During their beta trial you can use all of the features free.

Great Finds

  I have not jumped into the trend of vintage sewing, but after visiting Repro Depot I am seriously thinking about it.  You have got to see their collection of fabrics, patterns and notions.

Romantic Flowers has a fabulous offering of ribbons, candles and event supplies.  The quality of their ribbons are superb.

Incorporating fine linens into your wedding, event or home decor can be intimidating to some (including me).  Wildflower Linens offers a full line of fabric treatments and an excellent photo gallery for some inspiration.

                        Looking for some beautiful flowers that are also friendly to the environment? Then visit Organic Bouquet.  Their packaging is just as beautiful as their floral arrangements.

Decorative Traditions offers a wide variety of unique floral containers.  I absolutely love this moss nest that is perfect for a posie of flowers.

Successful Blumebox Sale

Thank you so much to everyone who placed an order.  You will be receiving an email once your order is shipped!

This aqua marine Blumebox is filled with heavenly pink Peonies.  Reminds me of cotton candy (my favorite carnival treat).  A yellow belly band is stamped with white swirls from the set Butterfly Kisses by Papertrey Ink.  The elegant butterfly is from the same stamp set.

This special blumebox was for one of Carter's teachers at the Early Learning Center he attends.  He was so proud to take this to his teachers on the last day of school.  Can you believe that summer is already here?

The Meaning of Flowers

There are times that I have trouble deciding which floral selections I would like to use in an arrangement.  A tried and true method for me is to use the "meaning" of flowers as inspiration.  As I was reading the Something Old, Something New blog I was reminded of an excellent list from Martha stewart and thought I would share it with you.  Hope this inspires to you create something beautiful!

Baby's breath = Everlasting love
Bachelor's button = Celibacy, delicacy
Calla lily = Magnificent beauty
Carnation (pink) = Woman's love
Carnation = Pure love
Cornflower = Delicacy
Crocus = Cheerfulness
Daisy = Innocence
Dogwood = Duration
Fern = Magic
Forget-me-not = Remember me
Freesia = Innocence
Fuchsia = Confiding love
Geranium = True friendship
Hellebore = Calming
Hyacinth = Sport and play
Iris = I have a message for you
Ivy = Friendship
Jasmine (pink) = I attach myself to you
Jasmine (white) = Amiability
Lady's mantle = Comfort
Lilac = First emotions of love
Lily-of-the-valley = Return of happiness
Mint = Virtue
Myrtle = Love
Oak leaf = Bravery
Orchid = You're in my thoughts
Peony = Bashful
Peppermint = Warmth of feeling
Primrose = Youth
Ranunculus = Radiant with charms
Rose (white) = I am worthy of you
Rose = Love
Rosemary = Remembrance
Snowdrop = Hope
Sweet pea = Delicate pleasures
Sweet violet = Modesty
Sweet William = Sensitivity
Tulip (pink) = Caring
Tulip (variegated) = Beautiful eyes
Tulip = Declaration of love
Violet (blue) = Faithfulness

If you don't see the meaning of your favorite flower please post a comment and give it to us.  I will be sure to add it to the list.

The Blumebox Sale has been extended until tomorrow at 4:00 pm.

Outside the Box

The Blumebox theme is "Think Inside the Box", but I went back outside of the box for this one.  I love the Corn Flower Yellow blumebox, my wheels are spinning.  This arrangement was very quick and easy to create.  Using one of the white belly bands by Blumebox I inserted zinnia blooms one by one into small holes so the stems could be inserted into the bag of water.  Since Zinnia's are very hardy they should hold up for a few days.  You could also use Marigolds, Mini-Sunflowers and Dahlias.

I love to use plant material from my landscape.  Liriope makes a great foliage for flower arrangements, bouquets and wreaths.  It gave the light and airy feel I was going for.  And will hold up great for several days.  A lot of people have Liriope or similar plants and shrubs growing in their own landscape.  Some other possibilities are:  Boxwood, Barberry (be very careful), and Ornamental Grasses.

Blumebox's are on sale until Wednesday at 12:00 pm.  Details are below.  I wanted to add a Thank You to everyone who left such kind comments on my Blog Candy post.  You are all amazing and have truly inspired me.  Love looking at everyone's blogs! 

I Heart Jazzercise

I have always been fairly physically active.  From dance classes when I was younger to landscaping as a career I never had to worry about scheduling in physical activity.  But after Elizabeth was born I found it much harder to fit in excercise with a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn.  I would put an excercise video in and either the kids would be crawling all over me or I would decide I would rather take a nap.

So when my good friend Mary invited me to Jazzercise I decided that I would give it a try-completely expecting to make a fool of myself.  When I arrived at my first class I realized that I was among women-real women, not the long-legged cheerleaders I remembered from my college aerobics class.  It has become something I truly love.  Something I do so I can be a better wife, mommy and friend.  It would be a great way to get into shape for a wedding or back into shape after a baby.  Here are a few reasons why I love it:

~I finally recognize new, hip music when I am in a department store or restaurant.  And I feel like dancing!  It's a nice break from Barney and Bob the Builder.

~I have made some amazing friendships:  Than You Mary, Theresa and Heather!

~Childcare is only $1 a child.

~It is the perfect mix of cardio, strength and stretch:  I have lost 10 Pounds!  Yeah!

Laurie Cooper, our instructor, is amazing.  She is the most energetic woman I have ever met and she MAKES us have a good time (even when I don't feel like it).  And she gives us the best advice.  One of the latest is to drink one Figi Water a day.  If you haven't tried this stuff-you really should.  It is crisp, refreshing and has natural vitamins and minerals.  You can find it at Target, Kroger and Walgreens.  She also sent us this very moving article about a cancer caregiver who found relaxation at Jazzercise class.