Chic Antique

The best client is one who gives the florist free creative reign - thank you Sue!  There is nothing better than walking into the wholesaler's cooler without limitations.  Being an old soul, I lean towards vintage combinations of pink, ivory, and green, and can't resist the opportunity to abstract sunflowers, include artichokes, and add setaria and pepperberry.  Much love to you Sue!

Harvest Scene

Two weekends ago my sweet husband brought me a surprize - 3 bails of straw!  I love him!!  With our new scarecrow form and our garden about to burst, the straw made the perfect foundation for a harvest scene during our Autumn get-together.  The pumpkins, indian corn, and corn stalks were harvested directly from our garden that same day, and the "Rusty Gold" came from our trip down to hubby's family farm. 

 

Early Autumn Wreath

The Autumnal Equinox this year falls on September 23 - not soon enough in my book! For me, Autumn encompasses all things warm: plaid jackets, knit sweaters, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and the roar of the fire on a chilly night. Thank goodness the unofficial start of Fall begins this weekend! Chocolate Zucchini bread and casserole recipes are already out on the counter, oak leaf garlands are strung, and I just finished designing our Early Autumn wreath. Tomorrow will be spent at a fall festival where ideas from over 300 craft booths will become my obsession for this coming season. Here's to the celebration of Autumn!

Summer Wedding Unity Candle

Yesterday, our Weddings & Events class came together to create H’s wedding flowers. Each of us worked on a different set of arrangements, and after I finished teaching my morning Floral Design III: Silks & Drieds class I arranged her unity candle design. This design included Roses, Germini’s, Wax Flower, Stock, Spray Mums, Statis, Hosta, Leather Leaf, English Ivy, and Veronica.

Big Southern Garden Wedding

This past week I had the privilege of helping Beth Hohensee AIFD, owner of Studio Flora Diva, and 8 others with a HUGE wedding in Lexington, NC.  It was an incredible learning experience!

"L" Wedding

If you happended to be at the Michigan Floral Association's Great Lakes Expo this past March, you would recognize the inspiration for this bridal bouquet.  Sorry to say, I didn't have the designer's full name in my photo so I can't give them credit here - really wish I could though!  What a great idea! 

"L's" wedding this weekend is a small, family affair so simplicity was their request!  A bridal bouquet, boutonniere, and two centerpieces for the poolside wedding.

Two Lakes Wreath

Two Lakes Campground in Drummond, WI was a second home to my family in the summers.  As a child, my dad spent countless hours in Boy Scouts walking the shoreline of Lake Owen, and years later it's where I spent hours watching waves come in.  My great-grandparents settled there after immigrating from Norway, in part, because the towering forests reminded them of home - a deep feeling I share with them more than 100 years later.

Everything about this design reminds me of Two Lakes and the connection I have to the Drummond area; the birch, pine, and driftwood, the mosses, and delicate forest flowers.  In an instant, it brings me back to the shoreline of Lake Owen.