Itty Bitty Boutonnieres

Had a few little left over scraps at work. An odd broken head here and there. So I made buttonholes. Or boutonnieres if you prefer.

A Floral Crown - Fit for a Queen

 

I love how everyone  is getting into the mood to celebrate the Jubilee. Flags are at the ready and bunting has been strung along the shop fronts of all the local businesses.

I've been doing the window displays for Caversham's newest massage therapists Le Masseur Personnel since they opened. This month, they set me a challenge and rather last minute asked me to come up with a floral crown for their Jubilee window. 

"Cool, no probs, of course I can do that" I said. Only thing was, it had to be very lightweight to be able to sit in their existing suspended display box, so oasis was out of the question. I'll figure it out, I thought and went away to play with some wire.  One snipped finger and a few chicken wire scratches later, this is what I came up. 

I used coloured decorative wire to make the outline shape, reel wire to make the fleur de lys, orb and crosses, to which I added beads for jewels. I then attached chicken wire around the base and arranged thistle, carnation spray and gypsophila through this as a floral alternative to the usual Ermine. Don't think Queenie would mind, do you? 

After all, Queens get a free massage this weekend ; ) (everyone else gets 10 %)

Where the wild things are

I have a tendency to like my flowers a little wild. Nothing too orderly or neat for me please, I prefer something a little more wild and free. Rustic and relaxed. Like me I suppose.

This little bouquet is a bit of a wild thing. I was inspired by these white and pinky/purple edged Ranunculus called Cappucino. The Astrantia, a great little flower that lasts really well and seems to be available pretty much year round, is a perfect companion.

Thistle, always looks a a bit wild too, so in it went. And a few magenta carnations. I know carnations, who'd have thought it.  Oh and I foraged a little Apple Blossom and honeysuckle. Ok it was from the garden. So more suburban than rustic.

Then all she needed was a little brown velvet binding and some pink pearl pins to keep everything in place. Pretty. But not for neat freaks.

Christmas Door Wreaths

In December I will be holding another floristry workshop, this time at Make and Do in Caversham, showing the local green fingered and crafty types how to make Christmas Door Wreaths.  

One beautiful sunny weekend, I headed over to Crystal Palace (oh the glamour!) and with the help of the lovely and talented photographer Corin Brown, set about styling some shots to promote the workshop.

I think we got some nice shots, what do you think? More photos and details to follow next week.

Vintage Blooms & Buttonholes

Back in September I was asked to take my skills on the road, and invited to host a floristry workshop at a Birthday party in Islington. I'm always happy to share my love of all things floral, and set about gathering some beautiful dusky pink Roses, interesting foliage and hydrangea in muted antique tones to complement the vintage theme of the workshop.

 I started off with a demonstration of some of the basic techniques to make a buttonhole or corsage, and the girls got cracking with wiring and taping flowers and foliage to create their own unique buttonhole.

Then we moved on to making small grouped handties or posies, the type of thing they would be able to make from a few salvaged blooms, or cuttings from the garden. I'd asked the group to bring along a small container like a jam jar, a quirky vintage find like a teapot or china cup to display their posy in.

Delving into buckets of waxflower, hydrangea, thistle, snowberries, lisianthus, and cool water roses, the girls rustled up an array of pretty little posies. The workshop was a great success and got the Birthday girl's afternoon of treats off to a great start. Here she is below in an action shot making her own posy.    

If you'd like to arrange a workshop, or to discuss the different options please drop me a line to blueskiesandbunting@gmail.com.