Spring Wedding Preview

The first bride I'll be working with this year has a lovely sense of her own style and enjoys a limited and clean look. Since I tend to be a bit "messy" in my designs, this took considerable restraint on my part to keep my style "in line".

Her bouquets will be simple white hydrangea's with grey satin ribbon, but the tins of flowers to line the aisle and the table decor will be a bit more developed, though still with just a green and white palette.

 Sometimes I do like to give some alternative options, just to allow the bride to consider other possibilities.

This arrangement has some added color, but it's mostly the textural elements that offer some interest.

This arrangement ended up on my table when a snow day canceled an event I was scheduled to work. Now that's a bonus I really can't complain about.

 

Winter quiet soon to be broken

 Winter seems to be the gift that keeps on giving this year. But a little tour of my neighborhood is reminding me that before too long, there will be life bursting forth once again.

Anticipating the seasons changing makes me want to be like the people in those Home Depot commercials who get up and DO something to get it going.

Yet quietly, without me lifting a finger, these little buds form, and plants are preparing to burst out in glorious life. Yes, God is quietly creating while I hide by the fireside!

I

Hellebores prepare 

and though before long the riot of color, scents and busyness of birds will be nearly overwhelming, for now, winter keeps its hold and spring peacefully prepares.

While summer brides are still a bit dreamy, spring brides are getting those final details in a row.

Look for a few postings featuring a recent bridal preview.

Rest a bit more and get ready for the busy season!

Remembering

My favorite part of these blisteringly cold days is how delightful it is to hibernate indoors with a good book, snuggled by a warm fire, with a fresh cup of tea or a nice rioja. Resting, thinking, giving room for fresh ideas to filter in after all the creating that starts at Thanksgiving and ends at 3 Kings day at our house.

Now that few remants of all that work remain in the house, it seemed a good time to look back at some of them. Did a few arrangements for a friend's Thanksgiving table, trying out some of the ideas sparked while in NYC.

 

Enjoyed continuing the tradition of wreath making with several dear friends. We all have developed our unique style, and this year we seemed to be especially creative....maybe the snow outside inspired us.

My experimental square wreath was my favorite. Lichen and moss were a new element that worked well. This wreath is still hanging by my bedside after nearly 2 months..intact!

I wanted to do things differently this year for some reason I can't identify. What southerner doesn't enjoy a Magnolia, but adding the winterberry and experimenting with the gold wrapped wire was an outside of the box idea. Creating alongside encouraging friends gives one courage!

It does seem that sometimes doing something old in a brand new way is the element which brings a sense of life to a traditional form.

This one turned an interesting grey color after the winter sun beating on it for a month, so it was the first to go. I always feel a little sad when that happens.

Fruit and dried artichokes, another new twist

Spring brides will soon be having their previews, but on a cold snowy day like today, it seems a good time to reflect on the beauty of Christmastime.

Serendipity in the Big Apple

I once heard an artist recommend his favorite way to find fresh inspiration....travel and SEE new things!  I think I would add, and meet a few new people, too!

This past week I had the pleasure of doing just that, tagging along on a trip to NYC with my husband, Doug. He kindly deferred to me for most of our leisure time itinerary, and I found SO much inspiration.

Highlights included, the Highline, a wonderful park made on an elevated train track in Chelsea. The artistry was striking. I love how plants allow a certain palette, texture, volume...so many things to feast the eyes.

The hardscape was well designed, too, leading you to look in just the right little corner, or over the railing, or out to the city beyond.

West 28th street was a delightful surprise, where wholesale florists spread out their wares.
 
Tall palms and various evergreens line the sidewalks, and show how plants in that hard city scape bring a humanizing element to the surroundings.

I loved thinking about where those plants would go, and why people need them...what is it that they do for our souls?

 These prickly gems made me think of Christmas!

The lovely ladies at I.A.M. 

The International Arts Movement office on West 39th street were great fun to meet. We were shocked at how many connecting dots we found, and we went away full of encouragment. They gave us a literal and figurative "cup of cold water".

Thankful for their work!

Visiting Saipua, which means soap in Finnish, was our next goal. I got up eager for this adventure, though Doug was a bit more skeptical. We headed off to Red Hook, in Brooklyn. 

First hint...the taxi driver wanted to know if we had ever been there before? HMM.

When he dropped us off on a cold, slightly snowy, nearly abandoned, rather industrial street with the words, "I'm done with you people now", we were a tad bit concerned!

After asking a local worker if he thought anyone was in, we sheepishly knocked on the metal door, where nothing but the number indicated we were in the right place.

Ashley cheerily visits with two lost strangers.

That courageous knock opened the door to a wonderful studio, where we met the very kind Ashley, who, though the location is really a workshop that wasn't even open to the public that day, she cheerily welcomed us in, and we had a stimulating chat about floral design and the work she and the rest of the team do there. The owner focuses most of her time on a farm near Albany, growing plants for the thriving business. We even got a few kisses from her brindled dog, and learned that Ashley is now engaged to be married! Best wishes to Ashley and her fiance!

Seeing this space was very inspiring...perhaps a future garage    somewhere will turn into my design studio!

A Time to Mourn

We could not leave New York without one last stop at the incredible 911 memorial, where architect Michael Arad created "Reflecting Absence".

Along with landscape architect Peter Walker, the two artists captured so eloquently the sense of loss. 

Even twelve years later, I could not help but weep. What affirmation that beauty heals, and we must take time to create more of it while we may.

A Few New Photos from Recent Work

I so enjoyed working with this couple, whose lovely wedding was photographed by Chelsa Yoder Photography. 

It was romantic and rustic, with a literary touch, as all they tables were identified by couples from stage, screen, or literature.

Wedding Work Perks

Two weddings celebrated over the last week; one romantic and lush, the other vibrant and focused on FUN! When all the flowers are delivered and the wedding begins, the joy of a new family beginning makes it all worth it.

                                    Wishing the very best to both couples and their families!

com laborare

in process

 

It seems surreal that just a year ago my daughter and I were enjoying the quiet interlude prior to wedding day. All our preparations were complete! Weather reports were promising. Anticipation was palpable, ripe and sweet like fall apples. Nothing was left but to pray for sunshine and stand by our motto...No fretting allowed!

How those "small" to do lists grow to exponential size, because of course this was going to be a simple family affair, is beyond me! But the great miracle is that through com laborare, working together, it really does ALL get done. 

 We had a fantastic team of friends, family and professionals who worked together with an enthusiastic can do spirit, and the whole thing was a wonderful success. It's a lot like marriage itself as I think about it...a beautiful marriage is guaranteed when each one does their best to make that relationship one worth cherishing over a lifetime!

Recently, I enjoyed collaborating with my friend, Lauren Matthews, a talented photographer (and Latin teacher extraordinaire) to capture some shots from one of my wedding previews.

  I love how she focused in on the little details; yet another parallel to a good marriage...focus in on blessing each other in the little things, and you'll end up with a glorious result!

Many thanks to Lauren for sharing her gifts, and here's to joyful, fun filled celebrations, and long happy marriages to couples tying the knot this fall.