I know, that was a long break. And this isn't exactly me ending my break. BUT I did get commissioned to donate my services and create a floral piece for my Stake Conference. I say donate my services, because no way was I going to show up with what I could really afford to do on their budget. (They usually have the equivalent of a very small easel spray) If I'm going to take time away from my family to do a floral project, I'm going to enjoy it and make something I actually like.
Granted, there were still lots of budget limitations when I hit the wholesaler's cooler. I went on a Friday and their inventory was low; pickings were slim. I may have spent the entire budget on flowers, (and could have easily spent more, it could have been so pretty!) and then raided my neighborhood for more material. Yes, that was me sneaking in your bushes with my clippers. I'm told it's a florist's madness.
Opportunities like this remind me how anxious I am to have my own home and subsequently my own garden. I have a long list of plants I want in my yard just so I can clip from them. You know, and not get caught cutting from other people's yards. As often.
I wish you could have seen my husband and I struggling to invent an invisible way to hang this piece. There was lots of wire and prayer involved. We installed it Saturday afternoon for the Saturday evening session, and I didn't breathe easy again until the Sunday meeting ended and as soon as the closing prayer was said I bolted to the front of the room with wire-cutters in hand to take it down. I was so tired of being so nervous. It was a heavy design, and I'm not yet overly confident in my mechanics and their ability to defy gravity for that long. But I'm pleased and relieved to have seen it succeed. I doubt my next mechanical challenge will seem such an ordeal.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
I just gave the last 38 hours of my life to this wedding, with the exception of 3 hours of sleep and a very few moments stolen away to do glamorous things like eat instant oatmeal and pack diaper bags. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out, and more importantly the bride's mother was thrilled with it. I just don't want to think about how long it's going to take to get my craft-cave cleaned up and in working order. The chaos level is unreal.
My friend Jennie Love warned me that centerpieces just about kill you. This was my "take a break" photo session when I was half way done. The last 4 were painful to complete. Literally. My hands are hammered and I cut myself in at least 6 places on my left hand. And mentally following the whole formula that many times and keeping everything straight and in order was enough to make me a bit batty. Plus lots and LOTS of stress over peonies that were blush instead of white until they matured a bit, but then were prone to shattering...... and lisianthus with stems too soft to insert into floral foam. Party in my stress-sensors.
My friend Jennie Love warned me that centerpieces just about kill you. This was my "take a break" photo session when I was half way done. The last 4 were painful to complete. Literally. My hands are hammered and I cut myself in at least 6 places on my left hand. And mentally following the whole formula that many times and keeping everything straight and in order was enough to make me a bit batty. Plus lots and LOTS of stress over peonies that were blush instead of white until they matured a bit, but then were prone to shattering...... and lisianthus with stems too soft to insert into floral foam. Party in my stress-sensors.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
hop skip
No time for coherent sentences, but I'm taking a break from unpacking and settling into our new house to do my last wedding for a while. I was insane to attempt a wedding within a week of a major move, but I think it's going to be great! (I, on the other hand, am going to be taking a week-long nap as soon as it's over!)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
folding paper
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
origami and pins and needles
A major element in the design for this week's wedding is origami. My bride's mother is Japanese and a credentialed origami instructor. She mailed me boxes of the most perfectly folded tiny origami elements to use for the wedding, and I've spent a good portion of the week wiring everything, which has proved about as time consuming as it sounds. But I'm excited to see it come together. I'm a huge fan of using origami for event decor, especially as a nod to the bride's heritage.
pinterest (source?)
the crane chandelier project at the wedding co
origami place cards via pinterest (source?)
hanging cranes at the selby
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
featured: manzanita
I'm working on a wedding that is incorporating manzanita branches as mini-trees. Here's a few examples of this technique:
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
featured: gypsophilia
Every flower is lovely (excepting perhaps flowers that smell bad) but some flowers get a bad reputation from being used poorly repeatedly over time.
The best examples of this are carnations and gypsophilia, or baby's breath. The problem with the usual application of baby's breath is that it plays to its weaknesses rather than its strengths. People often attempt to "artfully scatter" baby's breath amongst things, and a single stem of gypsophilia will always look rather naked. The true beauty of this flower is best showcased en mass.
FYI, the most common varieties of gypsophilia are bambino, cassiopeia, million stars, new love, mirabella, orion, and perfecta.
No other flower can quite create the delicate, full silhouette that gypsophilia can. In large bunches it is the perfect balance of flower to green plant matter to create something reminiscent of froth and lace. I'm particularly fond of these applications:
The best examples of this are carnations and gypsophilia, or baby's breath. The problem with the usual application of baby's breath is that it plays to its weaknesses rather than its strengths. People often attempt to "artfully scatter" baby's breath amongst things, and a single stem of gypsophilia will always look rather naked. The true beauty of this flower is best showcased en mass.
FYI, the most common varieties of gypsophilia are bambino, cassiopeia, million stars, new love, mirabella, orion, and perfecta.
wedding bee
source?
Friday, May 6, 2011
leftovers
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Amy and Roy Wedding
{ETA: This wedding was featured on Magnifique Photography (hooray!) See the feature here.}
There was lots of praying for cooperative weather this weekend. While it didn't exactly deliver, I'm glad my bride stuck to her outdoor venue. It was beautiful. And the flowers loved the snow, even if the guests didn't!
There was lots of praying for cooperative weather this weekend. While it didn't exactly deliver, I'm glad my bride stuck to her outdoor venue. It was beautiful. And the flowers loved the snow, even if the guests didn't!
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