Lilac Bouquet

ISFA 2016

Inspired by the class led by Rene Van Rems this past weekend at the Illinois State Florists' Spring Show.  This was originally a hand tied, but I always want to take class projects apart and put them back together once I get home. The compote is very in these days and this one was grandma's.  Rene's work is gorgeous and some of those bouquets were absolutely breathtaking.  Like this one with hyacinth & ruscus, so simple and it smelled like heaven.

  Deborah de la Flor is an ambassador for florists everywhere.  This was my favorite of her bouquets, roses & tree fern. 

 

I made a floral necklace for the banquet Saturday night, inspired by Francois & Susan with some of PJ's beautiful vintage finds.  Wish they had all been at the show with me  too :)

January

I know it's January, but I still complain about the cold!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Flowers

The pitcher is one that Mark gave me years ago.

 

 

 

And this container was grandma's. 

Front Door Christmas

Francoise Weeks Workshop

I keep saying thank you to Francoise and to Susan for the class.   And thank you also  to Abby Rose Photo, Imagine Three Beauty, and to  gorgeous model Chaune’Rael-Whitsit.  Susan says we might do this again!?!  A girl can dream. . . 

Thanksgiving Door

November Thursday

Rachel's front door.  I had a great time making this one, although I wonder how many of those hundred-and-something ornaments have popped off.  I started out wiring every one, then towards the end the trusty glue pot came to the rescue.

It's a Thursday and I'm sitting on the couch watching Young and the Restless.  Reminds me of being in college . . . Victor has lots of wrinkles now but it's still the same story they were telling in the 70's when I was at UK.  And he's still the bad guy you love to hate.

I ran a few errands this morning and stopped in Buckley's garden center.  Such a surprise to find an iris in full bloom.  What?!?  On the sale table. What!?!    The label says "reliable rebloomer."  So I brought it home and dressed it up.   If you know me you know that I've taken  most of my iris out over the last few years.   But if this one will bloom in the fall like this, I think I can find a place for it.

November Update

And yet another arrangement inspired by Francois Weeks.  Fall seems like it's flown away and here we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. 

Isaac will be here any day.  And then in another few weeks, Skye!

 She's recuperating from pneumonia so we'll have to wait a bit for her to be well enough to leave her foster care home.  We are so excited!

November Flowers

I have used and reused some of the long-lasting leftovers from the workshop last month.  Yes, it's been a whole month since Flower House Detroit and the Francois Weeks workshop.  I'm ready for another flower week please.

Flower Trip

Flower House Detroit, October 2015.  It. Was. Incredible.

And if you want more pictures:  #flowerhousedetroit

 Francoise Weeks floral design workshop, hosted by Susan McLeary aka Passionflower. 

My favorite picture of the whole week with my mom and my sis and  flowers :)

Garden Harvest

 

On this second Monday of retirement,  I had a nice breakfast with my friend Gail.  We talked gardening and family and The Farm and politics and whatever crossed our minds.  And then I went home and made this wreath from all the sedum and amaranthus in the garden.  I think retirement is going to work out okay:)

September

 Nat came over for lunch this week and this was our centerpiece.  

This retirement still seems a little strange.

The weather has been better and  it's good to be in the garden again.

I had no idea that lily-of-the-valley made such beautiful seed pods.  

And this is today's Sunday morning bouquet--wired & taped  gladiola florets and sedum. 

I've managed to keep myself busy these first days of retirement--cleaning closets (isn't that what you're supposed to do when you retire?), helping with wedding  flowers at Petals & Co (thank you Michelle!), binge-watching Mad Men every night (we're on episode 40 something of 80 and I can't wait to see the rest).  Tomorrow is Monday.  I  wonder if Gail can go to breakfast? 

 

Zinnias With Basil

July Lilies

 PJ gave me this  pin cup with the sweet little turtle. So cute!

The lilies have been very happy with all the rain this year. 

Vertical parallel designs are my favorite. . . here with another lily and cone flowers.

Garden cascade.  

Now where's that bulb catalog??

Happy Mother's Day

Daffs

 I always call it warp speed this time of year.  Every day it's greener and taller and more beautiful.  

Mark's mowing is always makes it look even better.  This was taken yesterday. 

 And this vase was made this morning.  There's been a daffodil explosion!