Hand-Tied Bouquet How-To

I have a few weddings booked this summer so I've been doing some floral arranging lately to get some ideas and inspiration.

Today, I made a simple hand-tied bouquet of garden roses. It's a simple arrangement that's easy to put together.

Here's how.

The amounts of roses needed, depends on the size of the bouquet your are wanting. I just used what flowers I had, 9 stems. Strip the stems of leaves and in my case, any damaged petals.

Next, using the curve of your hand (the 'c' between your thumb and pointer finger), start with the stems you want to be in the middle of your bouquet. In my case, I wanted the biggest, most open blooms. Hold onto your arrangement tight, and turn slightly as you add each stem. This makes for a nice, round bouquet that's even. I always use an odd number of stems - just like in decorating, and throw in a few contrasting bits (in my case, cream roses), usually more to the outside (and not perfectly evenly spaced either). Putting together a bouquet is much like putting together a room. The same principles of balance, coordination, complimenting and contrasting and a focal point all apply!

Take a look at your bouquet from all angles to make sure everything is even, and the right height. Tie your bouquet tightly with twine at the top of "handle" of your arrangement. Trim the stems evenly, straight across the bottom to your desired height. In the case of a wedding bouquet, I wrap the handle with pretty ribbon (this is a great place to incorporate wedding accent colours, especially if they're not naturally found in flower form). The ribbon is pinned in place with pretty head pins. This also doubles as being more comfortable in the hands of the carrier, as opposed to plain stems which can be harsh and uneven, depending on the variety of flower.

Keep in room temperature water, preferably with a bit of flower food.

Dinner Party Dilema

I have a dilemma - a dinner party dilemma!

At the end of February, it's my parents 24th wedding anniversary. I'm having them over, along with my mom's sister, for a full dinner with wine tastings. Usually, a night like this takes me a while to plan, since it takes me a while to settle on just one idea.

An important part of the evening is the tablescape. I always end up with a theme. The problem is, I can't figure out which one to go with!

So, I thought to myself - have a vote! The tablescape with the most votes will be the choice for the evening.

Here are each of my three themes. Leave a comment letting me know which one you like as your vote!

The first tablescape is Romantically Rustic. Fragrant bouquets of lavender, vintage ephemera and tarnished and torn accents make this tablescape romantic with a shabby, rustic feel.

Vintage sheet music is used as a place mat. Each place setting is adorned with a posy of lavender and a vintage post card.

Old candles are placed on rusty old trays.

The next tablescape is Pretty, Polished and Pink. Silver candlesticks, white napkins with pretty lace detail, and luscious roses in shades of pink all come together for a charming tablescape.

Mismatched tea cups and saucers in various shades of pink make a lovely little bud vase for a rose bloom.

A hand-tied bouquet of pink garden roses make the prettiest arrangement, especially when they sit on top of books of old poetry!

These darling little white cloches were a gift from my sister (she knows me well!). They make perfect little butter pats!

The final tablescape is Neutral Nesting. The simple, neutral colours of this tablescape suit the whimsical bits of nature. Nests tucked under glass cloches, old clay pots and a wooden lantern all make this setting simply divine.

Strips of burlap make great place mats. An old, weathered clay pot holds a hand-made nest of Spanish moss and a clay robins egg. A simple bit of twine tied around the pot ties in the burlap.

Glass cloches make for great centerpiece displays. Nests, clay birds and old books add a natural touch.

So, which do you like best?

Leave your comment and vote!

A Woeful Workshop

[British Country Living]

This morning, I made a trip out to IKEA. I decided that today I was going to organize my workshop. It's current state is in the realm of complete chaos and dysfunction. It's highly inefficient. Things have been so busy lately! I've been mailing out orders, and scouting out new merchandise, and receiving supplies for some new products coming in the spring. All of these have contributed to the space being unorganized, but this is where it ends.

I headed out with a list of organizational pieces that will help greatly and came back with arms full. I've spent the afternoon sorting and filing and streamlining the space so that I can create, store, and package all in one room. Once everything is in it's place, I will post some photos. For now though, there are some more boxes calling!

Happy Monday girls!

Sun Room Inspiration

[Unknown]

There's something about the space in this photo, though simple and sparse, that is so inviting. It's like the chaise chairs are just beckoning you to curl up and enjoy the view of the outside. It's bright and warm and comfortable; all of which are exactly what I'm looking for.

Here are a few photos I've pulled, of some inspiring sun rooms. Each is quite different, but they all have something about them that I love, and would like to incorporate into my space.

[Decor Pad]

I love the natural elements to this space. This is the rug that will be put in the room. It really brings a lot of warmth. The room also has the same doors as shown in this photo. I love the wicker and especially that gorgeous white chair with the natural pillow.

[Country Living]
This is a gorgeously simple room. I love the cast iron plant stand and the pails of flowers. It's really pretty. (Not to mention those chairs!)


[Country Living]


Layout wise, this room is the closest to mine. It's roughly the same size as the space I'm working with. This would be the view if you were to walk in from our back deck, through the french doors. I would place my cast iron day bed in the same spot as the small couch area in this photo (that grain sack pillow is amazing!). Where the stools are to the left, is where I would like to have two smaller wing chairs. They would most likely fit more in the left hand corner, similar to how this chair is on the right of this photo. In my space, the right of this photo would be all open, and would look into my kitchen and stairway to the basement, so a chair this big may be too much for a space that should remain open. Possibly a nice little metal chair with some pillows? I love the windows and fixtures in this space, they're stunning!


[Unknown]
I just love the natural fabrics used in that bench seat. They're so inviting. The same will be used on my day bed.


[Country Living]

This space was more just something pretty to look at. It's not as functional as I would like it, and it's a bit too pretty for how lived in this space is going to be. But it's still beautiful!

French Farmhouse Tea Towels - Available Now

Okay, so I'm guessing, judging by the response to the French Farmhouse tea towels, included in the Secret Garden Cottage giveaway, that I'm going to need to get these up on Etsy as soon as possible.

I've decided to post them tonight. They were a part of some new items I was going to preview in the spring, but I have a feeling they will be long gone before all this snow is!

Each set includes one of each towel design: Patisserie, L'Hotel and French Market (all with co-ordinating French addresses). All of the towels have the classic farmhouse red stripe down the side, and a loop to hang them. They've all been pre-shrunk, pressed and are machine washable.

So, head on over to the shop to order you set of three (or two sets!) now.

New Additions To The Shop

[Restaurantware Pitchers: Set of 2 -$ 10]

So, the auction was a complete let down yesterday. With the massive storm we were being threatened with, I really thought I would be able to score some really good deals, but nope. Nothing. I walked in, walked through, and walked out, all in about 4 minutes, and that included quickly grabbing a cup of coffee. It was sad. I hate when that happens.

But, not wanting to come home empty handed, and in desperate need of some new items for the shop, since I've been shipping constantly (thanks girls!), I decided to go thrifting instead. It's not as exciting as an auction, but the thrill of the hunt is still just as much there!

I've just listed some of my newest finds. Take a look!

[Small Etched Bowl Set: Set of 4 - $15.00]

[Vintage Harp Strings: Set of 2 - $3.50]

[Petite White Teapot - $15.00]

[White Cow Creamer - $12.00]

[Ironstone Oval Bowls: Set of 4 - $20.00]

[Longwy Ironstone Plate Set: Set of 3 - $20.00]

[Longwy Ironstone Dinner Bowl - $10.00]

And, due to the huge amount of messages wondering when these will be back in stock, I've re-listed these Jute Market Totes!

[Jute Market Tote - $10.00]

A Giveaway ~ Sponsored by The Growers Daughter

There are so many things that I'm thankful for when it comes to blogging. I'm thankful for the escape from being "mummy" for a moment, and the chance to be writer, designer, shop owner, baker and creator for a while. I'm thankful for the constant inspiration and motivation I draw from you ladies and all your lovely blogs and shops. I'm thankful for the chance to run my own little shop (even if it may be tiny and online) from my home. One day, there will be a store, and it will be everything I'm working towards. But for now, this is perfect. I'm also thankful for all of you lovely women and your comments and encouragement. They mean so much to me.

So, to say thank you, I am sponsoring a giveaway over at Secret Garden Cottage. Follow the link for the details on how you can be entered to win.

Here is what one lucky reader will receive in the mail after Valentines Day:

The Hand - Stenciled, Jute Market Tote of your choice (see top photo).

A set of three French Farmhouse Tea Towels - a new collection coming soon to the shop.

I am so excited about these!

A Petite White Pitcher; Royal Dalton.

An Ephemera Pack full of vintage sheet music, dictionary tear sheets, French novel pages, French vocab cards and a collection of Growers Daughter Gift Tags, also coming soon to the shop.

And finally, a few special little surprises from a new Apothecary line coming in the spring - think Lavender!

Head on over now to enter!