Floral Designs – Rose and Twig Floral Designs

August 8, 2018

Learn Garden Style Floral Design at a Hands-on Workshop

I will be teaching a series of workshops this fall at the Creative Arts Oasis in Waukesha, Wisconsin. If you have always wanted to know more about design concepts, techniques used by professionals, and basic tools for creating your own garden-style floral designs, consider a hands-on workshop. Learn how to use flowers from your garden, farmers’ market or supermarket to create your own amazing arrangements. The fall series includes three workshops: Compote Garden Design, Festive Fall Design and Holiday Design.

For more information and to register, go to The Creative Arts Oasis.

August 8, 2018August 8, 2018

Garden Bouquets – Walk Around Designs

One of my favorite things to do is to walk our property and snip a few flowers from the gardens around my house. Usually this is an evening activity after a long day working in the garden or arranging flowers for an upcoming event. Walking around means designing on the go . . . so the result is usually colorful, loose and informal. In late July, zinnias are the most prolific, but there are also coneflowers, daisies, phlox, and hydrangea to choose from. Soon there will be the stars . . . dahlias!

February 20, 2018July 26, 2018

Gerbera Daisy Centerpiece for a February Luncheon

A February luncheon at a historic German restaurant calls for elegant yet natural elements. Gerbera daisies were the focal point surrounded by thistle, spray roses, and Green Trick dianthus. Natural twig balls with a winter white color palette, a frame of bear grass and some variegated greens complete the design.

4DC209F2-9EFE-42CB-B763-D2FAD3D7B382 — Twelve centerpieces . . . same recipe, each a little unique

February 11, 2018July 26, 2018

Holiday Workshop Centerpiece

In December, I hosted a floral design workshop for Milwaukee Art Museum Garden Club members. We created a holiday themed centerpiece using fresh roses and holly plus some foraged items from my garden. I preserved Limelight hydrangea blooms with a water/glycerin mixture and then spray painted them with a burgundy wine color. The pine cones are lightly painted copper and gold. Other items in this piece are lotus pods, grapevine balls, and small colored ornaments.

5FD65E93-25DF-4631-B707-FB5EE145A376 — Natural elements include cones, lotus pods, dried

BA90E9F1-29C8-4083-8842-1E012FB0BB48 — Burgundy carnations were grouped in threes for greater impact

November 9, 2017

Marches aux Fleurs, Vieux Nice

The old, historic section of Nice, France, has a wonderful flower and produce market. I always learn something new when I visit floral shops, markets, and growers. Many of the flowers offered at this market are grown locally in neighboring cities and towns in France. For ten euros, I was able to purchase a huge bouquet of roses and lisianthus. Tres jolie!

I also noticed the straw/raffia bouquet holder used by many of the vendors. It was wired with a handle to easily arrange the flowers. Of course, I brought one home.

November 9, 2017July 26, 2018

Charleston Wedding

August 9, 2017July 26, 2018

Greenery Wedding

It was such fun to create greenery themed wedding florals using seeded eucalyptus, myrtle, ruscus, and magnolia leaves. White flowers . . . roses, freesia, and veronica . . . complemented the natural, bohemian style of the bride.

Greenery and white spray roses decorated the homemade cake

Head table with all the bouquets waiting for the wedding party plus greenery garlands

Centerpieces were simple green and white in glass vases

June 28, 2017June 28, 2017

White Lace Flower Wedding Shower

Orlaya is a type of Queen Anne’s Lace and in this arrangement is a perfect complement to the burlap and lace decorating theme. Also in this centerpiece are Majolika spray roses, hypericum berries and seeded eucalyptus.

In the studio, centerpieces ready for delivery.

April 11, 2017

Woodland Wedding Bouquet

The woodland theme is a unique way to utilize natural, diverse materials. Here is an example of a handheld ‘bouquet’ that departs from the more usual emphasis on flowers and greenery. It resembles a small dish garden and can be as creative and personal as desired.

March 15, 2017

Mini Bottle Bouquet

I found this cute collection of bottles wired together at a vendor’s booth at a recent garden show. Using a collection of bottles as centerpieces with a random selection of flowers is a popular trend, especially when wildflowers and nature themes are part of the event. The flowers here are mini-carnations and daisy mums.