helen james design: florist

Showing posts with label florist. Show all posts

Monday, June 18

Flowers and Cake

What could be nicer than Flowers and Cake?

So when a friend called me recently and asked if I would provide both

for her daughters upcoming christening

of course I said

YES

A large bouquet of Peonies, sweet william, laurel, cow parsley, mint, foxgloves

and honeysuckle

All the flowers were sourced either from my own garden, a local grower or the side of the road

My respect for Florists increased

This is physical work!

I think this Posey of Roses with Lupin and Jasmine was my favourite

The theme of this was scent

There were cakes as well

The icing station

Carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Chocolate cupcakes

and Vanilla cupcakes below

for which I individually made each rose

but

in retrospect I think the above petals/flowers look just as good and were so much easier

Things have been a bit all over the place recently

lots of coming and going and reflecting and decisions

Change is something I fear

but attempt to embrace

It often makes me want to retreat like a Tortoise into my shell

I feel quite protective even if I know that the change is a positive thing

I am a big believer in

"feel the fear and do it anyway"

But

that doesn't mean you don't feel it

So here's to change and the future

Friday, June 1

Flowers

Flowers, flowers, flowers

How I love them

I missed my garden so much whilst in NYC

The first Roses are blooming

and I am waiting in anticipation for the Climber at the back
of the border that is a wall of tiny pale pink double roses

with the most beautiful delicate scent

For now I must content myself with

Deep red Astrantia, Pink and Purple Aquilega, Geranium, Chive and the beautiful "Veilchenblau" rose, the first to bloom this year

and the garden is bursting with greens, so lush after the recent heat and wet,

all of the above flowers have beautiful greens that can be used
and there is also

Mint, honeysuckle, Lady's mantle, Narcissus, Fennel

I like a lot of greens in my bouquets

I think that is a mistake many make

not enough greens

It doesn't have to be in a fancy vase either

a jam jar tied with a piece of twine

you can also see above some frost damage on a rose leaf

I don't mind that

I like my flowers naturalistic,

I like to mix textures

but keep my palette tight

The bouquet can be simple, just a few buds with greens

Often if I am having people over

I will do many small poseys

group them together for the table

and then afterwards, sprinkle them around the house

This also has the affect of covering the containers and gives a very abundant feel to the table
and gives you flowers for many rooms
every room should have flowers or failing that, a living plant

We are well on our way to High summer and I cannot wait, blossoms, blooms and bouquets
all summer long....

Do you put flowers in your rooms?