Beauty from the Garden Perennial Flower Arrangements

     I absolutely love flowers!

 I love to grow them, arrange them, enjoy them and give them as gifts.
We have had a week of temperatures in the 100's and everything in the yard is suffering but I was able to cut these flowers from our yard the other day. I am amazed at how good they look!
They are Annabelle Hydrangeas and an old fashioned cabbage rose that has the most wonderful citrus scent.

Over the years I have added many perennials to our yard so that I can have flowers to bring indoors all summer long.

Hydrangeas and ferns are two of my favorites that are perfect for using in arrangements. 

Roses, Purple Cone flowers, Peony and Lilacs are also good choices to plant if you want a perennial cutting garden.

I started in one corner of the yard and added a section of garden each year focusing mainly on flowering trees,shrubs and perennials.

For Mother's Day I made this arrangement with flowers from the garden.

I'm always amazed what you can create with just a few flowers, and it's a gift that feels more "from the heart" than a store bought arrangement.

The flowers I used here are: Endless Summer Hydrangeas, Graham Thomas yellow roses, fern leaves and the hot pink flowers are from our Spirea bush.

To personalize an arrangement, print your message on card stock. Layer it over scrapbook paper in a pretty print, punch two holes in one side and insert a wooden skewer to hold your message. 

I love the green with a pop of pink!

I think this would be beautiful for a wedding reception centerpiece.

What are your favorite cutting flowers or flower arranging tips?

I would love to hear from you.

Jodie

Something Old

This post didn't start out being about weddings but it seems that as I went along taking pictures it became just that. I  visited GW yesterday and found something old that I fell in love with. The something old I found was this beautiful brooch and the inspiration for what follows.

This is the third pretty one I've found there recently. I guess I am starting a little collection.Vintage brooches are really beautiful and there are so many things you can do with them.

This little brooch inspired me today. It's sparkle made me think wedding, so I pulled together some things I thought would make a beautiful setting for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. I took some black grosgrain ribbon and made a napkin ring topped with the brooch.

Black, white and silver is one of my favorite color combinations for table settings. It makes for a timeless, classic look and is beautiful with other colors added to the mix as well. I used a round silver tray as a charger layered with a square embossed plate and topped with black and white transfer ware.

The etched water goblet belonged to my husband's grandmother.

The cut work table square and linen napkin belonged to mine.

I love glass bubble balls, each one is different and they add a beautiful sparkle to the table.

This is one of my favorite pictures from our daughter's wedding two years ago. She looked so incredibly beautiful that day!

 Photography was by Chris Walter.

When I do a table setting I like to incorporate different heights to add interest. Sometimes I use things in unconventional ways. This is one of a pair of vintage candlesticks I found at an antique store.

 As I was moving things around I set a bubble ball on top of a mercury glass votive that had a battery lit candle inside.

This would be a beautiful effect at night with the lights dimmed.

Try wrapping a gift in something unexpected, like burlap or fabric, and add a grosgrain ribbon topped with a brooch for a special gift for a wedding or shower.

                                                         All because of one little brooch.

                                                                  
                                                                              Jodie

I am joining in on Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's My Romantic Home
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating