How To: Asymmetrical Floral Arrangement

Loose, unstructured, asymmetrical floral designs are on trend right now.

Sweetwater Floral did the florals for a country wedding last weekend.  The bride asked for an unstructured bouquet and some added texture with little succulents tucked in.

Creating a loose, "messy" bouquet should be easy....right?
Not so much....it is actually more difficult to let the flowers cascade and flow than to tightly fit them together in the traditional nosegay!
I guess we pulled it off though!


Your vocab lesson: two words starting with A.

asymmetric: adjective. not identical on both sides of a central line; lacking symmetry:

armature: a metal framework on which a sculpture is molded with clay or similar material.

There are always a few flowers left after we do a wedding. I decided to use the leftovers along with a new bunch of carnations to create an asymmetrical arrangement to enjoy here.

I also wanted to play around with using a wire armature to support the stems and let them cascade. 

Flexible floral wire in pretty colors is available at the Dollar Store.

It is a simple matter to twist it around in a loopy way and tuck it into the floral foam.

This gives a pliable "frame" for the stems.

 This is the finished project.  

The stems could have just gone into the foam at an angle, but I like the way the wire supports the heavier flower heads that are cascading.

You can just barely see the wire....but I like the little glints of glitz!

I did not do a step by step of each flower...you are probably able to figure that out for yourself.

Here is a video to watch if you need "expert" advice

This is a nice text and photo tutorial from Janecanblog.com 

I hope you look at these beautiful examples of asymmetrical designs and the find inspiration to try something a little "messy" the next time you have flowers to arrange.

https://www.jennikayne.com/ripandtan/a-romantic-early-summer-arrangement-by-tinge-floral

 

My style still tends to be a little structured.....but I am trying to "loosen up".

And hey....the wire can be used again next time.

Have A Great Day! 

You Can Upscale Carnations To Look Like Expensive Flowers

source

Do you hate carnations?
If so, you are not alone.  I used to hate them too!

People....it is time to stop your flower snobbery and consider this lowly flower.

As flowers go, you can’t find more affordable and long-lasting bloom...or one that come in such a wide array of fantastic colors.  (NO....not the strange dyed colors....but the real ones)

source

If you want an upscaled look for carnations....you have to think beyond sticking one flower in a bud vase....

In fact.....there are ways to make carnations resemble expensive flowers like Hydrangeas and Peonies!

I bet that got your attention!

Your Flower Fix for Today: Ranunculus

In the language of flowers, a bouquet of ranunculus says, "I am dazzled by your charms."
I would turn that around and say that a bouquet of ranunculus dazzle ME with THEIR charms.

Using just one of these pretty blooms was all this small arrangement needed. 

And....

I was happy to find this bunch of artificial ranunculus at the thrift store.  I think they add a nice touch to the "Kate Spade Inspired" guest room.

I decided that since I am so enamored with these blooms that I should find out a little more about them.


HMMMM....maybe they are a flower that I could grow at Sweetwater.

This is what I learned:

If you live in Zone 7, you can grow them as perennials.  Alas...here in Zone 4 they are annuals.
I even found the bulbs on Amazon...and placed an order.
I have been doing a little research about how to grow ranunculus in the garden.....and after reading this article, I think I have found a fun new kind of flower to grow at Sweetwater.

I am starting to think that Ranunculus are a great alternative to roses.  They just have a fresher look.

am really loving how these flowers look as an alternative to roses.




Here they are used as the main flower in boutonnieres.

I looked for some examples of ranunculus used in wedding bouquets.
Oh my....gorgeous....
It makes me think that maybe roses are sort of "passe".....hmmmm!

http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/71806/IMG_8053_copy.jpg

And now I will leave you with some lovely artwork featuring the lovely Ranuncula....ENJOY!


http://irinasztukowski.blogspot.com/2012/04/ranunculus-study.html

Have A Wonderful Day!

A Wedding in the Family!

Congratulations are in order for the Sweetwater Son and our lovely new Daughter-in-Law!

Are they not just the most gorgeous looking couple?

The wedding was on Saturday at Willow Ridge Gardens.
It is pretty nice to have a brother and sister-in-law who have a wedding venue!

The weather was absolutely perfect for a morning wedding and brunch!

I can't wait to see the pictures from Matt Hodgman at Edge Gallery .  He took formal as well as candid photos of the lovely people and place.

Of course....I was too busy to take photos during the wedding or at the party...

But I do have pictures from Friday: preparations, the Groom's dinner as well as early on Saturday morning before anyone was up! I can share some of those with you.

Sweetwater Style is dedicated to sharing ways to save money and still be stylish and elegant!
This wedding had lots of touches that were very special and thrifty!

Hydrangea Tips and Tricks

Hydrangeas are to late Summer what Peonies are to Spring!

 Big

Lush

Beautiful!

 You have to love this sentiment!

 

This post is not about growing hydrangeas.

 I want to talk about using Hydrangeas in floral arrangements.

If you don't grow them or know where to beg, borrow or steal them, you probably know that each bloom can cost upwards to $5 a stem.....YIKES!

Hydrangeas can be a bit tricky. So it really helps to know some tricks to keep them from flopping!

Wedding Flowers on a Budget!

We attended the wonderful wedding of one of my favorite co-workers on Saturday!  Everything was absolutely beautiful!

If you have ever been involved in planning a wedding you know that all that "wonderfulness" comes at a pretty hefty price!

"THRIFTY" and "WEDDING" almost seem to be ANTONYMS!!!



AHA....let's look at what thrifty really means.....

thrifty [t̸hrif′tē]  adjectiive

1. The definition of thrifty is someone who is frugal and who is careful about where their money goes.
   An example of someone who would be described as thrifty is someone who makes wise and careful buying decisions.
   
   
   HMMMM......wise and careful buying decisions!
   
   
   I researched the typical cost of flowers for a wedding in Minnesota!  Real Simple has broken the typical wedding costs out by state!  Guess what!!!  It said that the typical flower budget for a Minnesota wedding is $1643-$2713!
   YIKES!!!!!
   
   
    This site is an interactive cost calculator for wedding flowers.
   
   
   WEDDING FLOWER COST CALCULATOR LINK
   
   
   When I ran the numbers using this tool and the amount of flowers needed for this wedding totaled $1500!  (And that was using the least expensive category of flowers)
   
   
   Somehow, that doesn't fit my definition of careful and wise buying decisions!!!!
   The challenge for this project was the size of the wedding party!  
   A wedding party of 10 Bridesmaids, 8 Groomsmen, 6 ushers etc....etc....etc!
   
   
   Come along and see how we did just that and saved a boatload of money on the flowers for this beautiful wedding!
   

Be A Goof Off!

It is Summer Time....the season we give ourselves permission to Goof Off a bit....
I don't think of goofing off as a negative.....but when I read the definition for the noun......it wasn't such a positive image!!

HMMMMMM......but relax!  This post isn't about that kind of GOOF OFF.....

It is about THIS!

$4 worth of MAGIC....

In a little yellow can!

Add a little steel wool and this stuff will remove any number little messes!

 

This Thursday we will turn Sweetwater into a Floral Arranging Studio for a day!

A friend is coming to make ALL the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres for her wedding!

Won't that be fun? 

If you want to read about another time we did this CLICK HERE

I am organizing supplies and getting ready for Thursday.

When I got out my clippers.....oh my....they were not ready for company!!

Peony Time At Sweetwater Plus a Trick You Need to Know!

Peonies are my absolute favorite flower!   When these flowers burst into bloom, it means that summer is really here. 

I always feel "rich" when these showy flowers bloom!  

They are the epitome of abundance!.  

If you don't have a peony bush or two (or in our case 17), I would certainly think about planting one.  If you don't have a garden, go visiting your friends who do.  

I am always happy to share my peonies.....because they don't last long, they might as well be enjoyed!                                                            

A bouquet of these beauties make  great gifts....just in time for end of the year thank-yous and hostess gifts.

In fact....the Sweetwater Peonies were the flowers in the Sweetwater Daughter's Bridal Bouquet!

Wonder how much money I save not having to go buy something?
Now I know why I spend all that time weeding!

Last year wasn't the best year for our plants.  They just didn't have the look of "excess" we are used to.  We did some fertilizing and got the support cages up early this year.....and I think it made a difference!








These are photos from a couple of years ago....as I write this....it is still so early it is too dark out take pictures!  I will get some shots later and update the post!

Garden Treasure

 Over the years we have added heirloom plants rescued from my mother-in-law's yard when we sold her house. I think these plants came from her mother's farm.  Another favorite is the yellow "Golden Treasure", that was a father's day gift.  We are gradually adding special variety plants like the showy "Coral Charm".

Coral Charm

Enough with all the photos

DID YOU KNOW?  You can keep peony buds in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks and use them in arrangements anytime!  This is how florists are able to have peonies for such an extended time!

I learned this little trick 5 years ago when we needed to be sure to have a wide variety of flowers for my daughter's wedding.

It is soooo simple!

Start by picking peony buds that are at "marshmallow stage", meaning just at the time that you see color on the bloom.  Cut them quite long (at least 12 inch stems).  Wrap them in newspaper and put them in the refrigerator.  They will look wilted, but don't worry!  When you want to use them, make a fresh cut on the stem and put them in water for 8-10 hours.  The water will start perk up the foliage and the flowers will open up....just like magic!

It really works....check out this post showing the flowers after they have been in the refrigerator for 3 weeks!

Before I go....look at the gorgeous peony paintings I found on this website!

Linda Hunt Fine Art!

They are simply beautiful....and reasonably priced too!

Now that would be a way to really extend the peony season....hmmmmmmm!

Have A Great Day!

Link Parties

Creativity Unleashed  I Am Not A Trophy Wife   

Tonia and Michael's Wedding!

 What a Wonderful Happy Day!

A beautiful happy couple!

Family!

Friends!

Laughter!

Joy!

Brilliant!

Come along and share some of the images of this fabulous celebration!

Wedding Flowers for Less-Making it Happen!

If you are in the midst of planning a wedding, you are surely worried about the budget for flowers....and you should be!
I did a little research and discovered that the average cost for wedding flowers is a whopping $1500...Yikes!
Wait 'till you see what we were able to do for a fraction of that!


Tonia and Michael's Wedding was two days away.


We were off to Market Flowers at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market:

We had a plan....
We had vases.....
We had ribbon, raffia, floral tape, floral foam, packing boxes

And
The Bride and her faithful worker bees.

We just needed the flowers and some time to make the vision a reality!
Come along and see the fun we had!

Fabulously Thrifty Wedding Mantle!

Isn't this great looking?

Tonia and Michael's wedding reception was held in the beautiful Theodore Wirth Fireplace Room in Minneapolis.  The backdrop for the head table was the fireplace.  We wanted to have a simple and elegant frame for the wedding party.  I think we nailed it!

Of course, we wanted to find a way to do this at minimal cost!

 Read on to see how we did it....

Project-Personalized Wedding Shower Candle

Don't you just love the flower design that was on the wedding invitation for Chad and Stephanie's wedding?

I did and of course I knew that the bride and groom to be must love it too.

I wanted something personal to add to my shower gift of white towels.
I came up with a way to add this design element to a candle.

Read on to find out how and see a celebration of my new favorite color.....GUAVA!

Wedding Flowers For Less-First Steps

A good friend is getting married on August 13th.
She has done me the honor of asking me and another friend to be the "florists" for the event.

 What Fun! 

Friday we met at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market Flower Mart to get the plan under way.

Be sure to check out the link above to see what this fabulous place has to offer.

Come along and see the fun we had creating the vision for the big day!