Peony Hack!

It's finally time!

The peonies are blooming!

Okay...We admit to being just a little peony crazy around here.

Maybe 20 plants is a bit of overkill, but each one is special. 

I love using peonies in arrangements.

BUT....

I hate how quickly the blooms fade or fall apart.

I tried this little hack this year and am quite pleased with it.

The trick is to let the glass container support the blooms.
That way the flowers stay together for a lot longer.

I love the way these colors are enhanced by the glass.

You may remember this vase from the arrangements of tulips using the same technique.











This rose bowl is the perfect way to use the trick.  The Coral Charm and Yellow Garden Treasure blossoms are particularly prone to dropping petals and fading.
These lasted for 4 days in the rose bowl.

Other People....parade pictures of grandchildren or vacations.....
Me....
just a few of my favorite flowers!

It is too bad that they don't last longer.




I wrote a post a while ago about a way to keep some peonies in the refrigerator to extend the season.
Read about that here:  How to Extend the Peony Season










I didn't feel that ambitious this year.  Maybe it is because my plants are blooming later this year and when they are done, there will be lots of other garden blooms to enjoy.

Anyway...I leave you with this thought!

Pinterest

Have A Blooming Great Day!

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! 

Mini Flower Arrangements

There is no doubt that large flower arrangements make a statement!

 

 

 

 

 

This lovely Mother's Day arrangement was designed by Sweetwater Floral and delivered to a deserving Mother.

I was able to fill several other containers with the leftover flowers.

Over the next week and a half these extra arrangements have brightened up my house.

Now.....alas....as the roses and lilacs faded and drooped...they were removed.

The greenery (salal and ruscus) still look great.

The carnations are doing what carnations do.....lasting for an amazing length of time.

The little white rice flowers dried up, but still look nice.

I can never throw out flowers that still look good.

I decided to make a bunch of tiny little arrangements to use the salvaged blooms.

The first step was to find some mini vases.

Then a trip outside to find a few additional flowers and filler greens.

Not much is blooming because it has been so blasted cool and rainy here.

I did some pre-emptive trimming of the bedding plants.  I know if I do this, it will encourage these flowers to branch out and set more blooms.

Now the fun begins.

These mini bouquets in mini vases don't need floral foam or frogs.  The greenery supports the stems.

 Hard to believe that all seven of these little mini vases were created with old flowers and a few garden blooms.

They are little bright spots all over the house....

Lessons for you:

You can use all the flowers from your big flower arrangements long after some of the flowers are droopy.

You can take small blossoms and greens from your garden.

Flowers make any space a little better!

Have A Great Day!

It's All About that VASE!

You need the right vase for your flowers.  

The container you choose makes a big difference when you are arranging flowers. 

The right vase compliments the flowers and the wrong one works against them.

Most people have a cupboard or shelf with a few vases.

I have to admit that I have a bit of an obsession with vases of all shapes and sizes.   I rationalize that I NEED them for the Sweetwater Floral business.....BUT....it is really because I love to have options when I arrange flowers.

 I thought I would share my favorite vases and where to find them on the "cheap"!

Basic Glass Containers

The dollar store is a fabulous place to find simple glass containers.
The cylinder, bowl and square vases are bargains.

You also may have lots of these saved from bouquets you have received over the years.

A simple bunch of carnations in a round dollar store vase can have a lot of impact for around $5.00.  

Using glass beads (also a dollar store buy) in the glass squares is a simple way to anchor your stems.

Would you believe that this is just a basic dollar store cylinder?  Yup....with a couple of bands of gold "duct" tape...they look pretty elegant.   The bands of "gold" also hide the stems.

Ceramic Vases

Ceramic containers are great to use because you don't have to worry about the stems of your flowers showing.  They are great to use with floral foam or other support structures.

Thrift stores are a great source for these.  Look for collectible brands like Haeger, Fitz and Floyd or McCoy.  They have a fun mid-century vibe.

There is really no limit to the shapes of ceramic vases.

I collect off-white and white Haeger and McCoy interspersed with some IKEA!!!

Metal Containers

Thrift stores have amazing options when it comes to metal containers.  

Some of my favorites are silverplate, copper and galvanized tin.

My all time favorite containers are these silverplate loving cups.  The urn shape makes them easy to use to arrange flowers.  They are also the perfect size for a 6 inch flowering plant.  There is something so elegant about the shape...and who doesn't love silver? I found all THREE of my silver urns at the thrift shop. 

 French garden buckets are another iconic shape.  Big or small ones make perfect containers for a hand tied bouquet or more elaborate statement arrangements. I love the plain galvanized metal, but I often see them at the thrift store in really fun colors or with rustic stencils.

Here are some great resources about how to decide what vase for what flowers.  

Fifty Flowers has advice and "recipes" for 10 vase shapes.

More recipes for arrangements for the Koch blog

Probably more than you want to know....but this is a pretty page with almost any shaped vase and gorgeous flower arrangements for Goop.

There you have it....all about the vase!
Hope you buy some flowers and arrange them today!
Trust me...it will make your day!

Ten Dollar Bouquet of the Week! Awesome Alstroemeria!

Alstromoeria are Awesome!

AND......

• Amazing.... they last almost forever!
• Affordable....they are usually under $8 for a bunch!
• Adaptable.... they come in so many colors!
• Available... you can find them throughout the seasons!

Tiptoe Through the Tulips!

The weather outside is frightful.....yes....3 days of snow in APRIL!

Tulips to the rescue!
I can't think of a better antidote to the white landscape than a bunch of colorful tulips!

A New Look For Sweetwater Style!

Sweetwater Style is getting a new look!

The purpose of "Sweetwater Style" has always been about showing ways to combine style and elegance in economical ways.

That won't change.

BUT....the focus will change.

See if you can figure out the new theme for Sweetwater Style!

Permanent Botanical Decor! Say What?

I learned a new fancy name for "fake flowers". You can now call them  "permanent botanicals"!
You all know how much I love fresh cut flowers!
The whole idea of our little Sweetwater Floral business is about fresh flowers on a budget!
BUT....
Lately there seems to be a lot of buzz out there about using permanent botanicals.
Permanent botanicals have come a long way from the plastic posies that we love to hate!

 Around Sweetwater....Faux Florals

Throw Pillows from a Throw Blanket!

One of the easiest and thriftiest ways to update the look of a room is with decorative pillows.
Every one has them. In fact, I dare you to take a count of the throw pillows in your house!!!
I don't just have pillows on the furniture....I have pillows in the closets waiting to take their turn in whatever decor scheme suits my fancy.

 A trip down the pillow aisle of almost any home decor store is pure temptation for me.

A pillow is affordable.....
A pillow is not a forever commitment like a piece of furniture.....

Decor Items to Transition from Christmas to Winter!

source

 I thought this survey was pretty interesting because I always struggle with when to take down "Christmas"!

I love all the glitz and sheen and red and green.
But as soon as the big day is over.....it starts to feel cluttered.

When we entertain between Christmas and New Year's Day it is easy to make the case for leaving things looking festive.
Since we have no parties planned this week.  I am starting to get twitchy about taking things down and getting it packed away.


One strategy to use when "undecorating" is to ease out of full on holiday into a comfy cozy winter look.

You can actually leave a lot of the holiday decor items out and achieve that look just by tweaking things a bit.

Here is a list of the "stuff" NOT to put away.

 Pine Cones

The natural look of pine cones make them perfect for your woodsy, cozy theme. Tuck them into a big basket.  Tuck in some realistic looking artificial pine branches and a few white or silver orbs to complete the look.

 
 



Branches
The birch in the porch pots look nice all winter. Why not replicate that indoors?  Chunky birch sections can be placed on a bookshelf or mantle.  Skinny birch looks great in a vase with some greenery and flowers.

All those branches and twigs that looked so wonderful in you holiday arrangements can be turned into minimalist natural decor.  Curly willow, red dogwood, skinny birch all work this time of year.  Think of them as "no care" plants.

 Airy Greenery

Put away all that greenery that screams "Christmas Tree".  The greens that look feathery and airy give a fresh look to winter decor.  I especially like these Lemon Cypress trees.  I am giving myself big pats on the back for keeping them from drying out....they need lots of hydration.  White Pine is another type that looks more wintery than Christmas!

















Antlers

Search Yarn wrapped antler on Pinterest

If you have access to antlers, they make a great accent in baskets or on a shelf. Mixed with pine cones and greenery.  This is my next craft project!  Yarn wrapped antlers just make me smile!















Cozy Throws

Layering throws on sofas and chairs is an inexpensive way to add color. Those throws also invite you to curl up and enjoy some down time after the flurry of activity of the holidays.


Candles and Twinkle Lights

I will bet that most of your candles are white or off white.  Put away the obvious holiday themed items and find a way to use your neutral candles in a new way. 
Those battery powered twinkle lights can continue to add sparkle around your house.  This time of year it is dark when I get up and dark by 4:30 in the afternoon.  A little twinkling can be mood changer.





 Holiday Plants
Those Pointsettias can still work as lovely accents if they are off white or if red is a color that works in your decor.  Take them out of the holiday foil and get rid of the cute little ribbons.  Find a ceramic pot or even bunch them together with some other plants.  They will last as long as you remember to keep them watered.  (Note to self: keep them watered.)

 


Holiday Themed Family Photos
Take a minute to have some of those amazing holiday snapshots printed.  The deals for photo prints make this a particularly good bargain this time of year.  Frame them in simple frames or display on a chalkboard.  Seeing those reminders of the holidays is a great way to extend the season without leaving the tree up until February.











Winter Birds

There is something so cheery about a cardinal.  If you have any redbirds that are part of your christmas stash, they can make a nice wintery vignette.  Look for these when you are shopping the after Christmas sales.  This lovely glass friend was a find at a "before" Christmas mark-down sale. The cardinals inside are almost as fun as the ones on the bird feeder outside the front door.  













 And a few other holdovers!

Hey, if the Amaryllis bulbs are still blooming for real, then this Amaryllis tea towel can still "hang" around for a few weeks.

This "permanent botanical" seeded Eucalyptus I scored at the thrift store looks nice and wintery with some glass winterberries which were another thrift store find.

This year I am gradually "undecorating" instead of big marathon undertaking.  That means a big mess in the storage area while I gather and put away.  My goal is to do a lot(or little) weeding out as I go.  It always seems so hard to part with holiday decor even if I don't use it all each year. 

In the meantime.....remember when you take your tree down:

source

Have A Great Day!