The Petal Press: Gifts

Showing posts with label Gifts. Show all posts

In Season: Blue Hydrangea

It is time to start another new feature that I have been posting for a while but didn't have an official name. The feature In Season starts off with one of the best blooms of summer; Blue Hydrangea. Thanks to local growers this boisterous bunch of flowers can be very affordable and bring arrangement costs down. It's bold, big, bountiful in July, and it's a beautiful BLUE!

This centerpiece was made for my dear friend Karina. Her daughter is now 4 and had a party to celebrate with her friends. Happy Birthday Alyssa!!

-XOXO Karin

Posted in: Gifts, In Season on Monday, July 13, 2009 at at 8:55 PM 0 comments

Wine and Cheese

The other day I had the pleasure of visiting my friends at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos. Molly and Leigh will take good care of you should you decide to have an event there or just go for a tasting from 11am-5pm. I will soon be posting the professional photos that took place at Testarossa in May. The already lovely and ecstatic bride and groom are enhanced even more by the rustic backgrounds outdoors at TW.

In the meantime I offer a sample of the wine and cheese colored arrangement that was inspired by the winery. The flowers that compliment and flow from the copper urn include: dahlias, pincushion protea, mini callas, super green roses, green celosia, and a few stems of dendrobium orchids.

Cheers!

Posted in: Gifts, Vendors on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at at 5:31 PM 0 comments

Seeing Double

I love the effect of multiple arrangements. Above are twins for Mother's Day. The lillies will continue to open like pink fireworks and keep the interest in the arrangement as fresh as the flowers. Working with the Snowball Green/White Vibirnum is a dream. I wish it was affordably in season all year round!

When creating gift pieces a florist must visualize the open flowers and give them room to bloom. It always makes me happy to deliver flowers, but I do wish I could see the finished product. Weddings, on the other hand, are rewarding in that you see the flowers on their most glorious day. It is one of the reasons I prefer weddings and events for my business, but still give flower arrangements to loved ones and friends.

Posted in: Gifts, Holidays on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at at 2:43 PM 0 comments

Fragrant Freesia

I wish you could smell this bouquet that was made today for a belated birthday. Between the sweet Stock, scented Geranium Leaf, and the two kinds of Freesia this one's sure make its presence known in any room.

For me the scent of Freesia will always remind me of Senior prom. My now husband gave me a white Freesia corsage that had spent a little time in the freezer. The logic behind putting my corsage in the freezer, says Wayne, was that if the refrigerator kept it fresh, then the freezer was sure to keep it VERY fresh! He knows better now and I will never forget my fragrant Freesia corsage with slightly freezer burnt petals. (Chuckle)

Posted in: Gifts on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at at 2:22 PM 0 comments

Special Delivery

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone feels a little extra special this weekend.

When I was in elementary school I couldn't wait for this holiday. It not only gave me an excuse to load up on those chalky but tasty candy hearts, but also gave me a chance to pass out and collect those adorable little valentines that are made just for children. I would try and stuff as many candies as my mother would let me into the tiny envelopes for all of my friends and classmates and then make a special mailbox for all of the valentines I hoped to receive in return. I vividly remember having a crush on a boy and hand picking the messages that his candy hearts spelled out before I put them in his valentine. I'm sure he had no clue!

On a personal note: My husband just gave me an early present tonight that was a total surprise. Apparently my favorite movie of all time has been out of print for 3 years and he drove an hour each way to get me a copy. How sweet! I'll have to save the best candy hearts (with the best love phrases) for his valentine!

So now onto the "Special Deliveries". As you know this is a blog about life in the flower biz, some personal commentary, and lessons learned. I delivered 5 arrangements today and I learned so much from staying up all night and working on my orders. Sometimes it's so wonderful to be in the zone and work alone with your flowers and other times you just need some sleep. I'm not exactly sure when my mood switched from the first to the second, but needless to say I will probably not make as many deliveries next year. Whew! My mother, husband, cousin, son, and I are all exhausted from my morning's insane delivery schedule.

That said, I filled some very beautiful vases with different interpretations of what this weekend means to the men that ordered them and what they wanted for their companions. I love the diversity! Thank you to Sean, Eric, Emery, and Joe for ordering these fun fleurs for their special someones. The name of the red roses above are Latin Lady. The purple roses above are Avante Garde. Very fitting names! Enjoy...