The little gems...

These little wonders are all the rage at the moment, and it's no wonder why.  Click on the link below to get the info on these amazing little gems!


www.florainternational.com.au/our-flowers/orchids/little-lady-orchids

O Lily!

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.  - William Blake

Of all the flowers I adore, the Lily is one that never fails to impress me.  So much so, that my daughter's middle name possesses the name that brings sunshine to our home on a weekly basis.  Whether alone in a tall vase, or as the focal flower of a large arrangement of magnolia leaves and lotus pods...Lily's possess the most inevitable presence of peace and purity.  There are many colours to choose from of course, but if you are after elegant simplicity, then the pure white O Lily is for you.

ribbons ribbons ribbons!

I know I've always ramped on about how much I love flowers...I do.  I love them so much I sometimes leave the washing machine lid up and walk away while pondering the latest floral creation...hyacinths en masse is the latest obsession...but I have to say, I may have discovered a new avenue to explore.  The wonderful world of ribbon!  Printed grosgrain, natural fibres, stitched satin, raw silk (which, to my delight, can be dyed!!!)...oh the creative possibilities are endless.  I am itching to try dying my newly acquired silk ribbon (had to get it from the states...does anyone know someone in Australia who sells nice wide lengths???).  My bouquet handles are to get a new look, and will be wrapped with yards of lace, silk, grosgrain and pearl pins...watch out brides...I'm feeling 'eccentric' and very daring.  Don't worry tho, I guarantee that they will be eye popping!!!

Cooler winds

Ah, the cooler winds have drifted up from Tasmania, and we are feeling a lot more comfortable!  Time to get out those long sleeved tops and leggings!  Time to have warm mornings with cups of tea, honeyed porridge and fruit toast!  This cooler weather also brings my faviourite beauties to the marketplace...erlicheer daffodils, forget me nots and cymbidium orchids.  Yay!

Autumn is on its way

We all yearn for summer in the winter months, when the air we breathe is exhaled in a plume of frosty steam, that only a hot coffee at 5am will make truly memorable.  I speak of course, of the weekly splosh around the flower markets at 5am.  I say 'splosh' due to the unavoidable wet feet you will endure should you decide not to wear your wellies.  With summer now in full throttle, we of course  are yearning for the cool afternoons and soft autumnal breezes that accompany that change of season.  With the cooler nights comes the change of colour and the inevitable change of fresh flowers available, but not to be forgotten is the amazing array of autumnal foliage too...maples, oaks, chestnuts, berries...coupled with rusty David Austen roses or rouge red orchids (for a textural delight).  I LOVE this time of year, it heralds the need for all to be more creative with their beauties...

Town Hall Ball

Hydrangeas, roses, alstromeria, dusty miller and a chic white ceramic vase...that's all Town Hall needed!  Marbled walls, a dominant pipe organ, a fantastic lighting crew and some amazing auction pieces, the annual ball was a huge success and helped many members see the year out with good friends and a great atmosphere.

With Summer Comes Christmas and a Heavenly Floral New Year!

www.vintagecharmcollector.com

Christmas is a time for families and festivals.  It is a time to think about the past year, and look forward to the next...I also like to take the time to create new ideas that will inspire a love of the silly season...

Last year it was a vintage silver charm bracelet that my daughters and nieces received - a new charm every year until they are 21...and we are not talking the more modern charms out there.  I'm buying up all the quirky little silver charms we grew up with as children.  They don't cost a bomb, and they look so beautiful dangling from the the wrists of my little ones, catching the light as they splash in the water...

No, this year I've decided to take on decorating with fresh flowers and foliage...and trying to spread the idea to friends and family alike.  Willow wreaths decorated with ivy, fir tree, dahlias, roses, berries or fruit. Hang a wreath on your door that impresses, put a centrepiece on the table that truly inspires your guests and incites meaningful banter about the year past, and the year to come.  Pour the champagne and place the bottle next to a small crystal vase filled with hydrangea and dahlias in pinks and blues.  Forget red and green this christmas, 'branch out' (pardon the pun) and go for yellow, pink, green, blue, white, purple, orange...the list goes on.  Pick out bundles of your favourite flowers and leaves (even maple branches can be persuaded to sit nicely in a vase) and create a look of opulence and summer by mixing them up in a big ceramic vase or tall glass cylinder.  Sunflowers, dahlias (I've mentioned them a few times...they are just in now, and truly magnificent with the array of colours available), lillies and branches of blossom, jasmine, ivy or willow.  The list goes on...

Watch this space, photos to come of my christmas extravaganza...