Baby Blue

The celebration was the Christening of a baby boy who also happens to have big beautiful blue eyes.

Table centrepieces (chrysanthemums, alstroemeria, mini carnations, commercial mums and lisianthus)

Cube vase arrangement with commercial mums, lisianthus and mini calla lilies

Large vase arrangement with commercial mums, dyed chrysanthemums, mini carnations, alstroemeria, lisianthus and various greens

TKSF Corporate Event

I was excited to have been given the opportunity to create the fresh flower needs for The Keg Spirit Foundation (TKSF) Invitational, held on June 2nd at Angus Glen Golf Course. The Keg Spirit Foundation was established to commemorate The Keg Steakhouse + Bar’s 30th anniversary in 2001. Since its inception, over $7 million has been donated to charities that focus on mentorship and development of young people. This annual event is just one way that funds are raised for the foundation.

The direction for the flowers was; something bright and colourful that would tolerate being outdoors on some of the golf holes as well as double as the table centrepieces during dinner. Tropical flowers were chosen for their hardiness and impact.

Table centrepiece: two varieties of heliconia, with red ginger and tropical greens

Decorative arrangement with heliconia, ginger, tropical greens and dendrobium orchids

This extra-large arrangement was specifically designed to complement the logo of "Casamigos Tequila" being launched at this event to Keg management and suppliers. Bismarkia palm, bells of Ireland, stock, anthuriums, cymbidium orchids, dendrobium orchids, susara protea, cremons, heliconia, blushing bride protea and thistle, along with tropical greens

Small arrangement to complement the larger one above; heliconia, ginger, dendrobium orchid, cremon, blushing bride protea, thistle and monstera leaf

Below are a few tournament photos (provided by the Executive Director of TKSF).

 

Colourful Bridal Shower

In May, I had the pleasure of creating some daisy arrangements for a Kate Spade inspired bridal shower. These colourful daisies complemented the perfectly orchestrated decor of black, white (with polka dots of course) and gold. Congratulations to the soon to be bride and groom.

Large arrangement for head table. Mini and large gerbera with a cushion of green pom pom chrysanthemums

Smaller arrangements occupied the guest tables and dessert table (mini gerbera, yellow spider mum, pom pom chrysanthemums, xanadu leaf and bear grass)

Mini gerbera boutonniere for the groom to be and wrist corsage for the soon to be bride

Special Birthday's

The month of May contained various floral projects including a few one-of-a-kind birthday arrangements.

For an orchid lover....white dendrobium orchids, lush roses and red hypericum berries

Spring blooms for someone who was celebrating a milestone birthday. Tulips, fragrant hyacinths and delicate lisianthus, with a bed of pom chrysanthemums

Large basket of blooms for someone whose favourite flowers are daisies and sunflowers. Mini sunflowers, gerbera daisies, carnations, green spider/Fuji mums and forsythia branches

 

Hand-tied Bouquets

Flower bouquets are by far the most popular type of flower arrangement in most flower shops. Bouquets are available in various sizes and can be kept to just flowers and greens or you can get one custom made with a variety of embellishments. Here are a few examples:

Chicken wire and midollino sticks are used to create an armature base. A mixture of hydrangeas, calla lilies, roses and alstroemeria flowers. Greens include, rolled aspidistra leaves wrapped with metalic wire and lily grass. Flat metallic wire was used to further accessorize.

This armature bouquet utilizes fresh curly willow branches for its base. Designed with iris, chrysanthemum, asiac lilies, alstroemeria, silver dollar eucalyptus and asparagus plumosa fern.

European hand-tied bouquet with twenty beautiful roses and hypericum berries.  Finished with a rolled aspidistra collar.

European Design Styles

European design is one of the many styles of floral design that have influenced the floral industry for many many years. European style emphasizes colour and variety of floral materials in mass gatherings of multiple flowers. Below are some designs derived from popular European arrangements.

Baroque design style utilizing an abundance of colourful roses (popular in England during this period) and softened with hypericum berries, asparagus plumosa fern and grapevine

 A table top wreath done in a landscape parallel design with lots of textures and groupings. (chrysanthemum daisy, antirrhinum (snapdragon), leucadendron, wax flower, myrtle, equisetum, statice and sheet moss

The Biedermeier design style was popularized in Germany during the 1800's and is identified with concentric circles around a central point, each featuring a specific flower. This arrangement features, liatris, asiatic lilies, white carnations, solidego, green trick dianthus, and a few ivy strands

Another influence was the use of armatures (structures) within the design service as a supporting core for the other materials. This vase design utilizes curly willow to form the armature (parrot tulips, deep purple lisianthus, mini gerbera, Israeli ruscus and bear grass

Spring Flowers

I love to see bunches of cut tulips for sale in late February at my local flower shops as it is a sign that spring is near.  Spring garden blooms bring us, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, forsythia and pussy willow to name a few. Here are some spring inspired designs.

Light pink tulips, lisianthus, novelty chrysanthemums, purple hyacinth and fresh curly willow

Pussy willow branches, yellow tulips, hydrangea, mini gerbera and solidago

Liatris, iris, forsythia, fragrant freesia and daffodils (narcissus)

Viburnum, alstroemeria, novelty chrysanthemum, mini gerbera and green trick dianthus

Radiant Orchid 2014 Colour of the Year

As you may have already read, pantone has announced "Radiant Orchid' purple as the colour of the year for 2014. Pantone describes: "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."

There is a currently a good selection of purple flowers available, but with its popularity increasing there will be even more choices coming to market. One of the recent additions that I have seen are Florigene Carnations available in various purple shades.  I had an order for some arrangements this month with the color purple being the main focus.
 

Low and long table centrepiece. Florigene carnations in light and dark purple, green fuji mum, yellow commercial mum and yellow carnations

This one sided arrangement contains campanula (bell flower family), liatris, green fuji mum, yellow carnations and purple lisianthus

Large focal arrangement bursting with pussy willow branches, campanula, liatris, green fuji mum, yellow commercial mum, Florigene purple carnations, yellow carnations, lisianthus and yellow mini gerbera

Tropical Lovers

During the month of March I had a few birthday arrangements where the flowers of choice were tropicals.  I chose to make these large arrangements with Ginger, Anthuriums and Leucadendron Safari.

Canada Blooms 2014

Over the years, I have attended Canada Blooms to get inspired and it is a nice break from the long winter.  Although I have not attended every year, I had heard from a few people that the show seems to be getting smaller every year. Canada Blooms was held at the same time as the National Home Show and your ticket got you into both events.  I spent about 2 hours browsing through the Canada Blooms section. The show did seem smaller than I remember from previous visits. Here is a glimpse into my favourites.

The various garden displays all featured spring flowers in full bloom (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, etc).  Several of the gardens featured children's playgrounds and furniture carved out of tree truncks.

I enjoyed walking through the various gardens on display.  Maybe I was not looking hard enough or maybe it was because the theme for this years show was "wild" and therefore I was expecting more unusual things, but not a lot stood out to me in the gardens.  One exception was this table that was incorporated as part of a waterfall.  Rather unique.

For me, the most creative items were in the flower catwalk....mannequins draped in floral outfits.

 

Some of the other designer floral arrangements that I liked included:

 There was a "Pick Ontario" area that featured a variety of plants that are locally grown from various growers.  One of the plants featured was the "Crispy Wave" Japanese Asplenium fern.  Its wave reminds be of cooked bacon strip and its texture is plastic like. Boasts to be a natural air purifier.  I purchased one for my home $10 each.  For more info visit:  http://www.aerifyplants.com/