Sunday, November 8, 2009

I'm not going to "fake it" anymore!

Yup........I said it.......I'm not going to "fake it'"anymore, people!

Here is one of my pretty autumn wreaths that I've been using on my front door for the last several years. I made it with silk flowers and have been very pleased with it............ until...



my Floral Design teacher opened my eyes.... I made this beautiful fall wreath using REAL flowers last week. Who knew you could do this? I was stunned at the ease and beauty of using the real stuff!



Here is the trick.
Run to your nearest floral supply store and pick up this handy dandy little gizmo, I think it might be called an oasis cage...I'll have to check with my teacher. Its the oasis foam that you soak in water on the inside and the little cage keeps it nice and tight.
You then take a floral chenille stem (otherwise known as pipecleaner) and wire it onto the bottom of the wreath. Grab your flowers , grasses and leaves and you're on the way!







Ofcourse, you'll have to keep it watered and will have to replace some flowers every now and again...






I'm not going to throw away my "fake" wreath.... but as a special treat or for a special occasion, I will most definitely enjoy creating a fresh flower wreath for my door!




















So I brought the fake wreath inside while I was taking the above pictures and just haphazardly placed it on the end of the staircase.... Do you see anything unusual about it? ( I didn't at first.)






I about jumped out of my skin, when I grabbed it to put it away when this scary "dinosaur"appeared before me!



Uggggggghhhhhhhhhh........ I had to act fast, as I nudged him to hop on and threw the wreath out the front door.




Here's a quick transformation..... A halloween arrangement I made for my class....




I turned the pumpkin around and.... TA DA... now it's ready for Thanksgiving!




Another small arrangement.....












Susan is hosting a metamorphosis party at her place, so why not go check it out?

48 comments:

Salmagundi said...

Oh My!! Those are just beautiful - you certainly have a new talent to explore. Sally

Stacey said...

You are really making me want to take a floral design class. You are making such beautiful arrangements! Where are you buying the flowers? I guess just the inexpensive bouquets can be transformed with the right skills.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rose! Oh, what a glorious wreath! You are just so good at this! Look at that little creature! I think I would have screamed! :) Your pumpkin arrangement is so lovely too! Love your arrangement at the bottom of your stair's railing. I'm thinking Christmas...You've given me inspiration.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Sue said...

Hi Rose....so another talent of yours is floral design!! I love the idea of using fresh flowers for the wreath....I really liked the big arrangement you made in the pumpkin...I have always loved those big mums since high school when all during football season we would wear corsages to games made out of them....and where in the world did the lizard come from....I on occasion see tiny ones with the bkue stripe down their backs but that one looked big.....I thought I was looking for a birds nest...that's what I always find in my wreaths....

squawmama said...

Wow your wreaths are just gorgeous... Thanks for the beautiful pictures... Have a Joyous Sunday!

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Marigene said...

Beautiful wreath and floral arrangements. I am still giggling about the scary dinosaur...I probably wouldn't be if the little critter was in my house, though!

Judy said...

Beautiful! I can't make a floral arrangement to save my life so my hat's off to anyone who can. I love the way you made the two-sided arrangement with your pumpkin, how clever you are!

Hugs!
Judy

Donna said...

Beautiful wreath and arrangements. I don't like lizards either!
Blessings,
Donna

Sedona @ MyDivineDelights said...

Gorgeous arrangements!!! :) Thanks for sharing them!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

The "fresh cut" flowers are gorgeous in your wreath! You do a beautiful job!

Blessings & aloha!

(Thank you so much for stopping by! Time just flies by! I have a show next Sat, so will be out of the loop with blog reading....but I do SO appreciate finding your comment! My hubby and I will be heading up to Lexington for Thanksgiving with our 4 chicadees - son, daughters, son-in-law and his family, so hope to catch up on some blog reading some time...) I love all your floral arrangements!

Sherri said...

Rose you are a wild flower woman! Loving all the different arrangements! How awesome this class has been.

Cathy said...

Your wreath and arrangements are gorgeous! Much prettier than the fakes. ;) Love the little lizard--he was appreciating the beauty too. When we lived in FL we had these little guys all over--once we had one run across the curtains right next to us at a pizza place--a common thing there--sure entertained the kids. LOL!

Cathy ♥

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I say you have the talent girl! You could be a floral designer yourself. Really gorgeous arrangements, the pumpkin one is awesome~ Thanks for sharing your artistry! Cindy

bj said...

I'm so glad you are having such fun with your flower arranging...you are doing such a lovely job...
Now that little creature made me scream, just looking at him on my computer...

Kathleen said...

Beautiful arrangements, and I love your banister too..
Oh the lizard..creeps me out! I am not big on critters!
Beautiful wreath!

I do my mantle with fresh flowers and greens for Christmas with oasis..

EmBee said...

I want one!

Oh, and Sarah is SO jealous about your *hee* "Dinosaur" *hee*

Risa said...

Love your wreath. I doubt I'm that brave to try real flowers. I'm not good with remembering to water things. Love your arrangements too!

Jane said...

Hi Rose
Your arrangements and wreath are beautiful. Real flowers and greens/dried grasses are truly more lovely than the silks. I love that handy dandy oasis cage. It truly does make arranging floras much easier.
Jane (artfully graced)

Dining Delight said...

Fabulous arrangements! I would never think to put fresh flowers in a wreath on the front door but yours looks lovely. I just LOVE the look of the black and glass of your front door - it is gorgeous! That "creature" would have given me the heebie-jeebies!

DD

Four Paws and Co said...

They're fabulous Rose! Well, except for the wee little dinosaur, but the rest are gorgeous! ☺

Justine said...

Ooh, that is SO pretty! I'd think it'd be a pain in the ass to keep changing out flowers, but I think in your case you're going to enjoy it!

You've obviously found another niche because you're doing a spectacular job. I love the swag on the railing!

And yes, I did notice your reptilian little friend. They're so cute. I've got them all over the place!

Justine :o )

Andi's English Attic said...

The wreath is SO pretty. Glad you had fun making it. I loved the 'in other words a pipecleaner' comment. I almost choked on my sandwich. I like lizards. There was one living in our bedroom when we holidayed in Barbados. I can see why you'd want him out of your house though. So would I. xx

Its So Very Cheri said...

I just became a follower--
We have those DINASOURS in our house all the time down here in Florida. My little 2 year old girl will call for one of her 3 brothers when she sees them. My 4 year old little guy, will pick them up and just take them outside.

Cheri

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Your arrangements are fabulous! You are one very talented and creative lady! When you mentioned to look at the wreath in the picture, I knew it was probably a lizard! LOL! They have taken residence in my floral pockets on the front doors and every time I straighten the flowers in them, I have to watch where I put my hands! LOL!

Love the sway you made for the staircase! ~Rhonda :)

Dena Pickle said...

I've actually gotten pretty good at spotting those dinosaur thingies! After several mild heart attacks mind you!
We had a tree frog jumping around in the kitchen the other day:) sometimes gardening and indoor to outdoor-outdoor to indoor decorating are not all they are cracked up to be.
Love the decorations!
Dena
sweetpicklesandchocolate

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my, what gorgeous creations. I love them all. Just so pretty. I love the garland on the stairs too, what a great idea. Hugs, Marty

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Rose, they are gorgeous! I bet you are graduating with honors! laurie

Phyllis @Around the House said...

wow, I am so impressed with the beautiful arrangements you made, you did such a wonderful job, I love the pumpkin, I would do the same, just turn the pumpkin around...so pretty, what an inspiration to take a class on floral arrangements..thanks for sharing

Aprons Gone Wild said...

So pretty. I love the fact that you used real flowers, etc. This time of year there is an abundance of things out there to work with. I get a lot of mileage out of my hydrangea flower heads. The color is incredible. I even use them on our Christmas tree each year and they look beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Looks like your classes have paid off big time or else you just have a natural give for floral arranging! All of your arrangements are beautiful. Love the fact that you used real vs. fake on your door wreath.

pk @ ROOM REMIX

Dena Pickle said...

Thank you so much for your visit and sweet comments yesterday! It is very much appreciated!
I'm following you, please stop by and follow me too!
Dena
sweetpicklesandchocolate

Tardevil said...

Very pretty...except for the lizard! Looks like you're going to make the Honor Roll!

Chatty Crone said...

Your arrangements are gorgeous! I suppose you took the pictures too -beautiful. I have had two lizards in my home this fall myself - not a pleasant thing.

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Another talent for the santa maker! I went real years ago. I was at a house today, in the living room there was 7 silk flower arrangements...and fufu window treatments...lol Yes, I counted them, I am that crazy!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful wreath as well as the pumpkin arrangement. You are making me want to go out and change everything. I guess you have discovered another talent that
will be of great use, I'm sure! You have a wonderful blog and thank you, for all your inspiration and the creativity that you share with everyone.
Sandy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Ceekay here...I was just wondering if you have made any new santas. I went to your Santa blog from last year. They are so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

oh my Rose,you are soooo good at this.You make me want to run out and get some flowers.Everything you do is gorgeous.Keep up the good work.love ya...Anniepoo

Bridget said...

Wow, talk about kicking it up a notch. Those are all just gorgeous, I'll never be able to accept a silk flower wreath again, thanks for spoiling me. lol
Hugs, B.

Diana LaMarre said...

What beautiful wreaths! It's so much fun to be able to use my garden flowers for summer arangements, so I know what you mean about the real thing. Have fun designing!

Anonymous said...

I'm wishing I was in that class! What a beautiful wreath. I just found your blog and am loving it.

Joyce said...

I am laughing at the little lizard just posing for your photo. Those little guys are quick. I am always running after them in my house on Hilton Head with a big broom. Husband picks them up by the tale and tosses them out but I refuse to touch them. Now your floral class looks like you are making some pretty arrangements. Love the new wreath and the kitchen pumpkin.
Joyce

Heartfelt living said...

Oh my goodness, what beautiful floral arrangements. The wreath is just beautiful! I love the idea of using natural flowers and leaves. I think your little friend like the dried wreath. How funny!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OMG Rose girl...I would have jumped out of my skin ha ha!! Now I always love what you do...Love the idea od real flowers...way to go it looks wonderful my friend...Loved the pumpkin how cute is that...Hope all is well on your side of the mountain my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Justine said...

Rose, I have a furniture question. Please email me!

justwaaaa@comcast.net

Justine :o )

Picket said...

Wow girl you make gorgeous arrangements!!! I loved them all and I noticed the little lizard right away! lol I had one like him that lived in one of my birdhouses at our old place...hope you are having a beautiful Sunday!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Your wreath is just gorgeous! It must be so much fun taking that class. All your creations are beautiful!

Manuela

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh my gosh I would have jumped right out of my skin... glad you got the little guy outside where he belonged..lol

Your talent is amazing girl. what magic you add to each arrangement...more, we want to see more..hugs ~lynne~

The Bloom Girls said...

Hi Rose,

I sent you an e-mail right after we all had lunch a few weeks ago but it seems you have not opened it yet so I wanted to check to see if you got it. It is about the next blogger lunch...did you get it? Let me know :)

Thanks!

Karyn
The Bloom Girls