I've made this little wreath/hanger to celebrate with Cathy 5 years of her meme In a Vase on Monday. Over the five years it has become very important to it's loyal followers. I joined in about 2 years ago and it was definitely one of the many factors contributing to my decision to begin Flower Farming this year. It proved to me that I loved growing and arranging flowers, and having people admire them is very encouraging.
That said, we are not using vases this week. For one week only it's (Not) In a Vase On Monday.
I've been all round the house and these are the best pictures I could get.
I've been making wreath bases for Christmas and beyond with anything I could get my hands on. This is Jasmine but I've also found Elaeagnus works well. I made a tiny one today for me. It's about 20cm across. I've also used some tiny pink rosebuds which I dried, dried Marjoram and some ferns which are not dried but I think might dry nicely once hung.
The buds are wired.
Dried flowers are all the rage once more with Honesty being the most sought after. Florists up and down the country are looking for it. If I'd realised sooner I would have tried to dry more things and definitely more Honesty but then comes the problem of storage.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for inspiring, commenting, encouraging and holding it all together and thanks to Cathy and everyone else for adding to my endless list of plant and seed 'wants'.
Very pretty! I like all three images for different reasons. The wallpaper and golden lighting convey the faded summer rose theme. The grey makes each element really pop and look fresh while the white with a bottom surface allows the fern fronds to come closer and speak a bit more. Fab!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wish that was my wallpaper but I confess it's a piece of paper stuck on the wall under a convenient hook.
DeleteWhat a good idea to use jasmine for your wreath, I have long stems sprawling everywhere. The roses have kept their colour beautifully, it all looks very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It works well and I hope it will keep it's colour. You have to work it a little like you do with willow to persuade it into shape.
DeleteOh, this is lovely Alison. Your florals are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind. Thank you.
DeleteHi Alison, oh yes, I identify with how difficult it can be to get the perfect photograph only too well! Your shots are lovely and what a great idea for the challenge. I would never have thought of a garland. I may have to pinch the idea for Christmas and the tip to use Jasmine stems too. Like you, I have Cathy to thank for her inspiration and my increasing number of containers!
ReplyDeleteI love wreaths and my husband even noticed this one. My vase cupboard is well and truly full!
DeleteDelicate and lovely! This is a miniature work of art, Alison. I can imagine in a shop this would be snatched right up!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Perhaps I'd better start collecting some more rosebuds.
DeleteI think all 3 positions show off the wreath well, Alison, but I can entirely empathize with the photography struggle as I often spend more time on that than the arrangements I create myself. Yesterday, I was sorely tempted to move my heavy potted bromeliads around the garden to show them to better advantage when I threw up my hands and declared enough! I love that you've dried flowers and foliage to use in wreaths and well remember when I collected dried flower arrangements. I even have a piece of art under glass constructed from dried plant material, a gift from a friend long ago.
ReplyDeleteHehe, glad it's not just me then. Sometimes I do ask myself what on earth I am doing. I haven't dried much as I didn't start early enough. Lovely to have something to remind you of an old friend like that.
DeleteIt's good to know that IAVOM parly contributed to your flower farming venture - hope it is all going well for you. The wreath is SO pretty and the rosebuds are such a beautiful faded shade - I must check how best to dry them, unless you can give some recommendations... There is another flush of Blush Noisette I could experiment with. Growing some flowers for drying is new to me this year but helichrysum and statice are brilliant, whilst some of the gomphrena may need their stems to be wired - but it opens up more possibilities for winter vases. I look forward to seeing what else you use in your wreaths - we learn such a lot from IAVOM so thanks for all your contributions, Alison
ReplyDeleteThank you. My venture is going well thank you, I've made a good start and now have lots of planning to do for next year. It's very easy to dry roses. I just hang them upside down somewhere warmish and not in direct sunlight. They dry a little darker than the original colour so you can get some interesting effects. I have just been picking the last few buds on 'Harlow Carr' and hanging them up.
DeleteOh this is gorgeous....I have never had luck with wreaths but you are an artist!
ReplyDeleteThank you, that is very kind.
DeleteYour NIAVOM wreath is lovely...the fern which is turning into its autumn colours gives it all that very special touch.
ReplyDeleteFinding the best light is always a challenge at this time of year! I love your wreath – very pretty and inspired use of the fern fronds.
ReplyDeleteSo delicate and pretty! I know what you mean about finding the right spot (and light) for photos, but your images are lovely and show off the detail in the wreath nicely. How clever you are to produce something like this. :)
ReplyDeleteOh what a pretty and delicate looking ring a ring of roses Alison. Thanks for explaining how you put it together. I feel a seasonal wreath might be in the pipeline - I have honesty in abundance :)
ReplyDelete