Rebekah Johnson

Instead of buying glass or ceramic vases, let’s take advantage of what is in our cupboards (any types of glasses, bowls, plates). Or even better, let’s create our own. It’s a bit time consuming, but a lot of fun and the end result offers a more sculptural effect.

On Monday September 14, I am offering a class on designing with fruits, vegetables and flowers; let me know if you’d like to sign up.

The options to create natural and organic containers are endless:

-Cover plastic containers with double-sided tape; then attach glossy leaves (laurel, croton, camelia) all around the container. Using twigs, rosemary or pieces of snake grass cut at the same length also creates a fabulous effect.

-Certain varieties of fruits and vegetables and fruits, such as melons, eggplants, squashes,… can be scooped out and filled with foam to create perfect water tight containers.

-Asparagus and leeks or halves of artichokes glued to a plastic containers look fabulous!

-Core an apple or pear half way (or drill a hole in gourds), add water and you’ll have a great vessel that will hold a few stems.

-Fill a glass vase with fruits or small vegetables (cranberries, unripe plums, figs and pears, small apples, lines and lemons…)

-Use 2 concentric vases and fill the space between them with rose petals.

In the next few weeks I will be posting more images to show examples; but here are some pictures of my favorite organic container: the Artichoke!

(more…)

Over 100 gardeners have laid out the pattern and a team of 80 volunteers created this breathtaking Carpet of Flowers in Brussels in August 2008.

The first Carpet of Flowers was created in 1971 as a way to promote begonias (Belgium is the world’s largest producer and exporter  of these tubers); this event takes place every 2 years. The capital’s public square is transformed into a sea of color and fragrance with a carpet of flowers. To keep the flowers fresh, fountains and sprinklers are incorporated within the pattern of the carpet.

Close to a million begonia flowers were used to create the magnificent 300 square meters carpet. The pattern is based on a midieval carpet design.

Craftsmen arrange the carpet by hand, directly into the square’s cobblestones, without any soil. Grass and tree bark were also used to provide color

August 1, 2009

Jill and Gabe were married on a very hot summer day at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

Ramey Newell was the photographer.

A large flower ball of white and green flowers rests on a tall vase filled with green fruit

(more…)

Paul Hernandez

Joni Shimabukuro

(more…)

Dahlias are one of the most popular garden flowers. Extremely versatile, the flowers can take on a great variety of different shapes, colors and sizes.

The dahlia was originally discovered by European adventurers in the 16th century in what was to become Mexico. In Europe a Spanish monk named the flower in honor of  botanist Anders Dahl.

Dahlias are in great demand for weddings and events during the summer and fall.

Joni Shimabukuro

Joni Shimabukuro

Dahlias are perfect for topiaries; lots of texture at the base in container covered with halves of baby artichokes

(more…)

Notecards of Françoise’s arrangements, photographed by Joni Shimabukuro of Joni Photo

These cards highlight Françoise’s use of lush texture in all of her designs. Overall views of the arrangements show the structure, composition and atmosphere , while close-ups reveal the details of seed pods, fruits and vegetables, houseplants, succulents and seasonal flowers that naturally nestle together to form the whole design. Each card includes both views, one on the front and its opposite on the back. Thoughtful gifts for any occasion, they capture the beauty of each original design.

Seasonal Notecard Set

This set of cards includes arrangements from the four seasons. What is so fun, surprising and inspiring is the plethora of plant materials available that make it hard to tell which season is which!

Seasonal Notecard Set includes
8 cards, (blank inside) & 8 envelopes
$15.00

Price with Shipping

1 box with shipping $18.00 2 boxes with shipping $34.50 3 boxes with shipping $51.00

Woodland Notecard Set

The woodland notecards are inspired by Françoise’s childhood in Belgium, where she would create magical arrangements from bark, tree limbs, rocks and wildflowers. She has reinterpreted her love of the woodland arrangement for her wedding and event business.

Woodland Notecard Set includes 8 cards, (blank inside) & 8 envelopes $15.00

Price with Shipping

1 box with shipping $18.00 2 boxes with shipping $34.50 3 boxes with shipping $51.00

Beautiful fireplaces add a romantic touch to reception sites. Elaborate or simple decorations always enhances the mantle beautifully!

Holland Studios

A lush garden arrangement on the mantle at the Portland Golf Club

Jamie Bosworth

(more…)

For the last couple of years log arrangements and woodland bouquets have captivated my attention. Maybe it’s because they are rooted in a childhood memory, that popped up out of nowhere a couple of years ago:

I grew up in Belgium. My parents were avid hikers and for 4 consecutive  summers we spent a month in Switzerland, where we went on daily hikes. Every year we went to a different area of this gorgeous country that is nestled in the Alps. Getting to our destination was a fun adventure of train rides!

Every day, dad mapped out another day hike while mom packed our lunches and off we went. Whenever possible we would stop by a creek for a lunch break; the 4  kids loved to explore the meadows and we always had so much fun gathering pieces of bark, moss and wildflowers to delight mom with an arrangement!

Bark, branches, moss, lichen, seedpods, herbs, river rock, lots of texture and sometimes a few flowers: a fabulous recipe for the woodland arrangements that I have had so much fun with lately.

My friend Joni has photographed many of them; her incredible pictures always illustrate the many details that make these old pieces of wood come alive!

(more…)

These were very fun projects!

Ron Weeks

Ron Weeks

(more…)

Chair decorations that have been used for the ceremony are often moved to the reception.

Sometimes the Bride and Groom like a special decoration for their chairs at the reception. Whether it is a small hand-tied bouquet attached with ribbon, an initial or flower garland,  chairbacks are always a lovely touch!

Krista Kay

This garland made with roses, dahlias, chocolate cosmos, scabiosa, seedpods and figs created a stark contrast against the white chairs.

Jamie Bosworth

A couple of cobra lilies, fiddleheads, seedpods, berries and grasses have been tied together to fit the very textural theme of this wedding.

(more…)