Make Your Own Designer Holiday Urn

Please join us for one of three design classes we are offering
Wednesday November 24th 5:30pm -8
Saturday November 27th 2:30pm-5
Tuesday November 30th 5:30pm-8


OUTDOOR URN DESIGN CLASS
Create your own customized holiday urn with fresh designer foliage and unique accents! Even bring your pot (if you can lift it!)
Pine, fir cedar, magnolia, ilex and more
Cost is $75.00 per person and includes all materials, complimentary glass of wine, snacks and a lot of fun!

Class size is limited so call or email to reserve
613-966-5555
flowersbydustin@on.aibn.com

Katie

Katie is the first bride I've done flowers for that I've known for most of my life. Our parents worked together for the federal government for many many years and despite their respective retirements a special relationship exists between our two families still today. So, not only is Katie gorgeous, she has a fabulous groom (also handsome)a wonderful family, she has great taste and I couldn't be happier to get to do this work for her!
We packed up the car and headed over to Fields on WestLake where the ceremony and reception would be taking place.

This amazing rural setting is ideal for what Katie had in mind for her flowers- she spent a lot of time with images she found from The Knot and sent me a few of her favourites. They all had what we decided was a 'hot busy mess' quality that incorporated oranges,yellow and blues and most importantly forget-me-nots which have a special significance to her and her family. Because her wedding was in August we had to use faux forget-me-nots, but I suspect it was difficult to notice to the average person. Dahlias,queen anne's lace, yarrow, santorini daisies, mountain ash berries, and blue globe thistles all provided texture and by tucking the sunflowers in low the petals furled inward giving their signature bold yellow petals the emphasis rather than the darker centres.


Her sister, and maid of honour, Sarah dressed in a soft flowing orange dress and we used a similar style of bouquet composed of primarily blues and yellow to contrast her gown but differ slightly from Katie's. The bouquet is based with blue hydrangea yellow gerbera, solid yellow sunflowers and blue globe thistles, yarrow and solidago peak out amongst them.

The flower girl dropped petals from a galvanized tin with pearl handle and floral accents on each side as she made her way down the aisle.

Two larger arrangements flanked both sides of the gazebo where they were married overlooking the water.


The centrepieces all neatly tucked in place were arranged in vintage mason jars that Maribeth (the bride's mom)collected.



Wait until you see the images from Marc Polidoro photography-AMAZING!

Artwalk 2010

We were once again thrilled to have Sharon Bower join us in the shop this evening with her gorgeous and vibrant watercolours. It is completely fascinating to listen to Sharon describe the various techniques she uses to create her work. Her barn series particularly interested me... she brushes or rolls colours on to the page and allows the paints to run and move of their own will. After determining which orientation of the page she's going to use she then uses the coloured spaces as a backdrop for the barn that she paints on the top. That is only one of the many techniques she uses and it was really wonderful to see a small glimpse into the talent that is required to become proficient in this medium. Her colour palette emphasizes hues of greens, oranges, and reds and fits into our space beautifully.



We took the opportunity to display some bridal work we had had photographed by Bob House earlier that day and were pleased to give away all 4 bouquets to randomly drawn visitors we had throughout the evening.



Mike Malachowski and Sherri McKinney dropped in and were familiar with Sharon's work through a painting of hers in the family cottage and Mike was gracious enough to share with me this photograph he took that evening (we didn't plan on being arranged according to height!)

from left: Sherri Mckinney, Sharon Bower, Rebecca Burlington

Sarah

Sarah came to me after a hair consultation from Studio 237 (thank you Darek). She presented me with the concept of her woodland fairy style wedding taking place at the Batawa Ski Hill Lodge. We designed her bouquet based on an image she had found in creams, whites,and browns woven with fabulous tendrily vines. Her attendents would be carrying lanterns so we could focus soley on recreating this soft and romantic bouquet.

The end result was breathtaking and I think due to its unusual elements was my favourite bouquet this season. We had to test several products to find an appropriate vine that would create the same look as the photo, but that would also hold up in the warm summer sunshine. We settled on bittersweet and it certainly captured the look and feel we were going for. Creamy lisianthus- with it's own tendrily buds, white bouvardia, phlox and soft velvety dusty miller played off the textural elements of the echinops, clematis whorls and blushing bride leucadendrons.

Please see the stunning photography below of her georgous wedding from Maryanne by Farrow Photography-contact information: manne.farrow@gmail.com

Thanks Kristen!

Today we said goodbye to our special Co-Op Student Kristen Loveless...
we thoroughly enjoyed having her here with us and hope she has a fabulous
summer and will join us again in September...



Jameson obviously adored her...

The Torch Run

With great anticipation we waited outside to cheer on the torch runner for our section of Front St. It was a chilly day but we bundled up and joined in!
Jameson and Debbi waved their flag...

Make Your Own and Take it Home 2

During this class each student received enough ontrio pine and cedar, bc cedar, magnolia,fir, oregonia, ilex berries, curly willow and large pine cones to create an insert for their outdoor urn and a small door charm or swag.


Our second design class was a lovely evening with lots of laughs and some great finished projects by our students.
Each urn was composed of the same ingredients but took on the individuality of the designer and their own style of urn.

Florida weather affects floral greens

The above photos were sent to us from one of our wholesale suppliers John G.Hofland.

Florida frigid weather affects more than our food supply, it is possible that we may not be able to obtain some our standard and exotic foliages such as aspidistra leaves , leather leaf and foxtail fern.