Thursday, October 28, 2010

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

Monday, October 25, 2010

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!














Friday, October 15, 2010

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