Fall Colors - Reds, Oranges, Greens and Browns

The last couple of days I've been working on the next order in line. Kirsten found me via Etsy and asked me if I would create her fall-like bouquets for her wedding. We're doing 2 bouquets, 8 wrist corsages and 9 boutonnieres. Her inspiration bouquet was dark chocolate almost purplish proteas, pin cushion proteas, two tone orange roses and bells of Ireland. She wanted cranberry red, pumpkin orange mossy green and browns.

Last week when I touched bases with her she asked if we could instead do succulents versus the original plan of green cymbidium orchids. I said, "sure, no problem." Honestly not knowing if I could do it, but voila.... I think they came out pretty good! I am still in the process of making her proteas, but tried to make a small one for her groom's boutonniere. So far so good. Just need accent painting of a chocolate purple or chocolate red and we're good to go! So what is going to be the final product is the chocolate brown proteas, green succulents, red and pumpkin orange ranunculus, ivory tuberose and two-tone orange roses. Definitely a vast difference from my previous pastel and soft color palettes I've been doing of late.

Tomorrow I hope to start work on another order.... This week is my crunch week. 3 orders have to get out the door hopefully by Saturday since Monday is a holiday...

For a Good Cause - Help Fight Breast Cancer

My good friend Debbie Friedrich of Debbie Friedrich Photography down in San Diego, California, is going to be walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. I have not personally done the walk (but hope to one day be able to), but I know several women who have done it and all of them say it was one of the best things they could have done for themselves and those who are fighting against breast cancer. I can only imagine how emotional this 3 day walk is listening to all the stories the walkers have to share with others on this journey.

Debbie did not ask me to blog on her behalf just so you know. The reason I decided to post this is because breast cancer hits close to home. My mother lost her fight to breast cancer when I was 14 years old. It was a disease that lasted 3 years and she died the fall of my freshman year in high school, it was an awkward time for me. My mom was my world and my best friend. I watched her go through the entire disease and even was there when she passed away. I will live that day like it was yesterday. Granted technology and advancements in the science to find a cure have grown over the last 20 years and who knows, maybe my mom would have been a survivor if she had to go through it in this day and age.

You may not think you'll ever get it and that's exactly what I thought even though my mom had it. Until about 5 years ago when I first met my now husband. I found a lump. It was the most tragic thing that could have happened to me and I thought I had dealt with my mom's death until this. I dug myself into the deepest hole and imagined all the worst possible scenarios. Especially since I had just met the man of my dreams and now I'd have to deal with breast cancer and why would he want to stay with me if I had that. To make a long story short, my biopsy came out negative and it just so happened I had what they call, lumpy tissue in my breast. I was relieved, but in the back of my mind it lives with me every day. I'm truly amazed at how many women, even my aunts have also gone through it. I was not alone even though I felt like I was. My aunts were so upset I didn't confide in them, but I had no idea.

So I know that many of you do not know Debbie and her commitment to do the 3-day Breast Cancer Walk, but I would so appreciate it if this cause is personal to you or you want to donate to help fight for the cure, that you'll help Debbie in her efforts to fight for a cure for those of us who cannot make the physical commitment to do the walk. Debbie has been training hard the last several months and she's so excited to be taking this journey. Debbie is one of the most selfless people I know. She always helps others no matter how busy she is and donates her time and her money to help others in need.

Read more about Debbie, her work and her journey to do the 3-day walk at http://www.shootingfromtheheart.typepad.com/.

Even if it's $5.00 every and any amount helps and goes to a good cause. Help us and women and men everywhere fight for a cure for breast cancer. Make those who lost their fight to breast cancer proud. I know my mom would be proud of Debbie and would be happy that I'm doing my part (in a small way) to help find a cure.

Click on this link to go directly to Debbie's site to donate. She only has $800 left to raise to meet her $2200 goal. Can you imagine how many people walk and how much money the Susan G. Komen foundation raises for breast cancer research! That's truly amazing and my hat's off to all the wonderful women and men who make the commitment to do this 3-day walk. My hope is that one day, all women and men who might be afflicted with breast cancer will all be considered survivors and they will have won the fight against breast cancer!

I can't wait to hear Debbie's experiences when it's over. Good luck Deb and Miles 4 Melons!

Day 7 - Miss Pineapple's Order

Okay so technically today is Day 7 of Miss Pineapple's order. I'm OFFICIALLY done with the order! Just finished the boutonnieres and corsages for Mr. Pineapple and the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom! It's such an accomplishment when finishing an order this big. One more wedding to check off the list! These are the final pictures of the boutonnieres and corsages...

Best Wishes to you Mr. & Mrs. Pineapple! It's been so much fun sharing your florals with your weddingbee.com readers as well as mine!

Day 6 - Miss Pineapple's Order

The bouquets are DONE!!! Yesterday even though I was feeling a little under the weather, I persevered and got the last of the flowers and finishing touches done. This morning I decided to put the rest of the MOH and bridesmaid bouquets together. Don't they look STUNNING? Each one is slightly different, but not too drastically different. The MOH bouquet is slightly larger than the rest of the bridesmaid bouquets. What an accomplishment.

Basically in 7 days time I've completed 6 bouquets, 9 boutonnieres, 3 corsages and 1 cake topper.

I even have left over flowers. Which is great, because sometimes I'm short and have to scramble to make more and try to get them to dry before the order ships. Lesson learned... What will I do with these extras you ask??? Well, most likely I will use them to add to other arrangements to sell on my Etsy site. The corsage and remaining boutonniere pictures will be up later today.

Day 5 - Miss Pineapple's Order

My workspace now looks literally like I run a florist shop! The flowers are blooming everywhere... The only difference, I make my flowers... LOL... Yesterday I spent the day fielding a lot of email inquiries directly and via my Etsy site after Miss (now Mrs.) Pineapple posted the progression of her clay flowers on the weddingbee.com blog. My web page views shot up to near 900! Gotta love it. Being a corporation of one, however, it's hard to keep up with all aspects, but I do my best. Finally after lunch, I decided, I NEED to focus on the flowers. So by the end of the day yesterday I had managed to make 24 Victorian mauvish purple roses (20-25 petals each), 5 fully open peonies in a light peach with copper fringe center (individually cut center with 25-30 petals each).

Today I thought I would show you how her bridesmaid bouquets are shaping up. I still have the deep copper colored filler flowers to make today (goal is 30 clusters of 5-7 flowers per cluster) individually rolled with a toothpick! Miss Pineapple also gave me creative license in terms of the bridesmaid bouquets and mix it up a little. So some bouquets will have more peonies, some with more copper roses, some with more ranunculus, etc. It kind of makes sense because the groomsmen will have different copper colored ties in different patterns/textures and the bridesmaids will be wearing different styles of a black dress!

Well, back to work... My goal today is to finish those clusters and start my next big order... which will be somewhat of a challenge. King protea in a rich chocolate/burgandy tone and green succulents... After that... my first large centerpiece order in some 12 inch urn style vases. Lots to do so stay tuned..

DK Designs on Elizabeth Ann Designs Library

Today, I was fortunate to be added to Elizabeth Anne Designs' Library Link Love section under florals! They have such a wonderful blog and wedding resource library, how could I not be part of it. They are one of the many bridal blogs I like to read regularly. For my past clients, Elizabeth Anne Designs recommends that you comment about your experience with DK Designs. Just simply email them via their contact link and share your experiences with other brides who might be considering clay flowers for their wedding day florals!

Day 4 - Miss Pineapple's Order

Yesterday was a good day all around... Although I always wish I could pump out more flowers in any given day, I'm making really good progress. I made 25 peach colored ranunculus flowers which consist of a center that is individually cut into tiny slivers and each flower has 20-25 petals individually made and attached. Doesn't seem like a lot of flowers but it's a lot of work. Also, I attached all the completed flowers to the stems, finished Miss Pineapple's bouquet and 5 boutonnieres.

I have to say, if I don't have big muscles in my arms before this order is completed, something is wrong. My arms are seriously being worked by kneading all the clay I've been using to create the colors for the bouquet. I'm a clay flower making machine... LOL...

On a side note, my web page views were up to a whopping 596 yesterday. I can only assume that it's due to the Something Old Something New blog post and possibly more people listening to my podcast interview. I also had a chance to spend time with my son. Yesterday was picture day and he had a play-date with kids at school so the moms could meet and we could all know who the kids are.

At any rate, these are the pictures of Miss Pineapple's bouquet. She's going to add her own ribbon, but I thought for the sake of these pictures it would be nice to show the finished piece. I really think it came out beautifully. Victorian Elegance for sure. The boutonnieres are simple, but I think they will look nice with the varying copper colored ties the groomsmen will be wearing.

I had to take one last picture of all the flowers on stems that are still patiently waiting to be put into bouquets. I couldn't resist. It's the first time I felt like a "FLORIST"... You know that feeling when you walk into a floral shop and see bunches and bunches of amazingly beautiful flowers... That's how I felt this morning. I normally don't get large bouquet orders so it kind of hit me as I was taking the pictures. The only difference is there is no floral fragrance wafting through my workspace! LOL....

Another day that will be a busy one. My goal = light peach peonies with copper centers and purplish mauve Victorian roses... Lots still to do...