A Special Gift...

One of my former brides and fellow Etsy artisans, asked me if I could help her create a wonderful floral arrangement for some relatives who are helping her father-in-law through his illness. They've done so much for my client and her husband to care for their dad so she wanted to give them something to show them just how much they appreciated their help and support.My client really liked the bouquet I did for my client Jessie. Granted I try not to make any of my bouquets or arrangements exactly alike so there's a few modifications, but ever so slight. My client told me the couple's room is blue and white and she asked if I thought this would go with their room. I told her blues and purples are very complimentary in color so it would be a great pop of color in their bedroom.

I have another arrangement I have to work on for another one of my repeat clients this week, magnolias and plum blossoms! Stay tuned for that.

Purples and Yellows...

My dad is getting married next month. He asked me if I could create his wedding invitations a couple of months ago. His fiance's favorite colors are purples and yellows. As a gift to my dad and his fiance, I offered to make her bridal bouquet. Since she loves purple, yellow and phaleanopsis orchids, I tried to incorporate these into the bouquet.I struggled with this bouquet, but I think it came out nicely when it was all said and done. It's interesting how just a bit of accent painting and details can change the look of the bouquet.This bouquet consists of bright purple phaleanopsis orchids and buds, buttercream yellow ranunculus, bright yellow poppies, lilac purple hyacinth blossoms, and lavender purple open garden roses.

Plumerias - Part 2

I finally finished Amanda's order of plumeria boutonnieres, corsages and her cake topper.

There is something wonderful about a bouquet of white plumeria flowers. I miss that delicate fragrance they have. They are and always have been one of my all-time favorite flowers.I took some photos of the cake topper, bridesmaid bouquet and the groomsmen boutonnieres.

Plumerias...

My client Amanda, hired me 2 years ago for her wedding. She wanted plumerias for her bridal party bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and cake topper. The day has finally come and I'm almost done with her order. Today I focused on painting all the plumerias and embellishing the blossoms with crystal rhinestones. The bouquets are all done, but will finish the boutonnieres, corsages and cake topper tomorrow.We originally discussed navy blue wraps for her bridesmaids but in the last few months she told me the dresses had changed and were black with a turquoise blue beading band. She originally thought of blue plumerias or doing turquoise blue hydrangeas. I suggested that maybe we stick to doing what is natural as long term it will be a nicer keepsake. As I started making all the plumerias, I thought that maybe doing turquoise rhinestone crystal centers might be nicer. Amanda agreed and she only asked that I not put a crystal in every flower so it looks more natural. I think the crystals matching the ribbon wrap are beautiful.

Amanda's bouquet is about 11 inches in diameter and her rhinestones are AB crystals so they reflect lots of different colors with a white satin ribbon wrap.

Lots of hair flowers to work on tomorrow to complete another order. 6 more orders to complete before some much deserved time off with my family! :)

Nothing but Gardenias...

There's definitely a pattern going on with my flower making. I switched from making nothing but peonies to nothing but gardenias. My next order is all about plumerias. :)This particular client fell in love with an invitation I did for my client, Kristy way back but wanted a gardenia instead of a magnolia motif but loved the pink and brown combination. She ordered invitations, a guest book, favor boxes and hair flowers. I just finished her order yesterday and it's all packed and ready to ship.It just so happened yesterday, when I went to the floral supply store they had some extra FRESH gardenias they were giving away and I got to take home 2! They smell so delicate and sweet! I took a couple of photos. My goal is to one day master the gardenia so you really can't tell if it's real or fake. :)Seriously a lot of plumerias being made for my next client's wedding. Will post as soon as I'm done with that order.

Peonies, Peonies and More Peonies...

It's been a busy week. Last week my son fell ill, thinking he for sure had strep throat we had him go in for a strep test, the test results were negative. He didn't get any better so we scheduled him to see his doctor and he has pneumonia. He's on the road to recovery, but it makes me sad that he is now prone to getting recurring cases of pneumonia any time he catches a cold or flu. He's a trooper. He's feeling much better = he's driving me crazy! :)

I've been trying to keep up with all my orders and the last few have been time consuming. Lots of hair flower orders. I have one client who wanted 5 fuchsia pink peonies and 1 smaller one for her flower girl. She wanted an ivory-white peony with pearl beading for herself.Another bride wanted several peonies for her bridal party, the mothers and friends who were helping at the wedding. Each wanted one to match their dresses.The last photo is that of some new textures that I'm playing around with on my peony petals. I'm very excited about it. They make the flowers look more realistic and less uniform. They are quite subtle. Looking forward to experimenting more in the coming months when I have a little more time to design and create. For now, I have to stay focused on my June orders that I need to finish and then a well deserved VACATION! :)

Wedding Gift - Reception Centerpieces

My dear friend, Sheryl and her fiance Norm are getting married next weekend! It's been a long time coming and I'm so happy for the two of them. I was fortunate enough to be asked to do her wedding invitations and favors. I also ended up doing her candle votives, table cards and I wanted to gift her with 2 centerpieces for her head table that she could keep as keepsakes.We decided on 3 vases with the aquamarine patterned stock and plum purple ribbon we used on her invitations. The taller vase will house her wedding bouquet that a fresh florist is creating for her and these 2 centerpieces will sit on either side of the bouquet. Her florist is using ivory Vendela roses, white callas with a purple throat and cymbidium orchids. She fell in love with these deep plum purple orchids I did for another client so we used those and I asked if I could use lilac as filler, so she chose white and green lilacs. I love how they turned out.All the best to Sheryl and Norm on their wedding day!

Pink, White and Green...

I finished another bridal bouquet order this morning. This one consisted of light pink English roses, white mini calla lilies with yellow and green accents, stephanotis flowers with pearl centers and lily of the valley. The bride had an inspiration photo she wanted me to model the bouquet after, but with pink roses rather than peach.

It's another busy weekend ahead. I have a couple of centerpieces I need to work on and then I will be focusing on hair flowers for several clients.

Custom Favor Boxes - Plum and Aquamarine Blue

My good friend Sheryl's wedding is almost here. I just finished her custom favor boxes to match the wedding invitation we did for her a couple months back. She said everyone was so impressed with the invitations.

She wanted simple favor boxes and we used the same cardstocks we used for her wedding invitations to tie everything together. She wanted to dual purpose her favors by making them place cards as well. Another great cost saving tip for brides. On the inside are heart shaped, Hawaiian shortbread cookies wrapped with tissue and their favor tag to finish it off.I love the plum purple and aquamarine combination of colors! We even did matching votive candle holders with the aquamarine stock and the sheer plum ribbon. Sheryl plans to put floating candles in the votives as added decor for the tables.

White Gardenia Bouquet and Matching Hair Flower

An Etsy bride asked me to make her an all white gardenia bouquet and a matching hair flower for her wedding later this month. This is how it turned out.

Pink Peony Boutonniere and Hibiscus Cake Flowers

I just finished the rest of Kristin's destination Maui wedding order this morning. In addition to her fuchsia pink peony bouquet, she wanted a matching groom's boutonniere with the feathers and lace. She also wanted fuchsia pink and bright orange hibiscus flowers for her cake.

Fuchsia Peonies, Rhinestones, Feathers and Lace...

It's been an insane few weeks and I've been in this never ending cycle of catching up with all my orders. I powered through last night to complete the flowers for this client's order. I was able to assemble the bouquet today and I'm so glad it's done. I just have to finish the bride's cake flowers and the groom's boutonniere.I love peonies. The bride sent me a photo of light pink peonies, with rhinestones, black ostrich feathers and black lace applique. However she wanted fuchsia pink peonies, rhinestones, whitish-ivory feathers and ivory lace applique. I really love how this bouquet turned out. I think it would be equally as beautiful in light pink with the same embellishments.Coming up on the horizon is gardenia flowers for a bouquet and matching hair flowers and then finishing up some wedding favors for a special friend of mine who's getting married.

Orange and Green Cymbidiums for a Destination Maui Wedding

My client Jenna hired me several months ago to do her wedding invitations and flowers. The flowers are finally completed. Originally she had wanted a mixture of green and orange cymbidium orchids for her bouquets, but about a couple of weeks ago, she emailed me to say that there was a huge mix-up with her bridesmaid dresses and she had to order new dresses. The dresses were a floral pattern of orange poppies with green leaves on a white dress. Since she felt the bouquets would clash with the dress, she asked me to keep the bridesmaid bouquets in orange and we agreed on hints of white.

This is how her order turned out. Definitely a vibrant and tropical feel. Even my husband commented, "that must be for a Hawaii destination wedding client."
Later this week I hope to share photos of a peonies, feathers, rhinestones and lace! Stay tuned....

Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California Honors Hawaiian Airlines

It's that time of year again when I'm asked to create the 5 strand pikake and pakalana lei for the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California's Five Star of Aloha Gala. This event raises money to offer scholarships to deserving students who wish to further their education either in Hawaii or in Northern California. This year the honoree for the award goes to Hawaiian Airlines for all they do to bridge Hawaii to the Bay Area.

I'm always so honored that I get to be part of this annual event in the way of an award. I've been doing it now for 5 years. My work has gone to the likes of Sam Choy, June Jones, Roy Yamaguchi, Brothers Cazimero, and now Hawaiian Airlines.
This year unfortunately I'm unable to attend, but always happy to help create this award. Congratulations to the scholarship award winners this year!