For the Love of Flowers: Silver and Lace

This past weekend there was an open house event out at Mission Farms, in Leawood, KS.  ARTichokes art gallery was participating and asked me to set up a display of flowers.  I was still feeling inspired by the vintage "moody bridal" bouquet I created for a recent photo shoot, and decided to go along the same lines with my display theme.  

For props I brought along a vintage lace tablecloth of my grandmothers, lots of old books I've collected over the years, some wooden crates, old silver trays and a few silver vessels.  I wanted one tall arrangement which I put into a mercury glass trumpet vase.  

I wanted a diversity of colors and blooms, so my design assistant, who also happens to be my mom, came a long with me to the wholesaler to pick our bunches.  She chose some bright magentas and oranges, to which we also added some billy balls, just for fun.

 

Tray full of boots :)

I chose blooms in light pinks, creams, and whites, which I thought would feel both bridal and springy.  

The ever under rated spider mum.  Such a showy, fragrant bloom.  Too bad the color choices are so limited.

The day before I had found some bunches at the grocery store for just $1.  That price is crazy cheap, so I snatched them up and we made a few arrangements and this sweet little boot:

We wrapped everything in a variety of different ribbons including silk, velvet, satin, and herringbone.  We went a little nuts with all the textures and colors, but it was supposed to showcase what we can do so I figured why not!

It was also the debut of my very first brooch bouquet.  Still not certain whether I'm going to try to sell these bad boys.  They're time consuming, and expensive to make, but the results are so lovely.  What do you think?

We had fun getting ready for the event, took tons of pictures for my portfolio, shot some video to hopefully make a promo, and I met a sweet new client.  And lets not forget some quality time with the family and my hubby.  

 
love, emmy-ray

For the Love of Flowers: Moody Bridal Shoot

My friend bon bon Betsy e-mailed me the other day saying that they would be doing a bridal shoot at the antique store in Westport, and needed a bouquet.  When I asked her what the theme/color scheme was, she said there wasn't one, but the best way to describe the atmosphere of the shop would be "moody" and obviously antique/vintage.  So I went to the wholesaler, which was pretty much wiped out because of Valentines Day, and managed to grab a few lovely blooms.

For some reason when I thought "moody" the first color that popped into my head was a deep magenta, red wine color.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like the light pink peonies with this mix, but I think they provide a nice counterpoint and break up the bouquet a bit.

I also got to use carnations, which I've been a big advocate for.  These ones were a deep magenta/purple inside with white outsides.  And the smell of this bouquet was delightful.

I grabbed some hand dyed Hanna Ribbon, which I was introduced to by Julie of Coordinately Yours.  It really gives bouquets a more luxe feeling than the usual satin wrap.  

And I just had to include the usual Hazel photo bomb pic.  She's such a curious pup, she has to investigate anything and everything I'm up to.

love, emmy-ray

Images: Tie Macaron Angry Bird Flynn Chocolates

Vintage Tie Collection

My First Macarons Ever

Angry Bird Canned Good Sculpture

Sleepy Old Man Flynn

Christopher Elbow Chocolates

love, emmy-ray

Valentines for my Friends

This year, being a hand maker of things and all, I decided to make home made valentines rather than going out and buying all of them (not that there's anything wrong with that).  I think it's the very first year that I sent them out to all of our friends, and I'm really happy I did it.  A lot of people seemed really surprised and appreciative, so I knew it brightened their days, and let them know we were thinking of them.  

I made them using white card stock, and then simple supplies I bought at a craft store including: $1 rubber stamps, Gelly Roll pens, and special markers used to color stamps, a package of pink envelopes.

Hooray!  Hope you had a Happy Valentines Day.  What did you do for your friends and family?

love, emmy-ray

Saturday Matinee: Improv Everywhere

Sometimes I wish I lived in New York so I could witness/take part in some of Improv Everywheres super fun pranks and stunts.  I guess for now I'll just live vicariously through their videos.  Here's a few of my favorites.  

 

 

 

So much fun!

love, emmy-ray

The Money Pit: Our Valentines Day House Tour

Matt finds my love of all things holiday "cute".  I have to say that I just can't help myself, I guess it's that part of me that loves to celebrate that get's all excited for those special days each month.  And of course it's another excuse to decorate, which can also be included on my list of favorite things. 

This is a new wreath that I made this year.  It's inspired by conversation hearts.  I wanted to use a fun mix of colors just like the candies, so I ordered some fancy felt from Giant Dwarf.  I embroidered messages onto each heart and filled it with stuffing to give it some dimension.  I wrapped a foam wreath form in yarn, and also created some pom poms.  I couldn't help but add a little sparkle so I glittered some wood beads, and used vintage sequin pink trim for the bow and hanger.

I of course decked out the mantle using some of the red lantern lights we bought for our wedding, and the hearts I used to create a paper mobile last year.  I found some lovely red votive holders on sale for half off at Michaels, and some little heart lights for a dollar at Target.

I think my grandma gave me these little guys many years ago.  They're super kitschy, which is right up my alley.  I put them out every year.

The entry table has a few little valentines features here and there.  However the thing I'm most excited about is the frame I made to hold Christmas cards, which I've hung up for year round use.  I like being able to switch out the photos easily, and having multiple ones of friends and family represented.

Of course Hazel couldn't help but get in on some camera time.

That's it, I hope you enjoyed my little Valentines tour.  

love, emmy-ray

The Fabulous French Knot

I'm such a fan of embroidery, I like to do mine freestyle!  I find it's such a zen thing to do to keep your hands busy while sitting on the couch in the evenings.  That way when Matt's watching college basketball I don't feel guilty about not spending time with him, but I can still feel like I'm getting something done.  One of may favorite stitches has always been the french knot, which apparently isn't an easy one to master.  But just check out all these beautiful little things you can make:

French Knot Monogram Project via Craftzine.

Colorful teardrops via Pinterest.

Abstract French Knot Work by Jeane Eve Klein

I'm a big fan of this sweet little rainbow piece found over at carina's craftblog.

Now wasn't that fun?  I also found this tutorial that shows you how to make the "fool proof" french knot.  If you want to learn embroidery, it's definitely worth checking out.  Happy stitching!

love, emmy-ray

Make Something Monday: Postponed :(

Hey kittens, I'm totally bummed,but my second installment of Make Something Monday, Valentines Day edition is going to have to be postponed.  I'm laying in bed, sicker than a dog today, boo!

However, don't fret, I've found these other fun Valentines DIY tutorials to keep you busy in the meantime:

How about this adorable sewn garland from Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Or this totally adorbs pomander made from cupcake liners, found via Dirty Laundry and demonstrated on The Party Dress.

love, emmy-ray

 

Enjoying My Day in the Sun...

Hello everyone, sorry for my lack of posts.  This handmaker of things has been on vacation this week, and even got stuck in Florida one extra day due to Snowpocalypse 2011.  But we'll resume our regularly scheduled program next week.  Until then enjoy the view I've been looking at all week:

And this is what I get to go home to: