Silk Flowers, but First......

See what we received in the mail yesterday? This wonderful singing bear, from none other than Naomi of Here in the Hills. After she received one during the holidays, I wrote and asked where they were available. I had no idea that Naomi would be so kind as to purchase one for us - but here he is! The best thing about the bear is that when you press on his left paw, he sings - in the most delightful English accent - Put on a Happy Face! I had remarked to her that mr. kenju needed one of them to remind him not to be so dour. When we got it today, Mr. kenju had just opened our December power bill, which was a whopper. If he ever needed a "happy face" that was the time. And it worked! He laughed and laughed. You can't help but be cheered up by the sights and sounds of that cute bear singing in his wonderful accent! Thank you, Naomi, for being so thoughtful; we love you!

Now, on to the silks.....

Click to embiggen, I hope.

Silk flowers used to be more popular than they are now, and until about 4 years ago, I used to get calls for them all the time. My favorite clients were the ones like the woman who owned the painting above, which had been given to her by her brother. She brought me this gorgeous raku pottery container; I had to go to her home to see where it would sit. I was asked to take advantage of the height (over 5 feet from the mantel up) and to design something complimentary in color and style to the painting. I love a good challenge!

This arrangement, done in a beautiful epergne owned by a local decorator, was placed in a foyer niche in a Parade of Homes house a number of years ago. Containers such as this one inspire me, as did the confines of the niche, which was only about 2 feet wide.

The spray above was made for hanging above a frameless mirror in a client's home. It consists mainly of dried flowers, not silks, which was her stipulation. It has dried hydrangeas, gardenias, lemons, amaranthus, various foliages and some silk berries and branches to give it width and bulk. Good quality freeze-dried flowers will last at least a year, and sometimes longer if they are not exposed to bright sunlight.

This client's home was very well appointed and I enjoyed getting to see her decor, and adding to it. She requested pheasant feathers and calla lilies, and I added bells of Ireland , miniature orchids and corkscrew willow branches.

For the one above, I worked with an interior designer. She also requested pheasant feathers and willow. Do you know the word serendipity? That's what I had here. I had not seen the painting hanging over the mantel, and thus did not know about the curves found in it. When I delivered the arrangement, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the curves of my feathers perfectly echoed the curves in the painting! Another good point was that the decorator mentioned to me that she didn't know what to put on the right side of the mantel, but she knew it needed something. I told her I had seen that gold obelisk at a local gift shop, and she bought it for that mantel. Additionally, she had seen in my home the monkey table beside the chair and asked me how to get one - so I ordered it for the decorator and she used it here.

NOTE To the Spiffys (Biff and Tiff); every time I see that leopard spotted ottoman, I think of your neighbor's "porn couch".....LOL

Lastly, a wreath for a client's front door. I need to make a new one similar to this for my front porch - since I still have my Christmas wreath hanging out there. Shame on me!!