First, let me apologize for the bad pics.  I took them with my cell phone.  I just got home from NYC.  What a week.  I had the great luck to be there during Macy's Flower Show.  The whole store was packed with flowers.  The main entrance had pink flamingos made with kalanchoe!  They were fabulous.  The whole store smelled like hyacinths.  It was a flower lover's paradise.     

One big observation I made while shopping in NYC.... yellow is back.  There were lots of dresses, purses, accessories in yellow!  

AA   

I got a nice surprise today!  My good friend, J Schwanke, featured the John Henry Everyday Book on his ubloom.com webisode today.  I had the great pleasure of working on the book.  Check it out!

John Henry Everyday Book Webisode

Thanks for the kind words J!

I had the great pleasure of working with friends at Flower by the Shore in Gulf Shores, AL on the wedding of Raya and Joe.  As with all outdoor ceremonies, there should always be a Plan B.  We ended up moving the ceremony to the Ono Island Communit Center to avoid the rain.  A little unwanted moisture could not dampen the spirits of the bride though.  She was a trooper and just went with it. 

Raya's future mother-in-law, Catherine, handled all of the arrangements for the wedding.  Raya's color scheme was pinks and greens.  A very fresh choice for her new beginning. 

The stage was set with florals at the entrance, an important element to let the guests have just a sneak peak at what's inside.  The chuppah is a symbol of the home that the bride ang groom will share.  The original meaning of the word "chuppah" is to cover with garlands.

There were two styles of centerpieces at the reception.

      I hope to get the professional's pictures to share.  I'm sure they are much better than mine.  Congratulations Raya and Joe!

While in Starkeville, MS for the AIFD Southern Conference a couple of weeks ago I got to participate in the Artist In Residence Program at Mississippi State University.  I had the great pleasure to meet and talk to the Interior Plantscaping class in the Dept of Plant and Soil Sciences.   We talked about special event design and business practices.  The students in the class had varied backgrounds and goals. Some of them Horticulture majors, some not.   I also got to participate in their Lab class.  The class created their own fantasy garden arrangement.  Each was instructed to use plant and floral material to create their own plantscape.  Everyone's was different.  It was fun to hear about the place that  inspired their creation.  We also worked on design  techniques with greenery. I also got to speak to the Basic Floral Design Class on Tuesday morning at 8:00am.  I was pleased to see that most of them were awake and alert even at that hour (I know how hard that is for college students).  Some great questions!  I welcome them all into the world of floral design.  Thanks for a great couple of days! 

   Lab - Great job everyone!

 Dr. Jim DelPrince - Associate Professor of Floral Design, the class and myself went out to a fabulous dinner and more conversation.  Thanks for having me to MSU! 

Every year the American Institute of Floral Designers Southern Chapter has a three day conference.  This time is used to educate and inspire.  I was asked to give a presentation on  the Art of Floral Design.  I was sponsored by the FloraCraft Corp.  They sell many useful products for the floral industry such as, Styrofoam, natural straw products, Artesia wet foam forms and bricks just to name a few.  I spoke to members of the Institute, as well as, students of floral design at Mississippi State University.  It was great to see old friends and meet new ones. 

Divider with geometric floral shapes and large "stone vase" made of Styrofoam.   

  Arch and pedestals painted to look like stone structures with Design Master Grey Flannel paint then Quarry Colortex (sooo easy).   

"Stone" pedestal, flat cone topiary covered with fugi mums and topiary forms all made of Styrofoam.  Garden elements by Napco.

These great vases are from the Napco Company.  They make quite a statement on a "forever table" for recptions.  They would also make a fabulous aisle treatment.