Fall is Here

It has been a busy summer so I haven't done much in the way of arranging until recently. It was time for a new arrangement for church and a wreath for the door at home.

I just created one arrangement because the stage area gets a lot of use in the fall with our fall fest and the children beginning to practice for the Christmas program. Luckily this arrangement only looks heavy. I used a mix of dried and artificial flowers in this piece. The eucalyptus, seed pods, yarrow, and cat tails are all dried. The mums, dahlias, artichokes, and leaves are artificial. The container is a barrel, which I think is fun for fall. 

Our church is hosting the area presbytery meeting this month so I was asked to make an arrangement for the foyer too. I found this great large cornucopia at the pottery several weeks ago and just had to have it. I decided this was the perfect use for it. I created some asymmetry with an arrangement containing a cream rose, a pomegranate, a seed pod, an artichoke, an ornamental cabbage, some leaves, and wheat.

I had three more pomegranates and some chinese lantern flowers that I removed from their branches. I placed these items in a glass bowl. I love these colors!

After the fun at church, I was in the mood to make something for the house. I used the rest of my wheat and some red and orange grass. I added a curled bit of bamboo for interest on the right side of the wreath. I used a greenery base. This picture was taken with my phone so it's a little fuzzy.

Happy Fall!

Spring Has Sprung

Other areas of the US may still be cold and dreary, but we are bursting forth with warm weather, budding trees, and I even saw some mosquitos yesterday. The mosquitos can stay away, but everything else is very welcome! To celebrate spring, we decorated the house with some spring decor.

First comes the table linen that my exchange student friend Verena brought to our family when I was 16. We pull it out every Easter. It has such beautiful details!

This year on the mantle I decided to do something a little different. I decided to use easter grass as a decoration by itself instead of a filler. I like the way it turned out.

Next came the bunny explosion. Bunnies on the shelf, in the foyer, and on the bar. I love the one on the bar. It's a dish that I bought at Starbucks several years ago. He looks like he is swimming in jelly beans.

There was also an egg explosion. Marble eggs on the mantle, a large painted egg on the landing (my sister-in-law is the talented artist), and a lovely wreath from Pier 1.

I think it is safe to say, that this house is ready for spring and the Easter Bunny!

Wreaths, Wreaths, and more Wreaths

I made several wreaths for the house, for the office and for the church. It was a great stress reliever and holiday movie watching activity.

Christmas Decorating Beginning

Tomorrow is the first Sunday in advent so my mother and I decorated the church on Black Friday. It was much more enjoyable than elbowing through crowds at 2 am. I made this urn wreath to go in front of the pulpit. I got the idea from Better Homes and Gardens.

I took a plain greenery wreath and wedged it in oasis that filled the urn. I also secured the wreath with dowels and tape. I added the sprig of berries and pinecones. I covered the oasis with moss. It turned out beautiful and I was sorely tempted to keep it for myself. 

I also decided to make "peppermint tea" with my "Cup of Christmas Tea" china. If you have never read the story, it is a sweet holiday short story that I first read in middle school. Warning, it will make you tear up. The china in the background was a dollar store find.

My sister, sister-in-law, and I made this wreath for my sister's house. I love the jingle bell holly picks! If she forgets this in her packing, I won't mind using it at all.