Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Locally Grown December Flowers

We here in the mid-Atlantic states are so lucky to have access to locally grown cut flowers year round! This year for our holiday centerpieces we used a great mix of tulips, ornamental cabbage, dusty miller, eucalyptus, winterberry and evergreens. (I loved these!)

IMG_3641

For larger buffet pieces we added white lilies, white snaps and red twig dogwood.

IMG_3645

Thanks to Farmhouse Flowers and Plant Masters for the beautiful flowers. Special thanks to all those folks who ordered holiday flowers this year. Happy New Year!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Spreading the Love at Career Day at Patterson Park Public Charter School

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at Patterson Park Public Charter School’s Career Day. When Megan, one of the school’s teachers (and one of LoCoFlo’s awesome brides!) invited me to come, I was excited-but nervous! I love kids…I just don’t have a lot of experience talking to them-especially about work.

When I arrived, I was excited and energized to see all of the diverse Career Day speakers. Doctors, boat builders, photographers, policemen, firemen and I think…Miss Maryland (just to name a few!)

My schedule had me talking to 3 classes-2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. I was advised to make the presentation as “hands on” as possible. I took the advice to heart and brought a load of props including photo albums, roles of ribbon, vases and of course,  a sampling of the flowers that are available in December in Maryland.

The kids were AWESOME! They were super prepared with questions like: What is the best part of your job? How did you choose your profession? What skills do you need to do your job well? They also loved seeing the photos of our past work (as evidenced by the OOOOHing and AAAAHing).

DSCF2406

I think the highlight for everyone (except maybe the teachers) was passing around and touching the flowers, branches and foliage. There were flowers with scents like lilies, tuberose, eucalyptus and spruce (which one of the kids smelled like chicken). There were flowers that felt cool-pussy willows, magnolia leaves and dried tiger grass. And there were things that were just plain weird like the fantail willow.

 DSCF2407

Overall, I thought Career Day was awesome! Patterson Park Public Charter Schools seems like an amazing school where kids are encouraged to dream big and work hard. I was inspired by their attitude and enthusiasm. I couldn’t help thinking about what great LoCoFlo helpers they could grow up to be.

My friend Megan emailed me after the day was over. She said everything had gone well and lots of the kids in Miss Huber’s third grade were excited to be florists. Woo hoo! What better compliment could there be! 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

November’s “You Deserve A Bouquet Today” Contest Winner: Alyssa

IMG_3628 November’s bouquet contest was SERIOUS! We had seven nominees and the late night voting went down to the wire. Apparently, voting was taking place on both coasts and throughout the campus of McDaniel College right up until the midnight deadline. After all that voting, Local Color Flowers is happy to announce that this month’s winner, with 11,000 votes is Alyssa!

Alyssa was nominated by her cousin Alicia who was one of LoCoFlo’s brides this past season. The heartfelt nomination read:

My amazing friend Alyssa also happens to be my cousin-the closest thing to a sister I’ve got. We’ve grown up together and she’s been there for me whenever I’ve needed her, most recently as my matron of honor. Alyssa’s a woman I admire for a whole host of reasons: she’s a dedicated wife, a loyal ally, a loving mother. Flowers aren’t enough to thank her for being her, but I hope they’ll brighten her day.

Photo By http://www.kenluallen.com/ Alicia and Alyssa on Alicia’s wedding day!

Congratulations Alyssa! How loved you are by so many!

Thanks to Farmhouse Flowers for these beautiful, Maryland grown flowers in mid-December!

If you would like to nominate someone to win December’s “You Deserve A Bouquet Today” contest, nominate them today by going to the contest page on LoCoFlo’s website. Spread the Love! Nominate someone you love today!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Real Weddings: Jodie and Roddy

This Fall, I was excited to be able to work with Jodie and Roddy on their wedding flowers. Their style and creativity were inspiring. They both were excited to use succulents throughout the wedding and we had loads of options from Plant Masters to work with.

Jodie carried a bouquet filled dahlias, succulents, herbs and a variety of greens. It was a beautiful, natural look for October.

http://www.carlgunhousephoto.com/Jodie also added succulents to her hair for a creative, natural touch.

hair-salonThe centerpieces at the Pete Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park had a botany theme.

  IMG_3266

We used test tubes and chemistry beakers as the “vases”. We filled them with hydrangeas, herbs, dahlias and sweet smelling tuberose.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           http://www.carlgunhousephoto.com/

Thanks to Wollam Gardens, Locust Point Flowers and Plant Masters for the beautiful flowers.

Thanks to Carl Gunhouse for sharing a few of his gorgeous photos with us.

Congratulations to Jodie and Roddy! Wishing them a lifetime of happiness together!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Local Wreath Making in Maryland and Virginia

Last week I took a couple of road trips to some of my favorite farms to learn how to make holiday wreaths.

Dave Dowling of Farmhouse Flowers showed me the basic technique for creating green wreath bases. We went out and walked around the farm picking boxwood, leland cyprus, holly and some  pretty spruce.

We started by clamping bunches of greens on to a metal wreath base using a wreath making “clamper”. It took me a little while to get the hang of it. It wasn’t hard, but you had to make sure your bunches were the same size each time so the wreath didn’t look uneven and weird.

Once we had the base done, we added some dried flowers, pine cones and berries.

IMG_3584

IMG_3585  IMG_3587 

At LynnVale Farm, I learned the art of decorating “fancy” wreaths. These wreaths were no joke! They were so beautiful and filled with all sorts of goodies.

We used winterberry, pine cones, ornamental peppers, apples, dusty miller, dried flowers and more! 

andrea's wreath

I was totally inspired by first attempt at wreath making. I’m excited to try some next year. I’m thinking some B-more themed designs as well as some “fancy” wreaths with treats from the Sunday market. Can’t wait!