Posts Tagged ‘flowers’

It’s the Simple Things

Monday, February 7th, 2011

gf_poppypitcherI’m probably the only gal who tells her husband NOT to buy roses on Valentine’s Day.

I don’t like the traditional bouquet of flowers for Valentine’s Day or any other holiday for that matter.

I like wild flowers and bright poppies, smiling gerbera daisies and happy sunflowers. Roses are too… I don’t know…perfect? Other times of the year I  might like roses, but not on Valentine’s Day.

The perfect bouquet for me is the one from the local grocery store with lots of colors and maybe lilies as the most bold of the flowers in the arrangement. If it’s a really special occasion, two bunches are nice, but not necessary.

Even on my wedding day, I didn’t carry a rose and neither did any of my attendants. My bouquet was all wild flowers and the bridesmaids carried their own bunches; one a big bunch of freesia, another an armful of white daisies, another a bunch of pink gerbera daisies, then the purple iris, yellow lilies, and then the rubrum lilies.  wild_poppies_1024x768

I remember the florist was shell shocked when I tried to explain my ideal bouquet. I finally had to tell her, “You know the flowers that grow in a field or on the side of a highway? That’s what I want.” I wanted Queen Anne’s lace and small purple and yellow flowers that naturally grow in the country in Upstate New York.

So what do I like on Valentine’s Day? A small bouquet from the grocery store and a box of chocolate. Oh, and a kiss. <3 And only a handmade Valentine will do.

The gatefold shown above with the pitcher of poppies would suit me just fine for Valentine’s Day. The design can be put on all of Letters from Lilly stationery items.

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Pansy for your thoughts?

Monday, October 4th, 2010

enc_pansies_textThere is no mistake that I chose the black and gold pansies for a Letters from Lilly design.

Did you know pansy petals and leaves are edible as well as high in vitamins A and C? If you are having a bridal shower, just bake a white cake, frost with white frosting, and put on the pretty and edible crystallized pansies. You can purchase them or make them yourself.

Here’s how you make them:

To crystallize pansies, wait for a dry, clear day. If possible, work in an air-conditioned room. Cut the flowers and place their stems in a glass of water. Dilute one egg white with a few drops of water. Fill a small bowl with superfine sugar and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. You’ll also need to use a pair of small, sharp scissors and tweezers.

Cut the flower stem as close to the base of the flower head as possible. Cut off the sepals (the green flaps on the back of the flower head). Hold the remaining portion of the stem with the tweezers. Use your fingers to coat the flower with the egg white-water mixture, pressing the egg white into the petals and lifting the petals to get the egg white into those hard-to-reach areas. Lay the flower head face down on a work surface to smooth it out and to remove any excess egg white.cake

Holding the base again with the tweezers, hold the flower face up over the bowl of sugar and sprinkle the sugar over the flower generously once over the flower. Turn the flower over immediately. Sprinkle the sugar over the back of the flower once or twice. It is essential that every bit of the flower is coated with sugar; this sugar shell preserves the flower. Place the flower face up on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set the baking sheet in a cool, dry place to dry for about eight hours, or until the flowers feel crisp to the touch.

Crystallized flowers can keep up to one year. Line a plastic, airtight container with bubble wrap, then lay a piece of soft tulle on top. Arrange crystallized pansies in one layer on the tulle, then cover with another piece of tulle. Add more layers of crystallized pansies and tulle until the container is full. Cover and store at room temperature until ready to use.

Here is a how to video.

When I did this, I made the white cake and white frosting from scratch and ordered my pansies by mail. Oh, and there was no mistake on the black and gold pansies because I’m a Theta.

Shown here is our enclosure card with matching lining, just like all our stationery products.

Written directions for crystallized pansies from suite101.com.

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We have a Sensitive Relationship

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

inv_pottedorchid_textOrchids are a sensitive subject to me. I have two beautiful orchids in my home right now. They were both gifts from dear friends, as I would never dare to purchase one for myself.

One is a stellar, white orchid donning seven perfect blossoms down it’s stem. The other is a yellow and red beauty that looks as perfect as the day it was delivered to me. See it in the picture below?

Both of them were gifts during Christmas. My secret is this; I’m afraid of them. Yes, I can hardly look at them. I have to steal glances of their perfection because if I even look at them, they will die.

I have a friend in San Francisco (who will remain nameless, but you know who you are) who has given me fabulous orchids and I’d tend to them,img_3253 but not often, knowing that they like to be left on their own.  I did invest in the special food for them. I kept track of when they might need the food or a tiny bit of water. They always died. She’d come to visit and I’d have lots of pots of green leaves, no flowers. I visit her and see her lush, amazing orchids with friendly blossoms dripping down their stems.

Why can’t I make an orchid bloom again? And with this being true, why are these two still living? I think because I do nothing to them. I have never fed them. I have never watered them. I have never even touched them. I only look at them when I am walking past them and even then, I walk quickly.

This weekend I’m going to San Francisco to see this friend. She’s taking me to The San Francisco Orchid Society’s Pacific Orchid Exposition. I’m very excited. I’m going to stare at all the orchids. I’m going to take pictures and dare them to die on the spot. I’m going to try to learn something about these fragile, mysterious flowers that are so gentle and beautiful.

Do you see how the yellow and red orchid, in the photograph, has a Christmas ribbon woven though it as part of the arrangement design? If I play my cards right, it will still be alive this summer, Christmas ribbon and all because I’m afraid to touch it!

The orchid I can really look at is the one on our papers. The potted orchid is shown above on our invitation and is great for a spring occasion you are planning in the near future.

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Spring… here at least

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

Earlier this week, I spotted my first sign of spring.  It was a mini daffodil, just outside my window.  I know other bulbs are sure to follow with their springtime smiles. These bulbs were a gift to me, from a far away gardening friend.

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Now that spring is so close, you can surely order some of our geranium fold over notes for corresponding with your friends. I don’t need to remind you how important keeping in touch with friends is… do I? Writing a note can take less than a minute and put a smile on the recipients face all day.  Don’t have anything to say, just start writing, you’ll be surprised what comes out of the pen.

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There are some beautiful fabrics with flowers and thankfully, color seems to be making a comeback.  This is a lucious piece from Brunschwig & Fils that would be pretty on a sunroom chaise.

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