Yankee Floral

Today's Harvest

2010-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Rainbow carrots and beets...such color! My goal for this season's garden was to grow veggies that Tony would eat or at least be able to burry the item in a preparation where he couldn't identify the "green".

Yesterday, I made my first excursion to Waterford School Community Garden where I watched to classes of 3rd graders get excited over seeing seeds that they'd planted growing. Are children these days really that divorced from gardening? Don't parents at least grow tomatoes in pots? Hmmm....

When I met with the principal and director of this program I was impressed by their enthusiasm. In this day and time with limited budgets and time, it's hard to find volunteers but here were two with dedication. So, what does this have to do with me? My knowledge of gardening, background in community projects and events, and the interest in "giving back" has lead me down the path to assistance. Maybe a blog for the kids to view!

Time to Garden!

2010-04-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

I'd swear I was still in Southern NJ with the temperatures being in the 70's in April! With such warm weather, the apportunity to get into my gardens a month early is a joy. Although the vegetable gardens take up more space than my fruits, I'm always eager to find one more place to plant raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.

The very productive golden raspberries provide us with fruit from May through early November. What a great choice these were!

This year, I'm adding Junebearing strawberries to my new plantings. The Ozark everbearings are delicious but it's always nice to have huge berries to counterbalance rhubarb in a pie.

Blueberries, specifically NJ blueberries (you know those big sweet quarter sized berries), are what I've desired in my gardens but haven't been able to grow for some reason. Looking online this morning I came accross DiMeo Blueberry Farms, which is a large farm in Hammonton and ships plants. As my late husband's aunts and uncles worked for the Hammonton blueberry farmers, it helps me reconnect with both NJ and those I've lost. I will prepare a special area for these plants and remember!

I'm always trying to learn

2010-01-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

With each passing day, I am compelled to paint more and more to capture those vivid colors, beautiful details, or taunt of the emotion. This painting utililized all those skills from past coursework, years of floral designexperience, and a sense of need to define myself as an artist in another medium.

In most of my 3 dimensional floral arrangements, the composition is about ways to make bold statements with unusual color compliments. In 3 dimensional work, the background color (a dress, drape, or wall) might be the first consideration. In this painting, it was my last and was changed 4 times before I was satisfied that the painting exuded some life.

Sometimes, bridal work is more complex given the "designer colors" that pcurrently present themselves. They discribe locations such as Capri, for example, and can cause a person to scratch her head in an attempt to provide coordinated color scheme and appropriate texture. With painting, it's my emotion that plays into the scene. With floral design, it's the bride"s thoughts, sensitivies, and style that need to be addressed. It takes a good deal of belief in oneself, passion for the medium, understanding of people, grasp of the work involved and then, intense focus. I am truly grateful that I have mastered much of this. With each day comes a new "awakening" in the process.

Japanese Iris

2009-12-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

Full service floral operation never afforded me the free time to paint. Now, in semi retirement, I can take advantage of this new "luxury". This watercolor is done on 140# Fabiano cold press and my first on this paper. The composition comes from several pictures taken of my yard flowers and purposefully "arranged" in the same manner I would do with a bouquet.

The Last Of....

2009-11-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

Funny how all those overabundances of summer are now cherished little bits in late fall. This bouquet contains 6 week old denrobium orchids blossoms and 4 week old mini carnations, mums, and safari sunset from my last two weddings. The balance of the arrangement is composed of snow pea blossoms, 2 types of gallardia, and perennial geraniums. The colors work well against my freshly painted mantle!

On a few occasions I've heard negative comments about the floral work of myself and others concerning longevity of flowers. Brides will post comments such as "My flowers died the next day". What has to be taken into account is normal longevity of the flowers (full open flowers, the most desired choice by brides, are usually one day from end of life). Other components that cause failure are improper handling, lack of water, and stress by way of heat and humdity. People that place flower arrangements on the top of TV's and call the florist the next day for replacement caused their own problem. Make sure that you treat your flowers with the gentleness that they deserve and always place them in cool shaded areas and change the water daily to prolong life.

Some people are horrified when I say that I use flowers from my yard. There is such an advantage to using home grown flowers. For me, it's the ability to provide complex and beautiful displays without compromising taste. I've used fruit, vegetables, berries, nuts, sticks, lichen, vines, and even encorporated water a few times. So when someone makes a comment such as "It looks like weeds", I have to consider their lack of design knowledge and realize that you can't please all of the people all of the time. This will be the individual that thinks flowers only come from display coolers.

My recent compositions have included these yard flowers: astilbe, pieris, columbine, tulips, lilies, geraniums, ajuga, heuchera, heleopsis, hydrangea, echinacea, rudebekia, queen anne's lace, bittersweet, grapes and grapevine, cherries, chive blossoms, podacarpus, rat tail bamboo, viburnum, solidago, solidaster, roses, hosta, irises, pine, juniper, forsythia, peonies, curly pussy willow, curly willow, peach blossoms, ivy, myrtle, heather, gallardia, alaskan daisies, crysanthymums, hypericum, basil, oregano, sage, thyme, and phlox just to name a few. I've enjoyed planting my more than 50 beds to allow for this. I would rather add one more bed than mow one blade of grass!

So how do I know how long my cuttings last? Sometimes, it is a matter of only a day. Irises, daffodils, and flowering branches will usually only last for the event. Keep this in mind when adding them to an arrangement. As I cut and place in water immediately, I have very good luck with the "hold" of most my flowers. Whenever there is a question shelf life, I always test them before the event to make sure there won't be failure. This spring on Craig's I read someone's request for peonies as the bride was arranging herself. Comments were such that there was little or no knowledge of the delicacy of the flower only that she wanted to save money. I seriously doubt that they held for her wedding.

Weed or Wildflower?

2009-09-19T04:16:00.000-07:00

Much of my design time is spent just "taking in" the art which is surrounds me. Fall presents an interesting pallette along with unusual textures not seen during any other time of year. This is when my camera is always ready for those unusual combinations. I think back to those times in my 20's when railfanning was of prime interest. Still within those photos taken at that time would be a focus on nature with shots of fungi, wildflowers, or birds even if the primary goal was the Alco RS-3.

When I design for my customers, every effort is made to recognize the personality and style of the individual and place emphasis on this in my completed floral work. Sometimes this is very difficult because the customer can show mixed emotion, haphazard style, or total lack of interest. Single flower type bouquets copying the latest trends in magazines hold little attention. When a bride presents such a photo I always question why she wants to copy that design. It is then that suggestions are given to add something that makes her flowers say "this represents me".

Bridal bouquets of colors and contrasts which capture the personality of the bride will forever be my goal. Some concern arizes when I hear the word "weed" used in connection with loosely structured, highly textured arrays. Queen Anne's Lace, Solidago or Solidaster (goldenrod), Statice, Aster, Artemesia, Black eyed Susans and Meadowsweet are but a small part of a that wildflower group which have made it to commercial markets through current horticultural endeavors. Within the undeveloped acres of my property these plants are naturally growing. They have made their way into several of my recent weddings and newly designed website and provide that unique complexity for which I'm known.

Here is the example of the perfect balance. Loren had chosen vests for her groom and groomsmen that were called "camaflage" so grasses and feathers were the perfect additions. Every element in this bouquet was carefully placed.

Peeble's Island State Park

2009-09-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I forget how fortunate I've become living here in NY State. We may be saddened by the inability to visit those places we called "home"; that which nourishes our souls. For me, Salem County's Mannington Marsh was at the top of my routine regeneration locations. The joy of riding backroads to hidden ponds to catch glimpses of wood ducks as waves of snow geese flew overhead was a source of contentment and inspiration. I miss Mannington.

After being in Waterford for more than 7 years, it's past time to seek out those beautiful locations to call "home". I need that quiet space where I can commune with nature and find a source of inspiration...my new community... Peeble's Island State Park, 5 minutes from my home, is just such a place. Bald eagles, wood ducks, herons, grebes, and many other shorebirds are commonplace.

Changing light, wind, and seasonal color have lead to inventive thoughts today. With photos aplenty, the winter painting projects will be joyous!

Do You Grow All Your Own Flowers?

2009-09-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

During the time that I owned the full service floral shop, there would be that inevitable question in the dead of winter with two feet of snow on the ground...."Do you grow all your own flowers?" I'd just have to laugh! The three pictures represent but a portion of the purchases for one wedding. The additions from Yankee gardens were the greens and some hydrangea, all else was purchased. You'd need a greenhouse full of flowers for just this one wedding.

From my website www.yankeefloral.com photos, you can see unusual materials being used within elaborate bouquets. Such texture is rarely achieved with the standard floral wholesaler provisions and the unusual purchases are never affordable. One must take "leaps forward" saying "Why not?". Back in South Jersey, there was always interest in being different. With the help of some noted artists, like Molly Carpenter, we could come up with inventive prom bouquets that highlighted the details of the dress yet matched the personality of the young lady.

Today, in the new Yankee studio, I spend time sketching and sometimes producing watercolors to show my brides. This has allowed for a more visual impact. This Sunday's wedding is just such an affair. I am looking forward to the creativity that this provides!

Rose of Sharon at Dawn

2009-08-31T05:28:00.000-07:00

I'm often asked how it is that I can come up with such interesting color choices. In morning light, there are more grays, deeper greens, and yellows subdued. This painting, still needing some touch ups, reflects that early morning sensitivity. The "hint" of leaves and stems in the background will be my concentrated effort in future paintings

The deep tones of the center of this hibiscus were used as part of my wedding pallette of 8/29. More to follow...

Rose of Sharon at Dawn

2009-08-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

Several of my fellow artists have encouraged me to paint with more subdued backgrounds so that the individual flowers "pop" and tecture within are heightened. Thise is but one of several shots I took this morning so that I can experiment with effects.

Night Noise

2009-08-20T03:56:00.000-07:00

There’s something truly special about 5 am on my deck. Most people would prefer to sleep, yet I find being comfortable on this deck watching, waiting, and listing to night changing to day is a very special gift! As the mind clears, creative thoughts are generated. Peace and tranquility surrounds me. This morning was no exception.

The mist in the air from the previous night’s storm was mimicked in my still present foggy state. Comforted by my coffee, the wicker chair, and Mom’s handmade quilt, I knew how truly lucky I was to have this space, this place which I call “Home. On this morning a barn owl flew by at eye level. Because of the severity of the slope, birds fly by and perch on the deck. It’s not uncommon to see a red tailed hawk or a bald eagle.

As the distant highway became full of morning traffic, the clatter of a house wren warned me that this time would soon be over for another day. But, I know what I accomplish this day will have taken shape in this unique place.

Early summer morning

2009-08-04T05:31:00.000-07:00

Preparing for the HN2009 Tour

2009-07-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

Surprisingly, I could still manage to get up onto the layout and work on this section of scenery. All previously constructed silos needed attention and much weathering. Fortunately in this new location, there's headroom! The efforts were not missed as the 70 plus people who visited on Monday appreciated the scenery.