Category » flowersJones Design Company

Oct

06

evergreen wreath {tutorial}

First off … thank you for all of the sweet birthday wishes. You all are too kind and I feel grateful for such nice reader-friends. By the way, did you know October 5 is the most common birthday in America? Go back 274 days {the average length of a pregnancy} and you’ll get New Year’s Eve. Apparently there is lots of celebrating {and lovin’} going on that night. So to all you fellow 10.05 birthday girls, happy birthday {one day late}.

After seeing this amazing Nonna Wreath {as I affectionately call it}, many of you requested a tutorial. I’ll talk with the talented Nonna and see what we can come up with … stay tuned.

But until then, how about a different wreath tutorial?

This is one Nonna & I did this past weekend while she was putting together the flowers for a wedding. So let’s get to it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

:: wire wreath form {this one is about 6 inches

:: evergreen clippings {this is cedar}

:: floral wire

:: clippers

STEP ONE: clip individual sprigs off of cedar branch

STEP TWO: gather 3-4 sprigs and wire together

You’ll need about 8-12 bundles for the wreath

STEP THREE: wire onto wreath form

STEP FIVE: secure with more wire

Wrap wire around entire bundles to secure

STEP SIX: secure ends by twisting and tucking into frame

STEP SEVEN: add in extra sprigs to fill in holes

You’ll want all of your branches to be going the same direction {this photo makes me laugh}

and you are done.

To embellish it a little more, you can add fresh flowers.

Shown here are roses, alstroemeria, calla lilies, bells of ireland.

STEP ONE: gather a few stems

STEP TWO: using floral tape, wrap the stems

pulling gently as you wrap

STEP THREE: trim ends

STEP FOUR: tuck stems into wreath

secure with floral wire, if needed.

Add as many little bundles as you like.

So pretty.

You could use this wreath as a centerpiece for your holiday table or make it much larger to hang on a door. Rather than flowers, add berries or wire in some pinecones for a cute nature-inspired look. So many possibilities to embellish …

Thanks Nonna for a gorgeous flower demonstration!

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Posted by emily | 14 comments

Oct

04

moms & flowers

I am so very thankful for the mom’s in my life.

My mom {left} is young at heart, fun to be with, adventurous and the best person I know at opening a present and making you feel like it’s the greatest gift ever received. My mother-in-law {right} is as creative as they come, smart, joyful and has an uncanny ability to find treasures in a junk store.

They both adore their grandchildren and do so much for us. I am truly grateful.

…..

My M-I-L despises the term ‘mother-in-law’ and since I mention her on here so often, I think I should come up with a new name. The boys call her Grandma Nonna {which literally means ‘grandma grandma’ as nonna is the Italian word for grandma} so I think I’ll just start referring to her as Nonna.

anyway …

Nonna is a nurse by trade and a florist {among many other things} by hobby. She grows a gorgeous garden, always sends me home with sweet little arrangements and has done many weddings {often as a gift to the bride and groom – that is how generous she is}.

This past weekend, she did the flowers for a small wedding in autumn colors.

{bridesmaids bouquets}

{the bride’s bouquet}

{bells of ireland, hypernicum berries and alstroemeria}

{sunflowers}

{roses}

{a bird’s nest cake topper}

{boutonnieres}

{groom’s}

{groomsmen}

Aren’t those the most delicious fall bouquets?!!

We had fun taking some photos for a tutorial, so please come back tomorrow and see how Nonna makes a darling {and simple} wreath for the centerpieces.

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Posted by emily | 24 comments

Jul

01

details . details

The day before the boutique my sister called to say that many of her friends were interested in coming but they didn’t really know what it was. Ryan and I had a vision for what we wanted it to be, but explaining it was a little challenging. Store? Cocktail party? Art gallery? Craft show? None of them really fit, but it was the best we could come up with. My cousin jokingly called it my coming out party, which ironically wasn’t too far from the truth!

So here we are … the details from the summer boutique.

And, yes, I fully recognize that there are far too many photos in this post but I just couldn’t edit anymore out.

the entrance. All the gorgeous flowers were arranged by my talented mother-in-law.

i think it looks so pretty!

The pillows were a hit. My mom is such a talented seamstress and it was fun to collaborate with her on these.

Custom name prints … a new product I’ll be selling. Details will come soon.

We used an old dresser as our check-out desk. It worked perfectly with its drawers in the front and chalkboard painted back.

gift tags

burp cloths

ruffle headbands

I love these little word cards. Especially the word ‘grandiloquent’. I’ve never heard of it before but it means ‘eloquent on a grand scale’. I think I’ll start using it in sentences.

And this book is great too. It teaches shorthand, an extinct form of writing but so fascinating.

Look! I have customers! Awfully great ones too.

My girl made a short appearance in between sleeping and crying. Poor baby. She didn’t get much mommy time this particular day and she was not the happiest girl.

My cute sister & brother-in-law were such amazing helps. Love them.

Again, thanks to everyone who made this a special event. My mom, mother-in-law, sisters, brother-in-law, aunt who came up from California, friends who drove an hour to show their support and all the sweet customers who made my day.

And my husband. To use my creativity in a tangible way is such a privilege and I am thankful to have a partner who not only supports me, but encourages me along the way.

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Posted by emily | 55 comments

Jun

30

the summer boutique

Last night we hosted the summer boutique.

It was SO MUCH FUN.

And utterly exhausting!

I have a ton of beautiful photos I can’t wait to share, but I’ll start today with the before & after of our amazing space.

This was hosted at my sister’s brother & sister-in-law’s house which is so beautifully designed and decorated. They have this ingenious ‘garage’ space that they use as a playroom for their kids and an entertaining space for big parties. Needless to say, it is not your average garage. It has wood beams, chair rail, a buffet counter and the most darling ‘bungalow’ guest house above it. I want to live there. It all opens to a great courtyard with outdoor fireplace, a trellis with roses and a little grassy area surrounded by boxwoods {my favorite}. It was PERFECT for our event.

Here is the before: