Creative with Flowers - # 43 - Purple Stock Flowers

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring purple stock flowers surrounded with props in purple and blue.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

Stock flowers or as they are also called Matthiola incana has been grown as a cut flower since the 19th century. They have a strong, spicy, clove-like fragrance.

I decided to use a few little mini cups from my prop collection - all with some kind of blue pattern. Also some old and new fabrics; one with a "wiggly" pattern to match the pattern on the flower pot.

I love the densely packed florets with slightly ruffled petals. The top of the stems tend to curve and bend towards the light. 

Showing a selection of vintage and new mini cups. The one on the far right is a modern version of the classic Royal Copenhagen pattern on the middle top cup. 

Scented stock flowers are easy to condition - remove any broken leaves as well as any that would end up below the waterline in the vase. Also cut the end of the stems at an angle - particularly the thick white fibrous base of the stems.  

Flower pots like this one from Sweden were very common in the 1950 and 1960. Many were designed by well known Swedish designers.

Stock flowers are lovely on their own but also mixes well with other seasonal flowers and works in both vintage and more modern designs.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post bright and early first thing in the morning. As usual a new colourful flower arrangement made with fresh flowers.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: Purple stock flowers - from my favourite local street flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage glass jar - from one of the many London antique markets. 

[Other props: Vintage and new fabrics, two vintage stepping stools, a variety of vintage and new mini cups and a Swedish designed flower pot from the 1960's - all from stylist's own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 400 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 42 - Pale Purple Sweet Peas

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring Sweet Peas surrounded with props in similar colours.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

Sweet Peas or Lathyrus odoratus as they are also called - is a favourite summer flower. They do not have a long vase life - BUT their beauty and scent makes up for that.

The botanical name comes from the Greek lathyros for pea or pulse and odoratus for fragrant. Simply - 'fragrant pea' so a perfect name for the little flower.

I painted the small vintage shelf the other day - it used to be dark brown - really too dark to work as a prop - this lighter colour is much better. 

I love the little cup made by the Swedish potter Lotta Zerrander. I always visit her studio, workshop and gallery, out in the countryside, whenever I'm in Sweden.

The lovely cake tin is also from Sweden - bought in an antique shop in the part of south-east corner of  Sweden called Österlen. 

Sweet Peas are lovely just on their own but can also be mixed with Alchemilla mollis, Nigella or Scabiosa. Or try them with other delicate summer flowers.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post bright and early first thing in the morning. As usual a new colourful flower arrangement made with fresh flowers.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: Pale mauve Sweet Peas - from my favourite local street flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage glass jar - from one of the many London antique markets. 

[Other props: A vintage painted wooden shelf, a white and light purple patterned fabric, a cup by the potter Lotta Zerrander based in Sweden, a vintage cake form and three vintage cream ware jars - all from stylist's own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 41 - A Flower in a Bottle

This week in this short and sweet 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring just one single pink Ranunculus in a bottle with lots of "white" props around it.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

Putting one single flower in its own vessel - you make it look special and almost precious.

I have combined a ravishingly beautiful Ranunculus with a very humble vintage glass bottle. The two, still closed, buds also adds charm and movement. 

The contrast of a simple bottle and a drop-dead gorgeous flower is almost irresistible. 

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post - new flowers - bright and early first thing in the morning.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: A pink Ranunculus - from my favourite local street flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage pale green glass bottle - from one of the many London antique markets. 

[Other props: A vintage white apothecary jar, a vintage small painted stepping stool, a vintage cushion cover made from reused French linen with a large embroidered E, folded linen fabrics, two apothecary bowls and an clear glass Iittala Kastehelmi votive candle holder - all from stylists own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 40 - Pink Ranunculus with Black Props

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' I'm featuring a mixed bunch of Ranunculus in two different pink colours.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

I've used a quite large vintage, straight sided, white apothecary container. It once had a lid, now lost or broken. It comes from my uncle's pharmacy back in Sweden. 

Now a perfect vase for flowers...... and part of my collection of props.  

The props that I have used this time are all black - well almost. The fabric is mostly white but it has this funny little pattern of black parallel lines and in between swirls. It's a piece of fabric that I often use as a tablecloth and bought many years ago back in Sweden. 

The black metal plate, I use this one a lot, very good to use as a contrast to bright colours and for layering while styling. The very small black pottery vase is from Turkey. Both the plate and the vase are gifts from my mother-in-law.      

The black props are great contrast to the bright pink flower heads.

Here is a close-up of the little vase - an example of perfection in shape and proportions.

I love mixing old with new, matching colours or like here using contrasts in colour. Adding interesting textures and using different materials - fabrics, metal, pottery, china and having a painted wood panel as a background.

It all becomes part of working with flowers and styling images before taking my photographs.    

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post - new flowers - bright and early first thing in the morning.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: Two bunches of mixed pink Ranunculus. All flowers from my favourite local flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage white china apothecary jar from Sweden - it has always been missing it's lid - still a great container for flowers. 

[Other props: Black and white fabric with an interesting pattern, a black mini vase and a black metal plate - all from stylists own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 39 - Lilac Double Tulips

Tulips are still available to buy at flower stalls and the florist and what is really exciting is that now they are also flowering in the garden.

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' I'm featuring some very pretty lilac double tulips. 

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

I bought two bunches of this beautiful lilac tulip from the flower stall. It's the kind of double tulip that is stunning both when the flowers are tightly closed as well as when they open up and become almost double the size.

This is all happening while the flower stems are growing, so you are presented with a different view of floral beauty every day.

To make the flowers last as long as possible - put them in a cool place during the night. 

The fabric used as a tablecloth picks up the colour in the flowers. It has an interesting circular pattern that is repeated in the shell necklace. The straw hat makes you wish for those long hot summer days that hopefully will soon be here...... 

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post - new flowers - bright and early first thing in the morning.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: A big bunch of lilac double tulips. All flowers from my favourite local flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: White vase with an interesting textured surface. Found at one of my local charity stores.]

[Other props: Fabric, hat and necklace are  all from stylists own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 38 - Soft Pink Ranunculus in a Bag

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring a bunch of beautifully soft pink and white Ranunculus.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

I want to tell you a short little story about a bunch of flowers that I bought at a London street flower stall. The stall is at the bottom of Fitzjohn's Avenue - a wide tree-lined street leading up to Hampstead Village.

I always buy whatever catches my eye and on this day it was these gorgeous soft pink and white Ranunculus.

As soon as I get home I conditioned the flowers by removing the foliage, I trim the ends and put the flowers in water to give them a drink.

Whatever flowers I buy I always photograph them, I use different props, fabrics, tabletops and backgrounds. My inspiration comes from the flowers - the colour, the shape and the texture of the flowers.

I always have a little story in my head about the flowers, it can be about the season, the colours or how I want the flowers to look in the vase or the container.

Here is the end result this time......but every time it's different......!

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post - new flowers - bright and early first thing in the morning.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: A big bunch of soft pink Ranunculus. All flowers from my favourite local flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: Vintage white apothecary jar.]

[Other props: Vintage French linen fabrics, hats, vintage chair, vintage plant stand, secateurs and bag from stylist own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Creative with Flowers - # 37 - Hot Pink Tulips

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring a rather large bunch of tulips - all the same colour and just on their own - so no added foliage or mixed with other flowers.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

Tulips can be a bit tricky or some people would say "difficult".

They keep on growing quite a lot even after they are cut. What quite often happen is that you carefully make an arrangement - you put the flowers in the vase and two days later they are all over the place.

A lot of people don't mind at all - they actually enjoy seeing the flowers "dance" in the vase growing - reaching and turning towards the light. 

Other people enjoy having a more compact arrangement. 

So how do you do that? Well, this is one way you can do to prevent the tulips going all wild.

The trick is the size or the height of the vase or the container. The flowers need to be supported and the stems to be cut a little bit shorter than you would do with other cut flowers.

Measure the stems against the side of the vase and make the cut that little bit shorter than normal making sure that the stems are supported against the edge of the vase. 

You don't want the arrangement to look all stiff and standing straight up either. But you also don't want all the flowers leaning in all directions and a big gaping "hole" in the middle of the vase.

If you make it as a handtied bunch vary the length of the stems a little bit - just to give the arrangement a bit of variety and movement.

What we are looking for is an arrangement with evenly spaced flowers - not stiff - but also not all over the place.

Good luck!

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - as it's the last day of March - I will be back on Friday with another 'Flowers of the Month. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - I'll be back with a new post - bright and early first thing in the morning.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: Large bunch of hot pink tulips. All flowers from my favourite local flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: Vintage pale green glass container.]

[Other props: Vintage French linen fabrics from stylist own prop collection.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/