Flowers and Ribbons - # 4 - Jars with Ribbons - Part 1

Over time you have probably noticed that I often feature beautiful ribbons. I'm part of a team of international bloggers who use ribbons from Jane Means' ribbon collection. Jane provides us with ribbons and we use them in some of our blog posts. 

I'm now doing a regular series of blog posts called 'Flowers and Ribbons' where I use Jane's ribbons in combination with flowers and foliage.

This month we are taking a look at a simple way of creating stunning little flower arrangements using pretty flowers, ribbons and re-cycled jam jars as vases. Quick and easy and for very little money!

Old jam jars are perfect for making low and compact flower arrangements. Cut the stems quite short, let the flowers rest on the edge of the jars and fill the jars with as many flowers that will fit.

I have kept to a tight colour scheme using pink double tulips and pink and white ranunculus in one jar.

In the other one I have used the same pink tulips again with some pure white single tulips and and a green and white parrot tulip.

The ribbons are from Jane Means' ribbon collection - one has pink stripes and the other has pink stitching, in two different pink colours, along the edges.

The two arrangements work very well together on a coffee or side table as well as perfect side by side on a mantle piece. Or use them separately with some colour coordinated props picking up the colour in the flowers.

Have a lovely floral day!

I'll be back next month with another 'Flowers and Ribbons. Before that I'll see you later in the week.

[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]
[All ribbons shown are from Jane Means' Collection of Ribbons.]

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A Bunch for the Weekend - # 41 - Hot Pink Tulips in a Cup

Today on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring some hot pink tulips in an antique blue and white floral cup.

Early tulips are fabulous at the moment and will be for a few more months. 

You'll need:

- 15 stems of tulips in a bright colour

- a cup in a contrasting colour - in this case I have used an antique blue and white floral china cup

- a few little trinkets in the same colour as the cup - in this case I have used three vintage blue glass mini bottles 

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- a pair of florists scissors

- a florist bucket

Condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. This is to reduce any growth of bacteria from deteriorating leaves. Also remove any broken or bruised leaves.

Cut the stems at an angle - this is to increase water absorption.  

Put in a clean container with fresh water and leave in a cool, dark place over night or at least for a few hours, to let the flowers absorb the maximum of water, before making the final arrangement.

You might have to re-cut the stems while making the final arrangement to suit the size of the vase or container and to get the right proportions.

Cut the tulip stems quite short - short enough to sit right above the edge of the cup. Try to leave the top leaf on - to give just that little bit of green and to break up the mass of strong pink.

Fill the cup quite tightly - to give more impact both with colour and volume.

Tulips continue to grow in the vase - so you have two choices.

1. When you change water in the vase re-cut the stems to the height you want them.

2. Change the water as usual - but let the tulips do whatever they want to do and enjoy their natural beauty.

The three little cobalt blue glass bottles are vintage and they nicely pick up the blue colour on the cup.  

One used to contain 'bitter' - the other two with metal caps - I have no idea what they were used for. Bitter was used as an additive in cocktails and to promote appetite and digestion.   

This little arrangement is simple, quick and easy - BUT with a lot of strong colour and some attitude!

Are you ready to add some colour to your life? Well - colour is sometimes so welcome at this time of year - don't you think?

Have a Happy Floral Friday and Enjoy Your Weekend!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer]