A Bunch for the Weekend - # 100 - From the Archives

In April 2014 I started a series of weekly blog posts called "A Bunch for the Weekend" and they quickly became very popular among my blog visitors. 

So today to celebrate my #100 posts in this series - I decided to dig deep in the archives and show the first ten arrangements that I posted back in 2014.

# 1

The thought was to inspire and show how to do simple and easy arrangements. Show how to create a quick and uncomplicated arrangement that anybody could do themselves to enjoy over the weekend. 

# 2

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

"It's always a pleasure and lots of fun to buy a bunch of flowers for the weekend and this series of blog posts, called 'A Bunch for the Weekend, I will show you how you can make quick and easy flower arrangements for your home. 

Buy the flowers where it's convenient and easy for you whether that is from a flower stall, farmers' market, the supermarket or a florist. 

Always try to buy seasonal flowers - they will last longer and they will be a lot cheaper.

Make sure you condition the flowers as soon as you get home. Remove any foliage that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible."

# 3

# 4

# 5

# 6

# 7

# 8

# 9

# 10

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

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Sunday with another Florets - a floral quote by someone passionate about flowers. I'll see you back here then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[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 - # 11 - Allium, Alchemilla mollis and Bear Grass

This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in 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 usual my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' I'm featuring big purple Alliums with some fluffy acid-green Alchemilla mollis and in a second container long narrow grasses called Bear grass.

The three plants have very distinctively different colour, shape and texture. The two main colours are complementary - the purple and the sharp green are almost opposite each other on the colour wheel. 

Allium is a tall architectural flower that needs a tall and heavy vase for the whole arrangement not to topple over. I have used very large glass pickling jars. 

The Alchemilla mollis is arranged as a collar around the stems of the Alliums creating great contrast and gives a lot of visual variation. 

In a second container I put two bunches of Bear grass also called Xerophyllum. It gives an additional contrasting texture with it's long linear shape.

Allium comes without any foliage, the Alchemilla mollis has very few leaves so very quick and easy to remove any that might end up below the waterline in the container and with the grass you just trim the ends. All very quick and easy!

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

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - Titti and I will be back on Friday with another themed 'FLOWERS'.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

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Florets - Floral Quote by Lotta Jansdotter

"I like to use everyday vessels rather than traditional vases in my flower displays. Many wine bottles have nice shapes and colours that work well in a groupings, for example.Or, why not use a mixture of drinking glasses, served up on a tray, and display them in the living room?
Placing a single branch or a stalk in a vessel gives a nice, clean look. 
Placing a few flowers in a bowl of water is another lovely way to make a simple arrangement."

~ Lotta Jansdotter ~ 

[Lotta Jansdotter: Scandinavian born and now based in Brooklyn, New York, designer and author.]

[Quote from: Handmade Living by Lotta Jansdotter.]

[Flowers: Alchemilla mollis and blue Agapanthus flowers.]

[Vase: Vintage pressed glass sugar bowl.]

[Flower Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a great floral Sunday!

I'll be back on Monday with another Flower Agenda which will be all about Alstroemeria.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

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

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Flowers of the Month - June 2015

1 June - Floral Media - Houseplant of the Month - Peace Lily

It's the end of June and I'm back with 'Flowers of the Month' - where I'm featuring all the different flowers and floral arrangements I have posted during June.

The title of the post under the image - is also a link to the post - if you would like to see it again or you missed it.

4 June - Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration - Sweet Peas

6 June - A Bunch for the Weekend - # 55 - English Garden Rose - Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'

10 June - Floral Media - Flower Agenda - Week 23 - 26 - Lily

13 June - A Bunch for the Weekend - # 56 - Sweet Peas and Alchemilla mollis

15 June - Floral Media - The Green Gallery - New On-line Floral Magazine

17 June - Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and  Inspiration - # 7 - Alstroemeria

19 June - FLOWERS by ingrid and titti - Happy Midsummer!

20 June - A Bunch for the Weekend - # 57 - Astrantia and Nectaroscordum

23 June - Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 8 - Sweet William

25 June - Floral Media - The Flower Appreciation Society Workshop and Book

27 June - A Bunch for the Weekend - # 58 - Mixed Bouquet of British Summer Flowers

I hope you have enjoyed all the flower arrangements from the last month as much as I have enjoyed created them. 

Have a Great Floral Day!

I'm taking some time off during the month of July to work on our house and garden and I will be back again in August with more Do-It-Yourself flower arranging from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

Have a wonderful and relaxing summer! 

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson - Of Spring and Summer.]
[Images of 1, 4 and 6 are provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

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

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 58 - Mixed Bouquet of British Summer Flowers

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' I'm featuring a large mixed bouquet of British grown summer flowers.

All the flowers are from - Yes, you've guessed it! - Forever Green Flower Company. Cel has expanded her range of flowers this season and doubled her production with exiting new varieties.

And - no, she's not paying me to feature her flowers or provide me with free flowers - I just love what she does.

HOW TO:

You'll need:

- a mixed bunch of all kinds of different summer flowers - here are some of the flowers I have used - dark almost black Cornflowers, small white Gladiolus, purple Nepeta, lime-green Alchemilla mollis, bright pink Corn Cockle and white double Feverfew. 

- a very large clear glass vase or jar - in this case I have used an oversized vintage pickling jar. 

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- a pair of florists scissors

- a florist bucket filled with fresh water

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.

Method:

I arranged this bunch straight in the vase - so I didn't use any fancy handtied or spiralled arrangements.

All the stems were quite long so I chose a container that was in proportion to the length of the stems and amount of flowers - as I wanted a tall, open arrangement that looked a little 'wild'. 

I started with the bigger flowers and then filled in with the Alchemilla mollis and the Feverfew - using them a little bit like foliage.

I feel summer is finally here with all it's delightful flowers and life feels just that little bit easier. 

Enjoy your flower arranging! 

Have a Great Floral Saturday and a Happy Weekend!

I will see you next week with a 'Flowers of the Month' - after that I'm taking the month of July off to work on our house and garden - but I will be back in August with more Do-It-Yourself flowers from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

In the meantime I would like to wish you a wonderful summer holiday!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson - Of Spring and Summer]
[Flowers from Forever Green Flower Company.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

FLOWERS by ingrid and titti - Happy Midsummer!

It's the longest day of the year and Titti and I would like to wish you all a Happy Midsummer!

This is a summer bouquet with all British flowers and they are all grown by the lovely Cel Robertson on her flower farm Forever Green Flower Company in Norfolk. 

I met Cel at my local farmers' market and I buy her beautiful flowers almost every week from her stall in North West London.

It's a simple mix of summer flowers put together to look like its just picked from a country garden.

Around the neck of a plain glass vase I have tied a handful of raffia as a simple decoration to go with the country theme. 

It has a combination of blue Cornflowers, large Daisies, pink Gladiolus italicus, grasses with lovely seed-heads and lime green Alchemilla mollis. 

A perfect combination to celebrate the longest day of the year and Midsummer!

Titti Malmberg - my lovely Swedish based collaborator - who I work alongside on FLOWERS - also has a new post on her blog HWIT BLOGG - so please follow the link and go over and see what she has created.

Titti and I are taking a break over the summer and we will be back with more FLOWERS in August. 

Have a Very Happy Midsummer!

I'll see you later in the week with more flowers from 
'Of Spring and Summer'. 

~ xoxo ~ 

Ingrid

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

[Flowers from Forever Green Flower Company.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

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

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 56 - Sweet Peas and Alchemilla mollis

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' I'm featuring some fabulous Sweet Peas in two different colours in combination with the always lovely Alchemilla mollis.

Sweet Peas comes in many, many different colours and they are all fabulous whatever colour you choose. Here I have chosen two in contrasting colours - a light pink one and a very dark, deep purple.

You'll need:

- 10 stems of pink Sweet Peas.

- 7 stems of Sweet Peas in a contrasting colour

- 5 stems of Alchemilla mollis 

- One medium sized vase in a neutral colour for the larger arrangement.

-one small vase also in a neutral colour for a small side arrangement.  

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- a pair of florists scissors

- a florist bucket filled with fresh water

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.

I have picked some neutral coloured vases so not to distract from the beautiful colours of the flowers. A light grey one with faint white stripes from a charity store and a new little mini vase in white.

The large arrangement is simply made straight in the vase. Alternate the Sweet Peas and the Alchemilla mollis so that there is a good mix and so that the flowers look like they are floating in a froth of lime-green. 

The small arrangement is made up of small off cuts left over while making the large arrangement. I'm loath to throw any still fresh looking flowers away so I always make little arrangements to use on the side.

Sweetly scented Sweet Peas is an old favourite and have very delicate flowers that makes them perfect for a early summer bouquet. Grab some while you can and enjoy their scent and beauty!   

Enjoy your flower arranging!

Have a Great Floral Saturday and a Happy Weekend!

I will see you next week with more Do-It-Yourself flowers from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

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

You can also find me on:
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Flowers of the Month - May 2015

2 May - A Bunch for the Weekend - Tulipa 'Orca' - Orange Double Tulip

It's the end of May and I'm back with 'Flowers of the Month' - where I'm featuring all the different flowers and floral arrangements I have posted during May.

The title of the post under the image - is also a link to the post - if you would like to see it again or you missed it.

4 May - Floral Media - Houseplant of the Month - Hibiscus

6 May - DIY Tips and Inspiration - Pink Peony

9 May - A Bunch for the Weekend - Colourful Tulips

11 May - Floral Media - Flower Agenda - Peony

13 May - FLOWERS by ingrid and titti - Floral Tea Party

16 May - A Bunch for the Weekend - Pink Spray Carnations

18 May - DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration - Stock Flowers




23 May - A Bunch for the Weekend - More Scented Pink Stock Flowers




25 May - Tiny Blooms - Sweet Peas




27 May - DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration - Freesia




29 May - A Bunch for the Weekend - Peonies and Alchemilla mollis

I hope you have enjoyed all the flower arrangements from the last month as much as I have enjoyed created them. 

Have a Wonderful Floral Sunday!

See you next week. 

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]
[Images of Hibiscus and peonies in white bottles provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]