Easy Vase of Flowers

Yesterday was bosses day. My boss was out of the office so we are giving her a card and flowers today. I picked up these mums at the grocery store.  I love mums - they are perfect this time of year.

I found a simple vase in my collection and wrapped it a strip of scrapbook paper.  I tried to pick some paper that matched the flowers and had some great fall colors.

Then I cut the mums and removed the leaves.  I cut the majority of them a couple of inches over the edge of the vase.  Then I filled in with various stems.  I thought they turned out pretty cute!

I thought about wrapping ribbon around them but Rudy said they looked better plain.  I have to go with my resident expert!

And here they are in my dramatic art setting on my camera.  I can't wait until I am somewhere and this setting will actually make sense.  It is very cool.

 

I really do feel fortunate to have such a good boss.  She is flexible, kind and knows just what to say when I am having a moment.  All great things to have in a boss!

Grocery Store Floral Centerpiece

I am working on learning how to arrange flowers.  Since Theresa and I will be planning events on the side with a new business we are starting, I know that this skill will come in handy.  Especially for weddings. 

When I saw a couple of bouquets for sale at the grocery, I decided it was a good excuse to practice my new hobby and bring a little cheer to the office.

I started by placing the filler flowers in first to set my foundation.  I crisscrossed them to create nooks and crannies for the other flower to fit in.

I added the other flowers one by one to create a dome.  They turned out really pretty!  The gals thought they had been delivered which was nice compliment.

Getting More Life Out of A Bouquet of Flowers

My exceptional husband, Rudy, was so sweet to send me flowers at work.  They were beautiful red roses and white calla lilies.  I followed all of the instructions to a tee - trimming the stems one inch, putting powder in the water and switching out the water three days later. 

When we came home from the beach, they were a little droopy and the lilies had bit the dust.  They were brown and the stems were completely soggy.

But I wanted to get more life out of them.  I probably could have saved the lilies if I changed out the water again before we left.  Oh well, at least the roses could be saved!

I divided them up and put two in this little bud vase by our bed.
 

I love how it is near our wedding photo...so cheesy I know!!!

I wish I had a low square vase so I could have put them short and bunched tightly.  I opted to go with the original vase but just to cut all of the flowers down.  Although not perfect, they will last a few more days.

I also bought some flowers today...more on planting later!