Handmaker of Things

Floral Friday: Gold Leaf and Sherbert

When KC Weddings does their bouquet photo shoot they contact all kinds of different floral designers around Kansas City.  Usually there's a theme in mind, for instance I made this bouquet for the last shoot which was all about using items other than flowers.  This time the challenge was to create an inexpensive bouquet to show budget brides that they can have beautiful flowers without spending a fortune.  I've been really loving the soft pastel color palette that's been so on trend for next year, and of course I had to throw in a few bright touches with sherbert colored zinnias as well.

The flowers that I chose are what most people traditionally consider filler flowers such as carnations, stock, chrysanthemums, and baby's breath.  However used in a similar color palette, and lots of them they make a big impact, and a charming display.  I also added in some dusty miller leaves, and home grown zinnias from my own backyard, and wrapped it all up in grey satin ribbon with a vintage trim of gold leaves.

Here's the final shot in KC Weddings.

Don't you just love that amazing mantel and silver tray?  A big thank you to KC Weddings for asking me to take part in the Spring/Summer Issue!

xo ~ Em

Floral Friday: Trader Joe's Bouquet DIY

For today's Floral Friday post I'm sharing with you a little video that I shot last week.  This video was a bit of a test of my new camera's capabilities (can you belive it's a digital point and shoot?).  I was at Trader Joes, I saw these lovely peach roses, and got inspired.  I love working with flowers, and I think sometimes people believe it's a much more complicated process than it really is.  I thought this DIY would be great as a sweet little bridesmaids bouquet, or a Valentines day gift for someone special.  Hope you like it!

 

For the Love of Flowers: Mikala and Jaime, October 2011

Mikala and Jaime live in Washington D.C. so the first time I met them was on Skype.  They were getting married at The Madrid Theatre in Kansas City, so they wanted their flowers to compliment the space with it's warm colors.  Mikala also loved the idea of arrangements with hanging orchids, almost like fall leaves.  The personal flowers were dramatic in shades of red, burgundy, and one of my favorite flowers, black scabiosas.  A big thank you to Mikala and Jaime for letting us be a part of your day!

xo ~ Em

all images by emmy-ray

For the Love of Flowers: Corinne and Jimmy

I met Corinne through a fabulous former client (thanks Carrie).  She and Jimmy were having a very small family event, with their ceremony at Loose Park, and an at home reception.  She came to me with beautiful swatches of paper from Paper Source in Fig and Sage and said she wanted lots of texture in her flowers.  Thankfully fall is a wonderful time of year for textural flowers, and I used beautiful plum dahlias, and coxcomb, green trick, and scabiosa pods.  I got creative with the bouquet wraps using fig and sage ribbon from Paper Source along with jute, and some raw silk from Midori.  Thanks so much to Corinne and Jimmy for letting us be a part of your special day, your flowers were so fun to create.

xo ~ Em

Floral Friday: For Ellen

Do you remember Brian and Ellen?  I posted about them on my wedding blog Middle of the Map Weddings, but let me refresh your memory:

They are our super adorable friends who got married in September of 2010, and theirs was one of my favorite weddings that we worked on that year.  Brian contacted me in September with one of the most thoughtful gift requests I've ever gotten from a client.  He wanted me to make a replica of Ellen's bouquet for their one year anniversary.  Her bouquet meant a lot to her, containing special flowers to symbolize her mother, mother-in-law, and her and Brian as well.  I was thrilled to work on this simple little project, and even added some maroon and navy ribbon to match the color palette of their big day. 

Ellen was so surprised and loved her gift.  Way to go Brian!  Husbands out there should definitely take a que from this guy.  

xo ~ Em

(Images in this post via Lemon Lime Photography *top three, and emmy-ray *bottom two.  If you'd like to share please make sure to properly credit and link).

Summer Crowns

I posted a little teaser image from this summertime styled shoot I participated in with The Concrete Catwalk, and Eliza Jane Photography, and I'm finally posting the final images.  Jessie wanted something ethereal and sweet, and I think that the crowns add just the right balance to the summery outfits she styled.  Plus the photography by Courtney is total perfection.  These crowns were my first attempt, and I had a lot of fun trying something new, a perfect combo of flowers and accessories (some of my favoritie things).  I'd love to add floral styling for photo shoots to my repetoire.

Jessie getting her style on.  Thanks for having me ladies!

love, emmy-ray

For the Love of Flowers: The Hombre Effect

I had some flowers left from a mock up for a client and decided to play around.  I wanted to create an hombre effect, dark to white, but probably needed about two more colors of flowers to really make it work.  Plus the flowers were actually dark purple, and lavender, but came out pink on film.  Just goes to show that colors don't always translate when photographed.  

I've also decided Hazel is officially my business mascot since she can't seem to stay out of any of the pictures I take of flowers.

love, emmy-ray

Floral Friday: Moving to Middle of the Map

Floral Friday is still happening, but it's got a new home, Middle of the Map Weddings.  I'll still be sharing the beautiful flowers and designers that inspire me, but it will just be happening on my brand new blog all about midwestern wedding style.  This week I'm happy to share a wedding from Hello Darling, a talented Chicago florist.  Pop on over and check it out, you won't be sorry!

Floral Friday: A Succulent Wedding

I found this adorable wedding over on the Ruffled blog the other day.  It combines some of what I think are the best trends in weddings right now: succulents, milk glass, mason jars, and of course DIY.  The bride, Rachel, did almost all of the decor, including growing and creating all of the succulent centerpieces.  Get it girl!

Loving this super textural green and white bouquet.  The little scabiosa pods are some of my favorites and working with succulents in a bouquet is such a joy (since they stay fresh forever).

Find tons more images of this wedding and more inspiration over at the Ruffled Blog.

Plus check out their "Recycle Your Wedding" section where you can buy and sell all those vases, favors, and display items you have left-over from you own event.  Recycling+party planning=AWESOME!

Floral Friday: Nonpareil Magazine Issue 07

I've been drooling this week over the latest issue of Nonpareil Magazine, one of my favorite sources of wedding inspiration.  Plus the beautiful table settings, and other event details make me consider taking up event planning as a whole.  Here's a few of my favorite floral images:

Find more loveliness in the latest issue, or in any of the back issues.

love,emmy-ray