It's Time For Spring!!

I don't know about you all, but I am definitely ready for some spring! Since I'm also a Master Floral Designer, I thought it high time I share some of my garden beauties to brighten your day. This is a photo of just everyday French carnations, Peruvuian lilies, Viking mums, chrysanthemums, heather, and liatris, in a little, colorful, french country Mille Fleur design. The butterfly just makes me wish my gardens outside were in full bloom, but no such luck it's still cold and drab outside.

This is really spring. It's our Prairie Basket. We take grapevine and weave amongst the flowers with ivy then add 'wildflowers' with accents of dried blossoms and leaves. The tulips pushing up past the dried leaves really signals spring. A little tidbit of info. Ever wonder why when you get an arrangement with tulips in it and you wake up the next morning and they seem to be out of place from the design, kind of sticking out of line? The first thing you think is the cat or dog have been batting at it. Don't blame them. A fresh tulip will continue to grow once it's been taken from the mother plant..it can grow up to an inch longer for a few days, then the bloom will open. If you place an open tulip in the cold...33-38* it'll close back up to reopen again.

There is so much misinformation about flowers out there. A fresh flower--rose, carnations, daisy mum, carnation, and many more varieties--can last for 2 weeks when taken care of properly, but the key word is fresh and proper care.. For example: When we receive tulips from the grower. They aren't showing color, they are green. We place in warm water with a hydrating solution, makes water wetter, it's a chemical thing, anyway, it can take a couple of days before they show color. Then they are ready to use, but they are tight and will take time to fully open. Fresh flowers they should just be breaking open and to do that they have to be processed with hydrating chemicals and preservatives. And, don't get me started on the different grades of flowers. Did you know a rose is not rose, is not a rose. There are at least 8 different grades in roses alone. Enough right now of standing on my 'flower box'

I love being able to come in and open boxes of flowers. The fragrance is delish..pungent carnations, sweet waxflower, aromatic roses...they chase all the winter blue away. I wish we had a smellaputer. The fragrances would just waft through your screen and surround you.

Sorry, but it beats Calgon taking you away any day.

vintage finds

After my last post I thought I'd show some of my recent vintage finds from my recent travels.














These two pretty vintage hats were in great condition. The one on the bottom is from the late 1930's- early 40's. The haberdashery flowers are a luscious satin and velvet mix of taupes and muaves. The bright, springy piece on the top is from the 1950's-60s and it to contains velvet and silk flowers. I cannot bring myself to tear these apart, so I'll have to think how to repurpose them.

A several days later and a few more excursions I found this cute 1940's doll. Her cheeks are so rosy and lips a little red bow. When her eyes are open they are a deep blue with long painted lashes. I will have to fix her crocheted dress. Her hairdo will definitely need attention too! The over sized hankie is from the 30's, as you can see, has already begun being highlighted with embroidery around the leaves. I think I found my inspiration for this angel. Combine all this with the vintage hat as wings and voile'. It's not a traditional valentine color scheme, very monochromatic, but with the copper hearts and some other embellishments, she'll say 'Love'. I'll post a pic when she's completed.
Alas, the other hat will have to wait. I still have to find an inspiration for it. I'm thinking maybe flower fairyish? Have to cut it for wings...can't bring myself to put a scissor to it. Maybe as a topper of some kind with the doll..( still to be found) ....standing in the center? It's just pipecleaner and net frame..it's wouldn't support much. Getting ahead of myself. I still have to find a vintage doll and fabric to match the hat...I'm off!

Hello!!

Finally my blog is up and running! I still have to get used to inserting photos as you can see, so please bear with me. I had a page at my website for a newsletter, but didn't have any interaction with readers. I'm hoping with a blogspot to hear from new friends soon. My name is Melody Brown-Albers. I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, in the suburb of Sharonville. I am a Master Floral Designer and Mixed Media/Fiber Artist. Please visit my website at http://www.brownginghamcreations.com/ It is filled with some of the things I love. Flowers, vintage fabric, dolls, painting, embroidery, and clothes. New creations are added frequently. Read the About and In The Design Room sections for more info. If you stop by let me know by signing my Guest Book. I'd love to hear any comments, questions, or suggestions.
In future entries I hope to let you see where my studio is and my family's flower shop, where some of my designs are showcased. Introduce you to my husband Jim and puppyboy Shadow. Invite you along in antiqueing jaunts, share decorating and accent ideas, and let you see some of my other vintage collections. I can't wait to hear from you. Please join me meandering through the garden of my life.