Cocktails and Conversation with James Farmer, April 25, 2012!

        My very large, dramatic centerpiece for party featuring
                  James Farmer III, author of A Time to Plant. 
                                                    
                                                      All pictures from this event by Kathy Wirtala.

                                                                                                                   

This is the centerpiece I did for the food table at Cocktails and Conversation with James Farmer, author of A Time to Plant.  This party was to benefit the UVaClub of Fredericksburg Scholarshp Fund.  With the author of a gardening book as our special guest, I wanted the flowers to be gardeny, organic, wild and very large!  We succeeded.  I did this arrangement in a large garden urn and started with very tall branches of American Hornbeam trees and blackberry branches draping down the sides.  Then added flowers. I'll give more detail later.  The beautiful food is by the Silver Spoon Caterers of Richmond, VA. 

Easter at St. George's

I did this arrangement for the center of the altar at St. George's, for Easter Sunday.  The fabulous bridal veil spirea from a friend's garden, gave me the beautiful asymmetrical line. 

St. George's Easter Workshop!

Easter Workshop at St. George's on Saturday, August 31.  Practicing for Easter Sunday!  Materials and instructions coming after Easter.

                                                         Ann Tebutt Photo

A Little Touch Goes a Long Way

                                                                                                                                                                         Kathy Wirtala Photo

A little touch can go a long way to brighten your home and add to its warmth. This is simply 1 red tulip with 1 small piece of seeded eucalyptus in my favorite little bird vase.  Each time I use it, I think of the friend who gave it to me - the best part!

Valentine's Tulips!

Before the red roses arrive from your sweetheart, get into the spirit of the holiday with gorgeous red tulips.  This is a very simple arrangement of about twenty tulips that will brighten any spot in your home. See how below.

                                                                                                                               Kathy Wirtala Photo

The Promise of Spring!

The Dining Room Table

                                                                                                                                          Kelly Johnson Photo



                    Kelly Johnson Photo

I did this early spring arrangement for Kelly Johnson's dining room table for a Luncheon Meeting.  It was a cold, damp, dreary day in January, so we needed a breath of spring.   There is nothing that conveys the promise of spring more than tulips.  I love to use them with bare branches, as a reminder that winter is still with us.  I chose Kelly's rose medallion porcelain bowl for the arrangement. Proportionately, this bowl is a great size for Kelly's dining room table and the arrangement didn't overwhelm the simple menu of quiche, salad and ham biscuits.  I used orange and salmon flowers, as I'd been shopping the day before and saw these colors everywhere, clearly the "it" color for spring.  These colors also go beautifully with Kelly's decor. 

Christmas Candlelight Tour 2011, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation

I led the decorating team for 404 Hanover Street, the circa 1842 home of Gaynelle and Courtney Scott, for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Christmas Candlelight Tour.  The stately home, filled with early Virginia and New England antiques, was the perfect setting for simple decorations with a bounty of fresh, local greenery.  We had a fabulous team working on this house, with members of the Ann Page Garden Club - Andi Gabler, Laura Ann Cline, Alice Nuckols, Lana Kelsey, Martha Manner-Brown, Sue Moorefield, Carol Evans, Leslie Campbell, Sharon Fick, Sharon Null, and Rita Campbell; and friends and family, Tina Egge, Betsy Kiley, Sarah Hall and Gaynelle's sister-in-law, Susanna Jett.  Gaynelle and Courtney Scott were gracious, kind and generous throughout the process.  We had such fun and the results were perfect for this house.  I was thrilled to support HFFI in this way!  My daughter, Khaki Valentine, took all of these pictures.

Welcome to 404 Hanover Street

                                                                                         Khaki Valentine Photo
Tina Egge, Betsy Kiley and Sarah Hall wrapped the columns and framed the front door with the beautiful cedar garland that I bought at the wholesale florist. They then embellished the garland with nandina, magnolia and cryptomeria.