We are a little addicted to craft at Green Parlour and Pinterest is full of gorgeous crafty ideas to get your teeth into. Here are a few of our favourite pins from our Pinterest adventures this week ...
I stumbled upon this amazing Runaway Coffee Date dress pattern when it was re-pinned by Tilly (from Great British Sewing Bee fame) who runs Tilly and the buttons and of course I clicked right onto Four Square Walls to see where I could get such an ace pattern from. I should have known Etsy would be involved! If your after some unique patterns Pattern Runway do some lovely bits and pieces, well worth a look if your longing for some dress making time.
String, wool and some cleverly placed nails. Now all I have to do is convince the other half that this gorgeous DIY idea HAS TO grace to walls in our little abode. Such a simple idea, now to choose a word...
Check out some more of our favourite pins here or come and look at all our boards by following us on Pinterest
Nathalie and Neil tied the knot at The Aviator in Farnborough. If you haven't visited this hotel before, you must! Its absolutely stunning, with unusual views across the airfield!
Nathalie wanted to blend the formal surroundings with a more relaxed country vibe throughout the bouquets and venue flowers. I think its a look that really works, especially when the ceremony took place within a picturesque old church.
Nathalie was keen to have lots of scent in her bouquet, and we focused on the amazing scented and flowering herbs that are available throughout July, August and September. Flowering mint is a complete favourite of mine and a scent I find incredibly calming, perfect for a bridal bouquet.
After setting up our wedding flowers at The Aviator we managed to sneak a few snaps of the amazing staircase that runs over all 4 floors of the hotel. What an amazing view!
Hannah visited with her mother, Diane a few months ago to discuss all the flowers for Hannah's big day. Filling me in on all the details including lots of DIY bunting which would be hung throughout Ufton Court. I love setting up wedding flowers at Ufton Court, such an amazing venue and each wedding we do there is completely different! Hannah had chosen a colour palette of peach, blue and yellow, based around the amazing soft lemon bridesmaids dresses and her groom's love of cornflowers.
I admit it ... I am a complete David Austin rose-a-holic. This gorgeous Juliette rose is my absolute favourite, teamed with the soft blue delphiniums and deeper blue cornfowers, this is a bouquet I'm seriously considering for my wedding day!
I always feel a little uneasy uttering the word "carnation" but this soft peach Apple Tea carnation is perfect for weddings, just the right shade, not too orange and not too pink. I'm sure when I suggest it brides think I've completely lost the plot, but I hope you'll agree, its a stunning carnation.
Do you love Hannah's colour palette? Let us know what you think! xx
Harriet, Romain and their families first came to see Green Parlour in the depths of winter. Talking through the garden feel they wanted to create and the summer blooms weaving throughout all the arrangements felt like a lifetime away! But finally the time came and below is the outcome of many month planning.
We loved that each arrangement had its own personality, but still following a colour palette theme. This really works for a natural relaxed vibe. Just because a flower is in your bridal bouquet, it doesn't have to dictate everything!
With the ceremony taking place at The Olde Bell in Hurley, we went all out with the country theme, mix and match vases adorned the tables and large milk churns filled with the most spectacular hydrangeas framed the ceremony table perfectly.
Weeping pear trees marked the entrance and helped transport you into the garden theme of the day.
We loved setting up the wedding flowers at The Olde Bell, Hurley. Such a lovely venue set up and I hope you'dd agree the flowers were beautiful! I can't tell you how much we enjoyed making all the beautiful displays. Let us know what you think xx
Nancy and Andrew came to see us with bags of amazing ideas for their DIY garden themed wedding. Set in the grounds of Wasing Park's Secret Garden they really wanted to take inspiration from the gorgeous surroundings.
After choosing the wonderful Laura Babb for their wedding photography, Nancy and Andrews wedding was featured on Rock My Wedding. Read all about their big day here
All photographs copyright Babb Photo
Nancy also took the time to write us this fantastic testimonial! We loved been part of their big day!
Drum roll please!
We are all delighted to announce our Summer Flower Schools for 2013.
The perfect way to learn a new skill, get the girls together for a good old giggle or treat someone special, our flower schools will guide you through the process of making gorgeous arrangements.
- Thursday 1st August 2013 from 19:30
- Tuesday 3rd September 2013 from 11:00
- Thursday 26th September 2013 from 19:30
We will show you how to make our signature hand-tied arrangement in a vase using the
freshest seasonal flowers. Price includes 2 hours hands on tuition with a floral expert, all the
flowers that will be used in the arrangements, any containers we may use and some rather
delicious cakes and fancy drinks. Classes are limited to 6 people and cost £55.00 per person
- Thursday 22nd August 2013 from 19:30
- Tuesday 8th October 2013 from 11:00
Learn the art of dressing your table with fresh seasonal flowers. From the main centre piece right through
to every place setting detail. Price includes 2 hours hands on tuition with a floral expert, all the
flowers that will be used in the arrangements, any containers we may use and some rather
delicious cakes and fancy drinks. Classes are limited to 6 people and cost £55.00 per person.
The stuff we love on Pinterest this week ...
We've gone a bit craft crazy in the shop and are completely head over heels with this pinwheel DIY tutorial from Style Me Pretty Living. Take a look at their DIY tutorial here.
I can feel a little pinwheel obsession coming on!
These amazing little lights are perfect for a party. Cover paper cups in the most fancy of papers and thread little lights through for a perfect way to celebrate.
We love sparkly things and we were totally bowled over by this amazing DIY sequined elbow patch tutorial. I think we may have to attach elbow patches to all sorts of clothing.
To see this and more loveliness you must come and say hello to us on Pinterest
Take a look at last weeks favourite pins here
The stuff we love on Pinterest this week ...
I love this dress.
Really love it.
Can't stop thinking about it love it. I love most things Jenny Packham designs but this little number has completely stolen my heart.
These gorgeous little vintage stars are the perfect decoration for cakes. Its made me want to bake lots of goodies this weekend.
Flags! what an amazing window display. Completely adore everything about this image.
To see this and more loveliness you must come and say hello to us on Pinterest
Every girl loves a crown. Flower crowns are the must have accessory of 2013. Don't just wear them to weddings, slip one on whilst popping out for your weekly shop, glam up any evening dress with this floral DIY post.
Invest in a good pair of scissors. We always use these yellow handled beauties - perfect for cutting stems and wires alike.
We've suggested using 3 different wires. One thicker wire which you will wrap around your head to get the correct measurements and 2 different wires for your flowers.
Parafilm will become your new best friend - pop it down your top until you are ready to use it. This will get it nice and warm, making it super flexible and stopping it from snapping every time you pull it tight.
There are loads of different ways you can make a floral crown. In this DIY tutorial we will show you the method where you will bind the flowers onto a metal hair band. Its a little less fiddly than the other methods, and is also a lot quicker allowing you to knock up a floral crown 10 minutes before your guests arrive.
So first off get a long length of your thicker wire and wrap it around your head where you would like your finished crown to fit. At the ends you want to make some loops which you can use to pin the crown to your head for some added security. I like to tie ribbons into these loops too for a little detailing at the back of my head.
Wiring the flowers! This is where the fun starts...
We've chosen to use lots of different flowers in our crown including; carnations, waxflower, calendula, mini daisies and little spray roses. You can pretty much use anything, although some things may wilt a little quicker than others.
For most stems the wiring methods shown in the above diagrams will see you through. For thicker stems where you can pierce the wire through the base of the flower (carnations, roses etc) I would suggest using fig. 1 - 3. If you've got a thinner stem like waxflower or the mini daisies you want to create a little U shape and wrap the wire against itself see fig. 4-6 for our how to.
After you've neatly wired each flower you want to cover the stems in the parafilm. Pull it tight, almost to breaking point and twizzle your stem or wire to wrap it around.
Start wrapping you parafilmed wires around your wire headband. Layer each flower overlapping the next. I love a statement piece ... go big or go home!
One floral crown ready and raring to go!
Send us a snap of your floral crown outings ... pretty please!
Working with beautiful flowers every day means we really notice a change in the season. There is always excitement about all the wonderful new flowers that are starting to filter into the shop, some old favourites (delphiniums, feverfew and peonies!) make there way into zinc jugs, some new varieties grace the presence of our hand tied bouquets. But its also time to say goodbye and au revoir for another year. This week we said our final farewell to our faithful friend the ranunculus.
Can't wait to see you next year buddy xxx
