Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday flowers (crafty edition - take II, the evolution)

I'm still playing with these. I added some succulents and mixed in some candles.

succulents, candles, paper flowers
{succulents, candles, paper flowers}

I think we'd need to use clear glass cylinders instead of mason jars. The jars photograph well, but in real life the embossed writing obscures your view of the succulents. I'd also use something other than dirty gravel that I scraped out of the yard, in case you were wondering about that.

succulents, candles, paper flowers
{succulents, candles, paper flowers}

I'd like to have taller candleholders that could fit actual votives instead of tealights, but we have about 200 of these already (leftover from my sister's wedding). I'm still trying to decide how likely it is that the candles will set the paper flowers on fire. (Probably likely, if the flowers are loose and people start playing with them. Potentially less likely, if I glue all the flowers in place.)

The succulents weren't chosen specifically - they're just pups (baby succulents!) that my mom had lying around, waiting to be planted. That's part of what makes the succulents do-able for us. My parents already have a huge native garden to pull from.

This prototyping part is fun. Figuring out how many square feet of space you need per person for different seating layouts? Decidedly less fun. But much more important. So we're doing that stuff too. 

32 comments:

  1. wow. it's really pretty! i love the coral and green of the succulents together!

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  2. What about making candles in the holders? So you don't have the silver of the tea light? Just an idea. It's all coming together beautifully.

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  3. pretty please tell me there's a tutorial coming on how to make those awesome flowers. :)

    my mom just took an exam to become a certified meeting planner and they had to memorize all those different configurations... how much space per person for 10 people at an 8 foot table, blah, blah... so fun.

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  4. I love this - it's so pretty with a nice juxtaposition of whimsical and natural elements. And I like the idea of making candles in the holders as well. Isn't all this stuff so fun?

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  5. looks beautiful! I love succulents. And those paper flowers are perfect.

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  6. i really like the low, spread out look, and the combination of natural and stylized elements work well together. either way, you've created a nice valentine's tablescape for yourself!

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  7. they look great! i do like the look of the tealights in the lower votives too, but i think taller candles would look beautiful closer to the middle of the arrangements. what a fantastic & unique idea for centerpieces!

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  8. This is beautiful! My favorite color is coral, so I'm all for this color plan. And baby succulents are a definite yes. I would have a wedding without them!

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  9. That is a beautiful arrangment, garden rocks and all. I love coming here for a calming piece of inspiration - perfect way to start off Friday.

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  10. i won't lie, i'm actually a big fan of the dirty gravel as well. that coral is deeply sexy, and i continue to "daaaaamn!" audibly (startling my coworkers) every time i see your crafted flowers. well done, rachel.

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  11. I agree - the coral shade with the succulents is a relaxing color combination! I like it a lot. Have fun with the continuation of the planning process!

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  12. lookin good lady!

    you have seen the paper flower instilation that ashley meader's did, right? (just making sure. if not, worth a view.)

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  13. everything about this is gorgeous!

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  14. Beautiful! Would the succulents also serve as party favors for guests?

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  15. Looks really great! I did paper flowers for my wedding. It was great to do with my bridesmaids.

    Paper folding + Wine + Good friends= FUN!

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  16. These are great! I love the mix of feminine with rocks and succulents.

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  17. really gorgeous! My mom did bamboo for her wedding instead of flowers, it was nice cause everyone could take it home and you didn't have to worry about them wilting/having to deal with a florist on the day of the wedding.

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  18. I kind of like the dirty gravel, too. And if you like jars for the succulents, what about collecting pickle/cornichon jars? Assuming you can get the pickle smell out of them, anyway. They're usually smooth.

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  19. love the colors and the combo of soft greens and coral.

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  20. This is so beautiful. I love the flowers so much that I wish they were the absolute highlight. What if you found a way to integrate the succulents and the candles? Perhaps a shallow square or rectangle vase with the gravel (I love the dirty gravel too) and the succulents and candles all "planted" together? Does that make sense? Well, I hope so and I love it no matter what!

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  21. Danielle's idea is really good--it also means the wick can be lower, so that the flame doesn't go as high. or you could wrap the glass or frost it and put those little bitty battery operated tea lights inside, thereby eliminating the risk of fire altogether. But if you want clear glass, I'd go with making the candles in the votives.
    Are these your "colors"? If so, they are gorgeous!

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  22. Absolutely love it!! The color combo is so pretty and it looks so relaxing- sexy and spa like at the same time.

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  23. Mason jars make anything work :) I used them in my wedding for the floral arrangements, and I love that I still have so many leftover to use for decor!

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  24. I am in love with this. I love how earthy and whimsy come together.

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  25. This is such a great idea, Rachel! Please, would you do a tutorial for these pretty flowers!?! Please!! :-D

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  26. What a beautiful arrangement. I especially like how everything is low, and how romantic!

    I vote for a tutorial as well!

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  27. HOMEGIRL MAKES A MEAN PAPER FLOWER is all I'm sayin.

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  28. so great. i really love the color of those pinky/peachy/corally/beauty-flowers. going to be awesome.

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  29. Any chance you might want to share your secret for these beautiful flowers?

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