IVOM: Posies for the party

Each June the Friends group of the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection at UW-Madison host a High Tea. It's part fund-raiser, part social event and often is held at the home of someone who collects textiles and has them on display for the event. I was unable to attend this year, but sent along five small bouquets to put on end tables as my contribution. (I'm on the board of the HLATC Development Committee). I put them together in the basement by the laundry sink, using the top of the washer and dryer as my work surface; so not the most romantic backdrop for pictures.  

These needed to be rather small bouquets so I used empty jam jars. I always keep an array of small jars and bottles with my vases to use to bring small gift bouquets when we go visiting.  

I wanted these to look a little more finished, so I wrapped them in garage sale hankies, held in place with a rubber band at the neck of the container. I also wrapped large leaves around the inside of the container for one of the larger jars. 

As for flowers, I just randomly grabbed a bit of everything. Three were arrangements in shades of red and pink and two showcased yellow flowers. 

I used my go-to method for transporting bouquets: a sturdy box shallow enough that the flowers will mostly be above the edges. I stuff bubble wrap in between, so nothing moves and no vases touch each othe. Then I set it on the floor of the car. I have a box with bubble-wrap on a shelf in the garage that is always ready to go. It makes me much more likely to put a bouquet together quickly if I don't have to think about how to deal with it in the car. 

To see what other gardeners have put together this week, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this meme. 

Comments

[Barbara H.]

Brilliant! I love them. You have a great set up for these small bouquets and have clearly thought out your plans for small gifts of flowers.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Guests at high tea must have been thrilled with your sweet bouquets.

[Kris P]

They're pretty posies and I like the extra touch with the hankies. Nicely done, Linda! I'm currently vexed by the question of where I'm going to put together vases for the next several months without a proper kitchen but, if you can manage in a basement, I should be able to make things work in my laundry room or our tiny temporary kitchen.

[Linda Brazill]

My kitchen is fine for putting a vase together but bad light and no good spots for photos. I am always looking for the perfect spot.

[Cathy]

I love little posies, Linda, as they are so quick to put together and look just as pretty as bigger ones - thanks for sharing yours

[Nell]

These are charming, and incorporate textiles to boot! Guessing that it'll be a while before they let you off that development committee...

Great setup to encourage frequent offerings!
Transport certainly is the weak link in the chain for arrangements. My m.o. involves dish tubs and "dog towels" (old bath towels with tears, stains, or threadbare patches). Still a dicey proposition given our hilly, curvy landscape.

[Susie]

They're lovely. The hankie idea is so clever.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Artfully done, Linda. I'm looking forward to seeing your garden very soon. ;-)

[Sandra]

Delightful collection of vases

[Linda Brazill]

I've done dish pans and towels as well. But you are right: it is the road that can be the biggest problem bringing food or flowers to an event.