“For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”
Psalms 92:4
Happy Thursday dear readers. A couple of years ago I started following a fabulous account on Instagram, Floret Farm, a family run-flower farm and seed company founded by Erin Benzakein. In 2001, she and her husband, along with their two young children left the hustle of Seattle city life and moved to a small farm in Washington’s Skagit Valley to pursue a simpler life. Shortly after arriving, a generous neighbor brought over his tractor to till a plot of ground where she could finally have the garden of her dreams. So, began their journey…
The giveaway details are at the bottom of this post.
Brimming with gorgeous photography and practical design techniques, this new book by celebrated flower farmer and floral designer Erin Benzakein presents all the secrets to designing garden-fresh bouquets. In these stunning pages, you will find everything you need to start making your own incredible arrangements, whether you’re harvesting flowers from the backyard or sourcing ingredients at the local market.
Discover easy-to-follow advice on flower care, material selection, and essential design techniques, along with how-tos for more than 25 seasonal arrangements. Included are magnificent centerpieces, gift-giving posies, festive wreaths, and breathtaking bridal bouquets.
The pictures in this post, unless otherwise noted, were photographed from the book by me with permission from the author.
Photo credit: floretflowers.com
Erin leads you through all of the steps for stunning floral arrangements including how to get started. It is important to designate a workspace, even if it is temporary, and gather all of your supplies and vessels you will need. She explains how to use floral frogs and how to make a chicken wire pillow. When choosing a vessel, it is important to understand that each vase lends itself to certain types of arrangements.
Color preferences are extremely personal, and what appeals to one person might not to someone else. How you use color in everyday life, and in your bouquets, can be one of the most beautiful forms of self-expression. So, it is helpful to understand how colors work together so you can achieve the results you are aiming for.
After years of teaching classes, Erin has found it is most useful to help her students understand the difference between warm and cool tones.
Foliage creates the base of every arrangement that Erin makes. It adds dimension and texture. The choices of greens are limitless and they too cover a spectrum of warm and cool tones.
Erin shares her essential techniques, her favorite go-to styles. This gorgeous arrangement is a statement piece…an unexpectedly large, show stopping bouquet where you can highlight the biggest and best blooms of the season. With each essential technique, she gives all the ingredients and the step-by-step process.
Centerpieces are perfect for dressing up a coffee or dining table. With her photos and step-by-step easy to follow instructions, it is easily understood for those of us who are novices.
I love this meadow-inspired centerpiece that is loose and airy. Erin used a vintage mixing bowl as her vase.
Dahlias, mums, and fall foliage collide for an unforgettable late-season display in this orange and bronze hand-tied bouquet.
I don’t know when I have been so anxious to read, study, and absorb a book. It probably has to do with my love of gardening, flowers, and Monday Morning Blooms!
Photo source: Instagram
I am so excited to offer this book to one reader! Whether you garden, make your own floral arrangements, or just love a beautiful book to add to your collection, this book will be a go-to for all things concerning flowers.
For a chance to win A Year In Flowers leave me a comment telling me your favorite flower.
For a second entry follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment to let me know. If you already follow me, please comment so I will know.
For a third entry, follow me on Instagram and leave a comment letting me know. If you already follow, please leave a comment telling me so. The giveaway is open only to those living in the continental U.S through midnight March 5th.
Thank you for you sweet visits and gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. I am a huge fan! I have the first book and this one is on my must have list. How amazing it would be to win it. My favorite flowers are carnations but my favorite spring blooms are daffodils. They are so tough and can handle winter snow wind and ice without breaking. Star Gazer lilies always come in a close second to my favorite carnation. They have such an amazing fragrance. I’ve tried growing them here and have been unsuccessful. But I grow other lilies and they are always a welcome sight in the spring. Hugs!
Thanks for the lovely post, these are the best flowers I’ve seen in a while, Pam! Erin has so much to offer for all us flower lovers. I’ve always wanted to start a flower garden, but there’s a lot of misses than hits. I guess her book would help me grow some beauties on my own. Please visit us at https://www.bloghasting.com/