“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
Happy Thursday Pam! Doesn’t the photo on the cover take your breath away? I love this book and preordered it back in December. It’s a treasure trove of techniques along with beautiful flowers and inspiration. Some lucky reader will love to have it! I’m hard pressed to pick a favorite flower. As much as I love peonies, I think it would have to be hydrangeas for the variety and the simple fact that they have a longer growing season. 🌸💐🌻🌼
My favorite flower is the simple daisy. It is so humble! But of course, I love all flowers too. I would love to have this book in my collection.
I am sure that this is a wonderful story…must check into that book…beautiful photos and I am a hydrangea fan!
Great giveaway.
Wonderful book with stunning pictures and an adorable story! My favorite flower…Maybe roses.. Sad for living too far from you! Hugs and blessings.Good luck for all of your readers!
I can’t image the hard work she has given to her dream. Certainly great success. I have admired her for a long time. I’m sure the book is very informative.
I am also hard- pressed to pick a favorite flower but like Mary I would pick the hydrangea because I have access to enjoying them.
My favorite flower is the yellow rose! Thank you!
What a fun giveaway! Thank you! I would have to choose any white flower, love white roses and hydrangeas for a vase in the house, and my white azaleas in the garden.
For sentimental reasons my favorite flower is the simple Marigold. Growing up my mother had a flower garden. In the spring when she was planning the garden each of us four sisters would pick a seed packet of our favorite flower to plant. I always picked Marigolds.
Flowers are never so beautiful as in deep mid-winter when all around is gray and bleak! What a lovely reminder that springtime is on its way!
Yay!
My favorite flower is the Jonquil which I rarely see alive in Florida. I grew up in Kentucky where they were plentiful.
I love all your posts about flowers.
Sweet peas. They take me back to my Gramma’s farm and her patch of sweet peas we would visit. My daughter used sweet peas as the flowers for a shower, and I have fond memories of gathering sweet pea blooms in the field behind my Mom’s on a drizzley morning to have them on the tables. The sun did come out for the afternoon celebration and the flowers looked wonderful. Such wonderful memory!
I love hydrangeas best because they are such happy flowers and so easy to decorate with. However I am fond of little violets for my tiny Waterford vase, the various shades of pink roses for my coffee table, all color tulips for helping to celebrate spring, and large vases of white lilies for Easter. The varieties of flowers are a miracle in themselves, don’t you think?
I love all flowers. They are just so beautiful. My favorite, however, would probably be tulips, because they just make me so happy to see them blooming in early spring.
I follow you on Instagram!
I have been following Forets site because of you, I adore the pictures of flowers. My favorite is the peony, so beautiful and I love the fragrance, but since relocating south I cannot grow them. I have to admit I love all flowers. Thank you for this offer Pam.
Jeanne
I love so many. But for a neutral flower, I love hydrangeas and beautiful color I love zinnias!
Wow, this book sounds incredible! All the arrangements and flowers are stunning…I like the fact that is for gardeners and flower buyers alike 😂 As for a favorite flower, I don’t think I have a favorite, I love them all!! What a lovely giveaway Pam, thank you for sharing this incredible book!
Jenna
My favorite flower is a red rose. Following you on Pinterest.
This looks like a wonderful and interesting book.
My favorite flower is tulip. I have loved them for as long as I can remember. I think it goes back to seeing them pop up near the fence at my parent’s house.
It just happens to be the flower that I got sent anonymously one year and it turned out to be from my now husband.
Pam, This sounds like a great book. My favorite flower is the zinnia as they are prolific, colorful and can endure the southern summer heat. Although I love all flowers, the zinnia outlasts most of the
other garden roses, hydrangeas, and lilies. Have a wonderful day! Clara ♥️
I follow you on Pinterest already. Clara ♥️
That looks like a gorgeous reference book, Pam! I didn’t realize I hadn’t already followed you on Pinterest, but I am now.
So many flowers to choose from but I have always loved hydrangeas. I already follow you on Pinterest.
Thank you for this giveaway! As a little girl, I was captivated by the beauty and intoxicating fragrance of my grandmother’s peony. I still treasure it, having been given a division of that same plant over forty years ago. Since then I have acquired over twenty different peony varieties to add to the garden. I love many kinds of flowers but, for me, the peony will always reign supreme!
Hi Pam…My all time fav flower is the Fuji (Spider) Mum. I’ll go for the store bouquet with the Fuji Mum in it everytime. You can add one to any bouquet (especially white for brides) for instant wow factor. Thanks for the Win Opportunity! Blessings, Ally
Good morning, Pam. I love Floret Farm and their amazing seeds, such a wide variety. I have ordered from them for several years. I am certain the book is lovely and full of outstanding information. My favorite flower is the peony.
Wishing you a wonderful day and it is so kind of you to do this giveaway.
Thank you for the give away and what a lovely book. I follow you on Pinterest. My favorite flowers are tulips and hyacinths — probably tulips the most as they are easier for an arrangement.
Well how fun is this! I would love this book! As I love all flowers… but I think I’m a Zinnia and hydrangea fan!
Happy Thursday to you dear Pam!
🌸🌿🌺🌿🌼🌿🌹🌿🥀🌿💐🌿🌷
Pam~ Thanks for sharing this book, it looks amazing. I hadn’t heard of Floret Farm before I read this today so I will be checking that out also. My favorite flower is the peony – beautiful smell and great in arrangements. Keep up the great work – I so enjoy your photos!
This book really looks interesting with great ideas! I love daffodils, first sight of Spring!
Love your ideas and suggestions! Your photos are stunning!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Pam….My favorite flower is a rose….always beautiful and so much variety….this is a great post…Thanks for a chance to win this beautiful book.
Pam… those photos are gorgeous! My favorite flower is hydrangea. Have a wonderful weekend, Pam.
All the choices are interesting- I think they are favorites depending on where one lives! I love the pictures of peonies, but since I live in west Texas, I don’t think I have ever seen one! I do love roses, and I love the fragrance of honeysuckle and gardenias! I would love to see the book!
Pam, thank you for telling us about Erin and Floret Farms, I am going to start following her on Instagram. The arrangement going from deep red to palest pink is stunning. I have loved pansies since I was a little girl when Daddy showed me they looked like kitten faces! And camellias of every color and variety. Please don’t enter me in the contest since I was already lucky enough to win one of your giveaways! 💕
Our first home had a screened porch sitting on a hillock along the side … the former owner, quite a lady, had her gardener plant that entire surrounding incline in lilies of the valley…oh the aroma…and what a view..I used to snip little bouquets and
place them indoors…the power of flowered memories…so they hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for your generous offer, Pam…Quite certain Erin’s story and creations are fascinating….
Hi Pam!
Hydrangea is my favorite flower. I love all varieties but the big blue macrophyla is my very most favorite.
I’m now following you on Pinterest and Instagram.
Thanks🥰
My favorite flower is the Red Poppy. I have lovely paintings in my house. I am starting a new garden this year and can hardly wait for the poppies to bloom. My daughter lives outside London and nothing is more beautiful to me than the fields of poppies. She also works on Remembrance Day to cover the Tower of London in poppies. My daughter in law without knowing of my love for this flower, chose white and red poppies for her wedding. I guess this is my “soul” flower!!
My favorite flower is the Gladioli. Every birthday while growing up our dad would always have a bunch of Gladioli on the table for my twin (Marion) and me when we woke up on our birthday.
Marilyn
I follow you on Pinterest and Instagram
Marilyn
The pansies are my favorite flower. My mother chose them because they were her father’s flower too.
Marion
The beauty and delicacy of the Lily Of The Valley are my favorite flower.
Joan
This looks like such a beautiful book, and I can see why you love it so! I’m going to have to follow Floret Farm on Instagram…as, I do adore pretty flowers. It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite flower. If I must choose, I think it would be coral colored roses. Happy Thursday, sweet friend!!!
Cabbages Roses! But these photos make me love ALL the flowers! Wow! What a beautiful book to illustrate a beautiful life. I already follow you on Instagram and I’m now following you on Pinterest. Thanks for introducing us to such a lovely book and a new account to follow.
This looks like an interesting book to read. Love the flowers on front of book. I love all flowers they just make me happy but the Sunflower is my favorite….makes me feel happy and loved. Sunflowers to me speak I Love You!
The book looks lovely, I’d be thrilled to win. Favorite flower would have to be Lilly of the Valley.
Sounds like a delightful book Pam!
Bless you,
Jennifer
Yes, it really is!
This looks like such a lovely, interesting book! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win, sweet friend! I am already following you on Pinterest! God bless you. 🙂
What a stunning book! Of course, I’d love to win and if I don’t, may just have to get it anyway. Favorite flower? That’s a toughie because it all depends on which day you ask, but today I’m leaning toward daffodils. Call it wishful thinking!
Wow Pam, such a stunning book! Kudos to Erin on achieving her dream at Floret Farms. The flowers are gorgeous. My favorite flower is hydrangeas, of course I love all flowers. So difficult to pick a favorite. Fresh flowers in the house are heavenly. The book looks incredible.
So many flowers. I love them all but I would have to choose daffodils. They are a welcome ray of sunshine every spring. I have a variety of species planted: early, mid and late so they last as long as possible. As much as I want warm weather, cool spring is a blessing in disguise for daffodils.
Flowers such a beautiful creation I love me a rose so beautiful and romantic. This is such a awesome book give away! Please enter me into the drawing
Thanks, Denise
That book looks so enticing! It’s hard for me to pick a favorite flower as I’m a flower fanatic but I guess peonies would have to be it.I absolutely love fresh flowers in my home. Thank you for the opportunity to win this lovely book.