Tag Archives: boutonnieres

Changes Coming

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Hi all.

Saturday’s wedding is now over and done and the happy couple are onto honeymoon fun. This is just a short post today, to let you know Artzzle has changes in play.

The Happy Couple

The Happy Couple

A New Look
I’ve acquired lots of new WordPress toys and tools, and will be playing with those often, tweaking Artzzle’s look. It’s EZ software though, you don’t even have to write your own code. Anyone should be able to quickly master it … even me 🙂 I’m looking forward to “playtime” and collecting comments on what you think about all the changes.

More Contact Options
While I love getting comments, soon you’ll also have a second contact option, where you’ll be able to attach photos you’d like to share.

Silk Flower Tutorial
I promised a little info on how to make the silk boutannaires, so here you go.

1 Rose Bud, 1 Leaf, 1 Small Piece variegated green

1 Rose Bud, 1 Leaf, 1 Small Piece variegated green

When working with silk flowers, I always use hot glue, as you need something to set up instantly. The lower temp glue and guns will work fine.

Glue (front side) of leaf to back of rose, then glue greens at base of (front) of rose

Glue (front side) of leaf to back of rose, then glue greens at base of (front) of rose

Here's what you have now, a bare bout. Now we need the ribbon jacket

Here’s what you have now, a bare bout. Now we need the ribbon jacket

Before beginning the final step, adding the ribbon, I like to tightly wire-wrap the stems together, to give you a tight end to work with when you wrap the ribbon. I used a 26 gauge floral/craft wire here, as it is thin but still very strong, easy to work with and get very tight.

1 1/2 inch width Ribbon, cut in a 4 inch long piece

1 1/2 inch width Ribbon, cut in a 4 inch long piece

Glue over a small "hem" on each end of your ribbon. This gives you a finished look and prevents your ribbon from fraying

Glue over a small “hem” on each end of your ribbon. This gives you a finished look and prevents your ribbon from fraying

My next two pictures aren’t the best but I think you’ll be able to get the idea.

Glue one end of ribbon to the back of your rose, at a bit of a downward angle.

Glue one end of ribbon to the back of your rose, at a bit of a downward angle.

Begin wrapping ribbon around stem, carefully gluing as you go.

Begin wrapping ribbon around stem, carefully gluing as you go.

When your open end is about 1/2 - 3/4 in below the end of your stems, glue and fold it back up onto the stem. Continue wrapping and gluing remaining ribbon, around end of stem.

When your open end is about 1/2 – 3/4 in below the end of your stems, glue and fold it back up onto the stem. Continue wrapping and gluing remaining ribbon, around end of stem.


These are the finished bouts. Notice on is different. This is the groom's bout. This one was altered a bit after this shot was taken. The groom felt it was too big, so I simply carefully snipped off the two side rose leaves, and trimmed down the white hydrangea.

These are the finished bouts. Notice the groom’s bout is different. This one was altered a bit after the shot was taken. The groom felt it was too big, so I simply carefully snipped off the two side rose leaves, and trimmed down the white hydrangea. Now it’s still different but a more comfortable size.

I couldn’t close without including some of my gorgeous grandchildren. But I have to note, there are five more that weren’t in attendance.

Until next time, don’t stress too much about it, just start your project.

Thanks for visiting. You’ve just read “Changes Coming” on Artzzle.com. I love comments and questions so send “em” my way. And be sure to spread the word about Artzzle to your friends. The more the merrier!

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Remember, all content on Artzzle, text and photography, is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form, without my expressed permission, or approval from material’s originator(s). You can leave a comment below with any questions on this.

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Oxymoron Mondays

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Some Sunday stroll lovelies. This is not a formal, structured arrangement; no tape, wire or frogs. I've just filled the vase with water, insert taller pieces, then clump a few similar flowers together and begin placing them here and there. Here I've used 3 types of wild flowers - Brown Eyed Susan's, Daisies and Alfalfa; 3 fillers - Russian Sage, and two wild grasses are added for height, texture and filler. Continually watered, these will last for several days.

Some Sunday stroll lovelies.
This is not a formal, structured arrangement; no tape, wire or frogs.
I’ve just filled the vase with water, insert taller pieces, then clump a few similiar flowers together and begin placing them here and there.
Here I’ve used 3 types of wild flowers – Brown Eyed Susans, Daisies and Alfalfa; 3 fillers – Russian Sage, and two wild grasses are added for height, texture and filler.
Continually watered, these will last for several days.

Words are fun aren’t they? One of my favorites is “oxymoron”.

Merriam Webster says: “Definition OXYMORON
:a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness); broadly: something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements”

Monday is a big ole oxymoron for me. It can be slow and draggy, because I didn’t want the weekend to end, but it might also be energized and inspired from events of the previous two days. Monday this week is just a big mix of moods and must do’s.

Awoke to beautiful sunshine, but 7:00 am was way too early, as 2:00 a.m. was bedtime last night (remember we’re night people because of Hubs’ job). So a little draggy, but we have to drop off a vehicle at the shop before DB leaves for work, so I need to get going.

I assembled tools to begin making bouts. * Two widths of satin ribbon in two colors * Tin snips * Wire (this is 26 gauge, suitable for small projects and beaded strips) * Hot glue gun * Optional Crimper (sometimes it's fun to crimp some of your ribbon) * Pearl tipped strait pins

I assembled tools to begin making bouts.
* Two widths of satin ribbon in two colors
* Tin snips
* Wire (this is 26 gauge, suitable for small projects and beaded strips)
* Hot glue gun
* Optional Crimper (sometimes it’s fun to crimp some of your ribbon)
* Pearl tipped strait pins

Lots to do today; usual cleaning but also have to begin the boutonnieres for the wedding. That word never looks right no matter how you spell it, so I always have to check! Anyway, have to at least start the “bouts (boots)” but only have 5 so not a huge chore. Haven’t done any recent projects that work for a good post, but have lots of ideas for upcoming slots. Because of short night, I’ll probably need an afternoon nap. And the list grows. You know what I mean.

Our primary flowers are the roses, with 3 sizes of blooms on each stem. For the bouts, I've cut the smallest bud, which will be the main flower in the boutonniere. Always give your cuts as much of the stem as possible; too long is better than too short!

Our primary flowers are the roses, with 3 sizes of blooms on each stem.
For the bouts, I’ve cut the smallest bud, which will be the main flower in the boutonnaire.
Always give your cuts as much of the stem as possible; too long is better than too short!

I’ve also cut the smallest clumps of our neutral flowers, to be used in the bouts, and pulled 1 small section from the variegated filler as well.
TIP: When doing your cuttings, always keep any remnants of flowers, leaves and wire. They may come in handy somewhere along the process.

Here are little extra pieces that fell from the main stems. I always keep EVERYTHING, until the project is finished.

Here are little extra pieces that fell from the main stems. I always keep EVERYTHING, until the project is finished.

TIP: Always take as much stem wire as possible when making your cuts. You can snip off excess later if you don’t need it.

Each of my days start with an email check, but Monday’s are especially nice, because I get so many inspirational tidbits from my blogger buddies. Today was not a let-down. Wanting to start quietly, I opened LEAF AND TWIG first to see the wonderful words and images awaiting there. Next I was energized with that beautiful voice over at CHARLOTTE HOATHER’s site.

Now I was ready for whatever mixed media piece THE SEASONED HOMEMAKER was sharing today. This time it was about sewing which isn’t one of my talents, BUT I learned something to pass on to Hubs, as he begins his upholstering adventures. Then colorful inspiration hit me from Donna’s post at DECORATING WITH DONNA.

And finally I followed up on comments from BENJAMIN VOGT‘s weekend gardening discussion over at HOUZZ. Benjamin one of HOUZZ’s regular contributors on gardening, and specializes in natural or native species plants.

Well, the day is half over and there’s still more to do. I’ll post a full tutorial when I work on the boutonnieres. Lot’s of great links today and more on the FUN PLACES list to check out too!

Meantime, our entire week here is supposed to be beautiful weather. Hope yours is too. And remember, don’t stress, just start.

Later – Cheryl
Thanks for visiting. You’ve just read “Oxymoron Mondays” on Artzzle.com. I love comments and questions so send “em” my way.

Copyright © 2013 Artzzle All Rights Reserved