Easter Pussy Willow Arrangement

Today's idea comes from my Swedish-Canadian friend who sent me this image of a pussy willow arrangment she made. In Sweden it is traditional to decorate branches-typically willow, birch or pussy willow with easter eggs, brightly coloured feathers and fuzzy yellow chicks to celebrate spring.
She also told me a funny story about tramping through her neighbour's field searching for pussy willows in the recent spring snow storm we had on the weekend. The snow was actually blowing horizontally.

This image is so Swedish to me-with the all white background, the brightly coloured decorations and table runner. I hope you find this image inspirational. For another take on the same theme, check out my version with willow branches, a bird and nest and butterflies.

Craft Project: Spring Tree

 

Spring is finally on it's way! This is the time of year I start craving colour-I add colourful scarves and ballet flats to my winter basics, switch handbags and gravitate towards bright coloured tees and tanks. It's also the time to add pops of colour to your everyday décor. Last night I decided I would whip up a quick spring craft project using some things I already owned and adding a few inexpensive items from the dollar store and craft store. 

Materials:

• opaque vase or flower pot
• florist foam 
• knife and cutting board
• a stick (this one is willow)
• dried moss
• embellishments of your choice-artificial butterflies, birds, nests, eggs etc. 

First, pick a pot. This one I saved from an edible fruit arrangement, I washed it out well and dried it.  You can use any opaque container.

 

Cut the block of florists foam to fit inside the pot. It doesn't have to be perfect, you may have to use multiple small pieces and fit them together. Doesn't matter-the moss will cover it. I used a serrated knife-it cuts though the foam like butter. 

 

Shove the stick into the middle of the foam block and make sure it's sturdy. Cover the foam with dried moss. You could also use decorative stones, artificial grass, shredded paper or anything else you can think of. 

Next, wire on your embellishments. The ones I chose came pre-wired. If they do not come already wired, you will need some thin wire. 

I discovered the butterflies were more delicate than I had anticipated. I broke some wiring them on. So in the end, I only used two. One at the top, and one sitting on top of the moss.

The nest was a bit tricky to balance, so I hung it on a lower branch. You could glue it on if it's wobbly. 

 

I love this little bird. So pretty. When picking out the embellishments, I stayed within one colour theme-orange and pink. There are plenty of options out there, in any colour you can think of. Adjust the items according to your décor or taste. 

 

The finished piece! I love the sculptural element of the branch and the whimsy of the little nest and bird. 

I can think of so many other ways to change this piece according to season or theme. Hang little eggs for Easter, add some artificial flowers in the summer, hang miniature fairy lights at Christmas time. Add orange and red leaves for fall, I can go on and on. 

The only problem-my cat wants to eat this! Yes, I had to battle him three times to save the bird. I finally put this way on the top of  the fridge out of his reach. I am going to my Mom's this weekend, so I'll bring it over there. So, if you have toddler or cats this project might not be for you.

Mary and Doug's Wedding-Flowers

Floral arrangements by Pamela Atkinson, Red Blush Designs

Flowers:

• white calla lilies
• plum calla lilies
• cool water roses
• vandella roses
• white tulips
• purple tulips
• purple statice
• purple orchids
• curly willow (spray painted silver)
• lily grass
• salal leaves
• seeded eucalyptus

Bouquets:

Bridesmaid's Bouquets

Bridal Bouquet

Decorative arrangements:

Two large rectangular arrangements were used at the front of the room for the ceremony, and moved adjacent to the head table for the reception. I actually scouted the vases from the women's washroom at a shopping mall. I asked the information desk for the contact information of the shop they came from.

I was able to order them and pick them up at the store.

Lesson-be resourceful, inspiration can come from unexpected places

After the ceremony we moved the bouquets to the front of the dining room. I picked up a few cheap rectangular vases at Walmart. With very few singles attending, we decided to forgo the traditional bouquet and garter toss.

Lesson- dont' be afraid to adapt or remove elements if they don't suit your style, or the type of wedding you want. No one will notice anyway!


Centrepieces:

The process to decide on centrepieces was quite exhaustive. Nothing seemed quite right, not until Husband found these on sale at a home décor store. They are actually meant as an oil diffuser, but we immediately saw the potential.
The store didn`t have enough in stock, we needed 8 but they were able to order us more at the sale price! Bonus!
The set comes with a mirrored tray, two round votive holders, a small square vase, the lid, the wooden sticks, some tea lights and a bottle of scent. The tea lights were too yellow, so I swapped them out for white floating candles that I bought in bulk at a craft store. We didn`t use the sticks or lids, but I keep the boxes with the pieces inside. We stashed the boxes under the tables, for the guests to take the centrepiece home, and so they could use it for it`s true purpose if they desired. We love them either way.