Monday, January 13, 2014

Thankfully...Flowers in the House

Joining Jane at Small But Charming for Flowers in the House. I have learned so much about flowers, photography, and people from Jane's flower parties. First, I am very limited in pretty or unique container department. Second, I tend to go for much the same flowers, especially  since I did not have very many varieties good for cutting in my garden last year. Third, the natural light in my house isn't the best. So now, with all these little obstacles, I still love to see that Jane is hosting Flowers in the House! 

Yesterday was Sunlit Sunday at My Little Home and Garden so I played around with my camera, the flowers, and the afternoon light. Those photos will miraculously reappear within this post! My little $7.88 bouquet from Walmart has brought much joy. I made a vain attempt to make them look good in a pretty purple vase received from son one Valentine's Day. Did not work.. too tall, too bunchy... again, a "learning" experience! However, the closeups were pretty. The lime green Spider Mum was a favorite!





More experimentation with light. The white vase in front of the window with most of the background completely washed away. The flowers definitely draw your eye!


Here we are again... window light and flowers!



So... a bit of photo juxtaposition.. Springlike flowers as the centerpiece of the old oak dining table set with snowman china. A bit quirky, the colors don't coordinate, but I was going for the whimsy!



This is the nearest we usually get to snow. So the little guy and I appreciate you stopping by. Hope you will visit Jane and Friends for Flowers in the House. Funny, how these little parties bring folks together from all over the world giving us a glimpse into the heart and soul of each other. Did I mention I had learned a lot from these little get-togethers? Thanks Jane for being a great hostess! 


OH MY GOODNESS... I forgot the retro pic! My very first roses from a very special guy friend on my 17th birthday! 

37 comments:

  1. I don't think you could have found a more charming vase for your bouquet.

    And it was nice you had the time to experiment with the lighting. I was rushed this time, as I often am for parties and have been knocked out by the quality of photos by people who were wble to take some time.

    lesson learned (I hope).

    Thanks for coming to the party.

    Enjoy your no snow!

    xo j

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    1. Jane, thanks for stopping by. I forgot the retro pic and have updated! Appreciate you hosting the party... always a good time! Stay warm...understand we may have another visit from the polar vortex! Smiles..Susan

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  2. I've learned a lot from Jane too, and experiment much more than I used to. This is a wonderful post--fun to see all the different perspectives, and that vase is so charming! Your retro picture is so sweet. I forgot to put one in my post.

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    1. Thanks, Jen. I enjoyed playing around with the camera. I have lots to learn!

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  3. Amazing howa $10 dollar item can bring so much joy, it is fun to arrange and take photos. I too like the spider mum.

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    1. Thanks for stopping in. I'not sure if it's the texture or color of that mum that gets my attention, but I'm thinking tomorrow I may have to hijack those mums and try them in a couple of old cobalt blue bottles! Yes, definitely money well spent!

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  4. Window light and fresh flowers. What more does one need? I especially like #5 with all of the white allowing your flowers to pop.

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    1. Thought that photo was interesting, too. As with most of my photography...it was by mere chance! Thanks for your comment!

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  5. The milk glass vase and the washed out background is gorgeous!! Good picture! thanks for sharing.

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    1. I am on my way to a milk glass vase collection... I am the proud owner of 3! Thanks...it was a lucky shot. Appreciate your visit.

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  6. Yes, I like pic 5 too - very 'modern'. Pretty vase. Love the retro photo! x

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    1. Appreciate you stopping in and the kind comment! That was a special birthday and now brings many fond memories. Among them the reminder that my mama made the pretty dress I was wearing. Funny how those things become more significant with age!

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  7. You flowers look lovely Susan! How pretty you look on the retro photo!!

    Happy week,

    Madelief x

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    1. Thank you x 2! So glad you dropped in! Happy week to you, too.

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  8. Hi Susan ~ I think your flowers look lovely, and I love the light in the photo what appears washed out with the white vase! So pretty!!! I know what you mean about learning from Jane's Flowers in the House! I have always arranged my flowers in typical vases, but lately I find myself looking around my house for different types of vessels. I figure if it can hold water it can hold flowers!

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    1. I am always looking for that unique "something" that will be just right for flowers. The camera is such a fun toy! Thanks for your visit!

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  9. What creative fun you have had, Susan! Looks like your economically-priced bouquet was well worth it! Loved the retro pic!

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    1. Yes, it is lots of fun. The little bouquet was worth the $$ spent. In keeping with the retro photo, I wanted red roses, but the grocery store bundle was less than desirable. Thanks for the visit!

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  10. Pretty flowers and pretty pics, your fun is paying off. I forgot my retro pic too, but I really like yours.

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    1. Thanks... I have a professional photographer friend that I tease a bit and tell him "I own a digital camera, therefore I AM a photographer" ...did I mention he doesn't think that's humorous! The retro pic brought back sweet, sweet memories!

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  11. Pretty little posies in a wonderful milk glass vase. I just love it!

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    1. After a good bit of trimming and moving to a smaller vase, they seemed to be just right! Thanks for your kind words!

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  12. Susan, you made it! You turned a random bouquet from Walmart into a beautiful arrangement. What's more, you had a ton of fun doing it. Who would have thunk $7.88 can entertain so many people!

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  13. Your flowers look pretty in the hobnail vase, with a little sunlight. I really like the leaded or stained glass in your window too, Susan.

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment. The windows are in our dining room. While they are mostly clear glass, there are strips of green glass ending in the petal like shapes at the top. They were originally from Great Britain according to the antique dealer who sourced much of her inventory from England. I have been told that I have them upside down... All in the eye of the beholder!

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  14. It's a beautiful vase and lovely posy. The green chrysanthemum is amazing. It's fun to play around with different angles and light when taking photos…….and with digital photography it doesn't matter how many you take!

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    1. I think I favor some colors more than others at times...right now I am in a lime green phase! The digital camera makes photography so interesting...immediate gratification! Thanks for visiting!

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  15. I really like that photo which is "washed out." Great image.

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  16. Walmart, of all places, has flowers? I will have to break down and check it out because the local Safeway it not only too costly but their flowers are not the healthiest looking. These are beautiful!

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    1. Yes, our local WM often has some pretty bouquets. I think catching them when they arrive at the store is the key! Thanks!

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  17. Hi, Susan. Happy New Year! These green mums are uncommon here in Japan. I like the white vase which goes well with any flowers.

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    1. Happy 2014 to you, too! The bright green mums are a treat so I hope they make their way to your side of the world. The vase works well with many kinds of flowers. You have seen it before with roses and hydrangeas. Thanks for the visit!

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  18. Dear Susan,
    this is a very lovely retro-pic! And I love the white vase you show in the photos: the rim makes it easy for flowers to fall naturally - I have such a form from Vienna (different, but same sort of rim). Flowers in the house are always a pick-me-up. I have always some (but seldom from my garden when I still had it: there I wanted them in the flower-beds - reason for many, many very cute little vases which don't need so many buds). The big vases are filled from flower-shops.

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    1. Thank you, the picture has much sentimental value. My first roses from a sweet friend! In my mind I wanted to collect several of the white milk glass vases such as this one; however, I have decided that this enough. NO more collections...I have far to many things now! I love having flowers about. I would often treat myself to flowers for my desk at work our main reception desk. They always seem to bring a smile.

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