Episode #414- Autumn Harvest

Episode #414 - Autumn Harvest  

Autumn is in the air on this special episode of Life In Bloom. The bounty of Autumn Harvest- from pumpkins, to ears of stained glass corn, to chrysanthemums, and even roses crafted from colorful leaves, all play a part in these inviting flower arrangements. Plus an Autumn table-scape, and a tempting cocktail to celebrate the Autumn Harvest season.

“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower”  – Albert Camus 

Autumn Harvest

Although I do love every season, Fall is my favorite time of year. Here in Michigan, nature puts on colorful display and the plentiful farms across the region are bringing in their harvests for all to enjoy. Chrysanthemums provide beautiful colors for Autumn yards and of course pumpkins and gourds inspire creative displays through November. The bounty of the season also serves as a reminder to offer gratitude - not just this time of year, but every day as well. I find that taking a moment to consider, and give thanks, for the blessings in life - including flowers, of course - is a simple but powerful technique for self-care. I hope you enjoy these ideas for celebrating Autumn  - and are inspired to take a moment to express gratitude daily, for your own well-being.”

Green Pumpkin Centerpiece

Who says that we have to carve out the pumpkin to put an arrangement in it? For this special Green Transitional Pumpkin Arrangement- I'm using a Green Cinderella Pumpkin- and these pumpkins are VERY HARD- (it's because they have been crossed with a gourd to get the green color!) and have a super thick skin and are very meaty... so I show you how you can place soaked flower foam on TOP of the pumpkin- and then have a super long lasting Autumn Harvest Arrangement- that will transition all the way through the Fall season.

Lush Autumn Roses

Everyone loves roses- and this project creates an opulent arrangement using several different varieties of roses- with some wonderful textural flowers and elements! I also share two of my favorite methods for opening up tight roses... they are easy- and fun!  The roses used in this project are from www.EspritMiami.com  - and the varieties are White O'Hara, Shimmer and Marsipan Roses... I include Hydrangea, Seeded Eucalyptus, Poppy Pods- and even a succulent. This is a wonderful way to enjoy Roses- for your Autumn Harvest Decorations!

Autumn Leaf Roses, Table-scape & Flower Cocktail

Table-scapes are very popular- it's the concept of arranging some of your favorite things- collectibles, or seasonal decoration- onto your table top- and thus creating a distinctive and personal Autumn Harvest Decoration. The one I'm creating today- includes fresh flowers, faux berries, pumpkins, gourds, and even Autumn Leaf Roses.

This is one of my favorite things to do when the colors have changed and are at their vibrant best - create roses from the leaves… I Show you the step by step instructions - on how to create these Autumn Harvest Leaf Roses using colorful Maple leaves from the tree in my front yard. then we'll use those Autumn Harvest Roses- along with other items to arrange a seasonal table-scape. Pumpkin treatments are included

The Faux berries are Dollar Tree item that are easy to incorporate into the table-scape and add wonderful color and texture to our Autumn Harvest Display!

I've also carved a pumpkin - with a surface area carving- that replicates the Flower in the "Life in Bloom" Logo- I made this carving on a white pumpkin- and since the meat of the pumpkin is also white- I used a bit of food coloring- on a cotton swab- to dye the carved out areas to give them more contrast... it's a fun trick that yields great results!  

Thanksgiving Centerpiece with Stained Glass Corn

I love the different types of Autumn Harvest Corn- there are available at the Farmers Market or Roadside Stands... and I ran across this Stained Glass Corn- (Sometimes called Flint Corn)... because the unique dark translucent colors of the kernels. It's exciting and unexpected... and certainly you could use- traditional Autumn Harvest Corn in Golds, Yellow, Orange and Rust- as well... I like that the color range of the Stained Glass Corn- and it allows me to use Purple, Lavenders and Jewel Tone Colors for this Thanksgiving Centerpiece!

Looped Leaf Protea with Candle

This is a fabulous Foliage technique- using the Variegated Aspidistra Leaves- from our Friends at FernTrust! I teach you how to make Foliage Loops- and fill in a soaked Flower Foam Wreath Frame- then I accent the Fabulous Foliage Wreath (this will last for weeks- so when flowers fade - you can replace them- and keep this Autumn Harvest Decoration - going all season long!) with Pin Cushion Protea from our Friends at Resendiz Brothers- and also include some Beauty Bush (also known as Christmas Bush)... finally we can place a glass bowl in the center with a candle- this is a great idea- to protect the flowers and foliage from the open flame... it's a fun- transportable centerpiece that features the romance of candle light for your Autumn Harvest Celebrations.

Autumn Apple Bourbon Fizz - Flower Cocktail Recipe

Apple Harvests are a sure sign of Autumn, so what better ingredient than apple Butter for this Flower Cocktail Hour…”

here's the recipe for this wonderful Autumn Harvest Flower Cocktail!

Autumn Apple Bourbon Fizz

Ingredients for the Cocktail:

3 Tablespoons Apple Butter

2 oz Bourbon

Ginger Beer

Pinch of Cinnamon

Orange Slice

Cinnamon/Sugar

Orange Wheel, Cinnamon Stick, and /or Fig for garnish

Directions:

Rim glass with Cinnamon/Sugar using an orange wedge. Shake Apple Butter, Bourbon, and pinch of Cinnamon over ice. Strain into glass. Garnish with Cinnamon stick or Orange Wheel.

Chrysanthemum Nest

This is a gorgeous arrangement that utilizes one of the Flower Classics for Autumn Harvest- the Chrysanthemum! There are so many different varieties of Chrysanthemums- and today's assortment has be provided by the Chrysanthemum Experts- my Flower Friends at Deliflor- Latin America. These Chrysanthemums are grown in Medellin, Colombia- in South America- the perfect place to grow the finest Chrysanthemums.

I share the different varieties of the "Mums" with you- as we arrange- and we use Beautiful Magnolia Foliage- from our Friends at FernTrust- for the Autumn Harvest Foliage in this Arrangement-and I accent it- with Chocolate Brown Ming Color Fresh- that is hand colorized in a Patented Secret Process by the Artists at FernTrust!  This arrangement also includes a salvaged nest- i found after a windstorm- it's the perfect accent... Chrysanthemums, Fabulous Foliage and a Bird Nest-  "simply makes the season right”...

I hope you have enjoyed our special show celebrating the Autumn Harvest Season. Nature provides an amazing ambiance to enjoy - indoors and outside - consider expressing your gratitude by engaging your senses with this very special time of year.”