Saturday, November 7, 2009

fresh flowers on a budget

Don't you love fresh flowers in the house?

I do too.

Ordering flowers from a florist is just something I don't splurge on,
but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them anyway.
I bought this bouquet for $14.99 at Costco,
brought it home, and arranged it for my own purposes.

I started with this frog.
I heart vintage frogs and would love to collect them,
but for now this is my only one.
I've found they are scarce and pricey too when you do find one.

Often times, I like to use unconventional flower vases
like this vintage bowl picked up at an estate sale.
So here you have it!
Instant flower arrangement for more
or is it less than half the price of those pricey florists.

And if I do say so myself, it has a little more character than
if I'd ordered it from a florist.
Having "character" translated means "Not Perfect" LOL!

But that's not the end of the story.
When the bouquet starts wilting, but a few of the flowers are still fresh,
what do you do?
I can't bring myself to throw the whole thing away, can you?
So I pull the remaining fresh flowers out and make smaller arrangements.

Meet my refrigerator lady, given to me by a good friend.
She makes an ideal container for small clippings from the yard too.

I picked this little vase up in Sedona, AZ.
A local talented craftsman or craftswoman made this cute little vase.
It's wonderful for showing off little buds.
How's that for fresh flowers on a budget?!

1..2..3..no...4 arrangements for the price of one!

Wish I could deliver fresh flowers to your very door, but since I can't I'll have to settle for this and also directing you to related posts at Mosaic Monday, Met Monday, It's so very creative and DIY Day.

37 comments:

Jeanne said...

What a great idea and I love your arrangements of flowers and your mosaic. Beautiful colors!

ellen b said...

Very nice Marsha! I love your arrangements and your Mosaic!!

Alicia said...

Beautiful display and I love all the clever little ways you keep using the flowers!

{oc cottage} said...

Love those colors!!!

m ^..^

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful arrangement and I love all your vases. Your mosaic is wonderfu. Well done!

marmielu said...

I really like your arrangement - or should I say arrangements! You know, the last time I ordered flowers from a florist, I ended up going to the grocery store to buy some to add to the arrangement. That really made me think.
I can remember seeing frogs in thrift stores years ago, and never getting them. If only you could know.....
Mary Lou

Ebie said...

Wow! Lovely arrangements! Thanks for the tips, too. I love your frame on your mosaic!

Ebie's Mosaic.

Bonnie said...

I love it that I can get several arrangements out of my grocery store flowers. Yours are gorgeous.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This is beautiful, Marsha! I love how you put the mosaic together!!

Anonymous said...

The flowers arrangements look beautiful! I, too, love Costco flowers. They are such a splurge for me....two in college (one in last term, thank God) so my flower money all goes to tuition :(

You keep making arrangements and I will keep enjoying them on your blog!

Carol said...

Gorgeous! Your arrangement is just beautiful! Great mosaic!

Wildflowerhouse said...

Well Marsha you can be my florist anyday! Great ideas so thanks for sharing. Sharon

Sedona @ MyDivineDelights said...

I do the same thing! Its so fun to play in the gorgeous flowers and to have the blooms around! :) Thanks for sharing, I'm going to have to get a frog!

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous! Love your flowers and what a beautiful mosaic.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

kclily said...

Thank you for reminding me that I have several of those frogs and I never use them. I think I will get them out and use them at Thanksgiving. Great post!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Great flower arranging! I only have one frog too but mine is a metal spiky thing that I forgot about until I saw yours.
The flat bud vase looks very interesting.

Its So Very Cheri said...

Great ideas. I love the glass with coffee beans ans candle too.

Cheri

Embellished Bayou said...

All beautiful arrangements, I love your unconventional containers!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful flowers - You did good! Almost bought some at the grocery the other day, but forgot to go back and pick them out.
Have a great week.

Claudia said...

Yes! i sooo agree with you.

Fresh flowers seem to bring a bright spirit with them.

If you have a moment I would love for you to stop by and say hi.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

A Romantic Porch said...

Oh my! What gorgeous arrangements. Your blog is so beautiful and refreshing. I thank you for the comments you have faithfully left for me inspite of my computer problems! xo rachel

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Marsha, I needed to catch up with your posts. The fall bouquet is gorgeous, I love how you have extended it's beauty by so many versions of the flowers, the squirrel was so cute, all busy, and your Sunday Drive was just fabulous. Love the gorgeous countryside. Smart celebrities, they know a good place to relax and be "real people"!Take care and have a great week.
Debra

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Beautiful Marsha...Your an Artist! xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

♥Mimi♥ said...

How lovely. Interesting that I, too, start to take parts of my arrangement for other display and use when some of the blossoms fade. The photos are amazing and so inspiring.

Carol at Serendipity said...

Love your blog! I have several frogs and never use them - I will now start. Your refrigerator lady is wonderful. I will have to find one! Do you know where they can be found?

Great mosaic and beautiful arrangement.

Carol

Marsha said...

What a beautiful mosaic, I too love those low arrangements in unusual containers. Great frog and that last vase is frog-like as well. Fresh flowers on a budget..I like your style :)

Marice said...

such a beautiful mosaic :) great arrangement!

u may view mine if u have time

Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst said...

That's a great idea, to break up the arrangements into a bunch of small ones! :-)

Deanna said...

Glorious flowers!
May you have a sweet week.
d from Kansas

My Slice of Heaven said...

I do love fresh flowers and your post inspires me to go out and purchase some today! The fall colors of the flowers are so pretty. The pictures make a beautiful mosaic.

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a great idea and thanks for the tips! I've never been good at arranging flowers. I can grow them, but have not learned the talent of making them into a bouquet. Yours look wonderful!
Brenda

Dena Pickle said...

Beautiful! Flower arranging is one thing I haven't tried yet. You've inspired me to do one for Thanksgiving!
Dena
Sweetpicklesandchocolate

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

How beautiful! I think several of must be on the "fresh flower" kick this weekend, including my post today, this is the third I've seen! LOL! Love your little refridgerator lady! That is too cute! You did a wonderful job creating your arrangements! ~Rhonda :)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Amazing...how I wish I knew how to make one of those...a mosiac. They are lovely. Gorgeous Fall colors! You definitely have a knack for putting these together!!
Yep!!

bBchronicles said...

Those are so beautiful - nice pics/mosaic!

♥Mimi♥ said...

The passion to create - oh, YES! What would we, or our world, be without it! Such a personal blessing for sure and one that I needed to remember.

Amy said...

I need to be on the hunt for one of those frogs. Lovely!!