Customer Reviews:
Simply Beautiful.......2000-04-05
Although I have several books on the art of ribbonwork, this is by far my favorite. The photography is exquisite and plentiful throughout the book. Step by step instructions are so clear and precise that even the most novice handiworker will have no problem reproducing these beauties. If I could recommend just one book on this subject, this is it.
Book Description
“Flowers are love's truest language”: so wrote journalist Park Benjamin in the 19th century. The sentiment remains just as compelling today. As every bride-to-be knows, the right flowers are a fundamental expression of the perfect wedding.
But brides are often flummoxed when it comes to the specifics of realizing a beautiful and personal floral vision. Should the arrangements be lushly romantic or sleekly understated? Which flowers are best for the season when the wedding will take place—and for its setting? How much should you spend on flowers? (Where should you splurge and where can you cut back?) How do you go about choosing and working with a professional florist? Do you dare to try to make your own wedding bouquets?
These are just a sampling of the questions that Karen Bussen, one of the country's top wedding experts, addresses in Simple Stunning Wedding Flowers, the gloriously illustrated follow-up to her essential wedding-planning book, Simple Stunning Weddings. As always, Bussen offers advice that's as down-to-earth as it is aesthetically fresh and inspired. And her guiding principles—that “less is more,” and that breathtaking elegance is achievable on any budget—are sure to calm an overwhelmed bride's frazzled nerves.
Customer Reviews:
Full of Ideas.......2007-09-10
Great book, definately an eye catcher, beautiful photos, well detailed pages, very informative for anyone creating the perfect bouquets and arrangements for that most perfect day. The book is full of ideas, well worth getting for your collection.
good stuff!.......2007-03-10
Nice pictures, good ideas, I really enjoyed this book and will use it in my business with clients
Book Description
With the help of this exquisite and instruction-filled guide, anyone can create gorgeous wedding arrangements with ease. It covers all the important points any designer must take into consideration: how to coordinate the flowers with the overall theme of the ceremony; where the arrangements will be needed, from personal boutonnieres to centerpieces at the reception; and how to work with a florist to get the blooms. Floral basics and how-tos range from important facts on color and composition to suggestions on bouquet shapes and their relation to the dresses. Most important are the various projects to duplicate exactly or use as a springboard, from lovely monochromatic themes to seasonal styles.
Customer Reviews:
Great Ideas.......2007-09-10
I Have a Wedding floral Design business from my home and am always looking for great and fresh ideas I can share with my brides. The book has many great suggestions and photos.
The New Book of Wedding Flowers : Simple & Stylish Arrangements for the Creative Bride.......2005-09-30
The book has beautiful pictures and wonderful ideas. I wish it would identify all flowers and amounts used in the boquets.
I thought it might be more of an instructional book. It is a good reference.
Customer Reviews:
Elegance.......2007-02-20
The elegance and beauty in this book is wonderful. All the Great tips and great way's to make all these fantastic creation's. Everything a bride could want and everything a budding florist would want. A great book made easy and that is what we want.
Wedding Flowers Made Simple.......2005-10-06
Great Work!! I'm a florist and am constantly gathering information for my artistry.
Wedding Flowers Made Simple: Over 80 Glorious Floral Designs for That Special Day.......2005-09-30
The photography in the book was beautiful but the bouquets were not practical for most brides. I did like that flowers were identified with amounts needed.
Very Disappointing.......2005-09-21
I got this book out of the library, along with "Bouquets: A Year of Flowers for the Bride" and the Knot book, and I would have to say, this was by far the least useful. For one thing, there was nothing simple about it-- the arrangements either involved mountains of flowers, or varieties of orchids I had never seen anywhere else, or arrangements that were closer to balancing acts. There is one picture that seemed to have literally hundreds of calla lillies around a doorway. Come on!
Compared to the Bouquets book, which offered a lot of variety and was pretty creative, this just seemed like a lot of lilies & orchids & roses, and compared to the Knot book, it wasn't as practical, cost effective, or even very descriptive. I am not a fan of the Knot website, but surprisingly, I found their flower book the most informative. I would recommend either book over this one.
Not practical for flowershop owners.......2005-09-16
If you look for something practical to give your clients ideas for their wedding this is not the book you are looking for. The flowers in the pictures are not something you commonly find in flowershops, most of them are not even greenhouse flowers. They are simple, garden flowers.
Amazon.com
A lot of flower arranging books are intimidating: the pictures are beautiful and the instructions may even be good, but if you don't have a Limoges vase and an armful of perfect rosebuds, you'll never be able to achieve similar results. Backyard Bouquets is a book for people who have, or want, gloriously messy real-life gardens full of inexpensive annuals and (whisper) even a few pretty weeds, and who put their flowers in anything that won't leak. It's a beautiful and friendly book, with good planting, watering, and cutting directions. While only the color principles of flower arranging are addressed in the text, the many bouquets pictured are uniformly gorgeous in texture and proportion, whether they're placed in old jelly glasses, coffee cans, or the occasional ceramic ginger jar--textbook examples of what you imagine while you're putting the seeds in the ground. --Barrie Trinkle
Book Description
Acclaimed garden writer Georgeanne Brennan makes growing flowers for intimate bouquets a simple pleasure everyone can enjoy. Illustrated with photographs by Kathryn Kleinman and filled with inspiring ideas from floral stylist Ethel Brennan, Backyard Bouquets is both a how-to gardening book and a guide to the rewarding art of flower arrangement. From disk- and dome-shaped blossoms to wildflowers to "stately stems" and "artful forms," Georgeanne Brennan explains the role each kind of flower plays in a bouquet, then gives step-by-step directions for growing each type in its many variations. The idea is to cultivate a selection of hearty, fast-growing flowers, fillers, and vines -- in a variety of complementary shapes, colors, and sizes -- so there's always something fresh and pretty on hand, all through the year. Sunflowers, cosmos, lupines, nasturtiums, irises, sweetpeas, daffodils, and tulips are just the beginning. Uncomplicated and spontaneous, this book gives gardeners the tools they need to brighten any room in the house with wonderful flowers.
Customer Reviews:
Plain Plain Plain Except for the Cover.......2006-04-19
The cover bouquet is the only thing worthy and inspiring out of all the arrangements. Most are plain with only one or two different kinds of plants in them. And even the few that has more variety still looks ordinary and not that pretty. Sigh, at least the cover is really good to look at.
Pretty book for coffee table gardeners.......1998-05-18
This is a very nice book with lots of beautifully styled photographs of common flowers in folksy arrangements. Lovely as a source of inspiration for what to grow next. The text covers about 20 perennial, annual and bulb flowers and their varieties with the chapters grouped by the flower shape. The orientation here is on the "Bouquet" part of the title rather than the "Backyard" part. Pretty minimalist gardening techniques. Here's a sample on how to grow bulbs: "Plant them touching each other, water them and wait for the green shoots to show." If you see what I mean.
The book is beautifully bound in the new soft cover style with attached dust jacket. The photographs are clear and display well on the non-reflective paper. The type face is small and difficult to read with only a single column on each wide page.
Buy the book for inspiration but you'll be relying on something else for how to plant and grow.
Book Description
Internationally acclaimed quilt and fiber artist Kumiko Sudo translates techniques designed to create extraordinary shapes from paper to a new medium-fabric. Crafters are shown how to effortlessly fold fabric into wonderful new designs, adding dimension and sophistication to any sewing or home decoration project. Patterns for 24 simple yet stylish projects are included for using the flower origami to create such things as exquisite purses, totes, gift boxes, needle cases, and even a cell phone holder. While some of the designs are enhanced with colorful beads, ribbons, or tiny mother-of-pearl, others require no embellishments at all. Clear directions, step-by-step drawings, and full-size templates for every design make it easy for anyone to re-create the projects to perfection with only novice sewing skills.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful items/difficult to reproduce.......2007-03-02
She is exteremely talented. She grew up in Japan and has used these techniques for years. They are like automatic. Most people in America were not exposed to this type of crafting. I would recommend you start with a very beginners book and work up to this authors abilities if that is even possible. She is a true artisan of her native crafts and has been doing this beginning as a small child.
With 300 easy-to-follow color drawings.......2004-07-06
Flower Origami: Fabric Flowers From Simple Shapes by Kumiko Sudo focuses upon teaching quilters and other needlecrafters how to take a colorful scrap of ordinary fabric and manipulate it into a visually impressive three-dimensional flower as part of a decorative needlecraft project. Twenty wonderful flower designs are showcased on visually impressive quilt blocks. Impressively enhanced with 300 easy-to-follow color drawings and specific guidance on sashiko stitching and other Japanese inspired embellishment techniques, Flower Origami offers patters and directions for an impressive diversity of fashion and home accessory projects. Flower Origami is enthusiastically recommended as a unique addition to any dedicated and adventuresome needlecraft hobbyist's personal project reference collection.
Book Description
Lavishly illustrated with 150 color photographs, this highly visual guide teaches readers how to create exciting water gardens in containers for inside the home or outside. Using the book's step-by-step instructions, photos, and drawings, readers will learn how to construct, plant, stock, and maintain a water garden. Includes suggestions for the best water garden plants, fish, and
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful book.......2006-12-02
I bought this book on the recommendation of the instructor of a course given at the New York Botanical Gardens. The book is so exquisite that I keep it within arm's reach at all times. Besides its beauty, the directory of plants, information on hardiness zones, and the section on things you need to know give invaluable practical information. With this knowledge, I have been able to keep a small container water garden going strong for over a year, even during last winter's snowstorms.
Great Plant List.......2005-07-29
The most helpful thing in the book was the easy to read, easy to understand plant guide in the back. It gives a photo of the plant and tells the growing zones, if the plant needs sun or shade, if it is an annual or perennial, and if it grows in in deep water, shallow water, or damp soil. The plant directory alone makes this book worth purchasing.
Quick and Easy Container Water Gardening.......2000-02-05
I was so excited to receive the book because I wanted to learn how to create wonderful water garden features. I ordered the book specifically to learn how to make the shishi-odoshi water feature. I was so disappointed to find that the book, which has great pictures,has very little information on how to do any of the pictured features. The book falls far short of my expectations. If I saw it in a book store, I would not buy it. It is a real disappointment that a noted horticulturalist, having the knowledge to help all of us novices, decidedly omits key information. This is not a quick and easy how to do book on water gardening. I can do much better watching Home and Garden Television. I wish I had my money back!
clever ideas but missing some practical information.......1999-07-31
Lots of clever ideas for small water gardens, as well as helpful general information on appropriate plants, fish, etc. However, it would have been nice if the author had provided a list of suppliers, at least for the more esoteric items. I too would like to make a shishi-odoshi fountain, but haven't the first idea where to buy the shishi-odoshi that is the first item on the list of project supplies (!). Also, while each of the finished projects is nicely photographed it would have been a great help if there were more photographs or illustrations of more of the projects in the construction stage.
Lots of good ideas.......1999-04-13
If you long to add the calming elegance of water to your garden this author shows many clever ways to achieve it. I like the simplicity of some of the containers-a window box, strawberry jars, sinks, etc. I plan to try the classical bamboo shishi-odoshi.A helpful plant directory is included too. -Linda Fry Kenzle, author of Gathering:Using Simple Materials From the Garden and Nature
Book Description
Cakes are as popular as vases for displaying flowers—except that the sweet blossoms that bloom here are the artistry of sugarcrafters. Anybody can master the art of creating marvelously realistic sugar flowers—and exquisite-looking desserts—with these simple instructions, step-by-step illustrations, and close-up photos of the finished product. The emphasis is firmly on the simple garden flowers that most people love, from delicate freesias, pansies, and daisies to favorites such as roses and carnations to bold sunflowers and poppies. A special section explains how to arrange flowers into sprays and bouquets. These designs will add beauty to any table.
Customer Reviews:
Simple and Beautiful.......2007-01-09
Claire Webb's work will amaze even the most skilfull sugarcrafter. A very helpful book to learn the right way of flower making and also to delight yourself with your own creations.
Book Description
With growing orchids as a pastime ever increasing in popularity, here, reissued with a lovely new cover, is one of the most popular books on the subject. This engaging volume provides all the inspiration and hands-on facts for transforming a windowsill, patio, glassed-in porch, or small garden plot into orchid territory, with the emphasis-given a plant that can be all too intimidating-on the easy. There’s Lady’s Slipper orchids and Jewel orchids for low-light homes; Laeliocattleyas to take advantage of a sunny kitchen window; and a host of other varieties. Complete with concise, easy-to-follow instructions, and beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs, Easy Orchids makes growing these prima donnas of the plant world rewarding and enjoyable for beginner and expert gardeners alike.
Customer Reviews:
Useful information, but lacking structure.......2004-09-12
This book was easy to read and had lots of beautiful orchid pictures. However, there the book is very lacking in stucture. It simply goes through different types of orchids and meanwhile gives you tips on watering, fertilizing, etc. as you go. I have read a few other orchid books and this just seems to be a conglomeration of the useful hints and tips I've found in those. For a much more useful book try Ortho's All About Orchids.
Love this orchid book.......2003-06-24
What a great orchid book. I'm a beginner, but I'll use it forever. Absolutely wonderful photos and references. I saved an orchid using instructions in this book. I recommend it, especially at this great price.
A must-have for your orchid library!.......2003-02-18
I am notorious among my friends and family for killing plants in no time. Yet, I got this book as a gift along with an orchid (they thought if I was given directions for use, that one plant stood a better chance...:)
Not only did the plant make it beautifully, and re-bloom, but I now own and enjoy a few more orchid plants.
This book is a great basic for your orchid library. Granted, it doesn't cover all the topics you want to know about(plant diseases for example). However, it is very invaluable and even though I now own more orchid books, I find myself getting back to this one quite often for information.
It is not intimidating, very easy to follow and an excellent introduction to a great family of plants, too often inaccurately labeled as fragile and needy.
I warmly recommend it to anyone getting started with orchids.
This book paired with an orchid plant is one of the greatest gifts I ever received...
Great starter guide for growing orchids.......2002-03-26
I got this book along with my very first orchid plant that I had bought in an annual orchid show recently. It could be both an exciting and yet intimidating experience to tend to your first orchid. However this is a perfect starter guide for beginners, with simple and easy to follow instructions in caring most of the common types of orchids. It provides readers with essential information from using the right potting mix, when to water and how to fetilize. The all color photography makes it even more fun to read. Highly recommended for first time orchid grower like myself.
A great introduction to growing orchids for the beginner.......2001-12-13
The book contains about 100 pages: 18 pages on orchid native conditions, horticultural history, and orchid anatomy and growth habits. 22 pages on growing conditions (light, temperature, humidity, fertilizers, etc), growing tips, and pests to avoid. 58 pages covering the details about growing two dozen specific popular orchids. Each orchid in this section is described by its species / cultivar name, specific growing conditions given (light, watering, fertilizing schedule), a full size photograph of each plant, and two or three paragraphs of details about this specific orchid. Book concludes with 4 pages on mail order sources, bibliography, index, and acknowledgement.
The book contains clear, crisp, and easy to read information about orchid care. It completely covers all of the essentials that the first time orchid grower needs to learn.
Is the book's information helpful? Well, I bought this book with my first orchid. One hundred days later, not only is the orchid still alive, but the flowers are still in bloom! Gee, I guess I can grow orchids, especially with guidance from this book.
Is growing orchids addictive? Well, I started with one orchid. One hundred days laters, I now own six plants ... and I'm looking to buy more. All because of this damn book :-)
The book is a great introduction to growing orchids for the beginner. It should be your first book, and you should buy it with your first orchid. Simple, but accurate, instructions throughout the text. "Easy Orchids" is a wonderfully helpful book.
Book Description
Indulging the senses with the aroma and elegance of beautiful blooms is easier than ever with Fragrant Flowers. From window boxes of heliotrope and sweet pea to gardens perfumed by honeysuckle and tuberose, this richly illustrated guide offers recipes for growing 29 scented flowers -- indoors and out, all year long. Including ideas for creating sweet-smelling dried potpourri and sachets, this lovely, informative volume is perfect for both the novice and expert gardener.
Books:
- The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids Favorite Meals
- The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook: Healthy Recipes for Entertaining Family and Friends
- The Southern Living Complete Do-Ahead Cookbook (Today's Gourmet)
- The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook : 250 No-Fail Recipes for Pilafs, Risottos, Polenta, Chilis, Soups, Porridges, Puddings and More, from Start to Finish in Your Rice Cooker
- The Vineyard: A Novel
- The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family
- Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2: More Amazing Clones of Famous Dishes from America's Favorite Restaurant Chains
- Ultimate Foods for Ultimate Health: And Don't Forget the Chocolate!
- Uncle Bubba's Savannah Seafood: More than 100 Down-Home Southern Recipes for Good Food and Good Times
- Van Gogh's Table at the Auberge Ravoux: Recipes From the Artist's Last Home and Paintings of Cafe Life
Books Index
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The Secrets of Fashioning Ribbon Flowers: Heirlooms for the Next Generation
Ribbonwork The Complete Guide: Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
Old-Fashioned Ribbon Art: Ideas and Designs for Accessories and Decorations
Elegant Ribbonwork
Heirloom Ribbonwork
