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Miss Pretzel, Seattle Age and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing Engineer Engagement Date: September 2, 2009 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios About Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I was born and raised in New Hampshire, went to undergrad and grad school at Purdue University in Indiana, had my career take me to Wisconsin, Atlanta, and then finally settled in Seattle. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married. Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. We love Chuck Taylor All Stars, holding hands, clever t-shirts, bacon, KEXP Radio, craft beer, buying local, cooking from scratch, gardening, mastering our new Gocco, and of course, each other. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
About Miss Pretzel

Forever Flowers

November 9th, 2009 @ 12:26 pm by Miss Pretzel

Just like Miss P Chips, I also had an inspirational issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. Mine was the Martha Stewart Weddings - Summer 2009. That issue was so packed with bright color and DIY goodness I had dogeared and worn corners in no time. The biggest inspiration that came from that issue was flowers. I already knew that I wanted to carry dahlias. I kinda figured my girls would, too. That is until I saw the fabric and crepe paper bouquet created by Laurie Cinotto on the pages of MSW.

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2009

Source: Martha Stewart Wedding Summer 2009

Laurie’s, lalalaurie Etsy store appears to be closed except for custom orders, no doubt due to the business the MSW feature generated. But let’s be real—I had a “I can do that” moment and purchasing 6 bouquets at $300 a pop wasn’t really in the budget.

I did a little research online and found tutorials for making crepe paper flowers at foofanagle, Castle in the Air, and Martha Stewart crafts. I got enough confidence from these tutorials that I could make the crepe paper ones. I had a good idea in my head how to make the fabric ones so I headed out to the craft store to stock up on the materials I needed.

My plan is to make an assortment of orange and pink flowers with rich green foliage. The fabric flowers will be a mix of solid and patterned fabrics and I will add in some ribbon loops in orange, pink, aqua, and green. The stems will be wrapped in turquoise ribbon. The guys will wear matching boutonnieres.

oranges

pinks

greens

blue ribbon and yellow for flower centers

I’m making the flowers slowly, learning as I go. I’ve got 6 bouquets to make by July… I might have to enlist some family and friend help. Eventually, I will post a tutorial-when I get all of the tips and tricks figured out. Until then, enjoy a little crepe paper and fabric eye candy.

Will you be adding a little non-fresh flower DIY to your bouquets? What materials are you using?

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39 Responses to “Forever Flowers”

1.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Lamb (message)  461 posts, Helper bee

Nice work Pretzel! I love the color scheme!

 
2.
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Bee
Miss Trail Mix (message)  1,073 posts, Bumble bee

Wow, those are beautiful, truly works of art!

If I had the craft know-how and skill to make those, I totally would but alas, I do not :(

 
3.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Moonbeam (message)  1,328 posts, Bumble bee

You are so rocking this craft. I had grand visions of something like this too, but I was not nearly as on top of it as you and I’m just going to DIY fresh flowers.

 
4.
asunw
Member
asunw (message)  51 posts, Worker bee

I cannot wait for your tutorial! I’ve got until June 2011 and I totally think my sister and I could rock this!

 
5.
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Bee
Miss French Fries (message)  732 posts, Busy bee

Those are awesome!!! I don’t know that I’d have the patience for making that many flowers…I give you huge props!

 
6.
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Bee
Miss Snow (message)  142 posts, Blushing bee

Gah, Pretzel! These are freakin’ amazing!

 
7.
Member Icon
Member
twinky03 (message)  22 posts, Newbee

Wow. You did that yourself?? I love the patterns and colors. The 2nd one is my favorite. Great job!!

 
8.
gibbysgirl21
Member
gibbysgirl21 (message)  123 posts, Blushing bee

I love the pinks! But that’s just me… ;) Great job.

 
9.
Guest Icon
Guest
Tricia

Your flowers are gorgeous, but I am most impressed by your manicure. Pretty nails!

 
10.
IA_Snowflake
Member
IA_Snowflake (message)  1,608 posts, Bumble bee

Those are really pretty. I did not floral for my bouquet, but just used the “fake” flowers from hobby lobby

 
11.
Maestro
Member
Maestro (message)  188 posts, Blushing bee

My head just exploded from all the prettiness. Mad props to you!

 
12.
bridgetjones2010
Member
bridgetjones2010 (message)  52 posts, Worker bee

So cool! Looking forward to tutorials.

 
13.
ChiDIY
Member
ChiDIY (message)  92 posts, Worker bee

THOSE. ARE. AWESOME.

 
14.
elaineathon
Member
elaineathon (message)  47 posts, Newbee

Those look sooo good! You should open your own Etsy shop. :)

 
15.
pmerr
Member
pmerr (message)  1,184 posts, Bumble bee

Those turned out amazing!

 
16.
Gilneas
Member
Gilneas (message)  1,029 posts, Bumble bee

I love the ribbon accents! Are you going to do something to the fabric to avoid fraying?

 
17.
Miss Pretzel
Bee
Miss Pretzel (message)  333 posts, Helper bee

@Gilneas: the fabric is stuck together with no-sew. It doesn’t seem to fray. If it does fray- I heart fraycheck :-)

@Miss French Fries: So far I’ve only made like 8 or 10. I’ve got a long winter of making flowers ahead of me :-)

 
18.
pvaulter718
Member
pvaulter718 (message)  1,593 posts, Bumble bee

They look super awesome! I might have to try a few of those tutorials!

 
19.
MissMichele
Member
MissMichele (message)  7 posts, Newbee

I love how your flowers turned out. I’ve been trying my own at fabric flowers, and have done some using cotton and WAY too much starch to keep them in their shape.
Both of these require punches, but I love them:

http://lisapace.com/2009/05/05/sewing-pattern-flower-tutorial/

http://meholder.blogspot.com/2009/03/paper-flower-tutorial.html

 
20.
ms. awesome
Member
ms. awesome (message)  69 posts, Worker bee

Wow! These look amazing! I hope your tutorial comes soon- I’m making my bouquet out of vintage 1960’s flower pins and these would be perfect for my girls!

 
21.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Frozen Yogurt (message)  865 posts, Busy bee

Wow, those look so great!! I am not attempting this because I know it will be a giant FAIL for me, but yours are absolutely amazing!

 
22.
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Bee
Mrs. Mouse (message)  3,285 posts, Sugar bee

I’m impressed by your DIY talents, Miss Pretzel! Six bouquets sounds like a lot, but hopefully you can get some help!!

 
23.
ladybuglove
Member
ladybuglove (message)  707 posts, Busy bee

they look awesome! great job!! i’d love to do fabric flowers. i saw a tutorial on martha’s site using fabric punches. the punches are too small, so i was thinking of trying it out with a cricut. anyone else try this out with a cricut?

 
24.
Miss Pretzel
Bee
Miss Pretzel (message)  333 posts, Helper bee

@MissMichele: Wow! those are super impressive! Very pretty :-)

@ms. awesome: I need a little more practice, but I think a tutorial will be coming in early December.

@Mrs. Mouse: Yeah, this is exhibit #1 why I am delusional. I started well in advance and have visions of making flowers from now until July. My FMIL has extended the offer for me to bring craft projects w/ me for Christmas so I might have some reinforcements.

 
25.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Hamster (message)  1,078 posts, Bumble bee

Wow, your flowers came out great! I’m super impressed. Oh and I totally remember that first Martha Stewart bouquet, I totally love it! Can’t wait to see how yours all comes together!

 
26.
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Bee
Miss Pudding (message)  240 posts, Helper bee

I’ve been working on a fabric flower project for months now, and I’m only about 1/4 done. Those look beautiful though! I’m sure that all of the hard work will be worth it in the end.

 
27.
LittlestBirds
Member
LittlestBirds (message)  77 posts, Worker bee

I loved the MSW summer issue as well, though I’m less ambitious about the DIY flowers, good job! We’re going with a traditional florist, in part because my mom is a bit nervous about anything that isn’t “left to the professionals,” and well, partly because I agree in my case. :) I’m doing well to convince myself to DIY the stationery. Good luck, I can’t wait to see how they turn out!

(Fabric flowers also have the added bonus of always being in season. My florist told me that dahlias would *probably* be available in July in Seattle, but that anything could happen and if it somehow rained for a week before the wedding, dahlias would be GONE. Eek!)

 
28.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Rainbow (message)  305 posts, Helper bee

Oo0oh. the pink with the black center is the bomb! I want that! It’s so cute! Can’t wait to see your bouquet!

 
29.
froggy518
Member
froggy518 (message)  56 posts, Worker bee

Whoa. Seriously, Pretzel? Those are amazing! To be honest, as I was reading the beginning of this post, I had this whole cynical, “but REAL humans can’t make pretty flowers from paper and fabric” type of attitude, but oh my gosh. They are beautiful. Kudos!

 
30.
Miss Pretzel
Bee
Miss Pretzel (message)  333 posts, Helper bee

@froggy518: :-) I promise I’m not a droid :-) But I could use on to make the rest of the floers- I have about half what I need to make one bouquet… so I am 1/12th of the way there. :-(

 
31.
Mrs. French Bulldog
Bee
Mrs. French Bulldog (message)  6,063 posts, Bee Keeper

OMG I LOVE those! Can I go back and have those?

 
32.
Jessie516
Hostess
Jessie516 (message)  3,976 posts, Honey bee

These look great!

 
33.
fiftyfootbride
Member
fiftyfootbride (message)  3,679 posts, Sugar bee

LOVE x 2038402384. Seriously. :)

 
34.
PeachandPearl
Member
PeachandPearl (message)  187 posts, Blushing bee

Those are looking great! Brava!

 
35.
KMSull
Member
KMSull (message)  2,412 posts, Buzzing bee

Those are looking awesome! Love the patterned fabric!!!

 
36.
RecessionistaBride
Member
RecessionistaBride (message)  3,119 posts, Sugar bee

Those are incredible! I’m in awe… you’re a DIY Goddess :)

 
37.
Jenniphyr
Member
Jenniphyr (message)  1,397 posts, Bumble bee

I’ve considered doing the fake flower route — and we’ll probably use fake daisies for the centrepieces and my hairpiece — but right now we’re thinking we’ll just each carry a single blue rose (mystery, attainment of the impossible, etc.), and I’m just not liking the fake ones we’ve seen. But hey, maybe I’ll find some and we’ll keep them as a keepsake (then again, roses are a flower that dries REALLY well, aside from pigment change, so maybe we’ll do that). : )

 
38.
alishaneva
Member
alishaneva (message)  1,524 posts, Bumble bee

Those look awesome! Great job!

 
39.
Miss Poodle
Bee
Miss Poodle (message)  3,020 posts, Sugar bee

I love them! You did an awesome job Pretzel!!! Im crazy over paper/fabric flowers! so you had me drooling on this post :)

 


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Miss Pretzel
Miss Pretzel Miss Pretzel, Seattle Age and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing Engineer Engagement Date: September 2, 2009 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios About Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I was born and raised in New Hampshire, went to undergrad and grad school at Purdue University in Indiana, had my career take me to Wisconsin, Atlanta, and then finally settled in Seattle. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married. Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. We love Chuck Taylor All Stars, holding hands, clever t-shirts, bacon, KEXP Radio, craft beer, buying local, cooking from scratch, gardening, mastering our new Gocco, and of course, each other. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
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