Creativity

I've been stuck at home for a few days unable to do anything but use the computer, as I've hurt my back. The good thing about this situation is it's allowed me to entertain myself by finding inspiration online and come up with some new ideas from this search.


Through a Facebook page -"Feathers"- I’ve had hundreds of ideas running through my head of how to incorporate feathers with wedding flowers. I've decided I’ll showcase some of these ideas at the upcoming bridal show at Athol Hall in August 2010.

The idea of the soft floaty feather in a romantic scenario really pleases me. Feathers come in so many shades and shapes, that they lend them selves to many a creation. I remember using feathers alot during my wedding and event studies at Tafe- back in the late 90's, but I used them in a way that was for theatrics not elegant, romantic and soft wedding themes. So I now revel in the challenge!

Lucky for me "Feathers" has a store only 30 mins from my home, and they are open today! Which would be amazing if I was able to walk/drive.... so I’ll have to get a grip on my patience –but aside my need to be creative and wait till i'm feeling better :) ... Watch this space for some of my creations!

In the meantime- here are some pretties I found trolling the web.....

Winter Warmer Special

ving into winter I thought something to brighten your days and warm your nights was in order.

Book a Wedding before July 8th to receive a gift box of delicious,warming treats, for your self, and your home.

*BONUS*
Refer a friend to book a wedding before  July 8th-both Bride & referee will receive a gift  box.

Call 0433 796 818 or

E: sapphiredesigns@gmail.com

It's quickly becoming a busy month,I have about 4 complementary appointments left for June so get in quick!

Annual Bridal Expo Confirmed.

This is going to be an amazing event. One where you can see a variety of Wedding Suppliers in one of Sydney's most prestigious Function centres. Even if it's a big party your planning- rather than a wedding I encourage you to come along. The views alone are worth the visit. If you have any questions, please feel free ...to call me on 0433 796 818 or drop me an email at sapphiredesigns@gmail.com.


Hope to see you all there! Rachel @Sapphire Designs.
Come and see Sapphire Designs at "sydneys best kept secret"- Athol Hall.




'Sydney's Best Kept Secret'

Ashton Park, Bradleys Head Road Mosman

Ph: 9968 4441 (Tue - Fri 9.30 am - 3.30 pm)

Fax: 9968 4004

Website: www.atholhall.com.au

Email: dhsh@bigpond.com
 
 

 

Exciting News Confirmed

Sapphire Designs has been asked to have a table for the Annual Bridal Fair of a highly prestigious Wedding reception venue in Sydney -with views of the Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House, and with beach access.

I can't recommend this venue more highly, for your special day.

The fair is being held on August 1st 2010. I will post more details very very soon ....stay tuned.

Birthdays, Flowers & Thankyou's

I celebrated My birthday on the weekend.
I got 2 lots of the most beautiful flowers from 5 of my dear friends.
I love that my friends know -even though i'm a florist I love flowers too.

Thank you Bec for an amazing birthday weekend. One I won't forget in a hurry.

xxxx

Karlee's Wedding

What a beautiful day it was for Karlee - and she looked stunning when I stoped at the house to deliver the flowers.

I just have a few photos I took while making her bouquets - i'm looking forward to a few professional photos from Karlee soon. When I get them - I will update this post.

Enjoy.

Brides Bouquet

Maids Bouquet

Flower Girl

Inspiration

I love drawing on images I come across for inspiration in my ideas.... I think it stems from many an inspiration assignment in D&T at school.


Here are some of my favourites.

I love how Ideas can be so simple and classic, and create such a wonderful atmosphere.

Wedding Quotes

Tonight i'm off to see Karlee about her wedding coming up in March ...Yup March ... only 5 weeks! shortest quote time i've ever done. But i'm totally excited- all things going well i get to see another dream brought to life!   How lucky am i !  :)

Saturday 6th February

I had the absolute pleasure of going to my client Barb's house on Saturday and making a beautiful floral display in vases for her house- to welcome her overseas visitors this coming week.

I love going into peoples homes, and creating a beautiful display from an armful of market fresh flowers.
It makes me so happy to see the smile on their faces....and it reminds me why I do, what I do.

It's lit and sparked a dormant passion down deep in my belly.... 2010 is going to be the year, the year that SD makes a mark on Australia-i want flowers to leave a mark in all my clients life's-like they do to mine.

xx

Sunday 7th Feb 2010

Last Saturday it rained.... like it had never rained before in Sydney. stories or flooding, damage , and destruction... did that deter the SD team ? nope!

Sunday we were front and centre- at the St.Ives Heritage Fair. While not ideal- the heavy rain held off all day ,and only light rain in patches throughout the day .... but enough with the weather report!


A BIG thank you to all that attended the Markets on Sunday it was lovely to see watch and every one of you. I even met a few mothers of the bride...an talked much about weddings coming up.

The biggest thank-you goes to my ever adoring partner Bec. thank you darling for supporting our business... even in the rain!
xx

Smaller stall than normal- no Display cakes etc

just a few pretties....

looking wet....

Bec still putting on her happy face in the rain!

15 Years and a Yellow Rose.

15 years ago yesterday My Father died.

Yellow roses were his favorite.

For you Dad. With all my heart.

xxxx

Our First Markets! Success!

Yesterday marked SDE first markets, and what a success it was!

It was very hot and windy, but the flowers and display wedding cakes did very well to uphold the temperature...(and so did we!)
It was a successful markets, I got to chat to a few brides-which I LOVE doing the most. It's so exciting when a bride gets all passionate about her impending big day! it's a chance for me to put on my creative hat, and get stuck into creating dreams!
So here is a few photos from yesterdays market...I can't wait for this Saturdays "Twilight" Market! I will remind you all of this market in an upcoming post.

A HUGE thank you to the 2 most important people in my life- My helpers and My rocks. Mum and Bec. You are gems-and SDE wouldn't be what it is without you ! I love you both.

And a special thankyou to my dear friend Sonia who iced the beautiful display cakes for me to decorate. love love xxx

Enjoy
Rach xx

Sapphire Designs go to Market....

I'm getting increasingly excited about My First Christmas Market Stall!

It's alot of organisation- but it will so be worth it!  i hope to see alot of friendly faces there to say hello :)

We will be selling Candles, Vases, Fresh cut flowers, Arrangements and plants.


*** We will also have a Gift Wrapping service available for items purchased at the fair, to save you messing around with paper and ribbon at home. And to ensure sure nosey family members can't see the gifts you've bought them! :) ***

I'll also be taking orders for Christmas Party Flowers & arrangements. Wedding, and party functions- so come along- have a fun day at the markets and come and say hello to the Sapphire Designs team .

The Market Dates are 6th (9-3pm) and 12th ( 3-9pm) of December 2009



See you there!

Rach x

http://www.heritagecraftfair.com.au/


http://www.sapphiredesignevents.blogspot.com/
 
 

3 Years & Julia Rose

It's Bec an My 3 Year Anniversary today.
Happy Anniversary Darling. and for your virtual present i give you Julia Roses.

Below is some photos taken as they days went on ... the roses where stunning, and heart breaking to have to bin once they died.

I can't Wait to use these roses in a wedding, i think they would be stunning!
I hope you all enjoy them as much as we did.

Rach
x

HALLOWEEN!

Halloween was last week, and what a fantastic Party we had. It gave me a great excuse to decorate silly, and have lots of fabulous spooky flowers!

Friday morning Bec and I took off to Sydney Flowers Markets to explore and discover the spookiest, flowers we could find....and below are the results!

Dark Purple /Black Calla lillies Smokey Foliage and Willow.

The perfect Spooky bathroom arrangement!

Mini Orange Gerbras, Berries, and Red Foliage.

Not Forgetting and HUGE Spider named Sid :)

These Roses (julia) were Bec's Pic... she though they were smokey ,a nd gostly looking... and I have to agree... they are stunning.

I just adore these roses and took so many photos of them - more on them in my next post.

Finaly a pic of Bec in her wonderful halloween outfit! showing off our amazing halloween backdrop, that all our friends had Photos taken in front of, on the night compleate with a foggy mist!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

What's in a name?

People often ask me ..."Why Sapphire Designs"?

Simple and lovely answer....

My passion for floristry started at a very young age. I would always pick the wild freesias growing in our backyard- seeded by the birds in summer, pick the Geraldton wax and the agapanthus and arrange what I thought was the most beautiful vase arrangement I'd ever seen. I'm not sure if Mum minded, but she always let me get on with it. I used to make up little bunches, tie they with brown string and take them to our Neighbour as well. I loved seeing the smiles on peoples faces when I'd hand over the bunch .....

So needless to say over the years My passion for flowers and arrangements grew with the help and encouragement of both My parents.
Sadly when I was 14 My father passed away. My father was everything that was moral , good, and hard working in my eyes. I would watch his hard work day and night in his bakery. I knew one day I wanted to have the passion for my career he had, he simply loved his work. And it showed.

It was after Dad passed away that I decided to dedicate My hard work to him. I studied floristry for 4 years, put my heart and sole into what gave me great joy, and now 15 years later Sapphire Designs is born, and named after My father who's nickname was "Sapphire".

Mum and Dad on their Wedding Day.

Margaret & Gary "Sapphire" Bell.

Julie & Julia

When I told Bec about the Blog idea, she said "You're only starting a Blog because we went and saw Julie and Julia last night!"


And while that may have a part in why there is today not 24 hours after watching said movie , I have a Blog.
inspiration I think ill call it.
As for the movie- it was beautiful...charming and moving. I think I'd like to read the book !

One of the most lovely things about the movie was the ever frequent flowers in shot. I love how Flowers are sometime are the pivotal part in a home display- the line that distinguishes a well organised "modern" home and a colourful  "homely" home.  I myself am guilty of not having regular fresh flowers in the house- but I think that should change. My Favourite flower moment of the movie was a scene about carrying Blossom stems on the New York underground. It made me smile. They aren't the easiest things to transport- but they are stunning, and certainly worth the effort.

Wedding Cakes

Some of the Cakes i've decorated for Weddings.