Welcome to my ‘In A Vase On Monday’ post for this week, when I am once again linking up with Cathy from Rambling In The Garden to join in her challenge to find something from the garden to bring into the house every week. Things are a little calmer here this week and I am gradually working out how this new site works.
When planning my vase I had a few options today – the first camellia flower, quite a few hellebores that out already and white chrysanthemums in the greenhouse were all possibilities. As I want to make sure that any flowers in the house will last over the Christmas weekend though, I decided to stick with greenery for a few more days. I almost missed posting today as I nearly lost the light – it is such a relief to reach the shortest day and know that my afternoons will start to feel a bit longer soon. I did have to cut my greenery in a heavy downpour and whirling wind though.
After Saturdays post on the lovely Christmas course I attended at Glemham Hall, I decided to start working on my scaled down version of Kim’s designs. My festive table will be full with guests and food, so I cannot be too extravagant with decorations.
I started by collecting a big bunch of rosemary – I love the scent of rosemary at Christmas and this is the first year that I have had a bush large enough to make a generous picking. I am planning on planting more rosemary bushes this spring so that in future years there will be enough for a whole wreath to hang in the dining room.
I cut the long stalks down to about 8 inch lengths and filled 3 silvered vases.
I love the way these vases catch the light.
Whilst I do not have room for full scale box balls on my table, I decided to make use of the 3 small standard myrtle bushes that I bought at the workshop. Although not strictly from my garden, the plants have been stood outside by the front door for the last week, so I am sure they must just about count. I found the moss that I have used to cover the pots in a shady flower bed.
On top of the myrtle I have placed a small bird and I am collecting up bird decorations from around the house to use on the table on Christmas day. You can see the other 2 bushes in the blurry background.
I then moved on to make a trial swag. Kim had showed us how to make a swag for the centre of a table using garden greenery, a length of twine and floristry wire to wrap around the stems. It was a bit fiddly, but I am sure it will be easier next time and I liked my practice run enough to hang it in the kitchen window. When I make the table swag I will try and photograph the mechanics for you.
Finally the light was very poor so the next photos are not very good, but I wanted you to see how the rosemary pots have fitted in with my other decorations.
It is certainly feeling a lot like Christmas in our house now – the tree is finally up, Christmas baking starts tomorrow and our first guests arrive in the afternoon. I am planning to be back with photos of my wreath and the table swag and a few other festive decorations before the big day, so I hope you will check back later this week. Also do have a look at my last post for lots more festive inspirations.
Thank you to Cathy for hosting this lovely meme – taking part certainly made me prioritise putting together some festive greenery today!! Do pop over to her blog to see what she and the others have made this week.
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I am very taken with your window swag. I may try that myself.
It is really very simple Angela – do give it a go.
So elegant and creative, I may try some of your ideas, thanks, Julie!
Julie I love the cut rosemary….and the balls of greenery…it must have been a wonderful course especially seeing the swag. I wish you a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your baking…..the decorations are stunning as I would expect!
I think that I might be tempted to squelch down the allotment path to cut some rosemary. I had forgotten all about it until I read your post Julie. Love the little bird in its cosy nest.
A wreath of rosemary sounds lovely – and the feathery birds in your myrtle bushes are a nice touch (in lieu of a partridge in a pear tree perhaps?). The swag looks most effective and I look forward to seeing the mechanics of it as I always have plenty of ivy with flowerheads. Thanks for sharing – will go and read about your Glemham Hall course now
The kitchen swag is beautiful, Julie. I’ve never thought of dressing my kitchen window but I expect that even the hummingbirds would enjoy that when visiting the feeder outside so I’ll have to try it. I love your small silver vases too – they look lovely in the alcove with your other decorations. Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas holiday!
I enjoyed reading about your class at Glemham Hall. (I’m so behind on reading blogs that I’d missed it earlier). Your greenery is inspired. Lovely idea to use rosemary at this time of year. Have a great Christmas Julie!
The Chinese has a saying 青出於藍，勝於藍 – “green came from blue yet it wins over blue”; one can take it to mean that the student is better than the master. In this case I do believe you’ve taken the essence from what you learnt from the course and refined it into something simple yet classy.
I love the rosemary in those silvered-tea light holders. It’s very subtle and a good illustration that bright colour isn’t always essential.
The simplicity of the varying shades of green against your silver and white decorations is extremely effective. I especially love your rosemary pots and envy that you have a rosemary plant big enough to supply so much. The scent must be heavenly. As I was reading your post I found myself mentally planning on where to plant out my own pitiful little rosemary plant, which has been mouldering unloved in a pot for the past two years, poor thing.
Using lots of different textures and shades of green is a lovely idea Julie. The swag is great too! Have a wonderful Christmas!