It's photo shoot day here at FSN and we couldn't be more EXCITED!

It only happens a few times a year and when photo shoot time comes around, we are all in great moods! They practically FILL the building with flowers for several days, bring in top-notch designers, (Regina Berryman, AIFD and Robbin Yelverton, AIFD) and we get to watch the flower-building extravaganza! Ohhh it smells SO GOOD!

So, just what is the photo shoot all about? Our designers are creating NEW arrangements, not only for our website, but also for our florist friends using FSN websites. It's all about keepin' it fresh! (pun intended)

As the day continues, it is wonderful to see all of the brand new designs come alive. Now, it will be a while before the new images show up on the websites. It takes a lot of editing from our graphics team to get them truly perfect. I just wanted to share with you guys the excitement going on at FSN headquarters today!

I mean, just look how excited Kier is! He's practically overcome with joy, and he's a programmer!

Until the new arrangements are up, check out our already-outstanding flower gallery full of incredible designs just waiting to be delivered to your someone special!

This post is brought to you by Flower Shop Network, your source for finding REAL local florists.

While we were at the Illinois State Florist Convention, we had the pleasure of meeting some of our wonderful member florists. One of our most memorable encounters was with LaRonda Lambert of Country Creations Floral & Antiques in Marion IL. LaRonda does flowers a little differently than most florists. Her shop features floral and antiques, so she uses the vintage theme throughout her creations. She even uses some of her antique items as vases for flower arrangements.

It's no surprise LaRonda put her own, classic spin on this years Land of Lincoln Cup competition. The theme was "Let It Rock!" and, while most people used actual rocks or went with a rockin' music theme, LaRonda's entry was completely out-of-the-box.

To LaRonda, rock is the slow creaking sound of her grandmother's rocking chair on a country porch, and this is just what she created. LaRonda's entry was more than just a pretty flower design, it was a true work of flower art that really made viewers think. The first thing to catch your attention was the screen door in the very front of the design. Looking through the screen you see the side view of a full-size rocking chair (It was actually cut in half to fit dimensions of the competition). Draped over the arm of the chair was a gorgeous, spring-color, patchwork quilt all made of flowers. For me, this floral work of art sparked great memories of going to Grandmas. She could always be found on her front porch knitting or crocheting something.

Watch The Video:

One thing about being a florist that is different than most professions is we get to mix business with pleasure. Incorporating our favorite hobbies into what we love further strengthens our passion for flowers and the business.

This post is brought to you by Flower Shop Network, your source for finding a REAL local florist.

SAVE THE DATE for the Royal Wedding coming up April 29th at Westminster Abbey. Sure, you may not get to be there in person, but I know we will all be watching or reading all about it for months to come.

FLORISTS: Now is your chance to be involved in this historic, Royal event. Think of how YOU would create Kate's wedding bouquet by wedding florist Rob Van Helden for her magical day. Would you use classic white, or something more bold and colorful?

How To Enter: Create a bouquet fit for a queen, and post pictures of it on our Facebook Wall of in the comments of this blog post. You can use pictures of past bouquets you think are spectacular enough for Kate's big day.

How To Win: Once everyone in the world has seen Kate's wedding bouquet on April 29th (Unless there is an official preview earlier), we will take a look at our entries and see which florist's bouquets were the closest. Those florists (and their websites) will be featured, on our blog and in our Newsletter.

This is a friendly competition from Flower Shop Network for all of our florist friends. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Possible Influences of the Bouquet:

• Perhaps they will use the colors of Great Brittan's flag in the Royal Wedding flowers?
• April is known for spring flowers. Daffodils are blooming in the royal parks along the planned procession route.
• The wedding reception will be held at Buckingham Palace and will be hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.
• Here is a look at the Royal Wedding china to be used in the reception. It seems they are using a lot of light blue, will it be used in the bouquet?
• Princess Diana's cascading bouquet featured gardenias, stephanotis, yellow roses, freesia and ivy from the Royal Gardens. Will Kate do the same?

This post is brought to you by local Grand Rapids MI florists.
Not in Michigan? No worries, use Flower Shop Network to find a real, local florist in your area!

Can you believe the Super Bowl is here already?! Even if you've not watched one football game all year, you're probably going to a Super Bowl party. For most, it's not about the game, it's about the traditions: gathering with friends for delicious finger foods, conversation and the funniest commercials you'll see on TV!

So, what's the best way to decorate for a Super Bowl party? Stores offer a wide variety of football-themed party decorations. You could use a football-shaped serving tray for your game day appetizers, game day napkins and other party accessories. But how can you really show your team spirit with general football decorations? This is where your local florist comes in handy!

Have your florist create a unique sports-themed custom flower arrangement for your favorite team in the Super Bowl. (Packers and Steelers if you don't know!) I know what you're thinking… flowers for the Super Bowl??? But yes, flowers are a great way to add even more color and energy to your already-exciting Super Bowl party. And the best part is, you're ordering so you get to choose your team!

Flowers also make exceptional hostess gifts to take if you're not hosting a Super Bowl party yourself. Plus you get to choose whether to order YOUR favorite team or THEIR favorite team themed flowers. Just one more way to add a little bit of competition, and it's a great way to thank them for all of their hard work.

After the game is over you can enjoy you or the hostess' winning team's success with a colorful display of Super Bowl Champion flowers. And, well, if your team looses it's still a great reminder of their battle to get where they are. (If your team really flubs it up, you can even slip out a few of the football accessories until it's just another beautiful arrangement.)

So before you head to the big game day party, stop by your local florists and pick up something to put you in the team spirit!

When you think flowers, you might think of sending flowers for Valentines Day, or maybe as a thank you or get well gesture. But floral design has come a long way, and it doesn't always have to be sent as a gift.It's not just about flowers for you anymore, it's about flowers for me. Flowers in your home as fresh decorations. Get to know your florist. Take them an example of your style such as a swatch of paint,  a throw pillow, or even a picture and have them match your style exactly!

Nothing lifts the spirits and puts a smile on someone's face like the beauty of flowers. Why not have them displayed in your most high-traffic areas? This is especially ideal if you are throwing a party or even having a small get-together. Your local florist can either create a floral arrangement to match your home, or a themed arrangement to match your party.

So How Do You Order Custom Flower Arrangements?

It's so easy. First, find a local florist, if you don't already use one. Flower Shop Network makes it easy, just type in your city in the top of our site, choose and state and click go! This will bring up a list of real florists in your location.

Using a local florist directly ensures you get the BEST bang for the buck: professional service, quality design and the freshest flowers!

Next, pick up a phone and call them or go into the store and meet them. Explain to them your type of decor and what colors you use most. If you use mostly blues with orange accents, make sure they know which colors are the most dominate. You might even offer to email them a photo of the room your decorating. If you're visiting the shop, take a few items from the room for your florist to use as inspiration.

If you have ideas in mind, or photos of arrangements you've seen in magazines, share those with your florist as well! Here's a little secret: most florists are VERY creative people and love a challenge. Tell your florist if you have any favorite types of flowers. If you have a bit of an art background, you might even suggest design elements to match your style. such as: asymmetrical, minimalistic, geometric, etc.

Many florists also offer custom orders from their website. Most of the time there is a description box for you to explain what you are looking for in a custom floral design. Here, type what you are looking for and any special requests you might have.

Here's a tip: If you are ordering flowers for yourself or someone special and don't have a preference on how it looks, the Designers Choice is a great choice! This let's the florist be creative and do whatever they want. Florists will often use the best flowers and their favorite accessories to make something truly unique and special.

So remember, next time you can't decide while browsing flower arrangements online, or looking for something completely YOU, custom flower arrangements are your best option for fabulous home decor.

This post is brought to you by local Nashua, NH florists.
Not in New Hampshire? No worries, Flower Shop Network makes it easy to find your local florist with their handy online directory.

Preparing for the future is always easiest when we know from whence we came. In this month's Aspects of Design from FlowerShopNetwork.com, we focus on popular periods of design and how they can be interpreted into floral designs. Below is a handy, easy-to-print chart with the style and time period in which the style of design was dominant. We also include a brief description of many styles.

In floral design school? Need to brush up on your period pieces for a theme party? Interested in art behind what we do?  Whatever your interest, the information below will help enhance your unique floral design skills. Continue reading "Aspects of Design: Floral Design Periods" »

2011 is looking to be a HOT year. Last summer's trends were all about bright, BOLD colors and dynamic patterns. Do you think this will change in the upcoming year, or stay the same? Here are a few of my predictions for 2011.

Hottest Colors? I think the fab colors for 2011 are going to be light and airy, especially in spring. With Pantone selecting a honeysuckle pink for their color of the year, and 2010's fall being so dark, I think we will all be popping for pastels! However, I don't see them being straight hue, they will be slightly muted.

Hottest Flowers? I think, this year, it's going to be all about great textures! It began in 2010 and I think we will see even more in 2011. The 'Barbatus Green Ball' Dianthus and the uniquely colored carnations are going to be a hit! Also unique focal flowers like ranunculus, protea and anemones will be a hit with chic flower fans.

Hottest Centerpiece Trends? Because we are all used to customizing everything to fit ME ME ME, I see centerpieces going the same direction. I predict medium-high centerpieces that are very organic. Perhaps even use a bit of wood or a branch from the hostess yard. For weddings, bring in even more personal items: textures from grandma's quilt, an antique brooch of your mothers. Also things from the garden are going to continue to be popular in 2011, and not just veggies. Bring in herbs, fruit, etc. — especially if they are from your own garden.

Hottest Wedding Colors? Again, 2011 is all about bright, beautiful wedding colors. Expect to see lots of pinks, corals, oranges, blue-green to greens and purples — with gray as a neutral accent. For dark colors: navy blood, deep reds, hunter green, chocolate browns.

Hottest Wedding Bouquet Styles? Again, it's all about texture. I think the hand-tied clutch bouquets and Juliet nosegays are what the brides will be looking for. Also unique arm bouquets and cascading bouquets are not far behind! Do keep and eye on the cuff bouquets and even the tight pomander!

So… those are MY predictions… now it's time for you to share YOURS!

Answer 1 or all of the trends questions in the comments below. Be sure to include a link to your flower shop's website! Also somewhere in the comment, let us know where you are from. We all know styles and trends in southern Louisiana are going to be totally different from those in upstate New York…

1. What colors are going to be HOT in 2011?
2. What are the hottest flowers of 2011?
3. What centerpiece trends are you foreseeing this upcoming year?
4. Hottest wedding colors of 2011?
5. Hottest wedding bouquet styles of 2011?

You can answer these as brief or as detailed as you want! There is also no sign up required to comment, so there are no excuses!

Can't wait to hear from you!

This post is brought to you by local Ithaca, NY florists.
Not in New York? No worries, Flower Shop Network's handy directory connects you to your real local city florist.

If you're looking for a little something extra to spice up your holiday flower arrangements, try this cinnamon vase technique!

Not only will this arrangement spark Christmas spirit, it will smell wonderfully for weeks to come! Cinnamon is a favorite in holiday smells, and will definitely set the mood for any holiday party. This little design would make a perfect hostess gift for the elf in charge of your favorite Christmas get-together.

For this technique, you will need:

• a small, plastic cylinder container under 8"
• a bunch of 8" cinnamon sticks
• hot glue
• scissors
• ribbon

First, hot glue the individual cinnamon sticks vertically to the outside surface of your vase. (tip: cut the tops of the cinnamon sticks different heights to give it a staggered, rustic look)

Tie ribbon around the center of your cinnamon vase to finish the look. Depending on your design, you could use ribbon, rafia, wire — it's really up to you. If you want to go a step further, add a bunch of holly, mini candy cane, mini pine cones, or anything festive, to the front of your design.

Don't stop at just cinnamon! Think of other ways to use this technique. You could use branches from your yard. (Birch wood is very popular this time of year.) How about the large candy cane sticks? Instead of a vase, use this as a great candle treatment. It's all about using your imagination!

This is a great technique for florists to use in their shops. However, if you're a craftster like me, try this at home! Just don't forget to visit your local florist for a great winter flowers to use in you're new and aromatic vase!

This post is brought to you by local Auburn, NH florists.
Not in Auburn? No worries, use Flower Shop Network's handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

Just a few weeks ago, we featured a story about the new trend, floral pocket squares. Many wedding florists are offering the floral pocket squares as an alternative to boutonnieres. Floral pocket squares are a great look for weddings, proms, and special events. Here are two great styles to try today!

How To Make A Floral Pocket Square

To make your pocket square, you will need:

• Craft Foam
• Scissors
• Floral Glue
• Floral Design Elements (flowers, leaves, whatever you would like to use to design your pocket square)

To make the pocket square:

1. Cut your craft foam length way to fit into your pocket. This should leave about 3 inches for designing.
2. Next, plan your design by laying your floral design elements in the places you are planning to put them. This way you can judge if you need more flowers, foliage, etc.
3. Begin to slowly glue down your design elements making sure to cover all the way to the edges of your craft foam.
4. Once you are finished with your design, insert the newly-made pocket square into the suit jacket pocket and determine how much you need to trim off the bottom.
5. Trim the bottom of your pocket square to fit inside the pocket.
6. Watch my video above for detailed instruction!

Thanks for checking out this design technique video, find more design videos on our YouTube channel, and don't forget to subscribe!

This post is brought to you by local New York florists.
Not in New York NY? Use Flower Shop Network's handy directory of real local florists to find a florist near you!

As florists, if we are lucky, we sometimes get those unique and unusual design requests that give us the freedom to be creative. As peers have told me, it is always best to leave the designing to the designer.

Harley Davidson Funeral Flowers Request

I got a call from my best friend, she said she had a special request. She told me about the loss of a dear friend of hers. The friend loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, so I was thinking, Okay, logo.

She continued on to say that she wanted not only the logo, but also wanted to use black and orange flowers, some accents of cream, and definitely some silver to represent the colors of Harley Davidson. My mind came to a complete stop, while my mouth said, “Sure I can do that.” I hung up the phone and thought, Okay, what am I going to do now? How do you make black and orange look sophisticated and not look like Halloween.

Can Black & Orange Look Sophisticated And NOT Like Halloween?

For starters, I work out of my home, and live in a small rural town. Supplies are limited, to say the least. Like most of us, I started brainstorming and headed to the internet in hopes of finding anything to get me started. Nothing! Not many want to share their designs.

I always aspire for my floral designs to stand out and make a statement. I wanted people to remember my flowers and this order was no different. Who wouldn't want their flowers to stand out and be the best, or at least make us feel that we have done our best.

Go Above & Beyond — Think Outside The Box

So here we go with the design. I started at an auto parts store to try Continue reading "Above & Beyond: The Quest For Perfect Personalized Funeral Flowers" »