Please meet our new friend, Loreen:

This gal has some serious talent {plus a ton of charm} and we just fell in love with her and her art. See, like us, Loreen is kinda in love with weddings and flowers. And like Kim, has a background in fine art. One day she combined the two and – Voila! – she began a thriving business painting bridal bouquets. Seriously, how cool is that?

Each wedding season we have brides who inquire about bouquet preservation, which is unfortunately, not as popular {and usually a fairly toxic procedure involving formaldehyde!} as it used to be. Loreen’s artwork creates an heirloom quality piece for couples to treasure for decades to come. She loves to imagine the pieces being passed down from generation to generation. Just take a peek at a few of her bouquets. {Yes, those are PAINTINGS. NOT photographs.}

And did we mention that she’s super savvy too? She’s come up with several ways for her artwork to be gifted to couples – including a gift registry to which multiple sources can contribute. Genius.

We are secretly {oops, not so secret anymore} hoping to see one of our bouquets on canvas some day!

If you want to know more about her services, contact her direct at 708.651.6628 or info@reenierose.com

Spring Flower Arranging With A Twist!      

When: Wednesday, April 17 from 6-8pm

Where: Geranium Lake Flowers – 555 SW Oak St, Portland OR

Cost: $45

Join us for an evening of flower arranging and fun as Kim teaches the basics of Spring floral arranging with a twist.  This is a hands on class and you will leave with your own creation.  We will supply all of your tools, flowers, and glassware, nibbles and sips.  All you have to do is show up and get inspired!

*Pre-registration is REQUIRED and space is limited.  Please call 503.228.1920 to reserve your spot!

How to make gorgeous bouquets form Farmer’s market bouquets and grocery store flower

When:  Wednesday, May 1 from 6:30-8pm

Where: Geranium Lake Flowers

Cost- $45.00

Let us teach you the tricks of the trade for selecting your farmers market, grocery store, and your very own yard for the best flowers for your home arrangements. This is a hands on class and you’ll get to take home your own creation!  We’ll provide flowers, glassware, tools, sips and nibbles.

*Pre-registration is REQUIRED and space is limited.  Please call 503.228.1920 to reserve your spot!

Upcycled Chandelier

When:  Wednesday, May 22 from 6:30-8:30pm

Instruction and refreshments: $35

Have you seen our store chandeliers?  Learn what owner Kim Foren  has made with bottles from the recycling bin?  Learn to make these clever, artistic and simple chandeliers.  BYOB “bring your own bottles” (empty please), drill, eye protection and work gloves and we will learn to make these fun chandeliers.  We will provide the diamond tip drill bit.  You can also bring any favorite mug, vase, wine glass or wedding gift that you want to cherish a different way.

Supplies:  This is a hands on class but you are welcome to observe as well.  Please bring drill, eye protection and work gloves and we will provide special drill bit.

*Pre-registration is REQUIRED and space is limited.  Please call 503.228.1920 to reserve your spot!

We are so lucky to have such awesome judges.  These girls exemplify the best that Portland has to offer and we know they’ll choose an amazing contestant.

For information on any of the coordinators seen here, please visit their websites.

Bridal Bliss

EJP Events

Luxe Event Production

Perfect Planning

Champagne Wedding Coordination

Ella Events

PS. This super easy, fun project is also eco-friendly and non-toxic!

What you’ll need:

• Eggs (not boiled!)
• Vegetable skins: yellow or purple onions, beets, beet greens, tea bags and or tumeric
• Leaves and/or herbs (we like cilantro, parsley, bamboo, geranium, Japanese maple, cilantro, and dill)
• Old pantyhose (aka “tights”)
• 8 quart stock pot
• 3 tbsp vinegar
• Vegetable oil (optional)

Step 1: Bring to a boil water and 3 tbsp of vinegar.  Add 2-4 cups of tightly packed veggie skins.  Simmer for 15 minutes until the water has a gorgeous chestnut color (you can also add the tumeric and tea bags for extra color).

Step 2: Use scissors to cut pantyhose into several smaller sections.  Each should be just large enough to stretch tightly around 1 egg.

Step 3: Grab your herbs and leaves and start wrapping these textures around an egg (this will be the print that is left!) and gently wrap the egg in a piece of the cut pantyhose.

Step 4: Tightly tie off the end of the pouch (we like to use tiny zip ties).

Step 4: Once you have a batch ready (about 12) drop each gently into your boiling veggie water!  Boil for 10 minutes.

Step 5: At 10 minutes, turn the burner off and continue to let the eggs cool in the water for an additional 10 minutes.

This gives them time to really soak up the dye!

Step 6: Use a spoon or soup ladle to scoop out each egg.

Step 7: Unwrap (you might have to use scissors to cut off the pantyhose) and peel off the leaves/herbs…

Step 8: Optional – to really make your eggs beautiful and delicate looking, rub each with a tiny drop of vegetable oil.  It’ll make ‘em really shine!

Voila!  Gorgeous, natural, non-toxic eggs!

And they’re edible (don’t worry – they won’t take on any of the onion flavor – we tested them!)

- Follow us on Pinterest

- Create your own Pinterest board titled “Geranium Lake Dream Wedding”

- Pin 3 images from anywhere on Geraniumlake.com

- Repin this image to your “Geranium Lake Dream Wedding” board:

- Email a link to your board to natalie@geraniumlake.com

You are welcome to submit your board NOW and continue to curate your board until the deadline. We will be accepting submissions through February 13, 2013. After that, it will be up to a fabulous panel of wedding industry professionals to select our winner.

Don’t forget that in order to claim your prize, you must be getting married in 2013.

The stylish, creative winner will receive $1000 towards her dream flowers, by us {Portland’s most amazing floral and event styling boutique}…

The winner will chosen in March 2013!

We think that’s all there is to know but feel free to reach out if you have questions. You may email natalie@geraniumlake.com

We can’t wait to get your submission!

Want to see more?   Catch Fusion NW on Saturday mornings at 8am on KOIN 6!  The segments that were taped here in the store will air on April 21st, April 28th, and May 5th.

And many, many thanks to Jeff &  Therese Gustin of Gustin Creative Group for always thinking of us!

Want more DIY? Check out our Spring classes, beginning Wednesday, April 11!

Wednesday, April 11

Spring Flower Arranging With A Twist!

Join us for an evening of flower arranging and fun as Kim teaches the basics of Spring floral arranging with a twist. This is a hands on class and you will leave with your own creation. We will supply all of your tools, flowers, and glassware, nibbles and sips. All you have to do is show up and get inspired!

When: 6-8pm
Where: Geranium Lake Flowers – 555 SW Oak St, Portland OR
Cost: $45

*Pre-registration is REQUIRED and space is limited. Please call 503.228.1920 to reserve your spot!

Thursday, April 26

DIY Terrariums

Love the look of terrariums and want one of your own? This is a hands on class and you will leave with your own creation. We will supply all of your tools, 3 succulents of your choice, sand, nibbles and sips.

Please Note: You will need to bring your own glassware.

When: 6-8pm
Where: Geranium Lake Flowers – 555 SW Oak St, Portland OR
Cost: $55

*Pre-registration is REQUIRED and space is limited. Please call 503.228.1920 to reserve your spot!

Thursday, May 3

Spring Floral Arranging

Join us for an evening of flower arranging and fun as Kim teaches the basics of floral arranging with the seasons best and most bountiful flowers. This is a hands on class and you will leave with your own creation. We will supply all of your tools, flowers, and glassware, nibbles and sips. All you have to do is show up and get inspired!

When: 6-8pm
Where: Geranium Lake Flowers – 555 SW Oak St, Portland OR
Cost: $45

*Pre-registration is REQUIRED and space is limited. Please call 503.228.1920 to reserve your spot!