I often speak about “Getting your Memories off the Shelf – and Filling them with Flowers”… this idea was something that came to me… when I was giving presentations for my Mother-In-Law’s Beta Sigma Phi Sorority… these ladies were wonderful… and I would give a spring program for them every year- and make flower arrangements they could take home… we would always feature Yellow Roses… as that is the Flower for their Sorority…
After a couple of year so making arrangements… Honestly – I was getting bored- and it seemed to be very much the same- the ladies loved it… but I wanted them to engage more… they were all Seniors- and I wanted the event to be more personal… So I decided- they should each bring a vase from home… One that had a special memory for them- and I would have them tell the story of the vase- while I filled it with flowers… this was so rewarding and actually quite magical… because they had wonderful memories that went with the flowers… I actually filmed one of my visits with them…for Fun with Flowers and J- You can watch one of my Presentations with the Sorority Ladies- and see first hand the look of happiness- and joy as they shared their memories- and then had a wonderful bouquet of flowers to go into that keepsake container. Watch Sorority Sisters – Here NOW! 
Fast Forward to today… I think this concept is extremely helpful- and really quite important… and I myself- now officially being a Senior myself- I notice that I have many containers, vases, vessels, of all sorts- all over the house… sure I have them on display- and I can see them… but I’m not interacting with them. So Today- I’m getting my memories off the shelf- and filling them flowers. These are two mugs- that I discovered in Kel’s Mom’s House- after she passed… and I love them… each one is different- and I’m very color motivated in my Home Décor… so they are in different rooms- one in the bedroom that focuses on the color Purple… and another in the Bathroom that is Navy Blue… they look good in those rooms- but they look even better when they are filled with flowers.
These are both antique mugs- that are made of porcelain… I noted that – when I filled with flowers directly- and just put flower food water- inside the mug- and then my flowers… the porcelain- bled through… so was able to locate two fruit jars- that fit neatly inside the mugs- and allow them to be protected… God Forbid- I would ruin these keepsakes- by not adding a liner for flower arranging!
I don’t really know about the mugs- except that they belonged to my In-Laws… Google Image Search tells me – they are Tin Glazed earthenware … They are signed- on the bottom- in a handwritten name- E. DeRuyter- and stamp mark “France” and “ORT”… Another Image Search on the side- tells me they might be Roseville… hmmm… Maybe Google Image Search- isn’t so accurate… but the blue mug certain has an art deco look!
Anyway… back to the flowers- I’m filling the one with Queeny Cinderella Zinnias… and the Blue one- I get the opportunity to use two Different Suntory Flowers- Varieties… the White Granvia – we have shown on “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom”- my Friend Delilah Onofrey sent them to me… to grow in the garden- and I’m adding the BluOcean® Chrysanthemums- and some physostegia – to that one… I’m using a bundling technique- and tying the stems together using Craft Covered Wire from www.OasisFloralProducts.com in a twig color… This technique is super helpful- because you can see through the mugs- so lifting out the flowers to check the water- is easier when they are bound together.
I hope you enjoy this simple idea- for getting your memories off the shelf and filling them with flowers… What memories do you have waiting to be Flower-fied? If you know any more about these keepsake mugs… shoot me an email ([email protected]) maybe you can help in my identifying them… Have a Flower Filled Day and enjoy this Fun Flower Project!