Go vertical!

For those who do not want to cut and carve: a hanging version of pumpkin decoration.

Curvy Beauties

I was commissioned to create some additional decorative pumpkin ideas - may be you still remember the mixed food and diy pumpkin feature which I have posted a few month ago.

I am happy to see some of these pics in the current issue (number 21) of the BRIGITTE magazine.

Fancy a look inside? Enjoy autumn season. 

Gentle Hermione and Iceberg

Every now and then I am still editing the results of the rose theme. Actually there lies a lot of work ahead because I could not stop taking pictures and finding motifs. These are two pics featuring one of my favorite roses which is a David Austin rose variety called 'Gentle Hermione'. It is so delicate, fragrant, perfectly build and elegant - one of the best things I can imagine to cast a first morning glimpse of.

The other variety is called 'Iceberg' (english), 'Schneewittchen' (german) or 'Fée de Neiges' (french). Its petals use to get these pink patterns after rainy and cool summer days.

Self made rosewater

As you may have realized I am a Rose lover! Especially fragrant breeds win over my heart instantly. Every year when the Rose season comes to an end I use to start several attempts to substitute the lack of natural sources by purchasing several sorts of Rose oils. Admittedly yet I have not found the one that met my expectations. Most oils are too intensive, too sweet, unbalanced in a way. Therefor I tried to manufacture my own Rose water. The recipe is rather simple and the result is worth a try. Nothing really compares to a deep breath taken in the fresh morning air from a Rose bud in full bloom. But the gentle DIY rosewater scent lingers slightly on pillowcases or refreshes your skin on hot summer days. 

Make your own rosewater

You will need:

150 g fresh picked rose petals, 

1 l distilled water,

 medicinal alcohol (optional)

***

Use strong fragrant rose breeds. 

Avoid pesticide treated roses. Even though you will wash them several times you can’t make sure

 that you rinse all chemicals off completely.

Rinse the petals well to get rid of any dirt and place them into a bowl. 

Bring the water to the boil and pour slowly over the first 50-g-portion of your rose petals. 

Let all rest for about an hour. Place a strainer over your cooking pan to catch the petals and drain the water. 

Heat the rose brew again gently (do not boil anymore) and pour over the next 50 g of the Rose petals.

 Repeat the process using the remaining petals.

Fill the rosewater into a glas bottle or a fragrance diffuser. Consider adding up to one teaspoon of medicinal alcohol. This will not effect the smell, but it will help preserve the rosewater and make it last longer.

The alcohol free rosewater will keep about one week in the fridge. 

MerkenMerken

Saffron Rose water Guglhupf and Rose sugar

Little by little: 

a couple of further results

 of figuring out the marvel of roses.

When it comes to to deal with roses ...

I have to admit styling with roses is kind of special. Don't get me wrong. I love roses from my heart and my garden is bursting of thousands of rose blossoms right now which is a result of my incapacity to withstand their scent and charme.
But when your are about to place a rose in front of your camera you have to be aware of their tendency to spread some kind of overdone sweetness. I don't blame the roses for their romantic appearance. How could I. But in a way it is like hearing your favorite song again and again until you can't bear it any longer. Roses are omnipresent when it comes to style with flowers and they tend to be interpreted in a stereotype way. And this is where the complexity of working with roses is funded.
Having this in my mind I attempt an approach which don't want to cut the romantic side off or avoid sweetness either but to emphasize all this as based in the genuine natural appearance of roses. There is no work to be done or styling to be made or fancy picture to be taken - let the rose stand for itself.  This is what I have tried to do. For some motifs it worked out well and with others I have to confess I am still struggling. 

Depicted Rose breeds: English rose "Constance Spry", Climber "New Dawn", English rose "Gentile Hermione", Shrub rose "Rosarium Uettersen", Shrub rose "Iceberg" also known as "Schneewittchen", Hybrid Tea rose "Schöne Maid" , Rambler "Seagull", Floribunda "Gruß an Aachen", Shrub rose "Jubele du prince de Monaco", English rose "Gertrude Jekyll", Rambler "Paul's Himalayan Musk", Rosa persica "For your Eyes only", Rosa rugosa

MerkenMerken

Paul's Himalayan Musk

This rose is climbing up my garden shed which carries its burden of uncountable little blossoms and a maze of branches quite bravely and  with pride even though it seems to get smaller and smaller under the blooming wave every day. I decided to show this awesome

 rambler rose accompanied by some blades of grass to stress her airy appearance.

Teardrop cake or Mizu Shingen Mochi

A few weeks ago I have heard of teardrop cakes for the first time. I did a short internet research and found some pictures featuring this genuine Japanese dessert. Instantly I fell in love with its poetic appeal. I decided to give it a try in my current rose production. Adding rosewater and trying several recipes it took me a few attempts to figure out a proper way of creating the stunning drop. But now I am able to present a special rose flavored sort of teardrop cake which reflects my intention to portrait the rose theme in a romantic but contemporary style. 

Styling and Photography Cornelia Weber

If you are interested in the recipe feel free to contact me.