Good Neighbor Day Pictures!!

We just got our pictures in from the Chronicle and they look fabulous!! Good Neighbor Day was an amazing event and we are looking forward to participating again next year. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day so spectacular! In the end, we gave away 1,140 roses...that's 95 dozen! We hope to double that number next year!

Did you get roses for Good Neighbor Day? If so, tell us about it...the comment section is open.



Here is the MIX Van parked at the edge of our parking log. They were broadcasting live from 11 am until 1pm. If you got up early enough that morning, you would have also heard us on live with Allen and also with Joe and Ronnie over on 102.5 WOW Country!

DJ Allen Rantz...smelling his free rose that was given to him by a fan. DJ Allen was a great help in promoting the day, especially by spreading the meaning of Good Neighbor Day. Thanks to him, many people in our city got roses they would not have otherwise gotten. Be sure to thank him the next time to run into him, or call him sometime at the radio station. He's great at taking requests!! You can always email him too!




THANKS ALLEN!!

Besides MIX 99.3, we were glad to welcome Mayor J.H. Graham, III as well as members of the Crossville/Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. You can see us all here at the honorary ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place at 9am in front of our store. Pictured also is the proclamation that was issued by the City of Crossville officially declaring the day FTD Good Neighbor Day. You can also see the chamber members taking part in the festivities by holding their free dozen roses. Special thanks to Mayor Graham and the Chamber!

What's Your Floral Signature?

SAF has a fun quiz to determine your floral signature...take the online version or just read over this article. My personal floral signature at the end...

What's your floral signature? Your mom's? Your best friend? Our quiz can help you learn about your own floral personality or customize the perfect arrangement for someone you love. Just circle your answers (or answer with a loved one in mind) in the seven questions below to find your perfect floral signature.

1. What would you rather do in your down time?
a. arts and crafts
b. yoga
c. take a nature hike
d. curl up with a good book
e. take a kickboxing class at the gym

2. What is your favorite type of moive?
a. a drama
b. independent film
c. documentary
d. love story
e. new releases

3. What best describes your favorite piece of furniture?
a. antique china cabinet
b. intricately designed armoire
c. casual overstuffed sofa
d. porch swing
e. glass and chrome table

4. What's the first thing you do on a weekend morning?
a. read the paper
b. meditate
c. step outside for fresh air
d. kiss your sweetheart
e. check e-mail

5. What's your idea of a perfect meal?
a. dinner at a favorite restaurant
b. fondue dinner
c. backyard barbecue
d. candlelit dinner for two
e. stylish private dinner party

6. What's your favorite type of weekend activity?
a. picnicking with family
b. indulging in a spa treatment
c. doing anything outdoors
d. escaping to a charming country inn
e. theatre and gallery hopping

7. What colors do you wear the most?
a. solids and neutrals
b. black
c. denim
d. soft and light colors
e. bold and trendy colors


Finished? Ok...

If four or more of your answers were "A", you are a TRADITIONAL personality:
Traditional personalities are trustworthy, family oriented, prefer classic styles and
appreciate lush arrangements with a great variety of flowers.

If four or more of your answers were "B", you are an EXPRESSIVE personality:
Expressive personalities search for personal betterment and are attracted to the
unconventional--from new age to the arts. Exotic flowers and unusual combinations of shape,
color and textures mathc their creativity and artistic bent.

If four or more of your answers were "C", you are a NATURAL personality:
Natural types are casual, earthy and prefer the outdoors, naturally. Flowering or green
plants, meadow flowers and woodsy accents suit this personality best.

If four or more of your answers were "D", you are a ROMANTIC personality:
Romantic personalities are dreamers--generous, spontaneous, even extravagant--and are
drawn to bouquets of soft colors, light fragrances and accents of lace or ribbon.

If four or more of your answers were "E", you are a CONTEMPORARY personality:
Contemporary individuals are cutting-edge trendsetters who enjoy living in the moment.
Vogue styles such as monochromatic bouquets or arrangements with a few, large vibrant
flowers are favorites.

If your answers were varied, you are ECLECTIC:
You're a unique individual who enjoys it all: from playing tag, walks in the woods to nights at
the opera. You appreciate the beauty of flowers, simple or stylish, so feel free to experiment.

See pictures of flower arrangements that may fit your signature after taking the interactive quiz at aboutflowers.com!

As for me...I answered almost every question "E", and I am definitely a contemporary personality!!

Gifts from the Heart IN PRINT

Recently we at Gifts from the Heart have been honored to be featured in two different print publications. The first, The Upper Cumberland Business Journal ran the below-pictured story in its September edition:




















The following story also appeared in the Crossville Chronicle in the Tuesday September 1, 2009 Edition:



I must apologize for the poor quality of the images uploaded, however, because neither the UCBJ or the Chronicle have full online editions, it was necessary to digitally scan and upload images of the articles.

Thanks to the Upper Cumberland Business Journal and the Crossville Chronicle for their support!!

Gardening Article

This from the Cumberland County Master Gardeners...

Preliminary Steps Help You Pick the Right Plants

By C. Rae Hozer, Cumberland County Master Gardener

Pick the right plant. Put it in the right place. Then treat it right.

That’s sage garden advise. All three factors are important to success.

Preliminary Steps can Help You find the Right Plants for Your Landscape

Do up-front fact finding before trying to pick the proverbial “right plant” or before asking someone else to recommend plants for your landscape. Keeping notes and using a digital camera to record plants or gardens with a look that appeals to you can make planning and shopping for a landscape project easier. Recommended preliminary steps:

1. Know conditions at your site. Draw a sketch showing the property with buildings. Give a rough estimate of distances. Include compass directions (to help determine sun exposure). Make notes indicating windy, hot, or shady locations. Make notes about slopes, poor drainage, etc. Have a soil test done to determine the need for lime or fertilizer once you have a general idea of the type of plants to be grown in the area being planned.

2. Note the maintenance level you’ll be able to/wish to provide.

3. What ornamental plant features do you like– foliage color, texture, evergreens; flowers; exfoliating bark? What favorite plants should be included? Are there plants you don’t like?

4. Notice what grows well in your neighborhood and region. If you see appealing specimens/landscapes, snap a picture. This helps in plant identification and shows whether a plant’s growing conditions are similar (sun/shade, etc.) to the site you are developing.

5. Plant specimens are labeled in display or botanical gardens and arboretums. Write down Latin plant names (as well as common names). Note outstanding features (example, big red flowers). If that exact variety isn’t available find another with the same attribute.

Fall Gardeners’ Festival may help in Quest for Right Plants

Cumberland County Tennessee Master Gardeners (CCMGA) are hosting a Fall Gardeners’ Festival Tuesday September 29 from noon until 6pm on the grounds of Discovery Gardens within the UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, 320 Experiment Station Road off Hwy 70N north of Crossville. Admission is free. Garden talks by UT experts and local Master Gardeners. Many plant recommendations. Hear about ‘Magnificent Flowering Trees for Appalachian Gardens’ and ‘Great Plants for Fall Gardens’ (noon & 3pm), ‘Tough Enough: Low Care Roses for TN’ (1pm & 4pm), ‘Woody Ornamentals for the Plateau’ and ‘Well Designed Mixed Gardens’ (2pm & 5pm). Other gardening sessions: ‘Making Hypertufa Planters’, ‘Tennessee Yards and Gardens’, ‘Plant and Garden Photography’, and ‘Working with Nature: Organic Gardening’. Tours of the UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center as well as of Discovery Gardens (Tree & Shrub Garden, Sun Perennial Garden, Celebration of Life Memorial Garden, Passive Composting Exhibit, and Rose Garden) will be held throughout the afternoon. Bring samples of yard & garden problems to Ask-the-Expert booth for diagnosis. The Master Gardeners (MGs) have developed an interactive computer disc with color photos showing hundreds of plants suitable to Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau (all successfully grown by MGs in Cumberland County). This resource CD will be on sale ($10). Details at Cumberland County Tennessee Master Gardeners website, www.CCMGA.org.

Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for those tending home landscapes and gardens in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. Contact UT Extension Cumberland County, P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557, (phone 931-484-6743) for quick answers to specific questions, free publications, or to learn about becoming a Master Gardener. Email comments or yard and garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, mgardenerrae@frontiernet.net.

Good Neighbor Day Update

Gifts from the Heart is excited to welcome DJ Allen Rantz to our shop on Wednesday September 9, 2009 to help us celebrate FTD Good Neighbor Day! Join Allen from 11am - 1pm for giveaways and live updates from our shop and the celebration gets into full swing.

From the Cumberland County Master Gardeners

What To Plant/Transplant (Part One)

By C. Rae Hozer, Cumberland County Master Gardener

The first step in making plant recommendations for any landscape is to clarify the needs, likes and dislikes of the property owner and to learn about conditions at the site.

A homeowner request for a list of plants that would survive at one of the highest elevations in the county (about 3,000 feet above sea level) was received by our local University of Tennessee Extension office. The message was waiting when I came in one morning for Ask-a-Master-Gardener work. Someone had scribbled “Rae ?” at the top.

Gathering so much information wouldn’t be easy or quick. A phone call to narrow the search scope was a necessity. Tennessee supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Listing just plants native to middle and east Tennessee could fill a very large book. Beyond native species, many ornamentals which originated in similar climates in other parts of the world (“exotics”) would be hardy here, as would a lot of hybrid plants and cultivated varieties. What plant categories should be considered—trees, shrubs, and/or herbaceous perennials? flowering and/or foliage plants? evergreens and/or deciduous trees and shrubs? Were there particular “must have” plants? Knowing roses or a ground cover were desired, I could suggest plants in either category that should perform well in our area.

Then the office telephone started ringing. That diverted my time and attention. Home gardener phone-in questions, walk-ins and call-backs left no time to work on a plant list. Wet, humid weather has caused yard and garden problems from flower beds to the vegetable patch. Lawns are being overrun by weedy grasses. Poor soil drainage is showing up in places that never had those troubles before. We’re advising homeowners whose needle evergreens develop dead branches but show no sign of bugs, to dig down and check for dark or slimy roots (root rot) before spraying insecticides. One caller described creeping phlox plants that had been growing so well they needed thinning and were transplanted to new areas every year. This spring and summer those same plants turned gray from fungus and died. Tomatoes are showing leaf spot disease and every kind of blight imaginable.

I also took calls from two (new) vegetable gardeners whose tomato plants were tall, healthy-looking and a nice green color– but had no fruit. I suspected an overdose of nitrogen fertilizer. That pushes plants to make lots of leaf and stem growth rather than producing flowers and fruit. Too little sunlight hurts tomato production, too. Clouds blocking the sun during June and July have delayed fruit development on some tomato varieties. These gardeners were using organics- one chicken manure, the other horse manure. Vegetable growers using synthetic fertilizers may find it easier to measure the amount of nitrogen being applied. With more experience, organic gardeners usually develop a better feel for how much is too much.

I telephoned. A lady (the adult daughter of the gardener who asked for the hardy plant list) answered. I explained the need to narrow the focus to the types of plants her father wished to grow. Her accent indicated the family might be from the British Isles, Australia or New Zealand and not familiar with USDA Hardiness Zones. I suggested they visit Discovery Gardens, demonstration gardens planned and planted by Cumberland County Master Gardeners during their initial training. These gardens are open to the public daily during daylight hours.

Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for those tending home landscapes and gardens in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. Contact UT Extension Cumberland County, P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557, (phone 931-484-6743) for quick answers to specific questions, free publications, or to learn about becoming a Master Gardener. Email comments or yard and garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, mgardenerrae@frontiernet.net.

Flower Cocktails

This item from the New York Times on how trendy bartenders have discovered (or possibly rediscovered) how well flowers compliment drinks...and not just their fragrance! Recipes at the link. Have you ever made a flower cocktail? Let us know!

Good Neighbor Day Proclamation

Tonight, Gifts from the Heart, representing all florists participating in FTD Good Neighbor Day was presented with a proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Crossville. The proclamation declares Wednesday September 9, 2009 FTD Good Neighbor Day. Stop by our store that day to receive one dozen roses...FREE. All we ask in return is that you give away 11 and keep only 1 for yourself. It's that simple. Stay tuned for further news and be sure to friend us on Facebook and RSVP to the event for all the latest news!




















UPDATE: We have confirmed that the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9am on the morning of September 9! Make sure you are there to meet members of the Chamber as well as a few city officials. Visit the chamber website for information about local business.

UPDATEII: The Cumberland County Good Samaritans have signed on to help promote Good Neighbor Day in Crossville. Take a donation to them at 810 10th Street in Crossville between August 24 and September 9, 2009 and receive a coupon redeemable for a rose from Gifts from the Heart. To sweeten the deal, take a donation to the Good Samaritans between Sepetember 9 and September 30 and receive a coupon that will make you eligible to enter a drawing to be held on October 1 at Gifts from the Heart for a free flower arrangement every month for a year! There will be a representative from the Good Samaritans at Gifts from the Heart on Wednesday September 9, so when you come to pick up your free roses you can ask any questions you may have.

Good Neighbor Day Press Release!

This just issued:

Gifts from the Heart
573 South Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-5520
www.giftsfromthehearttn.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
(931) 484-5520
giftsfromtheheart@frontiernet.net


Local Florist Plans To Give Away 1,000 Free Flowers For FTDâ Good Neighbor Dayâ

Residents of Crossville, TN will have the unique opportunity to meet each other and develop new friendships when Gifts from the Heart presents the annual FTDâ Good Neighbor Dayâ event on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Beginning at 9:00 am, Gifts from the Heart at 573 South Main Street will give away 1,000 flowers in bunches of 12, absolutely FREE to anyone who visit’s the shop, while supplies last.

However, there is one catch. Gene and R.G. Cravens, the owners of Gifts from the Heart ask that anyone who picks up a dozen free flowers will be asked to keep one of the flowers for themselves and give the others away to eleven different people - spreading goodwill and friendship in the community.

“We hope that the people of Crossville will be able to get acquainted with new people or will renew an old friendship during FTD Good Neighbor Day,” states R.G. Cravens. “We hope to help create a friendlier, more caring and compassionate world, starting right here in Crossville.”

Gifts from the Heart is a family owned and operated business that has been serving Crossville and the Upper Cumberland area for more than ten years.

FTD Good Neighbor Day is being celebrated for the 15th year throughout the United States and Canada at participating FTD floral shops as a day of celebrating goodwill toward all people. It is expected that hundreds of FTD Florists in North America will participate in this year’s FTD Good Neighbor Day event, giving away millions of free flowers.

Good Neighbor Day Proclamation

We received an email yesterday informing us that the City of Crossville has declared Wednesday September 9, 2009 Good Neighbor Day in honor of the FTD Good Neighbor Day Program. Go here to see the agenda http://crossville.besavvy.egovlink.com/8-11-09%20agenda.htm. Our staff will be on hand at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on August 11 at 6:00 pm to receive the proclamation and we would like to see you there too! More information will be posted on Good Neighbor Day and our observance of the Day at a later time, so keep checking back!

What was your wedding like?

Was it anything like this?

Iris Cup 2009

Here are pictures of the 2009 Iris Cup competitors:

This picture is of the piece of artwork that was to be the inspiration behind this years Iris Cup competition pieces. The prize goes to the designer who best interprets this piece of artwork in his or her floral design.

Swag Friday!

To borrow a post title from one of my favorite bloggers while I'm sitting around waiting for the first design program of the convention entitled, "Colors For Seasons" Presented by Joe Smith, AIFD, I thought I would share the contents of my gift bag from this morning.

Upon arrival at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs (at 1:30 pm mind you) I found out that I would not be able to watch the Grant Awards Contest or the Designer of the Year Competition. While I can understand that it would be a little intimidating to design with a group of spectators, I must wonder what the designers do in their own shops. I made the comment to the people at the registration desk that I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have music playing, people talking, and customers watching my every move. I would be positively mortified to design 5 arrangements in a room full of well no one! Anyway, back to the gift bag...

This year, we get the latest edition of Floral Management, Flowers &, and Florists' Review, as well as a few other catalogs and flyers introducing other products. Also in the bag was a small roll of Offray ribbon and a product by National Ribbon Company which can only be described as a disasterous attempt at a Lomey Shimmer-Wrap Wristlet. I'm semi-intrigued by a product called "Nashville Wraps" seen at www.nashvillewraps.com Described as an "eco friendly retail packaging, food packaging, and basket supply" product, it is a small shear bag which holds products for baskets. They also have a full line of gift wrap products at their website.

Finally, we have my nemesis...the Chocolate Rose by Helen Grace...I will spend the weekend staring at this from across the room!

Do you know what your flowers are saying?

Do you know what your flowers are saying?





Make sure you say exactly what you mean by sending a beautiful and unique gift from a professional order online at www.giftsfromthehearttn.com

View Oasis Floral Videos on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/oasisfloral is the Youtube channel for Idea Magazine, Oasis Floral's informative print publication. These videos show mostly how-tos for wedding bouquets, but also show some behind-the-scenes videos of Idea Magazine photo shoots. Pretty cool...as far as floral videos go!

Categories Announced for Cumberland County Fair Floral Exhibits

The Cumberland County Fair Association has announced the categories for floral exhibits. The first entries are to be taken Thursday, August 20, 2009 with the first of the festivities to begin the next evening at 6:00. Entries for Flowers are to be taken Sunday, August 23 between 2:00 and 7:00pm. Exhibits open Monday, August 24 at 10:00am and the Midway opens that evening at 5:00pm.

The following is an excerpt from the official rules for the Adult Division found on page 17 of the CCFA Premium Book:

"1. Exhibits must be entered between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 20, (except baking, flowers, poultry, rabbits, woodcarving and crops), and remain on display until 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 30.

2. Entries for baking, flowers, poultry, rabbits, woodcarving and crops will be taken between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23.

3. Judging on flowers and baking will start at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14."

While technically the book states judging will begin 8 days before entries are to be submitted, I believe that this is a misprint and should actually be either Monday, August 24 or Thursday, August 27. At this time I have received no clarification from the Cumberland County Fair Association.

There are exhibits for Flowers, Plants & Herbs; Floral Arrangements; and Potted Plants. Everything from Marigolds, Dahlias, Petunias, Begonias, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, African Violets, Ferns, and Cacti will be represented in the Flowers, Plants & Herbs and Potted Plants exhibits. The exhibit of most consequence to us is, of course, the Floral Arrangement exhibit. The Floral Arrangement Exhibit Committee is chaired by Glenda Wisdom and Premiums offered are $4.00, $3.00, and $2.00, with $5.00 for best of show and a total of $104.00.

The CCFA Premium Book lists 4 criteria for judging floral arrangements, each worth 25 points for a total of 100 points possible. The criteria are:

Design Principles
(proportions, balance, depth, rhythm, focal and scale)

Condition
(quality, freshness of blossoms, fortages and accessories)

Distinction
(quality of design)

Relationship of Flowers to Container
(suitability of flower variety to the size, material, and color of container)

This scale is interesting in that compared to other floral competitions, it will take into account the container that is used and the "suitability of flower variety" to the container. To me, this seems too subjective. A person with an affinity for high-style or contemporary arrangements may judge a flower that outshines its container as suitable, while a traditionalist may not.

When determining accreditation in floral design, the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) judges arrangements based on the following: Category Interpretation (or interpretation of a theme), Scale (proportion), Balance (physical and visual), Line (movement and rhythm), Color (balance, harmony, and rhythm), Creativity, Unity (harmony and texture), Focal Emphasis, Depth, and Mechanics (Professional Application). No points are given based on the type of container used.

The categories of Floral Arrangements are as follows: "Harvest Variety"; "Harvest Color"; "A Star is Born"; "Harvest Fun"; "Welcome Wreath";
"Harvest of Memories"; "Harvest of White"; "Dreams"; "Wine & Roses"; "Harvest of Small Things"; and "Harvest of Roses", with a final category for Best of Show.

With some interesting categories, there appears to be a lot of room for interpretation and a lot of fun to be had in designing arrangements. With everything from antiques to wine bottles to be used as containers this years' arrangements shoule be a sight to behold.

Be sure to come out to the Cumberland County Fair Grounds this year and see all of the beautiful fresh flower arrangements.

The Cumberland County Fair Association can be contacted at 931-484-9454.

Check back here for more information on the fair and the show winners! And also pick up you CCFA Premium Book and turn to page 96 to see our ad!

The Show Must Go On

We are less than 3 weeks away from the 57th Annual Tennessee State Florists' Association Convention and 34th Annual Central Tennessee Professional Florists' Association Christmas Show at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. Discounted registration rates are still available until July 20th. Be sure to visit www.tnsfa.org to register online.

Schedule of Events Includes:

Friday July 21, 2009

9:00am TCF Testing
10:00am - 7:00pm Regsitration Open
10:00am - 11:00am Iris Cup Competition
12:00pm - 2:00pm Grant Awards Contest
3:00pm - 5:15pm Designer of the Year Competition
8:00pm - 9:30pm Design Program "Colors For Seasons", Presented by Joe Smith, AIFD

Saturday August 1, 2009

8:15-9:00am TSFA Annual Members Meeting
9:00 am - 10:30am Hands-On Workshop - "Body Flowers...Trends and Techniques", Presented by Sam Hyder
10:30 am- 12:00pm Design Program - "Sympathy...A Celebration of Life", Presented by the TCF Members
2:00pm - 3:30pm Design Program - " 5 Ways Down the Aisle", Presented by Gerald Toh, AIFD
4:00pm - 5:30pm Hands-On Workshop - "The Art of Bridal Bouquets", Presented by Sam Hyder

Sunday August 2, 2009

Sunday programs will feature commentary by Toomie Farris, AIFD, PFCI and designs by Phil Chandler, Jodi Duncan, AIFD, and David Smith. Sunday will also feature the allied Designers of the Year and each will appear for a one hour porgram, APFA - Doddy Bird, CTPFA - Michael Steakley and the EPTFA and TVPFA Designers will be announced later.

We hope to see you there! Be sure to check back during the convention for full online coverage at www.crossvilleflowers.blogspot.com

Gifts from the Heart on Facebook!!

Be sure to check out our Facebook page and become a fan of your premiere floral gallery!!

Gifts from the Heart on Facebook

Summer Flower Happy Hour Fridays 3-5pm

Did anyone say Happy Hour?!?! You know how you like to stop by your favorite restaurant after work and get your favorite stress reliever at a discounted price?...well, we at Gifts from the Heart are giving you the same great deal on your flowers!

Every Friday throughout the Summer we are offering a Buy One Get One Free special on our fresh roses! From 3 to 5pm when you stop by our shop, you can purchase up to one dozen roses and receive another dozen FOR FREE!

Be sure to stop by on your way home from work and take advantage of our Summer Flower Happy Hour! There's no other deal like it in the Upper Cumberland!

Shop online @ www.giftsfromthehearttn.com

Spring/Summer Wedding Design Ideas

Throughout the course of the Spring and Summer, we will be posting images of bridal bouquets that we have designed for our customers. For those brides who are undecided about what type of flower, style of bouquet, or color scheme to pursue, we at Gifts from the Heart hope that these images will be a great research tool!

This bouquet of peonies, ranunculus, and waxflower was designed as a stem-wrapped arrangement incorporating pink and light blue. The bride wanted to make her bouquet unique, so she asked that we add a blue necklace into the arrangement.

For this bride, color was the most important factor when considering what type of bouquet to choose. Instead of the standard two color palate, this bride had four colors she wanted to incorporate into her bouquet: green, lavender, white, and yellow.


To achieve her design goal, we used green, lavender, white, and yellow roses in her stem-wrapped bouquet as well as a variety of complementary flowers such as green athos cushion poms, waxflower, purple monte casino asters, and pink lisianthus.


Putting her own unique flair on the maid's bouquets, this bride requested that each bouquet incorporate one of her primary colors as its theme. So, we designed three bouquets, each stem-wrapped, with lavender roses, yellow roses, and green roses respectively.


Using the same basic structure as the bride's bouquet, these arrangements focused on one color.

Finally, this early spring wedding looked to incorporate bring colors and flowers such as Circus roses, hydrangea, alstromeria lilies, and gerbera daises.


This bouquet also incorporated a unique design characteristic by using Oasis aluminium wire in hot pink to complement the hue of the Circus rose.

If you have any questions about any of the designs on this website feel free to contact us at (931) 484-5520 or toll free at 1(800)-457-0969 to schedule your wedding consultation. Be sure to check back throughout the summer as we continue to post pictures from our 2009 weddings.

June Web Special

Visit our website at www.giftsfromthehearttn.com and enter promotion code "June" to receive a discounted delivery fee! Orders totaling over $40.00 placed between now and the end of the month (for delivery during the month of June) will not be charged our standard $7.00 delivery fee! Be sure to take advantage of this fantastic summer saving while it lasts!

Fairfield Glade Ladies Club Holds Annual Kitchen and Garden Tour

Gifts from the Heart would like to recognize the Fairfield Glade Ladies Club and thier annual Kitchen and Garden Tour which took place May 29 and 30, 2009. We at Gifts from the Heart were proud to provide table arrangements to each of the kitchens which were part of the show. Below you can see some of the arrangements featured at the show.

Not been to Gifts from the Heart in a while? You don't know what you're missing!

We've been busy at Gifts from the Heart! If you haven't been in the shop in a while you don't know what you're missing! Come in and check out the new decor, the new open and spacious layout of the shop, and the same friendly faces and helpful staff.

Since the middle of May, our shop has been getting a make-over. If you've never watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, then I really don't have any basis of comparison that you will be familiar with. We're taring down walls, repainting, and rearranging like mad! Why, you may ask? Well, it's because we want to make sure that our customers have the best flower-buying experience in town. How can you shop in a cramped and crowded space filled with outdated merchandise? It's impossible! That's why we are striving to give you the clearest and simplest view of what a floral company should be, and that's why we are Crossville's premiere floral gallery!

When you visit our newly remodeled showroom, you will see bright and bold colors, warm and inviting interior vignettes, all designed to give you great ideas about how to decorate your own home. Our motto here is "don't be afraid to be different." Let your imagination run wild, have fun with your color choices. Don't be afraid to try new palates. And, as always, if you are ever in need of home decor items or permanent botanical arrangements, be sure to let us know. We have a wide range of permanents that are sure to meet even the most discerning person's color palate.

Be sure to come in all throughout the summer and browse our newly remodeled showroom and all of our new products. Please excuse any work that is happening, though...we're just trying to expand to meet all of your needs.

Be sure to visit us online as well!!

www.giftsfromthehearttn.com

Teacher of the Week for the Week of May 11,2009

Gifts from the Heart would like to say congratulations to South Cumberland Elementary 6th Grade teacher Andi Casey for winning the 102.5 Moo Crew's Teacher of the Week.

Teacher of the Week is a promotion sponsored by Gifts from the Heart and 102.5 WoW Country that recognizes outstanding teachers in our area. Once a week, Joe and Ronni select a winner for the honor and surprise them at their school with a bouquet and other prizes. The selected teacher is then entered in a drawing to become Teacher of the Year earning more prizes as well as a dozen roses from Gifts from the Heart.Winners are announced once a week and can be found on the Moo Crew's website at http://www.1025wowcountry.com/personalities/moo_crew/

Students, be sure to nominate your favorite teacher because the student whose teacher is selected also wins!

Teacher of the Week (Week of April 27)

Gifts from the Heart would like to say congratulations to Martin Elementary kindergarten teacher Nancy Duncan for winning the 102.5 Moo Crew's Teacher of the Week.

Teacher of the Week is a promotion sponsored by Gifts from the Heart and 102.5 WoW Country that recognizes outstanding teachers in our area. Once a week, Joe and Ronni select a winner for the honor and surprise them at their school with a bouquet and other prizes. The selected teacher is then entered in a drawing to become Teacher of the Year earning more prizes as well as a dozen roses from Gifts from the Heart.

Winners are announced once a week and can be found on the Moo Crew's website at http://www.1025wowcountry.com/personalities/moo_crew/

Students, be sure to nominate your favorite teacher because the student whose teacher is selected also wins!

Harvard Study Investigates the Home Ecology of Flowers

Behavioral Research Concludes: Living with Flowers Strengthens Feelings of Compassion, and Decreases Anxiety and Worry

(Crossville, TN) – With people’s desire for tranquility and stress relief stronger than ever, fresh research takes an insightful look at flowers and the important role they may play in our daily lives. A behavioral research study conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, reveals that people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when fresh cut flowers are present in the home.

“Other research has proven that flowers make people happy when they receive them,” Etcoff says. “What we didn’t know is that spending a few days with flowers in the home can affect a wide variety of feelings.”

The Home Ecology of Flowers Study at Harvard uncovered three main findings:

• Flowers feed compassion. Study participants who lived with fresh cut flowers for less than a week felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others.
  
• Flowers chase away anxieties, worries and the blues at home. Overall, people in the study simply felt less negative after being around flowers at home for just a few days. Participants most frequently placed flowers in their kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms, where they spend a lot of time at home. They reported wanting to see the blooms first thing in the morning.
  
• Living with flowers can provide a boost of energy, happiness and enthusiasm at work. Having flowers at home can have a positive carry-over impact on our mood at work, too. The study found that people were more likely to feel happier and have more enthusiasm and energy at work when flowers were in their home living environments.
  

“As a psychologist, I’m particularly intrigued to find that people who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings,” Etcoff says. “Our results suggest that flowers have a positive impact on our well being.”

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Editor’s Note: For high-resolution floral photography, visit www.aboutflowers.com/media.
The Home Ecology of Flowers Research MethodologyNancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and her research team investigated the effects of flowers in the home environment on well being. Fifty-four people, ages 25-60, were studied using a series of self-report measures allowing the research team to know where the person was, with whom and what they were doing when they experienced an emotion, both when flowers were and were not present. Half of the participants received a “control” home décor item, other than flowers, to ensure study validity. After living with either flowers or the control intervention for approximately one week, participants rated their feelings during specific periods of the day, recording emotions during each episode. The research team also took photographs before and after flowers were delivered to determine any changes in use or appearance of the room.


About Dr. Nancy EtcoffDr. Nancy Etcoff is a faculty member of the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard University Mind/Brain/Behavior Initiative and a practicing psychologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry where she is the Director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well Being. At Harvard, she currently teaches a course entitled “The Science of Happiness.”

1st day of the 2009 Cumberland County Flower & Garden Show

Well today was the first day of the flower & garden show and it was busy! Hundreds of people along with dozens of exhibitors braved the heat and packed the grounds of the Community Complex today for the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Cumberland County Flower and Garden Show. Hosted by the Cumberland County Master Gardeners (http://www.ccmga.org/), the show highlights the best of landscaping, lawn & garden decor, and floral design in the county. Music, food, and tons of give-aways are just some of the many attractions you will find there between now and Sunday.

Along with many others, Gifts from the Heart has a booth filled with great gift items, fresh flowers, and green/blooming plants. (See the end of the post for a time-elapsed view of the booth going up.) In Building 1, our booth is #124. Today we gave away nearly 100 fresh roses and carnations and dozens of $5.00 gift cards. Although today was the only day to get a fresh flower, anyone who signs up with a legitimate email address between now and Sunday will receive a $5.00 gift card good for the purchase of any product in our store. With Mother's Day coming up, this will get you started on your flower-buying way.

Also today, we released our first radio ad for Mother's Day 2009. As soon as possible, I will have audio up, but until then you can catch the ad that will run everyday between now and Mother's Day on Crossville's Mix 99.3! (http://www.mix993.net/)

Notice the misspelling of the name on the sign! This was later changed and I am happy to say a new sign was posted properlly spelling the company name "Gifts from the Heart" :-)

Gifts from the Heart Announces Mother's Day 2009 Custom Arrangements

This Mother's Day, the designers at Gifts from the Heart have created a number of beautiful arrangements that will be sure to make any mother happy. Two of the best and brightest, however, are the two depicted here.

The first is Lattice & Roses for Mom available as shown for $44.95, but also available in a Deluxe version for $59.95, and a Premium version for $74.95. The higher the price, the bigger the basket and the more flowers you get! So, while the Standard version with its fresh stargazers, stock, alstro, dasies, and fillers is as amazing as any arrangement, you'll make an even greater impression with the Deluxe or Premium versions of this arrangement. This is a one-sided arrangement and measures 12.5"(H) x 13"(W).

Item # GH-14 @ http://www.giftsfromthehearttn.com/

The second arrangement is the Mother's Love Bouquet. This arrangement is inspired in its concept and design. Billed as an arrangement "as unique as your mother," the container used can be one of more than a dozen different designs, meaning that no two of these arrangements will be the same. For those looking for something unique, this arrangement is sure to be a hit!

Hydrangea, lilies, roses, and gerbera daisies, are just a few of the many flowers that fill the beautiful metal container for the Deluxe version of the arrangement, which sells at $54.95. Also available in a less expensive Standard version and a Premium version, anyway you give it, this bouquet will make any mom happy.

Item # GH-14 at www.giftsfromthehearttn.com

New POS Technology Makes it Easier to Serve You!

Today we finished the installation of our new Point of Sale (POS) System. The new Dell system is part of a package created by Teleflora to help make life easier for florists. The technology is so sophisticated, yet so simple that even those who are not overly computer literate can operate it. Besides making placing your orders easier, this system will help us better serve our customers because we can better track orders, deliveries, and products sold and offer you the most up-to-date information about your order, and provide you with the most timely service available. We hope that you will visit the store and experience the newest, fastest, and most accurate floral experience in Crossville!

Our employees have undergone 2 days of intense training on this new system so that we can provide you with the best service possible. So...don't expect any delays or mistakes!!

Please Avoid Order Gatherers! Call Your Local Florist

If you've ever hear of Proflowers.com or Just Flowers.com or From You Flowers.com, then you know what I'm talking about when I say "Order Gatherer." If you don't, then let me inform you. Order Gatherers are floral websites that advertise as if they were located in any given city that a customer searches for online without actually being in that city or physically delivering arrangements there. Put another way, if you do a Google search for "Crossville, TN florist" then probably two out of the top ten results will be websites for florists actually located in Crossville, TN. The rest will be Order Gatherers...websites devoted only to taking orders, and once they have taken the order and received payment, they then forward the order to shops actually located in the delivery area with promises of 100% satisfaction, same-day delivery, and guarantees of certain products.

The simple search listed above (Google search "Crossville, TN florist") returns results at the top of the page that are advertisers who pay a lot of money to have their ads appear at the top of the results page. These are what we in the floral industry like to call "Order Gatherers." The simple Google search that I performed brought one of the top 3 worst order gatherers...Just Flowers. com.

These insidious companies lead their customers to believe that they are actually located in the city that the search results say they are, however you can search every small town between Crossville and Nashville and 9 times out of 10 you will have a search result that lists an order gatherer as serving the city you are looking for.

This is devestating to small floral shops that don't have a large advertising budget and can't afford to secure a top listing on every search engine out there. As a consumer though, one must ask what is the downside to this development. Sure the flower shops are upset because they are loosing business, but what why should you as a flower-buying customer be concerned about the emergence and online dominance of order gatherers?

There are many answers to this question. To begin with, the customer is being misled to believe that the florist they are ordering from has a store located in the city where they are sending flowers. This is not the case. Order gatherers are located all across the country, and rarely ever in the city to which you are sending flowers. From You Flowers, for example is located in Old Saybrook, CT. However they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a guaranteed delivery on orders sent to Crossville, TN...orders that they never physically design or deliver! Customers are promised specific products that companies like From You Flowers can NEVER actually deliver upon. (Actual example from our shop) A customer orders a funeral arrangement from From You Flowers who promises that red gladiolas which appear in the picture on their website will be sent to a funeral in Crossville, TN. From You Flowers uses Teleflora or FTD to send the order to us during a period of the year when gladiolas are out of season and are not available. We substitute for a comprobable arrangement, however we receive a call from the sender complaining because he did not receive gladiolas like he was promised. When he placed the order, he was promised by the From You Flower call center representative that he would receive gladiolas in his arrangement. From You Flowers, however, never bothered to contact a florist who actually serves the area and ask if glads were available. This hurts local florists because when products that appear on order gatherer's websites are not available, they must reject orders or substitute for other products and risk complaints, and hurts consumers because they don't receive the product that they actually order.

The point of this post is to warn you to avoid order gatherers and ALWAYS call your local florist when you need to send flowers. Even if you need to send flowers out of town, you should always consult with your local florist and let them send the order or at least get a number to a florist that is actually located in the city to which you are sending flowers. Never trust order gatherers...they will always let you down!!

As always visit us at http://www.giftsfromthehearttn.com/ Unlike an order gatherer, we will never promise what we can't deliver!

Crossville Flowers Now Online!

So this is the opening post of the Gifts from the Heart blog.

Gifts from the Heart is THE premiere florist of Crossville, TN and greater Cumberland County. We serve the Plateau from Pleasant Hill to Fairfield Glade and everywhere in between. Our designers are highly skilled and talented and have over fifty years of combined floral experiece. We carry a wide range of gift items, blooming and green plants, balloons, and fresh flowers. We run continuous delivery to Hood, Bilbrey, and Crossville Memorial Funeral Homes as well as Cumberland Medical Center.

Although we specialize in contempoary and high-style arrangements, our floral designs have been praised by the most traditional to the most contemporary customer.

We are located at 573 South Main Street in Crossville. (Down the road from Cumberland Medical Center and across the street from Shadden Tire Co) If you are unable to visit our store, visit our website at http://www.giftsfromthehearttn.com/ There you will find custom arrangements designed by our staff that are sure to please! Call us at (931) 484-5520 or toll-free at 1800-457-0969. We're open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.

Browse online or in our store and you will be sure to find exactly what you're looking for. Stay tuned to this blog for posts about our shop, Crossville, and flower news in general. Check out the links to other Crossville businesses as well as sites for others in the floral industry.

We try to stay busy and we will be featuring our designs and gift items at the Cumberland County Flower & Garden Show at the Community Complex beginning April 24...before closing I want to remind everyone out there that Mother's Day is just over one month away so be sure to order early and if you need flowers in the Crossville area, call or come by or visit us online at www.giftsfromthehearttn.com