Introibo- with Flowers

My first time using these Dutch blue hydrangeas was a dismal  failure .  They were too dark, the vase was too brassy, the backdrop provided little contrast.  This time I was determined to succeed.   After reading Fleur de Marie-Jacqueline's  blog posts on Assumption flowers, I was disappointed to find no white roses, no white lilies, only the usual poms, alstroemeria and carnations.  It was time to liven things up a bit with the Dutch blue hydrangeas from the garden- blue like Our Lady's veil! They look purple in this picture! This is the first time I attempted preserving hydrangeas by submerging fresh-cut stems in boiling water for 30 seconds.  We'll see what they look like by Sunday!  I also put alum powder in the water and let them soak overnight.    Some of the blooms were very heavy and the stems a bit saggy so I used stem wire and floral tape to make them cooperate.  This was a first as well! Here t...