Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
A Very Merry Gilded Paper Ornament and Yule Log Trendy Christmas/New Year’s Cheer
- 3 January 2024
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This Christmas the main aesthetic for 2023 was best described as… visiting Grandpa’s cabin in the woods. The entire look is under-stated but oh so nostalgic. Each week I showed you my take on the trends… concluding this week with a look ahead for my New Year’s design:
The cabin part is the yule log… a special log in a fireplace burned for luck and fortune. Combine that with an evergreen craft also deeply rooted in nostalgia. Right on trend, then!
Remember making paper ornaments for your Christmas tree in school? Baubles, fans and garlands and even trees.
Historians are unable to pinpoint the exact date for the origins of origami but it is safe to assume it is as old as paper. There is even evidence that the process of folding art was practiced with cloth and leather well before paper was even discovered.
Paper folding is never really not trendy in some shape.
The trend of paper chain garlands we still see on Christmas trees dates back to the 1850’s. In 1926 paper folding was taught in schools and made kids Christmas paper crafts not just trendy but a lasting tradition.
Then in the midst of World War II paper folding was oh so trendy again because it was an affordable option for Christmas decorations and in the 1960’s paper doilies angels were just the thing… and here we are with our own contemporary take (and reasons)… again.
Paper creations and paper crafts are more sophisticated and intricate and popular than ever. For good reason! It is easy to store flat, is versatile and sustainable.
Which is why this is my New Year's trend… Paper Ornaments (we are seeing paper quilling, oversized accordion-style Christmas trees and smaller ones too, and honeycomb ornaments, paper mache figurines) are all great options if you want to switch out decorations more often without creating so much trash or to replace plastic decorations with altogether.
This trend is one to watch and a skill to invest time in … it’s sure to be back next… urhm… this year.
Happy New Year flower buddies!
Special thank you to the
BC Floral Art Society
this was also the last of my 4 demonstration designs... but you will notice I replaced the Christmas trees that I showed at the demonstration with New Year's snowflakes for our Tutorial this week.
Club members and demonstration attendees: the Tree Tutorial is still available for you to view. You can find the link in your club email. Or reply "link" to this week's email from me and I will forward the link directly to you.
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Tutorials
A robust stand with tall dowel sticks to slip your display over.
Fold some snowflakes to display your beautiful winter flowers on.
An easy to remove and put back bundle of winter twigs to add to a display.
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree
The fluffy stuffing found in pillows create beautiful, water repellent tree skirts.
Cotton balls can be unrolled and fluffed to create long garlands of "snow"
Using all those cardboard boxes to craft a bark covered "log" design for getting a head start on Christmas decorating.
Soft and minimal glow lantern that you can make ahead of time to last all Festive Season.
Add warmth to a space with a softly glowing winter white arrangement
A cranberry lantern to cozy up a white winter's evening.
Favourite Flowers
Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts
Echiveria, Hen and chicks
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