On my online workbook this week: A good bit

Dear

This week’s inspiration is taking notes from nature as it slowly unfurls… each leaf imperfectly perfect.

My design note for you this week is to create a curve (a smooth and gradual change in direction in the stem, see picture 1) instead of a bend (an abrupt turn or an angle made in the stem that will limit the stem's ability to transport water see picture 2) and to make it even more complicated you also want to preserve the stem’s structural integrity so that it kicks and stays in position.

Allow the arum lily foliage to dehydrate slightly to help you create the perfect stem curve rather than manipulating it to curve in advance. You want the leaf to be pliable to curve but once in position to rehydrate and firm up so that it stays in that position so that you can build up the lines of your design to follow the curve of your extraordinarily curved calla lily leaf.

Do not manipulate the leaf before you place it into the vase though. When you manipulate the leaf into a curve you often damage the cells that take up water to create that curve. For a submerged stem and floating flower like in this design any damaged stem tissues decay quickly, particularly in vase water, resulting in murky water that can also be toxic to your flowers.

So steady, slow and gently curve the leaf until it almost touches, leaf tip to cut stem tip over and under the display container.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine