On my online workbook this week: Be excited

Dear

This week's inspiration is … to get really, really excited about all the pretty somethings that come along.

We went away for a few days to Alaska… meaning I missed the (much anticipated) opening of my coffee coloured irises (siberian paprikash)

They were still in tight bud when we left and all shriveled by the time we got back… urgh!

I was disappointed and I told it so. I checked all the stems. No flowers left. A few days later though, this one single flower appeared. Low and right on the ground (see picture below). As absolutely unusual as it is absolutely perfect.

But I only had this one single flower to design with. This means I have to get the design just right.

My tip for you this week is about designing with something this precious- like a single flower. Make sure all the heavier design details are secured in place before adding the more delicate flower. If the peas topple onto the iris it will get damaged.

It is also important to handle the well conditioned flower as little as possible so that you make sure it won't get damaged. I usually give myself three tries to place the flower- and no more. If you are not quite happy with the flower placement after the first try… lift it out completely. Inspect the flower and try again placing it in a more pleasing position. Do not try to “tweak” the flower. Rather remove it so that you can have a good look at it. Take a deep breath and try again. It’s okay… you have two more “tries” But by the third try, if you are still not completely happy my advice is to rather let it be and see if you can add something to the rest of the design to make it more pleasing so that you do not risk damaging the flower from over handling and ruining the entire design.

Of course this is not a “rule”... it is just a habit I have because I usually don’t design with an enormous amount of flowers to choose from. And it has saved me often when I designed with more rare, precious and expensive flowers because I have already trained myself how to take care with even my more “ordinary” flowers.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine