On my online workbook this week: “Ha ha ha weeeeee!"

Dear

This week's inspiration is true luxuries like a piping hot cup of peppermint tea after getting caught in the freezing rain… and finding that Mother Nature has been enjoying gardening in the rain just as much as I did... and now I have a few irises popping open out of the blue for the first time... ever ... or since planting them three years ago in my balcony garden.

My tip for you this week is all about that little willow stem that stands in the water to keep the new growth hydrated. First, yes we learn that we have to cut all stems that we design with at an angle to expose as much cut stem surface as possible to the water so that it can hydrate… but when we design in a shallow container a sharp angled cut will lift the cut part out of the water. So instead I cut my stem flat (see the picture above) so that the entire cut end will remain under water to the last drop, in a shallow container. This means it also stands on a flat foot making the design more stable.

The next part is to know where to cut this flat stem. Firstly never cut on a node (the point on the stem where leaves or buds grow out of) so just above or just below that on the twig. Then, when making the wreath, allow the stem cut end to extend a bit more than you think you need to give yourself a design space. You can always cut it shorter. My guide is to cut it to stand as tall as the edge of the container so that it lifts out the design above the edge and keeps the dried material ever so slightly above the waterline to keep it from rotting.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine