On my online workbook this week: Hang on, love

Dear

This week's inspiration is hanging on.

My tip this week is about placing the blossom branches.

When we place branches to be used as an armature the weight of the flowers we add will most likely determine how we place the branches to make sure it can carry the weight of the flowers.

But when the design details you add are as light as these hanging knotted hearts it gives you the opportunity to be a bit more adventurous... and less obvious.

How can you place the stems so that it looks like a well thought out unit without making an armature? Maybe, if the branches curve, place it so that the branches also form a heart. Or is there something else that is distinctive that you can use to level up on the placement?

For my design I chose to highlight the natural shape of my branches. My bunch has these prominent vertical side branches on some of the branches and then these upright vertical branches without any side branches in contrast.

My thinking was of that of a reflective pond. I placed my straightest branches on the one side of the vase and the branches with the vertical side branches to mostly point to the opposite side on the other side. These vertical branches are perfect for hanging... something special.

I hanged the knotted foliage hearts from long vertical blades of foliage to reflect the vertical upright branches on the opposite side. As the hearts hangs straight down the branches point straight up.

I think you would agree that this effect is extremely subtle. But our eyes pick up on even the smallest details, don’t you think? I find this to be more effective than making it obvious. Especially in the times we live in. I think we are so overwhelmed that we sometimes take obvious details for granted. Subtle details make us feel like we have discovered a hidden treasure. And that is what you really want, right? You want to invoke a feeling and help the onlooker to connect with the design.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

Hope you had a fun and flower filled Valentine's Day.