On my online workbook this week: It’s (very nearly almost entirely) Bauble time!

Dear

This week’s inspiration is all about the first… glint…. the very first… sparkle… or bauble or glitter that tells you that Christmas is almost here.

My design note for you is about the dahlia petals. Keep an eye on those ray floret petals when you top up the water below. The outer petals of a cafe au lait dahlia often reflex back around the outer edges. When you rest a flower on the edge of a container some of the petals will be supported while the others tend to fold back. Create as much support as possible and fit the bloom to make sure all the petals are above the waterline. Also keep the stem slightly longer than you might have. If the stem stands on the bottom of the container it can lift the flower… just…. just enough. Not so much that it hovers, though.

If you have a particularly dramatic dahlia you might have to also remove a few of the lowest ray floret petals, just there where it droops low into the water inside the container. Simply pick out one or two petals (only what is absolutely necessary) once the flower is fully hydrated to keep it all above water.

Then when you place the berries make sure it will not weigh the petals down to make your flower look droopy. No petals should hang into the water. This not only looks tidier when you view your display from all angles but the design will also last longer. Tiny bit of effort… well worth the result.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine