On my online workbook this week: Let some light in
Dear

This week’s inspiration is… new growth

My design note that I want to share with you this week is about adding new growth to armatures. It is always difficult to work with new growth… but so, so hard to resist!

If the sprouts are just developing buds they seem to break off if you just look at them funny when adding into a design and once they are more developed it is difficult to keep them fully hydrated and fresh looking, which is kinda the whole point of using new growth.

My trick (no matter at what stage you want to add the new growth) is to cut the fresh twigs when they are just, just showing the green buds. The sprouting twigs will continue to develop when “forced” in clean water indoors and you will have no problem conditioning twigs with new growth on, further for designs, if they develop in water to begin with.

The next step is to make sure the armature you use for the design is secure so that you can easily replace the water as the new growth on the twigs continues to develop.

Measure and weave the sizes of the wreaths for the armature to wedge perfectly into position in your container and plan exactly where you can weave in the fresh twigs without damaging them as you design the armature. Also use small drops of hot glue to secure them. They should stay put even if you hold the design upside down and give it a shake!

It is well worth the extra effort to plan ahead. The sprouting sphere looks great with the elegantly shaped arum lilies this week for an early Spring display but the twigs will outlast the cut lilies. When I am ready to redesign the armature I can simply tip out the water, rinse the container through the twigs, replace the water and add new flowers for a whole new display that follows Spring.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine