On my online workbook this week: Poised to Spring

Dear

This week's inspiration is that “can’t wait to show you the something I made… it’s rather special…” feeling.

Oh!!! I am way too excited to keep it a secret for one week longer… and I might as well tell you first… we are flower buddies after all. Over the last few years I have been working really hard to create something so special for you: my first online workshop!

It is the thing you guys asked for: it is all about how I brainstorm creative ideas for my designs. I call it a 7 day retreat to jumpstart your creativity.

And it does just that! It is 100 % online and super easy to follow along so you can take part from anywhere and you can fit it around your own schedule, pinching off minutes here and there during your day (for 7 consecutive days) to complete the daily design prompts and challenges. It is for beginners and experienced designers with something for everyone in between. I developed this method for myself over the years to explore the creative potential of my plant material and I still use it every time I meet a new flower or want to reacquaint myself with an old favourite.

I am so, so proud of how everything is coming together. Pre-registration will open next week. The workshop will cost CAD275 and that includes three booklets. Your Lesson Plan, a printer friendly Workbook and a picture and video filled E-Book with fun design examples and How To’s to inspire you. And I will be on hand to assist, brainstorm with you and of course give you a well deserved compliment when you discover something fun. You will require just one bunch of flowers to complete the entire week of lessons and your usual tools, perfectly inline with my usual design rules when it comes to my training. I hope you will join me.

My tip for you this week is about shallow containers for thirsty plant material. You need to be able to lift out the armature to keep the blossom buds hydrated. It is the cut stem end that absorbs water. That is the bit that you need to hydrate. Setting stems in a shallow puddle, providing you are willing to top up the water and even cut the stem ends regularly to keep the vascular system open so that the stem can continue to take up water will not reduce its vase life. In fact a clean shallow puddle of water that is replaced regularly is better for the stem than a neglected deep vase filled with water that is dirty.

So take extra time to create a sturdy armature that can be picked up as a whole so that you can nip off the stems ends when needed and replace the water often. It also helps to combine thursty plant material, such as blossoming twigs with flowers that are slow drinkers, such as orchids, so that they don't add too much to the water requirement.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine