On my online workbook this week: Snow… drops

Dear

This week's inspiration is reminding myself to notice the beauty of winter instead of jumping right into spring designing.

I prefer to always let my design details be social. Give them something to look at, to talk to, to point to, something that moves your eyes inside the design so that there is a story to follow.

That means that the hardest part of this design is the bit we rarely even consider beyond… “it must be under water”. The entire design is so minimal with even less to look at below the waterline- you will notice everything. The stem ends are really the most difficult part you need to arrange.

My tip for you this week is allow the top part of the vine to effortlessly drape around the twig armature in any way it pleases. But those cut stem ends below the water line have to be so precisely placed to complete this minimal design. Work from below the water, up. Carefully position the stem end first to create space where when you place the crystals above it will be perfectly framed. Hold the vine in position below the water and then let the rest of the stem casually drape over the top of the design as it wants to with the cut stem in place. Do not manipulate the stem so much that the bottom cut end moves.

Then when the vine is in position and you have placed everything else in the design, position the growth tip of the vine to again point or frame something for your eye to follow.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: Also if you are curious about the new growth and how I manage to keep it from wilting or drooping have a look at page 75 of my book where I show you my tip for conditioning new growth.