On my online workbook this week: To top it all off

Dear

This week's inspiration is a platform from which to launch.

A great contemporary design idea that plays with the proportions of a single flower in a bud vase. Without the grass platform the flower would have appeared too short. Adding the grass platform extends the visual height of the design to include all the plant material with only the bottom most clear part of the vase... looking like the vase. This is a great "space-keeper" for using really tight bud tulips that will grow into the vase height as they open.

My tip for you this week is all in that one sharp bend in the grass. You should only fold the grass once. Any other bend or curve will show when you add the grass into the design spoiling the effect. It is important to carefully measure out the grass so that you have enough blade allowance to weave the grass into the top and slip it into the vase part without having to adjust the bend. I found it easiest to slip the blade into the vase first and then weave it through the top using the sharp angled bend to push the blade into the weave. If you do it the other way around you have to curve the grass to fit it into the vase which might bruise or bend the grass. You can then, once the blade is firmly in place, go back and adjust the angle either with your fingers or a bamboo skewer.

Every good wish,

Christine