Vintage Wedding Flowers...

I played around with the floral leftovers from one of my classes...

(one of the many perks in this course)

... and came up with this quaint vintage vignette.

Yellow Calla Lillies, Roses and Statice as well as Deep Purple Hardenbergia

All the vases are thrifted and echo the "bygone era" of the arrangement

As for the salt and pepper shakers ... well I'd use them as cake toppers wouldn't you?

... By the way... just incase I have not mentioned it before... 

I luuuuuuurve this course... ♥♥♥

I've been thinking about doing the bridal component but as soon as I do....

..... I break out into a sweat. 

Brides can sometimes be .... you know... um... difficult and precious and fussy and ...

Did I say fussy?      (am I being too harsh?)

There's also a fair bit of ignorance when it comes to what can (and cannot) be achieved 

within budget constraints, seasonal availability, timing... heat waves...practicality.

Then there's what's in fashion at the moment... David Austen Roses, Peonies, Delphiniums.

All a wee bit hard to source simultaneously and for a reasonable price.

The thing is I know I will eventually learn the ins and outs of matrimonial marigolds.... 

nuptial nasturtiums .... spousal sweet peas (see what I did there?) but for now I'm happy to

concentrate on the basics and play around with wedding styling in the safety of my own home. 

(I AM being harsh I know... especially when there are many gorgeous brides who style 

wedding flowers for themselves & quite frankly OWN it!)

I think flowers are natural works of art and do not need to be "overly designed/styled"

Still... beauty is in the eye of the beholder... so each to their own.

What do you think peoples?

Whilst I do not want to begrudge any bride (or groom for that matter) the wedding

of their dreams I do tend toward the "less is more" ethos.

I also think you can achieve amazing results on a tight budget with a little imagination, 

some elbow grease ... and maybe a trip or two to the local thrift stores.

It also helps to talk to a variety of Florists to get an idea of what truly is possible

(Because let's face it.... between Kate and Kim the media have set quite the impossible 

fairytale standard... Eeek imagine how the dressmakers feel!)

Well these are the crazy thoughts that roam around my brain now that...

..... I'm studying Floristry....

(I still pinch myself when I say that to make sure I'm not dreaming)

Alright enough prattling. I must go peoples - there is a birthday cake to be planned.

A son who turns fifteen says he's not fussed but a mother knows better.... ♥♥♥

Disclaimer

I should just add that I do not blame "Brides to be" ... I blame Pinterest.

(and of course not all brides are ignorant fuss pots... it's actually just a 

temporary syndrome that affects the front cortex of their brain whilst 

they're planning for the big day)

Learning again...

I've bought some new stationery, a binder and fresh pencils to be precise.

I need to go to the hardware store and purchase secateurs, needle nose pliers and

(if I can find it) a device called a rose stripper - which de-thorns them with minimum fuss.

I have a beginners kit containing a multitude of items that I will soon 

be using, the most exciting (and frightening) being my new Swiss Army florist knife. 

Thus far we've looked at compact versus light and airy symmetrical arrangements.

We've had a go at wiring, using the floral knife, prepping oasis, cut flower care, 

product preservation, economising, design elements applicable to symmetry, 

best practice, precautionary measures, the wholesale industry, time management 

and last but not least... botanical names...... phew

Floristry is hard peoples! I mean really hard

Now don't misunderstand me.... I am not under any illusion that 

the Hollywood version of this career actually exists.

You know the one I mean...standing around arranging stunning

blooms in a crystal vase ... whilst the birds tweet and the tea brews.

No sir.

Early hours, quick decisions, fast paced work, grubby hands and very little glory. 

Think about it...

When the man in your life hands you that gorgeous bouquet you don't ever say:

"Oh wow... who did this? I must ring him/her and tell them I love it"

Uh-Uh

However I've come to understand that it's very rarely about accolades

when you are arranging, designing and creating. Yes you want to know

it looks good, it's liked, loved... admired. Only because you'd obviously 

suck at your job if it didn't. No - you do it because time just stands still.

Everything melts away... housework, bills, world issues, the kids, the duties...

I even forget to finish my tea.

I am not sure what other florists will say when they read this.

I have a friend who insists that even when she's run off her feet she 

couldn't think of any other job that would give her the same satisfaction

and pleasure that working with flowers does.

I'm inclined to agree

♥♥♥

It's a long weekend here in Perth. 

Young Prince has a buddy staying over and they're in the pool role playing as their heroes. 

Hubby has just arrived home from a great day at work and I've got "homemade fish and chips" cooking as we speak. The weekend consists of a whole bunch of paperwork, some study for moi ... (botanical names are something else peoples!) reading, swimming, markets and herbs... lots and lots of herbs. I hope wherever you are right now you're looking forward to some fun this weekend. See you on the flip side! 

We have lift off....

Yes ladies and gentleman, I am proud to announce that I have (finally)

launched my rocket of creativity into the dark and uncharted space that is 

my future. I'm petrified.

But in a good, excited and adrenalin pumping kinda way

I keep hearing Martin Luther King in my head

"I have a dream..." and then I'm embarrassed to admit it 

bandies about floral notions that do not compare at all to the 

monumental importance of the civil rights movement.

Still it is my dream...and it's coming true.

There are so many wonderful people out there who have inspired me to

follow a dream and just dive in... flail if you have to but try... at least try!

Ladies like Kate, Eleni, and Rebekka ... (to name only a few)

All very different dreams but dreams coming true nonetheless

Do you have dream? A desire burning quietly? A fire in the pit of your 

belly that you neglect to stoke because ... (fill in the blanks)

Do you long to try something but you are afraid of failing, or you are 

putting it off until .... until ... (fill in the blanks)

I'm pretty sure that there are NO GUARANTEES WHAT SO EVER where I'm

heading - but I woke up this morning with just a little less regret. 

Boy did that feel good

*********

PS -the above image is of my first ever attempt at a 

"Symmetrical, Formal and Compact Design"

Whilst I'm not a fan of the style I know I need to learn all facets 

before I can "go crazy daisies on my own" 

Cool huh?

Giddy - /'gid´e/ Verb: to make someone feel excited to the point of distraction....

I'm giddy. I'm so so giddy.

Only one more sleep and I begin my course

(permission to use exclamation profanity)

My Floral Design Course!!!!!!!!!!!

I've always loved studying, being a student, attending lectures, writing essays

(I'm a consummate nerd)

I've always studied what I thought I SHOULD - never what I really WANT.

You know how life tells you that you need to get a job and be responsible and make money

and have a go at a successful career and balance it with family and do the right thing?

Well what if the right thing is to forget all that and just do what makes your heart sing?

It's risky. It's scary. It does not promise big bucks... oh no no.

Yet... I am giddy. Ready and giddy.

Lilies for Kashy...

I have a bestest buddy who lives just around the corner from me.

Her name is Jax. Coincidentally she has a bestest Mum who also lives just around the corner

from me. Her name is Jill. Do I love living near two rather fabulous ladies? 

Well of course I do.... BUT... (there's always a but isn't there?) Jax has a sister you see. Which means (obviously) that Jill has another daughter. 

A bestest sister. 

A bestest daughter. 

Her name is Kashy and she does not live just around the corner from me. 

She lives in the green and verdant county of Devon, in England.

Kashy has been over to visit with her husband Richard. They love Australia and they've had a marvellous vacation. Sadly though they return today. I'm off in an hour to say good bye.

I'm pretty crap with farewells. I want Kashy to live around the corner from me.

Then all our goodbye's would be temporary.

Lovely lady

I miss you already

We miss you already

Australia misses you already

As we discussed Lilies are traditionally given to mark birth and death.

Well I love them and I know you do too. 

So here's to the death of one vacation and the birth of

planning for the next one! 

Blessings, Light and Love... to you and yours.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Excitement levels rising....

Do you love flowers?
Do you dream about them?
Do fill vases and vessels in your dreams?

I do....

.....and I've just enrolled in a Floral Design course.....

... so can you imagine how excited I am?

I cannot even imagine how excited I am since I am soooooo

excited I've lost all perspective on excitement.

I have a new excitement benchmark level.

I am newly excited.

This is a blissfully good feeling.

*******

Peoples... when last were you truly excited about something?

What was it? Why did it excite you?

It's awesome is it not? This rush. This heart smile.

My wish for you today...

A mahoosive dose of healthy, heart racing, tingly, smiley excitement.

Enjoy ♥♥♥

Right now....

Right now I have a bunch of flowers that I adore but don't know the name of.

Right now I know that we've seen the last of the rain for the year.

Right now I am filled with gratitude for every corner of my humble home.

Right now I know that all the details are worth it.

Right now I love the fact that my future is unwritten.

Right now is all that really matters because right now is all we ever truly have.

♥♥♥

My world at the moment...

 

 

 

* Creativity has kept my fingers and my brain very busy recently. Sitting at my desk and fiddling away with bits and bobs is a past time I'll never tire of ....

* We have a birthday coming up soon. A brother whom I adore, even though he throws his birthday cards away right after he reads them ... true.

* We have a wedding coming up soon. I'm not the most adventurous person when it comes to colour in clothes... do you agree that this Tree Of Life sheer stunner (with hand embroidered beading) is a step in the right colour confident direction? Cough cough... to be teamed with heels that really are comfortable (hallelujah!) and tailored white linen trousers....cough cough... photos MAY follow.... if I don't fall over**

*I am persisting with terrariums... I know that many plants out there are not happy to hear this... I understand that a slow and painful death behind glass - with an audience is ... well ... awful really, but please bear with me....

* These roses are from my garden ... I think think they are PERFECTION.

* I love bottles. I hate removing stickers from bottles - especially if the glue is cheap & nasty and could probably fix the Titanic. Still - I persisted with these small green ones and I'm soon to fulfil a (small) fantasy with them....

*The bird life at the moment is nothing short of amazing. Not so much due to numbers or even variety, but rather due to mess making and violent, aggressive, territorial mating activities. Have you ever seen eight male Honey Eaters in a modest plum tree battling over a nest... not pretty peoples.

* I (finally) got round to spray painting my kerbside find... I have three ideas for it and I'm sure I'll take another year to decide which one to go with... sigh....

How are you all? Sending much light and love to all affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Can you believe that it's only ** more sleeps until Christmas??? Apologies but I can't type the number for fear of breaking out into hives.

My weekend is filled with social engagements, dress ups, little people and music.
I'm excited.
♥♥♥


** It's kinda my thing ... I fall over A LOT. Surely adding heels and a formal occasion to the mix "ups the stakes"? (Just ask Murphy)