Tied Floristry Assessments - Double Distinction!

What a day! Another two timed assessments to do - formal linear and hostess bouquet.

Formal linear arrangements waiting to be marked...

Distinction! :-) 

Next up was the hand-tied hostess bouquet with aqua pack.

Woo! Another distinction ;-) 

Pumpkins and Pictures

With Halloween approaching, we had some fun making pumpkin arrangements this morning. They look really effective all together.

Carved pumpkin with Gerberas, Physillis and Cottis.

This afternoon we had photography class and tried out different lenses. I was impressed with the results I got with the macro lens.

Double Merit Day!

Today was pretty full on - I had to hand in my first portfolio this morning and then did two assessments!

First off was the symmetrical arrangement done in 35 minutes. I was happy with my merit grade :-)

This arrangement was taken apart ready for the basket arrangement.

I also had only 35 minutes for this one and got another merit. Job done ;-)

Week Six - Hand-Tied Assessment and Dried Bouquet

This Thursday I had to remake the bouquet with collar as an assessment. We used the same flowers and had to make an interesting collar. Mine is wrapped with fabric, raffia and string and has bead embellishments. I was pleased to get a merit grading.

In the afternoon I did a dried design for my portfolio. This bouquet is very labour intensive as everything is wired into small bunches before assembling and tying.

This is a Biedermeier design with concentric circles of lavendar, fir cones and wheat.

Week Six - Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Arrangements

Two traditional designs today:

Symmetrical 

Asymmetrical 

Wouldn't they make lovely bookends? :-) 

Week Five - Hand Tied Bouquets with Frames and Collars

We had some exciting flowers today including pink Celosia, which look like brains! Also some lovely pale green carnations and fresh lotus heads.

The focus of today's classes was making a frame and a collar for hand tied designs. The first one we did was a wire frame wrapped with vines.

The frame forms the base of the bouquet and flowers are inserted in the middle.

Finished bouquet with frame.

 In the afternoon we remade the bouquet with a handmade collar.

I love the colours and textures in this design and the collar sets it off nicely. 

I will be remaking this design as an assessment soon.

Week Five - Two Very Different Arrangements

I had a busy day today. This morning I was in early to help condition the flowers and make sure everyone in my class had the materials they needed for the arrangements.

The first one was a vegetative design, which is very natural looking. All the materials should be put in as they would grow in the wild. There is no wiring and minimal trimming. The materials used should compliment each other and be seasonal. Here is my autumnal design.

Red dahlias, heather and pansy plants with seasonal foliage

Everyone's arrangements - would look great on a buffet table

At home. Looks just right in the kitchen

In the afternoon I did something completely different - a linear arrangement. This one is all about minimalism and position of the materials. We had a practise and then made it again as an assessment. I was really pleased to get a distinction.

Today was my favourite day so far :-)

Week Four - Hand Tied Bouquets

Today I did hand tied Dutch-style bouquets with spiralled stems. This is a very popular design nowadays. You have to place the materials in a certain way, one by one, holding the stems in one hand before tying - a bit fiddly!

Hostess bouquet ready to be tied

Next the bouquet is wrapped and an aquapack is added.

Finished bouquet 

In the afternoon I made another hand tied bouquet using only gerberas.

My Own Creation - Yellow, Pink and Green All Round Posy

I decided to practise some floristry at home this week. Using some supermarket flowers and foliage from the garden, I designed my own all round posy with a candle centrepiece.

Roses, spray carnations and Kermit chrysanthemums

I am pleased with the colour combination and final result. Nice to try out my own designs :-)