A Florist of Distinction

Well, it feels a little strange, but also very exciting to be able to say that I am now a florist! I officially completed my Level 2 Diploma yesterday. We marked the occasion with a presentation at college.

Me collecting my certificate 

My official City and Guilds certificate will arrive later this summer. When I totted up all my grades for this year, it looks like I will be awarded a distinction, which is the highest grade for this course. I'm really thrilled :-D

This time last year I had never done anything with flowers other than buy roses from the supermarket and put them in a vase, yet I just had this feeling that floristry would be for me. The gamble has paid off!

Last week I made my last college creation. I think it is one of my favourites from the course.

Bridal shower bouquet 

Here are my top picks from the past year:

I enjoyed all of my course, even all the sketching! It's not that surprising really, when I remember that I only chose A Level geography because it involved field sketches :-P Guess I was always a frustrated artist :-)

Hostess bouquet sketch

So, this year has flown by. What's next? The job market is tough right now, but I'm determined to work as a florist one way or another. I have lots of plans and ideas whirling around in my head. Watch this space!

70th Birthday Celebrations

To celebrate my mother's 70th birthday at the end of May we had a vintage-style tea party with friends and family at home.

I had been planning the flowers for the day well in advance in my head. I wanted a cottage garden feel to the flowers with pastel colours. My mum loves freesias, so they had to be included. I chose white dahlias, pink roses, pink alstroemeria and white spray carnations, plus some other flowers for table decorations.

Flowers conditioned and ready to use

A while back I found a wicker tea cup and saucer at the wholesaler and knew that would make a great container for the main arrangement. The tea cup design quickly took shape and I topped it off with a diamante pick.

                           

A few days on and the freesias have opened up giving more colour.

We arranged the tables in the garden to look like a café with vintage table cloths and floral arrangements.

I sourced some pretty vintage vases and glassware which I dotted around the house to tie in with the theme. Perfect accessories for a perfect tea party :-)