Volume 1, Issue 9 February 14th 2004
Valentine's Day
Hello Dear Subscribers,
St. Valentine's Day falls on the 14th February each year.The history of St.Valentine's Day is said to be that in the third Century a Christian named Valentine was placed in prison by Claudius II for his religious beliefs.
The jailor's daughter was blind but Valentine was said to have restored her sight. Valentine was executed on the 14th February, but before he died he sent the jailor's daughter a note signed "From Your Valentine".
It is a day to express our love and affection to those who are dear to us.
Red roses are traditionally used for St.Valentine's Day, but pink flowers are also suitable.
Tests show that men think women prefer red, but many women prefer pastel shades.
St. Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year for the florist.
Valentine's Day Arrangement
You will need -
12 flowers of choice such as roses
Other suitable flowers are tulips and carnations
Filler flowers of choice such as gypsophila
Other suitable filler flowers are misty and wax flowers
Foliage of choice such as leather fern
Other suitable types are box, eucalyptus and camellia foliage
Ivy trails
1 Tall Glass Container
Wide sheer or satin Ribbon
22 gauge wire
1. Fill the container three quarters of the way with water. Insert the leather fern in
the container. The back pieces should stand upright and should be at least one and a half times the height of the container.
2. Insert pieces of leather fern to extend over the sides of the container to form a triangular shape with the widest part across the base. This foliage will form a base to help hold the flowers in position.
3. Roses can be wired to help hold the heads erect. To do this insert the end of a 22 gauge wire vertically up into the base of the rose and wind the wire three or four times
down and around the stem. Repeat this step with the other roses.
4. Start at the top and place the smallest roses around the outer edges to sit just inside the tips of the foliage. Place the larger roses in the centre, cutting the stems to the desired length. Make sure there is a space between each flower head as shown in the photo.
5. Insert several pieces of ivy around the base of the arrangement to help soften the look of the design.
6. The filler flowers, gypsophila, is now inserted in between the roses to give a light look. If the gypsophila is too heavy, trim off any overcrowded clusters first.
7. Make a ribbon bow with two long tails. To do this, hold the ribbon 15cm (6") from one end and form the ribbon into two figure eights - one behind the other with another 15cm (6") length tail at the other end. Wire the bow by placing the centre of a long 22 gauge wire across the centre of the bow, bring the two wire ends down together and twist one wire tightly twice around the other wire. Cut the end of each ribbon tail on a slant.
8. Insert the bow into the centre front of the arrangement.
9. Spray arrangement lightly with water.
My USA Trip
I had a lovely time in the USA, and I was fortunate enough to see the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. This is held on the first of January each year. The theme this year was "Music". There were approximately sixty floats. Each one was completely covered with flowers or plant material. They were absolutely spectacular.
It is amazing the wonderful ideas that can be created using flowers. It allows you to express your creativity to the fullest. There is always something new and exciting to learn.
All the best to you for now.
Take Care,
Kind regards
Fay Chamoun
Principal
Floral Art School of Australia and
International Floral Design School
Floristry Diploma Courses
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Please visit our websites.
http://www.floral-art-school.com.au
http://www.internationalfloraldesignschool.com
About the Author and Publisher
This newsletter is written by Fay Chamoun, who is the principal of Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School. The School was established in 1972.To subscribe to our newsletter, or to read past issues please click on to http://www.floral-art-school.com.au/floralnewsletter.htm
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