Volume 1, Issue 12 May 2004
Welcome
Hello dear subscribers,
As Mothers Day is approaching, I would like to wish all the mothers out there a wonderful Mothers Day.
Mothers Day is a special day set apart to remember our mothers. Mothers Day was originally started by an American lady in Philadelphia. The second Sunday in May was chosen as it was her mother's birthday.
After much publicity was given, the President officially recognized the day in 1914, and Mothers Day has been celebrated every year since.
The arrangement in this month's newsletter features silk flowers. One
of the benefits of using silk flowers is the arrangement is long lasting,
giving pleasure for many years to come.
This design can also be made using fresh flowers.
Mothers Day Arrangement
You will need -
7 feature flowers of choice such as roses (other suitable flowers are tulips and irises)
Secondary flowers of choice such as lisianthus (other suitable types are freesias and Singapore orchids)
Filler flowers of choice such as alstroemeria (other suitable types are sweet peas and wax flower)
Dried filler of choice such as thalaspi (other suitable types are misty and ti tree.
Silk filler can also be used instead of dried.
Foliage of choice such as fern (other suitable types are ficus and camellia foliage)
1 container
Dry foam ( This is a special foam suitable for dried flowers)
22 Gauge wire. Floral tape. Pot Tape
If
using fresh flowers use soaked foam. The soaked foam can be put in a flat
plastic bowl and placed on top of the container. If the container you are
using is deep you can fill it up with crumpled paper first.
1. Use a piece of foam large enough to support all the flowers. Place
the foam in the container. The foam should sit at least 2.5cm higher than
the top of the container to allow the side stems to be inserted into the
sides of the foam. Any gaps around the foam can be filled in with pieces
of crumpled newspaper. To hold the foam firmly in place, criss cross two
pieces of narrow pot or anchor tape over the top of the foam and down on
the sides of the container for 2.5cm (1").
2. The outline shape is now
formed using the foliage. The height should be at least one and a half to
twice the height of the container. Place the centre foliage stem in the
centre back of the foam. For extra support the ends of the foliage can be
wired by placing the centre of a 22 gauge wire x 23cm (9") behind the end
of the stem and wind the right hand wire twice around and bring the wire
ends straight down together. Cover the wire stems with tape for 5cm 2").
Another method is to dip the ends of the silk and dried flower stems into
strong craft glue
3. Cut two foliage stems to measure about half the
length of the centre foliage stem. Wire, if necessary, and insert one stem
into each side of the foam. Fill in between these three stems with the remaining pieces of foliage to form an oval shape, cutting each stem to the desired length.
4. Cut some shorter pieces of foliage and insert around the centre front of the foam.
5. Starting
at the top and working downwards, place the roses evenly throughout the design,
cutting the stems slightly shorter as you get towards the base. These lower
flowers in the centre should extend out slightly further than the other flowers.
If extra support is needed, the flower stems can be wired and taped as explained
for the foliage.
6. The small buds placed evenly around the edges,
cut the stems to the desired length, wire and tape each one, if extra
support is needed.
7. Cut pieces of foliage into short lengths and insert
in the centre of the arrangement, fanning them out to help fill in and cover
the foam.
8. The secondary flowers, lisianthus, are now placed evenly
throughout the arrangement. Cut each stem to the desired length, wire and
tape if needed. For the longer stems at the top, you will need long 22 gauge
wire x 45cm (18"). Insert these flowers evenly throughout the design.
9. The
filler flowers, alstroemeria, are now placed evenly throughout the arrangement.
Cut each stem to the desired length. Wire and tape if needed and insert
evenly throughout the design.
10. The dried flowers are now placed evenly
in the arrangement. Cut each stem to the desired length and insert evenly
around the edges. Cut some stems shorter and place them evenly in the centre
of the arrangement.
11. Turn the arrangement around to the back and fill
in with short pieces of fern. Extra spaces in between the flowers can be
filled in with pieces of moss.
Care of Silk Flowers
One of the advantages of using silk flowers is that they last for several years. To avoid fading, do not place the arrangement in direct sunlight. A feather duster can be used to dust the flowers and foliage. A vacuum cleaner can also be used - holding the nozzle close to the flowers.
Information for wiring and arranging silk and dried flowers is included
in our Floral Design Course. Many of our students make up their practical
lessons in silk and dried flowers so they have a permanent sample of each
lesson. In our floristry diploma course each lesson is fully explained step
by step with diagrams explaining how long to cut each stem and exactly where
to position each placement.
For full information on our floristry courses please click onto http://www.floral-art-school.com.au
You are welcome to forward this newsletter to family and friends.
We would love to know if you are enjoying our floral newsletter. You can email us on info@floral-art-school.com.au. Your comments are always welcome.
That's it for now
All the best to you.
Do have a lovely Mothers Day
As I am the mother of several cats and dogs (no children), I do hope they remember me on Mothers Day!
Warm Regards
Fay Chamoun,Principal
Floral Art School of Australia and
International Floral Design School
This
newsletter is written by Fay Chamoun, who is the Principal of Floral Art School
of Australia and International Floral Design School.
To subscribe to our newsletter or to read past issues, please click onto
http://www.floral-art-school.com.au/floralnewsletter.htm
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Copyright: All text and graphics are Copyright © 2003 Fay Chamoun, Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School.
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