Volume 1, Issue 4 September 2003
Flowers Make The Perfect Gift
Hello Dear Subscribers,
Flowers make the perfect gift for any occasion.
A gift of flowers is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, bereavements, get well wishes and just to show you care.
This arrangement features yellow calla lilies and foliage arranged in a tall container.
The arrangement is then wrapped in dark green tissue and cellophane and finished off with a ribbon bow and tails.
Calla Lily Arrangement
Materials used for this design are -
14 yellow calla lilies - other suitable flowers include roses, irises and tulips
Number one foliage of choice such as box, leather fern or eucalyptus gum
Number two foliage of choice such as laurel or camellia leaves.
One container approximately 18cm (7") high
One sheet tissue paper approximately 50cm x 50cm (20" x 20")
One sheet cellophane approximately 50cm x50cm (20" x 20")
1 1/4 metres ribbon
22 gauge florist wire
Twine
1.Fill the container three quarters of the way with water.
Insert number one foliage around the edges of the container fanning it out.
2.Fill in the centre with number one foliage. The top of the foliage should be at least one and a half times the height of the container.
3.Insert stems of number two foliage around the edges of the container.
4.Starting at the back, if flowers are different sizes, choose the one with the smallest head and cut the stem to the desired length and insert in the centre back of the container. Working downwards cut each stem of the remaining flowers to the desired length and insert into the container, having each flower head on a different level with a space between each flower head.
5.Place the tissue paper on top of the cellophane and place the container in the centre. Bring the cellophane and tissue up to the top of the container. To hold the cellophane and tissue in position, make a small fold like a pleat.
6.Secure it in place with a short piece of sticky tape. Turn the
container around and repeat this step several times. To hold the tissue and
cellophane in place, tie a piece of twine around the top of the container
and cut the ends short.
7.Cut off two pieces of ribbon about 30cm (12") long and place to one side.
8.Take the other piece of ribbon and form it into two figure eights -
one on top of each other - with the loops behind slightly longer. Wire
across the centre with a 22 gauge florist wire.
9.Place the two pieces of 30cm (12") ribbon criss cross on top of each other to make tails, and wire across the centre in the same way as for the bow.
10.Insert the bow and tails into the front of the container.
Positioning Flowers In Your Designs
For a natural look when positioning flowers in an arrangement they should not be placed so they all face in the same direction or they will look stiff and unnatural. In an upright design the flowers at the back should stand upright with the flowers to the left curving to the left and the flowers to the right curving to the right.
Flowers around the edges should be in profile. This looks
particularly effective using flowers with unusual shapes such as
lilies, irises and daffodils.
The centre flowers should face straight towards you and the flowers
in between the centre and the sides should be placed on a slight angle.
Avoid straight lines in your arrangements. Flowers all placed on the
one level will look stiff. Curved lines and flowers placed at different
heights help give movement to a design.
An arrangement that suddenly stops at the top edge of the container
will end too abruptly. Always bring some of the lower stems downwards to
flow over the edges of the container.
Full details on our Floristry Diploma Course are at http://www.floral-art-school.com.au
To subscribe to our newsletter or to read past issues please click onto http://www.floral-art-school.com.au/floralnewsletter.htm
Please feel welcome to forward this newsletter to friends who may be interested in floral design.
Take care and have a wonderful day!
Kind Regards,
Fay Chamoun, Principal
Floral Art School of Australia and
International Floral Design School
http://www.floral-art-school.com.au
About the Author and Publisher: This newletter is written by Fay Chamoun who is the Principal of Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School.
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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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