tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82872832691641983312024-02-08T04:43:38.645-08:00Fi's FuschiaFi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-19018990064680961172010-11-01T00:47:00.000-07:002010-11-01T00:47:07.837-07:00Practise makes perfect... or almost perfect!Just a few pictures of things I've been testing out at home - it's fun playing with flowers and I'm officially obsessed! Everywhere I go, I'm looking at what I could do with flowers and foliage, I see containers I could use or ideas I store away in a little compartment in my mind for future use!<br />
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My daughter helped with with the last arrangement as it was for Hallowe'en :-)<br />
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That's it for now - back to college on 9th November and am looking forward to more inspirational learning!Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-75342613071870286942010-10-23T06:05:00.000-07:002010-10-23T06:05:16.226-07:00Last lesson, candle decoration and orders flooding in!Quick post this week as I'm a busy little bee!<br />
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It was the last college lesson on Tuesday and I made this, which I think speaks for itself somewhat...<br />
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I think it was the hardest thing we've done so far, but also think it's the best!<br />
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I've got lots of orders for Christmas arrangements and have had to say "no more" as I can't take too much on at this stage (working full time and being a parent makes sure of that!) but I'm very excited and also hoping I don't let people down!<br />
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Mandy has invited us all to spend time in her shop on 12th December to learn how to make wreaths - I am so looking forward to that and think it's a lovely and kind gesture!<br />
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Here's to the fuschia! Ha.Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-8937601898017413762010-10-13T00:11:00.000-07:002010-10-13T00:11:43.225-07:00Penultimate night at collegeI cannot believe I've had four out of five lessons already. Time really does fly when you're having fun doesn't it!<br />
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Last night, we made a vase arrangement. I kept mine simple using a clear vase, clear water, light pink gladioli and some interesting twirly twigs which I threaded slightly between the buds of the flowers.<br />
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I love the fact that vase arrangements can be so interesting - it never crossed my mind before to do anything more than place flowers in a vase - never again will I do that! The possibilities to make it more beautiful and interesting are endless!<br />
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After this, Mandy demonstrated how to do a front facing arrangement and then we all had a go. This was, as I suspected, quite tricky. I had the general idea right of grouping types of foliage and flowers but needed some guidance on placement at times. I am SO happy with how it's turned out and this is something I will really enjoy practising. I can relate to forming a structure, which is basically what this is, and think I can put my creativity to really good use.<br />
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This week I've been asked to make various things for different people for a variety of reasons and am looking forward to rising to the challenge!Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-18168006182912484342010-10-05T13:39:00.000-07:002010-10-05T13:39:26.999-07:00I need four arms to do hand tied bouquets.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKuLxmmUm3I/AAAAAAAAAAg/Cz7-j9FiFYs/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKuLxmmUm3I/AAAAAAAAAAg/Cz7-j9FiFYs/s320/011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After last week's lesson I was so excited, and had some flowers left, that I made some more arrangements on my own at home, and experimented a little with design on one of them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKuMckt_5BI/AAAAAAAAAAk/AUmhoYAXJxc/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKuMckt_5BI/AAAAAAAAAAk/AUmhoYAXJxc/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Tonight's lesson was, yet again, excellent!<br />
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We made hand tied bouquets. I used white lilies, bright pink gerbera, light pink crysanthemums, white alstromeria, eucalyptus leaves and bear grass.<br />
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It was very difficult holding all the stems whilst adding more and more flowers, and twisting, but I'm sure as I do more and gain strength in my arms I will improve. The hardest part was tying the stems together, at the same time ensuring that none of them moved and that they were tightly enough packed together.<br />
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Then the test... I held it upside down. RESULT!!!! Test number two - does it stand up? With a bit of wiggling of the bottom, yes. The bottom of the stems of course! Haha.<br />
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I then dressed the bouquet in paper and sellophane and added water.<br />
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Results below - I am very pleased :-)<br />
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Next week we're making a vase arrangement and then a front facing arrangement (for a hallway or suchlike).<br />
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In the meantime, I have yet again got lots of flowers and foliage left over and will ensure they are put to good use :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKuMxVvAo9I/AAAAAAAAAAo/ReAo6fyP3oU/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKuMxVvAo9I/AAAAAAAAAAo/ReAo6fyP3oU/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-26535810270852236192010-09-28T13:13:00.000-07:002010-09-28T13:30:47.052-07:00Second college class and I could be a pro already! Ha!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKJKgKBZtnI/AAAAAAAAAAc/9NYR49B8eRo/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TKJKgKBZtnI/AAAAAAAAAAc/9NYR49B8eRo/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Second college class tonight and the above is the result. I am SO pleased with it! The tutor said to the lady next to me and to me "if that was made in my shop I'd let it go out the door" - I'm absolutely gobsmacked that she said that and could have cried with happiness! Maybe it was just a confidence boost from her to us, but I like to think she was telling the truth (she seems the honest sort ;-) ) and am really chuffed!!!<br />
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Inside this basket are lilies, crysanthemums, carnations, gypsophila and foliage including eucalyptus and skimmia. There's also some really lovely purple foliage I found that I don't know the name of but it's beautiful and smells divine. <br />
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I just need to gain confidence that what I am doing is right - I am still very tentative and I need to be more bold with my flower placement (or stuffing as our wonderful tutor calls it hehe) decisions.<br />
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Next week we're doing a hand tied bouquet - that's going to be very tough but I am looking forward to it a lot!<br />
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I am loving this challenge and just want more more MORE!Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-34802466154102127252010-09-25T16:34:00.000-07:002010-09-25T16:34:59.025-07:00Supplies!!Today, I shopped.<br />
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I love to shop. A lot.<br />
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Usually, shoes and clothes are my money magnet... but today it was the flower arranging section in Hobbycraft (in Eye, Peterborough).<br />
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Oh my goodness, I could have spent the entire day (and an awful lot of money) in there.<br />
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As it was, I had a budget of £50 and managed to get floristry scissors, knife, trays, tape, a vase, stones to go in the vase (I've got an idea of something to try - hopefully it will look as good as my imagination thinks it will!) and lots of oasis for just £40!<br />
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I also got a book of flower arrangement ideas for £2.99 in the shop next door - I do love a bargain!<br />
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When I got home my neighbour came out for a natter (she's lovely - gave my daughter a birthday gift even though we barely know her, aww) and we got chatting about the flower arranging - she told me that when I'm a bit more accomplished she'd like me to make her an arrangement and that she'll tell her friends about me too! How lovely and kind of her!<br />
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I'm going shopping tomorrow for flowers to take to college but might buy a few extra to practice on at home!Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287283269164198331.post-48826188335050716352010-09-23T14:44:00.000-07:002010-09-23T14:45:51.142-07:00The background, the decision and the first creation.Floristry is something I've dreamed of exploring for many years, however I've never even pushed myself to try arranging flowers.<br />
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I was always preoccupied with something else - mostly something "sensible" and "mature" and "the done thing", and my dream laid dormant at the back of my mind. At 18 I met a man, got engaged and moved in with him, married at 22 and had a beautiful baby girl at the age of 25. We later split up and divorced, and I am now a single parent who works full time in administration. I don't have time for anything else, right? I can't possibly be selfish and do something I love to do - I need to remain in a steady job and wait until my daughter is older and independant before I make drastic changes. Right?<br />
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This attitude all changed recently when, as my 32nd birthday came and went, after years of working in an office setting, I decided once and for all that I was well and truly fed up with it and that I needed to embark on following my dream. Why at 32? I have no idea. One "normally" has this kind of epiphany when they hit a "milestone" birthday, but at 30 my life, not to mention my mindset, was quite different - the past has, however, made me the person I am today. Clichéd perhaps, but the absolute truth. At 32, I am finally realising that I need to make the most of my life - why do we realise these things when we are so many years into adulthood? It makes no sense to me. I should have learned from others - oh but we humans never do this do we? We always have to learn the hard way, and waste precious time in the process.<br />
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Ah, I digress. Back on topic.<br />
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I had no idea how or where to start. I telephoned all the local florists asking if they would consider allowing me to volunteer in their shop. One sounded like a hopeful prospect and I sent in my CV, only to hear absolutely nothing from her. One of the florists I spoke with was a total delight and I found myself being incredibly disappointed that she couldn't accommodate me for some volunteer work. Back to the drawing board I went.<br />
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Over the space of a few weeks, I researched flower arranging and floristry courses. Most were full time courses therefore not an option for me. I absolutely want this to be my new life, but I still need to cling onto a slight amount of sensibility and remain employed elsewhere - there are bills to pay after all. I almost enrolled on a one day course with a local florist but the fact it cost £250 unfortunately swayed my decision towards the negative - it was not a payment I could justify - yet another disappointment.<br />
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I was about to give up, when a prospectus for Stamford College magically appeared on my doormat. I'm certain it was the Flower Fairies who placed it there. There it was. A course that is spread over five consecutive Tuesday evenings - Flower Arranging For Beginners. Twenty five whole UK Pounds was the cost. I excitedly enrolled, and my lovely Mum agreed to babysit for the whole five weeks. I will continue for a further five Tuesdays after this as I have also enrolled on the Intermediate Flower Arranging Course.<br />
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On Tuesday night, it was finally time for my first evening at college. On arrival, I realised that the tutor was none other than the delight of a florist I had spoken to on the 'phone only a few weeks prior. Does anyone else believe in fate, or is this coincidence?<br />
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It was a fabulous evening - our tutor demonstrated a simple small tray arrangement, and then we were let loose with actual flowers of our very own. 15 ladies all using their individual creativity - we were given the exact same amount of flowers and foliage, and we each produced something different to the next.<br />
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I looked at my creation and could have cried right there and then out of happiness and pride in myself. I could not stop smiling, and immediately after the class I wanted to go back and do more. I have brought my arrangement home, and every time I walk past I give it a little smile and look forward to the next time...<br />
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Tuesday evenings are the new "Me Time"!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TJvKDvRA0gI/AAAAAAAAAAU/Cc8HsQj7n7U/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lDR_ooEYw8M/TJvKDvRA0gI/AAAAAAAAAAU/Cc8HsQj7n7U/s320/004.JPG" /></a></div>Fi's Fuschiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15431958653490729420noreply@blogger.com0