Budding Passion for Floristry!

 

With the passion to learn how to make pretty flower arrangements and bouquets, I signed up for a two- part course at Jamison Flower School. With no knowledge of how to arrange and care for flowers, it was the perfect class for beginners. By the end of the first class I was keen to practice my newly learnt skills at home. By the end of the second class I felt confident I had learnt the basics, and eager to learn more!

I am on the call list for the more advanced class which is soon to be announced, I can't wait!

Here are just a few tips and tricks I have learnt (although I would highly recommend doing a class yourself to learn hands- on, the floristry teacher and horticulturalist are very knowledgeable and very patient!):

• Your vase should be filled with 1/3 of water.
• The water needs to be changed every 2-3 days.
• Remove the leaves of the flowers and foliage that will end up below the water line, as they contaminate the vase water and look unattractive.
• To make an arrangement, hold your thumb and middle finger together to make a circle, then cross stems through the middle, holding very loosely.
• Start with foliage, then add a focal flower to the middle, then keep adding your other flowers, creating a curved dome shape. Always use odd numbers.
• Add more foliage to the outside if necessary.
• When you are happy, check where the flowers will sit in the vase, and cut the stems accordingly.
• Be careful not to cut too much, remember you can always cut more!
• Cut stems individually and on an angle, so they can absorb more water.
• Stems should not touch the bottom of the vase.
• To make a bouquet (as opposed to an arrangement), once you have removed the leaves, spiral the flower stems in one direction instead of using the crossing technique.

 

So whether it's cutting flowers from your garden or a friends, buying stems from the florist, or buying a bouquet from the supermarket and rearranging them how you like, give it a try and brighten up your home!

 

For whoever sees them, it might just brighten up their mood too!

 

25 Words or Less

Recently I was asked to 'Tell us about yourself in 25 words or less' to apply for an exciting new experience. Quite the challenge, I thought. But an interesting little task.

Here is what I came up with:
 
Wanderluster, photographer, book obsessed, ice-cream enthusiast, right brain, first on the dance floor, chaser of sunshine, adventure, that perfect wave and that perfect light!


What 25 words would you use to describe yourself?

Succulent Sunset

 

Loveliness on my balcony at sunset one evening...

 

What I love about this space is that when the sun comes out, it is just so warm and inviting.

 

 

 

Again (see previous Chamelion Cacti post) I chose a brightly coloured box from ISHKA http://www.ishka.com.au/ for my new succulent to live in.

 

All they need to survive and thrive is a lot of sun and a just a little water!

Custom- designed Glow In The Dark Sticker

As the big kid I often am, I was looking everywhere for a company that makes cool glow in the dark stickers. There was none in the shops, so I went online. I found a company called Dezign with a Z http://www.dezignwithaz.com/, who take orders for custom designed glow stickers. So I sent them this moon face and stars drawing I did last year, and they made it into a glow in the dark sticker for me...  so cool!

 

 

I love the result! It was too tricky for them to include the fine detail seen in the original drawing, but I am happy with it otherwise, and although I am not able to get a photo that shows the full effect, I can tell you it glows beautifully! The perfect addition to my bedroom ceiling :)

2015 Artwork

I drew this picture on the first day of the year. I coloured this picture today, nearly three months later. That's how scared I was of ruining it!

Sick Day Feels

 

He stayed until midday,

my caring boyfriend

Brought me breakfast from the cafe,

and we snuggled in bed.

 

I coughed, sneezed, and felt pretty gross

But still, my morning time friend stayed close.

 

The big hand struck 12,

and the little one too

He had to leave,

had things to do.

 

So me and flu will hang out today

Not doing much, just passing the day

With blankets, warmth,

and a hot chai latte.

 

 

Love Your Sister and Camp Quality

Love Your Sister, love this book! My brother gave me this book for my birthday and it has been one of those life changing reads that will stay with me forever.

This book is co- written by brother and sister team Connie and Samuel Johnson, after Samuel embarked on and finished the longest unicycle ride in the world around Australia to raise awareness 'Don't fall into the booby trap' and funds (over $1.8 million raised) for breast cancer. At the age of 33, sister Connie was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. This was Connie's third cancer diagnosis, after being diagnosed with cancer at age 12 and 22.

Connie herself talks about going through her childhood friend she met in the hospital dying, her struggle with bullying at school while going through chemo and losing her hair, and now her worry for her children's future - Connie and Samuel's mother committed suicide when they were very young, so they have very little memory of her- will Connie's children grow up knowing anything about their mother?

Although there were times I had to put this book down and have a break, as the writing is extremely honest and really tears at your heartstrings, it is also one of the most uplifting and inspiring stories I have ever heard. What inspired me so much about this story was how this huge campaign changed Connie's life, and how she changed Sam's. Sam's zest for life was re- discovered while doing this unicycle ride. As a celebrity (I watched him on the Secret Life of Us as a teenager), he previously struggled to trust people, often feeling people were just after his money, and became deeply unhappy, also dealing with loss and suffering from bipolar disorder.

Connie asked Sam for the biggest favour of his/her life. To ride a unicycle for over 100km every day for a year, then each evening attended fund raising events in over 150 towns around the country. He ticked things off Connie's bucket list on the way, and partook in dares to raise money such as eating a live huntsman spider, to dressing up in an outfit specifically from Fyshwick in Canberra (woohoo Canberra!). Although Sam was himself left poor after the 3 years total of unemployment and full-time devotion to the Love Your Sister campaign, after meeting so many generous, everyday people and experiencing countless priceless moments, he spent many a night on the road wondering how he deserved such riches.

In Sam's words: 'This is about life, it's about finding meaning in the madness, it's about making something positive out of something negative, it's a happy story.'

I love this book, I love this story. I urge you to read it. It has inspired me to register as a volunteer for Camp Quality. Connie spoke in the book about how much she appreciated being able to go to these camps when she was younger, as she felt safe in the knowledge that the other kids at the camps understood and accepted her illness. I can't wait to hopefully be a part of brightening some young lives just a little with 'Fun therapy'.

To register as a volunteer, visit the website: http://www.campquality.org.au/public/how-you-can-help/volunteer.aspx