Week Eight--Symmetrical Isosceles Triangle Arrangement

Today (week 8 in my floral design class) we learned how to construct a symmetrical arrangement based on an isosceles (equilateral) triangle. It was an interesting challenge because each of us had a different vase so each arrangement had to be proportioned to the vase that would contain it.

My container was a low plastic container so my arrangement ended up smaller and tighter than the other arrangements in the class. But I found the proportions easier when it came to achieving the triangle (which is kind of tricky when you're using round-ish flowers).

The other advantage to my arrangement being smaller was that I got done earlier. Since the triangle arrangement we were doing only contains a dozen main flowers (carnations in this case), I had leftovers of both my carnations and my wax flower. Since I had leftover time as well, I did up a quick symmetrical round arrangement for practice in a container I had in my tool kit--a goblet I found at the thrift store.


Once I got both arrangements home, I was happy to find that they fit perfectly on our fireplace mantle out of the reach of kitties that are dying to munch on the greens. The mantle ended up being a fine place to photograph both arrangements as well.

Easter Arrangement

I just completed week six's arrangement for my floral design class. I had chosen a pink and white color palette of lilies, ranunculus, tulips, snapdragons, and baby roses when I picked out my flowers yesterday at Trader Joe's. Once in class, our instructor pulled out the surplus of flowers she had in the fridges and said we could use whatever we liked. I chose the pink carnations and million star (often mistaken for baby's breath) as well as the basic leather leaf fern for filler.

Last week we were told that we would be doing an Easter arrangement in a basket of some sort that we were to provide. I had noticed others asking the instructor about less traditional baskets and thought my square basket would do nicely even though most people were going to use traditional low and oblong Easter basket (I didn't have one). With the oblong baskets half would be flowers and half would be filled a stuffed animal and other Easter decor. We have a packet of sample photographs for each week, and I saw that not all of them for this week had a stuffed animal in it, so I thought I'd be okay without one.

Once in class, when our instructor told us we were free to arrange things however we wanted for this one, I figured I'd be okay. One rule we needed to follow was that our arrangement was to be 1 1/2 times the height of our basket or the width of our basket, whichever was larger.


I got going purposefully making a one-sided arrangement so it would fit on our fireplace mantle once I got it home. Since we were being allowed to do whatever we wanted, I started playing with the idea of creating an "S" curve from top to bottom through the center of the arrangement with the lilies and snapdragons. Then I thought it would be interesting to use the pink carnations as filler instead of green leather leaf so the lilies would stand out on a background of pink instead of green.

I was feeling really good about the arrangement as it grew. The more flowers I got in it, the more I liked it. My classmates were giving me compliments too, so I figured I was doing good. My instructor stayed pretty quiet. I figured it was because she was helping others and also doing her own arrangement.

When I got done, she came over to look at mine. She commented that it was definitely an "en masse" arrangement. Right then, I knew that she didn't like it. She made a few more comments about how she was going to teach me to do arrangements other than "en masse" ones. Then I really knew she didn't like it.


I felt like a heel. Everyone else was being a good follower, using the right shaped basket with the stuffed animal, and I was sitting there with an arrangement that was clearly not what she had wanted us to do. I felt like it had been a secret test, and I had failed miserably. And being a classic "people pleaser" that needs assurance from authority figures makes the whole thing smart even more.

The sad part is, it's a beautiful arrangement. I'm certain that if it was for sale in a shop, there would be someone that would fall in love with it and buy it. I could probably sell more than one like this.

The other sad part is, I love en masse arrangements that have little or no greenery. I love bouquets without greenery. I love photographs of flowers en masse without greenery. I love the repetition of colors and forms. It pleases my aesthetic. But it seems that my aesthetic is in direct contrast to my instructor's aesthetic.

This is a repeated theme in my life. In many creative classroom settings in the past, I've ended up being the "black sheep" whether I intended to or not. I really wanted this time to be different. I really wanted to conform and be the "good student" for once. I'm really going to try, but somehow I think I've already been labeled as the "problem child".

Long and Low

Click image to view larger

Today was week 5 in my floral design class at the adult education center in our town. And our arrangement was really exciting to construct. It's called a "long and low" arrangement. It is intended to be used as a centerpiece for a table or an arrangement for a buffet or sideboard. The candle adds a touch of elegance to it.

This week I bought my flowers myself and brought them to class. I had the option to have our instructor pick up flowers at the San Francisco Flower Mart, but I wanted the fun of picking out my own. Costco has a good assortment of fresh flowers, so I did my shopping there yesterday.

At Costco, I was able to find all the flowers I needed (and then some) but I couldn't find any filler. When I got home, I thought about what I might have growing in the garden that might be suitable. I decided to cut some branches of camellia greenery and also some fronds off a wonderful conically shaped fern I have beneath the camellia bushes. I was a bit nervous about bringing them to class, because I wasn't sure if our instructor would consider them appropriate. When I got to class, my instructor immediately recognized the camellia and then shared with us that it is a great filler to use for arrangements. I told her I was really happy I'd been brave enough to bring it. That taught me that I need to trust my gut instincts a bit more when it comes to this new venture of floral design.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today, I spent the afternoon in my third week of floral design class. Last week, I had asked our instructor to try and find me some green carnations for St. Patrick's Day. And she did!

We learned how to make a symmetrical arrangement today. Part of the arrangement was learning how to wire eucalyptus stems. Along with that lesson came the lesson that woring with eucalyptus makes your fingers very sticky (fortunately, I had gloves).

As simple as a symmetrical design looks, I have to tell you that it is a very difficult arrangement to achieve. Mine isn't truly symmetrical, but I can't be too hard on myself because it was my first attempt.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!

Pink Carnations & Chocolate

Click on image to view larger

In this week's floral design class (Week 2), we learned a lot of basics--cutting and placing the foam oasis, wiring stems, symmetrical placement of fronds and flowers. Each student ended up creating pretty round-ish arrangements with baby carnations and leather-leaf.

Last week, we were told to bring a vase or mug for the arrangement that had a mouth about 3" to 3 1/2" wide and was a medium height. After hunting at the thrift store and finding two vases for future arrangements, I went to T.J. Maxx and found a lovely hot cocoa mug that was pink and brown! Well, of course I had to get that. I was just hoping that my instructor was able to get the right color flowers for my mug. Imagine my delight when she brought out the flowers at the beginning of class (she procured them at the San Francisco Flower Mart yesterday), and one bunch was my favorite shade of pink. And it was the perfect pink for my mug!

Another fun find at T.J. Maxx was the cute pink and brown box with the retro graphic that is featured in my portfolio shot of the floral arrangement. I'm teaching myself how to make fabric and paper covered boxes. This will be a fun one to recreate. The mug also came in its own little matching box so I have another "template" to play with.

And in case you're wondering... the "Carnation Parfait" is still beautiful and looking fresh after a whole week! Amazing!

Carnation Parfait

Click on image to see it larger

Today, I attended my first floral design class. We have a wonderful adult education center here in town that offers an array of classes ranging from GED completion to computer skills to creative skills. This beginning floral design class is the first of many that I will be attending in order to achieve my certificate in floral design.

To receive certification I will need to attend 60 classes (180 hours of instruction). I will leave each 3 hour class with a fresh flower arrangement in-hand. Part of the requirement for the certification is to photograph each floral arrangement we create and put the photographs in a binder that will be used for certification. And when that same binder is also a portfolio of our work to be used for getting florist jobs. That means there will be 60 pages of 60 arrangements in my portfolio. Pretty beefy portfolio to walk away with, isn't it?

At 3 hours of instruction a week, it will take a while to complete the certification process, but I am thrilled at the prospect of being able to acquire a valuable marketable skill while still doing all the other things that I do in my life. If for some reason I ever need to go back to working for someone else, the thought of going back to an office makes me queasy. Since I've been attracted to floral design since I was a young girl, this seems like a much better option to me. I told Hubby that this will be a good "fall back" skill in case I ever need it.

Another reason why I'm taking this class is to make it possible for me to broaden my photographic horizons and have more subject matter with which to create my photographic art. I can already tell after one class (and one adorable floral arrangement which I'm calling "Carnation Parfait") that I'm going to have a lot of fun with this.

And another bonus... every time I walk by the mantle, I get a whiff of the spicy aroma of carnations. Not a bad fringe benefit, I'd say.