Wow, I can’t quite believe it’s been over a year since I last blogged! I have really missed it but with Evie being so small last year. I had little time nor the energy to muster up a blog post. Consequently things unfortunately got a little neglected on here. However not this year! I intend to get back to blogging more regularly. Kicking off with embracing the season and letting creativity flow. Sharing with you my day spent with the lovely Leanne from Wildstone Floral. Last Autumn during our one to one workshop.

One of Leanne’s main focuses for the day was to learn how to create foam free installations. So the hanging piece was the start of our design. I adore how the piece evolved throughout the day between us bouncing ideas off each other. Experimenting with placing stems in different positions and places. Letting the creativity flow organically allowing the flowers to guide us with where they look best.

Leanne pictured above with our final creation. We fully embraced the season too with beech foliage that I had foraged. At the most perfect time as the leaves had started to turn golden shades of yellow and brown tones. The autumnal grasses added texture and depth to the design as well. Then there were the British Japanese Anemones and Cosmos. Offering us their perfectly imperfect wiggly stems that we couldn’t get enough of! We also had British Aster’s with their beautiful blush blousy heads. We decided would look great all grouped together in the hanging installation rather then dotted around throughout the piece. 

Another area of focus for Leanne during our one to one workshop was floral styling. We incorporated elements of this into our design. At the time it was October and again fully embracing the season I couldn’t resist sourcing some cute white pumpkins. That we nestled among the flower meadows at the bottom of the design. Along with some mini crab apples which we scattered. To look as if you would find them on the ground after they had fallen from the tree. I have to say Leanne very much came into her own by this point and was in her element. She has definitely got a real eye for placement! 

The moss was something we hadn’t originally planned on using. However as the design evolved we decided it would look great added at the bottom with the meadows. We wanted to bring the whole installation to life and add depth which I think the moss does perfectly. It acts as a background to the flowers letting them pop against it. We then placed a few of the daintier stems amongst the moss. Leading your eye again out of the design and blurring the lines of where it ends. 

So much gorgeousness was included in the floral meadows! Like the exquisite Verbascum which is one of my favourite flowers. In beautiful dusky muted shades along with their shape and movement. Positioned within the meadows seemed like the perfect place for her. Then there were those stunning British Dahlias, peachy Calendula’s (also British). Along with a few Asters we also wanted to incorporate to tie in with the hanging design. 

The installation by this point was very nearly finished. Although I might add we also consumed a delicious lunch in amongst all the flowering. That was enjoyed whilst having more flowery chat. Mainly discussing business related topics that Leanne wanted a bit of help with. We still had the debate of what to place on the table?

We both agreed to keep it simple with a few very carefully considered bud vases. That brought the whole design together perfectly. Whilst still allowing the hanging design installation and meadows to sing. The moss, crab apples and candles were then the final flourish before we both agreed the design was done! I can’t thank Leanne enough for such a wonderful day of creativity. She has so many exciting plans for her business and I can’t wait to see them come to fruition. If you don’t follow Wildstone Floral on Instagram do go and check out Leanne’s gorgeous account.

I hope you enjoyed today’s Embracing the Season and Letting Creativity Flow post. My books are now open for one to one workshops this year. If you were thinking about spending a day learning with me please do get in touch. The beginning half of the year is already looking quite busy but I do have some availability. I have also added all the dates for this years Floristry Taster Days. 

If you are thinking about a career change into Floristry then this class would be ideal for you. All the information and to book is over on the website.

The sun has been shinning here this week which has been most welcome. I was so chuffed as I even managed to do a bit of gardening earlier in the week. I hope your week is going well too.