So I decided to clean out my purse...Part 1

So, I decided to clean out my purse...Part 1

My overstuffed envelope style messenger bag. 

Yes, I have been procrastinating about cleaning out my purse. I guess I was a little scared about what might be lurking at the bottom of it. I am the type of person that wears a purse to death. I don't stock pile them. I just toss them once they have lived their life.

I am willing to bet that I am not alone lugging around an overstuffed, big, heavy bag. Part of the reason for this is that I use my purse, not as a fashion statement, but to hold my lunch, or as a file cabinet, or just as a test subject to see how much they can hold without breaking the zipper. 

Make-up, Sunglass, coin, pill & contact
cases.

As part of my personal goal for becoming a more organized, I was checking out some of the cool things you can use in your bag. I was thinking if I made it pretty it might stay organized. Not everything is for everyone, but I got out to see what's available.

Pouchee (back ), coin purse/key case,
large & small flat wallets, zippered key

Pouchee's are great if you change handbags often or if you have a large bag and everything goes to the bottom. They are small (3" x 8") divided bag with pockets to hold items with ring handles.They hold lots of small items keeping them at your fingertips- not rolling around loose. 

Gem lights

There are also strip types of pockets (Joey's)  that you can fill and roll up to drop in your purse, Some might have a light so you can see in large bags or when you are in a dimly light restaurant, theater or at night in the car.

There are actual "fancy" lights that look like gems in several colors that light when you bounce your purse.

Pill case, contact, sunglass

If you wear contacts, I found several pretty clam type cases. The hard cover over the actual lens case not only looks pretty but should help keep the grit that ends up in your purse from collecting around the screw caps.

Hard sunglass cases are the hot ticket this season. Found them everywhere. Plain or glammed up.

Both for a buck!

Zippered bags containing 8 compartment pill boxes might be something to consider. I like to take vitamins throughout the day, so this is good for me.

 I got looking at Charming Charlie's, Target, and The Front Porch and realized a lot of what I was finding was  the same as some of my free bee make up cases (you know spend "x" and get the free gift at the cosmetic counter). Some looked like pencil cases. So I headed for The Dollar Store. Okay they were cheap but I like black and white.

My key case. Yes, my phone and pen happen to match.
So I like green.

Key cases come in a wide variety of choices. The one I stick with has a zippered case for my license, insurance and debit card. This is all I need for a quick trip to the grocery, or Redbox.

Wallets are another thing that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be an entire purse in themselves. I choose a flat wallet and hope I don't over stuff it. Collecting lots of change does in the hinges on these so if you invest in one, I suggest you dump your change at the end of the day or get a coin purse too. I use coins to I also have a coin purse.

One can achieve the same organization without purchasing all these items. First check your closets and dresser drawers for things that you can substitute. Ziplock bags can work too. If you are a sewer, cases don't take much fabric- zip some up.

Check out what's available and in my next post we can start cleaning.

English trough class

English Trough - Hypertufa Class

It's Saturday and my husband and I (mostly him) loaded up the Suburban and headed over the WCTC so I could hold my class on making English troughs, better known as hypertufa. The sun is shinig and doing this projects helps us get a jump on spring. 

Suburban looking pretty full

I need my husband to help me with this because Portland cement only comes in 94 pound bags - that's why this is a great class to take since once you open the bag moisture in the air or from the garage floor can be enough to make the whole bag harden.

Mixing tray, masks, gloves, fiberglass mesh, water jug, spray adhesive, plastic bags- supplies and mixing station.

Large bags of Peat moss, vermiculite, perilite, and Portland cement. One part cement to three parts other materials.

Dishpan used as mold and the completed hypertufa.

Making Hypertufa

Materials:

Portland Cement – Keep wrapped until ready to use

Sifted Peat Moss

Perilite

Vermiculite

Poly Fibers

Water

Mold – Box, bowl, flowerpot, etc. (Avoid things with straight sides.)

Mold liner – heavy plastic

Mixing container – sturdy watertight container that is large enough to hold ingredients and have room to spare for mixing.

Dust mask – Cement dust is extremely fine and remains dusty until completely wet.

Sturdy gloves- Wear gloves at all times while working with the ingredients.

Sturdy work surface and drop clothes.

Newspaper or towels for cleanup.

Optional:         Cement colorant

1” thick foam board to fit inside box to form legs by cutting a 2” square

                                    From each corner

                        Materials for texturizing the outside of the form – leaves, bubble wrap, etc.

                        Shells, stones, or other embellishments to decorate with

                        Nail or stick to form drainage holes

Directions:

Prepare box by inserting lid flaps inside to stabilize.  If you wish to make legs on your base, insert foam piece into box.  Line the box with large plastic bag or plastic sheet.  The liner will help retain moisture in the hypertufa pot as it cures and helps keep the box intact while it dries.  If you wish to texturize the outside of the container by adding leaves or flowers, now is the time to set it up.  Use spray glue to adhere the botanicals to the plastic.

Put on your dusk mask and gloves. Gently pour the hypertufa mixture into the mixing container. Three parts organics to one part Portland cement. Add the cement and mix gently keeping dust to a minimum.  Add colorant if desired.  Slowly add about ¾ water.  Mix very thoroughly and use as little water as possible to make a workable mixture.  Do not allow the mixture to become soggy or it will not be able to stick to the sides of the mold.  As you mix, test mixture.  When squeezed it should remain in a ball, then it’s ready.  If it becomes too wet, add a little peat or vermiculite or let it sit for about 15 minutes and it may thicken.

Alphabet Week

Alphabet Week...

In my floral design class this week we are covering line designs. These designs are open with a lot of negative space. My students will have a choice of making several variations of the  right angle or "L-shape", a crescent or inverted crescent -"C or U - shape" or a Hogarth -"S-shape". 

These designs are one sided but must have some interest in the back because you can see into them since they are so open. It is important that they contain visual depth, spacing, form and dominance.

These are the samples I made:

Inverted  Crescent of  Fuji mums,  freesia, pussy willow and wax flowers.
 Lynn Laufenberg, designer

Hogarth - Italian ruscus, Fuji mums,  freesia and statice.
Lynn Laufenberg, designer


The Hogarth is the only design style named for a person rather than a geometric form. Edward Hogarth was a painter and believed the "S" shape is the most beautiful form.

 I think these styles are very interesting to view and have many places they can be beautifully displayed. Once you create one, you will know how just a few blossoms can create a large open, graceful arrangement without much effort for a hall or buffet table, dresser or bathroom counter top display. If you can't tell, this is one of my favorite design style to create.

Illuminary Design

Last night was my monthly garden club meeting. We are a design group focusing on floral design, not gardening. Each month we do a program and workshop focusing on a different design style. 

Technically, I belong to two garden clubs and neither one is involved with gardening - they both are focused on floral design. I joined then specifically to strengthen and broaden my design skills.

Last night it we examined  Illuminary Design. This is a creative design incorporating light/s for special effect. The lighting MUST be an integral part of the design, and effect readily apparent. The lights must be incorporated into the design with the mechanics concealed in an artful manner. Effects of lights must be subtle, not disturbing.

Here are some of the designs presented:       
               by Judy Newman

 by Laurie Wareham

The Illuminary Design is not something that you would pick up at the grocery store or have delivered for a birthday. this style of design is used in Flower Show Competition. They are more difficult to do than you might think since the element of  lighting should be subtle but must  be considered when looking at the principals of design: rhythm, balance, dominance, contrast, proportion, and scale. 

by Esther Demerdash

Hopefully, you might make a point to view a local flower show. Besides the flower arrangements, flower shows contain a horticulture division featuring cut home grown flowers and foliage specimens and container plants. Many Flower Shows are offered at botanical gardens, museums, libraries as well as  flower and garden shows. Watch your newspapers and attend since members put on to educate the public in design and horticulture. They are always delightful!

Sunday is Bridal Consultation Day....

Sunday is Bridal Consultation Day....

When I work on Sundays I am usually busy consulting with brides, offering options and opinions. They usually wear me out, but I feed off their enthusiasm.  I truly do love to know all the details. I do care. It helps me get a better overall feel of what their style is and the look they are trying to achieve for their memorable day.

Hey, all you floral designers out there- remember this is their wedding not yours. Okay, sometimes that's hard to do cuz you want them to have the prettiest, most memorable, wedding day ever, but it is still their day.We need to respect the choice that are made, pretty or not. Most times their mothers don't get it either. They either feel like its the wedding they didn't have or they are so focused on what things cost they don't pay attention to anything else being said. We don't need to relive those weddings from the 70's even if everything old is new again. (Blues and babies breath, bla!)

BRIDES- come to your first consultation prepared with picture of things you like and come alone. Nail down your preferences, then do a return visit with the mothers or your maid of honor to get their opinion on the choices you have made. This will help to insure you don't spend 2 hours making compromises you might later regret.

My boss once asked me why I don't take pictures of all the weddings I create. My answers was that they are not my choices. The best flowers are not always used. I often don't care for the color combinations and most times the choices are made very cost consciencely. This is not to say that I don't do my best work with the product available. I only photograph bouquets I truly like, so not every one I make is picture worthy.

It's suppose to be the bride's special day and I feel accomplished if she gets a product that she chooses for the look she wants to present at the price she wants to pay. Nothing like seeing the smile on her face when she first views her bouquet. 

February 15, 2013
Okay, I have finally decided to venture into the world of blogging. My goal is to post items of interest to floral designers, gardeners with crafty little bits on the side. It might take me awhile to find my tone but since this today is for myself I am impressed with myself for getting this fair. Wish me luck on this excursion!