I just got back today from my IRN Boston conference and it exceeded my expectations.  It was so much fun, as well as educational.  It is amazing how many classes can be fit into a three day period! 

Some of my Irn friends!

Some of my favorite seminars that I enjoyed and learned the most from were: ‘ The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about Flooring’,  Social Networking and Benjamin Moore “, and  ”Color Pulse 2012″.    One class I found so interesting was by Janet Lennox Moyer, a world renowned lighting expert, ‘Light Sculpts Space.’  She explained how lighting should also be carried to the outside of your home so beautiful views outdoors can be seen in both daylight and at night.  She also described how to light outdoor ‘vingettes’ using a tall tree as the vertical object, shrubs as the background wall and a sculpture as the focal point where the lighting should be the brightest.

Janet Moyer Design

Me

Ok, I know you are waiting for my flower arranging article.  I saved the best for last.  My very favorite class I enjoyed was  titled “Floral Design”.  I was excited even before the class because I think flowers are so important in a home and I couldn’t wait to learn more about arranging during the class. I shared my knowledge of flower arranging here, which you can see was not much at the time.  I am going to list a few facts about cut flowers she taught us that you may not know (like me).

When getting flowers ready to put in a vase, first strip the lower foliage off the stem then use a knife to cut stem at a 45 degree angle and put in hot scalding water (as hot as your hands can stand under facet) and a flower preservative in a vase.  You should dump your water out every few days, cut and again put in vase with scalding hot water and preservative.

When you cut a flower stem, be sure to cut at an angle with a knife, not scissors.  Scissors actually pinch the end and prevents the flowers from drinking.

If you are shopping at a flower market, there is a better selection at the beginning of the week.

If you buyyour flowers at a supermarket and they are wrapped in plastic, try to remove plastic as soon as possible to prevent mold.

Did you know tulips grow 2″ after they are cut?  It is best to keep tulips together as tight as possible and not put them in water until ready to use.  Tulips come from Holland and are dormant until put into water.  And another thing about tulips and other cut flowers- keep them away from apples!  The gas from the apples causes the flowers to wilt and die.

The best place to buy cut flowers is at the flower farmer’s market for selection and price.  I checked for RI- there are none.  Other places to buy fresh would be the supermarket (buds not yet open are best to purchase) or your local flower store.  I searched and searched online for a place where you could buy individual flowers.  The only way to purchase online is in bulk. I do not think we will need 44 hydrangea stems at $95.00 for our little arrangement.

Your vase height should be 1 and 1/2 times the height of your flowers.

When making fruit arrangements, do not use apples because they will spoil the other fruit quickly.

Did you know you can not use daffodils with other flowers? Daffodils have poison in their stems which will kill the other flowers.

Oasis is the most used and trusted product to making flower arrangements.  Oasis comes in many shapes and sizes and easy to cut to your specifications.  Always soak your Oasis in hot water and flower preservative for at least one hour before using. Use a large bucket and let the Oasis sink itself to draw in water- do not push down or middle will not be able to draw in water. 

When using lilac or other wood stems, smash cut end with a hammer before immersing in water.

If your hydrangeas are wilting, stick the heads in water and shake a little to revive them.

Below is an arrangement the teacher made while we watched.  She made it look so easy!  But we know it is not.

Beautiful!  She did make it look easy enough that I might give it a try.  The teacher is actually a friend of mine from the IRN, Valerie Spelman.  Stay tuned and I will try to get Valerie to make a floral project step by step for us.

What do you say?  If you would like her to visit and show us how to make a great looking but easy floral arrangement, comment below yay or nay!

If you need help with making your home happy and comfortable, contact me today!