Just in time

To wish you all a Happy New Year.

My 2012 will, I hope, be all excitement, the joy (and trepidation) of leaving paid employment to concentrate on all things floral.

I wish you everything you wish for yourselves, good health, happiness and creativity.

A few highlights from the year just about to clear its desk......

Busy busy busy

A very busy but delightful week, rushing around doing

(a) a demonstration, not at St Pauls, but at Avenue House to the Finchley WI, as fine and lively body of women as you might wish to meet.  Fortunately for me I had help from the lovely Mrs. Davies, keeper of my sanity when the numbers went up from 17 to 26...

I think they enjoyed themselves anyway.

(b) (since this is a short list) was the wedding of one of my step-daughter's oldest friends from school.  Caroline's wedding present was the flowers, which it was my pleasure to do.

The ceremony was a Quaker one, so this small posy was for the Meeting House, just a small touch of decoration.

and here's the bouquet, with lovely Avalanche and Snowflake roses, white sea holly and brunia berries, which I kept thinking of as Carla Brunia.   Anyway, I think it turned out quite well.

Here's the buttonholes all ready for the off (with apologies for the poor quality of the photograph).  I love it when they are all lined up, swathed in tissue paper and with their pearl pins at the ready. Like the moment at a dinner party just before all the guests walk in, when your table is set and the glasses are sparkling.

It's a tad early for Christmas wreaths, so the remains of my demo had its baubles removed (less painful than it sounds) and replace with bits and pieces left over from said wedding.  Huge fun.  Still looks a bit Christmassy but what the hey.

Which begs the question, what are you doing on 11th December?  Will you be coming to the Christmas workshop?  I do hope so.  Email me if you'd like to book a place (but be quick, they're filling up fast!).

Onwards into November and another busy week with brides.  More to follow xx

New York, New York

So good they named it twice.

Everything done just a bit differently, from breakfast (two eggs any style, bacon and home fries) to flowers (out there on the street).  My first visit to what they call the flower market, on West 28th, between 7th and 8th.  What joy.

There were massed hydrangeas, huge bundles of foliage and some stuff I just couldn't identify...

but all of it really cool.  Fabulous sundries shops too - this one is Jamali.

I'm not usually a fan of silk flowers but a visit to Pany silk flowers emporium changed all that.

I had a fantastic time, but managed to restrain myself from buying anything or shipping vast quantities back to London.  I still love Covent Garden and Enfield, but sometimes it's nice to take a vacation.

Hope you've had great holidays this year too.
Sue
xx

Remembering

A non-floral blog, to remember and mark the passing of a friend.

Simon Turner died in the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001; in truth, I have avoided the tenth anniversary commentary, programmes and press coverage this week, but I think it is fitting to remember and to look forward.

I remember a sunny, happy Easter Saturday, when my friend Elizabeth was married.

I remember how much fun we had in the run-up to the wedding;  I had known Elizabeth and her family for many years and she came to live with us for a short while when she was first in London.  I remember her excitement at meeting Simon and how much in love they were.

I remember their deep joy when they discovered she was having their first baby.

I remember the brightness and blue sky of the September day when that dreadful tragedy occurred and Simon's life was taken. I remember standing with the crowds two days later on the hill up to St Pauls, in crystal clear sunlight and  listening to the Americans singing The Star Spangled Banner.  I remember standing a year later in St Pauls, watching the white rose petals fall from the Whispering Gallery, one for each life lost.

And then there was William, born into all that sadness, but as bright and beautiful as a child can be.

I was privileged to put some flowers at the front of the church where Simon's memorial was held.  I didn't take any pictures, but at Elizabeth's request, included Easter lilies, just as she had had in her bridal bouquet.

I remember feeling utterly helpless in the face of my friend's grief, but I remember also her strength and the changes she has brought about in her life since.

I remember visiting New York for the first time in 2006; I remember going to Ground Zero and seeing all the names still there, so many names and being unable to stop the tears. We will be there again next week and I feel sure that the changes being brought about there are nothing but positive.

Elizabeth has chosen to put the experience she had to use in helping others and is now working in counselling (here is her website).  She has also updated her book, The Blue Skies of Autumn and is giving the proceeds to the Red Cross.  If you'd like to think about buying a copy, it's available on her website and on Amazon.

Today I remember Simon James Turner, and all those who died on that day, especially his colleagues from the UK office of Risk Waters Publications.

I remember Elizabeth and William, and all the family, especially her brother and sisters.

To quote Philip Larkin, what will survive of us is love.

Autumn in the air

Even though August is still with us (for a few hours yet) it's beginning to feel a bit like autumn and the colour palette is changing from the pastels of summer into the richer shades..... My Big Jumper collection has been increased by one with a late bargain from Kew (the shop in Brent Cross rather than the gardens...). Just need some boots now.

Planning is underway for some new season events.  I am almost there in giving up the legal world, it will claim me for a little while longer, but only two days a week.  Then it's full time into the floral world, a much better place, despite the early starts and ruined fingernails.  Bring it on.

Earlier this year...

I got in the car and drove up to Stamford, a town of such beauty and historic interest that you half expect everyone to be in costume and the possibility of running into Rufus Sewell seems enhanced.  Anyway, I was thrilled to be going to visit the floral legend and emporium which is Miss Pickering's.  You will know that I am a huge fan of this very talented florist and blogger.  Her shop is a monument to gorgeousness.
I went for a day's tuition in floral arrangement (think of it as CPD for florists) and also some photographic tuition from the lovely Emily Quinton.

Here's the arrangement part;  Miss P's style includes masses of different foliage, lovely scents and amazing colours and textures, so this is probably what we call a pale imitation, but I had a lot of fun (and rhubarb muffins, v. delicious).

Emily's tuition was very helpful too, I discovered parts of my camera I never knew existed....still lots to learn.

The other highlight of my day was meeting The Hound, who is Miss Pickering's shop dog in residence, who keeps an eye on all the comings and goings.  He is charm personified, considering he is something of a celebrity dog and has his own blog. 

Miss P was happy for me to take pictures of the Hound and he graciously agreed.  With due deference to my own lovely dogs, the Hound is indeed very handsome.  Who needs Rufus Sewell?

Waiter, there's a flower in my soup

Here's something I tried out recently, flowers not waving but in some cases drowning.  

Although these don't last so long, they do have a bit of impact I think, especially the leaves, which are always great for concealing stems.

I chose some brights (tulips, ranunculus, roses and germini) and some zingy green carnations to take the edge off January and its inherent greyness.  The ones under water are magnified a bit, so you get more flowers for your money.


Visiting a wedding venue tomorrow, very exciting..... love is in the air.