I love flowers.  All kinds, all colors, all seasons.  So I absolutely loved watching Richard Haslam creating his “contemporary floral arrangements with a twist” last week.  Back a few years ago when I wasn’t completely swamped with my three kids’ activities, I was a member of a garden club.  I had so much fun learning how to create floral arrangements! (Thank you Spade & Trowel Garden Club of Manlius, NY!)  I guess I haven’t created any arrangements in a very long time, because I miss it.  The local garden club in Ardee hosted Irishman Richard Haslam for their Christmas arrangements demonstration.  What an enjoyable evening!  He has won two gold medals at the Chelsea Flower show, among other honors.  What I really enjoyed was how he spoke to the audience, and how personable he seemed.  His arrangements were fabulous.  I was really hoping to win one in the raffle at the end of the night, but no luck.  I’ll have to make my own!

I liked his idea of first putting silver garland around the wreath, and then adding baby’s breath (lots of it).  Who doesn’t like orchids?  I think it is a lovely alternative to the traditional Christmas wreath!  I’m afraid I don’t know the exact names of a lot of the flowers, he went too quickly for me to get that information.

This pink arrangement had a few levels. I think it looks completely different depending on the angle.  Definitely not your standard Christmas arrangement.

I loved this black, red, and green arrangement!  He said the fanned material was cane.  He opened it up and tied it (perfectly, of course) in front of us.  I love the unusual look it gives!

It doesn’t look like much in the picture above, does it?  But quick enough, he had it up and lovely! The flowers had their own tubes of water, which he had painted black.

His table arrangement was surprisingly tall.  He explained that you usually only spoke to the people next to you anyway!

That red stuff looks fabulous.  It is hiding his oasis.

Yeah, a little different, right?  Even as he was creating them, I was wondering how they’d turn out.  But I think I like them more for being that bit different. (ok, maybe I’d have left out the red cane sticks here and just stuck with the carnations?)

Keeping with the red theme, here is a great way to display roses!

I loved this one!  I’m allowed to say that more than once, right?  He lined the roses up on a table and then cut them accordingly.  It was such a “duh” moment for me, as I usually cut the flowers while holding them, put them in the vase, adjust, try again, and again!  How simple it really is once you learn the tricks.

Hey, that’s the ivy I’m pulling off of my Hawthorne trees! It looks lovely here.

Behind the roses, you can see the next arrangement. It has white roses, silver painted leaves, and is massive!

Purple and pink mantel piece arrangement with candles.  All I can say is that it worked!  It is beautiful.

I love those colors!

This arrangement was really nice as individual arrangements.  The finished product was quite impressive, but I’d prefer just one level.

It was nice to get out and see some creative arranging to get some new ideas!  My friend from book club invited me to go, and I’m so glad I did. Thanks Ciara!

Do you make your own Christmas arrangements? If so, happy creating!  🙂
Dana