Floral Arrangements Guide

Unlike most creative arts, floral arrangement has the advantage of natural, not man-made material.

In all the centuries of mankind we have been unable to reproduce the thrilling combination of soft texture, graceful lines, radiant color and delicate scent found in a single rose.

Science has, however, greatly advanced the planting of garden flowers by constant research and experiment.

History shows us that as far back as 562 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon designed the beauti­ful "Hanging Gardens" for his wife, Amytis. They are one of the "Seven wonders of the world."

Today we see about us our own lovely gardens, some formal, some informal, designed to enclose our homes in an aura of enchantment.

The desire to bring some of this beauty into our homes gave birth to the art of flower arrangement, which is by no means a new one.

The Japanese people used it centuries ago in their daily life and re­ligion. There it is called "Ikebana" and is an art for all of us.

All we need is the appreciation of beauty and a few flower arrangement implements.

The fields, woods, brookbanks, gardens, and of course your local flower shop are abun­dant with the many varieties of plant materials used in flower arrange­ment.

As you page through this site, you will find that it tells in simple copy and illustrations, just what you want to know about your new hobby.

The possibilities of Floral Arrangements are unlimited.

Donald Trosper, Author

©Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach™,http://www.susandunn.cc . Author of “How to LiveYour Life with Emotional Intelligence,” (http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html )and The EQ Foundation Course©, 12 modules on theInternet that can change your life
22e1 I had to laugh when I read that quote recently. I particularly remember a time in my merry life when I had two sons, 3 dogs, my clothes filled two
closets in my home, I owned Madeleine pans, exotic juicers, a regular and a gourmet coffeemaker, 3 sets of flatware, 10 tableclothes, 10 sets of
placemats for 6 or 8, and formal china
tablesettings for 12 … and most “cluttering” of all, a social calendar that was unmanageable.

Life is a series of stages, and there is the “acquiring” stage.

However, there came a point where I felt
overwhelmed by my “blessings” and took a look at what was going on. At the time, my boyfriend, who was a stock broker, kept saying, “Simplify,
simplify.” He lived what I considered a “Sparten existence.”

It caused me to take a look at the whole picture. I was exhausted all the time. I went to a therapist; too bad there weren't coaches then. She said I was “trying to do too much.” I
interpreted it that I wasn't capable of handling all these things, and redoubled my efforts.

Coaches make things more clear. “Why are you doing what doesn't bring you pleasure?” would've been the question to ask. Eventually I asked myself that question and here are some of the things I did.

THE CLOTHES
I was still operating from an old childhood scarcity-mentality. I never had “enough” clothes in high school, not because my parents couldn't afford it, just that they didn't want to spend
their money on that. I started babysitting rigorously to buy myself clothes and makeup and stuff. Not a bad thing to do, but I realized that
time was over. I gave a number of things to Goodwill, set aside a space-allotment, and stuck to it.

I did have to “dress” for my profession at the time (PR), so I chose two outfits I could accessorize in infinite ways. Scarves, jewelry and pins take far less storage space!

THE DOGS
Two were strays we had “adopted,” under pressure from my good-hearted son. However, they were difficult dogs, not having been well-raised, and took far more work than our original family pet.
I decided to give up this rescuing mentality and at the same time educate my children. We found good homes for two of them, and the family pact
was “no more.” We stuck with our one chosen, well-cared for, and well-trained dog.

THE ENTERTAINING WARE
That's a hard one. It's been an abiding interest and love in my life, to entertain with all the accoutrements. I decided that was an okay hobby, but to stick with what I had for a long time. How many sets of Christmas tablemats does one really
need?

THE COOKWARE
Life is choices. I could eliminate a lot of these things by turning to fast food, eating out, less elaborate meals. I decided this was not something
to sacrifice. There are health benefits to wok cooking, steamers, double boilers, etc., and happy
benefits to beautiful Bundt cakes. My youngest son particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of a fondue meal. Our family dinners were fun for all of us, and a good thing, and I didn't want to sacrifice that for “convenience.”

Not everything in the enriched life should be “efficient.”

THE FINANCIAL PICTURE
My stocks were scattered all over the place, and we consolidated. It seemed risky to me to “put all my eggs in one basket,” but we did, and it resulted in a nice financial gain.

THE ORGANIZATION
I decided it wasn't all that I had that was the problem – many of them were valuable to me and my lifestyle – it was the organization of it all.

One thing I did was buy containers, for instance, “fall decorations” and got everything in one place. I added to the box my apparel for that time of year – autumn sweaters, accessories, and
jewelry. I labeled them clearly, stacked them in one place, and felt better about it all.

I tackled the gift-producing area. I had a bow maker, rolls of paper, ribbons, ready for every occasion. It was a time when the boys would be
invited to a birthday party quite suddenly, and it kept me from “running out” at the last minute to buy the wrapping. This I decided to eliminate.
The storage space required and the clutter were not worth it, and it seemed I never had the right thing anyway. I bought 10 generic gift bags with white tissue, appropriate for any age or occasion.

Also, seeing myself “burdened” by the gifts coming my way – that teddy bear statuette just wasn't “me” even if it was expensive crystal – I switched
to what I call “disposable” gifts. Sending someone a floral arrangement, or a basket of fruit, or a Honey-baked ham would note the occasion, but it would “go away” and they wouldn't
have to find a place for it.

I have never been comfortable giving money, but gift certificates seemed possible. It showed at least a little “thought” and “effort,” the two
things I find missing in gifts of money. (Not that I've ever refused one!)

For those with no material needs whatsoever, I would donate money to a charity close to their heart. That is greatly appreciated by most people. Charities list in their newsletter the
gifts made in honor of, or in memory of, others, and that's a nice touch.

Re: the people in my life, I took a look at the investment-return ratio. Some of them, I had to admit, were a drain. With me being in a helping
profession, some were “using” me for free counseling, while making no improvements in their lives, and that didn't give me the friendship I needed, or provide for them the counseling or
coaching they needed.

I made a list of the people who really meant something to me, with whom I had strong mutual bonds, and I whittled away at the ones who didn't contribute anything to my life. We call this in
coaching, “getting rid of tolerations.” Yes, people can be “tolerations” and I think this is
one of the more important “ah hahs” Thomas Leonard, the founder of coaching, gave to the world.

I eliminated immediately the ones who were a negative drain on me, and took a closer look at ones wanting entry. I quietly discouraged some “friendships” from ever occurring in the first place. Life is choices.

I believe that our lives are greatly influenced by the 5 people we spend the most time with. I made sure the Top 5 were the ones I wanted and needed them to be.

META-THEORY
I decided to slow myself down at the checkout counter. I disciplined myself for 6 months. I would not make any impulse buys. I would go home and consider it. Usually it wasn't worth the effort to go back.

I would not go shopping to “window shop.” There's no such thing! There's always something attracts my eye I think I “must have.”

Shopping would be a necessity for essentials, not Saturday afternoon entertainment for me and the kids.

I put more thought into the things I gave others so as to slow the flow into their lives as well.

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR
As you participate in, or observe, the shopping frenzy of the holiday season. Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?”

Good reasons are:
·It's meaningful
·I enjoy it
·I know it's something I can afford and know it's
something they need or would like

Bad reasons are:
·I don't know why
·To keep up with the Joneses
·Because I always have
·Because you're supposed to

Oserve closely your own behavior. That's the beginning of making positive changes.

It's the emotionally intelligent thing to do!

About the Author

©Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach™,
http://www.susandunn.cc . Author of “How to Live
Your Life with Emotional Intelligence,” (
http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html )
and The EQ Foundation Course©, 12 modules on the
Internet that can change your life:
http://www.webstrategies.cc/EQcourse.htm .
Coaching for all yours needs; Emotional
Intelligence always included.
Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine.

2c
http://www.aaarticles.com/article.php?id=1207

Floral Decorations

System for gridding floral vases/containers A method and device for preparing a vase to hold a flower arrangement which is comprised of a waterproof net covering the top opening of the vessel; an elastomic sleeve which is a means to temporarily shape and hold the netting in place; and a strip of floral adhesive which... Floral Art Design for all Occasions Floral Art Design for all occasions. We offer a personal approach to floral arrangement. Flowers for all occasions at a price you can afford. V-Flowers will delight in supplying all your floral needs. Whether its for business for a special anniversary for your wedding or simply a floral tribute. Www.V-Flowers.Com History of Ikebana Floral Arrangement Ikebana has been practiced for over 1400 years! This long history gives this floral art a richness and elegance that many people can appreciate. Until the mid 1400's the iIkebana art was restricted to royalty. During this period common people were encouraged to learn and use this style of floral arrangment. The ikebana style of floral arrangment emphasises simplicity and use of common items. This makes it a good way to begin floral arrangment as a hobby.   Christmas Silk Flower Arrangements Flower delivery to london and nationwide uk direct next day and delivered direct, we do not use any other florists order flowers online , send flowers made by our florists All roses are edible, with in the darker varieties the flavor being more pronounced The foremost consideration ample sunshine is These colorful and lightly fragrant flowers are a particular favorite of children, who like to pinch the tiny cheeks of the individual blossoms and make the dragon mouth open and close Florists can fit the bill arrangement, only the best and brightest for a beautiful and professional floral Silk Flower Arrangements Christmas Introduce flowers into your diet in small quantities one species at a time A favorite edible flower of chefs clark frasier and in ogunquit, maine is the racy citrus marigold mark gaier in their seacoast garden at arrows restaurant Later on tonight posting updates and returning messages ill be replying to email, Best and brightest florists can fit the bill for a beautiful and professional floral arrangement, only the Hoya -- All I Want from Christmas It's Bird Week on Christmas Island; floral detours allowed. Christmas Island Photo: Earth from Space Strange to find out you're nowhere near the North Pole, but 360 km SW of Java, in the Indian Ocean.

Floral Arrangements | Decorations