The 'Vase' is a tankard...A very lovely one, hand painted but by an 'apprentice' so a bit wobbly in places. This was given to me by my little sister Jenny, on her return from France. For her year 'in the field' for her degree in French, she taught in a School in Rouen, and felt her finances then, could not attain the heights of a master's piece.
Jenny loved the Dahlias at the local shows, and I have been keeping the best for this vase. I love this tankard, and it sits on my desk usually full of knitting needles.
The arrangement was not made on Monday but Saturday. I have made one today with similar flowers, but for the one I am posting here, I had my 'apprentice flower arranger'. Izzi loves the garden, and flowers, and as soon they arrived, I had Izzi in the garden choosing flowers, and having cut them, I handed them to her to put straight in the bucket. We talked about putting different flowers together, and also using foliage. We chose some green and some lovely leaves from an Acer which was just begining to turn. The secateurs were a little too large, but with scissors she looked for some for her posy.
The other reason I wanted Izzi to help is that I wanted to share with her my tradition of making arrangements for people's birthdays...and Saturday was 'Great Aunt Jenny', the giver of the tankard's birthday. As she is abroad we took the pictures, and posted on facebook. I then explained to Izzi that we then need to think of someone to give the flowers to, and we decided they would go to her Mum.
Here is Izzi, with her very own first 'In a Vase on Monday'.
We found a lovely little very heavy cut glass vase in my cabinet, and now Izzi has that to use in her bedroom for little flowers. We also picked some nasturtium seeds for her to grow next year. You can see that I am taking Grandma and 'Teacher' of In a Vase on Monday, and flower grower seriously
You are doing a wonderful job as Grandma and teacher, we have to inspire the next generation.
ReplyDeleteThe dahlia and aster are very much at their peak now and with the history of the vase make a lovely post.
Thanks Brian, I agree that we need to share and inspire younger ones with our interests in plants, gardening, and the joy of flowers.
DeleteThose dahlias have the softest color. So pretty in the special tankard. Nice you can help Izzi carry on the tradition of vases on Monday.
ReplyDeleteOh well done Noelle - what a lovely experience for Izzi, to be involved in choosing, cutting and arranging her own vase. I am sure you are planting the seeds of a lifelong interest in flowers and gardens - thank you so much for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy, I am sure you are busy passing on your interests too...I loved your post about your Granny, and by the way I think you too have more than a passing resemblance to her.
DeleteLovely vases especially the hand painted tankard and those dahlias...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIzzi performed her role as apprentice flower arranger beautifully! It's good of you to share your skills.
ReplyDeleteThe Dahlias and Asters look so pretty together in the tankard, which looks marvelous to me, china painting is such a skill. What fun to have your granddaughter do a flower arrangement with you, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great activity...I used to do this with my neighbours children some years ago, and now I have a new teenager next door, yes, you have guessed right, she came and made several before the summer holidays and took them to sell at school for a special project she had...
DeleteMaking a new gardener and precious memories is a noble calling.
ReplyDeletehow clever Izzi is! The Dahlias and Asters look so pretty together in the lovely tankard.
ReplyDeleteI love the way Children are drawn to flowers, and Izzi is very into garden fairies at the moment. She is making herself believe, as she knows really that f... are only in 'books', not for real! She was really pleased with her little posy, and very happy to have it next to Grandma's Vase for Great Aunty Jenny.
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