BE my VALENTINE

WORKSHOPS for VALENTINES DAY

Saturday, 11th.of February
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Corsallagh - Cloonacool

Valentines day workshop for MEN:
Always wonder what to give your girlfriend/wife/partner for Valentines-day ?
There are a lot of ( often overpriced ) ‘Standard’ gifts out there – but maybe your Loved one isn’t just ‘Standard’, doesn’t really appreciate ‘Standard’ bouquets?
Maybe you want to surprise her with something unique, something created by YOU with only HER in mind.

Well then why not book a place on the first ever VALENTINES DAY WORKSHOP for MEN.

There will be a lot of high quality seasonal flowers and also some traditional Red Roses, pots and baskets, willow and natural wilderness, bows and hearts available and together with Expert-help and your own creativity you will be drafting your very personal arrangement.

Contact Martina 0872403005
Places are limited
40 Euro pp
Complimentary tea/coffee and homebaking


Valentine’s for All:

Tuesday, 14.2. - Valentinesday <3
11.00 pm – 2.00 pm
Corsallagh - Cloonacool

Treat yourself for this Valentines-day, by attending this special workshop.
There will be a talk about the history of Valentines-day and also highlights the trends and traditions over the past 5 decades by demonstrating different arrangements.

Lunch will follow with homemade soup and homebaking.

Afterwards its all ‘hands on’ and you create your very own Valentine’s arrangement.

Contact Martina 0872403005
Places are limited
35 Euro pp

 

Nature inspires : Hello 2017: workshops and more

Nature inspires : Hello 2017: workshops and more: time created this masterpiece of nature in the Ox Mountains  Dear Friends of 'NATURE INSPIRES' may I wish you all a very happy...

Hello 2017: workshops and more

time created this masterpiece of nature in the Ox Mountains 

Dear Friends of 'NATURE INSPIRES'

may I wish you all a very happy New Year and may 2017 be kind to you where ever you are.

looks like new years fireworks 

New morning of a new year 2017

A new year, a new beginning, a new 'me' ... hopes and dreams, expectations and determination, resolutions and disillusions ..... I didn't make any extraordinary resolutions, any particular plans nor do I have huge expectations in this upcoming year. Maybe I just wait and see how everything unfolds.


Once the Christmas gander ( from our own stock ) was eaten, the obligatory bottle of commercial Whiskey ( when the old neighbors were alive the Fairy's would have left a bottle of the clear stuff on the doormat ) was transformed into 'hot ones' to keep the flue away ( ya right ... ) and the sweet stuff disappearing one after the other, leaving multicolored wrappers all over the place, then it was time to clear the cobwebs and go walking and let nature inspire you.
Overall the weather was just right … maybe sometimes a tiny bit wet or foggy, but most of the times ideal for strolling along for hours over beaches, through forests, up high cliffs or boggy mountains. We are surrounded by a great diversity of most amazing scenery, which involves sometimes just a short drive , but most of the times I just step out the door and walk on.

Magic Lough Talt 

just stepping out the door and keep on walking

Strandhill with view to Benbulben

weekend hike in Donegal

Christmas hike in the Ox Mountains up to the stirring Rock

Before I give a brief over-view of what is available for 2017, I would like to take a glimpse back and reflect on the Christmas workshops of 2016.
It was an amazing experience and I want to thank everybody who invited me to either do a workshop, a demonstration or a talk. Such a privilege to meet so many different people, of different age-groups and from all walks of life.
The youngest were the giddy girls celebrating their friends 10th birthday and then my oldest Lady participating was 87.
My largest workshop had 24 participants at the great SHELL’s Café at the sea in Strandhill. Usually you wouldn’t associate a wreath workshop with such a young clientele, but I must say we had an amazing time and the 24 totally different examples of modern and traditional wreaths proofed wreath making is rather ‘hip’ and not 'out'.
A workshop with the Nazareth House Ladys ( Senior Citizen Ladies ) was the most emotional one for me – even though I tried hard not to let it on.  Many of the elderly Ladies just remembered me so much of my late Mum who passed away over a year ago.

But overall all the women groups, be it organised like the ICA or just meeting up  on a regular base, deserve a great praise. There is usually a wonderful sense of acceptance, lightheartedness, helping out and sharing between the Ladies and they always include their tutor, too.

To some of the groups I have been back now for many years and try hard to make their few hours an enjoyable time.

Now I am looking forward to 2017,  I feel highly motivated and excited to inspire more and more people about the plain, but powerful benefits of engaging with any kind of natural material. At the moment I think up lots and lots of ideas of new workshops, classes, talks .... .
So you might wonder, what can you expect and what services are available:
All I can say is: challenge me with your request, your order, your idea … be it a workshop, a school request, a wedding or any other event.
There are also often those frequent asked questions:
- Are you offering vouchers?
Yes, there are vouchers available, which can be used either for a workshop or any arrangement.

Are you just operating in County Sligo?
No, I do travel and have worked in all neighboring counties. I would also travel longer distances if required.

Do you do weddings? 
Strange isn't it? Yes for sure I do and I do also wedding consultations for all your floral needs.  Once more, do challenge me with your request, your order, your ideas.

Some of the Workshop ideas for the first half of the year are :
- Spring is peeping around the corner
- Valentins ideas for MEN - it doesn't always have to be the 12 Reds or a standard Bouquet. If you think your girl/partner isn't standard - then this might be for YOU.
- Willow techniques … weaving wild fences and handtie supports and decorate them
- Honor MUM – arranging that special creation for Mums alive and gone - but never forgotten
- Childrens Partys: fun ideas while introducing plant material and creating a ‘happy fence and garden, a fairy wand, a flower crown or a dream catcher.
- Surprise wrap: challenge yourself by creating an arrangement with a random seasonal bunch
- Recycle me - bring a broken dish, a tea-pot, a bowl, anything which would face the bin and we bring it back to live and it's former beauty.
- EASTER decorations
- Confirmation and Communion ideas: decorate your home for your child's special day
- the popular Herbal talk
-  School projects: Trees, birds, bees and butterflies, native flora and fauna, recycling projects …..
Dates, Times and Venue will be released soon.


Finally, as a reward for my regular customers I will introduce a Loyalty card….and the good news is, it includes last years workshops too. So if you had booked 6 workshops, the 7th will be absolutely free.

Workshops - second edition

It has been a busy few days and I have to say I did enjoy them.
The loving memory workshop was held once more in the old greenhouse and we had a lovely, creative morning. I would love to continue my workshops in our greenhouse, as it is so bright and airy, but definitely to cold for the month of November/ December.

Last weekend there was the South Sligo Enterprise event organized by the Bank of Ireland and I presented a stall and also was invited to do a 15 min presentation on stage. The feedback was just amazing and it seemed that many people out there just weren't aware what I m up to now.

At the moment I m preparing a birthday party for a 10 year old girl and her friends - what an exciting project. We plan to go out into the garden  and pick some greenery and maybe other bits and pieces. Afterwards we will pep the green stuff up with a bit of flowers, maybe weave a little fence, but also add funky bows, ladybirds and butterflies. Something for each girl to bring home with.

Apart from the reserved workshops and demonstrations with various women groups/ICA women I will hold the Christmas Themed workshop at:

- St. Attractas Community School/Tubbercurry on Tuesday the 22 nd of November. For Bookings and   Informations ring the School 0719120814.

- a Wreath Workshop: Wednesday 30th of Nov 7 - 9 pm ( Venue in the Cloonacool/Tubbercurry area will be announced later ).

- a Workshop for a Christmas Centerpiece (Mantelpiece or Table) arrangement, Wednesday, 14th of December from 7 - 9 pm ( Venue in the Cloonacool/Tubbercurry area will be announced later ).

The famous PUDDING ROW Cafe in Easkey has invited me once more to have a stall at their annual Christmas fare in the Cafe. Do come along and see what goodies PUDDING ROW has to offer for the Christmas Season, but also get inspired by my display and that of the other crafty exhibitors.

The dates are: Thursday the 1st, 8th and 15th of December. Do check out their facebook page for more information.

I think there is something for everybody in the audience ...... 

For more updates watch this space.

Workshops 'galore'

  Over the recent years Flowerarranging Workshops of all sorts and kinds became quite popular.
Why wouldn't they, as it is an interactive event in a relaxing atmosphere where 6, 8, 10 or a few more ( usually ) women gather together and enjoy a few hours of creativity, a bit of a laugh and a cuppa.
I always do look forward to those workshops, which I have been organizing over the last 15 (plus ) years. Meeting up with different people - mostly women, some advanced, some novice and also total beginners, can be sometimes a challenge. Not only do they come from different backgrounds, but also their ambitions vary from Person to Person.
The Lady owning a Hotel would like to get tips how to improve her floral decorations for guestrooms or the hallway, while long-term Unemployed are thinking about a career in flower arranging and some of them succeeded. Then you get the different women groups and retired Ladies, who are full of life, chatting, sharing their material, sipping tea and just enjoy the few hours of creating something to bring home with.

If people do not want to create something they also can book me for an evening. This can be any organizations who would like either to raise money and have a night out. A few times I used my skill for my own Charity Fundraisers, like for the Alzheimer Association, Cystic Fibrosis or Crumlin Childrens Hospital. During those events I do up about 6 - 8 arrangements, which get raffled off at the end of the night. While putting the arrangements together I ask the audience to throw questions at me, but often I m just 'forced' to talk along - daft and silly quotes .... about my various animals, my hubby and children and other wild stories.
With a bit of promotion, by selling door tickets this can be a rather successful event.
The workshops/demonstrations can be held at your own hall/home/center or the smaller workshops I do from my own home. It's no problem for me to travel and I do enjoy meeting new groups or organizations.

So what is my 'mission statement' and what might differ from other workshops available throughout the area.
The brand name 'Nature inspires' gives it away:

The focus is on not just providing all flowers and foliage, but more so trying to encourage the participants to study the natural environment around them.  Look out what is growing in your own garden, your estate, along the roadside and in the forest.The 'Homework' would be always going for walks along the hedgerows, stroll through forests, walk along the river, over the bog, through a meadow. Experience those difference scenery settings during sunrise, sunset or even at dawn or in a full moon night. Discover your 'flora' (and its not the margarine) around you in mew light and rethink your evaluation chart especially about insignificant plants.
If we go for a short stroll before a class I sometimes ask, so what do you see now: 'Weeds' is the most common answer .... and for sure 'weeds' they are a lot. But even with rushes and common reed, ordinary branches, ivy, ferns or moos you can do incredible things within arranging natural materials. Your imagination will expand from arrangement to arrangement.
Along with plenty of imagination you will also receive a lot of 'hands on' Tips and get professional Techniques how to go along with arrangements of all sorts.


Without further ado I would like to introduce you:

'HALLOWEEN SPOOK'
Tuesday, 25th of October: 11:00 am - 1.00 pm


Every participant will be supplied with a pumpkin and with some flowers and a lot of Inspiration we make a spectacular centrepiece for your Halloween Week.

'IN LOVING MEMORY':

Tuesday, 01st of November: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
this is a new course for bereaved people - it doesn't matter how long your loved one has passed away, but it might be helpful to create something very personal for the grave. you might like to bring some flowers or foliage from the deceased persons garden or remember their favorite flower ... it all might help in taking away the pain and maybe leaving a personal message at the grave.

South Sligo Enterprise Gala:

4th and 5th of November 

at St. Attractas Secondary School:
Nature Inspires is one of many business's of the South Sligo Region who will present and exhibit their work at this special event. There will be all sort of entertainment for the public and I will demonstrate and introduce my business. I also will have some samples of my work on display and for sale. Hope to see you there  

Know your Pot-plants:
Talk at Sligo Park Hotel for the Sligo Garden and Flower Club
Monday, 14th of November: 8.00 pm sharp



This is a talk about House Pot-Plants. Old-fashioned Plants and new sorts, easy to look after and the more delicate ones, benefits of green plants and also how to get many more years out of them ,,,








Adult Education Program at St. Attractas Secondary School:
Tuesday, 22nd of November 7.00pm - 9.00 pm

Christmas Essentials - Candle-Posie and/or Wreath making.
Bring your own material/foliage/decoration


Advent - Center - Piece:



Date, Time and Venue will be announced soon
Just before the Advent season starts, we will create a beautiful long-lasting Center Piece with 4 candles. This can be a traditional advent wreath or an individual arrangement, which can be used throughout the Christmas Season.





Wreaths - Wreaths - Wreaths

Date,Time and Venue will be announced soon
during a Demonstration I will explain the different techniques of making a wreath with traditional and unusual materials. Afterwards you can design your own wreath for a grave or the front-door. A very popular course!





Back to the 'roots'
Date, Time and Venue will be announced soon.
do you owe a piece of bogwood, driftwood or even a piece of turf?
Why not brighten it up with an elegant arrangement, which would just look stunning beside the fireplace, your front-hall or even on the grave. We will develop our own 'oasis' and work with mostly dry plant-material and longlasting evergreen foliage and flowers - even a candle can be integrated.


There will be other events during the Christmas Season and I will keep you updated.

If some of you would like to have a course at a certain location and to a certain time, please feel free to contact me.

Also do spread the word of those workshops, as many of my valued clients are not on social media.  

The day, the swallows are leaving ...

Next stop maybe North Africa ....

The last few mornings I knew something is going to happen soon .... the swallows are leaving.

It is always an exciting day in spring - usually early/mid April when one of us spots the first swallow. 

It feels like greeting old friends or visitors: 'they are back - did you see the swallows'? Sure everybody was seeing that first swallow before anybody else. 

During the summer they keep very busy. In all three sheds they maintain their nests, Renovations going on first and then after a while you see that bit of little head and tail sticking out and you know they are hatching - great news!

To be honest I don't know, why they decide to rare their offsprings in our sheds, because the cats are a permanent thread to them. But we had years without cats, which seems to be like an open invitation for rats. 

Throughout the summer we develop a close relationship - the swallows and the two permanent human residents.We hear ( they are very chatty little birds ) and see them flying in and out and we have to make sure not to close them out of the shed over night. Even with poultry we have to take the risk that there is some window that far open that they can fly in and out comfortably.  There is some form of communication evident, because whenever the cats are near or they feel in danger they start attacking them and giving out to them in such a manner, that we become aware of it and check it out. Often we find the culprit high on a timber beam trying to 'fly' or just starring onto the nest, which surely cant be reached. The parent birds are usually flying around them in an attacking mood and with  a bit of imagination you can hear them shouting ' will you just get the fuck out of here' - excuse the language, Anton, our red young Ginger, tried to be very clever and took his chance to reach the nest over the open door. Once left opened after letting out the goats he got very near of their fragile muddy home-place. But once more the transfer of important information seemed to work, as I just found out in time and from that moment it was high priority to keep that door shut. One year there were to many youngsters in the nest and just before they had their first flying lessons, they seemed to pushed each other out. So we kept the ladder near and  had to check regularly a few to make sure we were faster then any predator or a goats-foot stepping on them. 

This year was a very productive season, as they had two rounds and rared so many young swallow like never before. 

my camera cant catch enough of the excitement

So today is the day - the summer is over and those precious visitors leave their oval shaped clay home at the shed walls and seem to reward me with an spectacular display of their flying skills. More and more swallows gather and the airshow takes off. It seems like they had chosen the Telephone wire between Pat's cottage and our home as a gathering point.

it seems like the swallow collection hot-spot

I have to admit that it is a touching moment when they all had fled their nest and are now ready to leave ( any comparison with two members of our family is pure accidental). 

Just while writing this blog I come to the conclusion that there are advantages by living a bit on the remote side. Especially when you find yourself standing in your yard, waving at the sky and shouting 'good bye - have a safe journey! Cant wait to see you next spring again.!'

Even though my neighbors wouldn't be to surprised by now anyway.

Look who is in the 'Good Bye Waving Delegation' - Anton and Lucy

So tell me, when are your swallows leaving?   

In loving memory

Loosing some loved one is a very sad experience.

a selection of wilderness from around my home, which will be soon in Germany ... they loved our heather 

Funerals, anniversaries of  loved ones and sympathy flowers for grieving relatives are a core business of every florist. Over those last 35 years I had to deal with a lot of sad and distressed people on a very regular base. You are never really prepared for it and often it just breaks your heart to witness so much pain. There are moments where all what you can do is just shed a tear with your customer, hold or hug them and it can be hard to stay 'professional'. A funeral is only the beginning of a long process of trying to find a way of living without that loved person.

Even if you try to understand that pain, it only hits you fully when you loose a close family member yourself. Exactly a year ago  I found myself together with my sisters once more on the other side of the counter in our floristshop in our hometown of Dinkelscherben. We tried to order something appropriate for our beautiful Mama. We just wanted something special for her, something which reflected her love of Nature and flowers .... .

'unserer lieben Mama' - a large variation of sesonal flowers

The 6 Grandchildren's planted wreath

 

beautiful planted arrangement from my friends in Ireland

Like for my Dad I had the desire to do something very authentic for her funeral. My experience over the years was, that you get great consolation and even healing out of the fact that you arrange something very personal  yourself for your deceased family member. A lot of memory-stirring would be involved in that ... what person was your Mum or Dad or brother or sister, child or husband and wife .... . What love or passion did they have, what was their favorite place in the garden, their preferred color, their most loved flower. Memories might hurt, when you bring them up, but they also might put a smile on your face every now and then.
Over decades coffin sprays have been arranged in whites, creams and greens. Lilies and Roses, carnations and chrysanthemums .... .
My Mum wasn't the type of a person and so wasn't my Dad. They were country people, who didn't grow that type of flowers. To get some ideas going, I did go down memory lane, as I strolled for hours all along those forest paths, over fields and meadows, where they brought us when we were little and where we brought them when their hairs had gone grey. My Mum had a great passion for hedgerows - as you do - mainly because they provided a home to much wildlife. All those berries were food for birds and those thorny bushes shelters for their nests. But also mammals could use them as a safe corridor without being exposed to any predators.
Soon I had a picture of the coffin spray established in my mind, which could have done justice to reflect her spirit.
It involved sunflowers, lots of sunflowers, which I harvested on a field nearby, along with some colorful gladioli... and berries of all kinds ... but mainly rosehips, as she liked her rosehip tea infusion and I loved their flowing movement from a florists point of view. Combined with some foliage from her garden, which might even act as a small personal message, and the wild greenery and twigs from my walk I created a happy and lively looking coffinspray.

the parents favorite place - under the apple trees at the back of the house

preparing the coffinspary

berries .... lots of berries

the finished product - a reflection of a nature loving life

It is one year now, but that smile lasts forever....

smiles last forever - RIP Mama

'In loving memory' workshops will be offered throughout the year - the first one about mid October. During those 2 - 3 hours I will introduce you to a range of possibilities how to arrange something special, personal and seasonal for your loved one.