4 comments about Tussie-Mussies: The Language of Flowers.

1. This book is chock full of photographs not only of the gorgeous tussies it teaches you how to make, but of the actual process of making them. Very clear and concise directions that are easy to follow for the beginner and give the experienced flower lover something to build on.

   I hope this book brings back a bit of the romance of tussies from bygone days - every man who has a woman in his life should surprise her with flowers with meaning and not more insipid scentless hothouse roses. This is a great guide.




2. This is a very charming book with lots of historical facts as well as beautiful pictures and drawings. The history of the talking bouquet is quite interesting, being influenced from several different countries. Lots of specific bouquets are pictured and labeled, including bouquet examples for "Admiring a Creative Talent", "Embarking on a New Adventure", "First Day in a New School/Job/City", and "Support During a Difficult Divorce" to name a few. There are several dozen more. The step-by-step guide to making these bouquets were easy to follow. A wonderful gift book.



3. Flowers can say all kinds of things: "I love you"; "How could you?!"; "Let's get married"; "Happy Birthday"; just about anything. I orginally got this book for some research on Victorian customs and realized it can still be used today. This book goes way past just pretty pictures, though there are dozens of ideas for Tussie Mussies to give to friends and family. There is a history of Tussie Mussies and a Step by Step guide to making a Tussie Mussie in the front, and -- my personal favourite -- TWO glossaries, a Vocabulary of Flowers and an Index of Sentiments. For research or fun, this is definitely the book to have.



4. A great little reference book for all professional florists; there is always that customer who wants to know the history or meaning of a certin flower, this is a great book to have on hand.
   
   Magnolia Village Florist, Inc.
   Seattle, WA

4 comments about Zen Flowers: Designs to Soothe the Senses and Nourish the Soul.

1. This book is an absolute work of art. I highly reccommend it to anyone who can appreciate magnificent flowers in all of their natural glory. I applaud the two authors & plan on giving this book as a giftt to all of my friends for Xmas!



2. Incredible photographs of elegant simplicity. Anulka and Brenda have imparted grace and ease in an un-easy world. My guests have all looked through the book with oooh's and ahhhhh's.
   I have already been inspired to evolve my own flower arrangements.
   I LOVE this book!



3. I was enchanted to have received such a lovely, beautiful book as a gift.
   I loved it so much that I, in turn, sent it to many friends and relatives who also really enjoyed the serenity of the photographs and the inspirational prose by the two authors.
   It's a great gift to buy... and to enjoy !!!!!!



4. This book is absolutely beautiful. The quality of the book is truly impressive with it's gorgeous, unique photographs and insightful writing. The book goes into detail about the how and why of Zen design. The attention placed in the layout of the book is rare, and perfectly unites the text with the photography.
   
   Truly refreshing to see a book that leads us into the mysteries that lie within the universe of flower arrangement.
   
   Allan McCormick

3 comments about Sensational Bouquets by Christian Tortu: Arrangements by a Master Floral Designer.

1. I enjoyed this book very much. Sensational Bouquets is rich in new thoughts about what flowers and plants represent, filled with novel arrangements, and is enriched by outstanding photography of those arrangements. After reading and viewing this book, you will never think about nature and natural beauty in quite the same way. You will be the richer for the experience, because your sense of beauty will expand as a result.

   Christian Tortu grew up on a truck farm in Anjou, and is proud of his agricultural roots. Now he designs backdrops for fashion shows and the Cannes Film Festival. He operates floral shops in major cities around the world.

   Let me share a little of his philosophy, as described in the many sections he wrote for the book. "Each plant is a fragment of a landscape . . . ." In his arrangements, he creates that sense of landscape in a way that I have never seen before in flower arrangements. Nature is palpable in them.

   "If man were to stop rushing around for one moment, he might take a look at flowers -- and then take a closer look." I remember having that experience in the orchid garden in Honolulu. I was enthralled with the beautiful blossoms in my 20 minute self-guided tour. As I was about to leave, an elderly gentleman asked me if I would like to have some help in looking around. I agreed, and spent the next three hours going over the same ground with him. Except I saw about 100 times as much with his help. I was astonished at how many delightful orchids I had totally missed in my haste (and I had thought I was being leisurely).

   "In time, his convictions would crumble, and he would realize classification is fruitless even beyond flowers." People love to judge, and that judgment gets in the way of really seeing and experiencing life. So these arrangements are a metaphor for breaking down our closed mental sets.

   The basic premise is that "all flowers are created equal." Weeds and shrubbery get as much attention as rare orchids. And the moment of perfection is not all that is explored. " . . . [E]very stage of the flower is a moment that deserves attention." One bouquet even captures burned foliage and flowers after a fire. Seeing these images makes one realize the truth of these observations. " . . . [I]n the name of harmony, each one [arrangement] has its own touch of anarchy."

   Mr. Tortu changes things in terms of color, type of composition, and form. I was especially fascinated by his many monochromatic arrangements, especially the green bouquets.

   The book is done in sections: Genesis; Revolution(s); Crossroads; and the Chronicle of a Black Bouquet. Using these themes makes it easier to appreciate the statements his designs make.

   Here are my favorites in the book:

   Agave foliage with euchasis in gray wax vases

   Green tomatoes and basil, tomato flowers, dog rose fruit and vine foliate

   Green arum lilies, tea grass, viburnum, and narcissus buds

   Garlic flower and nasturtium

   Nasturtium, wild strawberries, and blackberries

   Privet berries and King Arthur orchids

   Lime tree branches and iris

   Violets

   White hyacinth, and catmint

   Osage orange, pears and chayote, quince, eggplant, and begonia

   After you enjoy this delightful book, I suggest that you take some other element of nature and see how arranging it differently changes your perceptions. Now that it is spring, you could start by taking fresh shoots and making arrangements of them in new combinations, new shapes, and in different types of containers.

   Open your mind to the potential of new combinations, expressed in new ways!




2. SENSATIONAL BOUQUETS BY CHRISTIAN TORTU is a visual treat as well as a learning inspiration for approaching that most personal craft of bringing the garden into the home - gathering and arranging flowers. Christian Tortu apparently has a following in Paris where he has a florist shop which has emphasized his creed of "All plants are born free and created equal." Having learned his craft and his passion for the natural garden from his parents as he matured in the Anjou gardens, gathering flowers from nature to place at the disposal of clients who yearn for the beauty of the garden to enter their home in ways other than window views, Tortu doesn't believe in the traditional 'sprays' of flowers place in an expensive family heirloom vase on a sterile table. Instead he combines fruit, vines, all phases of a flower's life ( bud, blossom, denuded vestige ) with grasses and all the elements found in the natural setting of his flowers. The results are lush, compact, original thoughts that are startlingly beautiful.

   This is writer Corine Delahaze's first outing and she shows promise of a fine observor and poet. The photography is by Sylvain Thomas and emphasizes the closeup details as well as the free-standing wonders of Tortu's designs. The combination of text and photographs balances well with Tortu's creations. There is much more to learn about nature than just an ordinary treatise on flower arranging here. In Tortu's words "Nature is a place of total freedom. All plant life is accepted as equal." And from this humble belief Tortu lifts the spirit as well as the imagination with his artist's gift.




3. I got hooked on his designs while in Paris. If you are ever there you MUST visit his shop(s)!!

2 comments about Colonial Williamsburg Decorates for Christmas: Step-By-Step Illustrated Instructions for Christmas Decorations That You Can Make for Your Home.

1. I have seen this book at the publisher's and it is outstanding. The photographs are exceptional and the descriptions well composed and pertinent. You have, however, left out the name of the CO-AUTHOR, Mary Miley Theobald. I hope you will correct this as both professionals worked long and hard to assemble the edition.



2. I've used this book over and over to decorate my home at Christmas with Southern style arrangements. Demonstrating these techniques for garden clubs and at libraries, I always found a ready audience for this and it was really easy. I learned it all from this book.
   The supplies are easy to gather (pinecones, apples, oranges, holly, greenery, wire, ribbon, etc.). The results are spectacular. Your arrangements will look very professional!
   Each page shows four or more drawings showing the steps for attaching the pieces to make a different decoration. It shows various wreaths, table decorations, swags, roping, corner accents for doors, mantel decorations and an herb kissing ball.
   If you ever visited Williamsburg at Christmas, you will want to recreate these beautiful arrangements in your home. This website gives you an idea of the variety you can create:
   http://www.history.org/christmas/dec_doors.html

3 comments about A Potpourri Of Pansies.

1. If you love Pansies you will LOVE this book. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. I received this book as a gift and have referred to it many times. There are all types of illustrations, crafts and recipes that you can use involving the use of Pansies. I have also given this book to many and it always receives rave reviews. This is a marvelous coffee table book. It is just fun to look at, yet at the same time offers useful information.



2. If you love Pansies you will LOVE this book. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. I received this book as a gift and have referred to it many times. There are all types of illustrations, crafts and recipes that you can use involving the use of Pansies. I have also given this book to many and it always receives rave reviews. This is a marvelous coffee table book. It is just fun to look at, yet at the same time offers useful information.



3. If you love Pansies you will LOVE this book. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. I received this book as a gift and have referred to it many times. There are all types of illustrations, crafts and recipes that you can use involving the use of Pansies. I have also given this book to many and it always receives rave reviews. This is a marvelous coffee table book. It is just fun to look at, yet at the same time offers useful information.

3 comments about Fabulous Fabric Flowers.

1. There are so many wonderful ideas and for someone with a learning dissability, the directions seem clear cut and easy to follow, so I can't wait to get started!



2. This is a beautiful book. The color pictures are very good and the patterns in the back of the book are good also. I've made several different kinds of flowers and they come out really nice. I haven't tried all of them yet but I look forward to trying them all. Very good buy for the money.



3. I can make this review before buying it because of this:
   
   I saw the 'search inside', see the techniques are like those in my japanese fabric flower books. the pattern is similar. like the leaf, the shape of that little flower...really-really similar to those in japanese craft books...and that little flower is very unique that it's japanese style of little flower...i know it...it's shown in more than 1 books...the way she attached the leaf...shape of leaf...really-really similar...
   
   4 stars is for the ENGLISH textbook...finally...the colors chosen (in search inside) are lovely, very-very western style, so homy, so sweet...i like it though...but i think for color, i prefer those in japanese books, very-very refreshing...
   
   i think the search inside has give quite info for amazoners who are interested in this book. Really, i'm very-very familiar with the techniques. with those two pages, i know they are simple techniques like i did with japanese books...i made fabric flowers sometimes from fabric leftover...so, i just knew it...and with shown flowers inside and on table of contents, you will get beautiful flowers...i don't think you'll regret it...
   also, you can make it with your children. it's a good way to introduce sewing and crafting to your children...
   
   can't give 5 stars (even i haven't really seen it) because the idea is not that new for me...i don't know which one comes first, but i quite believe in japanese craft. They always have different syle and bring something new to crafter...Besides those small flowers...ah, that's very-very japanese style...but for YOU who never knew about this before, YOU CAN give it 5 STARS!...I will, too, if this book is the first i know.
   
   anyway, i'm still wondering whether there are patterns available in this book. hopefully, buyers can add this information. Patterns are important because at first making, sometimes, we can't make the right scale...
   
   i also want to buy it for my reference (it's English! mine are japanese)but not now, not my priority...
   after i got those sewing and knitting books...Fabulous Fabric Flowers...here i come!!!!!

No comments about Colour: An Inspiring Collection of Ideas for Each Season and Mood.

No comments about Flowers in Love.

1 comments about Creating Beautiful Wedding Flowers: Gorgeous Ideas and 20 Step-by-step Projects for Your Big Day.

1. This is a very useful book if you plan on making your own wedding flowers. It has clear step by step instructions. Another useful, and inexpensive book is: "Creative Wedding Florals You Can Make by Terry L. Rye" I daresay that with these two books, you could start doing flowers for friends and so on. They are slightly different, but both are very well done and helpful.

2 comments about Lavender: Practical Inspirations for Natural Gifts, Country Crafts and Decorative Displays.

1. I just saw this book while visiting a B&B on a lavender farm and came right home to try to find a copy to buy - i just had to have it! The photographs of commercial lavender fields in bloom are unbelievably gorgeous and make you want to take the next plane to Provence or Norfolk. The history is fascinating and also beautifully illustrated with pictures and quotations. The crafts are lovely and the recipes tempting. This book is a treat for the gardener, cook, craftsperson, traveller, historian and many others as well.



2. This is a great book if you want to learn a little bit about growing and using your lavender.