Not quite there yet ...

♥

 I had really wanted to get my Spring garland finished this weekend but normal

 everyday stuff got in the way and it just didn't happen, 

so whilst very nearly there, 

I'm not quite there yet !

But things have certainly progressed and I am now chomping at the bit 

to get to the exciting bit of finishing it all off.

During the week I decided that as lovely as the yellows and greens were 

a little Spring warmth was needed, 

so I added in some soft apricot and pink tones

and I think it has given it just the little lift it needed.

It was then time to have a practice layout to see if I had the right amount 

of flowers and leaves and as I only had enough for just over half a garland

 a little further hooking was required.

It's surprising how many different parts are needed for something like this

but it didn't take long to fill up the plateful of Spring

 

 and get on to the blocking.
Other than the snowdrop stems the rest of the flowers didn't really need to be blocked, 
and in fact will add to the effect by being all different shapes,

but all of the leaves definitely needed a little help to prevent them curling up.
There's something very calming about blocking,
just quietly pinning and shaping, 
pinning and shaping 
till everything's all laid out in neat rows.
I sprayed all the leaves with a little water to start with 
and then finished off by giving them all a spray with some Fablon.

 With that job done it was time to get onto working out how to make the base of the garland.

I have thought long and hard about this,

particularly because it is this bit I really need to get right for Megs wedding garland,

and in the end it was my very clever Mum who came up with the idea of using raffia.

I found the best way to keep the raffia together and to get it to hold its shape 

was to twist it into a rope and bind it with thin wire.

 I then wound a wired length of ivy around it and I have to admit that

 I can hardly contain  myself

  I already love it so much ,

and I haven't even added the flowers yet !

♥