Françoise Weeks

Jamie Bosworth

Joni Shimabukuro

Joni Shimabukuro

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Texture is the visual or tactile surface and appearance of something….. I revel in it and love to juxtapose unexpected combinations of colors and shapes – Mother Nature is *the* ideal source for inspiration!

These arrangements were made in long, very narrow vases; it was a blast to decorate them with foliage, berries, mushrooms, bark and lichens to incorporate the vessels in the design.

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Come join us and learn how to make stunning Woodland Arrangements on November 2nd or 3rd.
Be inspired by the botanical treasures of the Pacific Northwest! Begin this textural arrangement with lichen-covered branches and moss. Mix in seedpods and berries, miniature artichokes and eggplants, lush foliage, succulents, fragrant herbs and seasonal flowers. Gather ideas to express your creativity and learn to work with natural materials found in your own garden!
Monday, November 2 or Tuesday, November 3    6:30 – 9:00pm    $75

http://www.francoiseweeks.com/classes/am-sched.html

If you would like to schedule a private class with your friends, we can help you out. If your group is between 5 and 8 people, the organizer receives 50% off their registration price, and you can coordinate the time that works best for you and your friends. Call for more details @ 503-236-5829.

Want ideas? Check out some enticing examples!

David Barss

Joni Shimabukuro

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The new class schedule for the fall classes is up on my website.

http://www.francoiseweeks.com/classes/am-sched.html

You will learn how to utilize the bounty of the Willamette Valley, whether from backyard gardens,  the local farmer’s market or the grocery. Classes emphasize readily-available materials and common household items to create one-of-a-kind arrangement that are an expression of your unlimited creativity and ingenuity. These classes will change the way you look at your own garden, our abundant landscape and the world around you. Please call early to reserve your place!(503-236-5829).

The hands-on classes are limited to 8 students per class and are conducted at my studio – 2754 SE 33rd Place, Portland, OR 97202. Prices include flowers, supplies, use of tools, and best of all, your creation goes home with you! Receipt of your payment by check or Paypal for the full tuition secures your place in the class.

If you are thinking of bringing together a group to take one of our classes, we can help you out. If your group is between 5 and 8 people, the organizer receives 50% off their registration price, and you can coordinate the time that works best for you and your friends. Call for more details.(503-236-5829)

Here are some examples of what you will learn:

BYOC (That’s Bring Your Own Container)

Joni Shimabukuro

How about a citrus reamer?

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Notecards of Françoise’s arrangements, photographed by Joni Shimabukuro of Joni Photo

These cards highlight Françoise’s use of lush texture in all of her designs. Overall views of the arrangements show the structure, composition and atmosphere , while close-ups reveal the details of seed pods, fruits and vegetables, houseplants, succulents and seasonal flowers that naturally nestle together to form the whole design. Each card includes both views, one on the front and its opposite on the back. Thoughtful gifts for any occasion, they capture the beauty of each original design.

Seasonal Notecard Set

This set of cards includes arrangements from the four seasons. What is so fun, surprising and inspiring is the plethora of plant materials available that make it hard to tell which season is which!

Seasonal Notecard Set includes
8 cards, (blank inside) & 8 envelopes
$15.00

Price with Shipping

1 box with shipping $18.00 2 boxes with shipping $34.50 3 boxes with shipping $51.00

Woodland Notecard Set

The woodland notecards are inspired by Françoise’s childhood in Belgium, where she would create magical arrangements from bark, tree limbs, rocks and wildflowers. She has reinterpreted her love of the woodland arrangement for her wedding and event business.

Woodland Notecard Set includes 8 cards, (blank inside) & 8 envelopes $15.00

Price with Shipping

1 box with shipping $18.00 2 boxes with shipping $34.50 3 boxes with shipping $51.00

For the last couple of years log arrangements and woodland bouquets have captivated my attention. Maybe it’s because they are rooted in a childhood memory, that popped up out of nowhere a couple of years ago:

I grew up in Belgium. My parents were avid hikers and for 4 consecutive  summers we spent a month in Switzerland, where we went on daily hikes. Every year we went to a different area of this gorgeous country that is nestled in the Alps. Getting to our destination was a fun adventure of train rides!

Every day, dad mapped out another day hike while mom packed our lunches and off we went. Whenever possible we would stop by a creek for a lunch break; the 4  kids loved to explore the meadows and we always had so much fun gathering pieces of bark, moss and wildflowers to delight mom with an arrangement!

Bark, branches, moss, lichen, seedpods, herbs, river rock, lots of texture and sometimes a few flowers: a fabulous recipe for the woodland arrangements that I have had so much fun with lately.

My friend Joni has photographed many of them; her incredible pictures always illustrate the many details that make these old pieces of wood come alive!

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Topiares are often great choices for buffet tables: they are tall and striking, yet they don’t take up much space. Sometimes the bride prefers a more traditional arrangement in a vase. If you selected a woodland theme, log arrangements look fabulous!

Jamie Bosworth

These bright topiaries were made in low back urns

Evrim Icoz

Tall blue delphiniums ‘grow’ out of a tall square vase, lined with equisitum; lots of texture – seedpods, fruits, grasses, alchimella and unusual foliage – decorates the base.

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Welcome to my new blog! It’s great to have a forum to share my recent work.

And I’m also excited to let you know that Portland Spaces Magazine is featuring my work in the current issue (Dec08/Jan09). Please check out the Handbook section where they have focused on my woodland arrangements using texture and local, sustainable materials.

Here are more images of woodland inspired arrangements.

Photographers:

Joni Shimabukuro (http://www.joniphoto.com)

Jamie Bosworth (http://bosworthstudio.com)

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August 31, 2008

Photographer:David Barss http://www.davidbarssphotographer.com

Consultant:Molli Barss http://www.bonsoiree.com

Venue:Governor Hotel http://www.governorhotel.com

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March 15th, 2008

Photographer:Nicole Wickens http://www.nicolewickens.com

Ceremony Site:Rose City Park Presbytarian Church

                         http://www.rosecityparkpres.org

Reception Site:World Forestry Center http://www.worldforestry.org

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