School's Out

Tuesday 22 July 2014





School broke up today which means I was running around like a mad woman round Leeds Market buying up flowers left right and centre. I came home laden with spray roses, euonymus and mint. Mint but with pretty purple flowers on. All that stuff below pretty much.



The idea was basically to turn that lot in to mini bouquets. Like this one .....




and then wrap it in some nice brown paper with some organza ribbon as an end of school year present for the boys' teachers.




I even stuck some rosemary and oregano from the garden in to continue the herby theme. They smelt divine. Good enough to eat (chuckle chuckle).

I somehow managed to glean 9 little bouquets out of that lot (George kept adding teachers & teaching assistants to the quota!), which I somehow managed to squeeze in that impractical £5 basket which I bought last week :o)


Whistles top (formerly dress), MiH Phoebe Slim Jeans, New Look Slides, Toast Basket


By the time I'd finished, I was just a hot sweaty mess so I changed in to my shorts and tied my hair up with some loom bands as I am total class ... and I have about 1000 of them in my house.



H&M shorts (old)


I think and hope the teachers liked them. My friend who is a teacher who happened to see them, said they beat the tub of Sainbury's flapjacks she received last week.  :o)





26 comments

  1. Is New Look like Zara or H&M?

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    1. Cheaper than Zara - a UK based version of H&M maybe? Some little gems in there if you look so yes, a lot like H&M.

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    2. Ooooh. I feel like I would like that store based off of what you and Fen get from there :)

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  2. Definitely beats a tub of flapjacks (and I LOVE flapjacks!) Such a personal touch, I'm sure they were really pleased to receive them! I know I would be :)

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    1. So would I but I guess I picked flowers that I liked the look of. It's all personal isn't it? I don't like gerberas and daisy like flowers for instance though a lot of people like the fact that they are such "happy" flowers. And to be honest - I'd be quite happy with a tub of flapjacks - I like them too - much prefer them to chocolates to be honest :o)

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  3. Great idea Sue - I have 7 nursery / pre school teachers to buy for when N finishes Nursery at the end of August for big school - I may steel your idea and try and make them look like posh florist bouquets like you have done! X

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    1. It's a great thing to do but I bought my flowers at the market to make it more cost effective. I didn't pick the usual lilies or big headed flowers as I wanted something small and sort of hand tied looking so the spray roses which I spotted were ideal. They were tucked away along with the foliage type plants which I made a beeline for and which I bought up. Try it - you'll be surprised how far they go along with a roll of brown paper and some ribbon. And if you have a garden with foliage worth raiding - do - hypericum is good along with any of the woody herb plants.

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    2. Thanks Sue x I will let you know how I get on.

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  4. Wonderful gifts Sue! V.lucky teachers is all I can say!! xx

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    1. Thanks Michelle - I can't bake but I can do other crafty things - thank goodness!

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  5. What a great gift idea Sue, you have a flair for floristry by the looks of it! Charlie went off with large bar of Dairy Milk he bought himself for his Science teacher this morning! x

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    1. Now that's good because he chose it himself and it means something. I'm still sorting this kind of stuff for the boys. Ben usually wants me to make some jewellery for them but I can't do that all the time.

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  6. Lucky teachers....they are amazing Sue!
    ~Anne

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    1. Thank you Anne. I really enjoy doing stuff like this when I get an opportunity. I did a Jane Packer day course about 10 years ago in Marylebone and it was fab - I'd love to do another one day - when I have the time and money but for now, I'll just raid Leeds market and see what I come up with.

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  7. You are so clever. Not sure if I'm more impressed with the gorgeous floral arrangements or that you had the idea to chop off the bottom of a dress to make a fab top x

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    1. The chopping up of that dress in to a top was one of the best decisions I ever made regarding a garment. It's one of my favourite tops to wear - it has just enough to be interesting but isn't plain. I've done it with a few things now to make them more useful.

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  8. I'm really glad that I don't live near you ... I'd spend my entire time feeling totally inadequate! They are simply beautiful

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    1. No you wouldn't at all. I can tie a small bunch of flowers but like I was saying in some comments above - I can't bake. A bit of a can't bake, won't bake actually. Can't be good at all things can we ;o)

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  9. Have a great summer Sue, love the shorts, very beautiful look flowers are great

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    1. Thank you! I hope you have a good summer too - have fun!

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  10. The flowers are a lovely idea & they look gorgeous...lucky teachers! We are on day 2 of the hols & so far surviving, let's hope that this weather continues as it always makes such a difference when you're trying to entertain little people!! Love your top by the way, what a great idea changing it from a dress! x

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    1. Yesterday was day 1 and technically it was a lovely day. Ben (elder son) had cricket camp till 3pm and then we hung out at some friends where the boys got to kick a ball around, the mums had a little natter and then they all got tired and tempers got frayed and then it started to go to pot. Oh well - try again tomorrow. We have a picnic planned late afternoon - fingers crossed that all goes well - it's only day 2.

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  11. Ooh, I would be more than happy with one of these, Sue. Just gorgeous! Lynne x

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    1. And you can use the rosemary and oregano in your cooking!

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  12. oh wow what a great idea. really love the fact that you used herbs!! i'd be totally happy with those if you showed up on my doorstep with that cute basket... haha!!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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  13. Such a lovely idea Sue & you worked wonders with those hand tied bouquets! I had little hearts made up for the teachers saying thank you for helping me learn & grow with the dates & kids names on & the they loved them! Your basket is coming in super handy too! Looms bands......the kids are begging for more but I'm holding out! Ax

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Susie So So