Flower Design Christmas Door Wreath Making Workshop at The Clifton Arms, Images by Jonny Draper (except the one's he's in, Olivia took those!)

The Clifton Arms is quite simply the best! everything they do is just sublime, from the warmest welcome complete with bacon butties for the workers at 8:00 am to a perfectly laid up room and the most delicious lunch and afternoon tea imaginable, we had the very best of days and many thanks to Victoria and "Sir" Bernard of Clifton for looking after us all so magnificentlyWe had a packed day as you might imagine with the day commencing at 10:00 with delicious breakfast canapes; Smoked Salmon, Sausages wrapped in Bacon and lots more deliciousness. Then on to the serious business of a little Health and Safety talk
The main work room was laid out a little like our shop with baskets of Christmassy goodies
Cinnamon & Oranges
Chillis
Everyone was ready and behind their work stations by 10:30
We showed the size options (that's my lovely mum on the end)
Gorgeous Heather & Adele

Shona, Pamela & Jenny sleeves rolled up and getting stuck in...
It's all about how you groom your Spruce you see!

Pia & DeniLibby & Haidee


Shirley & Muriel in deep concentration
Robin Red Breast & Olivia
Throughout the day the exceptionally talented Tom Harrington from Silk Wedding Videos filmed our efforts, can't wait to see that!

Adriana helping Pamela






Fabulous Victoria manager of The Clifton Arms
After a full mornings work we were invited in for lunch, we'd arranged delightful spring gardens on each of the tables
The table centrepieces were raffled off in aid of Libby Gomm's charity "The Happy House"
I love the magenta cyclamen in the centre of this one

The "Flower Fairies" didn't make it to the dining room, instead they enjoyed sandwiches and chips courtesy of The Clifton Arms
Back in the dining room though, I was busy introducing the phenominal "Brothers of Swing"
Uber handsome Joe & gorgeous Dan
They sang to us and we all swooned
and of course thoroughly enjoyed our lunch

I had a little dance
And my favourite photographer Jonny Draper did a little singing "Eyes closed singing too!"Back in the workroom after lunch and it was all about the finishing touchesThe Ribbons were measured out and fabulous bows created


Alison looking very pleased with herself I think
Our fabulous Katarina with one of her fabulously completed creationsNext week we are going to display on my blog all the rest of Jonny's beautiful individual shots of all of the glorious door wreaths with their owners and creators from all three Door Wreath Making sessions (this is an effort to make the voting fair), you will then have an opportunity to vote for your favourite door wreath, the winner will be crowned "Queen or King of The FD Wreath Makers 2010" and they'll be presented with a huge and ginormous bouquet of fresh flowers at Flower Design on Christmas Eve