Tussie-Mussies: The Language of Flowers
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Book Overview
Tussie-Mussies reacquaints readers with the complex and delightful language of flowers, and the art of making them speak through Victorian "talking bouquets" called tussie-mussies. Now Tussie-Mussies is available in a stunning paperback edition. A celebration of craft, lore, and language, Tussie-Mussies is a full-color guide to tussie-mussies, how to make them, and how the symbolic meanings of flowers and herbs have developed over the centuries. Roses that are red mean only one thing-Love-while a yellow rose may range from Friendship to Jealousy. Daisies are for Innocence, ivy for Fidelity, rosemary for Remembrance. Then comes the delightful task of arranging individual flowers and herbs together to compose a specific message to a friend or loved one. A floral poet, Geraldine Laufer shows how to make 60 bouquets-tussie-mussies to declare Ardent Love, say Happy Birthday, celebrate a Newborn, mark an Anniversary, honor a Mentor, admit an Infatuation, or even announce a Bitter Rivalry. Indeed, any sentiment can be crafted with a few blooms, woolen yarn, and scissors.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0761120661
ISBN13:9780761120667
Release Date:March 2000
Publisher:Workman Publishing
Length:160 Pages
Weight:1.36 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 7.3" x 9.5"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
As an Event and Party planner in Seattle, this is a must have...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
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
Flowers Speak
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
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.
Inspiring and enchanting!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I have used this delightful book for reference and inspiration countless times since buying it several years ago. It's paid for itself and then some! Tussie-mussies never fail to provide a gracious touch to the giving of flowers. Anyone can merely present flowers, but to customize the bouquet to the recipient or occasion? Truly impressive and touching! I once attended a luncheon honoring a well-known philanthropist. The hostess spent a fortune on catering for the event and decorated the banquet table with an enormous [$] floral arrangement of spring flowers. The well-traveled multimillionairess was cordial but a trifle bored (been there/done that)until I presented my tussie-mussie, assembled just for her, with a hand-lettered scroll listing the flowers and their definitions. She was astonished and fascinated. That's all she talked about afterwards--the table arrangement could have been dandilions and crab grass. Even if you don't actually make up a tussie-mussie from real flowers, Laufer's book has other terrific uses. I used it to design a bouquet in watercolors for my aunt's memorial service program. You will relish this book!
Beautifully done - tons of info and gorgeous photographs
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
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.
Tussie Mussies!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
My friend and I used this book as a source for a program for my garden club. We did this in January when our gardens were bare, or so we thought. After looking, we were able to find lots of things that were useful as well as meaningful. With a few dollars worth of flowers from the grocery store we made several examples from the book (with a few substitutions). We were delighted at how beautifully they turned out. I talked about the language of flowers and then showed everybody our samples. We had assembled a variety of ingredients and then each of our 15 members created her own Tussie Mussie. Each one turned out differently and each was charming. I cannot wait for a reason to make another one. We had a hoot of a time. My only complaint with the book was that there were not enough sources of materials such as holders, etc. Thank you for such a beautiful book.
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