Course Timetables for 2026
One Container, Five Elements - April thru July 2026
Full course details here.
One Container Five Elements is being offered in two classes in 2026, one at a time suited to participants in the US/Canada/Americas and the other in a time zone suited to Australia/NZ/Asia Pacific residents.
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
2026 - USA/Canada/AmericasOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Monday 13 April 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Monday 27 April 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #3 - Monday 18 May 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #4 - Monday 8 June 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #5 - Monday 29 June 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #6 - Monday 20 July 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Times All times listed above are for Washington DC. |
2026 - Australia/NZ/Asia PacificOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Tuesday 14 April 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Tuesday 28 April 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #3 - Tuesday 19 May 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #4 - Tuesday 9 June 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #5 - Tuesday 20 June 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #6 - Tuesday 21 July 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Times All times listed above are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST - Sydney). |
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
Design DIrections - April thru July 2026
Full course details here.
Design Directions is being offered in two classes in 2026, one at a time suited to participants in the US/Canada/Americas and the other in a time zone suited to Australia/NZ/Asia Pacific residents.
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
2026 - USA/Canada/AmericasOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Thursday 30 April 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Thursday 14 May 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #3 - Thursday 28 May 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #4 - Thursday 11 June 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #5 - Thursday 25 June 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #6 - Thursday 9 July 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Times All times listed above are for Washington DC. |
2026 - Australia/NZ/Asia PacificOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Wednesday 29 April 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Thursday 13 May 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #3 - Wednesday 27 May 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #4 - Wednesday 10 June 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #5 - Wednesday 24 June 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Meeting #6 - Wednesday 8 July 2026, 6:00pm (Sydney)
Times All times listed above are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST - Sydney). |
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
Advanced DIrections - July thru October 2026
Full course details here.
Advanced Directions is being offered in two classes in 2026, one at a time suited to participants in the US/Canada/Americas and the other in a time zone suited to Australia/NZ/Asia Pacific residents.
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
2026 - USA/Canada/AmericasOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Thursday 23 July 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Thursday 6 August 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #3 - Thursday 27 August 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #4 - Thursday 17 September 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #5 - Thursday 8 October 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Times All times listed above are for Washington DC. |
2026 - Australia/NZ/Asia PacificOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Wednesday 22 July 2026, 7:30pm (Sydney) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Wednesday 5 August 2026, 7:30pm (Sydney)
Meeting #3 - Wednesday 26 August 2026, 7:30pm (Sydney)
Meeting #4 - Wednesday 16 September 2026, 7:30pm (Sydney)
Meeting #5 - Wednesday 7 October 2026, 7:30pm (Sydney)
Times All times listed above are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST - Sydney). |
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
Design Solutions - September thru November 2026
See full course details here.
Design Solutions is being offered in two classes in 2026, one at a time suited to participants in the US/Canada/Americas and the other in a time zone suited to Australia/NZ/Asia Pacific residents.
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
2026 - USA/Canada/Americas TimezoneOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Tuesday 15 September 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Tuesday 29 September2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #3 - Tuesday 13 October 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #4 - Tuesday 27 October 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #5 - Tuesday 10 November 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Times All times listed above are for Washington DC. |
2026 - Australia/NZ/Asia PacificOnline Introduction Meeting #1 - Monday 14 September 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC) Subsequent Online Discussions Meeting #2 - Monday 28 September2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #3 - Monday 12 October 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #4 - Monday 26 October 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Meeting #5 - Monday 9 November 2026, 7:30pm (Washington DC)
Times All times listed above are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST - Sydney). |
If you'd like to participate in this course at a time suited to the part of the world where you live, get together with a group of floral creatives (minimum of five participants) and reach out to me so we can offer class times that work for you.
Designing to Win - May thru August 2026
See full course details here.
Designing to Win will be offered in 2026, running May thru August.
The theme, schedule and timetable will be announced in the February 2026 edition of the Flower Thoughts Newsletter.
Let customers speak for us
from 80 reviewsThe intriguing theme,"Uncommon threads", captured my attention and thinking. I initially thought this short course,"Designing to win", would be too challenging. I found that it was actually comprehensive, well organized and structured, and rewarding eventually. This course was about understanding the rules and schedule of a competition. It was about learning how to evaluate one's design for a competition against an essential list of marking criteria for judging. Mark conducted two virtual discussion forums fluently, meticulously and constructively by giving clear analysis with concise explanations. He posed questions and made suggestions on each participant's design in #1 submission. The task of improving/adjusting/changing in order to achieve a better outcome became the necessary challenge for #2 submission.
The learnings from all the other submissions was just as important as those of mine. After having completed this course, I gained a better understanding of the entire process of designing to win and the crucial decision making that hinged on the points/marks for judging. The "wow factor" which can contribute to winning can be achieved by more critical evaluation of a design. Learning to be a better designer is always my aim in participating in Mark's courses. I truly felt that I achieved it and it was a likely "win" for me. The instructional eBooks and video tutorials on competitions were valuable bonuses given after completion of the course.
Thank you, Mark, for this great opportunity to learn from you.
One Container, Five Elements expanded my design processes and choices. Analysing the container and looking for a link to each of the five elements. Focusing on one element was a disciplined journey, one that became more complex the further I travelled along the path, albeit a rewarding journey. On reflection it allowed me to consider my choices and to give each element of design a voice in my arrangements. I likened it to a choir where one voice may lead but if the supporting harmonies are not in pitch the whole auditory experience is not quite right. I found myself falling to my favourite elements and constantly self-evaluating to see what was often needed, often editing rather than adding. During the group feedback sessions, I gained new eyes not only on my own work but that of my peers. Such a rewarding experience.
Each task or assignment for this course pushes you to think more about placement of components in order to ensure that the elements and principles of design are used to create a harmonious result. Mark encourages creativity by providing examples before leaving you to work in your own way, this is incredibly stimulating. All feedback provided is done in a positive way which encourages you to assess your own work better each time - however I still manage to repeat some of the same faults over and again ;) so plenty more to learn.
I really enjoyed the course and particularly found the critique process really helpful, as Mark carefully explained what worked well with the designs we had each produced and how they could potentially be improved further. At each stage, Mark explained how the design principles applied and helped me to develop my understanding of contemporary work.
Yet another amazing floral learning opportunity by our incredible Mark Pampling and Flower Thinking. The experience of learning is outstanding with endless learning opportunities. This is not simply an online course, it is an interactive extremely detailed, deep learning opportunity. Thank you Flower Thinking - My designs from the course are pictured below. So much learning and adaptation creates a new awareness and thought process in design which I truly enjoyed.
Festive Thinking allowed me to expand my creativity. Mark’s ebooks and video explanations were clear and provided examples of the task. I throughly enjoyed creating with the sickles and the online forum. Mark expert advice and suggestions gives insights into the designer’s arrangements. This allows for self improvement and reflection on my own creation. A wonderful experience I look forward to the next Flower Thinking offering.