In the Spotlight: Featured uBloomer, Bettina Burklund

Bettina is the Second Place Winner of the JTV/uBloom, Branchies Design Contest held last December. Her unique "Vintage Camera" ornament design gave uBloomers a heartwarming glimpse of Christmas past…. a time when the holiday’s were simple and less commercial. An avid gardener and floral design enthusiast, Bettina is happily married and resides in Lincoln, Nebraska.How did you come up with the "Vintage Camera" ornament idea and what made you choose a vintage camera for the project?I have a small collection of vintage cameras that I really like, two of which I display on a regular basis. This particular camera isn’t usually displayed, but when I put away the other two to decorate for Christmas, I decided I would dress it up with Christmas balls and picks..it was just a natural progression for it to find its way to the Christmas tree.Using the vintage camera also meant that the project would remain simple and inexpensive…people have enough to do at the holidays without adding to it. I think the vintage camera was simple and elegant all at the same time!Tell me what it meant to you to take home a win in the JTV/uBloom, Branchies Design Contest.I’m very proud of my second place finish and owe it to my friends and family that voted for me! I feel really good about competing with some uBloomers that are professional floral designers and coming out in second.What were some of the JTV webisodes you wanted loaded on the prize iPod you won?Mostly Christmas episodes! I thoroughly enjoy watching J create Christmas decorations.Of course I chose Christmas Tablescape LIVE from Campbell’s Nurseries in Lincoln, Nebraska…it was a must have! This was the first year I had the opportunity to see J at Campbell’s and ended up going to three of his presentations…I just couldn’t get enough! What a great time!Some of my other choices included: The Christmas Collections Holiday Wreath, The Stupendous Stak Tree…for your Creative Christmas, Nostalgic or New…Fun with Novelty Designs, and Walking in a Winter Wonderland Centerpiece webisodes.What is the style of Christmas decor in your home?It’s pretty traditional. The colors are mainly red, blue, silver, gold, and copper…nothing "out there." Although I love the bright oranges, purples, and lime greens displayed on other trees, I just don’t see those colors fitting into my home that well. I do enjoy greenery and poinsettias toowhat I’m really enjoying right now are some deeper colors like maroons, browns, and pewters…my traditional colors in different shades. Oh, and I love adding permanent botanicals to the tree…they really give it something extra! This was something new to my tree this year and was completely inspired by J’s Trim-A-Tree presentation at Campbell’s Nursery. Draping the permanents down the branches and filling the gaps…I really liked the way it turned out.How did you first get started in flower arranging?I’m really a novice! I got started less than a year ago. I would see things in magazines and think, "I can do that." A lot of my inspiration comes from things I see on TV or in magazines. I love to find something I like and then make it my own by using my favorite flowers and colors. I’m getting a lot better at coming up with my own designs and combining different inspiring pieces. It’s a lot of fun.What do you love about designing with flowers?I really enjoy the variety you get with flowers! They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Your designs can be anything you can dream up. Almost no limitations! There’s just something very inviting, welcoming, and cheerful about flowers.What are your favorite arrangements to design?Centerpieces and tablescapes. I like that you can see them from all sides and everyone can enjoy them.What flowers and colors do you like to use most often in your designs?Because I design things mostly at Christmas, I really enjoy evergreens. Again, I like the variety…from short needles to long; and from deep green to blue-green. Evergreens create a lot of texture and depth with very little effort!What is your favorite thing about uBloom?JTV! J is always sharing new ideas and products. I enjoy browsing through some of the older episodes just to catch up. J seems so sincere when he tells the viewer that we just need to practice to get certain techniques down pat. He makes it look easy, but I know he’s had plenty of practice himself! J is very energetic and exudes a love for flowers that you don’t usually see….so knowledgeable and helpful, he’s great!Have you taken any floral design classes?No, although I think I’m going to start looking into it!What is your favorite flower and why?Without a doubt, my favorite flower is Lily of the Valley. It’s so tiny and yet it has such a big scent. My "Granny" loved them too, and my parents have always had them planted out in front of their house, so I’ve just grown up with them. I used to love to pick them for teachers or my mom and granny.What other hobbies or crafts do you enjoy?I do enjoy landscaping. I like to use a variety of plants and flowers, some in pots and some directly in the ground near the front walkway. It goes back to the whole "flowers are inviting" thing. I like that flowers welcome people to our home.I’m pretty much a tomboy, so I like fishing, camping, canoeing, etc. I think flower design is the most "girly" thing about me. It surprises most people who know me well.Who or what inspires your creativity?I see things on TV or in a magazine and they’ll get my creative juices flowing. I won’t even be watching the show, I’ll just be looking at the background to see what they’ve got on their tables or shelves, or see how the landscaping looks. HGTV is really good for that.Since magazines inspire you so much, which ones do you like to read the most?I like Better Homes and Gardens, but I also enjoy Real Simple.What do you do with your designs after you make them?I like to decorate my home with them and sometimes I’ll design an arrangement for my mom and dad’s house or for my sisters.Do you have any advice for other uBloom Flower Enthusiasts?Have fun! Try new things. Express yourself with colors, textures, and style! Whether you keep the arrangement for yourself, give it away, or sell it…enjoy the process of arranging!Well said Bettina!