#cheapflowerarrangements

[floraldesignmagazine]

DIY flower arrangement from the garden

A floral gift that was transportable, required no attention on arrival, used garden flowers and was fast was what I needed  on Saturday for a relative's 70th birthday party. With  over 100 people invited the  hostess would have no time to put flowers in a vase (if she owned any!) and she  does not have a flower garden so a potted plant was also inappropriate...and it had to have plenty of WOW!

First to find a container that I did not want back- into the kitchen cupboards  to find a cake tin that was past using to bake cakes.

The start of the DIY arrangement

I filled it with two blocks of wet floral foam cut to size, and went for a walk in the floral design garden.

Garden planned like an arrangement

The garden is designed like a flower arrangement with contrasting foliage placed together. I picked New Zealand Flax, Aralia and Elegia which all grow together beside the Port Wine Magnolia . Of course by  arranging in the garden you only pick exactly what you need.

Adding the first foliage

Four Aralia leaves went to the corners of the  cake tin and two Elegia soaring above in the middle started it off. I wanted it tall  and thin so it didn't take up too much space on a table full of finger food yet had that WOW. The Elegia was tied up with wire into  bunches to make it tidier.

Adding the flowers

The first Gladioli of the season were out so they went in next. With plenty of flowers still to open they would last ages. They also set the colour scheme- red/yellow/orange... so Flax with yellow streaks went in next in big loops, help in place with U shaped wire pins.

loops of New Zealand Flax

Between the Aralia leaves I added Geranium leaves to cover the floral foam. As I worked I walked around the arrangement, as it was going to be seen from all sides so  from every angle it had to look the same.

Adding the Roses

 A few Graham Thomas Roses were out so in they went next , under the Flax loops, and then the orange Tritonia around the loops.

Adding the Spring flowers Tritonia

This was all about filling in the gaps, adding  flowers that were out, and keeping within the colour scheme.

Filling in the gaps

Calendulas and sprigs of Coprosma were the last of the plant material  to go in, again because of their colour and because they were flowering at the same time in the garden. To finish the personal touch...

The personal touch for the birthday party

I made a 7 and 0 out of gold wire just by looping them around my finger, and pinned them on to the Flax loop in two places.

We were ready to go... it fitted behind  the passenger seat in the car, and  got  to the destination in one piece- easily. I walked  in, plonked it on the coffee table and  yes... I got it..that wonderful word...'WOW!"

If you want ot see more of my ideas for quick, easy floral gifts, I put them on a DVD... Click here for 'Easy Floral Gifts"...as step by step lessons. If you prefer a magazine download click here to review "Arrange the flowers of Spring" and you will find lessons in lots of  different styles.

[floraldesignmagazine]

DIY idea for floral Christmas Candles

Decor for celebrations doesn't have to take forever to be impressive. Candles, Christmas decorations, a  few Flax or Aspidistra leaves and a bunch of Chrysanthemums is all you need...well almost.

 The technique has been around for a while (Part of the  DVD: Manipulating leaves Volume 1) and it continues to be beautiful and rewarding (in my opinion of course!)  Five members from the Hamilton Floral Art Club created this piece and it has secrets... it is  5 separate designs pushed close together. Throw in as many Obowls and floral foam as you need for the length of your table.

Attach the candle with sellotape and skewers

Start with wet floral foam in each plastic bowl so it is above the rim by  2 cms.(1")

Use sellotape or florists' tape to attach 4 skewers to a pillar candle. Cut the skewers to  the appropriate length so they go right down into the floral foam, but are not right up the side of the candle.

The candle should be really firmly held in place with this method.

U pins hold the rolls in place

  Push one end of the Aspidistra or New Zealand Flax into the floral foam anywhere and curl it into a roll. Where it touches the floral foam insert a U shaped pin. Go right out to the edges as well as  close to the candle. Make  it all loopy and airy so you leave room for the flowers later. Use 5-6 pieces of Flax or Aspidistra (and if your Aspidistra is too wide, split it down the middle.)

By the time you have finished your bowl should look like this. If you can still see the top of the skewers either make your loops bigger to hide them or cut them shorter.

Place the flowers in the gaps

Add flowers such as Chrysanthemums, Roses, Carnations or Gerberas, in the gaps and any Christmas/appropriate decorations you want to finish the  design. Put them all together, right up close so they are having a cuddle and light the candles...Awesome!   A great job done by the Hamilton Floral Art Club members.