Friday, December 12, 2008

Cheap and Easy Flowers

An easy way to make a contemporary looking centerpiece is to arrange flowers in rows – absolutely no design experience necessary! The arrangement in the picture was made with a $4 mixed bouquet I got from the supermarket. They are definitely not my favorite flowers, which is even better to demonstrate that this looks interesting no matter what flowers you use. The only items I added were the pinecones and berries – you could also add a row of small glass ornaments.

To make this centerpiece, line a rectangular container (I used a cookie tin) with wet floral foam and add a border by placing small pieces of greenery into the foam around the edge. Then cut all the flower stems to about 2 inches and insert them in whatever pattern you like. It’s a little like making a pattern for a rug.


Here’s another super easy arrangement that costs next to nothing. It reminds me of a frozen pond. Just add a couple of pine branches and a few berry sprigs to any tall clear vase, and fill with water (keep the branches short enough to stay under the water). To get the frozen lake effect, take a few pieces of plastic wrap and wad them up loosely to about the size of a tennis ball. Carefully insert them among the branches, shaping them a little to look more natural. Tiny air bubbles will get trapped around the plastic, giving the illusion of ice. Add a few small floating candles on top.

17 comments:

C.R. Evers said...

ohhhhh! Pretty!!!!

I especially like the bottom one.

Rena Jones said...

Oh these are beautiful! One question though. On the bottom one, are those real pine branches and berries or artifical? It's almost impossible to tell with some of them these days.

Beautiful work!

Kelly Polark said...

Adrienne- both are so beautiful!!! You are a crafty one!

PJ Hoover said...

They look great! You are SO creative!

sruble said...

These are so cool! I might have to try them for the holidays (with non-stinky flowers if I try the top one), although I might have to try the bottom one because it's unusual and looks like fun to make. Plus I can add some shells from the beach where we will be (unfortunately not a warm beach, but there will be shells).

Adrienne said...

Rena - They are real. Not all artificial ones hold up well under water, but you can always test it out if you want to use fake. Any exposed wires will get rusty, though which turns the water brown.

Sruble - LOL...I don't like stinky flowers on the table either...and I had terrible allergies working in a flower shop. The ones I used for this one actually don't have much of a smell.
Seashells would look great! Have fun beach-combing!

sruble said...

I can't believe you could work in a flower shop with allergies. I think that would kill me ;)

Brenda said...

I love these! I did think the bottom one had ice in it...so I might have to try that one to see if I can get my plastic wrap to look like ice also...

If you use clear fingernail polish on the exposed wires will that keep it from rusting, I wonder?

Alexandra MacVean said...

I love your artwork...I'm impressed and inspired. :)

Adrienne said...

Brenda - Good idea...nail polish might just work. I just snip some fresh pieces from the Christmas tree - or go by Home Depot and ask for a couple of trimmings at the tree lot!

Alex - Thank you! I'm glad you stopped by!

Kimbra Kasch said...

Love both these ideas. I use cranberries, pine cones and holly but never stuck inside water with floating candles - great idea!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

How gorgeous--both of them!
You're too kind, sharing these ideas. I'm a klutz when it comes to flower arranging, but I think I can manage either of those.
Thanks!
Becky

Bish Denham said...

Ooooooh, pretty! I like the not-having-to-be-a-florist part of your idea.

Gutsy Living said...

I love the idea of the vase, There are ice cubes in there too? Thanks for that tip.

Adrienne said...

Kim - Oh, pretty combination. Cranberries and pine cones are tricky since they float - but you can trap them with the branches and plastic wrap.

Becky - I'm sure you are quite creative! I do like things that can be made in a hurry, though.

Bish - I appreciate what professional florists do - it's hard work. But sometimes you can get away with a do-it yourself project.

GutsyWriter - Nope, no ice - just plastic wrap! It really does look icy.

Alexandra MacVean said...

Hope you had a good weekend!! :) Looking forward to more of your cool ideas! :)

LW said...

so very pretty..
I love the look of both of them...

Clever idea using plastic wrap,
it really does look like ice.

Louise