Do It Yourself Flower Arrangements

Real flowers are beautiful until they begin to wilt. However, having a vase of stunning flowers that last all year round, can bring a reminder of warm summer days on cold winter nights or just add a touch of class to that boring end table. Arranging these flowers in a stunning vase takes absolutely no time at all. And they can be an inexpensive way to give a touching gift and show somebody you care.

To get started, figure out where this arrangement will be going in your home or to whom you are going to be giving it to. This will drive your decision on flowers and container. If this is going to sit on a small table you don’t want choose a vase that is three feet tall. And you can either choose a vase or a bowl. Nobody said that flowers only had to go into a vase. Also, remember that your flowers will have to compliment your holder and decor for the most stunning effect. You are not going to choose a purple vase, put orange flowers in it and set it in a room of pale rose colors. Most craft stores have the flowers near the aisles where your holders are available to help you coordinate your effort. Just make sure that you don’t pick too many flowers for your container. Your arrangement should have plenty of room and not look too busy. You might also choose a holder that will match the color of the room or, if a gift, the favorite colors of the receiver.

Next, select flowers that are of relative size to each other and will not overwhelm one another. You want to mix your bloom sizes, i.e., roses, chrysanthemums, peonies, lilies, carnations, poppies and daisies can be placed together and make a smooth proportion pattern. If your receiver has a favorite flower, choose a few of those first and coordinate the rest around it. The colors should flow together well and should attract, not offend the viewer of the flowers. The use of greenery like ferns, eucalyptus or ivy interspersed with the flowers to create a more natural feel. As you are selecting your flowers, occasionally stop to arrange them in the holder you choose. If you have picked out a favorite flower, place it in the middle of the bouquet and use the others to encase it.

The big question now is how to keep these things in place and fill the vase. The answer is glass marbles. If you have selected a relatively clear vase, you are not going to want the stems distracting from the overall display. By putting the marbles into the holder, you continue the color pattern, hide the stems and create a consistent flow. These marbles can vary in shape, size and color and can be mixed and matched to draw in the colors of the room or flowers. These marbles will also help support your flowers to keep them from drooping over. You are going to want enough to fill your bowl or vase half full.

Once home, arrange your workspace so that all of the materials you will need are at hand. You will need wire cutters, a measuring cup without a spout, and a glue gun. First, spread out all of your flowers and greenery and begin to arrange them in your hand. Then, decide how high you would like your flowers to be above the rim of the container. You do not want your flowers to be sitting right on the rim let them stand tall and proud. Using your wire cutters cut the stems to your desired height. If you have chosen a specific flower to highlight, you could choose to make it a little taller than the others. After you have put in the flowers, add your greenery. You can use the leaves on the flowers to support the other greenery and make it more natural looking.

When you are comfortable with the arrangement, pour the marbles into your measuring cup. Push the flowers to one side, gently so as to not disrupt your display and pour in the marbles. This will fill in the area between the flowers and vase and be the cement to hold everything in place. Once you're confident that the flowers will not tip to the outside of the container, then gently separate the flowers in the middle and pour in more marbles. Once these marbles are in place you can take a few moments to adjust a bent or an out-of-place flower. The next jiggle the vase carefully to allow any loose marbles to fall into place.

Creating an arrangement of silk flowers is a quick and cost efficient way to give a gift or brighten a day. Any corner of your house can be given a new lease on life by an awesome arrangement of bright blooms and can be arranged easily.

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