Bouquet complete with gems!

Are being asked for a wedding bouquet in silk, well here’s an idea…. and just in case you need a few tips on how to do it or what products we have used, that’s here too.

position the wire collar & holder

Push the foam bouquet holder through the centre of the Wire and Bead collar. Secure in place with some Silver wire.

Trim the Eucalyptus and Bay leaves down to individual pieces, wire and tape the stems, so that they can easily be pushed into the foam. Repeat with the flower heads and gems. 

add hydrangea and lavender

Once these are all wired and taped, start to place the twelve Rose buds in position, (you may want to add a dab of glue to each of the stems before pushing them into the foam, just for extra security.) At this point you can also position the Eucalyptus leaves.

Fill in any spaces with the Hydrangea florets and Lavender.  When you are happy with the flowers add the Bay leaves to the arrangement, paying particular attention around the base of the bouquet.

Finished bouquet from the side

Now you can add the gems, placing them amongst the flowers will enhance the colour of the Rose buds and Lavender and add a sparkle to the arrangement.

Resources used
Wedding Belle Dry (code 10918)
Wire and Bead Collar (code 14989)
Eucalyptus w/powder (code 15922)
Lavender Bunch (code 17131)
Hydrangea – White (code 15932)
Bayleaf Spray (code 10585)
Gem Spray – Lilac/ Silver (code 16695)
Foam Rose Bud – Lilac (code 17838)
Silver Wires – 7” 28swg (code 13874)
Parafilm (code 15298)
Adhesive Glue (code 13452)

The 'Kissing Ball'

bridesmaids bouquet.  So here’s just one idea for a wedding pomander… 

And here’s how to make it 

prepare the sphere

The first step is to create a handle.  To do this, loop the ribbon twice     (allow at least 18cm in height for each loop).  Secure the ribbon loops with the wire, leaving a very long end.  Take the wire through the diameter of the sphere and then bend the wire to thread it back up again to the top of the sphere. Trim the wire and secure with a dab of cold glue.

Repeat this step to create the ribbon which will hang from the base of the sphere. This time however, cut through the loops of ribbon to make strands.

Cover the sphere with either Reindeer moss or Sisal.  We used lilac Sisal to complement the flowers.  To secure the Sisal to the sphere use the silver wire or Mossing pins.

add rose buds and lavender

Trim your flowers and foliage to the length required and then wire and tape the stems.  Position the rosebuds in pairs around the whole sphere.  (Remember that the pomander will be viewed from all angles.)  Now use the Lavender foliage to dot sprigs around the Rose buds.

The Hydrangea floret’s can be used to fill in any gaps in the arrangement, along with the Lavender flowers.

Take the Ribbon and release some of the pearls, so that you can make some simple bows to dot amongst the flowers.  Secure each of the bows with the silver wire leaving a stem that can then be pushed into the foam.

position the beads and ribbon

Finally thread and secure each of the loose pearls onto individual lengths of silver wire so that you can place them amongst the flowers to complement the handle and tassels.

Resources Used

9cm Dry Foam Sphere (code 10280)
Silver Wires – 7” 28swg (code 13874)
Mossing Pins (code 10631)
Adhesive Glue (code 13452)
Pearls on Ribbon (code 16111)
Sisal – Lilac (13693)
Foam Rose Bud –  Lilac (code 17838)
Lavender Bunch (code 17131)
Hydrangea – White (code 15932)
Parafilm (code 15298)

Orchid Pot Et Fleur

Fancy a few pointers for an exquisite Orchid design with plenty of detailed ideas, well look no further…..  here’s what we did

Start by placing the Orchid plant in the Summer planter to the left hand side.  Take your brick of floral foam and cut it to fit it into the remaining space.  Allow the foam to stand ‘proud’ of the planter by about 0.5cm.

Soak the foam and then using a plastic Pinholder and Oasis Fix, secure the foam to the base of the planter.  For added stability use a couple of strips of Clear Pot Tape across the top of the foam onto the sides of the planter.

Now carefully remove the support sticks from the Orchid plant and using the Raspberry Bullion Wire, wind it around each of the sticks to decorate the whole length of the stick, then cut and secure the wire to itself, before replacing the sticks back in the Orchid pot.

Fig 1 - using the sisal

Use pieces of Sisal to disguise the foam and tape, allow the Sisal to overhang the planter to soften the straight edges.  (Refer to fig 1.)

Trim the Antirrhinum stems so that they graduate down in height, and remove any unwanted leaves.  Place the tallest stem in the centre and towards the back of the foam. Then place the second and third stems a little in front of each other, so that they ‘step down’ from left to right and from back to front.

Repeat this positioning technique with the Alstroemeria; place the first Alstroemeria stem in the gap between the Orchid and the first Antirrhinum stem (but bring it forward a couple of centimetres.)

Cut each Germini flower to its correct height before supporting and strengthening each stem by using the Green Stub Wire (wind one piece of wire gently around the length of each stem.) Using the photo as a guide, position the Germini behind and in front of the already positioned flowers.

Fig 2 - Inserting the pink pearl pins

Fig 3 - twirl your bullion wire

Take the spray Carnations and allow one stem as the highest position next to the Antirrhinum and then trim the rest down so they graduate in height when placed on the right of the Antirrhinums.  Before using these stems, gently twirl the Bullion wire in a random and loose fashion up and down the stems and around the flowers. (Refer to Fig 3).

Lastly create your own Bullion Wire flower to place in the front right hand corner of the planter.  To do this hold about a 9cm length of wire which will be the stem and then making large loops of

Fig 4 - Secure using wire

Bullion wire, which fold over back to the base of the stem, repeat this several times to create a large flower. Finish by winding the wire around the stem several times to secure.  (Refer to Fig 4.)

Push the Bullion Flower into the Foam and decorate with a single Chrysanthemum head and two Skeleton leaves. 

Voila!  You’re Finished!

And just in case you didn’t manage to spot all the ‘ingredients’ used here’s a checklist…

Workbox Products  used:

For ease of reference we have included the Workbox product codes if you fancy using them in your own creation.

1 x Summer Planter S/2 – White (Code 17748)

1 x Wet Foam Brick (Code 17075)

1 x Pinholder – Green (Code 13267)

1 x Roll Mini Fix Adhesive Tack (Code 10620)

1 x Carbon Blade Scissors (Code 10633)

1 x Roll Clear Pot Tape (Code 14978)

1 x Reel Raspberry Bullion Wire (Code 15840)

1 x Pack Lilac Sisal (Code 13693)

4 x 12”Green Stub Wires 22swg (Code10728)

1 x Box Strong Pink Pearl Pins – 03.5mm (Code 14139)

1 x Box Lilac Skeleton Leaves (Code 15790)

Flowers Used:

1 x Phalaenopsis Orchid plant

3 x Stems of Pink Antirrhinums

3 x Stems of Pink Alstroemeria

4 x Cerise Pink Germini

2 x Sprays Chrysanthemums Green Kermit

3 x White Spray Carnations

Our Elegant Orchid

Presentation Sundries:
Wire Wool 12m – Green

Silks:
1 Stem Ivy – Green

Workroom Sundries:
1x Wet Brick Floral Foam
Clear Pot Tape
12” Green Stub Wire 19swg

Fresh Flowers:
 
1 x Cymbidium Orchid
1 Stem Pink Phlox
1 stem Contorted Willow
1 Stem Green Chrysanthemums
2 Stems White Spray Carnations
3 x Purple Liatris
1 Stem Scimia, 

 Method:

Trim the foam brick to fit the glass container, secure in position with clear pot tape. 

Getting the vase ready

Add water to the vase to soak  the foam.

Take 60cm of wire wool, fold-over 2cm of wool at one end to neaten and then carefully wind the wool down the length of the Orchid stem.

adding the wire wool

Place the Orchid into the foam towards the back and left of centre.  Position the contorted Willow, just behind the Orchid stem to the left of the flower.

Trim the Liatris stems (so that they graduate down in height). Place the tallest stem at an angle, slanting away from the Orchid stem. 

Positioning the stems

Following this angle now place the other two stems; bringing each one forward a couple of centimetres.

Position four of the Scimia flowers in front of the Orchid. Use the Spray Carnations to balance the left side of the arrangement, (against the Liatris). Trim the Phlox spray and place two pieces on the right hand side of the arrangement. Now use the ivy to complete the lower corner of the triangle shape you have formed.

Fill any bare spaces with small pieces of the wire wool, which will need to be secured with stub wire into the foam.

Silk Flowers Used:
17128 – Pink Lilac
16399 – Cream Tulips
16396 – Lily of the Valley

Presentation Sundries:
17117 – Black Pearls on Wire
16071 – Blue Mist Butterflies on Wire
13884 – Black Metallic Wire
17257 – Black Midelino Sticks
13676 – Olive Coloured Moss

Ceramics:
16962 – Black Dallas 06.5

Workroom sundries:
10633 – Carbon Blade Scissors    �
15298 – Green Parafilm
10728 – Green 22swg wires 12”
10726 – Green 20swg wires 12”
17076 – Dry Foam Brick
10611 – Glue Gun

Method:

Fit the dried oasis snugly in the ceramic pot.  Take ten Midelino sticks and bind together using the black metallic wire down the whole length. Repeat this step again with a further ten sticks. Use the black wire to secure 3” of the two sets of sticks together at one end. Now use the 20swg wire to secure (anchor) the heart into the dried oasis (See photo 1).

Cover the top of the oasis with a thick layer of the moss.

Trim and wire the individual flower stems, foliage and pearls to your desired lengths.

Now it’s time to add your flowers.  Start at the back of the arrangement.  Place flowers and foliage to hide the wires securing the Midelino sticks (See photo 2). 

Return to the front of your arrangement and begin positioning the foliage around the edges.  Take the key flowers (In this case: Tulips) and position 4 diagonally across the arrangement.  Take a further 2 Tulips and position to the right of the diagonal.  Finally add the 1 remaining Tulip to the left of the diagonal (See photo 3).

To ‘balance’ the arrangement, add the Pearls, sprigs of Lilac and Lily of the Valley in the gaps (See photo 3). Finally as a finishing touch, glue some individual lilac flowers onto the Midelino heart, and place a Butterfly at an angle.

The Finished Article!

Items used:

13174 Design Ring
10397 Natural Moss
10726 12” 20swg Green Wire
17168 Glitter Bush
15383 Wire Leaf Stems-White
13643 Ivory Candle 280/100
13627 Ivory Candle 265/60
13632 Ivory Candle 165/60

Tools used:

10633 Scissors
13414 Wire Cutters
15298 Parafilm – Green

Method

Start by completely covering the foam with the moss. Tip: keep the pieces of moss in place by cutting the green wire into 8/10 cm lengths and then bending them over to make a ‘hairpin’, push these through the moss into the foam.    

Design Ring

Mossed Ring

Next, separate the individual flowers and leaves from the main stem. Trim each individual flower stem down to a shorter length and if necessary use the green wire to strengthen and/or lengthen any flower or leaf stems which may be too thin or short to push securely through the moss into the foam.

Now carefully choose where to place the main key flowers into the foam. Tip:-use an odd number e.g. 3, 5 or 7 flowers, depending on the size of the flower heads, to be the first ones to be spaced around the ring. Once these key flowers are in place you can fill in the gaps using the smaller flowers or buds.

Close up detail of the rosed ring

Once you are pleased with ‘balance’ of the flower positions you can fill in any gaps with the foliage.

To give this arrangement a seasonal touch we added a little Christmas sparkle by adding the white wire leaf stems.

Finally we chose three candles in different heights to sit in the base of the Design Ring.

This arrangement is very versatile; you could change the colour scheme of the candles and seasonal accessories to red, gold or silver then add small Christmas ribbons and bows or berries and cones to keep the seasonal theme, but change the appearance to suit your own colour schemes.

 Bubble Bowl Centre Piece

Bubble Bowl Centre Piece

Items Used:
15984 Bubble Bowl 4.5”
13267 Pin holders
10620 Fix Adhesive Tack, Mini
17416 Candle Ring-Gold Berry & Pine H3

Method:
As you can see we’ve used a 4.5” Bubble Bowl and an Ivory Taper candle (Red Taper candles also look stunning in this arrangement.)First push a small plastic Pin Holder into a Gold Berry Candle Ring, and then secure this piece to the base of the bowl using a small piece of Fix Adhesive Tack. Place another small piece of Fix Adhesive Tack onto the bottom of the candle and then push the candle through the Candle Ring foliage onto the base of the Bubble Bowl. Ensure the candle sits upright. Voila this create is now complete.

Jingle Bells Planter

Jingle Bells Planter

Items used:
17397 Basket Fabric – Green, Dk
17446 Jingle Bells – Red
16115 Ribbon – Green Sparkle
10728 Stub Wire – Green 07 22swg
10611 Glue Gun & 13409 Glue Sticks

Method:
This Create turns this very versatile lined basket into a seasonal delight: Make a full bow from our sparkly wired edge ribbon and secure with a small piece of green stub wire. Glue the Jingle bells to the rim of the basket and then carefully place the bow on top using a small dab of glue. You could vary this look by using the other colours in the ranges. What could be an easier or quicker way to transform and personalise your baskets and planters?

Winter Aviary Planter

Winter Aviary Planter

Items Used:
17494 Aviary
17341 Occasions Roses, Tiny – Cream
17359 Gingham Ribbon – Green Moss
15298 Parafilm – Green x2
10728 Stub Wire – Green 07 22swg
10611 Glue Gun & 13409 Glue Sticks
Method
We chose to place a small potted Ivy in the planter, however you could plant small spring bulbs such as crocus or maybe Tete a Tete daffodils to add an extra dimension to this very cute planter. To decorate, trim a small spray from the roses and stick to the roof of the Aviary using a glue gun. We then made a full bow from a complementary ribbon (secure the bow with a piece of stub wire and leave a ‘stem’ to push into the soil, we also wrapped green Parafilm around the wire to neaten any wire showing.).Now select a small spray from the roses, trim its stem down to a couple of centimetres and strengthen using the stub wire and as before leave a long stem bound with Parafilm to push into the soil. Arrange the bow and flowers close to each other at a pleasing angle. Again you chose a different colour ribbon or flower to suit your own ideas.

Cinnamon and Spruce Tray

Cinnamon and Spruce Tray

What could be more Christmassy – the combination of cinnamon and spruce

Items used:
17426 Willow Rim Plant Tray – Green
17392 Berry Spruce Pick
17359 Gingham Ribbon – Green Moss
10728 Stub Wire – Green 07 22swg
10611 Glue Gun & 13409 Glue Sticks
Cinnamon Stick

Method:
Break a cinnamon stick into three pieces and tie together with a small piece of Stub wire. Firmly wrap a piece of ribbon around the group of cinnamon, securing the end with a dab of glue, allow time to dry. Trim a piece of the Spruce so that it sits neatly on the side of the planter. Attach this to the planter at a jaunty angle using the glue gun. Once the Spruce is secure, glue the cinnamon bundle on top. For a finishing touch glue a couple of berries onto the middle of the ribbon. You could also use orange slices with a different coloured ribbon to change the ‘aroma’ of this Create.

Bubble Bowl Surprise

Our customers often ask us for new ideas to use with their regular stock: So we were pleased to discover that by placing a Kensington Posy Vase inside the 9.5” Bubble Bowl you can then add a different dimension to the Bowl.

We’ve used Crystal Accents to surround the Vase, but you could try using water (clear or coloured) or Marbles, Coloured Sand, Dew Drops etc. And of course the choice of flowers that you can use is endless!

Glass Vases Used: 9.5” Bubble Bowl, Kensington Posy Vase

Workroom items used: Green Stub Wire 12” x 20g wires, Green Parafilm, Scissors,

Presentation items used:  1x Packet Crystal Accents – Rose, Butterfly O/Wire – Pink, Butterfly O/Wire – Red

How to create :  Start by following the instructions on how to prepare the Crystal Accents (allow at least a couple of hours for the Crystals to swell)

Close up of the crystal accents

Place the Crystals in the Bubble Bowl and then very carefully place the trimmed flower heads into the Crystals, spacing them apart to allow for the Posy vase to be placed into the centre.

Preparing the butterflies

For the final touch we chose two Butterflies in complementary shades to the flowers. We then extended each Butterfly’s wire stem with a 12”, 20swg stub wire (binding them with Green Parafilm)  so that we could add the Butterflies at jaunty angles to the arrangement.

Butterfly placed in the flowers

Autumn Harvest

Here’s a seasonal display for Autumn, you could alter the green pears red apples and change the lavender for cornstalks or grasses.

Silk Flowers Used: 1x Poppy Spray,  1x Lavender Bundle,  1x Fruit Spray (Pear)

Presentation Items Used: Natural Moss, Ladybirds (Wood)

Workroom Items Used; Green Stub Wire 12” x 22g wires, Green Stub Wire 12” x 20g wires, Parafilm (Green), Dry foam, Glue Gun, Scissors, Wire Cutters

Ribbon used: Gingham Ribbon – Burgundy

Container Used: Bark Basket S4

 How to Create

Cut a piece of dry Oasis to snugly fill one of the Bark Baskets.Then use the natural moss to completely cover the surface of the foam (secure by making ‘hairpins’ from the 22g wire). Next trim the stems of the Silks and Pears and then make ‘new’ stems using the 20g wire and Parafilm (See Photo 1 below).

Firstly take the poppies and place them in the foam to ‘set’ the height of the arrangement ensuring the flowers and container are in proportion to each other. Gradually, working down the height of the display, add the lavender and then the fruit. The fruit should be near the moss so that it balances the proportions of the arrangement. (See photo 2).

Fold the Ribbon into a full bow with four loops, secure with the 20g wire, leaving a long stem which can then be pushed into the Oasis. (See Photo 3)

As a cute finishing touch attach a wooden Ladybird onto a leaf using a Glue Gun.

Photo 1 - Making 'new' stems

Photo2 - Balancing the arrangement

Photo 3 - Preparing the bow

Cocktails - Blue Lagoon

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