Dollar Store DIY: Faux Flower Arrangement on the Cheap.

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I love dollar stores. You can find all kinds of wonderful things you’d never expect. Today was one of those days. I was wandering around when I found these amazing country style faux roses and a cute rustic container. So it made sense to put them all together and write a little how-to guide for getting the most out of your dollar store flowers!

Step One
To start, you’ll need your flowers, wire cutters, a knife,  your container and some floral foam. In this example I’m using unsoaked wet foam, but you can get dry foam which is better suited to faux flowers as it will last longer. But I didn’t have any on hand, so the wet foam will make do.
Note: You can absolutely make this with real flowers too, just soak the foam and line the container with cellophane.

Step Two
Take your knife (I’m using a floral knife here) and cut the foam to fit your container. Allow the foam to sit above the edge of the container by 5-10 mm.

Step Three
Use the wire cutters to cut stems to the desired length. You will need to use wire cutters as all the flowers will have a reasonably thick wire running up the stem. As with fresh flowers, cut the stems on a 45 degree angle as this will help insert the flowers into the foam.

 

Step Four
Insert the stems into the foam. Start with your central flower about 1.5 x the high of the container. This will give you nice proportions. Everything else should then taper down in a bowl shape. When arranging the flowers think about the colour, size, shape and texture of the flowers.

Step Five
Sit back and enjoy your creation!

Don’t forget to check out the Facebook and Pinterest pages. I love to keep them updated with all kinds of floral inspiration.

5 AMAZING GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR AMAZING MUM

(from Etsy)

It’s that time of year again folks. Time to say a big thanks to all the wonderful mums out there. That’s right, Mother’s Day is coming up on May 10 – don’t forget!

And then comes the next question. What do you get her?

I love giving gifts, but sometimes it can be tricky to think of something that’s just right. I’ve tried to make the process a little simpler by compiling a list of five awesome ideas mum is sure to adore.

1. Flowers

Okay, so I’m a little biased here but flowers are classic for a reason. To me, a flower says everything that can’t be expressed in words. They have no other purpose than to remind the recipient that they are loved and adored. They can brighten up even the gloomiest of days, and are available in any price range. Supporting your local florist shop is also a great way to support your local economy.

(from Saipua)

2. Tea and coffee

Show of hands, who can’t live without one or both of these things? I’m going to guess most of you. So why not spoil mum with some extra special, gourmet teas and coffees. With specialty and handcrafted blends all the rage, you’re sure to find something she’ll love.

From Blessed Bean

3. Terrariums

Terrariums are all the rage at the moment. These tiny ecosystems look amazing and are perfect if you want to give a handmade gift.

Learn to make these on Saved By Love Creations

4. Garden Hamper

Does your mum have the gift of green thumbs? Why not prepare some plants, seeds and bulbs for her to enjoy in the garden. Remember to choose plants that will suit her garden – visit a nursery if you need help choosing. If in doubt, herbs are always an excellent choice as they can be grown just about anywhere!

Find instructions to make this here.

5. Home-made bath bombs

There’s nothing better than coming home from a long day at work or with the kids and spending some quality alone time with a bath and a book (maybe even a glass of wine for good measure!). Imagine how impressed she’ll be when you tell her they’re all handmade!

Find the recipe at Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily

I hope this has given you some inspiration to help make Mother’s Day super special for your mum. Have any more suggestions? Leave a comment and let me know!

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” Abraham Lincoln

What in Carnation?

Carnations are old fashioned. They’re your grandmas flower. Basically, they’re dated. Right?

Well…let’s see.

Carnation (dianthus sp.)

Personally, I think carnations are hands down one of the best cut flowers you can buy. They’re hardy, long lasting and come in a myriad of colours to boot. Unfortunately, the 80s and 90s saw a proliferation of god-awful designs that have seemingly marked the poor carnation for life.

Need I say more?

But, not unlike gypsophila (baby’s breath), carnations may be on their way back into our floral repertoire. And hooray for that! Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen a huge increase in varieties. Carnations now come in a huge range of colours, sizes and even textures.

Green Trick Carnation, d. barbathus (image: Sierra Flower Finder)

Antique Varieties (image: Florabundance)

Mini/Spray Carnations, d. caryophyllus (image: SandraHKPhotography)

At the same time, we’ve seen florists moving away from the overly structured designs of the past, to more natural styles which are perfectly suited to this humble flower.

Curtain of carnation heads (image: Lindsay Oroton Photography)

Pink carnation ball (image: Sad Puppy)

I really do hope we’re seeing a resurgence of this versatile little flower. They’re available all year round, and are certainly one of the longest lasting flowers you can buy. Ask your florist for some next time you visit!

Tips: always cut above the node on a 45 degree angle and place directly into clean water. Keep out of direct sunlight and change water regularly.

“My flowers are dead!?” 5 florist approved tricks for longer lasting flowers.

Have you ever bought or received flowers only to be disappointed a few days later when you find them drooped over in their vase? Don’t worry! You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common flower complaints. So what can you do about it? First of all, buying from a fresh market or qualified florist will ensure you have the best quality. But once you get them home, here’s my 5 top tips for longer lasting flowers.

1. Clean Vases

As with most things, a solid foundation is the key to success. Flowers are no exception. When you bring your flowers home, make sure your vase is clean. Give it a rinse or a scrub for good measure. Why? Small chips and pores in the glass are great hidey-holes for bacteria that can cause premature flower death. Clean vase = clean water = happy flowers. Simple!

2. Feed Those Flowers

You know those little sachets of powder that (should) come with your flowers? Use them! They contain a nutrients and a pH balancer that will encourage your flowers to open and stay looking their best. If you don’t have any flower food on hand, you can make it yourself using this simple recipe. Your flowers will thank you.

Flower Food Recipe (from https://www.mastergardeners.org/picks/extendlife.html)

2 tablespoons of lemon juice or bottled “Real Lemon,” (lowers the pH)
1 tablespoon of sugar (feeds the flowers)
1/4 teaspoon of bleach (prevents bacterial growth)
Mix into 1 litre of warm water.

3. Cut Those Stems

Now that you have you’ve got the vase and the water prepped, it’s time to get the flowers ready. First of all, take off any foliage that will fall below the waterline. This will help prevent bacterial growth. Now take a sharp pair of scissors and cut 3-5cm off the stems at a 45 degree angle and place in water immediately. This will increase uptake of water and prevent the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase.

4. Change Water Regularly

Just because you started with clean water, doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Organic matter in the water creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Changing the water every few days will keep the little demons at bay! And don’t forget to add your flower food.

5. Location, Location, Location

The old adage is as true for flowers as it is for real estate. Once cut, many flowers have very particular likes and dislikes when it comes to location. With the exception of certain natives and waxy tropical flowers, most do not handle heat well. Make sure to find a nice, cool, shady spot and your flowers will thank you! The second part of the location hunt is less obvious. Ethylene is a gas commonly released by fresh fruits and vegetables. And it’s really really bad for flowers. Ever wondered why supermarket flowers never seem to last as long? Think about where they’re located in the store, and you have one of the reasons right there! Some flowers are more sensitive than others, such as carnations, orchids, roses, lilies and sunflowers so make sure to keep them away from the fruit bowl.

So there you have it. Five simple ways to keep your fresh flowers fresh! To me, the transient nature of flowers is part of what makes them so charming. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy them for as long as possible.

“A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect.” Terri Guillemets

Now go out and enjoy this little floral world!

Hello and welcome to my little floral world!

Well I guess everyone has to start somewhere. So here I am. Here are a few things about me:

1. I’m a woman. 26 years old. Australian.

2. I am a florist. On the treacherous path to self employment.

3. I enjoy floral design and I want to share it with this little world.

So that’s me. It’s not much to begin with, but fear not! There’s more on the way.

‘Til then!