Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Floral Arrangements

I LOVE fresh flowers!!!  But have you seen the price of most floral arrangements at a floral shop or even in the grocery store?  It's OUTRAGEOUS!!!  You would pay $50 and up for a decent centerpiece.  I want to show you how to have beautiful flowers in your home that will last longer than those delivered to you from the florist and at less than HALF the cost.

Here's what I put together this afternoon:

And...
24 Roses at Costco- $16.99
2 Bunches of Greenery at Costco- $8.99 each
Floral Foam - I buy it in packs of three for $7-8 dollars at Michaels I used about half a brick
Total Cost per arrangement - $18.50 !!!

I use things I have around the house as containers and I usually have ribbon lying around.  That's what makes it personal and fun!  Using unusual containers are unexpected and start interesting cocktail conversations.  (And you can bet that folks are going home and using your brilliant ideas).

Lets Get Started

Tools Needed:

Tape, Floral Picks, Pruning Shears, Bread Knife, Scissors,
Wire,
 
Floral Foam, Pinecone Picks, Twig Wreath 

Pepper Berries, Cardinal (he came from an arrangement that someone had sent me years ago) Ornaments, A Bow wired onto a floral pick
Flowers Of Course!!!


For the first arrangement I used a pretty Mercury Glass Bowl that I bought at Target for $15.00.  It was exactly like one I saw at Pottery Barn for a lot more.  I love a good bargain!


I placed a shallow plastic bowl inside the glass bowl and cut the floral foam to fit.  I soaked the floral foam in the plastic bowl for a few minutes to make sure it was good and wet.  After placing the plastic inside the glass bowl I put tape over the bowl in a cross hatch form.  You can use the green floral tape if you want, I use both. 


Cut the each rose at an angle with the pruning shears and arrange in the bowl in a round formation.  Make sure that you take all of the leaves off of the roses and if some of the petals are looking a little limp don't be afraid to pull them off too.
Here is the greenery that I bought at Costco.  I like to seperate it so that I can choose what I want.

Start filling in with the greenery around the edges and then into the middle of the arrangement.

It's starting to look GOOD!!!

I added the pinecone picks and took apart the twig wreath and used some of the twigs in the top.  I left a hole in the front to place an ornament there.  I wired the ornament to a pinecone pick and placed it in.
Beautiful!!!

What Do You Think?

Teapot Floral Arrangement

This is pretty similar to the first arrangement.  I have a beautiful teapot from the Tiffany Christmas China collection.  My hubby's boss used to give a piece each year as our Christmas gift.  Well, let's say his gracious WIFE was probably in charge of the gift giving. It is the most beautiful Christmas China pattern I have ever seen and maybe one day I will be able to purchase more of the dinnerware.  I love displaying it and why not fill the gorgeous teapot with flowers!!!

Place the floral foam into the teapot and again tape over the teapot in a grid formation.

Start Adding the roses in a round formation, varying the heights.
Fill in with the Greens.  How's it lookin so far? 
I added the pinecone picks and nestled the cute little cardinal in the back on one of the sticks that I cut from a long pinecone pick.  Finishing touch, a pretty plaid ribbon bow and a few twigs from the wreath that I cut earlier. 
Really brightens up my Kitchen!!!

Not too bad for less than $20.00 an arrangement!!!                  I am posting on My Romantic Home
                                   French Country Cottage
                           Stuff and Nonsense
                                Boogieboard Cottage
                                The house in the roses
                      Dittle Dattle
                         The DIY Showoff  
                         Keeping it Simple 
                                             Between Naps on the Porch 

13 comments:

  1. Hi, Cindy. So this is your second post? VERY NICE! Great tutorial, and great end product--your arrangements are far more beautiful than the bought ones! I wanted to be one of your first followers but didn't find your follower spot yet, so as soon as you add it let me know and I'll join in. I hope you'll visit me and find my blog worth following as well. BTW, I just started mine a few months ago--lots of fun to share our gifts with others. Blessings to you and yours, and I wish you a lot of fun in Blogland. ~Zuni

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  2. It's beautiful! Thank you so much for the tutorial. I love how you showed us how to do it step by step. Happy Holidays!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  3. OK, I'm here following now!! Thanks for following me too! I forgot to tell you I love the pattern of the teapot you used for the arrangement and the platter.

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  4. Hi! I'm a new follower as well! Found your blog via... ? ... not sure. One click leads to another.

    Looking forward to more of your posts... and inspiration.

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  5. Cindy, I love your beautiful floral arrangements and can't wait to see your Christmas Tablescape! I'll share mine with you, too.

    Love,
    Kristy

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  6. beautiful I have started doing my own flower arrangements as well

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  7. Cindy this is a wonderful tutorial. I just pinned it! I just did my very first floral arrangement for the tablescape I posted last night. I was pleased, but am glad to have your tutorial to use the next time! Merry CHRISTmas!

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  8. Cindy,
    Thank you soooooooo much for this fabulous tutorial. You are amazing. These arrangements are simply gorgeous. Thanks to you I will be making a floral arrangement for my bedroom this week for sure. Love it! I would love it if you would link this fabulous post to our What's It Wednesday linky party. I hope you can join us.

    Paula, your newest follower
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  9. This is absolutely gorgeous! xo & Merry Christmas!

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  10. Hi, Cindy! G-o-r-g-e-o-u-s arrangements!!! You did an outstanding job with both of them!!! I think a lot of people shy away from doing their own because they feel intimidated. You have just shown, however, that they can easily do it on their own and avoid shelling out the big bucks. Doing it yourself not only saves money, but has the added bonus of including exactly what elements YOU want. Great job! Merry Christmas to you and your family from our house!

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  11. HI Cindy. I am a floral designer and want to say you did a FABULOUS job! And, you are right, the prices at a florist are outrageous, I know! Keep up the good work!!! Love your blog! XO, Pinky

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  12. Oh my gosh!!! I have no words to speak about the beauty of these fresh flowers arrangements. I just Loved it.

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