DIY: The $12 Floral Arrangement
It's been officially spring for a week now and even though the weather hasn't decided yet to participate, I'm in full spring mode. This is the time of year that I'm always most inspired. It's all about the colors, scents, and flavors of the season for me. The promise of warm weather makes for extra productive days in the studio as I work to create pieces for you all to enjoy during this wonderful time of year.
I began working on vases in the studio back in February anticipating the upcoming months. I thought of my favorite flowers and designed my latest vases around a variety of colorful blooms. I kept the forms simple as I think the flowers deserve to really stand out in the arrangement, and while the vessel is undeniably important, I believe it should be a secondary, supporting figure to the beautiful blossoms. That's why I kept a strict palette on these little vases. A single bold brushstroke of color adds interest to the vase and offers a seemingly different silhouette depending upon how the vase is oriented. This is a collection that I am beyond excited to share with you and I hope you will enjoy the first vases of the season!
Now, as promised a super cheap, super easy, super gorgeous DIY. Don't have access to amazing big city floral vendors? No problem. All of these flowers were purchased at my local grocery store for only $12.
What you'll need:
Scissors
Water
Vase
5 tulip stems
2 stock stems
5 craspedia stems*
2 leafy stems of your choice*
*The craspedia bouquets are sold at my local grocery store with two leafy stems which were used in this arrangement. If your local shop doesn't offer leaves with the craspedia simply select your favorite leafy vine or stem to use as a substitute.
1) Fill vase 2/3 full with water.
2) Begin with your leafy pieces first. Run the bottom of the stems under water and cut diagonally in the water's stream, so that the lowest leaves rest about an inch above the rim of the vase. Position these in opposite directions to create interest and tension in the arrangement. These two stems are the base of your bouquet.
3) Run the base of three tulip stems under water and cute diagonally, leaving each tulip a slightly different length. Remove leaves as needed so that the lowest leaves are above the vases's water level and fall at the vases's rim. Place these three on the left side of the vase near the leafy stem you previously placed on this side.
4) Run the base of two more tulips under water and cut diagonally. Keep these stems longer than the other three and place behind the leafy stem that is on the right side of the vase.
5) Run craspedia under water and cut diagonally at five different lengths. Place these little floral pompoms throughout the bouquet in a casual manner. I placed three on the left and two on the right, arranging them around the other flowers in the arrangement.
6) Run stock stems under water and cut one shorter than the other. Place this shorter cluster in the front center of the arrangement and allow the flowers to fall over the rim of the vase. Place the taller stem behind the other, and slightly to the left to fill in the arrangement.
7) Make any adjustments until you have the arrangement you love!
Enjoy!