Tips For Making Your Silk Flower
Arrangement Beautiful

The best place to begin is to decide where the flowers will be placed. A flower arrangement that is for the centerpiece of a dining table will definitely look different than a flower arrangement that is going to be on a shelf or in a corner.

Next, pick a vase. The size and shape of the vase will determine the size of the flower arrangement. A general rule is to use a vase that is half the height of the arrangement. This will give it a nice balance. Also, if you want a very full arrangement, you will want to choose a vase that is larger and has a wider opening. If you are going for something simple and sophisticated, you can choose a tall vase with a narrow opening. Another good choice for the beginning florist is to use a vase that has a crosshatch pattern over the top. This allows you to arrange the flowers more easily and evenly. Otherwise, you will need to cut a piece of Styrofoam or florist foam to fit inside the vase in order to anchor the flowers.

The only limit when choosing the flowers to arrange is your imagination. You can select a bunch of flowers that are the same color but in varying hues of that color. For instance choose several flowers that are different shades of yellow, from palest lemon to deep gold. Or you can work with all warm shades like yellow, orange and red, or all cool shades like blue, purple and green. It is best to choose three or more colors with one of them being more dominant than the others. It helps to have a color wheel that shows complementary colors, secondary colors and other pleasing color combinations.

To choose your design, you can go with a horizontal design or a vertical design, depending on what it is going to be used for. A vertical design that is spare and simple will look stunning on a corner table, and a horizontal design would look great on a buffet table or dining table. Use odd numbers of flowers to get the best effect.

Some people like to start with the greenery and fillers, and others like to start with the flowers. Experiment with both ways to find out which is more comfortable for you. Remember not to overload your vase. When you are done, take a step back and view your design. You want it to look symmetrical.

If you still feel like your flower arranging skills are not the best, you can always take a class at your local craft store or college. Making your own silk floral arrangements can be fun and fulfilling.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the Author Bob Hett offers great tips and advice regarding all aspects of flowers. Get some great ideas now by visiting http://www.flowerscenter.info

Roses as Gifts and Drying Roses

Bouquets

This is the most common gift that roses are used for. They are great in any color, especially when mixed with Spanish Moss or Baby’s Breath. These are very attractive and can be very simple, yet attractive gifts.

Potpourri

Potpourri is a lovely way to enjoy roses. Turning your roses into potpourri is easy and all you have to do is dry your roses properly. Once the roses are dried, you simply break the blooms apart and separate them. Place the shreds in a nice container or even hosiery for drawer potpourri.

Dried Bouquets

These are beautiful bouquets and will last forever. All you have to do is follow the sanding method for drying roses and plant them in a small pot. You can also mix the roses with dried green moss and other dried flowers. There are also several sprays available that will give the flowers a glossy look.

Candied Roses

These roses do not have to be completely fresh or dried. You can mix these with real roses or with candied or chocolate roses. These are a unique and delicious gift.

Drying Your Roses

There are a variety of reasons to dry your roses. One is that you can preserve your beautiful blooms forever and they also make special mementos. They can be used in weddings or as simple gifts.

Air Drying

Air-drying is the easiest method of drying your roses. All you have to do is start with perfect roses on their stems. If they are not perfect, they will fall apart.

Remove leaves for the branches and bunch them in a manner so that they fan out. Tie the bottom of the bunch with a string or rubber band. Hang upside down in a dark, dry area for about two to three weeks.

Sand Drying

To sand dry your roses, you need to begin with perfect roses that do not have any dew and have dry stems. Bend the end of a wire into a hook over each rose head and pull down. This will secure the head to the stem.

Next, dilute glue with a dab of water. Take a toothpick and dab a thin coat of glue at the base of each petal. Next, work the glue into the base of the stems of each flower so that you can attach each petal to the base. Wait until the glue dries completely.

Now, carefully cover the flowers with sand in deep open boxes. Make the sand deep enough that the hold the flowers upright. Sit each flower in the sand box and slowly pour sand around the flowers until they are around and under the petals. Pour the sand evenly so that they can preserve the flower’s shape.

Place the boxes in an area that is dry, but brightly lit and warm. This causes the flowers to maintain their bright colors. Allow them to dry for one to three weeks.

Flowers And Their Meanings

By Ron Zvagelsky

Everyone knows that it is customary to give a woman flowers but did you know that each flower has its own significance?

Whether it is choosing a flower for your anniversary, or looking for the best flower to let her know that you are sorry for an argument, flowers have meanings and choosing a flower based upon its significance shows her that you are genuinely interested in her feelings and shows that you have a romantic side. So next time you choose a flower, bouquet, or even a plant choose one that is appropriate for the occasion or compliments your heartfelt apology, expresses your truest feelings of love, or compliments your fiery passion. Choosing flowers for anniversaries based upon their meanings are also a wonderful gift that any woman will welcome with open arms. Here is a list of flowers associated with anniversaries.

1st Anniversary - Pansy
2nd Anniversary - Cosmos
3rd Anniversary - Fuchsia
4th Anniversary - Geranium
5th anniversary - Daisy
6th Anniversary - Calla Lily
7th Anniversary - Jack -in -the - Pulpit
8th Anniversary - Clematis
9th Anniversary - Poppy
10th Anniversary - Daffodil
11th Anniversary - Morning Glory
12th Anniversary - Peony
13th Anniversary - Hollyhock
14th Anniversary -Dahlia
15th Anniversary - Rose
20th anniversary - Day Lily
25th Anniversary - Iris
28th Anniversary - Orchid
30th Anniversary - Sweet Pea
40th Anniversary - Nasturtium
50th Anniversary - Violet

Along with anniversaries, each flower also has its own significance. Here is a list of flowers and their meanings.

Acacia - chaste love
Ambrosia - reciprocal love
Amaryllis - pride
Anemone - forsaken
Arbutus - one true love
Aster - daintiness
Azalea - fragile passion; Chinese symbolism for womanhood
Bachelor Button - single blessedness
Begonia - beware
Bells of Ireland - good fortune or luck
Bittersweet - truth
Bluebell - humility
Cactus -endurance
Pink Camellia - longing for your love
Red Camellia - you are a flame in my heart
White Camellia - you are adorable
Carnation - woman love
Pink Carnation - I’ll never forget you
Red Carnation - My heart aches for you
Purple Carnation - capriciousness
Solid Carnation - yes
Striped Carnation - Wish I could be with you, or Sorry that we are not together
White Carnation - pure love, innocence, sweet
Yellow Carnation -rejection, disappointment
Cattail - peace, prosperity
Chrysanthemum - a good friend
White Chrysanthemum - truth
Yellow Chrysanthemum - slighted love
Crocus - cheerfulness
Cyclamen - good bye
Daffodil - unrequited love
Daisy - innocence, purity
Dandelion - happiness
Fern - Confidence
Flax - domestic
Forget -Me -Not - true love
Forsythia - anticipation
Gardenia - secret love
Geranium - stupidity
Gladioli - flower of the gladiator
Gloxinia - love at first sight
Lavender Heather - admiration, solitude
White Heather - Protection
Holly - defense
Hyacinth - sports
Blue Hyacinth - constancy
Purple Hyacinth - I’m sorry, apologetic
Red or Pink Hyacinth - Play
White Hyacinth - I’m praying for you
Yellow Hyacinth - jealousy
Hydrangea - heartlessness
Iris - friendship, wisdom, valor
Ivy - fidelity, affection
Jonquil - returned affection
Pink Larkspur - fickleness
White Lily - virginity, purity
Yellow Lily - false and gay
Calla Lily - beauty
Day Lily - Chinese symbol for motherhood
Tiger Lily - Wealth
Lily of the Valley - humility
Magnolia -nobility
Marigold - Grief
Narcissus - egotism
Orange Blossom - eternal love
Orchid - Beautiful woman
Petunia - resentment, anger
Poppy - eternal sleep
Rose - love
Pink rose - perfect happiness
Red Rose - I love you
Rose without thorns - Love at first sight
White Rose - innocence, purity
White and Red Rose Mix - Unity
Yellow Rose -Jealousy
Rosebud - Beauty, youth
Red Rosebud - purity
White Rosebud - girlhood
Bouquet of Full Roses - gratitude, thanks
Single Full bloom rose - I love you
Red Tulip - Believe Me
Yellow Tulip - beautiful smile
Violet - modesty
Blue Violet - faithfulness
Zinnia - lasting affection

About the Author: Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Use PlanJam.com to find additional dating and relationship advice along with things to do.

Source: www.isnare.com

Ads By CbproAds