Cathy's Crafty Corner
Sweet Arrangement by Cathy Monrad PREPARE CONTAINER
1. Stretch rubber band around container, then insert candy canes under rubber band around entire circumference. 2. Hide rubber band with ribbon wrapped around container and tied in a bow or simple knot as shown. 3. Place decorated container on Lazy Susan, then add water until it’s ¾ full. 4. Place decorated container on Lazy Susan, then add water until it’s ¾ full. 5. Cut a few pine branches no taller than container, strip off lower needles and place in container. These will hold the flowers in place. ARRANGE FLOWERS
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earning to create floral arrangements seemed intimidating to me… until Carol Swallow-Wilson, member of the Country Gardeners of Webster, showed me how quick and easy it was to recreate this festive arrangement idea from countryandvictoriantimes.com.
MATERIALS About 3 boxes of candy canes, left in wrappers Ribbon Wide rubber band Round container, no taller than candy canes Roses or carnations Pine cuttings TOOLS Paring or pocket knife Lazy Susan or cake stand
1. Remove bruised petals from flowers. For roses, pinch petal near bottom and pull. 2. Determine the height of the tallest flower, about 1½ times the height of the candy canes. 3. Using knife, cut stem at an angle. Woody stemmed flowers like roses also need a slit about ½ inch in length cut at end of stem. 4. Remove any leaves that are bruised or will be submerged in water. 5. Place flower in center of container, utilizing greenery to hold it up. 6. Determine height of the second level of flowers, about ½ the distance from top of candy canes to bottom of tallest flower. 7. Cut and place flowers in container, one at a time, turning the arrangement to ensure a balanced look from all angles. This level will have 5 or 6 flowers. 8. Determine height of third level, just above tops of candy canes, then repeat step 7. ADD GREENERY
Cut pine branch and strip needles that will fall below the waterline, then place in empty space between flowers. Repeat until arrangement looks full.
ENHANCEMENT IDEAS
Add mini candy canes attached to sticks with floral wire; swap cinnamon sticks for candy canes around container; use arborvitae or boxwood instead of pine; or place arrangement on greenery cuttings.
Cathy Monrad is the graphic designer and self-proclaimed garden crafter for Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
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