A Great Hobby: Floral Arrangement!

I don’t know about you, but for me flowers are the embodiment of God’s beauty at least a facet of it - yes only a facet, there are many beautiful things out there too- but flowers represent one of my favorite facets!

In stressful times which nowadays seem to occur most of the time, and happy little moments seem to be delayed to good old Sunday, finding something to enjoy doing and why not, to greatly enjoy it afterwards, is one of the best ways to relax a bit and start your work refreshed both in body and spirit.

Yes this is how I do, after sitting for hours in front of the computer I simply take the scissors with me and start the adventure: head to the garden and look for what’s available. Roses of may, irises, simple long grass, green leafs of the flowers that are not in bloom any more, you name it, as long as it is green and if you consider it could add charm and beauty to your arrangement, it will do.

It is unbelievable how many plants you can find, plants that you never really paid attention to! Of course you don’t need to chop your garden sacrificing it for a single flower arrangement! I am sure each of us can use discernment here and decide for ourselves. Anyway not all of us have a garden, that’s why the flower shop might be the best solution in such cases.

Right, so now after gathering the greenery and flowers, the second step is to make the floral arrangement. Among the simplest and yet very stylish (even if you are only using flowers from your garden) is the classic dome shape - a round bouquet – that goes well with many vases’ shapes.

1.The first step to making a round bouquet, is to remove the excess foliage and thorns (if the case, for example when you are using roses), and if you need to, pull off damaged petals.

A good advice is to keep the stems as long as they are while you’re still working with them and only trim them to the length you want when you've finished making the bouquet.

2. Step number two is the assembling of the flowers. You can take one flower/stem at a time with one hand adding something green, a leaf or anything from the greenery you’ve gathered; with your other hand, hold the flowers in place. Build around the first flower that you’ve chosen to be the center of the bouquet and keep adding your flowers to it one by one mingling them with the greenery in such a way to give them a half of a ball shape.

Once you have added every flower and you’ve arranged them the way you like, make sure it looks symmetrical so that your flowers may enchant the beholder from any angle.

3. The third step is the securing of the bouquet. Especially when you don’t make the arrangement using floral foam, the flowers will not keep the shape unless you tie them together. For this you can use a rubber band, floral tape or anything really as long as it can do this job. Bind the stems at the point where they naturally join and make sure the bow it is tight enough and in the same time loose enough to let the flowers drink.

It is only now the time to cut the stem ends at the length you want. You might need to remember that the stem length also depends on the type of vase you choose for your arrangement.

For the bottom of the vase, river stones, shells, glass pebbles or beads give a lovely touch (of course if you have chosen a transparent vase or for example, a champagne glass). They enhance the beauty of the arrangement. Oh, you'll see the difference!

You can surely use your creativity at this point and explore your cupboard for a champagne glass or a wineglass, an old jar, jugs or bottles; all of these can be turned into interesting vases even if some are rusty. Even a toothbrush holder can be used to arrange flowers in, especially that it makes the job very easy, you only need to push the stems through the holes.

If you only got one flower, you can fill a glass with glass pebbles or beads and simply place your flower inside as a central outstanding blossom.

We are talking here about your arrangement so add to it what you like, combine as it pleases you and don’t hesitate to use your imagination! You’ll surely be enchanted and relaxed! What’s more, you will have a beautiful arrangement to admire for the rest of the week!

The beauty and diversity of flowers can relax anyone and when touching them constructing your arrangement it is impossible to miss their love and beauty message from their Creator! Let yourself hugged and kissed by a drop of beauty, purity and love!