Dear Flourgal,
How did you make the Trick Pumpkin? I'd like to make one for Thanksgiving.
Thanks,
Curious Cat, New Orleans, LA
___________________________
Dear Curious Cat,
I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. Just kidding, sorta. Seeing how we don't deliver outside of L.A. I will share my secrets... :)
It's super simple actually. I found this on e-how to help you:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4543895_design-fresh-flower-pumpkin-arrangement.html
Major thing they forget to add is to place a plastic liner inside the pumpkin! These pretty arrangements look great and festive, but when they do go bad the pumpkin will soften and start to collapse, which can be pretty unsightly and icky to handle. There isn't anything you can do to prevent that- just giving you a heads up.
You can buy a plastic liner (found in wicker baskets) from a nursery, florist, or garden center. I would buy a premixed arrangement from Trader Joe's (they have eco-friendly flowers) or Whole Foods "Whole Trade" or "Fair Trade" flowers and cut the stems to varying lengths, then insert into floral foam. I have not yet found a replacement for floral foam as it is pretty toxic to the environment, but am on a search. Until then, use as little as possible for each arrangement.
Best of luck!
Flourgal
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Fun ideas for vases?
Hi Flourgal,
I've recently gotten really into crafts after I got laid off last year. Most of the time I put flowers in whatever I have laying around, like a pitcher or vase, but I'm bored with that. Can you make some suggestions for fun vases? You're the best!
DIY Mama, Newark, NJ
post-dated 10.22.10
Dear DIY Mama,
Good for you for getting into new hobbies, especially flowers;) I scavenge thrift stores for frugal finds. It is so much fun seeing how any type of container can be transformed into a vase. From hard baseball hats to fruit bowls to lunch boxes, you will be surprised at what can become a vessel. I don't go as often as I should, and it's definitely hit or miss, but these treasures are unique and creative. My other favorite thing to do is fill a vase with candy and then add flowers. To do this, buy bulk candy (candy corn for Halloween, green and red jelly beans for Christmas, colorful dots for a birthday, etc) and buy a glass vase, and a smaller plastic liner (from a florist, nursery, or craft store). If you can't find a plastic vase, then try to find a cheap smaller glass vase. Fill the smaller vase with water, and place it inside of the larger one then fill the space with candy to the top. Place the flowers inside of the smaller vase, and voila! Beautiful and fun. Here's my list of other options- enjoy!
Fill the vase with potpourri, marbles, beans, lentils, sand.
Cover with fabric or wallpaper, using hot glue
Spray paint
Using double-side tape, tape leaves onto outside (lemon leaves, magnolia leaves, or horsetail)
Fill vase with sliced fruit
Cover with moss, or twigs, using hot glue
Spray paint branches silver or gold for the holidays
From,
Flourgal
I've recently gotten really into crafts after I got laid off last year. Most of the time I put flowers in whatever I have laying around, like a pitcher or vase, but I'm bored with that. Can you make some suggestions for fun vases? You're the best!
DIY Mama, Newark, NJ
post-dated 10.22.10
Dear DIY Mama,
Good for you for getting into new hobbies, especially flowers;) I scavenge thrift stores for frugal finds. It is so much fun seeing how any type of container can be transformed into a vase. From hard baseball hats to fruit bowls to lunch boxes, you will be surprised at what can become a vessel. I don't go as often as I should, and it's definitely hit or miss, but these treasures are unique and creative. My other favorite thing to do is fill a vase with candy and then add flowers. To do this, buy bulk candy (candy corn for Halloween, green and red jelly beans for Christmas, colorful dots for a birthday, etc) and buy a glass vase, and a smaller plastic liner (from a florist, nursery, or craft store). If you can't find a plastic vase, then try to find a cheap smaller glass vase. Fill the smaller vase with water, and place it inside of the larger one then fill the space with candy to the top. Place the flowers inside of the smaller vase, and voila! Beautiful and fun. Here's my list of other options- enjoy!
Fill the vase with potpourri, marbles, beans, lentils, sand.
Cover with fabric or wallpaper, using hot glue
Spray paint
Using double-side tape, tape leaves onto outside (lemon leaves, magnolia leaves, or horsetail)
Fill vase with sliced fruit
Cover with moss, or twigs, using hot glue
Spray paint branches silver or gold for the holidays
From,
Flourgal
Flowers for Winter Wonderland
Dear Flourgal,
I'm planning my wedding for this winter. We are getting married in January, and I'm going for all-white elegance. We are still looking for the right florist, as our town is very small, and there are limited choices. We may even do all of the flowers ourselves since it's a small 50 person wedding. I love simple, elegant flowers. The entire wedding is going to be all white, and the two bridesmaids will be wearing taupe. Can you suggest some flowers in season? Thank you!
From,
Last-Minute Bride, Balsam Lake, WI
post-dated 10.15.10
Dear LMB,
Congrats on the upcoming nuptuals! What an exciting time in your life! Here's a list of my favorite white flowers that are in season during the winter months, and year-round. The one's I've starred are top choice for elegance and class. Be sure to ask your florist for availability asap, so that they can pre-order and give you an estimate. Prices on flowers are like any other commodity- you don't want to be shocked at the price after you see the proposal. Also, make sure to ask your florist for alternatives if a flower isn't available. They should always write about substitutions in the flower contract.
Amaryllis*
Anemone
Calla Lily
Casa Blanca Lily*
Freesia
Gardenias
Lily of the Valley*
Magnolia
Orchids
Paperwhite Narcissus
Ranunculus
Roses
Star-Of-Bethlehem
Stephanotis
Tulips
From,
Flourgal
I'm planning my wedding for this winter. We are getting married in January, and I'm going for all-white elegance. We are still looking for the right florist, as our town is very small, and there are limited choices. We may even do all of the flowers ourselves since it's a small 50 person wedding. I love simple, elegant flowers. The entire wedding is going to be all white, and the two bridesmaids will be wearing taupe. Can you suggest some flowers in season? Thank you!
From,
Last-Minute Bride, Balsam Lake, WI
post-dated 10.15.10
Dear LMB,
Congrats on the upcoming nuptuals! What an exciting time in your life! Here's a list of my favorite white flowers that are in season during the winter months, and year-round. The one's I've starred are top choice for elegance and class. Be sure to ask your florist for availability asap, so that they can pre-order and give you an estimate. Prices on flowers are like any other commodity- you don't want to be shocked at the price after you see the proposal. Also, make sure to ask your florist for alternatives if a flower isn't available. They should always write about substitutions in the flower contract.
Amaryllis*
Anemone
Calla Lily
Casa Blanca Lily*
Freesia
Gardenias
Lily of the Valley*
Magnolia
Orchids
Paperwhite Narcissus
Ranunculus
Roses
Star-Of-Bethlehem
Stephanotis
Tulips
From,
Flourgal
How to make 'em last?
Dear Flourgal,
I received a beautiful bouquet from my boyfriend. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I wanted to know how to make it last as long as possible. Any tips?
Lucky Lady, Phoenix, AZ
post dated 10.08.10
Hi Lucky Lady,
He sounds like a keeper! If you received a wrapped bouquet from the store, then you are going to want to cut the stems on a slant (to create more surface space for the flowers to drink), and place them in fresh water. If they are a nice mix, place the vase in the fridge for an hour or so. If the arrangement is in a vase, flush out the water the next day. A bouquet will last anywhere from 5-7 days depending on the types of flowers used, and how fresh they were when bought. Flower heads, especially roses, should be very firm. You can place your palm on top of the flowers and see how sturdy they are to get an idea. The best way to keep flowers pristine, is to cut the stems every day and change the water. Most people don't do that, but it really does make all the difference! Enjoy your flowers:)
From,
Flourgal
I received a beautiful bouquet from my boyfriend. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I wanted to know how to make it last as long as possible. Any tips?
Lucky Lady, Phoenix, AZ
post dated 10.08.10
Hi Lucky Lady,
He sounds like a keeper! If you received a wrapped bouquet from the store, then you are going to want to cut the stems on a slant (to create more surface space for the flowers to drink), and place them in fresh water. If they are a nice mix, place the vase in the fridge for an hour or so. If the arrangement is in a vase, flush out the water the next day. A bouquet will last anywhere from 5-7 days depending on the types of flowers used, and how fresh they were when bought. Flower heads, especially roses, should be very firm. You can place your palm on top of the flowers and see how sturdy they are to get an idea. The best way to keep flowers pristine, is to cut the stems every day and change the water. Most people don't do that, but it really does make all the difference! Enjoy your flowers:)
From,
Flourgal
-From the Editors
We know you've been checking back, and haven't seen any news posts, but we're back!!! After a crazy busy two weeks, we are excited to answer your questions. Our apologies for the delay.
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