Today's Project!
As most of you know, I'm a plant geek. I went to school for botany/plant taxonomy/horticultural science, followed by floral design school, followed by years of working as a florist and gardener.
I decided to try a new project for 2014...each month I'll do a botanical tutorial: design, holiday decor, gardening stuff, indoor plant collections, etc.
❧ CAMP CHLOROPHYLL! ❧
Not those kinds of plants!
For January 2014, I thought it would be great to start off with a really fun, simple, colorful and festive way to usher in the new year. It's a table centerpiece you can make at home with a plate, candle, hunks of oasis, and colorful flowers.
Step 1
Pick up some bright flowers with sturdy stems. I got roses, stock, and hydrangeas at Trader Joe's. You don't need to spend a ton of money for this project. Just getting some basics at the grocery store will work. If the weather was better, I would putter around outside and collect some branches and flowers from my garden to use.
Step 2
Soak the oasis (green foam blocks you can buy at a craft store, florist, or sometimes grocery shop).
Step 3
Condition the flowers. Recut the bottoms of the stems and soak in lukewarm water. You can add the packet of preservative if you want to.
Step 4
Get a nice big chunky candle and place it on a sturdy plate. NOT good china!
Step 5
Take the oasis and cut it into pieces that will fit around the candle.
Step 6
Cut flowers and foliage into pieces, make sure bottom of stem is stiff, not flimsy, or it won't pierce the oasis effectively.
Step 7
Start making a "nest" with foliage pieces.
Step 8
After inserting greens, start adding flowers. Make sure stems are in contact with oasis so they will absorb the moisture.
Step 9
Pack on flowers until all the oasis is hidden.
Step 10
Spritz flowers with water to keep them fresh.
DONE!
Light candle and order take-out for dinner since you're now too exhausted to cook.
Gorgeous! You have now completed Task #1 at Camp Chlorophyll. Congrats!
Until next month,
Stay Green!
Penelope
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