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10. HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

How can you create the spirit of the holiday with floral decora­tion? - What can we do for Easter ? Hallowe'n, Xmas ?

If your are planning a holiday party, don't forget to invite flower arrangement. It will contribute to the spirit of the occasion and bright­en things in general. Every holiday can be accented with flower novel­ties, for in the great world of plant material we are sure to find just the color and form we seek to add significance to the reason for the celebration.

Floral Foam-Cut-Outs Figure 58 (Styrofoam)

Floral foam is a patented material used in the flower shop. It comes in blocks or sheets and may be cut and shaped into any form desired.   It is available in white, red, green and some pastel colors.

A - Design, trace and cut paper pattern.

B - Pin pattern to block of floral foam.

C - Cut out form around pattern; using a sharp knife.

D - Take out pins and remove pattern.

E - Sandpaper the edges for a smooth finish or scrape with a sharp knife.

F - You may carve or paint the features. The arrow in the illustration points to the hole carved through the entire block to enable hanging for display.

G - Examples of floral foam cut-outs. These are simple basic forms which are easily made. As you become more efficient, you may use more complex designs. An electric jig-saw would be very helpful. Use colorful accessories, such as buttons, paint, cotton tails, tinfoil, colored paper, toothpicks, (the arrow on the heart is a red toothpick, with paper point and fringe pasted on after it has been inserted) ribbons, pipe cleaners, (in a variety of colors) para-filmed wires, and an assortment of decorative odds and ends.

Floral foam is water resistant, therefore, you may use flowers in an arrangement, with your cut-out as the focal point.

There is no holiday for which we can not think up a novel cut-out in this medium.

A Basket for Easter Figure 59

Line the basket with aluminum foil. Place sphagnum moss along the bottom.

A - Foil lined basket showing sphagnum moss, and plants, placed in basket after removal from individual pots. Avoid disturbing the shape of the soil, after removal from pots. You may injure the roots.

B - Easter lilies and tulips will give the arrangement height.

C - Hyacinths and daffodils create depth and form. A sun-ray bow adds the fealing of festivity. (Refer to Chapter XIII for the construction of a sun-ray bow.)

D - Line and form design of arrangement.

A floral foam Easter bunny would create an interesting focal point in this design.

Baskets come in all shapes and sizes and in a variety of weaves. You may even make your own.   (Refer to Chapter XIII)

The handle plays an important part in design in a basket arrangement. You may use it as a guide to height or width. Though a basket arrange­ment should appear abundant, carefully place the plant material to avoid crowding. Every bit of foliage and blossom should show to its advantage. A crisp yellow daffodil is a sorry sight when crushed out of shape to make room for a demanding hyacinth. However, these flowers, if placed properly, allowing enough room for each other, will create a beautiful complementary harmony. (Refer to Chapter I on color)

A nicely arranged basket of flowers is always a welcome gift from a garden owner. The author feels that a basket signifies the spirit of giving.

Fall Harvest Figure 60

This fall design may be used for a buffet centerpiece or it may be placed on the mantle during thanksgiving; projecting the happy spirit of the horn of plenty, a bountiful harvest. The cornicopia may be a pottery piece, or paper mache, and is obtainable at any department store or flower shop.

Prepare the container by securing the properly shaped frog to the inside base with clay. Two frogs may be needed, depending upon the size of the opening. The design in this case is a ninety degree angle; measuring from the top of the graceful cattail, sweeping down to the richly balanced focal point of straw flowers.

The first step is a foundation of foliage. Oak leaves are ideal. Next arrange your basic lines by placing wheat and cattails in their proper positions.   The focal point is created by a grouping of straw flowers.

A.

B

Figure 59.   A Basket for Easter

D.

Fresh chrysanthemums may be used effectively in place of the straw flowers, if placed in a concealed container of water in the cornicopia. Bitter sweet adds additional color and texture. The position of the cornicopia is important to the design. If you wish to balance it at an angle, a piece of modeling clay will hold it in place.

Hallowe'en Pumpkin Figure 61

A - Hollowed pumpkin with carved features.

Do not cut the mouth too low, because a container of water is plac­ed inside the head to hold fresh flowers. (If to be used in place of dried material.)

B - This pumpkin has the rollicking appearance of a clown. His pointed hat is a pyramid of straw flowers. His collar consists of colorful ears of Indian corn, tipped with a straw flower and dotted with bright sprays of bittersweet. A flash light or an electric bulb may be used for lighting effects. If you wish to use a candle, be care­ful to provide ample protection from the flame. Dried plant ma­terial will catch fire easily.

C - A Hallowe'en buffet, using a cornicopia design as a centerpiece. The top of the buffet may be strewn with oak leaves for a natural effect. Bittersweet decorations secured by scotch tape on the mirror frame will also brighten the holiday scheme.

Novel individual table favors for this holiday are large apples de­signed like the pumpkin, with nuts and raisins for features and pom­pom chrysanthemums for the hats and collars.

Squash lend themselves whimsically to human form. They may be designed and dressed with your choice of foliage, flowers and small fruits and nuts.

Christmas Wreath Figure 62 Construction

1. Cardboard or floral foam cut-out
2. Sphagnum moss on cardboard pattern. Not needed with floral foam.
3. Tie sphagnum moss (not too tightly) with florist's string.

Cover with wreath wax paper.   Floral foam may be used as is or also covered with wax paper.

There are wire wreath frames available at your local flower shop to be used in place of cardboard or floral foam.

A - Three steps showing the design of the foundation foliage, (white pine, spruce, or hemlock) holly and bow. B - Christmas wreath of formal triangle design. C - Bow-tie wreath with holly spraying from the bow center to either side.

A.

B

Figure 61.   Hallowe'en Pumpkin

Figure 62.   Christmas Wreath

Tree

D - Rosette wreath with holly curving from the center of the bow over the top of the wreath. A few sprays of holly under the bow balance the design.

Pine cones will add additional form, color and texture if placed in­formally around the bow.

A Christmas spray can be made with a rectangular foundation simi­lar to that of the wreath. These sprays are ideal as entrance and exit decorations. Try one as a center-piece on the table with a candle on each side. A place maybe provided for each candle within the arrange­ment.

Holly Tree Figure 63

A - Wired Christmas tree ball (Number twenty four wire)

B - Floral Tape

C - Connect two by twisting or taping.

D - Form a group of five.   The top view is seen in the illustration.

E - Step C will give you the tip of the tree.   Add the group of five as indicated in the drawing. F - Top of tree after two groups have been added. Form the tree from here down by adding one extra group to each line until the desired height is reached.

You may repeat the design and place the two back to back if you wish to view the tree from both sides.

G - Tree is placed in a container of sand large enough to support it without being visible. Sprays of holly or evergreen form the foli­age foundation, and provide a green, textured bed for the informal grouping of pinecones in the foreground. A sweeping horizontal line of full poinsettias, stemming from a concealed container of water, add bright color and complete this festive array of materials significant of Christmas.

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