Tips for Arranging Flowers

Over the years, I've picked up tricks on how to easily arrange flowers. Let me count the ways:

1. Use a flower frog 

You can find something similar on Etsy or in gardening stores.

Simply screw this on an empty jar and insert the stems in the holes...TADA!

2. Make your own flower frog using a mesh bag

This used to be packaging for a pound of onions. Use it to cover the mouth of a jar or vase and secure it in place with a rubber band.  

Trim the loose mesh and tape the edges neatly in place. 

Add the flowers and leaves inside the holes to make this compact arrangement...TADA!

3. Make a grid on the mouth of the vase using clear tape

Pour in some water... 

And add your flowers and fillers...TADA!

4. Find a unique vase that has these holes:

You can make a "minimalist" arrangement with just a few buds or leaves or you can fill the holes with as many flowers as you like for a more verdant centerpiece.

5. Make your own "ceramic" flower frog

I'll show you how:

This is made from salt dough: In a bowl, put 1 cup of all purpose flour, 1/2 cup table salt, and 1/2 cup water. If you like, add a light tint using 4 drops of food color. Mix them together until it forms a dough. If it's too sticky, mix in more flour, a teaspoon at a time.  

Take a handful of dough and flatten it into a disc using your palms. It should be about 1/4 inch thick. Put it on a baking tray (lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat) so it doesn't stick to the tray.  

Use a round cookie cutter or an empty can to make a neat circle. Take note that this circle should be a little bigger than the mouth of your vase so that it can sit steadily.

Make smaller holes inside the salt dough circle (I used a round piping tip for this). Bake this in the oven (preheated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit) for 3 hours. 

Let it cool and you're ready to use it.

Here's another version using a bigger cutter and two different sized holes:

This makes flower arranging so much easier...TADA!