My latest kick, as many of you know, is floral design. I’m relying on 3 things as I make an arrangement:

1. A little bit that I learned in a floral design class I took in college about 13 years ago. I know. How fun is that for a class?
2. The influence of other people’s work (pretty arrangements I see).
3. My instincts.

This is purely for fun. For play. No pressure. While we were in Utah last week, I made a couple of arrangements for our friends that we stayed with.

Oh, and here’s that one I made a couple weeks ago. I promised to show you the finished piece.

And getting started with that one.

I’m no floral design expert. This is purely a hobby. That said, here is what I’ve learned on the topic:

1. Never done this? Start with a small arrangement. I started gigantic because I was so excited, but that was hardly a warm-up. Still laughing that I did that. Start small.

2. You always need more flowers than you think.

3. Flowers aren’t cheap. Buy them on sale. JoAnn, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby … these places always put their flowers on sale.

4. You can find amazing pots, etc. for really inexpensive (Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Ross, Target, WalMart …)

5. To begin the arrangement, shove blocks of floral foam into your pot or container. Cut smaller pieces with a knife as needed. This can be messy but it’s a necessary starting point. You want the foam firmly in place. Use some hot glue if necessary. Then start with your bigger flowers, working your way to the smallest flowers; “fillers” are very last.

6. Creating arrangements is a truly artistic experience.

7. Everyone needs a little floral arrangement in their home. You can totally do this.