March 2007

Ask Ardith: Spring Nest Armature
Tools:
Sharp Knife
Knife Sharpener
Mechanics:
¼” green waterproof anchor tape
Double face tape
Supplies:
Vase
Basket with bottom that fits 1 1/2” over the vase /liner
Foam for liner
Glue pan/glue
Sisal
Decorative Egg (optional)
Fresh:
3 Tulips
3 Gerbera
1 Iris
1 Stem spray mums
6 Pussywillows
 
Design Instructions:

  1. Wash vase, dry, fill with water with flower food.
  2. Dry the lip of the container, wipe the lip off with white distilled vinegar to clean the surface and help the double face tape adhere.
  3. Cut small pieces of the double face tape around the lip of the vase where the basket will set.
  4. Cut the bottom out of the basket to fit snugly around the outside of the vase, securing to the vase with the double face tape.
  5. Cut and soak the foam in water with flower food. Glue the foam into the liner; place the liner in the basket.
  6. Clean and cut the stems from the flowers leaving the flower head on a stem about 2”long.
  7. Place the cut stems in your hand in a spiral hand tie bouquet technique, tape the top with waterproof anchor tape. Cover the mechanics with sisal. Set the spiral in the water, cut the stems from the bottom so the top part of the stems is touching the bottom of the liner with the foam that is in the basket.
  8. Tuck sisal around the foam to conceal and provide decorative accents.
  9. Insert pussy willows, showering out the center in a fountain, Phoenix design style. Add the flowers around the nest, keeping the Sisal as a visible design texture.
  10. Add an egg for Easter, a little nest for spring. Use this with a larger vase and basket for a buffet or by the front door, smaller with one flower in it is a beautiful simple statement.
  11. Let your mind create. Water daily with water with flower food.

For comments, questions, or to correspond with the author write:
Ardith E. Beveridge, aaf, AIFD, PFCI, CAFA, MSF
Koehler & Dramm’s Institute of Floristry,
2407 E. Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: 800.298.0495 or 612-331-4141; E-mail: abeveridge@koehlerdramm.com