My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

The glories of Christmases long, long ago…

"… tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. It's the most wonderful time of the year. There be much mistletoe-ing and hearts will be glowing…"

Christmas Flower Trends 2012: A Contemporary Christmas inspired by Classic Christmas lyrics

There'll be kindling for weaving

candles for gleaming

and crystals hung in the snow

There'll be light scattered stories

And tales of the glories

Of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year…

Title and words adapted from "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", a popular Christmas song, composed in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle

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Tutorials
Winter Woodland Chandelier
27 November 2012
Winter Woodland Chandelier

Wrap vines and twigs around a wire frame to create a decorative woodland chandelier
Fluff cotton wool for snow
27 November 2012
Fluff cotton wool for snow

Cotton balls can be unrolled and fluffed to create long garlands of "snow"
Single strand pine needle chain-link garland
27 November 2012
Single strand pine needle chain-link garland

A glue-less all natural way to make a garland
Bark squares, wire and water tubes dangling dangler
11 June 2025
Bark squares, wire and water tubes dangling dangler

A mobile design that is crafted around your plant material.
Silver leaf Paper Snowflakes to display your winter flowers on
3 January 2024
Silver leaf Paper Snowflakes to display your winter flowers on

Fold some snowflakes to display your beautiful winter flowers on.
Succulent and gilded flameless candle yule log display stand
3 January 2024
Succulent and gilded flameless candle yule log display stand

A robust stand with tall dowel sticks to slip your display over.
Magnetic silverleaf bell and snowy twig clusters to suspend your flowers in a display
3 January 2024
Magnetic silverleaf bell and snowy twig clusters to suspend your flowers in a display

An easy to remove and put back bundle of winter twigs to add to a display.
Half and Half Copper and Twig Christmas tree
15 December 2021
Half and Half Copper and Twig Christmas tree

Cut a tree from copper and twigs for a long lasting tabletop Christmas decoration.
Feather and Twig Wreath to frame a Handcrafted Copper Lantern
24 November 2021
Feather and Twig Wreath to frame a Handcrafted Copper Lantern

Cover a basic wreath with a layer of feathers for a soft and comforting winter wreath
Flameless Patina Copper Lantern
24 November 2021
Flameless Patina Copper Lantern

This is the easiest battery operated votive candle lantern to hand craft from a copper sheet... ever! As always with my Tutorials you will not need any special tools or workshop space. Just a bit of extra ventilation for the step where we chemically patina the copper.
Suspend design elements around a poinsettia forest floor display
30 December 2020
Suspend design elements around a poinsettia forest floor display

A low design that is still light and airy using a lot of convenient prepare ahead of time design elements.
Ice skating pond inspired grid for a winter floral design
2 December 2020
Ice skating pond inspired grid for a winter floral design

Turn the tried and trusted tape over the vase grid idea sticky side out... and adding artificial snow for a Christmas in Winter design solution.
Lost and found snow mittens
2 December 2020
Lost and found snow mittens

Artificial snow covered cardboard mittens to add to a winter themed design.
Barely there twig tabletop Christmas tree
6 December 2017
Barely there twig tabletop Christmas tree

Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree
Fluffy pillow filler tree skirt
6 December 2017
Fluffy pillow filler tree skirt

The fluffy stuffing found in pillows create beautiful, water repellent tree skirts.
Hanging Bamboo Lantern
14 June 2017
Hanging Bamboo Lantern

This is a perfect do-ahead-of-time hanging design for a summer wedding. Craft one or three or a whole lot of the lanterns and add some orchids at the last moment to finish the design.
Related Designs
A Very Merry Gilded Paper Ornament and Yule Log Trendy Christmas/New Year’s Cheer
3 January 2024
A Very Merry Gilded Paper Ornament and Yule Log Trendy Christmas/New Year’s Cheer

Paper snowflakes to display small snippets of Festive flowers on.
It’s the most… it’s the most… wonderful Patina Copper Christmas Tree of all!
15 December 2021
It’s the most… it’s the most… wonderful Patina Copper Christmas Tree of all!

This is the fourth of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. Paint copper to add a beautiful patina to a half and half Christmas tree.
It’s the most… it’s the most... Glowing-est Patina Christmas of all!
24 November 2021
It’s the most… it’s the most... Glowing-est Patina Christmas of all!

This is the first of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. We will explore how to patina Copper and use it to craft beautiful Festive floral accessories.
All is Calm, All is Bright
30 December 2020
All is Calm, All is Bright

An easy to do ahead of time winter wonderland themed design for the calm days just after Christmas but before New Years Eve.
Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Lost and Found Snow Mittens
2 December 2020
Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Lost and Found Snow Mittens

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box snow mittens… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being delivered.
Availability of plant material shows in your design style
12 December 2018
Availability of plant material shows in your design style

The last design I did for my book launch demonstration looking at aspects that influences my effortless style of designing... this week: often when we see a design element reappear in a designer's work it might simply be because they have it readily available.
While I sing of beauty's treasure
6 December 2017
While I sing of beauty's treasure

Glue the most delicate twig table top Christmas tree
Things are looking up!
14 June 2017
Things are looking up!

My article and Bamboo Lantern design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine
Stacking the odds in your favour
2 December 2015
Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.