My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

we have word that...

14 October 2026
and more

Happy Thanksgiving, flower buddies. I hope it was a fantastic weekend... and a great start to all the festivities to come...

… the very first

Monarch butterfly

who left Canada has,

after a journey of approximately 2,300km

over the span of 40 days,

arrived in Mexico.

When asked for a comment the butterfly simply stated:

“rain makes your wings heavy with water. Instead of risking permanent damage, rest a bit in the warmth when things get too heavy, okay?”

... something to consider as we go into the latter part of the year and all that goes with it, right?

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Gather what you'll need

This section contains affiliate links. If you choose to explore any of these tools, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Moss Grosgrain Ribbon

What a find! They are exactly, exactly the colour of "healthy plant material". This is a great design staple to have in your tool box for securing floral details that you might need a visible tie that should not distract from the plant material.

LED Fairy Lights

When you find that right one, with just the right kind of glow, that lasts and lasts in your designs, with just the right smaller battery pack that you can easily conceal… they become design treasures that you want to reuse, right?

The Effortless Floral Craftsman, a floral crafter's guide to crafting with nature

For more information about my book (and to read the first 38 pages for free...) here is the shop link.

Tutorials

14 October 2026

Rest a few bits of grass together to create a shelter for pumpkins, and fairy lights and delicate petals

A double vase trick to support heavy pumpkins in a foam free floral display.

22 January 2014

That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase

8 July 2015

Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

12 March 2025

Clip a neat design strip right through 38.46 g (or a thousand!) sprouting wheatgrass for a ethereal Spring display

Mow a gap through growing wheatgrass to display Spring treasures.

6 November 2012

Ripped Grass Frame

Create a sheltered or veiled design by framing the outer edge of your armature (in this case thick cardboard) with long strands of grass

1 October 2025

Turning a pumpkin to hover for a sway in the lightest autumn breeze display

A pretty pumpkin deserves some fancy mechanics to create an impossibly ethereal display.

5 August 2026

Pin pegs for barely there suspended floral details

Glue clear notice board pins onto the side of a container to keep your floral details suspended in the water.

25 May 2016

Sliced Grassy Cabbage

Slicing a cabbage to create an armature for a vegetable design.

28 August 2019

Hula skirt for a glass vase

Hawaiian Hula skirt for a Luau inspired flower arrangement.

24 August 2022

Balloon out grass to craft a framed armature

Carefully bubble out a tied bunch of grass to make a cavity to display gorgeous flowers.

29 September 2021

Over the edge flower, floral support

Hook the calla lilies over the edge of a vase to create a support for your taller floral details.

27 September 2023

Turn some gladiolus leaves into a pumpkin vase collar

A collar for a vase that you can use throughout the season... simply replace the water and the flowers inside the vase.

15 June 2022

Swing ripped foliage over a mop-head of hydrangeas to follow the natural curve

Gently curve ripped foliage over flowers to add a cooling movement to a minimal summer design.

12 October 2022

Corn-o’leaf mummy-o'lantern

Wrap and tie a fishbowl vase with corn foliage to craft a lantern for autumn... almost... Halloween.

21 August 2024

Light as air puffy grass and elegantly curved gladiolus summer display that hints at all things pumpkin

Create two separate containers to minimize clutter in a light and airy floral display.

11 August 2021

Dried twig collar in a double vase display for gravity sensitive flowers

Putting the focus on the flowers with an ever changing design.

11 April 2018

Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water

Use a wet brush to lift any tiny bits of plant material floating on and in the water to keep your container clear.

1 November 2023

Canary vine tangle in a double vase

Great craft for when you are tidying up the garden before the first frost but would still like to enjoy the vines for a bit longer.

13 November 2024

Double down on the Fall magic with the earliest hint of bare (but sparkly) Twig Season

A double vase to keep the bit of sparkle you add to transition a Fall design into Christmas nice and dry... while the fresh plant material remain hydrated.

Related Designs

12 March 2025

Spoiler alert: It is one thousand… that’s how many!

Growing 1000 wheatgrass seeds to celebrate adding my 1000th Tutorials to my website... Yay!!!

6 November 2012

Mr. Stalk, the Seriously Terrifying Scarecrow, on his Day Off

An easy going design of ripped grass and calla lilies. But look a bit closer. See if you can find Mr. Stalk relaxing somewhere between the blades of grass.

1 October 2025

And just like that, it is The Pumpkin’s Turn

An impossibly minimal autumn display that sways in the slightest breeze... as if by magic!

5 August 2026

Sparkle on tiny dew drop crystals!

Clear sparkling water for a cooling summer display... without any visual distractions.

25 May 2016

Half the Fun

Cut a cabbage to create a design platform

24 August 2022

Hot air balloon

A grass bubble to frame two of the most beautiful calla lilies.

28 August 2019

But... what are you Like?

A fun design... with a hula skirt (...for the cool summer breeze to arrange and rearrange)

15 June 2022

Take a swing at it

A cooling design for early summer days with swinging ripped grass and more than enough water for thirsty hydrangeas.

29 September 2021

Creative Direction

Hang the arum lilies from the edge of a container to support all the other floral details.

27 September 2023

this NEEDS to be at the top of my (our?) to-do list

Autumn bud vase collar made from gladiolus foliage.

12 October 2022

Ahead

Oh my... a corn leaf mummy head for autumn... looking ahead to Halloween styling.

21 August 2024

And what are you supposed to be?

... a hint of a pumpkin late summer floral display to show off the elegant curve of a gladiolus flower stem.

9 September 2026

In dribs and drabs

The person who got to name a 'Café au Lait' Dahlia should be allowed to name more things! Whipped up in an early Autumn display... uh huh... delicious.