On my online workbook this week: A Very Merry… all elf pass into Santa’s Workshop for a dash of Having Something To Look Forward To

Dear

This week's inspiration is making a point of always having a little something to look forward to. Something chipper… like cutting (buying) (unboxing) your Christmas tree. Or something luxuriously joyful like how gorgeous our sunrises are this time of year.

My tip for you this week is cutting an X into the bark to help keep tall floral details upright in your design. When you press the stems through an x, the sharp inside ends bend with the stem as you insert it (see the pictures above) and form a support along the stem to keep the stem firmly in place, offering just enough resistance so that it is as stable as possible even if the stem is on the taller side and even if you add a few heavier decorations.

This opens up so many design possibilities. If the tall stem is stable and supported in the bark sheet you can let the cut end of the stem hover just below the water so that it continues to take up water but there is no visual clutter below the water line that will be seen through the glass.

The downside is that even though the stem is not constricted and will continue to take up water it is, once placed, placed. Have a good look at how you want to position the stems before inserting the stem into the x shaped hole. Keep track of how you want to position the stem and then press it in. It kicks against the stem making it difficult to turn to reposition or even lift out without damaging the stem.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: this technique also works well if you want to place plastic water tubes into a cardboard based armature. Simply cut an x, slip the water tubes through to bend over the sharp sides, and the tubes are secure and will not drop out or topple over.