My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Ice skating pond inspired grid for a winter floral design

My favourite Christmas gift I got as a kid? Easy!!! my Bauer ice skates. I can’t remember ever telling anyone… but oh I hoped… and I wished… and wow… I can still see the box and feel the light headed feeling of a Christmas wish come true. And teen me skating for hours and hours… dreamily carving patterns in the ice.
Oh yes... this design is inspired by that Christmas memory.

Tape a clear sticky tape grid over the vase

Tape a clear sticky tape grid over the vase...

Only this time we place it sticky side up

Only this time we place it sticky side up...

Design note: the easiest way to secure the tape is to stick it down inside the vase and then smooth it back over the the edge so that the tape loops over itself.

Create a criss cross pattern

Create a criss-cross pattern... inspired by ice skates carving in the ice

Sprinkle some artificial snow on to the tape

Sprinkle some artificial snow on to the tape...

Lightly tap the snow down

Lightly tap the snow down...

Turn the vase upside down to pour out any snow

Turn the vase upside down to shake out any snow bits.

Add more snow if needed

Add more snow if needed.

Place a few snow covered twigs over the vase

Place a few snow covered twigs over the vase.

See the Tutorial below for some detailed instructions on how to add snow to the twigs.

Add the design details

Add the design details... for my design I made some snow mittens. See the Tutorial below for the detailed instructions on how.

Fill the container with water

Fill the container with water.

Place the tiny flowers to rest on the grid

Place the tiny flowers to rest on the grid so that they can remain hydrated.

I discuss the placement of the flowers (and how to make sure your minimal designs are interesting) in more detail in my newsletter email this week. Make sure you are signed up so that you can be part of the rest of the conversation. The sign up button is below this post. I will also include a link to the free template booklet if you want to make the little mittens and need more inspiration this week and next week so that you get your copy.

Add a few dew drop crystals and drape a ribbon over the design

Finish the design with a few dew drop crystals (see the Tutorial below) and drape a ribbon over the design...

To visually tie in the design

To visually tie in the design...

And sprinkle with a tiny bit of glitter snow

And sprinkle with a tiny bit of glitter snow for a bit more Christmas magic.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

2 December 2020 Lost and found snow mittens

Artificial snow covered cardboard mittens to add to a winter themed design.

2 April 2014 Turning the sellotape over the vase trick up-side-down for a sticky side out frog

Tape a grid over a vase to keep the floral details in place

7 November 2018 Ripped Flax Mittens

Knot delicate floral mittens from flax.

4 December 2013 Large wax snowflakes

Artificial snow can be very "chemical" and flowers deteriorate quickly when exposed to it. It also dissolves in water. I use candle wax as "snow"

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

6 December 2017 Barely there twig tabletop Christmas tree

Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree

27 November 2012 Winter Woodland Chandelier

Wrap vines and twigs around a wire frame to create a decorative woodland chandelier

25 December 2018 Twig Snowflake

Glue twigs into a snowflake twig armature for Christmas trimmings.

6 February 2019 Winter White Twig Screen

Glue twigs to screen delicate flowers for a wintry design.

4 December 2019 Eucalyptus collar for a snow-covered Christmas candle

Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.

1 January 2020 Create a centerpiece foundation with lumber and the cellophane your flowers were wrapped in

A winter themed centerpiece with a secret water source (without a container or floral foam)

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.

27 November 2012 Fluff cotton wool for snow

Cotton balls can be unrolled and fluffed to create long garlands of "snow"

11 December 2019 Swirly Twirly Silver Dollar Eucalyptus baubles

Inspired by seedpods... Glue Silver Dollar Eucalyptus leaves into 3 dimensional Christmas decorations.

11 December 2019 Twig and twinkle Christmas Tree

A light as snow twig and Christmas light armature

Related Designs

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...

22 November 2023 Gentle transition

There's no need to rush the seasons. Take it slow and enjoy the plant material that are still available even if you are excited about what is to come...

7 November 2018 Grab your party mittens, flower buds… it’s Book Launch Day!

Celebrating my book launch by knotting floral mittens using the design Tutorial from my book and the template from the free gift template booklet.

25 November 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Santa’s gift bag wreath

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box gift bag wreath… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes...

18 November 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Yule log

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box Yule log… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...

6 December 2017 While I sing of beauty's treasure

Glue the most delicate twig table top Christmas tree

27 November 2012 The glories of Christmases long, long ago…

Weave a wire and twig Christmas chandelier

6 February 2019 Tread softly on winter

A delicate winter twig armature to show off the delicate beauty of these early spring coloured tulips.

6 March 2019 It almost happened today!

Craft snow puddles to keep your flowers upright

4 December 2019 A Very Merry eucalyptus-collar-candle Christmas!

An easy and naturally fragrant winter white candle decoration to bring nature into your house this Christmas.

1 January 2020 How to freeze a wow moment

Create a long lasting winter inspired floral design that looks like it is frozen in time.

11 December 2019 A Very Merry eucalyptus bauble Christmas!

For this year's Christmas tree I wired and glued a wild and wintry twig armature... but... these little eucalyptus baubles are just the cutest!