My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Scattered grass armature

To create an even lighter effect I ripped the grass before drying. See the detailed Tutorial below for more information on how to rip foliage

Snip a few strands of dried and ripped grass

Snip a few strands of dried and ripped grass into a bowl

Pour a bit of wood glue over the strands

Pour a bit of wood glue over the strands

Thin the glue with a bit of warm water.

Thin the glue with a bit of warm water.

Mix it well.

Mix it well to make sure the strands are saturated

Shape foil to create a form

Shape foil to create a form.

Scatter the glue soaked strands over the foil shape

Scatter the glue soaked strands over the foil shape

Continue to cover the shape

Continue scattering grass to cover the shape

Make sure the strands connect well to create a sturdy armature

Make sure the strands connect well to create a sturdy armature

Add a few strands where the connection might be weak

Add a few strands where the connection might be weak.

The secret is to keep it as light as possible but have no gaps that will cause the armature to break up when moved.

Set the armature aside to dry completely

Lift the scattered grass armature from your working surface

Lift the scattered grass armature from your working surface and start to peel the grass away from the foil. Go slow. This is very delicate work

Lift the foil away

Lift the foil away

The armature is now ready to use. I wanted mine to have a yellowish tint so I left it in full sun for a few weeks.

Nestle in a few plastic test tubes for the fresh flowers

Place the grass armature on a display surface. Nestle in a few plastic test tubes for the fresh flowers between the dried strands. The strands should be hard and would easily keep up the water filled test tube.

Fill the tubes with water

Fill the tubes with water. Be careful not to spill water on the armature, this will weaken the glue connections

See the Tutorial below on detailed information on how I make my syringe tube to fill test tube in awkward places

Add the fresh flowers and snippets of green grass.

Add the fresh flowers and snippets of green grass.

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

Tutorials

14 January 2011 Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase

Related Designs

30 April 2014 Scattered

Scatter some dried grass to make a floral armature

30 August 2017 If

Place a water tube at an angle in lumber so that the Zantedeschia float just above the base to show off the delicate grass snippets scattered up the stem

27 March 2019 Like trying to find a water tube in a eggshell stack

A fun Spring and Easter design with stacked eggshells.

31 July 2019 Jitters!

Zig-zag grass details add a bit of tension to the design

24 March 2021 To two too!

A Spring Tulip celebration design... with a special message

21 July 2021 High-Strung

String up a tiny hammock for a dreamy summer vacation design

19 January 2022 Thaw

It's Tulip Season! Perfect for that "it's still winter ... but is that something green I see...?" mood designs.

27 April 2022 Shine Shade

Glue snippets of grass into a double layer sphere to create a sheltered floral globe.

1 June 2022 Found it!

A very secure thorn branch armature to hold overgrown Tulips in place

4 January 2023 Around and about the new year

A glowing cranberry ball for frosty evening decorating.

31 May 2023 Notice That?/!

Light and airy... like a wonderful breeze on a hot summer day grass and erigeron display.