My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Tap in support for horizontal placement of your top heavy flowers

Measure out a gladiolus stem and place it across the narrow container

Measure out a gladiolus stem and place it across the narrow container so that it firmly kicks in place. This support should be about two stem thickness deep so that you can support two stems, one above the other, under water.

Design note: If you want to learn more about tapping stems horizontally into a vase for flower support see the detailed Tutorial below.

Measure out a gladiolus stem so that it rest on the support.

Measure out a gladiolus stem so that it rest on the support and extends to the edge of the container on the other side.

Book readers turn to page 92 where I show you how to cut spiked flowers shorter and groom your flowers to look perfect. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman


Fill the narrow container with water so that the stems remain hydrated

Fill the narrow container with water so that the stems remain hydrated

Add in a second gladiolus stem so that the stem fits under the first stem

Measure the stem length and add in a second gladiolus stem so that the stem fits under the first stem.

Lift the second stem so that it is supported by the first stem

Lift the second stem so that it is supported (but still under the water) by the first stem.

Add in a third stem to rest on the horizontal support

Add in a third stem to rest on the horizontal support. Make sure the stem end is lifted to the same height as the other two stems by supporting it with the first longer flower stem.

Drape dried Quaking Grass stems over the Gladiolus stems

Drape dried Quaking Grass stems over the Gladiolus stems.

Add a third Quaking Grass stem to shadow over the design

Add a third Quaking Grass stem to shadow over the design.

My tip for you this week is about using these dried grass stems in my water filled vase. If you look closely you will notice my stems are nowhere close to the water. There are two reasons for this. But that is a long story and I thought we can maybe discuss it in our email this week. I also give you a tip for what to do if you want the stems in water. You can sign up below this post if you also want to receive your once a week tip email. I would love to hear from you so click reply if you have any questions or comments.... or just want to say Hi.

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

Tutorials

4 April 2018 Tap in a Twig Support

Wedge snipped twigs into a glass vase to act as a support for your flowers

16 August 2011 Cut spiked flower stems and foliage into short sections

Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible...

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.

13 February 2019 Willow and Rose heart armature

Weave willow stems into a heart shaped armature.

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

5 August 2020 Twig float for a single lemon blossom

This design is all about that line there where the water meets the lemon blossom stem...

24 March 2021 A Spring Sprout Wreath Flower Frog

Craft an everything is still growing spring design to celebrate... what we love!

28 January 2015 Well Rooted Sprouting Willow Weave

Weave a sprouting armature

10 August 2016 Bamboo frog for a shallow container design

Cut short bamboo lengths to keep your flower material upright in a shallow and narrow container

10 May 2017 Skewered Eucalyptus leaf line-up armature

Thread leaves through wire

Favourite Flowers

Gladiolus

Gladiolus, Sword lily, Corn Lilies, gladioluses, glads, plural: gladioli

Related Designs

9 August 2023 Look at me… doing math!

Adding our own "bit" to our floral design work.

4 April 2018 Grow on it

Wedge twigs into a vase to create a grid.

17 April 2013 Hide-and-go-peek

Create a soft light by making a leaf cocoon for a flameless candle

13 February 2019 Pick Love

Craft a willow heart to display 12 red roses to celebrate Valentine's Day.

5 August 2020 Spare a Moment

A tranquil design that just takes a moment to do... when you need to take a moment to... breathe.

24 March 2021 To two too!

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

27 January 2016 Well, I'll be

Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems

28 January 2015 In a State of Flow

weave some willow to use as an armature

10 August 2016 Saved up

Cut lengths of bamboo to place in a shallow container as a flower frog

10 May 2017 About a line

Skewer and line up leaves to create an armature