Table Top

Say Cheese!

Adorn your tabletop with this “picture perfect” messenger of the season to come!

This cheery design is actually quite economical. It doesn’t require many blossoms and almost any flowers and greenery will work. Most of us have a spare photo frame hanging around that could easily be put to use. Select a picture frame and empty it of the mat, glass and paper. Remember that you want both sides to be pretty, so either choose a frame that looks good on both sides, or place two frames back-to-back and tie them together at the top corners with raffia or ribbon. For the container you’ll need a low bowl, French bread tray or plastic dish that will hold water and is about the same length as the frame.

Cut a piece of wet floral design foam to fit in the tray and extend about one inch out of the top. Secure the foam into the container with tape or wedges made from the foam. The only tricky part of this design is making the frame remain vertical! Here’s how: bend two sturdy wires, such as 18 gauge floral wire, or a piece of coat hanger, into a hairpin shape. Place the frame onto the foam surface and secure it with the hairpins. It won’t stand up well yet . . .so, use pieces of foliage to brace it at each end. “Sandwich” the frame’s vertical pieces between the stems of greenery or twigs.

Tuck greens around the base to camouflage the container and extend the base of the arrangement. I used lemon leaf and red huckleberry but any greenery that you prefer will work as well. This is the fun part: arrange the flowers you have chosen within the frame to create your fresh “picture.” Since it will be a centerpiece, place some stems on each side of the frame. Vary the height and size of blooms to make your garden row.

Add some filler at the base for color and texture, and there it is! Your perfect picture of bright, springy flowers. So whether March is a lion or a lamb, you’ll have your own version of “photo realism” to enjoy.

Patty Santee, Santee Floral Design

Patty Santee AIFD owns Santee Floral Designs at 5853 Merriam Drive, Merriam Kansas. Santee Floral Designs serves the greater KC area with flowers for all occasions. Patty is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and serves as a Trustee of the AIFD Foundation. She has designed flowers for two Presidential Inaugurations, the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty, and other local and national events. Santee Floral Designs may be reached at (913) 642-7800 or online at www.flowerskc.com.