How To Make A Fruit Bouquet

Fruit Bouquets are quite interesting to make, and look delicious. They can be made out of real fruit or fake fruit- in this article I am using real fruit. If you decide to use real fruit then be aware that the bouquet will have to be eaten in a few days... otherwise the fruit will rot.

You can use all sorts of different fruits, from apples to apricots, to peaches. There are certain fruits that make it easier to learn how to make a fruit bouquet, and I will use them in this article. Once you know what you are doing, you might want to try different fruits.

You will need:
- 7 Large Plums
- 11 Strawberries
- 15 Large Leaves
- 5 Small Rosebud Heads
- Cellophane
- 4 Feet of Ribbon
- Thick, semi-thick, and thin gauge wire
- Stem tape

Step 1- Prepare the fruit.
Remove any stems or stickers from the fruit, and clean if needed.

Step 2- Prepare the cellophane
Cut squares out of the cellophane to wrap the plums in. The squares don't have to be too big, just big enough to encase the plum entirely. Twist the cellophane around the plum.

Step 3- Wire the plums
Wire the plums, using thick gauge wire.

Step 4- Tape the wire
Tape the wire. The plums should now look a little like a toffee apple on a white stick.

Step 5- Prepare the strawberries
Remove the leaves from the top of the strawberries, and then prepare them the same as the plums. Use the same size squares of cellophane as before.

Once the cellophane is twisted around the strawberries, cut the cellophane so only an inch or so is left.

Step 6- Wire the strawberries.
Wire the strawberries, using semi-thick gauge wire. The wire needs to be near the larger end of the strawberry, so the pointy end of the strawberry will be seen in the bouquet.

Make sure you are gentle with the strawberries, as they are quite squishy!

Step 7- Prepare the leaves.
Wire and tape the leaves using thin gauge wire.

Step 8- Shape the fruit bouquet.
Assemble everything into a posy shape. Do this by...
- Holding the plums in a bunch, using 2 hands.
- Fan everything out slightly.
- Insert leaves between the plums.
- Add the strawberries and the roses.

If you have any unfilled gaps, then fill them in then fill them in with two figure-of-eight bows. Cut off the excess ribbon, so that you only have loops.

That's it! A quick warning though... if you used real fruit, make sure you put the fruit bouquet in the fridge, otherwise it will start to go off (and smell a bit funny), in a few days.

About the Author

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of free information on making your own bouquets, including more details (and pictures) on How to make a fruit bouquet and How to make a candy bouquet

Wedding Bouquet: How To Make The Right Choice

Choosing your wedding bouquet is an important part of the planning process as bouquets of flowers have always been a big attraction at any wedding. Bouquets are already part of the wedding tradition on all races. A bouquet of flowers symbolizes a blossoming maiden and reflects her emotions.

Therefore, wedding bouquets should be carefully selected and planned the same way you plan for your wedding gown. Here are just a few tips in choosing your wedding bouquet:

1. It is recommended that you choose a flower that is on season to save money and time. This will not give you hard time trying to order the flower as well.

2. You can choose other alternatives like silk flowers especially if the flower you would like to use is not in season. Silk flowers are also suited in formal weddings; fresh picked flowers may not fit a very formal party.

3. Your bouquet should not drown you. Be sure that it will not cover your figure. If you are petite, the weight of the flower might be too heavy for your built and may affect your posture and how you carry your gown. Remember that your bouquet should not be too big so as not to cover your elegant gown and should be easy to carry.

4. The flowers you chose should last for the entire day. Make sure that your flowers still hold up even at the end of the day so that you will still look glamorous when taken pictures. Using a bouquet holder is suggested to keep the flowers fresh during the entire day. Also take the advice of your florist on which flowers easily wilt so that you can avoid choosing them.

5. Don't let your florist imagine the flower design you like. You may take a picture or a printed copy of the bouquet style you prefer. Also bring a sample fabric of the gowns so that the florist can choose the correct shade of flower that will match the color of the gowns. Some bouquets may be decorated with ribbons, lace and silk materials. You can advise the florist on what specific designs would you like to add for your flowers.

6. Why not choose a flower that has special meaning? That will not be difficult since most flowers have their meanings. Stephanotis stands for happiness in marriage, Rose means love and being true, and Tulips stand for perfect love and declaration of love.

7. One of the first things to consider when opting for a bouquet is the style. Choose the bouquet style that will suit you and your personality. Bouquets are more personal nowadays and reflect the brides' personalities. For Nosegays, where flowers are clustered in a round form, can vary in sophistication and will fit any personality. In Cascade bouquets, flowers are arranged in a descending form. These bouquets are voluptuous and can be the center of attention.

They are recommended for traditional weddings. There are flowers where stems are wrapped around in ribbons and they are called Hand-tied bouquets. These bouquets bring a casual aura and are recommended for garden weddings. There are also Contemporary bouquets where flowers are arranged in style but with no geometric form. These arrangements of flowers represent the individuality of a bride and are mostly used in sophisticated weddings.

8. The top wedding flowers are Rose, Lilly, Orchid, Hyacinth, Tulip, Stephanotis and Daisy. You may want to follow the trend and choose these flowers for your bouquet.

For a free course on planning discount weddings and where to find the best discount wedding invitations, visit http://www.discountweddingguide.com/ today.

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How To Make Candy Bouquet

A bouquet is usually made just from flowers, but that doesn't have to be the case. You can make your bouquet more interesting by adding other items, such as candy.

Yeah, you read correctly, I said, Candy!

Candy Bouquets are fun to make, look great, and they are a fantastic talking piece. I promise that everyone that sees your candy bouquet will feel compelled to comment on it. Young children in particular, will be absolutely delighted when they see your candy bouquet!

To make a candy bouquet, you will need:
- 5 Silk Rose Buds
- 1 Bunch of pearlies
- 2 Thin Gauge wires
- 1 Thick Gauge wire
- 9 Lollipops.
- Silk Leaves
- Stem tape (green or white)
- Ribbon

Step 1: Trimming the lollipops

Trim the lollipop sticks to about an inch or two in length, or just below the wrapper. Later, we will wire and tape the sticks just like normal flowers. We do this so that the lollipops can be moved around and positioned more easily.

Step 2: Trimming the Rose Buds

Trim the stems on the rose bud heads, and then wire and tape them.

Step 3: Wire the lollipops

To wire the lollipops you will have to put a twist in the wire around the stick of the lollipop. You will probably have to do this twice, to make sure that the wire is tight and wont come loose. The easiest way to do this is to use long-nosed plyers, and to squeeze the wire around the stick.

Step 4: Wire and Tape the Pearlies

Although you don't need pearlies in your candy bouquet, they can work well to soften the bouquet, and make it appear more like an everyday floral bouquet.

Wire and tape the pearlies. Place the wire alongside the white part of the pearly strand, and then stem tape in place.

Step 5: Assemble the Candy Bouquet

Now start to assemble the candy bouquet. Start the bouquet with the lollipops in a bunch, in one hand.

Then slowly insert the leaves between the lollipops.

Fan the lollipops into a circular shape, with the leaves facing out.

Place the flowers in next, keeping two lollipops between each flower.

Fill any gaps left over at the end, with leaves and pearlies.

Step 6: Add Figure-of-Eight Bows

Make eight figure-of-eight bows, for the last layer of the candy bouquet, and fan them around the base. You can use normal ribbons or curling ribon.

Step 7: Prepare the handle

The last step in making a candy bouquet is to trim and tape the handle.

That's it! Simple isn't it?

All you have to do now, is resist eating the bouquet long enough for some other people to see it!

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website http://www.visionsofsilk.com, has lots of free information on making your own bouquets, including more details (and pictures) on how to make a candy bouquet: http://www.visionsofsilk.com/How_to_make_a_candy_bouquet.shtml

How to make a candy bouquet

A bouquet is usually made just from flowers, but that doesn't have to be the case. You can make your bouquet more interesting by adding other items, such as candy.

Yeah, you read correctly, I said, Candy!

Candy Bouquets are fun to make, look great, and they are a fantastic talking piece. I promise that everyone that sees your candy bouquet will feel compelled to comment on it. Young children in particular, will be absolutely delighted when they see your candy bouquet!

To make a candy bouquet, you will need:
- 5 Silk Rose Buds
- 1 Bunch of pearlies
- 2 Thin Gauge wires
- 1 Thick Gauge wire
- 9 Lollipops.
- Silk Leaves
- Stem tape (green or white)
- Ribbon

Step 1: Trimming the lollipops
Trim the lollipop sticks to about an inch or two in length, or just below the wrapper. Later, we will wire and tape the sticks just like normal flowers. We do this so that the lollipops can be moved around and positioned more easily.

Step 2: Trimming the Rose Buds
Trim the stems on the rose bud heads, and then wire and tape them.

Step 3: Wire the lollipops
To wire the lollipops you will have to put a twist in the wire around the stick of the lollipop. You will probably have to do this twice, to make sure that the wire is tight and wont come loose. The easiest way to do this is to use long-nosed plyers, and to squeeze the wire around the stick.

Step 4: Wire and Tape the Pearlies
Although you don't need pearlies in your candy bouquet, they can work well to soften the bouquet, and make it appear more like an everyday floral bouquet.

Wire and tape the pearlies. Place the wire alongside the white part of the pearly strand, and then stem tape in place.

Step 5: Assemble the Candy Bouquet
Now start to assemble the candy bouquet. Start the bouquet with the lollipops in a bunch, in one hand.

Then slowly insert the leaves between the lollipops.

Fan the lollipops into a circular shape, with the leaves facing out.

Place the flowers in next, keeping two lollipops between each flower.

Fill any gaps left over at the end, with leaves and pearlies.

Step 6: Add Figure-of-Eight Bows
Make eight figure-of-eight bows, for the last layer of the candy bouquet, and fan them around the base. You can use normal ribbons or curling ribon.

Step 7: Prepare the handle
The last step in making a candy bouquet is to trim and tape the handle.

That's it! Simple isn't it?

All you have to do now, is resist eating the bouquet long enough for some other people to see it!

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website www.visionsofsilk.com, has lots of free information on making your own bouquets, including more details (and pictures) on How to make a candy bouquet

Creating Custom Swarovski Crystal Wedding Bouquets and Boutonnieres

My mission through writing this article is to broaden the horizons of your imagination while customizing Swarovski Crystal bouquets and boutonnieres. Many people may not know exactly how versatile these arrangements can be. The sky is the limit when designing in this medium. So I am going to offer several ideas that will get your mind working to create beautiful arrangements that will match not only your color scheme, but also your personality on your wedding day.

Swarovski Crystals come in endless shapes, sizes and colors. You can combine all of these in many different ways to create bouquets and boutonnieres that reflect your taste and style.

Combining Swarovski Crystals that are all the same color and the same shape but vary in size is very dramatic. You may choose to have the sizes distributed randomly throughout the arrangement or you could create a pattern with the larger crystals in the center and fading to smaller crystals on the outer edges. Or maybe try the smaller crystals in the center where they are a bit more abundant, with the larger ones on the outside. Since crystals are significantly heavier when you get to ten millimeters and above, it is nice to have them mounted on wires that are a little bit longer because this will create a lot of movement in your bouquet. Remember, the more a crystal moves, the more chances it has to catch light and sparkle incredibly bright.

Another option is to choose crystals that coordinate with your color scheme. For example, your bridesmaids and groomsmen are wearing a pale shade of blue. It is stunning to choose five or six shades of blue crystals in dark to light hues and combine them all together to create your bouquets and boutonnieres. This makes it very easy to compliment any accents that you will have on your day. Whether you are working with other fabrics, flowers, or jewelry, you don't have to worry with matching the bouquets and boutonnieres perfectly to one item since there is such a great variation in tones.

Adding Swarovski Crystals to a traditional wedding bouquet or boutonniere is a very effective way to have crystal accents and stick to a more traditional theme. You can have the arrangements dominated by crystals or you may want to have the flowers take over and have the crystals add merely a hint of glitz and glamor.

While speaking with a bride recently at a wedding show, she told me that she would like to have a theme of rubies for her Valentines Day wedding. I suggested that she create a bouquet and boutonniere that have ruby red crystals in the center in the shape of a heart and have clear crystals surrounding them. She could have the entire bouquet arranged in the shape of a heart, a butterfly, a star, or even a grapevine.

I hope that I have helped you in opening the doors to the endless possibilities that are given to you when you choose Swarovski Crystal Bouquets and boutonnieres. For more ideas on creating Swarovski Crystal bouquets and boutonnieres visit Brilliant Wedding Jewelry to see a number of samples.

Penny Olson is the owner and designer for Brilliant Wedding Jewelry
Spice up your bouquets yourself by using Swarovski Crystal Stems.