Tips On Sending The Perfect Bouquet Of Flowers

Flowers are a way to let someone know you care, so it is no wonder that sending flowers is such a popular way to commemorate events, from the birth of a new baby to Valentine?s Day. In fact, flowers are also the top choice for letting someone know you?re sorry. However, not all flower bouquets are as nice as the rest. Before you send someone flowers, you may want to do a bit of research.

Before you do anything else, take some time to think about the type of flowers that this person enjoys. While most people love red roses, there are a few who prefer colorful wildflower bouquets or exuberant sunflowers instead.

Next, take a look at the different arrangements available. Some come in beautiful vases or include collectibles as part of the arrangement. Others come in simple vases that let the flowers shine.

After you choose the flowers you want, it is time to send them to that special someone, right? Well, while you may be ordering from a reputable florist, that florist may not be the person actually choosing, arranging, and delivering the flowers. Instead, when flowers are being delivered to someone some distance away, the florist passes the task of filling the order onto a local florist. Ask who will be doing the actual delivery and find out if that florist has a good reputation.

Once you send the flowers to the recipient, don?t be afraid to follow up. Many times, a disappointing bouquet is delivered, but the person who received it may be afraid to offend the giver, so doesn?t say anything. If you mention that you want to be sure the arrangement looks fresh and that it contains the proper number of flowers, the recipient will probably be much more forthcoming about the condition of the bouquet. If it sounds like there is a problem, follow up with the florist where you placed your order and the florist who filled it. After all, the person getting your bouquet should get what you paid for.

Finally, you may want to consider sending a very different type of flower, a living plant. This way, your gift will continue to remind that lucky someone of the event the flowers were sent to commemorate long after a fresh bouquet would be a distant memory. If you are sending flowers to someone with a black thumb, you may want to try sending a dried floral arrangement instead.
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for FlowerSendingSecrets.com. To learn more about floral arrangements and sending flowers visit us.

How To Make Your Own Cookie Bouquets

We've all seen them. Clusters of big, gourmet cookies, individually wrapped in shiny, colored cellophane, with bows and ribbons. They come in many styles and with different treats, toys or gift items attached to or inside a basket or vase of some sort. They make a terrific and edible gift idea. After all, who doesn't love cookies? Sadly, they can be very expensive gifts, especially when considering that cookies don't cost a whole lot to bake.

Here's how to make your own cookie bouquets at home without spending a fortune!

What You Will Need:

Chopsticks or Wooden Skewers - Make sure they are heat-proof. If you're baking smaller cookies, then popsicle sticks would also work.

Cookies - Find a delicious cookie recipe that makes larger size cookies, (your favorite or your gift recipients favorite will do fine)

Container - This needs to be a sturdy container that is a bit bottom heavy, especially if you plan to include more than a few big cookies. You can try putting some pebbles in the bottom to make sure the container won't tip over, if needed. Some ideas for containers include: a coffee mug, a metal or plastic pail, a basket, a vase, a planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glass bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, teapot, porcelain or pottery serving ware.

Cellophane - The shiny, colored kind looks best, but the colored plastic wrap you get at your local supermarket would work too.

Ribbon - The curly kind works well for this. Any colors you like.

Decorations - Anything goes! What's appropriate to the occasion and what does the gift recipient like? Some ideas include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, balloons, fake or real flowers, stickers or whatever you find at the local craft store.

Block of styrofoam or florists foam - You know that stereo you bought last December? You probably kept the box, just search your garage for some spare, clean, stryofoam.

Something to cover up the stryofoam or florist's foam - You can use a big ribbon, some moss, plastic grass, tissue paper crumpled up or whatever else you have handy.

Instructions:

1. When you place the cookie dough on the cookie sheet, press the dough down a bit to flatten it so that it doesn't spread too much while baking and so that the stick can be inserted properly. Before you bake the cookies, you must insert the chopstick or wooden skewer into one side of each cookie. Push it in almost the length of the cookie without going out the other end. This is an important step, as if your cookie is too big and your stick is not sturdy enough, the stick won't hold it and the cookie may fall apart when you pick it up. When baking big cookies, you probably won't be able to fit more than 3 cookies with their sticks to a cookie sheet.

2. After baking the cookies with their sticks, cool the cookies thoroughly, then wrap each one with the colored cellophane. A different color for each cookie would be ok, or all the same color appropriate to the occasion. Tie each one with some curly ribbon at the base where the stick comes out of the cookie. Tie it very tightly so the cookies will stay fresh on the stick. You can adorn each cookie with additional, larger ribbons or bows at this point. When using curly ribbon, don't forget to curl it!

3. Now cut your styrofoam or florist's foam to the size of the top of the container you chose. Then fit the foam in so it is nice and tight and near the top of the container. Remember, you can place something heavier in the bottom of the container so that it does not tip over. Small pebbles work well for this. Remember that the sticks will poke through the foam and into the bottom of the container.

4. Here comes the fun part, let's assemble the cookie bouquet! Take each of your cookies and stick them through the foam so they go all the way through the foam and further, near to the bottom of the container. You can assemble the cookies in any manner you like, but most cookie bouquets have one cookie at the center that is taller than the other cookies, so keep that in mind. Decorate with additional ribbons, toys, candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be attached with additional ribbon to the container or the sticks of the cookies or even with a glue gun (if appropriate).

5. Give your gift and watch the smiles! Make sure to give the bouquet as soon as possible after you have assembled it, you don't want the cookies to go stale!

Tips:

Make sure you bake enough cookies for your container, if baking small cookies, you may run out if you are filling a large container. Always bake more than enough. Surely your extras won't go to waste.

Bake both large and small cookies and use them both in the bouquet for a nice varied look, like a more traditional flower bouquet.

More Ideas:

Some cookie bouquets use cutout cookies, these can be fun to make and decorate. Use your favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe and cut into shapes appropriate for the occasion. For cutout cookies to work, you may want to double your sugar cookie recipe as the cookies need to be nice and thick for the stick to go through them. For this type of cookie, wooden skewers will work best, chopsticks may be too thick. Then decorate the cookies with frosting or icing. The icing should be the kind that hardens a little so that it won't stick to the wrapping. No need for colored cellophane with these cookies, use regular plastic wrap or clear cellophane so that the beauty of your hand decorated cookies shines through.

Remember, your cookie bouquet doesn't need to look professional, it's the homemade touch that makes it a truly special gift.

Ricky Alberta is a baker and one of the editors of Cookie-Recipes.net. Cookie-Recipes.net is a site devoted exclusively to cookie recipes. Includes a recipe exchange forum, baking tips, how to's, articles, a blog, as well as hundreds of tasty cookie recipes. http://www.cookie-recipes.net.

info@cookie-recipes.net

 

Candy Bouquets: How To Make A Fun Table Decoration For Your Wedding

When I first started making bouquets I was always trying to find different things to use in place of flowers. One thing I found that is fun and different to use is candy.

Candy bouquets make wonderful gifts and they are a great talking point at weddings and receptions.

They are really easy to make, and the end result is always popular. This is probably because, not only are they colorful and fun, but they're edible as well!

You can make many different types of candy bouquets- In this article I will show you how to make a candy bouquet in a teracotta pot, which will look absolutely spectacular...

To make your own candy bouquet flower-pot, you will need:

- 1 Medium terracotta pot

- 1 Packet of lollipops or wrapped chocolates

- 1 Dried oasis brick

- 1 Piece of floristry wire

- 5 White roses purple centres

- 7 Purple roses

- Floristry wire and stem tape( if using chocolates)

STEP 1: Cut The Oasis

Using a piece of floristry wire to cut the oasis, so it will fit into the terracotta pot. Make sure it fits in the pot firmly as you will be pushing the lollipop sticks, flowers and leaves into it.

STEP 2: Trim The Flowers

The pot I am using is small so I will cut the flowers down. Cut just a little above half way down the stem. You do not need to wire or tape any of the flowers, just use the wire they are already on.

Note: If you are using wrapped chocolates you will need to wire and tape them.

STEP 3: Fan The Leaves

Place your leaves around the edge of the teracotta pot. If you slightly overlap the leaves you will get a nice fan effect which will make the finished pot look much more realistic.

Note: You may need to use one of the cut pieces of flower stem to put holes in the oasis for the leaves to go in.

STEP 4: Insert The Roses

Place one rose in the centre of the pot. Push the next rose in at an angle near the edge of the pot, and do the same with the next rose on the otherside of the pot. Keep doing this until all the flowers are in the pot.

STEP 5: Insert Candy and Leaves

Now all you need to do to finish the candy bouquet is to fill the bouquet in with the candy and leaves...

Place a lollipop between each flower, and keep doing this until all the lollipops are used.

If you have any more gaps fill them in with leaves and pearlies.

Step 6: Add A Ribon

As a nice finishing touch to the candy bouquet flower pot, you can place a ribbon bow around the pot. You could also paint the pot before putting the flowers in. Even add a figure of eight bow at the front edge of the pot if you wish.

A candy bouquet flower-pot makes a lovely table decoration for any occasion. The good thing about this decoration is that you can just replace the lollipops once they get eaten.

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

How To Choose The Best Autumn Wedding Bouquets

There are of course a number of things any wedding planner must do when planning the perfect celebration, but finding the right autumn wedding bouquet is one of the most important parts of any fall wedding.

As autumn weddings become more and more popular, more and more wedding planners are looking for wedding bouquets that include the most beautiful and fragrant fall blossoms.

Ensure That You Get the Best Selection Of Flowers

There are certainly many such fragrant fall blossoms to choose from, and it is important for those in search of a great autumn wedding bouquet to shop carefully, and to shop as early as possible.

Shopping early is one of the best ways to ensure the best selection of fall flowers, and shopping around is one of the best ways to ensure that you get the best deal.

Understanding All Of Your Options

It is important to carefully look at all the options when it comes to shopping for the best and most cost effective autumn wedding bouquets.

For instance, in some cases the florist you choose to provide flowers for the wedding reception and church will include a number of autumn wedding bouquets at no additional charge, while in other cases each autumn wedding bouquet will be at an additional price.

It is important to get a detailed list of which flowers are included and which will be extra, and to get everything in writing.

Using One Or More Florist To Do The Job

In some cases additional floral arrangements such as centerpieces and wedding bouquets will be included in the price of the flowers, so it is important to find out this information before going forward.

If the price of the autumn wedding bouquet is not included, the next step should be to determine whether you want the same florist to handle the bouquets, the centerpieces and the rest of the flowers.

Some wedding planners enjoy the simplicity of having all the flowers done by the same florist, while others prefer to spread the work across several different florists. No matter what your choice, it is important to shop early, and to carefully consider not only price but quality as well.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding planning topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at http://www.best-wedding-plan.com/autumn-wedding-bouquets.html.

How To Make A Bouquet Completely Out Of Candy

There are lots of different types of candy bouquets you can make. One way is to make a normal bouquet out of flowers, and then add candy afterwards. Another type of candy bouquet is one made JUST out of candy.

In this article, I will show you how to make a candy bouquet without using any flowers. Although there won't be any flowers, I will still add some leaves and ribbons to add some variety.

You will need:
- 1 box of roses chocolates.
- 7 chuppa chupps.
- 1 packet of wrapped toffee candy.
- 1 bunch of thick gauge wire for the chuppa chupps.
- 1 bunch of thin gauge wire for the chocolates.
- 1 roll of white ribbon
- 9 silk rose leaves

Step 1: Wiring and Taping...

Wire and tape all the chocolates, lollipops, toffees and leaves.

Step 2: Add the lollipops to the bouquet...

Hold the wired and taped chocolates and toffees in one hand.

Place the wired and taped lollipops around the outside of the chocolates.

Because the lollipops are on a stronger wire this will help the candy bouquet hold it's shape.

Step 3: Prepare Figure-of-Eight bows...

Next make up nine figure of eight bows out of ribbon.

These will be arranged around the outside of the candy bouquet to help frame it.

Step 4: Add leaves...

At this point you can add your leaves throughout the bouquet. This puts something between the pieces of candy, and helps to soften the candy bouquet.

You can also make up some ribbon loops, and place them in between the candy as well.

Step 5: Add the Figure-of-Eight bows...

Place a small piece of stem tape up near the top of the candy bouquet to hold everything together.

Then add your figure of eight bows around the outside to frame the bouquet.

Step 6: Finishing Touches...

If you wish you can add some trailer ribbons to the candy bouquet.

Finally, trim your wires and do your final taping of the handle.

There you have it!

A bouquet completely made out of candy.

What a yummy idea.

This bouquet would make a lovely gift and children will love it, particularly because they can eat it!

Peta Fletcher has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of free information, including how to make a candy bouquet and how to make a wedding bouquet

Tips For Choosing Beautiful Fall Wedding Bouquets

There are many important things that must be taken care of when planning a wedding, and the fall wedding bouquets are among the most important of all wedding items.

The right wedding bouquet is one of the most important parts of planning any wedding, and it is important to give the choice of bouquets the care and time that it so richly deserves.

Deciding Where To Buy Your Fall Wedding Bouquets

There are of course many important decisions to make when seeking out the perfect fall wedding bouquets, but one of the first decisions to make is where to get those bouquets.

Some wedding planners prefer the ease and simplicity of ordering the wedding bouquets and centerpieces from the same florist who provides the rest of the wedding flowers.

Checking To Make Sure Everything You Want Is Included In Your Floral Packages

At other times it may be more effective and easier to order the fall wedding bouquets from a separate wedding florist.

The key is to look at the florist you have chosen to provide the floral displays for the church and reception hall, and determine whether the bouquets and centerpieces they can provide will be of the same high quality.

In some cases the bouquets and centerpieces may even be included in this price, so it is important to find out this important information before shopping elsewhere for the bouquets and centerpieces.

Making Sure The Colors Are Complimentary

If you must order the centerpieces and fall wedding bouquets separately, it is important to get a color sample from the floral display in order to make sure that the colors of the bouquet will match the colors of the rest of the floral displays.

It is important to provide complimentary colors to all the bouquets, and it is also important to be sure that the florist you choose can provide the highest quality and most beautiful blooms in town.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding planning topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at http://www.best-wedding-plan.com/fall-wedding-bouquets.html

3 Different Bouquets That DON'T Need Flowers!

What do you think of when you think of bouquets?

Most people just think of flowers.

Whilst bouquets DO usually have flowers, no-one said they can't be made with other things as well. There are all sorts of different bouquets you can make, including fruit bouquets, candy bouquets, and cookie bouquets...

*** Fruit Bouquets ***

When you make a fruit bouquet, you should still use flowers, just add some fruit in as well.

Now... certain fruits will look right, while others wont. Small fruits, like apples and oranges are good, whereas bigger fruits like watermelon won't really work! For more interesting colors, something like a peach can add some interesting tones.

A fruit bouquet makes a perfect gift for someone who is sick in hospital. They'll love how it looks, and eating the fruit will help them get better!

*** Candy Bouquets ***

For a totally different look, how about a candy bouquet? Kids will love this, particularly if you put their favourite candy in it. Wrapped candies are ideal, as they can just be wired and added to the bouquet without any extra work.

Unwrapped candies can still be used though, they just need to be wrapped in cellophane... I usually use clear cellophane, but colored cellophane can be used for an interesting effect.

*** Cookie Bouquets ***

Another option is a cookie bouquet. You'll need to wrap that cookies in cellophane quite tightly to make sure the cookies don't go stale. If the cookies look nice (with big choc-chips), then clear cellophane is probably best.

Cookie bouquets will be particularly popular if you bake your own delicious cookies.

As you can see, there are quite a few different option for bouquets. There are other types of bouquets you can make as well (such as a toy bouquet!), but fruit bouquets, candy bouquets, and cookie bouquets are the most popular. Why not try and make your own today?

Peta Fletcher has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of free information, including information of making a candy bouquet and how to make a cookie bouquet

Tips for Finding Beautiful Fall Wedding Bouquets

June has been known to be the most popular month for getting married and late spring/early summer the most popular season. However, recently the number of couples willing to have a fall wedding has been significantly increasing. The fall wedding has two great advantages over the traditional summer one - firstly, it is less expensive because of the lower demand for wedding rentals, reception, caterers; secondly it is much more beautiful, in my opinion. It is true that the weather might be a bit unpredictable but nothing can be compared with the explosion of fall colors as a background setting for the perfect wedding.

One of the most important things in a wedding is the bridal bouquet. They can be very different - from a single red rose to a splendid and very expensive bouquet of nosegays ornamented with gems and pearls. Apart from the wedding attire, the wedding bouquet is the second most important item that all the guests see. Fall wedding bouquets vary from the summer ones, not only in the types of flowers put but also the colours combined in the bouquets.

Today's modern weddings have some sort of color scheme and this is applied for autumn weddings, as well. Many fall weddings often choose orange, yellow and red into the flowers and decorations, so that they could incorporate the beauty of the marvellous fall colours. The above-mentioned colours are also used in the wedding bouquets placing the fall colour explosions in the hands of the bride.

White, yellow and orange roses are most frequently used for fall wedding bouquets, calla lilies, as well. It is a good idea when you design your fall wedding bouquet not to put too many flowers in fall colours or your bouquet will be just like the trees outside. You only have to make a hint in a shade of orange, yellow or red. You should have many white flowers in your bouquet and some fall coloured. That way you will combine contemporary colour with traditional elegance.

After you get the fall wedding bouquet set, you should concentrate on the flowers used for the ceremony and the reception. Usually all the other flowers match the wedding bouquet but don't feel obliged to follow this tradition. Of course, you should try to design the other flowers in such a way that they coordinate with the bridal bouquet. Don't forget to use your imagination and combine coordinating colors and types of flowers in a way you like it. This is how you will have fun while creating a custom feel to the flower arrangements for your wedding day.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning wedding. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Wedding Bouquets

Wonderful Tips for Creating the Perfect Silk Flower Bouquet

Wonderful Tips for Creating the Perfect Silk Flower Bouquet

There are fabulous tips you should know if you want to create the perfect, flawless, impeccable flower bouquet for your home or office. This page will give you a few tips that will help you arrange your silk flowers so they will beautify your home or office and enhance your living pleasure.

Tip 1: Choose the Area of the Room First The first tip is to choose an area in the room where you will place your flower arrangement. Look at the particular area and take note of the different colors, look at the way they blend into each other, and the overall mood of the area.

To determine the mood, figure out this: Is the area vivacious, cheerful, and bright? Or is it a more quiet, relaxed, and calm part of the room? Determining this will help you pick the right combination of colors and create a flower arrangement that will flow with the room and not contrast it.

Tip 2: Silk Flowers of the Same Shade Flow Naturally When arranging silk flowers, it is best to pick flowers of the same shade. Colors of the same shade will always blend well. For example, flowers with blue petals will blend naturally with violets and purples. Take your time to determine the best possible tones.

Apart from choosing colors that naturally blend well, think about choosing different size flowers. The beauty of your artificial flowers is enhanced when the colors of your flowers flow together, but in contrast, also when your flowers are of different sizes. Try it and see how well it mingles with your room.

Tip 3: What Season will my Flowers Express? Flowers are available at different times of the year, and they look differently at the different times. In early spring, some flowers will have their buds just about to open. They look young and fresh and about to mature.

Silk flowers are also produced with different seasons in mind. The magnificent beauty of today's artificial flowers is that you can sculpture them to represent any season you desire. So, to capture the spirit of spring, you close the buds and push the leaves in to imitate a young plant about to bloom. To capture the atmosphere of late summer, you pick a few petals off, lay them on the ground, and let the leaves lean down and outward. Visit us online http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com

Visit us online http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com

Cookie Bouquets: How To Make A Great Mothers Day Gift.

This year, instead of giving your mom a boring mothers day gift, how about making her a cookie bouquet? They are really quick and easy to make, and look great.

The best thing about making a cookie bouquet, is that your mom will absolutely love you! Cookie bouquets are appreciated all year round, but they make a particularly great mothers day gift, because your mom will know you have spent time on it, rather than just going to the store and spending 2 minutes looking for some chocolate to buy :)

Many cookie bouquets are basic, and only have cookies in them. I like to add a bit more style to my bouquets, so I'm going to show you how to make a more fancy cookie bouquet, using leaves and candies as well.

You will need:

- 9 Large choc-chip cookies

- 7 Wrapped candies

- Floristry wire

- Cellophane (Any color, although I use clear)

- Ribbon

- Stem-tape

- 15 Leaves

*** Step 1: Wire and tape the leaves ***

Start by wiring and taping the leaves...

You wire a silk leaf by pushing the floristry wire through the silk part of the leaf, behind the stem. Then loop it around, and go back through the leaf, and then bend the wire back down.

To stem-tape the wire, hold it in your left hand, and then wrap the stem tape around the wire with the other hand. Make sure that you stem-tape right up to the top of the leaf, otherwise it will look ugly.

*** Step 2: Prepare cookies to be added to the cookie bouquet ***

You don't need to wrap the cookies, but I like to, because it helps to keep them fresh. I would rather have a cookie bouquet that doesn't have to be eaten straight away, so that people can leave it on the table for everyone to look at, without worrying about the cookies going stale.

Cut the cellophane into 9 squares. Make sure the cellophane squares are large enough to wrap around the cookies.

Next wrap the cookies in the cellophane, and twist the end.

Then wire and tape the cellophane, and snip off any excess cellophane.

*** Step 3: Prepare the candies to be added to the cookie bouquet ***

Wire and stem tape the candies. Depending on the different candies you used, you might have to wrap the candies in cellophane, similar to how the cookies were prepared.

*** Step 4: Fan the cookies out in the bouquet ***

Hold the cookies in a bunch in one hand. Then bend out the wire slightly, to fan out the cookies. This will leave spaces for the leaves, which we will add in the the next step...

*** Step 5: Fill in the cookies bouquet with leaves ***

Place the leaves in the gaps in the bouquet. Fan out the leaves, so that they make a circular shape. Then squeeze the bouquet together a little. (But not too tight, as we still need to put the candies in...)

*** Step 6: Add the candies to the cookie bouquet ***

Fill in any remaining gaps with the candies prepared in step 3. Try and keep the bouquet symmetrical, but don't worry about making it perfect... a little un-evenness will make the cookie bouquet seem more natural.

*** Step 7: Tape the handle ***

To finish the cookie bouquet, just trim the ends of the wires in the handle to an even length, and then stem-tape the handle.

That's it, a cookie bouquet ready to give your mom. Write out a greeting on a mothers day card, and then give your mom the card, the cookie bouquet, and a kiss on the cheek, and I'll guarantee you'll be in her good books for a few months to come!

About the Author

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of free information on bouquets, including Pictures of wedding bouquets, and information on Candy Bouquets, and Cookie Bouquets#BREAK#

Cookie Bouquet

Many people like to send a cookie bouquet when it comes to birthdays or just thoughtful gifts. You can purchase a cookie bouquet online or at most bakeries and some times even a florist. However, they are not that hard to make and cost very little. In fact, they can be quite fun to make because they require a lot of creativity and vision.

If you would like to make your own cookie bouquet follow these steps. First, you will want to make simple sugar cookie dough. Some times sugar cookie dough requires some chilling so make sure you choose one that fits your time. The second step to making your cookie bouquet is to roll out your dough to around a half an inch thick. Then you can get creative. Use different shapes to make different themed bouquets. If you want it to look like flowers, try to get flower and leave shaped cutouts. You can make any shapes that you want in your bouquet, but it looks nice if there is a theme.

Next, arrange your cookies on a cookie sheet and bake as recommended. As soon as you pull, the cookies out of the oven (you will want them to be a little soft still) insert a stick in the bottom side of the cookie. You should leave your cookies on the tray for an additional five minutes because then the cookies will harden and the stick will stay. You may add more than one stick to each cookie, depending on size. If you don't think the cookie will hold up, you can put some royal frosting around the stick.

This will act like glue. Next, you can paint your cookies with frosting. Make sure the frosting is thin enough to harden. To arrange your cookie bouquet, you will need a decorative pot, Spanish moss, and floral Styrofoam. Cut the foam to fit your pot. Then you can line the top of the form with some Spanish moss. Once that is done you can begin to let your creativity flow again and arrange the cookies in the pot.

Although it sounds like a lot of work, it can be a fun activity for mother-daughter days or even as a holiday gift. The guest will appreciate the hard work you put into the cookie bouquet, you will be surprised how the creativity flowed, and the final results. If you want to make a small bouquet and fast, you may want to get dough that's already for you to roll. This can be found in the coolers of any local store. Even though you probably could purchase a cookie bouquet faster, the extra work will pay off and you'll feel good about giving it as a gift.

For more information about cookie bouquet, visit http://www.cookiebouquet-online.com

Vigdis T Andersen: http://www.cookiebouquet-online.com

How To Make A Cookie Bouquet

I love making bouquets. There are so many different types you can make... Posies, wedding bouquets, candy bouquets, fruit bouquets and more.

One type of bouquet that I recently started making, is a cookie bouquet...

A cookie bouquet is a bouquet made with cookies, and leaves. They are very fun, and quite easy to make. This article shows how to make a cookie bouquet in 5 easy steps...

You will need: - 9 Chocolate chip cookies - 2 Bunches of floristry wire - Cellophane - Stem-tape - Leaves

** Step 1: Wire and tape the leaves ** Wire and tape the leaves...

Wire the leaf by pushing the wire through the silk part of the leaf, behind the stem, loop it around, and then go back through the leaf, and down to the wire.

Then stem tape the wire by holding the wire in one hand, and wrapping (and stretching), the stem tape with the other hand. Make sure to tape right up to the leaf.

** Step 2: Prepare cookies **

Cut the cellophane into 9 squares. Make sure the squares are large enough to fit a cookie.

Wrap the cookies in the cellophane, and then twist the end of the cellophane.

Now wire and tape the cellophane, and snip off any excess cellophane.

** Step 3: Fan the cookies **

Hold the cookies in a bunch in one hand. Then fan the cookies out slightly, to leave spaces for the leaves...

** Step 4: Fill in with leaves **

Start to place your leaves in between the cookies. Fan the leaves out to make a circular shape. Then squeeze the bouquet together. If you have any gaps left then you can fill them in with more leaves.

** Step 5: Prepare the handle **

Neaten the ends of the wires in the handle by trimming them with cutters.

Then stem-tape the handle, and add ribbon trailers if you wish.

That's it! You'll find any candy bouquets you make are instant hits with anyone that sees them. People just seem to LOVE cookie bouquets!

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of free information on bouquets, including Pictures of wedding bouquets, and information on Candy Bouquets, and Cookie Bouquets

How To Make A Candy Bouquet In A Coffee Cup

Oh No! Its your Aunt Sally's 60th birthday, and she's coming over to see everyone. Normally you would think this is good news, but no-one told you, and you don't have a gift for her!

Don't Panic! There's a simple gift you can make her that she will absolutely love... It's a candy bouquet in a coffee cup, and you can make one using a coffee cup, some leaves, and some flower shaped candies!

Step 1: Find a suitable coffee cup...

Most people have lots of coffee cups in their house. Maybe you have a cup from an old coffee set that got broken?

Try and find a nice looking cup, as it will ruin the effect of the candy bouquet if you use an old tacky, chipped cup!

Step 2: Prepare the coffee cup to hold the candy...

Take some dried oasis and push it into the coffee cup. If you don't have an oasis, you can stuff the cup with cellophane, but an oasis will work much better, as it will hold the flowers up much more firmly.

Before placing the oasis into the cup, place a square of cellophane in at the bottom. This will make it easier to clean later, as any flakes that fall off the oasis will be caught by the cellophane.

Step 3: Add the leaves for the candy bouquet...

Place some leaves around the outside edge of the cup. Make sure that the leaves overlap slightly as this will give a nice fanned effect. Try and space the leaves out evenly, but don't worry too much if the aren't spaced perfectly... it will make the bouquet seem more natural.

Step 4: Insert the candy flowers...

The next step is to place the candy flowers into the cup. Start in the middle and work your way out until all the candy flowers have been used. Depending on the size cup, and candy you are using, this could be anywhere between 5 to 11 candies.

Step 5: Fill the gaps with leaves...

When you give the candy bouquet to Aunt Sally, you don't want her to see the oasis inside the cup, as this will ruin the effect. So fill in any gaps where you can see through to the oasis, with leaves.

Step 6: Add some ribbon...

Personally, I like candy bouquets that have some ribbon. Place some ribbon around the cup, and maybe even add a figure-of-eight-bow to soften the bouquet a little.

That's it, all done! Very quick and easy, I think you'll agree! This Candy Bouquet looks great, and will make an ideal present for anyone, especially Aunt Sally! Just don't be surprised if it's half eaten next time you see it!

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

Bouquet Preservation Best Practice

Preserving your wedding flowers is a lovely way to remember your most important day; here Hilary Jones, Managing Director of Flowers Forever, gives some advice on how to achieve the best outcome for you.

With a national network of outlets and the long established market leader Flowers Forever has vast experience in preserving wedding bouquets.

* Although all types of flowers and foliage can be preserved successfully we recommend that brides discuss their wedding bouquet with a floral designer in advance of choosing. Ask to see examples of other brides bouquets that have been preserved.

* Roses, cala lilies, lisianthus and aspidistra leaves are very popular in wedding bouquets and come out of preservation well. There may be slight colour change however with professional colour enhancement techniques this should not be a problem.

* Preserved flowers should be framed using uv glass which will help protect them from sunlight damage.

* Check the quality of the flowers your florist intends to use. Wedding bouquets should always be made up using first quality flowers but less reputable florists may be keen to keep their costs down and use inferior flowers, this is hard to tell on the morning but by the evening poor quality flowers will be half dead whereas first quality flowers will be fine for a few days.

* Make sure your flowers are delivered as soon as possible to the preservation specialist as the better condition the flowers are in when they are preserved the better they will look when they are hanging on your wall as a lasting romantic memento of your special day.

* Choosing a hand-tied style of bouquet means that the flower stems can be put into a vase of water and therefore stay in better condition.

* Never spray flowers with water, keep them in a cool dark place until they are handed to the preservation specialist.

*Never put the flowers in a freezer, you will kill them.

* Prices should start from under ?100 for a small bouquet or corsage preservation, it depends on how many flowers you are having preserved. A whole wedding bouquet preserved in a large frame will cost around ?300 - ?400. Prices could be higher than this for special work. Make sure you get a written quote in advance before handing over your flowers.

* Check how long it will be until you get your preserved wedding flowers returned to you; you should plan on around 3-4 months. Ask your flower preservation company to give you an estimated delivery date and to phone you on progress.

For more information please visit www.thehitchingpost.co.uk

The Hitching Post is one or the largest UK Wedding websites offering extensive information and services on all aspects of weddings. Also now producing a TV show appearing on Sky 639

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 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.

Wedding Bouquet Preservation

You've put all this effort into finding mementos for everyone else, but what about you? Of course you'll want to save a piece of your own wedding as a token. It's become increasingly popular for women to keep their wedding bouquets. It can be done, ladies! Nevertheless, in order to keep it, you need to preserve it-and you don't need silk flowers to do it!

If you haven't decided which wedding flowers to use for your bouquet yet-let us make a suggestion: Red Roses. If you decide to use white, they will look ivory after you preserve them. And by preserving them, we mean dry -freezing them. Fortunately, many floral businesses dry-freeze their bouquets in advance. You can request to have this done. The actual process is called: substantiation. During this process, the water is removed from the petals and turn from a solid state to a gas. Then a post-treatment solution is applied to the bouquet to keep moisture from entering the petals.

Most florists will tell you that roses are the best wedding flowers for preservation. Tulips and any other waxy flowers are probably some of the worst, as the waxy substance slows down the removal of moisture. Carnations too, can be preserved. But unlike roses, which undergo substantiation, Carnations are usually silica dried.

If you silica dried your floral arrangements, you're probably wondering what you can do with them now. Silica drying is a temporary solution. Well, many brides take their silica dried flowers and dip them into hot paraffin. This will gift them a very glossy protective coating that will keep moisture at bay.

Nevertheless , green and foliage can be kept with a glycerin solution. Ivy for instance, will do best if you immerse the entire foliage into the solution. Note: many women swear by this method-place a few drops of green food coloring into the solution, as it's been said to keep the leaves from turning brown.

It's important to take several precautions after you've preserved your flowers. For instance: don't place the foliage or flowers into direct sunlight, as the natural colors will fade and dissipate. In addition, placing them in a vase or shadow-box will keep the dust from collecting on them.

It's always a good idea to practice on other wedding flowers and plants before the big day. This way you're no longer experimenting, you'll want exactly how to get the job done. Whichever method you try on your wedding bouquet, you'll be satisfied with fresh-looking long after your wedding day has come.

Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a wedding planner all about weddings. The following article can be found in our wedding flowers category

The Internet And The Local Florist

Here we are in the doldrums of summer. June has passed, Bridezilla is on her honeymoon, and all the hard work we put into the weddings of that month are but a memory. Wouldn't it be nice if the flow of business wouldn?t slow down quite so much when the electric bill is at its highest? I am here to proclaim that I have found a solution and it came from the most unlikely source.

My name is Jill Frost, and I am the owner of the Pink Pelican - Sebastian Florist in Sebastian Florida. Having begun my experience as a designer over 25 years ago, and having owned my business for the past 19 years I have experienced the ups and downs of any small-town local florist. Let me start by saying I am currently a member of the Teleflora wire service, and use a number of their products as the backbone of my business. I have a point-of sale system, an accountant, and I actually balance my statement almost every month. Those of you laughing at this are either not florists, or you are florists, but know exactly what I?m referring to (you know who you are).

The point of this article is to attest to the fact that the real turnaround in my business began when I built my website two years ago. Presently, my website is generating over forty percent of my volume and has become an invaluable asset to every part of my business.

The first thing a florist must do when getting a website is to see it as an integral part of their business. Usually, florists are completely creative creatures and understand little of technology, the internet, and (sadly) most basic business practices. The typical florist that does go so far as actually getting a website then often sits on them as though they were simply a piece of furniture in the shop that someone might come along and be interested in, but that would never see the slightest bit of advertisement. This is mistake number one.

To begin you road to online success, the first thing you must do is to actually subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (an ?ISP") so you can see your site. Since you are reading this online, I assume you have done that. Next, you must visit your website at times beyond just when it causes you a problem. I know of florists who have had a website for months and even years without once checking to see that the prices are correct. Of course, they are the ones bemoaning the success others are having on the internet and wondering why they never see an order from it.

The next step is to get involved in the website itself. I use a combination of Teleflora products and my own custom designs. This meant getting images taken of my custom products and requesting images of my drop-ship items from my fulfillment companies. You then have to get them added to the site. If you are lucky enough to be in Teleflora like me, the amazing Webmasters at Teleflora Web Services will do all the hard work for you. All you have to do is get the photos to them. If you would like to see examples of this, just go to www.sebastianflorist.com and peruse my website.

For a website in this industry to be successful, one must promote the site like promoting a new business line, or even a new shop. It must be included in all signage including delivery vans and street signs, must be included in all advertising and phone-book ads, and must be advertised every time the telephone is answered. You must then purchase ads in all available online directories. I am in Find-a Florist, Locate-a-Flowershop, and a few others. These typically run between $100.00 to $300.00 dollars per year. It is my advice to avoid pay-per-click search engine advertising at this point as there is a very serious learning curve involved with this, and is not for the inexperienced or those with a limited advertising budget. More can be done through the use of directories and local promotion that you can imagine.

If you will follow my advice on this, with just a little luck and that dogged persistence that I know you have, you too can be successful when the rest are just praying to make it to the fall. I will continue this in my next article titled Floral Internet Success 201 advanced website success. Until then, if you have questions, you can email me at justjill73099@hotmail.com
TaTaaaa!!!

Jill

The Pink Pelican and Sebastian Florist is a family owned business serving Indian River and South Brevard counties for over 16 years. We give our customers the highest quality in customer service and designs.

Jill Frost, Owner of the Pink Pelican Florist has over 25 years of floral design experience, making her one of the most qualified and consistently creative florists on the Florida Treasure Coast. She is also the proud mother of two grown children, and previously spent nearly 10 years volunteering with the Sebastian Panthers football organization, eventually being voted President of Football Operations, and later nominated Sebastian Florida-Woman of the
Year.

We specialize in custom one-of-a-kind floral arrangements. With over 30 years of combined experience, we have achieved many honors in the floral industry such as winning the Ft Lauderdale Florida-Designer of the Year award; working with M.T.V. on two Super Bowl VIP parties; and providing flowers for the Royal Prince Charles.

If You Have a Favorite Bouquet

If you have a favorite artificial bouquet that is looking kind of weathered and worn it can be brought back to its former beauty with a little effort on your part, especially if it is a silk bouquet. These can last longer than any other artificial bouquet. All it takes is a little attention from you for 5 minutes every three to six months. As with anything in your house, silk bouquets get droopy and dusty and do need some attention now and then.

To clean your bouquet you can rice clean it. This can be done by placing your bouquet in a shopping bag along with a half cup of rice, twist it closed and shake it for about sixty seconds. What happens inside is the rice becomes loaded with static electricity and the dust will attach itself to the rice. In the past some people used to use salt, but it was found to be too harsh and would sometimes scratch the flowers, whereas white rice is softer and not damage your flowers at all.

After you have cleaned your flowers then you have to fluff them. This just involves turning your bouquet upside down and giving them three or four good shakes. This not only loosens the rice that's left on the flowers, but also fluffs up your bouquet to look like new again. After fluffing you have to arrange the flowers to their original position. Just use your hand go to the back of the plant and start pushing the stems toward the front. This is called plumping the bouquet. Once you have gotten all of them back to the right position you can do some teasing with the flowers to help them take their original shape this may involve some pulling and pushing.

The things you don't do to clean your bouquet is spray them with water. You may have heard somewhere you can do this but if you use this method the water mixed with the dust can stain your beautiful bouquet so that it will never look the same again so stay away from the water! Stay with the rice to have a long lasting bouquet.

For lots of information on bouquets and other related topics, visit The Flowers Guide at www.theflowersguide.com