- Arrangements: They Don't Always Need
a Container
By: Richard Bedsole
For years I`ve taught people
how to glue foam into containers before they begin their arrangement.
Now I`m going to tell you that you don`t need the foam. Heck,
you don`t even need the container. It really depends on the function
of the arrangement.
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Let`s say you`re having a party.
You have to decide banquet or buffet. Then the menu, then the
wine, then the china, flatware, napkins, place cards, seating
arrangements for the guests and a whole list of things from soup
to dessert. But what about the centerpiece?
 STEP
ONE
I`ve seen dinner parties where
the guests struggle for conversation while peering through the
flowers in an oversized centerpiece, only to have it snapped
from the table and placed elsewhere. That is our focus here.
Have you ever considered `Table
Top Terrain?` It`s easy to do and looks great on the table and
gives you a chance to show off your creative side too.
Autumn is approaching and what
better time to use those final garden vegetables for your entertaining
centerpiece. If you have a small pumpkin, a few squash, maybe
a gourd or two and a few maple leaves you`re set. If not, you
can pick up a variety of harvest fruit from your grocer or use
those fabulous fakes. Autumn leaves will soon be in abundance
and they look beautiful indoors as well as outside. Break off
a few limbs and use those vivid colored leaves to spice up the
table top. |
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Don`t worry too much about the lack
of water for those leaves, they don`t need it for a few days
and they`ll keep their color too! For Halloween themed buffets
or dinner parties, just carve that pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern.
Just to be on the safe side, don`t include a candle, but if you
do, make sure to NEVER leave a burning candle unattended.
 STEP
TWO
How do you do it? Easy. This
can be done buffet style or banquet style. Be sure to consider
the space allowance and the amount of food or the number of table
settings. You don`t want your guests struggling over the terrain
too. Using three or four inexpensive plastic containers ( I love
the disposable ones ), but you can use just about any type of
container you have laying around the house. If you use the plastic
type, put the lids on them, (it strengthens the container - Shown
in STEP 1) and place them upside down on your tablecloth or runner.
Get creative with it and play with the assortment. We`re looking
for terrain here, not a flat slate. Build it up in the middle
and low on the ends or low in the middle and high on the ends.
Just play with it until you`re satisfied. Then, take a piece
of fabric (shown in STEP 2)in your table top`s theme color and
cover the plastic containers. Now take your harvest veggies and
sit them on top of the fabric covered, upside down bowls, make
sure to stack them close together to allow support for the heavier
pieces. Finally take a few of those great autumn leaves from
the yard ( making sure they`re clean and free from pesticides
), and tuck them in tightly between the veggies. You can always
use raffia and mini hay bales (available at your local crafting
center, shown in STEP 3) to further elaborate on your theme.
 Happy
Designing!!!!!!
It`s just too easy!!!!! |
