May 18, 2009
Thank you Nancy Liu Chin for these beautiful pomanders! We're so happy to feature the San Francisco flower designer's great tutorial for classic kissing balls. You might want to practice this one a few times first -- while the instructions are simple, it can be a tricky to get the flowers arranged exactly right at first. A little help is also a good thing, since the best time to make the pomanders is the night before they'll be used. Materials Sturdy, flat and round mass flowers like mini carnations (left and right) or pom pom mums (center) Styrofoam ball or an Oasis Floral Foam ball (Styrofoam is lighter and better for children to carry, while an Oasis ball will better hydrate the flowers) Any extra floral pieces for the ball, like spray roses or green buds (optional) Assorted ribbon Water mister Large freezer zip bag or clear plastic bag without holes Floral shears Step 1: Clip the flower stems. If you're using mums, remove the stems entirely. Leave about two inches of stem for carnations. Step 2: If you're using an Oasis ball, soak it in a bucket of water. (You'll know it's done when it sinks to the bottom of the bucket.) Then, let it stand until it stops dripping. Step 3: Use straight pins to secure ribbon onto the ball in a loop. This ribbon is what you'll later use to hang the pomander. Step 4: Begin securing the flowers onto the ball. For mums, you'll need to use a pin poked through the center of the flower. For carnations, simply stick the end of the stem into the ball. Start at one end, and place the flowers as close together as you can. Work your way around the ball in quadrants -- don't skip around. If you'd like to add in anything extra, like spray roses or small green buds (pictured in the ball on the left), work them in during this time. Step 5: Mist the ball with water. Blow air into a bag, and then place the pomander inside. Make sure it's tightly closed, and store in the refrigerator until your event. To see more of Nancy's work and ideas, check out her business and read her blogs, Nancy's Brown Bag and Pink Blossom List. Images: Nancy Liu Chin 3 comments | post a comment
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how long do they last on the fridge?
on February 09, 2010 at 03:10 PM
I'm thinking of a mini pomander as a hair accessory for my bridesmaids...
on August 10, 2009 at 05:04 AM
I just posted about pomanders, thanks for the DIY!!! I think they're a great alternative to silk flower petals, which were our other choice since the church won't allow real petals.
on May 22, 2009 at 08:50 AM