Creating a Summer Arrangement

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During Memorial weekend I was inspired to create a new centerpiece for my kitchen table. Β I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but I felt that I needed something sweet and colorful. Β I visited my local Michael’s craft store and was delighted to find a great sale on silk flowers…so I picked up anything that I thought would look nice. Β However, the one thing I couldn’t figure out was what vase to use. Β Well, next door to our Michael’s was a Pier 1, and after some veryΒ fun browsing, I found two glasses that I thought could work.Β  A list of the some of the tools and supplies I used are listed below.

So I took everything I purchased, including a bottle of clear gel for the bottom of the vase, and laid it all out!

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I debated what was the best vase (as I found some more around my house) to use for quite a while until I settled onΒ the two clear tumblers I purchased at Pier I. Β Since I wanted to use the clear gel in the bottom of the vases,IΒ began heating it up to liquefy the gel. Β This is a painfully slow process which requires you to heat the bottle up in a pot of simmering water for about 30 minutes. Β Oh, and if possible, use an old pot!

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In the meantime, I practiced arranging the flowers in the glasses. Β Once I was happy, I took a picture so I would remember how they looked when I stuck them into the gel.

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After enough time for the gel to become soft and pour-able, I divided the bottle up between the two glasses. Β Then I stuck the glasses back into the simmering water for another 35-40 minutes to eliminate bubbles.

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Once the vases had “cooked” long enough, I dried them off and inserted the flowers using the picture I had taken as a guide. Β Once I was done, I let the vases sit undisturbed for several hours. Β As a finishing touch, I wrapped some rafia around the vases and placed them on the table with pride.

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So if you feel the need for a centerpiece change, let the happy colors of summer lead you on the path to decorated happiness!

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Products Used:

Glassware from Pier 1

Clear Water Gel from Walmart