diy Burst of Spring

Unique base for a faux floral arrangement.

This project was inspired by a picture I found on the internet - a live floral arrangement with tulips and carrots in a water-filled clear vase. I thought it was such an eye catcher. It just bursts with bright colors!

A Longer Lasting Solution

I loved the arrangement but knew I wanted something that would last longer... something I could use again. So, I set out to find the perfect pieces needed to create an artificial version.

STARTING HERE

First on the agenda was finding the right large glass cylinder vase. LUCKILY, I've saved several from flowers I've received over the years from my husband. I decided on one sized 12" high by 8" wide. Amazon also has several good options. I listed one below in my purchase list.

Project Materials

Large Glass Cylinder Vase Small Glass Cylinder Florist Foam Artificial Carrot Greens Faux Carrots Plastic Fern Leaves Latex Tulips

BRINGING IT TOGETHER

(Click/tap on images for full view)

1You will also need a smaller glass cylinder vase for the center. There needs to be enough room for the carrots to fit between the large vase and the smaller one. Some florist foam is used in the bottom of the smaller vase to help keep the tulips higher than the carrot greens (and to help in arranging them).

2The smaller cylinder vase should fit right down into the center of the larger vase.

3Add additional florist foam as you see necessary. I knew I wanted several of the tulips in the center to be taller.

4I added some cross sections of tape to help with the tulips when placing in the smaller vase. This will help with keeping center ones upright and lower ones draping to the side.

5Up next, the carrots. I decided I was going to use artificial and I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I did order 3 different kinds so there was some variation in size, shape and color.

6As you can see in the previous picture the artificial ones seem very, well artificial, plastic and uniform. So, time to change that. I used whatever tools I had handy to roll grooves and indents into the carrots. I also carefully squeezed and bent them in my hands.

7Can you see the difference now? One is smooth and plastic looking and the other .I created ridges and imperfections to mimic a natural carrot.

8With the carrots looking a little more natural, I started placing them in the larger vase around the smaller one. I kept the center balanced while placing them in.

9If the carrot heads were DOWN, I removed the green tops; if they were upright, I left them on. I circled the carrots evenly and snuggly around the center vase to hold it firm.

10The green tops are helping to cover up the tape.

11I purchased artificial greens that looked like carrot greenery. I bent them so that they would flow over the edge of the vase when pushed in behind the carrots.

12I used 3 sets of the greenery spread out and bent to flow over the vase.

13These were slid in behind the carrots, not in the tulip vase.

14If they are hanging too far over and blocking view of the carrots, I just pull off some of the end greens.

15Now come the tulips. The ones I purchased from Amazon were very nice and you can choose your colors. I chose a yellow/orange/red combination. They are latex, so very soft and bendable.

16As I continue to fill the smaller vase with tulips, I make sure to place a few taller ones in the center. Also several will be bent and arched a little over the side and atop the greenery.

17A gorgeous table decoration or centerpiece.

Like this spring project?

Check out the summertime version for a seasonal twist on the same idea!