| Creating a Welcome Basket |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-150 |
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Welcome new neighbors to the community with an arrangement of herbs and flowers fashioned from a painted tin can, twigs and moss. Herb expert Don Haynie explains how. Materials:
Tin can
Spray paint
Willow twigs or other flexible twigs
Water
Bowl or bucket
Selection of fresh herbs and foliage--honeysuckle, rosemary, catmint
Selection of fresh flowers--daisies, rose of Sharon
Rubber bands
Sheet moss or Spanish moss
Heavy-gauge wire
Floral foam
Drill
Raffia
- Remove the paper label from a medium to large tin can. Spray-paint the outside of the can.
- Drill two holes on opposite sides of the can near the upper rim. Thread a heavy-gauge wire through one hole from the outside of the can to the inside, bend the wire up toward the rim of the can, and twist the end up around the rest of the wire. Thread the other end of the wire through the other hole and twist to create a handle at the top of the can (figure A).
- Soak willow branches or other flexible twigs in water overnight. Wrap several rubber bands around the center of the tin can. Shape willow branches vertically around the can from the rim to the bottom, around the bottom and back up to the rim, securing them under the rubber bands. Tuck shorter twigs vertically under the rubber bands from the rim to the bottom of the can without going around the bottom of the can (figure B).
- Hide the rubber bands by covering them with small pieces of sheet moss or Spanish moss. Dampen the moss to make it more pliable. Add decorative dried flowers throughout the moss. Wrap raffia around the can to add decoration and hold the moss and twigs in place (figure C).
- Place a block of floral foam inside the can, and arrange a variety of herbs and flowers. To make arranging easier, hang the can by the handle. Don used sprigs of honeysuckle, rosemary and catmint, then added daisies and bright-red rose of Sharon.
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