At this time of year there aren't many flowers about unless you want to buy them from a supermarket or a florist. No need to pay for them anyway, keep your money in your purse and see what you can find for free in the hedgerows. You don't need flowers, you can still make a very presentable seasonal decoration if you go for a walk and keep your eyes open for anything you can use. There are plenty of berries about to give it a bit of colour, and different shades of green with all kinds of different shaped leaves, some of them varigated. You can even use plants which are dying back for the winter, if they have an attractive seed head. I have collected a few here, and added some orange berries and holly from my garden.
Find a pot or any quirky receptacle to build the arrangement in. I have used a storage pot for tea bags. I don't drink tea so this pot is not needed. Instead of water I have filled it with dry cat food. Water might get knocked over by the cats, and some of the spriggs don't need to be in water anyway. I tried it with cat litter, but it is too dense and the stalks won't push into it. Heidi is taking an interest and has started munching the Whiskas. There are already three dishes of dry food around the house. If you haven't got cat food, try sand, or water if you don't have cats, ha ha.
C'mon Heidi, I want to make my display.
Finished. Start with the tall pieces at the back, then fill each side in, and finally the short stalks of berries at the front. I have even put some dead old twigs in here, covered in yellow lichen. You don't have to spend money to make an attractive table decoration, it's all free in the great outdoors. You could take the children or even the grand children a walk, let them pick some and give them a jar to make their own decoration.
Toodle pip.
I am disgusted with you Ilona for using the C-word on your Crimbo-Free Blog lol
ReplyDeleteI forgive you really :0) especially as your decoration is so nice BUT are you sure the cats won't knock it over trying to get at the catfood in the jar? Seems like a good game for them to me tee-hee
Wht not try some sand?
ReplyDeleteThank you, I haven't got any sand, but it would be a good idea.
DeleteThis is my favourite type of 'flower' arrangement. I've even done these arrangements for church...look great in the middle of winter and much more natural than expensive imported flowers. I'm having a go at some (C) wreaths made from things in the garden this week.
ReplyDeleteJane x
PS I'm not sure but are holly berries poisonous to cats?
I wondered about that too. Christy.
DeleteI've always brought flowers, weeds, berries, home to make arrangements. We used to pick princess pine and make wreaths, tied in bunches around a wire frame. Now I live in Florida and found that you can soak foliage, bend them while they're wet, tie in bunches, and make realistic looking flowers. They can be spray painted for Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteMagatha
Looks lovely - thanks for the inspiration xx
ReplyDeleteThe floral arrangement is beautiful! And you paint so beautifully too. I would have imagined you were a professional artist during your working career. Hope the cats give it a pass and let it reign beautifully for the rest of the "holiday" season.
ReplyDeleteLove the no spend arrangement. Magic!
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely Iona but as Jane and Chris say the holly berries are very toxic to cats sending you a link to read :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/holly/
Sue
That looks lovely! One of my family traditions is that my sister and I go out and collect holly from the lane the week before Christmas to decorate our living room :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, surely cat food will be more likely to get knocked over?? Far more interesting to the guilty party!
The only flower I ever buy is a poinsettia. One year as I was dumpster diving, I found many tiny poinsettia plants in the dumpster. I placed about 7 on a glass platter. Bunched together, they did not look so small. I have not bought a poinsettia in two or three years because it is too cold in the house.
ReplyDeleteEvery year, I decorate with magnolia leaves, nandina berries, holly and holly berries, and pinecones, all from my yard. Oh, the magnolia tree is in a neighbor's yard. I have made door wreaths and garlands to drape on the stair bannister.
I have enough flowering in my yard so that I never need to buy flowers. Of course, I did have to buy the poinsettia.
You have a very nice and free bit of nature indoors.
I have ten year old artificial christmas flowers and get them out every year and add a few bits from the garden, that's a lovely display
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely, love your little helper! Cheers Judy xx
ReplyDeleteVery nice and a greas inspiration. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCarolx
Beautiful Ilona, and I like the arrangement too.
ReplyDeleteThat;s a beautiful arrangement. I am always totally happy with stuff from the garden, and sometimes you can find one single seed head that is so beautiful it deserves a pot all of its own.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful free arrangement. Thank you
ReplyDeleteDianne - Hereford
Good morning from House Fairy
ReplyDeleteLovely, seeing things crafted for free!
We spend so much time trying to think up ways of paying the bills, no need for another one for flowers.
My Ch******* cactus is full of bud. I have had it a few years now. It will soon have bright red flowers cascading like a waterfall.
Next door have builders in their garden. They have got rid of the privet hedge and to save labour are having a wooden one put up.
Lots of noise and our dog is busy telling the workers "large dog lives here!" even though he is inside our house.
Take care...
How horrible to have a wooden fence to look at. I like my hedges, even though I have to trim them two or three times a year.
DeleteMy freind takes flowers to her daughters grave every month and always takes them from her garden all year round. Your arrangement looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteKath, it annoys me to see bought flowers on graves. Our churchyard is full of them, posh folk who can't be bothered to use their imagination. We also have the plastic wrappings to get rid of. I like to see bulbs coming up around a grave, much more natural if you like flowers.
ReplyDeleteThat looks lovely x
ReplyDeleteThe arrangement is beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona, Very pretty arrangement you've made up there. I hope the cats don't get too curious and knock it over, in order to get at the dry cat food inside. It should surely last a lot longer than a bunch of shop bought flowers too. Cheers for now, Christy.
ReplyDeleteA Beautiful arrangement which cheered a really miserable, dark and rather chilly (haven't put the heating on yet this year)day here in Kent. Thank you and do keep warm and dry under your blankets. I always think of you as we pile on the layers and fill hot water bottles.
ReplyDeleteVery artistic. I'm afraid I just plonk flowers or foliage in a vase and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
That looks great, Ilona - and Heidi made me smile! Anne (south west)
ReplyDeleteI had a similar display last year. I had made it from twigs and some spray painted teasles, then put a bit of tinsle and small baubles on the display. It kept for a very long time. Such a simple idea, but so effective. Your arrangement looks great!!
ReplyDeleteLovely Ilona :)and the kitty cat is a cutie.
ReplyDelete