Nothing gets to the heart of Valentine’s Day faster than flowers

 

‘Candy’ ribbon in Brown/Latte, used here in two widths: 25mm $1.55/m and 15mm $1.25/m, grosgrain stitch 3mm ribbon in Brown/Latte $1.05/m, all from Scarlet Ribbons; gold filigree designer paper $19.69 for a pack of ten sheets and jewel fasteners $13.99 for a pack of twenty, both from Warehouse Stationery; ‘Boston Café’ vanilla lace $8.99/m from Spotlight; paper box stylist’s own; for similar boxes try Spotlight.
 

 
How to make a mini posy in a box

	You’ll need: Flowers (we used chrysanthemum and Star of Bethlehem), paper box, two sheets decorative paper, plastic container (to fit inside box), jewel fasteners, ribbons, sellotape.
	1 Decorate the box by wrapping a piece of ribbon all the way around it, tying the ends in a small knot and cutting off the excess. Make the bow separately, tie it on with a small piece of narrow ribbon and secure with a jewel fastener.
	2 To make the paper cones, take the two sheets of decorative paper and roll each sheet into a cone shape. When you’re happy with the size of the cones, secure each with a small piece of sellotape. Cut off the narrow ends of the cones and place one inside the other, twisting the one inside so that they are uneven.
	3 Make a small posy and tie it with a piece of ribbon or string. Cut the ends of the stems to the same length. Place the plastic container in the box with a little water in the bottom. Then put in the paper cones (lightly resting them on the plastic container so they don’t get too wet). Now place your mini posy inside the cone.

	Herringbone throw in Chocolate $19.95 and ‘Aiken’ cushion in Chocolate $24.95, both from Freedom; tray, pearl bracelet, spoon and tea cup all stylist’s own. All flowers from the National Flower Promotion Group.
	Burmese kitten POA from Four Seasons Pets

 

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You’ll need: Flowers, thin fishing line, sewing needle, scissors, spray bottle.

 

1 Cut off all the stems as close to the flower heads as possible. Place the flower heads face down on to a soft surface (a paper towel or tea towel is fine).

 

2 Thread the fishing line on to your needle and start threading it through the flowers. Only thread through the backs of the flowers. Once the needle is through each flower head, tie a small knot in the fishing line so that the flower does not slip or move around. You can thread on as many flowers as you like – the gaps between them can be as big or small as you like.

 

3 Once you have finished your first string, hang it straight away, before you start your next one. The less you handle the flowers, the longer they will last.

 

4 Give the flowers a little spritz of water after you finish hanging them, and another one before your guest/guests arrive.