A Bigger View Article: Bring Spring Inside

There is no need to let the gray days of winter get you down. The basic flower arranging tips and techniques Sissy learned in this week's episode will help you ignore the thermometer and think spring! Let's get A Bigger View.

Begin by really tapping into your imagination and find a unique container for your arrangements. Sissy and Cheryl proved that a gravy boat isn't just for gravy. What else do you have? Perhaps your favorite oversized mug, unique glass or that gorgeous pitcher you got as a wedding gift. Once you begin scanning your home with this new mindset, you are sure to find endless container possibilities.

Your container choice may dictate your choice of flowers. For instance, poppies work well in a pitcher like the one Sissy uses. A pot, larger mug or glass may also be a good choice for holding your poppy arrangement.

Poppies are a beautiful flower available in many vibrant colors. Poppies do exude sap as Cheryl pointed out. The best way to stop that is to place your fresh cut poppies in hot, boiling water. So, a container that will withstand the heat is your best bet for a poppy arrangement. The hot water will also help extend the life of the poppy.

Tulips are another flower that will add a little color to your life and really symbolize spring. Use cold water for tulips because they will continue to grow in their container. Keep this in mind when you are arranging flowers as well. If you mix tulips with other flowers, the fact that they continue to grow may affect the aesthetic of your arrangement. You may want to make an arrangement of multi-colored tulips so that they will all grow together.

For more information on choosing colorful and fragrant flowers this time of year, watch our bonus video Winter Flower Varieties.

Finally, people tend to focus on comfort foods in the middle of winter and forget about their fruits and vegetables. Make a statement and create an arrangement out of fruits and vegetables. This is a different way to "think spring" that is colorful, healthy and creative. If you'd prefer to have a fruit and vegetable arrangement as a show piece rather than a selection of snacks, try this trick to make them shine: spray them with some olive or vegetable oil.

We want to thank Cheryl Sadlowski and the rest of the experts at Surroundings Flower and Events. Please visit their website: http://www.surroundingsflowers.com/.

We want to know how you brighten up your winter days. Email us at abiglife@nbcuni.com.

Read more tips on Bring Spring Inside.

Think spring!

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