DIY Flowers

Single Bloom

• One of the easiest flower arrangements for beginners is the single-bloom arrangement. This type of arrangement makes a strong visual impact but takes little skill to master.

  To create a single-bloom arrangement, pick up several bunches of one type of flower. At many supermarkets, you can find these bunches in the $3 range. Flowers with straight stems, such as roses, gerbera daisies, hydrangeas, carnations or lilies of the valley, tend to work best.

  Choose a small vase or container. The key to a successful single-bloom arrangement is creating the illusion of abundance, so select a container that seems too small for the bouquets you have purchased. Don't be afraid to choose an unusual container such as a coffee cup or pitcher.

  Use a sharp knife or scissors to trim the flowers so that the stems are all the same length.

  Arrange the flowers in the container, a few blooms at a time, until the container appears to be overflowing with flowers.

Monochromatic Style

• Choosing flowers in a single hue can also result in eye-catching arrangements. Choose a color you love or one that works with your decor, and purchase flowers in various shades of that color. For instance, a yellow arrangement might include yellow roses, daisies, dahlias and goldenrod.

  Use a vase or container that is a neutral or coordinating color. Use scissors or a sharp knife to trim the flowers so that the full, blooming flowers (such as roses and daisies) reach just above the rim of the vase and the longer, narrow flowers (such as goldenrod or baby's breath) are a few inches taller.

  Arrange the fuller flowers first so that they almost fill the vase. A square container works well with this type of arrangement.

  Insert the longer flowers one stem at a time, starting in the middle and working your way out to the edges of the container. Concentrate most of the taller flowers in the center.

Deconstructed

• Taking apart a supermarket bouquet can lead to a striking eclectic arrangement.

  For this arrangement, you'll need a large bouquet with a variety of flowers and several small containers. Be creative: You can use small vases, but test tubes, empty spice bottles and tea tins are also fun options.

  Take the bouquet apart, grouping the flowers and greenery so that you have several smaller, single-bloom bunches.

  Using scissors or a sharp knife, trim each bunch so that it is a good height for its container. As a rule of thumb, fuller flowers look best an inch or so taller than their container, while slimmer flowers can be several inches taller.

  Line up the vases in a row and put each group of flowers and greenery into its own vase.