It is time for some crafts around this blog. Here it is almost Valentine's Day, one of my favorite times of year for crafting little gifties, and there isn't much to show for that yet. Just ran across this project in my pictures. I think I pitched it to a magazine awhile ago with several other ideas, but it wasn't one of the projects they selected for some reason. Silly them, it's so easy and so sweet. Anyway, if you have a wooden box with a lid around, get it out. Prep it, paint it (inside and out) and decorate it with decoupage, stamps or hand-painting. Make it pretty! Then open it.
Cut a square of floral oasis that fits the inside. Soak it in water for a few hours. Line the box with plastic (a large ziplock bag trimmed to fit around and below the top). Place the wet oasis inside the bag and scrunch it into the box. Take a bunch of sweetheart roses, strip the leaves, clip the stems to a few inches and stick them into the oasis so that they are packed fairly tightly, just barely showing over the edge of the box. Close the box and deliver to a special valentine....either by hand or packed into a snug mailing carton and FedEx overnight. (I haven't actually done that shipping part, but I know someone who has. If shipping, do not add more water after soaking the oasis.) The roses can be watered after delivery for many days of enjoyment and then left to dry for an everlasting kind of keepsake. Or the decorated box can be used for something else. xoC
edit...you could also use daisies, carnations or another flower that might not be so pricey this time of year. They won't dry like roses, but they are much more affordable and just as pretty.
I belong to our neighborhood garden club and sometimes I have to bring a flower arrangement. I'm REALLY bad at arranging flowers (mine usually get a comment like "that's a nice vase"). I love your idea and will use it next time it's my turn to bring flowers. thanks!
Posted by: julie (jane's apron) | February 07, 2007 at 07:25 PM
This is a great idea! I love it, so delicate.
Posted by: amanda bel | February 07, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Very pretty!
Posted by: Zabrina | February 07, 2007 at 11:08 PM
What a great idea...what a great surprise!
Posted by: Karin | February 08, 2007 at 12:06 AM
Very lovely! Have any ideas to send to college kids? :)
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Sheeley | February 08, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I did something similar to this as a birthday gift for a friend, only using minature African violets. The look on my friend's face when she opened the box and saw the unexpected but beautiful flowers was priceless! It was a big hit with everyone else at the party too. Your ideas of using roses is an especially lovely one for Valentine's Day.
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | February 08, 2007 at 03:05 AM
What a wonderful suprise to open that box and find roses!
Posted by: carolyn | February 08, 2007 at 05:27 AM
What a gorgeous idea. The box itself is lovely but to then open it up and find the roses inside would be really special.
Posted by: Nonnie | February 08, 2007 at 06:26 AM
Wow! I'm thinking, what a pretty box, and then see the next photo with the lovely roses inside! I love this idea! :)
http://bluebirdroses.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Becca | February 08, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Oh my I am away for a few days and you have so much to share!!! Thank you for telling me about Clover - she's adorable. What did you use for those magnificent ears? I love Valentines best of all too, but have had so little time to do anything creative for the day of love... You inspire!
Posted by: Ulla | February 08, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Charlotte,
What a great clever idea. I think I am going to do this for my McHubby. He isn't really a flower guy but you know the box can be masculine. I'm so excited. Can't wait to start!
Posted by: Angie Grimm | February 08, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Oh, I love this idea so much! Your designs and presentation are always so lovely and dreamy!
Posted by: Ellie | February 08, 2007 at 02:40 PM
That is such a lovely idea! That magazine must not know a good thing when they see it! This would make a nice gift for so many special occasions. It could be adapted for Mother's Day, birthdays, and so many other celebrations.
Posted by: janet | February 09, 2007 at 12:08 AM
What a pretty idea, have to try this one! By the way, I received my tea cosy...I love it! Thank you so much, it's gorgeous...Nel
Posted by: nel | February 09, 2007 at 05:44 AM
This is darling! I love your creative idea! Thank you for sharing this.... oh, and I'm just loving your blog's "new look"!
xo,
Kim
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | February 09, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Lovely! I can't imagine why they wouldn't have chosen this project either but it's beautiful and love the surprise of seeing the roses inside.
Posted by: Deborah | February 11, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Love Love love this idea! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: naturegirl | February 12, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Hi! I'm new to your blog. Just saying hello, and i love your little flower doo-hickey up at the top left. :)
Posted by: Jess | February 12, 2007 at 08:19 PM