If you are like us, you hate seeing beautiful flowers go to waste. After a wedding, party, or other event where flowers were central, you’re often left with bouquets remnants, loose blooms, and greenery. Instead of tossing them, get creative by trying some of these fun and easy DIY projects that give new life to leftover flowers.
1. Press Flowers to Save Forever
One way to preserve flowers forever is by pressing them. All you’ll need are floral tape and a wire wreath frame. Start by carefully removing the flowers from their stems and placing them sandwiched between two pieces of wax paper. Make sure there is enough paper extending past the flowers on all sides. Then cover with newspapers and place your heavy book on top. Let it sit for about 2 weeks, flipping periodically. Once dry, you can frame the pressed flowers or use them in art projects. This is a very common method many people and florists in Philadelphia and around the world use. This is also a great way to save flowers from events like homecoming dances or your graduation ceremony bouquet.
2. DIY Floral Wreaths
Taking inspiration from floral crowns, you can create lovely wreaths using leftover flowers from bouquets. All you need is a wire wreath frame and floral tape. Starting at one point, secure stems in place with tape as you work your way around the wreath. Make sure to overlap flowers and alternate colors. You can hang these on your front door as decoration or give them as gifts. For extra flair, add ribbons, buttons, or leaves along with the flowers– you can easily find them via online flower delivery in Philadelphia or from a local craft store.
3. Potpourri and Sachets
Instead of buying potpourri or sachets from local springfield flower shops, you can make one from dried flowers. Carefully remove petals from leftover flower heads and allow them to air dry completely. Add essential oils if desired for fragrance. Then place dried petals in tiny mesh bags or place loose in bowls around your house to release their pleasing scents. Potpourri also makes thoughtful homemade gifts.
4. Flower Art
Get creative by exploring different ways to use flowers in art projects. For example, you could press individual petals or small flower clusters between wax paper and use them to decorate cards, notebooks, or canvas paintings. Or try pressing whole flowers and adhering them with glue to make floral collages. Maybe you’ll unearth a fresh, untapped skill!
5. Candle Centerpieces
These make for a nice table centerpiece. Take a glass votive or short jar candle holder and fill it three-quarters full with dried floral material (stems, pods, etc.). Then place a tea light candle in the middle. You can leave it plain or get fancy by embellishing it with ribbon or leaves. They add light and ambiance to any room.
6. Floral Soap
Using leftover petals is an easy way to create homemade soap. Look up recipes online using melt-and-pour soap base, fragrances, and silk or dried floral inclusions. You can make fun shapes with cookie cutters or embed whole roses/flowers. Cure fully then wrap in cellophane with ribbons for lovely handmade gifts.
7. Hair & Body Accessories
Get creative with flower accessories. Petals, pods, and tiny buds make nice additions when woven or glued onto headbands, barrettes, bracelets, or flip-flops. You can make scrunchies by securing cut stems in an “x” shape with floral tape on an elastic hair tie. Flowers in your hair or clipped to a tote bag add a nice pop of color and nature.
8. Arrange for the Elderly
Nursing homes are always thrilled to receive fresh flowers donated for their residents. However, live bouquets won’t last long. So consider taking gently dried remnants from bouquets you’ve preserved and assembling new miniature arrangements in simple vases or bottles. Include smiley faces or Get Well Soon cards for extra cheer. The elderly will enjoy their beauty and scent for much longer.
You can trust Old City Flowers in Philadelphia to tastefully arrange flowers to suit your preferences. Just visit phillysbestflorist.com to shop online anytime. Select your floral gift and enter delivery details. We will take care of the rest!
Also read How to Add a Floral Tribute to Labor Day Celebration.
