Holiday Arrangement
Now that the Holidays are here, instead of taking over a week to decorate just the tree alone, I have come up with simple solutions that still please my artistic eye. Decorating can be quick and easy at Holiday time.
I am crazy about the PODS. They are so intriguing, unusual and I think of them as jewels that I can paint, gild, glitter, though they are beautiful left just as they are. You’ve seen the look we did with our “Nuts, Pods and Cones” where we’ve painted only one kind of shape gold or silver and then piled the mix in a basket or bowl.
For this arrangement, I dry brushed the large “Flame Pods” with some gold paint just hitting the high spots, bringing out the ridges & shape of these fabulous pods. I arranged them on an Acantha leaf. These are REAL leaves that has been “gilded” but don’t fret if you have a little breakage on the edges or there’s a slight tear. It makes them more natural to have those “imperfections”. They are real and large! For contrast in shape, I added a few “Crusted Apple Pods”, “Mahogany Pods”, several “Giraffe Balls.” The focal point is the amazing “Lotus Pod.” Using my own decorating tip, I couldn’t help but add some gold twigs. Candles always add a festive touch especially in these dark days. So, I added a votive candle but you could make a lovely vignette with an arrangement of pillar candles behind and/or flanking it. Yes, you could add all kinds of things, this might be only a beginning for you. For me it had to be quick and easy & beautiful.
I did a simple a thing with the pods that weren’t used on the leaf. That’s why I like the large glass container idea. You could use a large glass tray, bowl or apothecary jar. The great thing is it’s mobile! I can move it from the kitchen bar area where all the hors d’ouveres are spread out and then another night I can put it in the center of the table and surround it with votives/tea lights.
It is a NO FAIL quickie. Layer some smaller pods like “Lichee” or “Crusted Apple” in groups of 5. Then add some larger ones like the “Lotus Pod”, try 1 or 3 then add some Spun Metal (I mixed bronze and gold- but remember a very little goes a longway.) I didn’t want the vase to be packed so I added some gold-sprayed Nandina stems for lightweight volume.
Easy, quick and fun to do AND all you have to do to make it Christmas is add some evergreen sprays, small glass ornaments, a shiny ribbon, maybe some scented oil …TA-DAAA Happy Holidays!
