What You’ll Need:
One Bunch “Million Star” Gypsophilia (AKA Baby’s Breath) Generally, a bunch is 10 – 12 stems, with multiple laterals on each stem)
One Spool Fabric Coated Wire
Decorative Paper (3 or so coordinating sheets)
String
A Sheet of Card Stock
Floral Snips
Scissors
Small Hole Punch
Pencil
Computer and Printer
Resources: Gypsophelia is a very common flower and available through any floral wholesale house, flower shop, or grocery store florist. There are many on-line resources as well. Fabric coated wire is available in the floral section of your craft store.
Before you get started on the garland, unwrap your bunch of Gypsophelia, trim the stems and place in warm water. Allow the flowers to drink for a couple of hours before proceeding.
1. Take your floral clippers, and trim all of the flower tufts off the end of the sprays, leaving just a little stem. (see figure 1)
2. Cut a 7 foot length of fabric coated wire. Twist the end of the wire to make a little loop at the end.
3. Take a tuft of Baby’s Breath, and lay it on your support wire, just past the loop. Pick up your wire spool, and wrap the wire around the flower stem and support wire. (see figure 2)
4. Add another tuft, this time to the back side of the wire, and wrap again.
5. Keep adding the flower tufts, alternating front and back, and work your way down the wire. (see figure 3)
6. When you reach the end of the wire, cut the spool away and wrap the wire around the garland end several times to secure. Make a loop on the end with your support wire. Trim your flower stems to make the end of the garland tidy. (see figure 4)
To keep your garland fresh, coil it up, mist it lightly with water, and place it inside a plastic garbage bag. Put it in your refrigerator, or in the coolest spot available. It should stay fresh for 24-48 hours depending where you keep it.
7. Print out the bird template on a sheet of card stock. Cut out the birds, and trace them onto your decorative paper. ( I used 10 pairs for a six foot garland)
8. Cut all of your birds out, and punch a small hole in the middle of each bird’s back. (see figure 5)
9. Cut a length of string about 14 inches long, and tie a bird to each end. (see figure 6)
10. Hang your garland from the wire loop ends and hang your birds over the garland, spacing them evenly apart. (see figure 7)
What it Cost: (to make one six foot garland)
1 bunch of Baby’s Breath = $8.50 (from a wholesale florist)
3 Sheets of Paper = $1.80
Spool of Fabric Coated Wire = $2
String = $1.50
Project created by Laurie Cinotto
