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July 2005 Millions of Americans will either attend or host a get-together to celebrate Independence Day. To add a burst of beauty to this patriotic holiday, Jill Slater, flower designer for the Flower Promotion Organization, offers up a few festive flower favorites in time for celebrations. By simply using items around the house, Jill has ideas on how a watermelon -- Americana Melon -- and a simple bowl -- Bursting with Flair -- can be transformed to add fireworks to July 4th decorating.
"You don't have to go out of your way to create a beautiful arrangement to celebrate the Fourth of July," said Slater. "With a few stems, flags and items found around the house, it's easy to create an arrangement to present to a party host or display at your own gathering."
Americana Melon - Recipe by Jill Slater
Materials:
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- 1 round watermelon
- 6-inch clay pot
- 6 water tubes
- 3 stems of the following flowers and greenery - reddish/pinkish alstroemeria, stargazer lilies and lemon leaves
- Small American flag
- Floral clippers, large sharp knife and floral preservative
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| Directions:
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Step 1 - Cut off one-third of the watermelon and save it for eating.
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Step 2 - From the larger portion of melon, cut a triangular wedge from it.
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Step 3 - Set the large portion of the melon on top of the clay pot, fruit side up.
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Step 4 - Fill the water tubes with water that has been treated with floral preservative.
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Step 5 - Cut the flowers and foliage to approximately 4-inches in length and insert them into individual water tubes. Insert the water tubes into the triangular portion of the large melon. Now insert the American Flag.
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Bursting with Flair - Recipe by Jill Slater
Materials:
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- 8-inch diameter mixing bowl
- 1 brick floral foam
- 20 white standard carnations
- 16 red roses
- 15 blue iris
- 1 small American flag
- Floral preservative, clippers and knife
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| Directions:
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Step 1 - Soak the floral foam in water that has been treated with floral preservative for at least 30 minutes.
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Step 2 - Cut the floral foam to fit the interior of the bowl. The foam should come up approximately 1-inch higher than the rim of the bowl.
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Step 3 - Cut all the flowers to approximately 2-inches in length.
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Step 4 - Insert white standard carnations around the rim of the bowl into the floral foam.
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Step 5 - Next, insert the red roses just above the carnations.
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Step 6 - Now fill in the center of the foam with blue iris.
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;)
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