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Step by Step DRIED BOTANICALS • Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass) • Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss, graybeard) HARD GOODS FROM MELROSE INTERNATIONAL • "Tinsel Town" Deer (2 Asst., Resin, 87334) • "Tinsel Town" Trees (Set of 4, Resin, 84004) • "Tinsel Town" Ice Branch Garland (5', Plastic, 87431) • "Snow Angel" Glitter Stem (21.5", Plastic, 87562) • Candle Holder/Vase (4.5" x 9", Glass, 86870) OTHER HARD GOODS • OASIS ® Clear Tape • Taper candles, white • Extra-hold aerosol hair spray Step 1 Before designing, "fl uff" the plumes of pampas grass. My preferred method is to blow them with a handheld hair dryer. Another method is to "roll" individual stems back and forth several times between the palms of your hands. TIP: Do this outdoors, if possible! Step 2 Once the plumes of pampas grass are fl uffed, mist them lightly with an inexpensive extra-hold aerosol hairspray, to hold the fullness of the plumes. Step 3 Choose various styling elements to enhance the design (candles, fi gurines, garland, stockings, ornaments, pine cones, strands of lights, etc.). Because working with pampas grass can be messy, arrange the styling elements on the mantel or tabletop fi rst, and then design around them (I used Melrose "Tinsel Town" Deer, Melrose "Tinsel Town" Ice Branch Garland and taper candles). Step 4 Place small stones, gravel, marbles or other items into Mel- rose pearlescent glass Candle Holder, to add weight to the bottom of it. Create a grid with clear tape across the opening of the container. NOTE: I used the Melrose Candle Holder as a vase, but you could incorporate additional pieces with pillar candles in them. Step 6 Arrange stems of pampas grass into the Melrose Ice Branch Garland on the mantel. Then fi ll any spaces and cover exposed stem ends and mechanics with dried Spanish moss. Step 7 Arrange Melrose "Snow Angel" Glitter Stems into the pampas-grass-and- Ice-Branch garland, for additional sparkle. If desired, incorporate additional styling elements such as strands of miniature lights, ornaments, pine cones, stockings and so on. Step 5 Arrange stems of pampas grass and Melrose "Snow Angel" Glitter Stems into the glass Candle Holders. MATERIALS Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 33

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