Engagement Rings Advice : Wedding, Marriage, Anniversary

A delightful alternative for the flower girl, a posy ball is easy to carry.

Constructed from fresh, artificial, or dried flowers, posy balls have a charm all their own. The size can be adjusted to suit the age of the flower girl.

Make the fresh flower posy ball up to 48 hours ahead, using resilient flowers such as miniature carnations. Or substitute artificial flowers and greens, following the same directions.

Start the twig ball at least two weeks before the wedding, allowing enough time for the flowers to dry completely.

Select the lace ball with silk roses for a very young flower girl. It is lightest in weight and can be jostled about with little concern for its durability.

Making a Flower Covered Posy Ball

You Will Need

• Styrofoam ball, 2in. to 4in. in diameter
• 20 to 50 fresh miniature carnations, or artificial flowers
• Fresh green leaves, or artificial greens
• 1yd. ribbon, 5/8in. wide
• 2/3yd. ribbon,1/4in. wide
• Flat-headed straight pins
• Hot glue gun

1. Cut two pieces of 5/8in. ribbon equal in length to circumference of Styrofoam ball plus 1in. make loop with one ribbon, overlapping ends 1/2in.; hot-glue. Glue loop to top of ball, and secure with two straight pins.
2. Wrap second ribbon around ball, crossing through top loop. Overlap ends at bottom of ball. Hot-glue ends together and to ball; secure with two straight pins.
3. Hot-glue fresh or artificial leaves flat to ball, covering surface.
4. Cut flower ends off stems, just below calyx. Starting next to ribbon, hot-glue flowers onto ball, overlapping slightly so ball doesn’t show. Cover half the ball. If using fresh carnations, hang ball by loop to finish other side, Glue flowers over area where top ribbon loop is attached. Omit step 5 if using artificial flowers.
5. Mist inside of plastic bag. Insert several toothpicks all around ball, between flowers. Insert ball into bag, and seal. Prop ball up by toothpicks to avoid flattening flowers. Store in refrigerator.
6. Before use, cut five lengths of 1/4in. ribbon, 3in. to 5in. long. Hot-glue ends to bottom of ball, and secure with straight pins.

Making a Twig Ball

You Will Need

• 6in. twig ball
• 8 to 12 fresh fragrant flowers potpourri oil
• 5yd. ribbon, 5/8in. wide
• 1yd. ribbon, 1/4in. wide, for streamers
• Small cluster artificial flowers and greens
• 24 gauge florist wire
• Hot glue gun

1. Start project two weeks before wedding. Cut off heads of fragrant flowers; insert through openings of ball. Gently shake and turn ball once a day to ensure proper drying of flowers.
2. Wrap 6in. length of wire around crossed twigs on top of ball, twist to secure leaving tails.
3. Cut four lengths of 5/8in. ribbon, equal in length to circumference of ball plus 1in. Wrap one ribbon around ball; twist wire tails around ends to secure. Repeat for two more ribbons, spacing them evenly. Trim ends of wire and ribbons. Secure intersections at top and bottom, using hot-glue.
4. Make loop with remaining ribbon, overlapping ends 1/2in.; hot-glue. Secure loop to top of ball, using wire. Glue cluster of artificial flowers and greens over joined area.
5. Cut three lengths of 1/4in. ribbon, 12in. long for streamers. Layer and fold in half. Slip fold loop under crossed ribbons at bottom of ball; insert loose ends at bottom of ball and pull snug. Trim streamer ends to various lengths. Add few drops of potpourri oil for fragrance, if desired.

Making a Lace Ball

You Will Need

• 3in. Styrofoam ball
• 3 1/2yd. pre-gathered lace, 1 1/4in. wide
• 2 1/4yd. satin ribbon, 1/8in. wide
• 12 silk roses, 1in. in diameter
• 6 sprays of lily of the valley with pearls
• 26 gauge craft wire
• Sharp, pointed metal nail file
• Hot glue gun

1. Roll end of lace into tight circle. Poke bound edge of lace circle 1/2in. deep into top of ball, using point of nail file.
2. Spiraling down around the ball, continue poking bound edge of lace into ball every 1/2in., leave enough slack in lace between pokes to allow binding to be flat on surface. Cover entire ball allowing 1/4in. space between rows.
3. Cut excess lace at bottom, leaving short tail. Roll tail into small circle, as in step 1; poke into ball.
4. Cut a 10in. piece of ribbon, form a loop and hot-glue ends to center of top of ball. Hot-glue two roses to base of loop.
5. Cut two pieces of ribbon, 11in., and 25in.long. Fold long piece into six loops, leaving 5in. tails. Center short ribbon over loops; secure at center with wire. Twist wire ends together and insert wire in center of circle at bottom of ball. Repeat for circle at top of ball, cutting short ribbon 9in. long.
6. Hot-glue one end of lily of the valley sprays to center of circle at bottom of ball. Hot-glue remaining roses into lace, evenly spacing them around ball.

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