Judy, the hanging red things were actually on one stem all together. I cut them apart and stuck them in smaller groups all through the other flowers.

Diana,

I have been trying to find places with a nice assortment of dried and silk flowers, but it's just not the same as in NY. I had a Rag Shop in Brooklyn that had the greatest flowers! They went out of business, and everyone I knew, who did any kind of crafts was so upset.

There is a Michael's up here, but I don't see anything exciting on their website. I do have a local florist who is getting his in today. I'm going over there tomorrow to see what he has.

Where do you get your flowers? I don't want to order online because of the S & H, and also, because I want to see them first. I wish I had known to dry my own.

Any suggestions?

We have a little store here in town called Alco. It's like a little Wal-mart but they do a really good job of getting stuff in. I really like their decorating stuff and they have good sales on things. Actually, it's called Duckwall-Alco.

http://www.duckwall.com/

I notice from their locations that you don't have any near you. Have you checked at a Michael's craft store? I'd get some stuff for you but they've sold out of all the fall stuff and they only have Christmas stuff in now.

Thanks Diana! There is a Michael's in Kingston. I am going to the local florist.
He is getting in his dried flowers this weekend, so hopefully, I can get what I need from him. I also found another local florist who had some nice stuff. The businesses here don't have websites, so it's hit or miss.

You both are so talented to be able to arrange flowers. I just don't have the gift. I can usually pick an arrangement I like, but to put one together....not so much.

The florist had some nice stuff, but not much. I bought a live bunch of flowers. He told me to put them in a vase with a little water, let the water evaporate and I should have a nice assortment. I never did it this way, so we'll see what happens.

I'm having fun picking out flowers and greens. I need tall red flowers or something. Maybe I'll do it your way, Diana. I can add some height with sticks.

Here is the bouquet waiting to dry.

Very pretty Judy! After they dry..do you treat them with anything to make them stay pretty like that?

That bouquet is very pretty Judy. I had heard a very long time ago to spray a stiff hairspray on them....do that do that?

That's very pretty, Judy. I've never heard of doing it that way either. I know that I've taken roses and hung them upside down and let them dry but they're not usually very pretty.

After Jaci's homecoming queen bouquet had just about run it's course I took the rose blooms (they never did quite open completely up) off of the stems and set them on a plate to dry. They are still pretty much the same color that they originally were. I'm going to get a round bowl to put them in for Jaci.

You'll have to keep us posted on how good it works for you!!!

That should work great Judy! The flowers in the arrangement will look good dried for a long time. I'm always keeping flowers from one arrangement or another, and I recognize those as the ones that last best!!

You ladies are doing such a good job. Love the arrangements and vases!!! Lots of talent on here!!! Diana, you did a beautiful job.

Judy, I love your tea kettle!! The flowers and hummingbird, and your arrangement to dry is very nice. The flowers in it should dry nicely.

Paula, love your vases, too. I'm really partial to hummingbirds.

I used to take all of the roses from different occassions, and just put the flowers, without the stems, in a crystal bowl. It was really pretty. I didn't take it when I moved though.

I don't know if I have to spray these. We'll see!