Now that spring has finally sprung, warm temperatures and the sound of birds chirping have motivated me to bring the buds and petals of the season indoors. So, since May Day is next week, I’ll be celebrating the end of winter by assembling a few flower garlands for my abode.

First things first: If you’re in need of inspiration, rent The Darjeeling Limited. The movie is filled with beautiful, brightly hued garlands that will give you plenty of ideas.

Though the number of flowers you’ll need depends on how long you want your garlands to be, gather up at least a couple dozen blooms, as well as a needle and thread. Carnations are a good choice because they’re sturdy (and affordable!), but any locally available, not-too-delicate flowers will do. (You can also check out online flower wholesalers for by-the-dozen deals.)

The actual process of stringing a flower garland is so simple that it might even be considered zen (in sum: use the needle and thread to string the flowers together, directly through their middles) but if you’re the type who likes specifics, step-by-step instructions are available here. Sure, you could just plop some tulips in a vase and call it a day, but would that really reflect the joy of finally saying au revoir to heavy coats and wet boots in the hall?

Amanda : DIY Projects
April 28th, 2008