Susan Peters

This is one of the easiest things that you can do when arranging flowers! Select an odd number of blossoms (they can be identical, or slightly different, whatever appeals to you). Cut them on the diagonal, and plop them into a little bud vase containing one part 7 Up with two parts water. For a more contemporary look you can use shot glasses and identical flowers and line them up in a nice, tidy straight line.

For a more natural look, try my rose technique by using bud vases of varying heights and a variety of flowers from the same species in a staggered line. The 7 Up/water solution will make them last three times as long and you can pick up very inexpensive bud vases and shot glasses at Cost Plus. You can line them up on a table as your centerpiece, or on your mantle, or wherever you need a spot of color!