The first instructions are great. I had someone give me another tip one time on proportions: The width (at the base of the flowers) should be about 2 times the height from the top of the vase to the highest flower. Start with the center top flower. Then fill in the bottom border all the way around. Last fill in the rest of the arrangement. The pic that Lorelei put up shows that, but she probably got it right without having to really think about it.
By
11/01/2009
Rule of thumb in floral decorating is to choose three colors and make one a primary color. Fall leaves, burnt red, orange, yellow, brown, purple, pea green are wonderful colors to use, but don't go overboard using each and every one of those colors or the arrangement will look too busy.
If using a basket, you can conceal the stems by covering over with dried grasses. I like to put marbles, stones in the bottom to help give added weight, holds pic stems in place while concealing them, and can also emphasize any clear vase for any theme or room decor.
Add leaves in your arrangement, or cattails, or other fall pics or even a curly grape vine branch and build around it.
I've attempted to merge a pic of one autumn arrangement I made as an example.