FLORAL EASTER PLANTED BASKET

Using spring blooms that burst with colour and Easter bulbs that fill the room with the scent of spring, this design is perfect for a seasonal table centrepiece, or to make and take as a gift.

As fresh spring flowers don’t last long here in the tropics, Sophie mixes good quality silk flowers with the fresh plant materials and spring bulbs to create this Easter-themed look.

Rustic basket: available from Far East Orchid, most garden centres or Daiso. Cellophane (or a large thin plastic bag): for lining the basket to make it waterproof. Quarter of a block of floral wet foam: found at most garden centres and flower shops, costing around $4. Bowl: to hold the wet floral foam when soaked. Yellow forsythia stems (silk or fresh), silk tulips, narcissus or daffodils: all can be found at the Verge Mall, from $5. Potted fresh spring bulbs such as narcissus (used here; hyacinths or grape hyacinths work just as well): available from IKEA and garden centres, $4. Fresh or dried moss: available from Daiso or Spotlight, $2. Decorative eggs. Contorted willow stems (optional). Two to three primrose or campanula plants (depending on size of basket), small trailing ivy plant, fresh mixed leaves and foliage, three to five yellow mini gerberas or roses: available in supermarkets or Far East Orchid. Scissors.