Happy Independence Day!
In addition to being our nation’s birthday today,
it’s also the first Monday of the month which means
I’m joining my Monday Morning Blooms’ friends
to celebrate the Red, White and Blue!
We’re excited to have Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul joining us as a Guest ‘Bloomer’ today!
You can find my flower friends’ links to their floral inspiration at the bottom of this post.
We’re all about wags and flags today,
and celebrating the red, white and blue with
a puppy bouquet for Independence Day!
Here’s my inspiration. . . 🐾🐾 :)
Long time readers might remember a winter version of a puppy bouquet,
inspired by an arrangement I saw at my vet’s office.
This is an easy and dog gone fun arrangement to create
and share with someone in need of some puppy love!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.
A stars and stripes box on clearance at Hobby Lobby provided an
inexpensive and festive container for my puppy bouquet.
I placed the lid on the bottom of the box so I didn’t lose the stars to pair with the stripes
and added a plastic container to the box to protect it from water and wet floral foam.
Soak your wet floral foam in water, or water mixed with floral preservative
to prolong the life of the flowers, and place in
your container and you’re ready to begin! 🐾
Tip: When using wet floral foam, use the “float soak” method
and place your floral foam brick on top of the water.
Let the floral foam gradually absorb the water until it’s fully saturated (it will only take a minute).
Plunging the floral foam in the water traps air bubbles and will prohibit
the transfer of water from the foam to the flower stems.
I used white fluffy carnations to create the puppy bouquet for obvious reasons. ;)
Arrange the carnations in the shape of the puppy’s face and head,
using two carnations strategically placed at the top of the head for ears.
Note: Larger carnations are easier to work with; depending on the size
of your carnations, you’ll six – nine stems for the puppy face and
six to eight carnations for your puppy legs, depending on how long you want
your puppy legs to be, for a total of 12 – 17 carnations for the puppy arrangement.
Once you have your puppy head arranged, cut the ends of your stems
so they’re all the same length, taping them together with floral stem wrap.
Wrap the stems tightly to preserve the shape of head.
Floral tape or stem wrap is self-adhesive so it will only stick to itself.
Stretch it as you wrap your floral stems to activate the wax adhesive on the tape.
You’ll only need to wrap the top of the stems to hold them together.
Place the wrapped stems in the wet floral foam at your desired height in your container.
If you find your stems are too long for the placement in your container,
cut more length off the bottom.
To create puppy legs, place three – four carnations in a row
in the foam to form a line for each leg.
I had some leftover animal eyes and noses from my previous arrangement
that I found at Hobby Lobby.
I checked at Hobby Lobby and they’re still available, although they’re now $2.99 a package.
My eyes were 15mm and noses 20mm in size.
You can find mixed packages of animal eyes and nose kits on Amazon.
To attach the eyes and nose, I wrapped some florist wire around the shank
of each piece individually to attach them to a toothpick.
Tuck the toothpick between folds of the carnation or between two flowers.
If your toothpick is too long, snap it off to the length you need to add the pick to the flower,
tucking it in between the petals.
I filled in around the puppy with hydrangeas from the garden.
Alstroemeria from the grocery store add a pop of red to the arrangement!
I made some loops in some lengths of patriotic wire edged ribbon,
then used a wired wood floral pick to secure the loops and
tucked the ribbon picks into the arrangement.
Last but not least, small American flags were added to complete the
Wags and Flags Patriotic Puppy Arrangement
and to celebrate the red, white and blue!
A Rae Dunn ‘Wags and Flags’ Jar was *fetched* from HomeGoods.
It holds treats for patriotic puppies who agreed
to model with the promise of a treat! 🐾
Lola and Sophie said they’ve been waiting patiently . . .
Waiting. . .
Waiting. . .
Enough waiting! 🐾🐾
Carnations have a long vase life and will last a week or more.
To extend their life and your arrangement further,
add some water to your wet floral foam periodically and
spray your entire arrangement with Crowning Glory,
an anti-transpirant spray that seals in moisture and
prolongs the life of your flowers.
Visit my talented blogging friends to see their floral inspiration this week:
Pam at Everyday Living
Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul
However you celebrate today, spend a few moments to remember and give thanks
for our military men and women and their families,
whose service and sacrifice allows us to live in freedom.
May we never forget that freedom isn’t free.
{ DIY Patriotic Flower Arrangement with an American Flag }
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Just too cute for words! Your creativity knows no bounds! Happy 4th! Peace.
Thanks so much Cindi, Hope you had a Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸🐾🐾
Happy Independence Day, Mary 🇺🇸 Your puppy bouquet is adorable matching the cuteness of Lola and Sophie! You are the best with tutorials, always thorough and easy to understand. White carnations, red alstroemeria, blue hydrangeas, star ribbon and flags make a perfect and patriotic arrangement. I love the stars and stripes box. It appears that Lola and Sophie approve of their new puppy friend in the box! The girls are so darling as they patiently wait for the promised treats.
I am always amazed at your creativity and it is a treat to share flower therapy with you!
Thanks so much Pam, I so enjoy sharing blooms with you on these Mondays! Stay cool this week! 🇺🇸🐾🐾
Thank you deeply for the delightful burst of joy you bring to every holiday!
You make my heart so happy.
There is so much to be thankful for, and your wonderful blog has been on that list for me for many years.
Happy and peaceful 4th of July.
Thank you Dr. Mary for your kind and generous comment! I so appreciate your visits, hope your Fourth was happy. 🇺🇸 🐾🐾
So precious!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️🐾🐾🐾
Which is the cutest, the pups or the arrangement? Who is more patient, the pups or Mary? Thanks for sharing your creative talents. . . . . .you are an inspiration.
Aww, thank you Donna! Lola and Sophie would say they are more paitient. :) Wishing you a happy week ahead. 🐾🐾
Crowning Glory . . . anther terrific tip! Your talent and shared information has no bounds and is greatly appreciated. Happy 4th to all!
Thank you for sweet comment and visit Hetty! Crowning Glory is a miracle product. Wishing you wonderful week. 🇺🇸
Mary, you are so creative! Your post is so dog gone cute! Lola and Sophie were so patient. That is a darling mug filled with treats for them. Your arrangement is perfect for your Fourth of July celebration. Your creativity is amazing! I might get an idea but the can’t find the right flowers. For instance, finding red Alstromeria at the right time. Do you ever have that experience?
Your creative puns always impress and make me smile.
Enjoy the Fourth today!
Thank you for your sweet comment Bonnie! Yes sometimes it can be a challenge, I actually had to go to four grocery stores to find white carnations this time. :) Hope you had a happy Fourth and wishing you a wonderful week! 🇺🇸
Your creation is endless! So dog gone cute. Happy 4th
Thank you Nancy! 🇺🇸 🐾🐾
Mary, this is absolutely the cutest idea! Sadie isn’t fluffy white, but I might try my hand at this clever idea. I’m always impressed at how cooperative your girls are. Sadie has a mind of her own, and catching a cute pose is by chance! I will say she is food motivated, but patience is not associated with food and treats! I always learn from you with each post. The Rae Dunn Wags and Flags treat jar is dog gone cute, as is the cute red, white, and blue puppy linen. Thanks for all the inspiration for making a puppy bouquet! I’m thrilled to be invited to join this group today. You girls are absolutely the best! Happy 4th of July!
Thank you Sarah! Lola and Sophie are definitely food motivated. 🐾🐾 :) So happy to have you join us as a guest ‘bloomer’! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. Stay cool in that Texas heat! ❤️
Happy 4th of July, You continue to create, Inspire and bring Joy to all that follow you. God Bless.
Awww, thank you Barbara for your kind comment and visits! Happy Fourth and week ahead. 🇺🇸 🐾🐾
Happy Independence Day dearest Mary! Oh the cuteness of it all, I can only imagine how adorable this is in real life! The girls were on their best behavior, even with the promise of treats I don’t think Bentley would pose so patiently { of course he’s a boy…ahem } you always inspire, and your tutorials are the best. Wishing you a delightful day! xo Lidy
Thank you Lidy! My girls are highly treat-motivated :) So happy to join you for some flower therapy on these Mondays. Wishing you and Mr. FGH a wonderful week. ❤️
Oh my my my. This puppy bouquet is the ultimate. Absolutely love it. Thank you for sharing instructions on how to duplicate. Happy Fourth of July to you, your family, and four-legged children, Mary.
Thanks so much for your visits and sweet comment Andree! Happy Fourth and week to you! 🇺🇸 🐾 🐾
What a great container you found for the perfect wags and flags floral showpiece! Nothing’s as cute as Lola and Sophie, but that arrangement is a close second. Have an enjoyable 4th, Mary! Pinning this adorable arrangement.
Thanks so much Rita! I hope you had a wonderful Fourth and are surviving this heat. 🇺🇸 ❤️
Adorable!!!
Thank you Elizabeth! 🐾🐾
Cute as can be! Happy Independence Day!
Thanks Pamela! Hope you had a Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸 🐾🐾
Just adorable! Love all your creations. Happy 4th of July!
Thanks so much for your visit and comment Liz! Hope your Fourth was happy. 🇺🇸 🐾🐾
That arrangement is so dog-gone adorable, and almost as cute as Lola and Sophie! What patient pups they were waiting for their treats. Thanks for the tutorial. Happy Independence Day! God Bless America!
Thanks so much Kitty! Thoughts and prayers for Riley and Molly. 🇺🇸 ❤️💙
Mary, You found the perfect tin for your adorable arrangement. The girls and their treat jar are so cute. Hope you’re getting in some boat time during this hot, hot time! Happy 4th!
Thanks so much for your comment and visits Clara! It was too hot to boat during the day but we did manage see the fireworks by boat last night. Stay Cool! 🇺🇸 ❤️
I LOVE THIS! The photographs you took of your pups with the arrangement are ab-SALUTE-ly adorable! Keep Bringing Us More! I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Thank you for your visit and sweet comment LauraLee! Wishing you a wonderful week. 🇺🇸 ❤️
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to you and the pups! Love the arrangement too!! Have a safe holiday! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💥💥💥
Thank you Ellen! 🇺🇸 ❤️
I so remember my glee when I first saw you create a puppy
arrangement. I so love this and I am sure the Girls love their new friend too! Such a most adorable arrangement!!!!
Your creativity always amazes me!!! Happy Independence Day!!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸🎉
Oh Shirley, you are so missed! I hope you are well and had a wonderful Fourth! So happy to hear you had a fun visit and dinner with Pam . 🇺🇸❤️
Just so dog-gone cute! Both the the floral arrangement puppy and the real live ones, precious! Those faces and shoe-button eyes! Hope you had a fun 4th! Give the girls a hug for me! ♥️🐾🇺🇸
There aren’t enough words in the vocabulary to describe how cute this is! I remember the other floral dog arrangement you did, so over the top cute they are! Especially with the real pooch faces in the background! I love the flag container you found and how you surrounded the white carnation puppy with red, white and blue, just amazing Mary! 🇺🇸
Jenna
Yes, I remember your winter puppy bouquet! It was adorable then and still is!!
Thanks for making me smile.
You couldn’t get any cuter! What wonderful pictures of the 3 of them. Very easy instructions too. A friend made me a very simular one of a kitty.So darn cute!
So darling, Mary! I hope your Fourth was full of hugs and kisses from the girls! ❤️🤍💙
You have the cutest living models so of course all you touch will come out perfect! Very fun, in sure you had a tail wagging fun day 😁