Ok I did it and what I did was paint the styrofoam the color of the carns (pink). I used the toothpicks and glued them on. It was labor-intensive but I felt that they were more secure than just gluing or just pinning. In case anyone wants to know, a 6" styrofoam ball takes about 60 carnations to fill up.
Tips:
- Cut the stem off all the way to the top but not too far up or it makes the flower fall apart. If you leave any stem on though, it makes it harder to stick the toothpick in.
- Use the bigger toothpicks not the regular ones
- I used cold glue till I ran out then (horrors!) had to use hot glue, I just used it at a very low temp
- I just glued the ribbon in with a cowee pick, reinforced w/real wire, don't rely on that super thin wire attached to the pick.
- Didn't go "through" the ball, I think that would be physically impossible w/the hard styrofoam. If you needed a tail you could just glue one in. These were hung on shepherds hooks at the ceremony, then transported to sit on top of pilsners at the reception.
I got the photographers card and am hoping to get some better pics of these and the rest of the flowers, I just don't take great pictures.
ps the bride loved it all.
