Make waves with an arrangement set in a seashell. The trick is to fit a piece of floral foam inside the shell. Then you can tuck in stems, and they'll stay put. Here, variegated hosta leaves and frilly ferns cup a green-and-white cluster of Queen Anne's lace.You can use a seashell you already have -- the one shown here is a whelk- - or buy one at a crafts store.

How-To
1. Choose a sizable shell that sits securely -- without rocking or falling over -- when its aperture, or opening, faces upward. Begin by soaking a block of floral foam in water until saturated, usually a few minutes (the moist foam will then keep your arrangement fresh for 3 to 4 days).

2. With a sharp knife, cut the foam to fit inside the shell's opening, trimming it as necessary. Press and pack the piece of foam down into the shell; it should fill the opening to just below the lip.

3. Use a pencil or a stick to make holes an inch or so deep in the foam for plants with pliant stems, such as hostas and ferns; sturdy or woody stems can be pushed directly into the foam. Combine flowers and greenery as you wish to create a pleasing arrangement.

Cutting Tip

Pick the flowers first thing in the morning when they are likely to be at their most vigorous, so they will stay fresh longer.