Umbrella Door Hanging

April showers bring May flowers, but I'm not one to put things off....I saw a few umbrella door arrangements last spring, but they all used silk flowers, so I set about figuring how to make one of these fun arrangements using fresh flowers.  The key I found was....flora gel or water storing crystals.  The stuff is made out of some sort of polymer that sucks up water and then releases it as needed - so I was able to keep the flowers fresh in a non-waterproof container.  Here are a few details.... MATERIALS- Umbrella with a wooden handle- Fresh flowers included one branch or vine- Sandwich bags- Water storing crystals- Ribbon- Rubber bands STEPSI started by making 4 small floral bouquets.  I cut their stems to about 5" and secured them with a rubber band.  Prepare the crystals according to the directions (you basically just soak them in water).   Put a large scoop of water loaded crystals in a sandwich bag, insert the base of the bouquet making sure all of the stems are surrounded by the crystals and use another rubber band to close the bag around the stems.  I then did the same thing with my flowering branch. To assemble the arrangement, I first took the branch and inserted it inside the umbrella with the sandwich bag covered base extending all the way to the tip of the umbrella.  You can bend the branch or vine around the handle or clip it as necessary.  Then I tied the ribbon in a bow about half way up the umbrella holding the branch in place.  At this point I hung the umbrella on the door where it was going to live and worked on the rest in place.  Place three of the bouquets in the three frontmost pouches of the umbrella.  It may take a little fussing to get them to lay right with the fabric.  Next, take the 4th bouquet and put it right in the center.  Depending on your spoke location, you may need to trim this bouquet so it will sit securely in the center. Once you've got it like you want it (and it will take some fussing), add a few fun touches - I added a birds nest, eggs, and a little feathered friend. All in all a good way to welcome spring.