Springtime flower topiary

Happy spring to you all!

The newest Basic Grey papers and accessories are here at Blue Moon, and I jumped at the chance to create a spring project to match the boldly whimsical style of both the Green at Heart and Kioshi lines. This paper flower topiary was wonderfully fun to create, and is perfect to give as an Easter or spring birthday gift!

Here are the supplies you will need:

3" circle punch, 1 1/4" or 1 1/8" circle punch, heart punch
Patterned paper - Green at Heart and Kioshi from Basic Grey
12" long dowel
Styrofoam ball and block (to fit in pot)
Flower pot (metal or clay)
Tool, Ribbon, Buttons, Corsage pins
Adhesive (tombo glue for flowers, hot glue for styrofoam elements)
Hot glue gun
Pencil
Scissors

Trace and cut a piece of paper for the top of the styrofoam block.

Punch a hole through the styrofoam with a dowel, and then punch a hole through the paper with a pencil.

Hot glue the dowel to the bottom of the flower pot.

Place your styrofoam block in the pots and attach paper with adhesive.

Each topiary holds approx. 12 large paper flowers.
Fill in gaps on the topiary with buttons, fabric or felt flowers, or brads.

To create your paper flowers, use a 3" circle punch to create a base, a 1 1/4" inch circle punch to create a center, and a heart punch to create 6 hearts. Fold each heart in half, patterned sides together, then fold each half again back toward the original fold. Apply adhesive to center of the large circle and attach 6 hearts, with a folded smaller circle in the center to solidify the flower. Add buttons or brads to the center of each flower before attaching to styrofoam ball with pins.

Use assorted pins to attach your paper flowers to the styrofoam ball.

Attach the styrofoam ball to the dowel with hot glue. Cover dowel with ribbon if desired. Add colored tool to the edge of the styrofoam block and attach with pins to create a softer texture on the pot's edge.

Finish with a beautiful topiary perfect for any spring occasion! I hope this inspires you all to create some unique spring creations that you, your friends, and your family can all enjoy. I got this idea from Scrapbooks, Etc. magazine and put my own twist on it, as I hope you all do, too!

Good luck with your own spring creations!

~ Kristin