DIY wall art for small space, big impact decorating

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Pull up a chair (preferably a red one), and take a peek at the BIG impact a little DIY wall art can have. If you have a dark corner, an empty hallway, or an unused and overlooked nook, dressing up the small space with colorful wall art you made yourself can be transformational.  You don’t need a lot of cash or time to get this look. I made the DIY wall art we show here in minutes with scrapbook papers and fabric. (And please weigh in on the question I ask below.)

DIY Wall Art made with scrapbook papers. Wowza!

Hipster Wall Art

A red chair makes a statement, doesn’t it? Pair it with paper and you get the super-charged nook you see above. Three sheets of high-impact scrapbook paper on a 12” x 36” x 1” sheet of STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam create a contemporary corner that commands attention. No more dark and overlooked spaces here.

Instant wall art made with napkins and squares of STYROFOAM. Brown dots are made from STYROFOAM discs and paper. Super-fast to make, and if you change your mind, just cover again. o

Red Polka Dot Wall Art

We then took the same red chair and made a warm and cozy respite, adding dash with lightning fast wall art. These two, 12” squares are covered in cloth napkins – yes, napkins. The dots on the wall are 6” discs of STYROFOAM Brand Foam covered in paper, with ribbons wrapped around the 1” edges.

You won’t even need to pound holes in the walls to hang this artwork. It’s so lightweight that poster putty or self-adhesive hanging strips will work. For more ideas to make your house your home, from big ideas to small details, download our three free, home decorating booklets – Great Décor in a Flash – Without a Lot of Cash.

Free home decorating booklets: Great Decor in a Flash -- Wihtout a Lot of Cash. Great ideas here -- super fast and super cheap, too. All made with STYROFOAM Brand Foam.

Now, a question for you. I changed up the type font on Crafts ‘n Coffee this week and I’m not sure I like it. What do you think? Did you notice? Is it easier to read? Should I change it again? I’d love to know what you think. Thanks!

Happy crafting.

Sharon

Posted in Great Decor in a Flash -- Without a Lot of Cash, Home Decor, Paper Crafts, Wall Art | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

DIY Decorative Baby Blocks fashioned from foam and paper

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

Decorating a baby’s nursery is one of life’s sweetest pleasures, don’t you think? Use these Decorative Baby Blocks as a finishing touch, and make them however you like – change the papers and the colors; spell out the baby’s name; super-size them and use 5” cubes instead of 3” cubes. Make them for yourself, or to give to a special mom-to-be. If you’re hosting a baby shower, these would make a pretty, keepsake centerpiece.

How to make custom Baby Blocks and a Hot Air Balloon Mobile to decorate a baby's nursery. (Note: Decorative only!)

Change up the papers to match your selected palette for the baby’s nursery.

Designer Rebekah Meier also made this Hot Air Balloon Baby Mobile. Don’t they make a cute set? And again, just swap out the papers to match your own color scheme. Instructions for the Hot Air Balloon Baby Mobile are on StyrofoamCrafts.com.

And here’s how to make the Decorative Baby Blocks. (Please remember that these are decorative only and are not toys. Please keep the Decorative Baby Blocks and Hot Air Balloon Baby Mobile out of reach and don’t let the baby play with them!)

DIY Decorative Baby Blocks as a finishing touch for baby's nursery. Change up the papers to match your decorating palette.

Decorative Baby Blocks by Rebekah Meier.

To make the Decorative Baby Blocks, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: three, 3” cubes
  • Cardstock, 12” x 12”, one sheet each pink and light green
  • Coordinating scrapbook papers, three assorted 12″ x 12″ sheets
  • Chipboard letters, 1″: B, A, B, Y (Rebekah used purchased letters, but you could also cut out with die-cutting equipment)
  • Embellishments: Buttons, rick rack, etc.
  • Grosgrain ribbon, green polka dot, 1/2″ x 3/8 yd.
  • Low-temp glue gun
  • Thick, white craft glue
  • Optional: Acrylic craft paints: dark pink and light green (if embellishments need to be painted to match the papers)
  • Tools needed: Scissors; pencil; ruler; medium flat paintbrush; straight pins

To make the Decorative Baby Blocks:

Note: These are decorative only! These are not toys for babies. The blocks have small pieces that present a choking hazard.

1. Cut four, 3″ x 12″ strips from pink card stock, and two 3” x 12” strips from green card stock.

2. Wrap a foam cube in two of the pink strips, and firmly crease each strip at the corners. Remove the strips and fold the paper along the crease lines. Wrap and glue the strips around the cubes. Repeat, making one more pink cube and a green cube.

4. Cut six 2″ squares and six 2-1/2″ squares from the cardstock and scrapbook papers. Mixing and matching the papers, layer the squares on each side of a block. Repeat for each block.

Sweet, custom baby blocks decorated with paper, buttons, ribbons, etc. Easy to make with cubes of STYROFOAM.

Embellish with items from your craft stash, like buttons, ribbon and letters.

5. Paint B-A-B-Y letters and other embellishments to match. Let dry. Glue letters to front and back of blocks.

6. Add rick rack, ribbons, and other embellishments.

You can make the coordinating  Hot Air Balloon Baby Mobile with the tutorial on StyrofoamCrafts.com.

How to make this sweet, hot air balloon mobile for a baby's room using decorative papers and a ball of STYROFOAM. ingloon

Hot Air Balloon Baby Mobile by Rebekah Meier.

I still see traditional pastels, especially pink and blue, used in baby’s rooms. But I’m also seeing a lot of green, aqua and touches of brown and orange. My daughter’s room was a warm and sunny yellow. What color did you use in your baby’s nursery?

Happy crafting.

Sharon

Posted in Craft Tutorial, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Paper Crafts | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Patriotic Craft Roundup: Wreaths, Centerpieces & Flags

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

How did this happen – Memorial Day, the official start of the summer season, is less than two weeks away! Before any more time sneaks up on me, I’ve pulled together a roundup of more than a dozen patriotic crafts featured earlier on Crafts ‘n Coffee. So, without further ado, here are 12+ crafts that are red, white and blue.

The prettiest collection of more than a dozen, easy-to-make patriotic crafts for the summer.

Wreaths

Wrap up this easy, inexpensive July 4th wreath using craft bandanas.

Wrap & Roll Patriotic Wreath by Patty Schaffer.

Here's a super-fast patriotic wreath made from strips of bandanas and ribbons. Cute!

Patriotic Fringed Bandana Wreath by Patty Schaffer.

Use all-American bandanas to craft this patriotic wreath in less than an hour.

Stars & Stripes Patriotic Wreath.

How to make a fast, denim wreath with ruffled rosettes. Great way to repurpose jeans.

All-American Denim & Rosettes Wreath

Centerpieces

How to make Patriotic Rag Balls from scraps of denim, bandanas and calico. Super fast & easy!

Patriotic Rag Balls.

Celebrate and decorate for summer with easy Star Spangled Squares.

Patriotic Star Spangled Squares.

Pretty, Patriotic Ruffled Topiaries whip up fast. Change fabrics for Christmas or other holidays.

Ruffled Patriotic Topiaries.

Fourth of July crafts & easy centerpiece ideas.

Patriotic Fringed Bandana Topiaries by Patty Schaffer.

Celebrate with an easy-to-make All-American Denim & Ruffles Topiary.

All-American Denim & Ruffles Topiary.

Flags

How to make a felted, Americana flag & crow.

Prim & Proper Americana Flag & Crow by Debra Quartermain

Craft Tutorial: How to make no-sew flags to celebrate July 4th.

Quick Tuck Flag.

Patriotic Craft Round Up: Flag crafts, wreaths, centerpieces and more

Punched Flag Wallhanging.

Patriotic craft for kids -- how to make a punch fabric flag. Could also substitute plastic shopping bags to make a recycled flag.

Punched Quilt Flag.

It sure doesn’t seem like summer yet, does it? I have two three patriotic crafts on my to-do list, though at this point, they might be for July 4th and not Memorial Day! Does it seem like summer where you are? Are you ready?

Happy crafting.

Sharon

Posted in Deco Spheres, Entertaining, Fabric Craft, Home Decor, Kid's Crafts, Needle Felting, Paper Crafts, Patriotic Crafts, Recycle Crafts, Summer Crafts, Topiaries, Wreaths | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A make-it-in-20-minutes Mother’s Day gift idea

Posted on May 10, 2013 by

Oh yes, you still have time to make a last-minute Mother’s Day gift! When I wrote the Teacup Topiary post last week, I thought about how I might change it up. (Do you do that a lot? When you see an idea you like, do you think about how you might tinker with it?) When I found a cute, polka dot mug for $2 and silk stems on sale for .97¢, I knew I was well on my way. I picked up a few other supplies and when I got home, I made a Mother’s Day Mug in just 20 minutes.

Easy, last-minute Mother's Day gift idea: If you have 20 minutes, you can make this Mother's Day Mug.

Make this 20-minute Mother’s Day Mug.

To make a Mother’s Day Mug, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: Two balls; I used a 4” ball for the top, and a 3” ball for the bottom, along with a few small scraps
  • Mug
  • Silk flowers: 15 – 18 or so, depending on the size (I used 16, 4” zinnias)
  • Wood dowel, 1/2” x 12”
  • Paint (I used fast-drying spray paint, but you could also use an acrylic craft paint)
  • Ribbon, 7/8” x 18”
  • Paper shred, moss, or other filler, a small handful
  • Optional: Butterfly
  • Tools needed: Scissors; wire knippers; optional: paintbrush, if using a brush-on paint

    Mix and match your favorite mug and flowers to make a 20-minute Mother's Day Mug.

    Mix & match your favorite mug and flowers to make a 20-Minute Mother’s Day Mug.

To make a Mother’s Day Mug:

1. Paint your dowel and let it dry. (Hint: Insert the dowel into a scrap of STYROFOAM Brand Foam to hold it upright while the paint dries.)

2. Test fit the 3” ball in your mug. You may need to compress it a bit on a tabletop to fit it into the mug. Also, if it’s not tall enough, add a few scraps of STYROFOAM Brand Foam to the bottom of the mug, and then add your ball. Glue foam into the mug.

How to make a 20-minute Mother's Day Mug.

Wrap the dry dowel with ribbon, and then insert it into the foam in the mug.

3. When the dowel is dry, wrap the ribbon around the dowel, gluing the ends of the ribbon to the ends of the dowel.

4. Push the dowel into the foam in the mug, and then insert the 4” ball onto the dowel. At this point, if your dowel is too long, cut off an inch or so. Also, check to be sure the dowel rod and topiary are standing straight.

Insert stems into the ball of STYROFOAM Brand Foam.

Trim stems to 1″ – 1-1/2″ and insert into the foam ball.

5. Cut the flowers from the stem, leaving about a 1” – 1-1/2” stem. Remove the 4” ball from the dowel, and insert the flowers all around the ball until it’s covered.

6. Place glue on the bottom end of the dowel, and insert into the mug. Add glue to the top of the dowel, and place the flower-covered ball onto the dowel.

7. Cover the top of the mug with shred, moss, or other filler material. Optional: Add a butterfly.

Last-minute Mother's Day gift idea: Make this Mother's Day Mug in 20 minutes!

This Mother’s Day Mug would also make a pretty teacher gift, bridal shower centerpiece, or party favor.

And you’re done! You almost don’t need instructions for this one. You could whip up these mugs for teachers, party favors, or bridal or baby showers, too. If you’re going to make a few of these, be sure to check out a dollar store or tag sales to see if you can score a deal on mugs.

How are you celebrating Mother’s Day? I’d love to hear about your plans for the day.

Happy crafting!

Sharon

Posted in Craft Tutorial, Flower Designs, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Summer Crafts, Topiaries | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Make a bouquet of Paper Hydrangeas for Mother’s Day

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Don’t you think mom would be thrilled with a bouquet of these gorgeous Paper Hydrangeas on Mother’s Day? I am in love with these Paper Hydrangeas and I thought you’d like to see them, too. Hilary at One Young Love made these little lovelies, and she shares an easy-to-follow tutorial so you can make them, too.

Hilary from One Young Love shares a tutorial to make these beautiful Paper Hydrangeas.

Beautiful Paper Hydrangeas from One Young Love.

It couldn’t be easier – paper bags or craft paper, a paper punch, a ball of STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam, and glue are all you need. My mind is turning with how you might change these up, though they are stunning as is. You could stamp on your paper before cutting out the circles, or ink the edges of each circle. Spritz on a little glitter so they shimmer. Or, try using white paper bags or maybe even a paper with a pattern.

A beautiful Mother's Day gift idea from Hilary at One Young Love -- Paper Hydrangeas.

How would you change up these blooms? Or would you display them as is?

I hope you’ll go over and check out Hilary’s tutorial and make a few of these for you or someone else.

I’ll see you tomorrow with a last-minute Mother’s Day craft.

Happy crafting.

Sharon

Posted in Bridal Showers, Flower Designs, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Paper Crafts, Recycle Crafts | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The prettiest Spring Yarn Wreath ever – embellished how you like it

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

Kathleen George shares with us the prettiest Spring Yarn Wreath. The variegated yarn, in shades of lavender and lime, does the design work for you, layering on the stripes as you go. Kathleen used my favorite tip for making yarn wreaths fast – use a thicker yarn. The thicker the yarn you use, the faster you’ll wind your wreath. Then, embellish your Spring Yarn Wreath with felt flowers, buttons, or whatever you like. We couldn’t decide which version we preferred. Which one do you prefer?

A thick, variegated yarn makes it easy to wrap up this springtime yarn wreath.

Spring Yarn Wreath with felt flowers.

Here’s version number one, decorated with felt flowers cut by hand or with a die-cutting machine. For version number two, we pinned on felt buttons shaped like flowers, and regular buttons, too. However you decorate it, I hope you’ll give this wreath a whirl.

The prettiest spring yarn wreath. Make it fast with a thicker yarn.

Spring Yarn Wreath with felt flower buttons.

To make a Spring Yarn Wreath, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 12” half-round wreath
  • Variegated yarn
  • Felt, two coordinating colors
  • Buttons, coordinating colors
  • Pearl head pins & craft pins
  • Optional: Sizzix flower layers #3 and Leaves #2 (or use the pattern provided)
  • Thick, white craft glue
  • Tools needed: Scissors

To make a Spring Yarn Wreath:

1. Wind your yarn into a ball (this helps prevent tangling).

2. Pin one end of the yarn to the back of the wreath. Keep winding the yarn around the wreath, making sure not to leave any bare spots.

3. When the entire wreath has been wrapped, cut the yarn and pin the end to the back of the wreath.

4. Using Sizzix flower dies or the patterns, cut six sets of layered flowers and six leaves from felt.

5. Assemble the flowers and glue to the wreath. Pin a button in the center of each flower. Glue a leaf on either side of three of the flowers.

6. Glue and pin a loop of felt to the top back center for a hanger.

Here’s another way to decorate your wreath. This version of the yarn wreath is decorated with purchased felt flower buttons and a variety of other colorful buttons.

The prettiest spring yarn wreath ever, decorated with buttons and felt flowers.

Here’s an alternative — decorate your wreath with felt flower buttons and other colorful buttons.

Super pretty spring yarn wreath made fast with a thick yarn.

How would you decorate your wreath?

How would you decorate your Spring Yarn Wreath?

Happy crafting.

Sharon

Posted in Craft Tutorial, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Spring Crafts, Wreaths | Tagged , | 15 Comments

DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas made with a vintage flair

Posted on May 3, 2013 by

Today, I haven three Mother’s Day crafts, all designed by Rebekah Meier, and all made with Rebekah’s distinctive vintage style. The trio includes a Treasure Box & Pin Cushion, made with a paper mache box and fabric; bright, needlefelted Flower Pins; and a Photo Memory Cube, personalized with photos and special sentiments. These are all projects you can make in an afternoon, and the materials are all easy to find. The photos link to the tutorials on StyrofoamCrafts.com.

How to make a vintage pin cushion and keepsake box for Mother's Day.

This keepsake box & pin cushion is both pretty and useful.

Use your favorite fabrics to make easy, needle felted flower pins.

Rebekah’s Felted Flower Pins would make nice gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, too.

Beautiful, DIY photo cube with a vintage flair and made with a cube of STYROFOAM Brand Foam.

Have a crafternoon with your kids and have them make a photo cube for grandma.

Mother's Day sentiment for a photo cube.

Here’s a close-up of the saying Rebekah added to the top.

Are you making a gift for mom? Or do you have other crafty plans for the weekend? I have plans and projects to make, but I confess, I have to tackle the boxes first. Remember the boxes? They’re back, and worse than ever. I have to get them cleaned up before I can spread out and make a few things. I’ll let you know how it goes!Crafts 'n Coffee will take part in the blog hop celebrating Laura Kelly's new fabric line.

Happy crafting!

P.S. I am so excited to be part of the blog hop celebrating the new fabric line from Laura Kelly, available from Jo-Ann Stores. One of the projects on my to-do list this weekend is to start working on a patriotic craft for the June blog hop, which starts on June 10. I can’t wait to get started!

Sharon   

Posted in Fabric Craft, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Kid's Crafts, Needle Felting, Paper Crafts, Vintage Crafts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

How to make a Teacup Topiary from a flea market find

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

If you have plans to go junking this weekend, be sure to grab a handful of mismatched teacups to make these sweet, Teacup Topiaries. If you need an inexpensive, handmade gift for Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week (next week!), or party favors for a bridal or baby shower, these Teacup Topiaries fit the occasion to a “T”. (Groan, right?) I also have links to tutorials for a Teapot Topiary and the cutest little Demitasse Topiary.

Teacup Topiaries, made with mismatched teacups, are perfect for Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, or bridal or baby showers.

There are endless ways to use these Teacup Topiaries.

To make a Teacup Topiary, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 2” and 2-1/2” balls
  • Teacup, with or without saucer
  • Silk flowers (use your favorite colors)
  • Silk flower stem, tree branch or wood dowel, 7″ length
  • Optional: ½” wide ribbon and floral wire
  • Moss, small handful
  • Low-temp glue gun
  • Tools needed: Scissors; wire cutters

To make a Teacup Topiary:

1. Insert the silk flower stem, tree branch or wood dowel about 2” deep into each foam ball, connecting the balls to make the topiary shape. Remove the stem, add a dab of glue in each hole, and then reconnect the balls.

2. Glue the 2-1/2” ball into the teacup. If the ball doesn’t quite fit the shape of the cup, it’s easy to slightly flatten and compress the ball on a tabletop to create a shape that fits snugly in the cup.

3. Cut flowers from stems. Arrange and glue flowers onto the 2” ball till it’s covered. Fill in any bare spots with moss.

4. Optional: Make a six-loop bow from a 36” length of ribbon; secure with wire. Wire each bow to the topiary stem, under center front of ball; glue in place.

5. Cover the top of the teacup with moss.

Here are two more options – the Teatime Topiary and a mini, Demitasse Topiary. The tutorials are on StyrofoamCrafts.com:

Teatime Topiary

Demitasse Topiary

Turn flea market finds into a Teapot Toipiary and Teacup Topiary.

Teatime Topiary (left) and Demitasse Topiary.

I hope I have a few minutes this weekend to try out a variation on these ideas . . . the wheels are turning!

I’ll have a few more handmade gift ideas for Mother’s Day tomorrow, so be sure to stop in again.

Happy crafting!

Sharon

Posted in Bridal Showers, Craft Tutorial, Entertaining, Flower Designs, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Recycle Crafts, Topiaries, Weddings | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

So pretty! Four DIY May Day bouquets to decorate your door

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

April showers are almost behind us and May flowers are ready to bloom. It’s the perfect time to DIY a springtime bouquet to decorate your front door. Each bouquet celebrates spring in its own way with a combination of birch bark, flowers, leaves, twigs, moss, and even a bird’s nest. (Hint, hint – wouldn’t these make beautiful, handmade Mother’s Day gifts, too?) They’ll last for many springs to come, too. Enjoy! (And, don’t miss the announcement of the Earth Day challenge winners . . .)

How to DIY a May Day Bouquet for your front door (or Mother's Day or a Wedding).

Beautiful floral design combines birch bark, twigs & hydrangeas. Hang on a front door or decorate a church door.

Birch Bark & Hydrangea Floral Cone by Diane Flowers & Kathleen George.

To make a Hydrangea & Birch Bark Tussy Mussy, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 12” x 4” cone
  • Preserved birch bark, 8″ x 10″ piece*
  • Willow twigs, three 12” stems
  • Honeysuckle twigs, five (you can substitute additional willow twigs for these)
  • Silk flowers: Four stems hydrangeas; blueberry pick
  • Robin’s eggs, two
  • Reindeer moss
  • Excelsior
  • Low-temp glue gun
  • Tools needed: Serrated knife; old candle or bar of soap; heavy-duty scissors; floral shears

*Note: If you’re gathering your own birch bark, please collect it from the forest floor and not from the trees. You can purchase birch bark from the Birch Bark Store in western Maine.

To make a Hydrangea & Birch Bark Tussy Mussy:

1. Wax serrated knife with a bar of soap or an old candle. Carefully cut the foam cone in half, from the tip to the base. Save one half for a future use.

2. Carefully peel excess layers from back of birch bark to make it more flexible. Using glue gun and a generous amount of glue, adhere birch bark around the front of the half-cone. After the glue dries, carefully trim away excess bark along the tip, the bottom and the sides.

3. Glue a willow twig along each side.

Twigs and a bird's nest add sweet details to the Hydrangea & Birch Bark Cone on Crafts 'n Coffee.

See the sweet nest?

4. Shape a small clump of excelsior into a shallow nest and glue to front of cone near top edge. Glue eggs into nest.

5. Carefully remove leaves from hydrangea stems, leaving stems intact. Using floral shears, cut leaf stems to 2″ long and flower stems to 4″-7″ long. Glue and insert flower stems and blueberry pick into the top of the half cone. Glue leaves into arrangement among flowers.

6. Trim honeysuckle twigs to 8″-14″ long. Position twigs in the hydrangeas and insert and glue one end of each twig into the foam cone. Referring to the photo, loop the stems around and then insert and glue other end into the top of the cone.

7. Bend a thin willow stick into a U-shape for a hanger. Insert and glue ends into the top back of cone.

8. Fill in any open areas with reindeer moss.

Here are three more front-door bouquets to make. Each photo links to the tutorial.

How to make a Bird Nest Tussy Mussy for your spring door.

Bird Nest Tussy Mussy by Rebekah Meier.

Make a beautiful Roses & Moss Cone for May Day, Mother's Day or Wedding.

Moss & Roses Cone by Diane Flowers.

The most beautiful, DIY orchid arrangement for a front door, wedding or Mother's Day.

Tropical Orchid Cone by Diane Flowers.

A few weeks ago on a rainy April day, I saw these watering cans at a garden center – so fun! I’m ready for May flowers, though, and spent time weeding and planting in my gardens this past weekend. Every year, I think my gardens are just about full, and then come springtime, I squeeze in a few more plants. Do you do that, too?

A display of colorful watering cans.

Colorful watering cans bring April showers.

Thanks to the readers who participated in our Earth Day challenge.  Congratulations to Lynda Atwood, Carla and Melissa F.! Please contact me, ladies, about your prizes.

Happy crafting!

Sharon

Posted in Bridal Showers, Craft Tutorial, Flower Designs, Gift Ideas, Home Decor, Spring Crafts, Weddings | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

DIY flower crafts for girls, Mother’s Day, weddings, or??

Posted on April 26, 2013 by

It’s flower power Friday, with tutorials for a Carnation Topiary and Carnation Pomander. Any girl would love to dress up her room with flowers, and I think these easy, DIY topiary and pomander would be pretty anywhere in the house. And, don’t forget about special occasions, like a bridal shower or wedding. DIY your own centerpieces and décor and you’ll save big bucks walking down the aisle. Mother’s Day is coming up, too — instead of a bouquet, make mom an everlasting topiary or pomander.

Super-easy Carnation Toiary and Carnation Pomander for home decor, weddings and Mother's Day.

Pink & Green Carnation Cone and Pink & Green Pomander by Diane Flowers.

To make the Pink & Green Carnation Cone, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 15” cone (or other size of your choice)
  • Small carnations: Pink, green and white, 25- 30 of each color, about 2-1/4” in diameter
  • Low-temp glue gun (optional)
  • Tools needed: Stem cutters or wire cutters

To make a Pink & Green Carnation Cone:

1. Trim the stems of the small carnations to approximately 2”. Starting at the bottom, insert a row of green carnations around the cone. Repeat, adding a row of pink and then a row of white.

2. Continue alternating the colors and rows of the carnations until the cone is completely covered.

3. If needed, adjust the carnations to fill in any gaps. Optional: Remove stems, add a dab of glue, and insert back into the holes.

To make a Pink & Green Pomander, you’ll need:

  • STYROFOAM Brand Foam: 6” ball
  • Medium size carnations: Pink and green, 15 each, about 4” in diameter
  • Low-temp glue gun (optional)
  • Tools needed: Stem cutters or wire cutters

To make a Pink & Green Pomander:

1. Trim the stems of the medium pink and green carnations to approximately 2” and insert them into the sphere of STYROFOAM™ brand foam.  Alternate the colors starting with a row around the center of the sphere. Continue till the foam ball is completely covered.

2. Optional: Remove stems, add a dab of glue, and insert back into the holes.

Ideas for decorating a girl's room that you can make yourself.

Adapt these decorating accessories to your daughter’s, or son’s, favorite colors.

This wraps up the series on ideas for decorating a girl’s bedroom. If you missed any of the projects above, here’s where you’ll find them:

Girl’s Bulletin Board

Girl’s Pencil Cube

Girl’s Message Cube

Girl’s Photo Cube Mobile

Do you see the green pedestal under the Carnation Topiary? It’s a DIY project, too, and it’s made with a cube of STYROFOAM Brand Foam covered in very cool, alligator-texture paper. There are so many ways you could use these Green & Black Gator Cubes throughout the house.

Easy home accent to DIY with textured paper and foam cubes. Endless uses!

Textured papers add intrigue to the Green & Black Deco Cubes.

Before I sign off, I want to remind you about our giveaway this week. Don’t miss it!

Giveaway on CraftsnCoffee.com

You can win the kit of your choice, a collection of genuine STYROFOAM Brand Foam, and a craft apron.

And finally, with flowers on the mind, look what’s blooming in my garden. It’s spring, at last! What’s blooming in your gardens?

spring daffodils blooms at last!

Daffodils – at last!

Happy crafting!

Sharon

Posted in Craft Tutorial, Deco Spheres, Flower Designs, Home Decor, Kid's Crafts, Pomanders, Spring Crafts, Topiaries, Weddings | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments