Crafter Julia Sandvoss wanted a decoration that encompassed everything she loves about spring and would last longer than flowers. She came up with this beautiful spring paper flower topiary.
This gorgeous piece would be the perfect centerpiece for a spring table, party or wedding. “It’s really easy; I made all the flowers sitting in front of the TV,” she says. “I look at it that I’m a normal mom and I just happen to be a crafter. If it’s too hard, too far gone, I won’t do it.” And she suggests that you don’t have to use a bucket for the base. You could use a basket, a vase, metal tins and more.
Step 1: First select the papers and designs you would like to work with.
Cut your papers into 4-by-4, 5-by-5 and 6-by-6 squares. (Circles are fine, too)
Then draw a spiral design starting around the outside working into the center. Cut along the line drawn until you reach the center. You should have a long cut circle spiral.
Step 2: Next, begin to roll the spiral starting at the outside of the spiral circle working your way to the center. Once you reach the center, allow the spiral to open a bit and relax. Apply a bit of hot glue to the center and bottom of the spiral circle. This will hold the flower together while you work with it.
Step 3: Next, give the flower a bit of personality. It’s best to allow the flower to unroll a bit. Each one will look different depending on how you made the spiral and allowed it to open. Crimp some of the edges in and out. You can also ink the edges with your chalk inks or distress inks for a great look.
Step 4: For the pom pom style flower, cut a strip of paper approximately 1 ½ inches by 12 inches in length. Scissor cut along the long side with small cuts making it look like grass. Continue this down the entire length. Then start on one end and roll it up into a tight roll. Unroll just a bit at the end and apply your adhesive to hold.
Step 5: Next tap open the flower with your fingers, opening the cuts gently. Depending on the color and pattern of papers you chose, you’ll get a different look each time.
Step 6: Select a size of Styrofoam ball to work with. For this project, a 5-inch ball was used. A 3-inch ball would work as well. The larger the Styrofoam, the more flowers you will need. A good estimate is 20-40 flowers.
Step 7: Once you have all your flowers made, it’s time to create the topiary. First, choose a small container to use for the base. Metal buckets and colored vases work well. Add a Styrofoam block to the container. Next either paint or ink the wood dowel to coordinate with your project. Insert the dowel into the Styrofoam base and then into the Styrofoam ball.
Step 8: Then select different colors and patterns of flowers and hot glue the base of the flower onto the ball. Work your way around the ball filling in with the pom pom style flower to complete any gaps.
Step 9: Hot glue butterflies, ladybugs and any other embellishments to the flowers.
Step 10: Add your paper filler to the container, and you have a sweet spring topiary.