The Faux Flower Series: Yarn Pom-Pom Flowers

Spring is finally here! There are so many faux flower tutorials out there so it took weeks of experimenting with origami, crochet, crepe paper and other materials in order to design something simple and that hasn't been done before. I also filmed a very colorful spring-themed video tutorial. Watch the video or continue reading to learn how to make them!

SUPPLIES
You'll need:	Brands I used:
Floral Wire Stem	Ashland 18 Gauge from Michaels
Hot Glue Gun and Sticks	ArtMinds from Michaels
Yarn (Medium Weight) in two colors
Scissors

one. Begin wrapping the yellow yarn around two fingers 60 times and then snip off from the ball of yarn. Concentrate the yarn at the center of your fingers and keep it below 2" wide

two. Wrap the white yarn around and over the yellow yarn 120 times and then snip off from the ball of yarn. Keep the width below 3" wide

three. Cut a small length of white yarn and thread it through the center of the wrapped yarn. Double knot very tightly to secure it

 

four. Cut all the loops

 

five. Gather the yellow yarn and trim to about 1/2" tall.

six. Trim the white yarn to about 1" tall. If the petals are too full, feel free to pull out some strands

seven. Attach the wire stem to the back of the flower using a dab of hot glue

  

This will be the final tutorial from the faux flower series. Next time, I'll be introducing a new series and tutorial. Thank you for reading!

The Faux Flower Series: Billy Button (Craspedia) Flowers

Billy buttons (or Craspedia) are one of my favorite flowers. Their unique shape and bright yellow color make any bouquet or centerpiece a little more modern and energetic. I've made a vase of these as a centerpiece for my coffee table, but they would be a wonderful addition to a sweet bride's wedding. Read more to learn how to create them below!

SUPPLIES
You'll need:	Brands I used:
Yarn (Fine Weight)	Lion Brand Bonbons Yarn from Michaels
Crochet Hook	Boye 3.5MM hook from Jo-Ann
Floral Wire Stem	Ashland 18 Gauge from Michaels
Hot Glue Gun with Hot Glue Sticks	ArtMinds from Michaels
Tapestry Needle
Bobby Pin
Cottonballs

You’ll need to know how to read crochet patterns to follow instructions
one. make a magic ring, chain 1 round 1: 6 sc into the ring (6 st) round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12 st) round 3: (sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st) around (18 st) round 4-6: sc in each st around (18 st) round 7: (sc in the next st, invdec) around (12 st)	KEY sc = single crochet st = stitch invdec = invisible decrease

two. stuff with cottonballs

three. pierce the cottonball with floral stem wire and affix using a dot of hot glue

four. round 8: invdec (6 st)

five. fasten off. stitch hole closed and weave in the end

Check back next time for another tutorial. Thank you for reading!

The Faux Flower Series: The Cotton Plant Centerpiece

The warm sparkle of winter somehow makes its way indoors during the holidays, doesn't it? This season, I love to mix rustic, natural elements with rich golds. I designed this vase for my dear friend, Jen, for her bridal shower. Jen has very sweet and rustic taste, and her shower was square in the middle of winter.  I thought that this vase was so season-appropriate and complemented Jen's taste and unique sparkle in her personality.

SUPPLIES AND WHERE TO FIND IT:

3.4" x 10.5" Cylindrical Vase - Found at Michaels Craft Store

Gold Glitter Duct Tape - Found at Michaels Craft Store

Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

Black or Brown Marker

Dark Brown Cardstock

Cotton Balls

Branches

Scissors

- make the cotton bur & cotton -

one. Cut out squares of varying sizes from brown cardstock. you'll want to use a thicker paper like card stock so that the paper will hold its shape when you curl it.

two. Fold a square in half

three. fold in half a second time. Then fold in half a third time.

before moving onto the next step, make sure the folded side is on the right

four. cut the triangle into a diamond shape, as shown below

five. unfold the diamond to form an 8 point star

six. use a black or brown marker to draw lines extending out from the center of the star. this will give the cotton bur some texture and realism

seven. turn over the star so that the side with the marker lines are facing down and begin curling the ends towards the center of the star

eight. stretch and loosen some cotton balls just enough so that they become flat

nine. apply some hot glue (or any quick drying glue) to the inside of the cotton bur. fill with cotton. 

ten. add a dot of hot glue to the bottom of the cotton bur and randomly attach to the branches. I picked these fallen branches from my backyard.

The cotton plant is finished! Make as many as you'd like.

- decorate the vase - 

one. with your gold glitter duct tape, measure the diameter of the vase and cut

two. peel off the duct tape backing and stick onto vase, lining the top rim.

We'll be continuing on with the faux flower series this season, so check back next time for another tutorial. I can barely wait to show you the next flower DIY but I will keep it a surprise. Until then :)