DIY Gift Bouquet

Need a quirky, fun gift that will impress everyone around you?

Try making a gift bouquet!

I just made one featuring two of my favorite things: vodka and nail polish! 

I only wish it was a gift to myself!

I tried to re-purpose as much as possible to keep cost down and to use up stuff around the house. 
Here's a list of what I found around the house:
plastic flower pot, pot and base
bamboo skewers
colored scrapbook paper
some ribbon
spray paint
tape
hot glue

Here's a list of what I purchased:
the gifts (nail polish, mini liquor bottles, and lollipops)
DRY floral foam
more ribbon


Newspaper laid out to spray paint my old flower pot.

I started with a plastic flower pot and kabob skewers.  I spray painted them gold with some paint I had from a former crafting project.


I also had some navy ribbon left over, so I know I wanted to incorporate navy with the gold.  In my mind, I thought lime and/or yellow would create a nice color palette. 


Next I went shopping.  I got 5 bottles each of nail polish, mini vodka bottles.  Then I headed over to the craft store.  My local craft store has decorative ribbon sold by the yard.  I got 4 yards of ribbon.  A thick lime colored ribbon that has flowers sewn on to go around the pot and then thinner yellow and blue ribbon to tie on bottles.

Bottles with skewers taped to the back.

Once I got back home, I wanted to drink the vodka and paint my nails!  Instead, I went to work.  I snapped off the the skewers to different lengths, keeping them at least 8 inches, and taped the sticks to the back of the bottles.  I tied and hot glued ribbon to the bottles.  I hot glued ribbon around the top of my flower pot and around the base as well.  Then I cut the floral foam (you could use styorfoam as well, but the floral foam is so much cheaper) to fit my pot and stuck the skewers into the foam.  I put the taller ones towards the back and put them in at different angles.  They staying the foam well, although the weight of some of the bottles made them turn sideways.

Once I had all the skewers arranged, I put dots of hot glue where the skewer met the foam, just for added stability.  I would recommend using a few stones on the bottom of the pot if you plan to add a lot of items.  The end project is quite top heavy.  Lastly I used some colored shredded paper to cover the foam.


Gift Bouquet Ideas!

Expectant mother: sample lotions, shampoos, washcloths, shoes, onesies, gift cards etc. (Use the theme of the new baby's room and Modgepodge a vase or container with cute scrapbook paper)

The man in your life: mini liquor bottles, cigars, packages of peanuts, packs of gum, lottery tickets, gift cards, etc. (Baseball game, game tickets, snacks, small car decal of his favorite team)

Crafter:  ink pads, stickers, ribbon (spools would look like lollipops! Cute), fancy pens, stamps, gift cards, etc (Decide on a theme, color or shape and find crafting accesories to match)

Child: little toys, basically almost any thing you'd put into a Christmas stocking! 

Your BFF: nail polish (of course) travel size products. mini liquor bottles, craft supplies, snacks, lip stick/gloss, eye shadow, gift cards,  etc.

As I mentioned above, just about anything you'd use as stocking stuffer will work.  There are so many variations on this idea, I used a flower pot because I just happened to have one around the house, but I think a vase, basket, or metal container would work great.  You can use glass beads or stones to cover the foam, or even Easter grass.  Just keep in mind the items will be supported by a skinny stick and tape!  Larger, tall items in back, shorter ones in the front.

I'd love to see what you come up with, leave a comment of your ideas, or better a picture of the gift bouquet  you made!!



And check out pintrest for some awesome ideas! http://pinterest.com/search/?q=gift+bouquet

What I've been up to...

I was house sitting for two weeks, so I was really able to work on much while I was away. Now that I'm back home (yay!) I've been working on a glittery Mother's Day project. I'm making my mom two fabric covered scrap book albums. I think it has been more work than what I bargained for, but she is gonna love them. I'll post pictures on FB after next week Sunday.
In addition to that, I've been making a lot of homeade bread, and will most likely make another batch today, with whatever flower I have on hand. A mix of white, whole wheat, and spelt flours. Yum, yum. I have also been working in the garden plot. This week I planted some parsnips and beans, and repotted some tomato plants I started a few weeks ago. I need to get out to the garden and weed it, plus plant some some lettuce! I can't wait for summer and to be eating my very own fresh, organic veggies!!
As for as etsy, I've renewed a few items in my shop, and I'm looking and joining etsy teams. Hopefully this will help promote and get my items out there! Also a huge benefit of join teams are the meet ups. I'm really looking forward to meeting some super awesome folks that are doing what I'm doing!
I think that's all for now, I have some sewing to do!!