Sunday, April 25, 2010

"When Your Day Sucks" Bouquet

I'm leaving tonight to go help my sister move into an apartment because she and her husband of 27 years are splitting up.  She's very depressed at the prospect of leaving her beautiful farm in the Virginia countryside and trying to start her life over in an inpersonal furnished apartment.  I thought I would take her something that would brighten up the apartment, give her strength when she needs it, and hopefully make her laugh.
I saw a version of this bouquet quite a while ago made for a 40th birthday, and it said "40 sucks" and had 40 suckers in it.  It could also be used for a hospital gift when a patient isn't allowed to have real flowers and say something like, "Being sick SUCKS. Hope you LICK it soon!"   Whatever you use it for, the recipient is sure to feel loved.

Supplies:
• plastic flower pot
• glass florist marbles
• 1 large green silk  hydrangea stem
• spanish moss
• wired florist picks
• Dumb Dumb suckers
• 1/2 florists foam ball to fit pot
• florists tape
• ribbon, card stock
• wire cutters
• hot glue gun and high heat glue sticks

Using hot glue, adhere ribbon to outside of pot.

Fill the bottom of the pot about half to 2/3 full to keep arrangement from being top-heavy when filled with flowers.

Using hot glue gun, generously put a bead of glue all around the inside top edge of pot and place foam ball so it fits  just inside.  Use a craft knife to trim the edge of the ball if necessary to make it fit.

Using hot glue and doing a small section at a time, adhere moss to completely cover ball.


Using wire cutters, cut hydrangea into smaller stems or bunches. Attach each bunch to florist's pick by wrapping the wire around the stem, then using the florist's tape to cover the stem and about 1/2 of the pick. Push picks into foam, spacing evenly around arrangment.

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Cut flowers from assorted colors of cardstock.  I used a flower from "Walk in My Garden" and cut at about 4".  Using a craft knife, cut an "x" in the center of each flower.


Attach a pick to each Dumb Dumb as you did with the hydrangea stems by wrapping the wire around the pick and sucker stick.  Insert a sucker pick through the center of each flower and finish by wrapping pick and stick with florist's tape, making sure to press sucker flat against flower and start tape tightly against the bottom and catching flaps that were made by the "x".


Add completed flowers to pot, filling in spaces between hydrangea picks.  Print sign, sandwich pick between front of sign and a back piece, add ribbon, and add to the arrangement.

30 comments:

Ohhh Snap said...

That is a great bouquet. Sorry to hear about your sister's troubles, I'm betting it brightens her day.

Audrey Frelx said...

Hi, Cindy. That bouquet is so adorable. I really hope it cheers your sister up. I can only imagine what she must be going through, but if ever there were a "best" someone in her corner, it's you. I hope she'll get settled into a whole new and exciting life soon. Tell her a friend said this "...if you can't look up, you can't get up". Enjoy your time with your sister, I know you'll do what you can for her. That bouquet is one adorable beginning!!!

Scrapin KN said...

Adorable! I can't want to do this for someone!

Lysa said...

Cindy,
This is so cute, I know it would cheer me up. Best to your sister and I am sure with you in the picture her road will be less difficult to travel. Many good thoughts to her and you too!
Lysa

Unknown said...

Great project!

Cheryl Boglioli said...

Cindy, this is a great idea and a very thoughtful gift. Especially now when there isn't much you can say, but being there and helping her and bringing this little gift handmade by you is sure to be just the ticket. Changes are tough and starting over really does.

flowerdisco said...

this arrangement is sure to put a smile on her face. I had somebody close to me with the same situation...almost 30 years puffed away. sad!

2 Ducky said...

Well that really does suck! Sorry to hear about your sister. But I totally dig the cute saying with the lolly bouquet. Just love them! Everyone has so many fun twists with them, they are quite addicting. :)

Moxy77 said...

Such a cute cheery arrangement. I know it comes with love and that will help your sister as much as anything. Thanks for such a cute versatile idea. Melissa

shari said...

Your bouquet is adorable. It's sure to make your sister laugh. Shari (cricutrookie)

cricaholic said...

CINDY!!!!
This bouquet isn't even for me but IT MADE MY DAY!!! I needed a picker upper and your creativity came in time. THANKS so much for SHARING!!!! Your the GREATEST!!

cricutlover20 said...

Very nice and sweet of you ! Im sure she will love it and she is very lucky to have you. Hope you two enjoy your day together. TFS, Cindy

Scrappy Mel said...

How cute!! Thanks for sharing another great project. :)

http://scrappymel.blogspot.com

Cindy McVey said...

Thank you all for your kind comments. My sister is doing better than I expected. I will be home tonight. Thanks again!

Sandi Clarkson said...

Great bouquet and glad to hear your sister is holding up as well as can be expected!

CiNdYe said...

Cindy, this is so cute & uplifting. My thoughts are with your sister as she makes this transition.

Mums Place said...

hey this is an awesome idea fun vibrant and easy to do

Anonymous said...

Cindy:

I feel for your sister. My own sister is going through the same exact thing after 25 years of marriage. She also lives in Midlothian, VA. The beautiful bouquet is sure to brighten her day! It is lovely!

Linda
RavensFan

Cindy McVey said...

I'm glad to report that my sister DID laugh! She thought it was adorable and a great thought, and she proudly put it right in the center of her coffee table where she can see it every time she comes in the front door of her new apartment. I'm going back next weekend, so I'll see if she ate any of them!

Audrey Frelx said...

That's the kind of news I like to hear!!!

papillon digital design said...

sorry for what your sister is going through. Hope this did bring a smile to her face.
Everyone can use this fr one of those days. Thanks for sharing and showing how. I know zilch at flower arranging but guess I can do this after seeing your instructions

scrappinlil said...

What a cute flower pot and this is sure to cheer her up. I love the saying and the idea...might have to scraplift. TFS

GabyCreates.com said...

I am so sorry for what your sister is enduring!!! hope everything is well..... hope to hear from you soon!!!!

Scrapping Cat said...

This is an amazing project, and I'm sure though your sister is hurting, she will appreciate your effort...love the suckers for the flower centers...great job

My Sheri CRAFTS said...

This is fantastic!! And your onstructions are great!! Thanks for participating in the My Sheri CRAFTS challenge!!

Raquel said...

Great project! Thanks for the inspiration and a well detailed instruction on how to do this. I certainly will be making one of these soon enough for my kids.

Anna Waarvik said...

This is a great idea! My sister is basically going through the same thing and it "sucks". I may have to borrow this idea and try to cheer her up.

Great blog!

Michelle Taylor said...

I love this!!! What a great idea!

Unknown said...

wow great blog!!! love you work!

Ladybug said...

Cindy, that bouquet is simply adorable. What a great "pick-me-up" for your sister. I hope everything works out for her. It will take time but, with you in her corner, I'm sure she'll be just fine.

About Me

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Midlothian, Virginia, United States
Lifetime crafter, beginning with sewing clothes for my troll dolls when I was 5. Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 2000. Wife of almost 30 years to my high school sweetheart and planning on 30 more! Mom to 2 great kids and one awesome new son-in-law. "Mom" to 3 furkids, Pomeranians Roxy and Lulu, and a Calico cat, Sugar aka "Miss Fattypants." Addicted to all things Disney!
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