DIY Network

Tissue Flower Topiary Learn how to make a Tissue Flower Topiary. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-149

Guest Kathy Cane Murillo joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates how to take brightly colored crepe paper and fashion it into a lush topiary guaranteed to brighten up any fiesta.

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	Guest Kathy Cano Murillo creates a colorful topiary for your next festive party.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Tissue Flower Topiary

Materials:

1 foam topiary (5' ball on top)
200 floral picks
6 rolls or party streamers, each in a different color
1 roll of dark green party streamer
1 roll of light green party streamer
scissors
7" terra cotta pot
acrylic paints
white craft glue

1. Apply a thin layer of glue around the stem of the topiary and cover it by wrapping it with a strip of the dark green party streamer. Let dry.

2. Paint terra cotta pot and let it dry.

3. Cut 20 strands of party streamers from each color. Each strand should measure approximately 12" long (figure A).

4. One by one, create the flowers by taking one strip and pinching and rolling it around the flat end of the floral pick (figure B) — pointy end should be exposed so it can be inserted into the topiary. When you reach the end of the strip, wrap the wire from the floral pick around the bottom of the flower to secure it. Then, fluff the flowers out with your fingers. You need to make about 75 flowers.

5. Beginning at the top of the topiary, insert the flowers one by one into the foam. Keep a random pattern so the colors are evenly distributed.

6. Create the grass for the topiary by wrapping two shades of green together and folding the strands. Cut notches into the folded paper (figure C). You need to make about 40 of these for the grass at the base of the topiary.

7. Use the same procedure as you did with the flowers — pinch and roll it around and it will end up looking like this (figure D). Insert into the base of the topiary.

8. Paint the stem of the foam topiary or glue it and wrap streamers around it. Place the 40 stems of green grass around the base of the topiary. Keep them about 1/4" apart from each other and fluff them out as you go.

9. For the flowers, start inserting them at the top with your best flowers. It is a good idea to keep a nice random pattern of the colors. If the picks are too long, just cut the picks with scissors.

10. You can use a plain flower pot, or color it with acrylic paints. When finished, set the topiary inside the pot (figure E).

RESOURCES :

Diane Ribbon and Notions
Website: www.dianeribbon.com

La Casa Loca — Latino Style Comes Home
By Kathy Cano Murillo
ISBN: 1-56496-943-6
Rockport Publishing

GUESTS :

Kathy Cano Murillo
Website: www.craftychica.com