Craft Idea: Make a Teacup Topiary Table Centerpiece

I came across this lovely craft "How to Make a Teacup Topiary" on Sav-on-Crafts. This is beautiful, simple and do-able! This will work for a bridal shower, tea party, wedding or even birthday party!

Teacup TopiaryDesigned by Annabelle KellerMaterials

What you will need:

• STYROFOAM* Brand Products: Balls, 2” and 2-1/2”

Other Materials:

• Teacup, with or without saucer
• Silk flowers: assorted roses, gyp, and others to match teapot (model used approximately 2-1/2 dozen 1” roses)
• Silk flower stem, 7” length (model used lilac stem)
• Ribbon: 1/2” x 1 yd each of wine, pink and white
• Floral wire, 3”, cloth-covered
• Spanish moss, handful
• Green moss
• Scissors
• Wire cutters
• Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks

(Note: As you shop flea markets and tag sales for vintage teacups, feel free to creatively mix and match flowers and ribbons to coordinate with your finds.)

Instructions
1. Insert and glue one end of silk flower stem 2” deep in 2” ball; repeat for other end, inserting it 2” deep into 2-1/2” ball.2. Glue Spanish moss on 2” foam ball, lightly covering entire ball.
3. Cut flowers from stems. Arrange and glue flowers over moss, covering ball.4. Make a six-loop bow from each length of ribbon; secure with wire. Wire each bow to the topiary stem, under center front of ball; glue in place.
5. Place 2-1/2” ball in cup; if needed flatten sides to fit. Glue in place.6. Cover foam base with green moss.

Source: Sav-on-Crafts

Alternatives to the Floral Wedding Bouquet

If you want to be unique, you or your bridesmaids can choose to carry something other than live or silk flowers down the aisle, here are some fun alternatives:

If you want to carry a smaller bouquet (or have your bridal attendants carry something small), consider using Tussy Mussies. They have been around since the 18th century. They are simply cones that hold flowers. Designed to be held, or pinned on to clothing. Tussy Mussies can be made of almost any material, but they are most commonly found
in silver or silver-colored metal. Check out Online Bridal for a nice Victorian Rose Tussy Mussy, Designed to hold the brides wedding bouquet, the elegant rose embossed adornment comes with an engravable tag to personalize every aspect of your special day. As flowers fade away, these silver accents will be with you forever. This one is very affordable (under $35), and makes a great keepsake after the wedding.

• Fans. Try feather fans (available at Oriental Trading ) for a bit of fun, wooden fans for an understated look, or lacey fans for an old-fashioned flavor. For a peek at a variety of fans, check out the Paper Fans at beaucoup which were " As Seen" in InStyle; Weddings magazine and on Good Morning America. In theory, a hand fan is a great giveaway at a summer wedding, or an outdoor party. As lovely as they are practical, fans will sure to be popular among guests. A great way to help your guests stay cool during the ceremony or outdoor reception. Set a fan on each chair for your guests to enjoy - your thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated. If you like, add some flowers to your fan to add some color and decor. You can follow the theme with Fan Favors!
  
• "Winter Muffs are quite romantic if you are having a winter wedding.


• White Lace Parasols. Paper parasols give a vintage look, and lace parasols offer a Victorian air. Parasols also work as a "twofer" A parasol can beautifully shade
  the bride from the sun or add a decorative touch to bridal showers. Parasols can be turned upside-down for a fun way to collect cards.


• Candles or lanterns are beautiful. Lanterns shouldn't be too heavy, and candles should be blown out at the alter, (or be smart and use the battery operated candles). No worries about fire. These lanterns to the right are designed to stir up memories of lazy summer
  evenings spent in the glow of candlelight. Quaint and casual aluminum lantern measures 5" tall and is available in your choice of glossy white or brushed silver. The lid is removable so lighting and replacing the tea light is easy. Again, you can buy battery operated tea lights through Oriental Trading .
  

If you want to carry a single candle down the aisle you can add radiance to your event with this Choice Crystal lotus flower candleholder with candle. The unique lotus flower closes and sinks underwater, but at dawn it rises and opens again – making it a symbol of the sun and rebirth, representing long life and these wedding favors from the exclusive Choice Crystal truly capture the lotus’ beauty. Each features a 2 ¾” diameter faceted crystal lotus flower candleholder base with a 4” white tapered candle included.



A simple Bible. can be carried by the Bride. Or, the bible can be held with one long stemmed flowrer such as a rose or calla lily.

Conch shells. These are terrific for a beach wedding. (Can be found at Oriental Trading (Item IN-96/1332)

• Star shaped wands. For a fairy tale wedding. (Can be found at Oriental Trading (Item IN-25/211)
• Crystal or porcelain bouquets such as the Italian Crystal & Porcelain Rose Bouquet to the right are both different, pretty and again, an heirloom.
• Shop Silkflowers believe it or not can be inexpensive. For example a peony bouquet for under $20.00 at Online Bridal .The wonderful thing about silk flowers is they will stay fresh looking throughout the wedding day regardless of the temperature . . . hot or cold. Afterwards, these can become part of your home décor.
  
  Use your imagination. The sky is the limit! Always remember that you want to personalize your look and your wedding.

Last Minute Bouquets and Centerpieces for your Winter Wedding

If you are looking for some last minute eye-catching bouquets, arrangements, flowers or centerpieces - you can't beat 1-800-flowers. I use them all the time. Preston Bailey has a line with them as does Todd Oldham, and other great designers. Plus everything comes packaged so nice. This gorgeous boquet would look great with a white or ivory wedding dress and the price is nice too!

Jane’s sensational eye for color and panache help deck their halls with unique style! Her luxurious Holiday Bouquet™ features over 70 spectacular flowers, including exquisite fresh rose varieties, gorgeous spray roses, vibrant red gomphrenas, splashes of red hypericum, luscious red or burgundy mini gerberas, an arresting burgundy and green hydrangea, rich green galax leaves and Jane's signature lamb's ear foliage. Send this unforgettable gift and show your own sophistication and flair this holiday season!

Top off their holiday celebration with our very merry, tree-shaped floral
arrangement of fresh cut holiday greens, carnations and cushion poms.
Trimmed with festive berry garland and red bows, it arrives in a stunning,
bright red reusable metal pail to light up their holiday décor. Our florists
select the freshest flowers available so colors and varieties may vary. Large arrangement measures approximately 24"H x 16"D. Small measures approximately 20"H x 12"D. What's The Story?Holiday trees have been part of tradition since pre-Christian times in Europe, while the modern practice is believed to have originated in 16th century Germany.

Add the perfect finishing touch to their holiday celebration with these
decadent--and opulent--cakes from Sam Godfrey and his famous Napa Valley bakery Perfect Endings. Each mouthwatering and magnificently crafted delight is a moist chocolate layer cake filled with luscious chocolate truffle cream and wrapped in rich fondant.

Don't Forget the Poinsettia as a Table Centerpiece

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Put a pretty plant in a special container

Don't forget the lovely Poinsettia. Poinsettias make a lovely centerpiece. You can buy them as is, or you can dress them up yourself. Dress up the holidays with eye-catching new looks with an old favorite!

• There are more choices than ever before -- breeders and indoor gardeners have more color
  options thatn ever before. Variegated reds, white and pinks.
• Beyond RED - Shop for out of the ordinary varieties. Three examples are "Snowcap White" - bright white bracts (you can spray them with clear or even colored glitter to add some glitz (see blue flower to right); "Plum Pudding" - purple bracts and "Holly Point" - red bracts
  splashed with white.
• Weeks of Color - To keep poinsettias looking great for weeks, place them near bright light
  and away from hot or cold drafts. Water when soil is dry to the touch,
  and allow excess water to drain.

Five minutes is all it will take to put together a nice centerpiece. Start with a low-growing poinsettia plant, place it a decorative container, add candles on each side and you're done.

Don't forget.... Poinsettias are seasonal, therefore, less expensive than choosing out of season plants!

Last Minute Halloween Table Centerpieces & Decoration Ideas

Martha Stewart has some great Halloween Items on sale right now. This Pumpkin centerpiece would be great for your event or your coffee table! Treat your favorite goblins to a sweet bouquet. Or dress up your home in the most festive flowers of the season. Martha Stewart Flowers has two of their best Halloween flower varieties on sale! The Halloween Gourd Bouquet and the Spider Wreath are 25% off until October 30, 2007.

Pumpkin Centerpiece
This unique arrangement will coax smiles from your friends and family. Set in a specially carved gourd, gerbera daisies in five different varieties bloom in a brilliant autumnal display of mixed oranges, yellows, and burgundy. Harvested fresh from Santa Barbara, California, these flowers are sure to charm, and will add vibrant warmth to any celebration. Gourd measures 7" H. Under $40.00!

And if you need a decoration for your table or door --- this spider wreath is great. You could set it on a table and place a clear bowl with either candies or perhaps water and floating candles, better yet place a spooky candle in the middle!

Spider Wreath
The perfect Halloween wreath, both spooky and sweet, is adorned with creepy-crawly spiders. A suitably eerie treasure to welcome trick or treaters, and to decorate your home for Halloween gatherings. Made from Winterbud Twigs and Grey Beard Moss, both from Southwest Oregon. Hang indoors or in a covered outdoor area. Handled with care, it can be enjoyed for many years. This wreath measures 18”. Under $45.00

Create your own Edible Flowers

Create Delicious Candied flowers

Recipe By Edain McCoy's "Ostara"

Petals from any edible flower (These flowrs may be safely eaten and are suggested for this recipe: Pansy, violet, rose, nasturtium, gladiola, carnation, dianthus, calendula, squash blossom, lilac, marigold, dandelion, peach blossom, plum blossom, orange blossom, hibiscus, geranium, bachelor button, snapdragon, jasmine, gardenia, and angelica.)

• Several well-beaten egg whites
• Vanilla extract
• Bowl of granulated sugar
• Directions
• Mix a few drops of vanilla into the egg whites.
• Dip a paintbrush in the egg whites and coat the petals.
• Dip petals into sugar until coated, then spread on wax paper to dry.
• Use to decorate cakes, cookies or anything else you like.

**You cannot use flowers bought at a florist for this recipe!! Many commercially-bought flowers contain pesticides and it is not worth it to ingest poison. Please obtain all flowers from organic retailers or from home-grown sources.**

.... or you be like me and buy them : )