Paper Flower Topiary from Bits of Me

Supplies needed:
— Papers and embellishments
— 3- or 5-inch Styrofoam ball
— Small Styrofoam block
— Shredded paper
— Bucket or pot
— Wood dowel
— Hot glue gun

Directions:
Step 1 — First select the papers and designs you would like to work with. Cut your papers into 4-by-4, 5-by-5 and 6-by-6 squares. (Circles are fine, too) Then draw a spiral design starting around the outside working into the center. Cut along the line drawn until you reach the center. You should have a long cut circle spiral. Erase any remaining pencil marks.

Step 2 — Next, begin to roll the spiral starting at the outside of the spiral circle working your way to the center. Once you reach the center, allow the spiral to open a bit and relax. Apply a bit of hot glue to the center and bottom of the spiral circle. This will hold the flower together while you work with it.

Step 3 — Next, give the flower a bit of personality. It’s best to allow the flower to unroll a bit. Each one will look different depending on how you made the spiral and allowed it to open. Crimp some of the edges in and out. You can also ink the edges with your chalk inks or distress inks for a great look.

Step 4 —  Once you have all your flowers made, it’s time to create the topiary. Select a size of Styrofoam ball to work with. For this project a 5-inch ball was used. A 3-inch ball would work as well. Choose a small container to use for the base. Metal buckets and colored vases work well. Add a Styrofoam block to the container. Next either paint or ink the wood dowel to coordinate with your project. Insert the dowel into the Styrofoam base and then into the Styrofoam ball.

Step 5 — Select different colors and patterns of flowers, and hot glue the base of the flower onto the ball. Work your way around the ball filling in any gaps.

Step 6 — For the final touches, add desired embellishments- long decorative pins, hot glue a butterfly, ladybugs etc. 

Step 7 — Add your paper filler to the container, and you have a sweet spring topiary.