Materials:
2 sheets newspaper
gray excelsior
Delta Decorative Stiffener
rubber bands
36" x 1/2" dowel
Color Accents Color Mist in Fruitwood
1/2 gallon plastic bag
plaster of paris
container for tree
foam block to fit inside container
100 green, red, and brown eucalyptus tips, 6" to 8" long
glue
Color Accents Highlighter in Pale Gold or Florentine Gold
circle of fabric large enough to cover container, thin wire, raffia or ribbon (optional)
Steps:
- To make an 8" excelsior ball, roll two sheets of newspaper into a tight ball. Place 4 oz. excelsior in the plastic bag and saturate it with stiffener.
- Squeeze the excelsior to remove excess stiffener. Cover the ball with the saturated excelsior, and hold it in place with rubber bands. Let the ball dry completely.*
- When the ball is dry, poke a hole in it with the sharp end of a pair of scissors.
- Spray the dowel with Color Mist, and let it dry.
- Glue the foam block in the container.
- Stick the dowel into the center of the foam block, and glue it in place.
- Place the plaster of paris in a plastic bag, and mix it with water according to the package directions. Cut a corner from the bag, and squeeze the plaster of paris into the container, filling it completely.
- Cover the top of the plaster of Paris with excelsior, and let it dry.
- Put glue in the hole in the excelsior ball, and secure the ball to the end of the dowel.
- Dip the ends of the eucalyptus tips in glue, and stick them into the ball to cover it.
- Lightly spray the topiary tree with Highlighter.
- Place the pot on the circle of fabric. Gather the fabric and secure it around the lip of the pot with tie wire.
- Cover the wire with raffia or ribbon tied in a bow.
* Drying time may range from several hours to several days, depending on room temperature and humidity. To speed drying, place the ball outdoors in the sun.
Resources Delta Color Accents Color Mist - (Discontinued)
Delta Creative
Website:
www.deltacreative.com
Delta Color Accents Highlighter - (Discontinued)
Delta Creative
Website:
www.deltacreative.com
Delta Decorative Stiffener
Delta Creative
Website:
www.deltacreative.com
Guests Joyce Bennett
Craft Consultant, Naturally Floral, Inc.
Fax: 909-371-1273
E-mail:
joybeu@mediaone.com
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