7- 7"x2" strips fabric in various patterns and colors
Mod Podge decoupage mediumor white glue thinned with water
Waxed paper
7white pipe cleaners
1" Styrofoam ball
2" square scrap of pink felt
12" wooden dowel
Orange button
Paintbrush
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Instructions
Place a piece of waxed paper on the work surface. Place each strip of fabric on the waxed paper and paint with Mod Podge, saturating each piece so that it sticks to the waxed paper. Allow the fabric to dry completely.
When dry, peel the strips of fabric from the waxed paper. This method not only stiffens the fabric, it also stops the fabric edges from fraying when you cut it with scissors.
Bend a pipe cleaner in half, but do not crease the center, keep it naturally curved. Cross the open ends and twist together to create a flower petal shape about 2-inches long.
Fold one of the strips of fabric in half and crease it. Open it up and place the pipe cleaner petal inside with the open ends hanging out of the open end of the fabric. Hot glue the pipe cleaner petal on both sides and close the fabric, sandwiching the pipe cleaner inside. Press to seal and repeat with all seven petals.
Trim around the fabric in the shape of the petal. Cut off one of the pipe cleaner open ends and trim the other to about half an inch.
Gently squeeze the Styrofoam ball between your thumb and index finger, applying enough pressure to flatten both sides. Insert each petal into the sides of the Styrofoam ball, working your way around evenly. Trim the pink felt into a circle and hot glue it to the center of the flower; the flat side of the Styrofoam ball. Hot glue the button to the felt.
Turn flower over and insert the wooden dowel into the other flat side of the Styrofoam ball. Remove the dowel, add some hot glue to the hole, and put the dowel back in and let dry.
You can keep the petals straight or bend them up, whatever you like best. Spin the flower between your fingers by twisting the dowel for a pretty display kids and adults will enjoy! This makes a pretty plant poke or a great addition to a summertime centerpiece.