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Chocolate is a very popular gift for Valentine's Day. Many gift
boutiques and flower shops offer beautiful candy bouquets that make
a wonderful surprise for any Valentine. However, these arrangements
can be quite costly. The good news is that these arrangements aren't
that difficult to make. Try making this homemade rendition that is
sure to make your Valentine feel very special.
Supplies:
- One terra cotta pot 5 to 6 inches in diameter
- A piece of Styrofoam or oasis (green florist foam) that
fits snuggly into the pot
- Red and Silver (metallic) acrylic paints
- Foam paint applicator
~ Red and Silver Hershey Kisses
- Iridescent cellophane wrapping paper
- Long bamboo skewers
- Green floral tape
- Silk rose leaves (optional)
- Long-stemmed red silk roses (optional)
- Dried babies breath
- Red bow
- Red or pink tissue paper
Directions for the pot:
Paint the pot red and allow it to dry thoroughly. It may take two
coats of red paint. Using the metallic silver paint, decorate the
pot rim with a scroll design or small flowers. Paint the body of
the pot with hearts. Allow to dry thoroughly. If desired, you can
use a clear, protective coating to protect the decorative finish.
The pot can be used later for holding a candle or individually
wrapped candy. For additional ideas on how to decorate your pot,
take a look at this web page:
http://www.patriciaspots.com/valentineideas.htm.
Cut the Styrofoam or oasis and fit it snuggly in the pot. Crumple
some red tissue and glue it on top to hide the Styrofoam.
Directions for making the rose buds:
1. Cut a four-inch square of cellophane. Holding a piece of
cellophane in your left hand, place the tip of one of the red
wrapped kisses in the center of the square. Add the other red kiss
to the bottom of the first kiss (flat side to flat side) and wrap
the cellophane around both pieces, gathering the corners together
around the tip of the other kiss.
2. Insert the flat end of a skewer into the gathered cellophane
until it meets the tip of the Hershey's Kiss. Wrap the gathered
corners together as tightly as you can without breaking the
cellophane.
3. Tape the "rosebud" onto the skewer with the floral tape.
Continue taping down the length of the skewer, leaving about 1/4
inch up from the point uncovered.
4. Optional: Tape the silk rose leaves onto the stem.
5. Poke the sharp end of the "rosebud" into the Styrofoam filled pot
and arrange your roses to look like a bouquet.
Continue making rose buds in silver and red until you have a dozen.
6. Fill in the gaps with silk red roses (optional) and babies breath.
7. Attach the red bow at the base of the arrangement. Wrap the
entire arrangement in more iridescent cellophane. Don't forget a
card with the following statement: "Roses are red and violets are
blue. These are just a few of the 'Kisses' in store for you! Happy
Valentine Day to my Best Friend."
About The Author: Martha Matthews is the Editor of Christian-Homemaking.com, a web
site with resources dedicated to Christian homemaking. She also has
a popular free monthly newsletter for Christian wives called The
Wives of Excellence Newsletter. To subscribe send a blank email to
wivesofexcellence-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Or visit http://www.christian-homemaking.com
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