Danielle sent April 16 at 7:17 PM

Handmade DIY Christmas Poinsettias

I saw these huge poinsettias at a hardware store and I just thought they were the coolest things, but I did not want to spend $35 on one.  With this fun holiday craft project, you can have a fun new decoration while saving some money.  

Giant Fabric Poinsettia Supplies:Red Felt (around 15 sheets)
Green Felt (around 2-3 sheets)
Heavy gauge Wire
Glue gun
Glue sticks
Card stock
3ft Wooden dowel (1/2” Thick)
Metallic pipe cleaners
Scissors
Wire cutter
Duct tape
Green Ribbon (optional)
Instructions1.	Create templates & cut out pedals (bracts):
Cut out 3 staggering sized tear drop shapes from your cardstock to use as templates for the flower pedals(bracts).  (9”L x 4”W , 6”L x 3”W & 4 ¼ ”L x 3”W).  Using your felt and templates, cut out 10 of the smallest and medium size pedals, and 14 of the largest size pedals.
•	For an extra touch you can cut out some green leaves using your medium pedal template.  

2.	Cut your wire:
Cut your wire into 3 varying lengths, to be sandwiched between 2 pedals.  
You will need 7 of the 11” wire, 5 of the 7 ½” wire & 5 of the 6” wire.

3. Glue, Glue, Glue: Glue the wire in between 2 pedals to give them strength, and dimension once everything is together. • Bend the excess wire at a 90° angle to the pedals, so that taping is easier later.

4. Add small pedals first: Tape the smallest pedals to your wooden dowel, overlapping them as you wrap around.

5. Pipe cleaner time: Wrap your pipe cleaner around the smallest pedals on your dowel. Make sure to stay in the center of the flower and leave some excess pipe cleaner loops so that you can twist the loops together to form the stamen.

6. Add remaining pedals: Tape your medium pedals around your dowel over the small pedals. Overlap them as you go around the dowel. Next layer on your largest pedals.

7. Stem: Cut your felt into strips to wrap around your dowel, or use ribbon. Cover any tape or wire, and glue your felt/ribbon all the way down. • If you wanted to add some leaves to the stem, tape them onto your dowel before you wrap it in felt or ribbon.