Craft Project: Spring Tree

 

Spring is finally on it's way! This is the time of year I start craving colour-I add colourful scarves and ballet flats to my winter basics, switch handbags and gravitate towards bright coloured tees and tanks. It's also the time to add pops of colour to your everyday décor. Last night I decided I would whip up a quick spring craft project using some things I already owned and adding a few inexpensive items from the dollar store and craft store. 

Materials:

• opaque vase or flower pot
• florist foam 
• knife and cutting board
• a stick (this one is willow)
• dried moss
• embellishments of your choice-artificial butterflies, birds, nests, eggs etc. 

First, pick a pot. This one I saved from an edible fruit arrangement, I washed it out well and dried it.  You can use any opaque container.

 

Cut the block of florists foam to fit inside the pot. It doesn't have to be perfect, you may have to use multiple small pieces and fit them together. Doesn't matter-the moss will cover it. I used a serrated knife-it cuts though the foam like butter. 

 

Shove the stick into the middle of the foam block and make sure it's sturdy. Cover the foam with dried moss. You could also use decorative stones, artificial grass, shredded paper or anything else you can think of. 

Next, wire on your embellishments. The ones I chose came pre-wired. If they do not come already wired, you will need some thin wire. 

I discovered the butterflies were more delicate than I had anticipated. I broke some wiring them on. So in the end, I only used two. One at the top, and one sitting on top of the moss.

The nest was a bit tricky to balance, so I hung it on a lower branch. You could glue it on if it's wobbly. 

 

I love this little bird. So pretty. When picking out the embellishments, I stayed within one colour theme-orange and pink. There are plenty of options out there, in any colour you can think of. Adjust the items according to your décor or taste. 

 

The finished piece! I love the sculptural element of the branch and the whimsy of the little nest and bird. 

I can think of so many other ways to change this piece according to season or theme. Hang little eggs for Easter, add some artificial flowers in the summer, hang miniature fairy lights at Christmas time. Add orange and red leaves for fall, I can go on and on. 

The only problem-my cat wants to eat this! Yes, I had to battle him three times to save the bird. I finally put this way on the top of  the fridge out of his reach. I am going to my Mom's this weekend, so I'll bring it over there. So, if you have toddler or cats this project might not be for you.