Monday, December 6, 2010

Handmade Holidays. . .Easy Cedar Branch Topiaries

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I made these simple, cedar topiaries yesterday.  They were so easy and inexpensive to put together.
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Supplies:
- cedar branches (I bought mine @ a local garden center for $4.00)
- containers (without drainage holes in the bottom)
- floral foam (buy the kind that is meant to be wet)
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1.  I read somewhere that the floral foam should be soaked overnight.  I'm not sure if that is necessary, but that's what I did.  I'm guessing that a few hours of soaking would be sufficient.
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2. Use a cutting board and knife to cut the floral foam to shape.  It does not need to be perfect!
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3.  Place floral foam into containers.
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4.  Trim branches.  The branches I bought had one main branch with a whole bunch of little off-shoots.  I trimmed off the little branches on either side on the lower portion of each branch and then used the upper portion as a larger branch for the center of my containers.
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You will also want to take off the lower needles on the branch so that it's easy to stick in the floral foam.
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5.  Start with a sticking a large brach or two in the center and work your way out with the smaller branches.
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The finished topiaries:
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I used votive holders to make these little ones.  I think it would be fun to use these at a holiday party at each place setting.  And, they would make great party favors too!
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{See the red reflection in the votive holder?  That's me taking the picture in my red flannel pajamas...whoops}
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I had greens left over so I found another container and made one more.
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Check the water level in the foam every couple days or so.  The topiaries should have no problem lasting through the holidays and probably even into January.
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Linking to:
Finding Fabulous
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19 comments:

  1. I bet these smell FANTASTIC in your home!

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  2. i'm in love with the totally simple, beautiful project! thanks for sharing!

    jill @ valley-mama.blogpost.com

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  3. Great idea. I have so much cedar in my yard and in the forest behind my house! I usually snip cedar to lay on the fireplace mantel but this is a great idea!

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  4. Those are so lovely, and I would've never guessed they'd last that long!

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  5. These are adorable! I gave you an award today, stop by when you have a chance to accept:
    http://fearfullyandwonderfullymade81.blogspot.com/2010/12/yay-me.html

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  6. Those turned out great, Beege! I love them. I might have to make one for 733!

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  7. Cute! I love how simple they are!

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  8. Those are so cute! My landscape designer sis-in-law just gave me a ton of greenery and now I know what I'm going to do with it! Thanks for the idea, Alissa. :)

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  9. Very pretty, although I was horrified that you had to buy the greenery, makes me appreciate how lucky we are to be surrounded by nature.

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  10. They look great, I love the green in the white pots. Another trick you might try is smashing the ends of the branches before sticking them into the foam. It helps them absorb more water.

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  11. Ok so I now know what my afternoon plans are...canvassing my street for greens. These are super cute, thanks for the idea!

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  12. Beautiful ideas. Love the use of the greenery. It really "pops" everything.

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  13. Very pretty! So simple, yet gorgeous. I think I'll give some of these a try for my table.

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  14. Just Beautiful Alissa!! The scent must be like Christmas in your home!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  15. Great idea!
    I may have to do this in my own home:-)

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  16. Such a cute idea! I featured this on my blog, and the post will be up in the morning, if you would like to swing by and check it out!!

    Anestazia<3
    http://yourworkistodiscoveryourworld.blogspot.com/

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  17. LOVE these!! I am going to make some!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Lou Cinda

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  18. I love the use of fresh greenery! You have great photos.....I want to share this on my blog with a link back to you for more information. Thank you for sharing.

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