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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