Heart Topiary

Here's a good project to consider for your older student, around grades 5-12. The good thing about this craft is that it doesn't have to be just for Valentine's Day. It would also be good for Mother's Day, birthdays, or any special occasion in which the child would like to tell that special someone "I love you." This would be perfect, too, for anyone who visits people in a nursing home or shut-ins. I have a feeling that this would really cheer them up.

Materials:

• Scrap material or felt
• Popsicle stick
• Floral foam
• 2" clay pot
• Lace
• Cotton balls (for the stuffing)
• Basket grass
• Tacky glue

Procedure:

1. 1.Cut a small piece of floral foam to fit inside of the pot. Glue it inside.
2. 2.Glue the grass on top of the foam.
3. 3.Cut two hearts out of the material, making sure that when they are placed together, that the two good sides are facing outwards.
4. 4.Spread out a cotton ball or two and place on top of the wrong side of one of the hearts.
5. 5.Apply glue to one end of the Popsicle stick and lay on top of this. At least half of the stick should protrude below the heart.
6. 6.Place a bead of glue around the edge of the heart. Taking the other heart, place it on top of the stuffing, stick, and first heart to form a sandwich (heart, stick, stuffing, heart). Ensure that the two good sides of the heart are facing outward.
7. 7.Before the glue dries completely, peel back the edges of the heart a little at a time and insert the lace for a pretty trim.
8. 8.When the heart is dry, place some glue on the exposed end of the Popsicle stick and insert into the foam.
9. 9.Add a ribbon or raffia bow to stick just under the heart, if desired.

Copyright © 2001 RBG Crafts

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