French Floral Purses

You won't even have to leave home to find yourself in French flower markets. Inspired by the days of style and romance, these "purses" have vintage-appeal. These floral arrangements make great decorations.

Materials:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam:
  • Sheet, 36" x 12" x 2" OR Blocks, one each: 18" x 12" x 2"; 12" x 10" x 2"
• Garden-themed scrapbook paper
• Florals with leaves: pink mini ranunculus, 28; yellow mini roses, 28; purple hydrangea, three clusters; small pink filler flowers, seven; dark green reindeer moss, one bag
• Brown paper-covered wire
• Wire cutters
• Paraffin or candle stub
• Serrated knife
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks
• White, thick craft glue
   

Steps:

1. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Measure and mark three 7" x 8" rectangles on foam sheet or blocks; cut out.
    
2. For each purse, cut three 18" wire lengths; twist together to form rounded handle. Apply hot glue to handle ends and insert into top 7" edge of each foam piece.
    
3. Choose paper pattern to coordinate with flowers for each purse. Measure and cut following for each purse: two 6" x 7" pieces (front/back); one 1 3/4" x 6 3/4" strip (bottom). Center and glue paper pieces to corresponding foam areas.
    
4. Use glue gun to glue small clumps of moss to exposed foam at sides, top and bottom of purse, as well as around paper edges. Use scissors to trim excess moss as desired.
    
5. Remove eight flower heads from stems and glue to top of each purse handle. Trim stems of remaining flowers and glue into top of purse. Glue small clumps of moss to any exposed stems or glue.
    

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For more project ideas, please see styrofoamstyle.com.