DIY Project: Cactus Place Cards & Favors
Lynzie of Love by Lynzie joins us again for a monthly DIY feature, sharing how you can create modern cacti planted in tin cans that can be used as place cards & favors. All photos are by Richelle Hunter.
-mini cactuses (we found ours at Home Depot and Ikea)
-potting soil
-clean tin cans
-neon-colored string
-double-sided tape or hot glue
-toothpicks
-neon paper
Apply a small portion of double side tape or hot glue to a clean tin can. Starting at the top of the can, affix the end of the neon string to the tape or glue and begin wrapping the string evenly around the can. We created a random pattern alternating between orange and pink string. Finish each piece of string by pressing it firmly to the double-sided tape or affixing another small dab of glue. Be sure to keep all glue/tape in one line along the back of the can for a cleaner look.
Fill the bottom of the can with potting soil. Transfer your cactus from the original packaging to the can. Remember, cacti don’t need much water so a drop or two will do. Add a bit more potting soil around the edges of the cactus until the can is full.
To make the name flag, we used a font called “Channel” that we found for free online. We printed names onto the neon colored paper and then cut around the names in a pendant flag shape. Using a small piece of double-sided tape, roll the name flag onto a toothpick.
Insert the toothpick into the soil et Voila! And inexpensive, colorful and double-duty place card and favor.
While taking inspiration from this I have made one DIY. I’ve always had an obsession with garlands of tissue paper tassels for quite a while now. I got a chance to create one now when I am creating the decor for my blue, gold & white baby shower (surprise if you didn’t know yet, I’m expecting!). While there are so many tutorials out there, the method I used was one of the ways that create a fuller tassel with just one sheet of tissue paper. How easy? So easy. Time-consuming? You could say that. But I think the final effect is so worth it and I think I will hang onto them for future parties or as decor for my office. I tried my best to capture a few snaps along with the steps so that you can create one just as easily.
Step 1: Open up a single sheet of tissue paper and fold it in half.
Step 2: Fold the tissue paper again in half.
Step 3: Fold the tissue paper yet again, ensuring that you’re keeping the last fold crease at the top. So you’re basically going to end up with one large fold crease at the top.
Step 4: Lay the tissue paper down on a table with the single crease at the top. Using a pair of scissors, cut approximately 1/2 inch from the left side up till you’re about 1 inch from the top.
Continue cutting…
Step 5: Your tissue paper should now look like this! Don’t worry, you might lose some tassels in the process because the tissue paper layers might not align perfectly OR you can’t cut straight (happened to me ALL the time). However, because it’s a fuller tassel, you won’t notice the missing pieces.
Step 6. Open up the entire sheet of tissue paper. You’ll notice in the center you’ll have a band of uncut tissue paper surrounded by loads of cut tassel ends on either side. Try your best to lay them all flat so they don’t tangle each other. I noticed that the tissue paper wasn’t entirely flat because of how it was folded in the packaging. If you want to make it completely flat, I suggest that at Step 1, you lay a thick towel on top of the tissue paper, and at the LOW setting of iron, iron the item out. (You don’t want it to catch fire!). I don’t think this step is necessary because you don’t see the creases as much when the tassels are put together, as you’ll see in the final product below.
Step 7: Start rolling from point A to point B, trying to keep everything nice and tight. You might have to stop and feather out the tassels as they’ll start getting tied up with each other. Continue rolling.
Step 8: Once you’ve rolled the entire piece, the final product should look like this.
Step 9: Wrapping the center of the tissue paper around your index finger, create a loop. Close the loop using a dab of hot glue using your hot glue gun. Press and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then feed a ribbon through the loop!
To create a garland, measure out your desired ribbon length. I liked to cut the ribbon extra long so I could cut the ends when I reached the length I desired. To get even spacing between the tassels, I tied a knot around each loop of each tassel so they stayed in place. I alternated between my gold, baby blue, and white tassels.
And finally, to hang them on the wall, I used some gold washi tape which was found on some other decor items and cut a triangle out of some strong glittered paperstock and attached that piece with some painters tape. It ended up staying on my wall for about 4 days before one side fell off. Alternatively, you can nail it into the wall if you want it to be a permanent fixture.
It’s THAT easy! Hope the steps work for you 🙂
All photos: weddingobsession.com
