Bloomin' Lollipop Centerpiece

This is a surprise post.  Surprise!  You saw a preview of our Saturday parties with the bug eggs.  The scavenger hunt with Fun-Size Chick was a hit by the way - big smile! - you never know for sure what kids will like.  (It's a surprise because it was totally unforeseen and unplanned.)

Artsy Chick informed me, last minute like, that she wanted to make a flower pot with suckers sticking out of it -- a lollipop flower pot.   I looked at the dollar store for styrofoam, there wasn't anything rounded, or anything that looked like it could be carved into the right shape.  There was also the question of the pot.  I don't have any much of a green thumb, so it's not like I have any cute flower pots around.  I did buy two packs of Dum Dum suckers and one pack of over-sized round lollipops, five to a package.  Total cost, $3.

On to Walmart.  I stood looking at their styrofoam display.  There was a half sphere for $6, I thought that's exactly what I wanted, but still didn't know what in the world my container would be.  As I stood there and puzzed and puzzed, till my puzzler was sore (sorry, I couldn't help borrowing from Dr. Suess).  I remembered I had an oblong basket (pictured above.  Approx. 14"l x 5"h x 5"d), that I knew would be perfect for a flower garden.  Then the plan came together.  I purchased a three-pack of styrofoam blocks for $1.97, thank you very much.

(Basket Tree in the background)

The blocks were stacked in the basket to rise a couple of inches over the top edge.  They were also attached to one another using toothpicks for more stability.  Then the squared edges were carved down at an angle to give them a softer edge.  Next, the girls (all the chicks were involved) and I cut up some bright printer paper that we had stashed - snowflake-style - to make flowers.  (We started with approximately 3" squares, folded into quarters and free-formed them.  The corner was nipped to make a hole for the sucker sticks, which were then just slid on, no gluing.)  Disclaimer:  I'm sure someone, somewhere has done this - I may have even seen it and don't remember.  If I borrow your idea directly, I will give you credit - there's no reason not to share the love!

 

A couple of the chicks got creative and tried making butterflies and fairies...  After that, it was just a matter of poking the sticks into the sytrofoam.  For the "finishing touch," the larger suckers were tucked in here and there.  I am so happy with how it turned out, I just had to share!  This would probably be a good project to have assistance with - since it was all of us we had a fun time giggling at our mishaps--the flowers that were more snowflake looking, and less flower looking for instance, otherwise it could take awhile.  Final result - a darling Bloomin' Lollipop Centerpiece for $5!  Linking to:

I Made the World Cuter at Making The World Cuter

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou

Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Get Your Craft on at Today's Creative Blog

Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow

Talented Tuesday at My Frugal Family
Bragfest at Bobbypinsboardwalk
 Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple