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Floral Crafts:
Spring Flower Straw Hat to Welcome Friends at Your Door

by Twila Lenoir
Here's a fresh change from the traditional wreath -- a welcoming basket of spring posies made from a straw hat! Have some fun choosing the flowers, or use decorations you have left over from other projects. Either way, the results are sure to be eye-catching hanging on your door or wall!

Straw Hat Floral Craft

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• 16 inch straw hat
• scissors
• silk flowers - 2 bouquets from the dollar store is ample
• acrylic craft paint
• florists foam
• wire or pipe cleaner
• lace
• glue
• cardboard or doily
• spray sealer

INSTRUCTIONS:

Start by cutting through the top of the hat in the middle, going down to beginning of the brim, as shown in the diagram to the left. This forms a basket in the straw hat to hold your flowers.

You will need to cover the back portion of the hat with a round doily or a cardboard circle. This should cover the inside circle of the hat (the part that would normally cover your head if you wore it). A dinner plate might serve as a good template for this; just trace around the plate on cardboard, cut it out, then glue the cardboard or doily in place.

Glue pregathered lace on the rim of the pocket.

Now glue a square piece of the green florists foam in the pocket part of the hat. Arrange your flowers in the foam base so that it is nice and full.

Make a six loop bow with tails and attach at the top of the hat. Glue the tails down along the side, leaving enough space to write your saying. I wrote with paint, "Welcome Friends". Lightly spray a sealer over the painted area.

Lastly, poke a piece of wire or pipe cleaner through the top of the hat for a hanger. Enjoy !