A Batty Bouquet (Tutorial Included)

If you've been following along with the StampinJewels Blog this month, you have noticed I've been in a Halloween mood. Click on the 'Halloween" Label to easily find the other Halloween projects - (Frankie and His Bride are especially cute!) Better yet - subscribe to this blog and you won't miss any posts! :) Though I like the cutesy Halloween decor (can't stand the ugly, macabre stuff), I don't usually do much for Halloween. I've been having fun with my Halloween mood and my latest fun is this adorable little Batty For You Bouquet! Wouldn't this look cute as a table centerpiece? Or on a teacher's desk? Or on your spouse's, a co-worker's or your own desk? The best thing is how simple it is to make! Just a few punches, some lollipop sticks and some of the awesome SU! punches - Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle. I bought a small, square candle holder for $0.97 from Wal-Mart. I had some styrofoam cones on hand - so rubbed that with a black ink pad to reduce the white glare from the inside. You'll also need a bag of fun size Peppermint Patties.
Here's a brief tutorial...
Grass: Use a strip of Kiwi Kiss CS and run it through the SU! Crimper, then cut it into narrow strips. Fold the crimped strips in half at a slight angle and stick them loosely in with the styrofoam base to create the "grass".
Flowers: Stamp your chosen images from the Batty for You Stamp Set - then punch them out using the 1 1/4" Circle Punch. Use the 1 3/8" Circle Punch to punch out your choice of coordinating background layer. Punch TWO Scallop Circles for each flower. Adhere all layers of the front of the "flower". Use Mini Glue Dots (or Sticky Strip) to adhere the completed "flower" front to a Peppermint Patty. Use another Mini Glue Dot to adhere the non-layered "flower" back to the Peppermint Patty. Insert lollipop stick (these may be found wherever Wilton supplies are sold.) Tie a bit of Black Gingham Ribbon around the stick, under the "flower". Poke stick into styrofoam base to create the bouquet. Repeat this step for as many "flowers" as you want to make.
"Vase": Measure your chosen "vase" and cut a strip of Tangerine Tango CS to wrap around it, securing with Mini Glue Dots (or Sticky Strip). Measure and cut TWO pieces of Black Gingham Ribbon, and ONE piece of Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain. Adhere to cardstock strip with Mini Glue Dots.
"Vase" Label: You may want to use the Stamp-a-ma-ji here if you are not good at eyeballing lining up images. Ink up the "Happy" from the"Happy Halloween" stamp in the All Holidays set and stamp on Whisper White CS. Clean stamp. Ink up the "Halloween" from the same stamp, and position under the "Happy" you just stamped. Then punch out with the Curly Label Punch, using the direct-to-paper technique to add Kiwi Kiss ink to the edges of the punched out cardstock. Punch out TWO more Curly Labels in a contrasting cardstock color - I used Basic Black. Turn one vertically, and adhere to the back of your punched sentiment. Holding the other one horizontally, use your Paper Snips to cut it in half. Layer and adhere one piece to each end of your punched sentiment. This create the 'faux layering' you see on my sample. Here's a close up of the "flower" for you..

Stamps: Batty for You & All Holidays (SU!)
Cardstock: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Summer Sun
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Black StazOn, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Lovely Lilac
Accessories: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle Punches and Curly Label Punches; Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon: Black Gingham Ribbon; Crimper; Mini Glue Dots; Dimensionals; Non-SU! - glass square,votive holder, styrofoam cone, lollipop sitcks, Peppermint Patties.
ENJOY!