Saturday, March 29, 2014

diy painted billy ball flowers & gift wrap

Billy balls. What a strange name for such cheerful little flowers. I could call them by their real name [I googled it for all you wanna-be-botanists], but craspedia doesn't sound any better to me than billy balls. How 'bout yellow pom pom flowers? Too long. Billy buttons? Too much like belly buttons. Billy bobs. Nope, that's just what the hubster calls them.
The original inspiration for the project came from my current love of polka dots, pom pom flowers and sunny spring colors. I considered making some of these dandelions pom poms to decorate our kitchen table. Then I saw this compilation of gorgeous flower arrangements and somehow my need to decorate morphed into a need to paint yellow billy balls. Makes perfect sense, right? Right??

A few quick blots of yellow paint with a foam spouncer. [Fact of the day: spouncers are circular foam brushes...who knew? Not this girl.] Draw in the stems. Done! These easy painted flowers turn ordinary stationary and plain gift wrap into bright, cheery gifts. I especially love the way the flowers "pop" on the brown paper.
Materials needed:
Yellow acrylic paint
Small spouncer
Brown and green markers or pens
Blank cards, gift bags, kraft paper, or gift tags
Paper towels
Directions
Decide if you'll be creating a cluster of flowers or flowers sprouting from the bottom of the card/bag. Use the spouncer to create the flower dots. Visualize where the stems will be added as you paint.
Use a paper towel to catch extra paint. This allows you to go to the edge of the paper and create more realistic flowers. If you'd prefer flowers with a textured look, use two coats of paint.
Allow the paint to dry and then draw in the stems. Or you can be impatient like me and work around the wet paint... Add little triangles to the bottom of the flowers to connect to the stem or just draw straight lines. If you'd like to create a more dandelion-looking flower, use a green triangle and a brown stem.
If you're painting a burlap bag, put something between the two layers so it doesn't bleed through. I used a piece of cardstock. 

Hmm this photo makes the ones on the left look more like balloons then flowers. I promise they look like flowers in real life.
Don't these flowers just make you happy? The perfect project for a rainy Saturday!

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50 comments:

  1. This is such a cute idea! I'm always trying to see the possibilities for ideas that I like to lend themselves as DIY wedding ideas, and this is one of them! Decorate small personal bags as wedding favors, filled with chocolates or other goodies. For a small wedding, I can see making your own invites. http://www.withthiskissitheewed.com

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    1. you absolutely right, Marilyn - these are perfect for a simple, but beautiful DIY wedding!

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  2. These are so cute, Caitlin! I love billy balls! :)

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  3. Simple and beautiful! I wonder if i could try with corks

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    1. Thank you! What a lovely idea! I'm sure they would work, but might yield a slightly smaller flower. Let me how it turns out if you try it!

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  4. These are so bright and spring like. I love the way you have shown so many different versions and ideas.

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    1. Thanks Julia. I stopped myself from doing more, but I feel the urge to paint a canvas with these happy little flowers :)

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  5. These are so beautiful and so simple to make! Thanks for sharing with us at Your Designs This Time!

    Emily @ elizabethjoandesigns.com

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  6. I love polkadots too! They look like sweet dandelions :) Love all the wraps!

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  7. How have I lived all my life and never heard the term billy balls before?! These are so pretty! What a fun idea. :)

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    1. confession: I had to google yellow circular flowers to find out their name :)

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  8. Those are gorgeous! Really- I would buy those! Visiting from Link Party Palooza!

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  9. So pretty! Pinning these to my Wrap It Up gift wrap board! Can't wait to try them out!

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    1. Thank you Lisa! Such an easy project - enjoy!

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  10. I love these! Looks like such a fun and easy project!

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  11. I love your bags. Sooooooo much cuter than any store bought. I will be making these. Thanks for sharing your idea. Love it!

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    1. I'm so often disappointed by store-bought gift bags too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. Look at you and your world traveling blog post! Good for you! I need to do this with Katie. We are overdue for a good crafty project and I have a feeling she will make me enough stationary to last a lifetime! ;O)

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    1. Baha I know - CRAZY! I'm still in shock. Yes! Put her to work :)

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  13. hello dear, luved ur work using it as inspiration and quoting u and ur website with loads of thanx. keep inspiring!

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  14. These are absolutely beautiful. Simple and smart but beautiful.

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  15. Thanks, tey are adorable , Do you sell them?

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