MAKE: FLORAL AMPERSAND

This fun project was inspired by the fresh floral ampersand on Paper & Stitch. Instead of going the fresh flower route (which is so lovely!) I decided to make a faux floral ampersand that would last longer. The pretty '&' is perfect to use on a bar cart or anywhere else you may want a pop of floral in your home, as a party prop or as a centerpiece!

I browsed the aisles of Hobby Lobby to choose my pretty faux blooms and floral foam. And, since we're talking supplies, here's a list of what you'll need.
MATERIALS:

• Faux flowers of your choice. I chose ranunculus, peonies and little spray roses.
• Floral foam sheet
• A knife to cut the foam
• Wire cutters

HOW TO:

1. Use the wire cutters to cut your blooms from there stems leaving just enough stem to poke into the floral foam, but not too long where they will stick out of the back of the foam.
2. Freehand an ampersand onto your floral foam sheet using your knife as your pen. Don't carve deep yet. And, if you need to draw it out on paper first to practice and become comfortable with the your shape.
3. Once you're happy with the shape you've created the next step is to carve the foam. Using the same knife you used to draw the shape, begin cutting away pieces of foam from the sheet using the guidelines you created in the previous step. If you accidentally cute off a part of the ampersand that was supposed to remain intact, you can reattach the pieces with floral pins.
4. Once your ampersand has been completely cut out begin arranging your faux blooms by poking the stems into your floral foam ampersand.

Enjoy your finished project and display it proudly!