What Should I do For My 10 Year Old Girl's Party? Monogram Flowers

I just stumbled on this excellent craft for my 10 year old. Her birthday is coming soon, and it is such a hard age. She is still a little girl - but she also wants to be grown up. Gone is the 'pin the tail on the donkey' game and the party hats. Now we have matching napkins and my good 'footed coffee mugs' - complete with powdered, non-caffeinated mocha drink.

Here is a craft I found that is reprint with permission. This craft is for my daughter, but it is also an excellent craft idea for weddings, parties, or even for your own home - floral monograms. These can be hung on the front door, in a baby's nursery, or in the arrangement for a bridal head table, or as a shower gift decoration. This project can be customized to fit any decor or color scheme.

Next time, don't send a card. Send flowers for a nice change.

The best flowers are silk hydrangea petals. They are great for summer, and if you want to make a fall or winter project, just add darker colors and ribbons.

Cathy made the first one as a gift for her mother-in-law's birthday, and hung it on the front door.

Supplies

6-inch wood letter of choice
White craft paint
Paintbrush
Floral print scrapbook paper
Glue stick
Hot glue
Tacky glue
1 large silk hydrangea 1/4-inch decorative ribbon
(enough to go around the letter, plus 10 inches)
Small rhinestones
Ultra fine glitter

Steps

1. Paint the entire plaque with white craft paint and allow to dry.

2. Lightly trace the letter onto the scrapbook paper. Cut out, and use the glue stick to attach the paper to the front of the letter. Use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. There are some great scrapbook supply stores out there.

4. Attach the remaining ribbon around the outer edge of the letter, using the hot glue gun.

5. Pull the petals off the silk flower. Use hot glue to attach the petals to the front of the letter. (You can glue them in a random pattern or a design of your choice) Use a drop of glue and add a few sprinkles of ultra fine glitter to the center of the petals or add rhinestones for decorative effect.

This was just too good to pass up. My ten year old is having a party in three weeks. I am going to let the children do this craft.

Written by Cathie Filian and Steve Piaceza from the DIY Network