Thirty Sucks & Sixty Blows!

Recently, we had a joint birthday party for an uncle turning 30 and a great aunt turning 60.  I saw a candy bouquet on pinterest which served as inspiration for these.  We used them as centerpieces during the party and then let the guests of honor take them home.  Here's how I did it, in case you want to try this for yourself!

DIY Candy Bouquet

For supplies, you'll need:
*suckers, I used tootsie pops for thirty sucks and blow pops for sixty blows.
*cupcake wrappers
*floral picks
*small cardboard box
*floral foam
*small wooden skewer
*decorative party horn
*scrapbook paper
*double sided tape
*scotch tape
*scissors, pencil, ruler, large knife

Step 1:

Place your box in the middle of a piece of scrapbook paper.  I used a 3" box and 12" paper.  With a ruler and pencil, trace all sides of the box.  I wanted a folded edge, so I "eye-balled" about 1" inch out before cutting the squares.  Using double side tape, I folded the edges in before folding the paper up and over the box.

Step 2:

Once you have covered your box with decorative scrapbook paper, trim floral foam to fit neatly inside.  Trim the foam using the large knife.

Step 3: 

Begin placing the suckers into the floral foam.  Start in the middle, leaving the center one the highest.  Then, tightly place them down toward the edges.  Next to the center sucker, add a decorative party horn.  I did not want the metallic foil flopping down too much, so I used double side tape to hold them more upright.  The double side tape also allowed me to adhere a snip of ribbon to tie in a bow, adding a little extra decoration.

Step 4:

Add filler.  I used a combo of small and large filler.  For the large filler, I made paper flowers out of cupcake wrappers.  Layer and flatten two cupcake wrappers.  Remove the wire from the floral pick and set aside.  Take the floral pick and poke it straight down the middle of the two cupcake wrappers, leaving 1/2" at the top.  Shape the edges of the wrapper straight up.  Use the reserved wire to secure the paper to the pick.  Poke the flowers into any large holes left between the suckers.  To make a smaller filler, I used tissue paper cut into small 2" squares.  Shape the tissue squares into points, laying the side onto a floral pick.  Use the wire on the floral pick to wrap around the tissue.  Tuck into smaller empty areas around the cupcakes.  Keep filling until you can no longer see any floral foam.

Step 5:

For the topper, print thirty sucks or sixty blows onto paper and trim.  Using double side tape, layer the printable sign onto decorative paper, then trim with fancy scissors before layering onto solid card stock.  Using regular tape, adhere a skewer to the back of the sign.  Then, drop it down into the decorative party horn.

Easy, right!?

I'd love to see someone try this technique for Halloween or Fall Centerpieces, teacher appreciation gifts, or anything else you can come up with!  I think it would be great to make several of these and line them up straight down a table or buffet at a party.  Let each guest take one home as a party favor.  If you give it a try, be sure to share your project, I'd love to hear all about it!