Crafting is what keeps me sane. And that’s especially important right now in our new world of social distancing. While I have personally been trying to work with the craft supplies I have on hand for quite some time, knowing I can’t just run out and pick something up makes it even harder. Maybe by the time the world opens back up, I’ll actually be ready to buy new supplies! But, in the meantime, I’m going to share my secret to making dollar store flowers look better. The perfect project for our spring flower challenge.
Dollar Tree Flowers
Like I said, I try to work with the supplies I have on hand. But I do have a weakness for picking up seasonal things at my local Dollar Tree. Since I have to run in there for other reasons, I can’t help but check out the seasonal items.
And for some reason, I often end up with more fake flowers than I need. I do like to use inexpensive fake flowers for making wreaths. My reasoning is if the wreath only lasts a season, I haven’t spent too much on it and I don’t mind.
From a distance in a wreath, dollar fake flowers look fine. But sometimes up close, it is not only obvious that they are fake, but obviously cheap.
The plastic stems and leaves are the biggest blaring problem.
My secret… paint!
Upgrading Faux Flowers
The right colors can make a huge difference in fake flowers.
Using a little acrylic paint, I made the stem a darker brown. The bright lime green leaves were toned down with a sage green.
The one on the left has been painted while the branch on the right is original. Here’s a close up:
A variety of different fake flower stems accented by some more expensive colorful Easter egg branches make a fun spring arrangement.
The branches come together nicely in a plastic “milk bottle” style vase. Another Dollar Tree find. I painted it at the same time as my farmhouse pitcher makeover.
Spring Flowers Blog Hop
Meet this month’s co-hosts:
Across the Blvd Purple Hues And Me Stone Cottage Adventures
Slices of Life Domestic Deadline Chas’ Crazy Creations
Sum of Their Stories Cookies, Coffee, & Crafts Coastal Bohemian
Be sure to check out what everyone has made for the spring flower blog hop!
Want to remember this for later? Pin this Faux Flower Upgrade to your favorite Pinterest board.
This is a great idea, Emily! I’ve never thought of painting the leaves on dollar store flowers, but it does make a big difference in how they look!
What a great post – I love the way the flowers turned out – looks so high end now 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Great minds think alike, Emily! I’ve painted dollar store faux flowers, too! Sometimes their things just need a little help! And I love how yours turned out, too!
What a quick and simple fix for inexpensive flowers! I too have been trying to make more and more craft projects without buying anything. Pinned.
That is brilliant, they look totally different! So clever and simple too. Love it!
You are brilliant. I have never thought to paint them and they look so different now. What a cheap and easy upgrade for Dollar Tree Florals.
Genius! A little paint makes a big difference! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
I can’t believe the change with just a little bit of paint. Such a great idea to get what you need with the things that you have in your home. God, I love paint!!!!
I never would have thought of painting the leaves on the flowers! What a great idea! It looks so pretty!