Hand-Dyed Petal Pot Centerpieces

Niki Meiners discovered these charming paper petal pots from C& T Publishing in their Blank Board collection of products.  Made of sturdy white paper, these pots are ready to be embellished with paints, stamping, or drawings.  Niki thought she would try dye-painting them with Rit, and it worked!  She made as a solution of dye and hot water; then sponged on the dye.  The beauty of using dye is that you can create your own custom colors.  Petal Pots make perfect centerpieces for weddings, bridal showers and holiday parties and can be filled with dried flowers, potted plants, popcorn, nuts, pretzels or candy. What an easy-to-make fun table decoration! 

Niki is a freelance artist and writer who is known for her high quality creations that feature a diverse mix of styles and a highly creative approach to even the smallest detail.  Visit her blog at 365 Days of Craft. 

SUPPLIES:

Rit Dye:  Pearl Grey Powder, Golden Yellow Liquid

• 3 Blank Board Paper Décor Petal Pots, small, medium & large, by C&T Publishing 
• Customizable Party Printables Kit by Carla Schauer Designs 
• Vivia Décor Pearl Pen 
• Bamboo Skewers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Dyeing Supplies:  Rubber Gloves, Measuring Spoons, Measuring Cup, Disposable Bowls, Spoon for stirring dye (or Jars with lids), Sponges, Plastic Table Cover, Paper Towels, Plastic Wrap

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cover your work surface with a plastic table cover. Shake dye bottle before measuring dye.

2. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1 Tablespoon Golden Yellow liquid dye with 1 cup very hot water; stir well.  Pour into a disposable bowl. Using a sponge, apply dye solution to the smallest paper pot. Cover all the outer panels and bottom; do not apply dye to the inside of the pot. Place standing pot upside down on paper towels and allow to dry completely.  Repeat this step if a darker shade is desired.  Paper pots are collapsible so leave them in the standing position to dry.

Note:  If dye solution cools down, cover the dye with plastic wrap and reheat it in the microwave for one minute.  Paper will absorb the dye more quickly and efficiently when it’s hot.

3. Using a sponge, apply the Golden Yellow dye solution to the largest paper pot on every other of the outside panels and the bottom; do not apply dye to the inside of the pot. Place standing pot on paper towels and allow to dry completely.  Repeat this step if a darker shade is desired.

4. Prepare Pearl Grey powder dye by measuring ½ teaspoon dye into a disposable bowl. Add ½ cup of very hot water; stir until all powder is dissolved.  (Niki used a glass jar with a lid and shook it to mix the dye.)

5. Using a sponge, apply the Pearl Grey dye solution to the medium paper petal pot on the outside panels and the bottom; do not apply dye to the inside of the pot. Place standing pot on paper towels and allow to dry completely.  Repeat this step if a darker shade is desired.

6. Then apply the Pearl Grey dye to the blank panels on the large pot.  Repeat this step if a darker shade is desired.  Place standing pot on paper towels and allow to dry completely.

7.  After the pots are completely dry, use the Vivia Décor Paper Pen to apply the pearl dots around the edges of each paper panel.

8. Print out the customized  party printable accents for the pots.  Cut out the shapes and glue to the bamboo skewers.  Insert the skewers into the pots and enjoy!

Best of all, these charming petal pots are collapsible for easy storage and can be reused again!