Springtime Vintage Easter Bonnet

Hello gals! I have an adorable project to share today. I am very excited to show you. I saw it somewhere online and once again, can't remember who and can't find my notes. So, if you recognize this project, please fill me in and I will gladly give credit. Wanna see?
Isn't that too cute? Here is a close-up of the flower which I will explain below:
You wanna see what can be done with this darling little creation? Take a look:
I filled it with whatever candy I had on hand but it would be precious with some M&Ms in a matching color or even a handful of those pastel mint drops. These could be used as shower favors, table decorations, or even little gifties on Easter and Mother's Day. Have you identified the core container yet? It is just one of those clear plastic cups that hold SU embellishments. If you ever order buttons, brads, etc then you probably have a few laying around. SU also sells empty ones too.

All the materials I used are SU. That bottom scalloped circle is the Clear Circle Sizzix die which I cut with my Big Shot. Next, I wrapped a length of 5/8" Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon around the cup and secured with glue dots. I topped that with Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon. The top of the bonnet is made with a 2 1/2" circle Punch and the 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle punch. The patterned paper is from Springtime Vintage DSP featured in the new Occasions Mini catalog. I cut 2 extra lengths of the ribbon to create the tails which hang off the brim. They are attached separately rather than trying to wrap the whole ribbon to drape that way.

The flower looks like a lot more than it really is or took to make. I started by punching 8-5 petal flowers from Baja Breeze (5) and Not Quite Navy (3) CS (using the 5 Petal Flower punch). Then you crumble them up rather small and dampen them all over with a spray bottle of water. Let it soak in a bit and then uncrumple each flower. At this point, you should be able to pull the layers of CS apart on each petal.

While they are damp, pile them up and very carefully run your piercer through the middle of the stack. This hole is for a brad to secure the flower. I used an Antique Brass one from the Metallic Assortment but it doesn't show so you could use whatever you have. After the flower is all in a brad, you can shape it forwards...like a cup. Attach a glue dt to the back and stick it down to your bonnet, along the brim.

That tiny bud-like center of the flower is made by first punching a 1/2" circle which you set aside. Next, punch a 1 3/8" circle and then directly over the hole made by that, punch a scalloped circle (1 3/4"). This will give you a piece that is not much more than the scallops themselves. If you snip it, between 2 scallops, you can then straighten the piece out to a long strip. Gently roll this strip in your fingers until it is tightly coiled. Put a glue dot in the center of the reserved 1/2" circle and stick your coil to it. This holds the coil from unrolling. Another glue dot to the back and you are ready to drop it down in the flower. I will look into possibly making a tutorial for this flower as soon as possible.

The 2 leaves of the flower were first stamped with the Build A Blossom stamp set in Old Olive ink onto Pear Pizazz CS. Next, I punched them with the Create A Blossom punch. I attached them with glue dots. I embellished the hat with pearls from the Basic Jewel Pearls Assortment and a few 1/16" inch dots.

I hope you enjoy this project. I think it has many possibilities! :)