Potpourri Bowl Craft
Turn a simple crocheted doily into a pretty little bowl with this Potpourri Bowl Craft. This sweet dollar store craft makes a lovely handmade gift for Mom or Grandma and is a wonderful way for kids to create something special with simple supplies. Once finished, fill the bowl with potpourri and a favorite scent for a gift that looks beautiful and smells lovely too.
Supplies
- Crocheted doily from the dollar store
- Disposable gloves
- 2 bowls
- 1 cup liquid starch
- Food coloring
- Wax paper
- Mod Podge, optional
- Foam brush
- Potpourri
- Favorite scented oil or fragrance, optional
- Table knife
Instructions
- Put on disposable gloves to help keep your hands clean while working with the starch and food coloring.
- Pour about 1 cup of liquid starch into a bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring and stir until the color is mixed in.
- Place the doily into the starch mixture and make sure it is fully soaked. Gently wring out the extra liquid.
- Cover your work surface with wax paper. Turn the second bowl upside down and place it on top of the wax paper.
- Lay the damp doily over the upside down bowl. Smooth and shape it gently so it forms a nice bowl shape.
- Let the doily dry completely. You can leave it overnight, use a hair dryer, or carefully speed up drying if needed.
- Slide a table knife carefully between the bowl and the hardened doily to loosen it. Lift the doily bowl off gently.
- If you want extra strength and shine, brush on a coat of Mod Podge and let it dry completely.
- Fill the finished bowl with potpourri. Add a few drops of a favorite scent if desired.
Fun Facts
Potpourri is made from dried flowers, herbs, spices, and oils that are blended together for their fragrance.
The word potpourri comes from a French phrase that means “rotten pot,” but today it simply refers to a sweet-smelling decorative mix.
Potpourri has been used for many years to help rooms smell fresh and inviting.
Tips
If the doily feels too soft after drying, add a coat of Mod Podge to help it hold its shape better.
Try pastel food coloring for a soft spring look or brighter colors for a bold gift bowl.
This project works well as a Mother’s Day craft, grandma gift, or classroom activity.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
This craft does not require a printable template.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This is a nice craft for talking about gifts from the heart and how handmade items can be meaningful. It also works well for a simple lesson on color mixing, scent, and the way materials can change shape when wet and then dry hard. Kids can write a short gift tag or poem to go with their finished bowl for a fun writing activity.
Supplies
Instructions
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
