Tutorial for Halloween Nut Cup

This is a tutorial for the Halloween Nut Cup I posted awhile back for the Paper Issues Blog Hop.  I had several emails asking and this tutorial will also be posted by Lowri at Tip Junkie later this week.  Okay, here goes:

Start with three nutcups.  I like three, because it makes the bottom quite a bit sturdier than only one.  Just a drop of hot glue between cups to stick them together and then a drop to hold the styrofoam ball. 

To make the handle, twist together two chenille stems. 

And then hot glue the chenille stem handle to both sides of the nutcups. 

For this nutcup, I kept the bottom decoration pretty simple.  Start by pleating the crepe paper and when a few pleats are done start gluing it to the nutcups.  (I use a liquid glue.)  Black velvet ric rac ribbon is glued around it. 

Be sure to back your image for sturdiness and also a little of it may show in the back so select something pleasing.  I almost always use old manilla folder.  

A serrated knife is perfect to create a slit in the styrofoam for your image to slip into. 

Remember that you will be covering the styrofoam with flowers, so place your image high enough to be seen.  The fun part is the decoration.  Crinkle ribbon tied on along with other ribbon, button, and tag are held in place with embroidery floss.  I always add the flowers last.  Some of the flowers are stuck in the styrofoam, while others are put into place with hot glue.  Be sure to cover the white rim of the nutcup base with flowers.  

Creating a nutcup decoration is actually pretty easy.  These are great for gifts or to decorate your own house.  Have fun!