In this video tutorial, we will be making a Mardi Gras door swag, which could also be used as a long and low centerpiece.
Happy Mardi Gras y’all! Joette here, with some ‘Tips From A Florist’ for you! The supplies used in this tutorial are most likely one of a kind, so keep in mind that if you’re going to be making this, you will need to substitute them with similar items.
The supplies in this tutorial are leftover Christmas decorations, flowers that were passed down to me by my sweet Aunt, thrift store items, mostly scrap ribbons (some of the ribbon/mesh I’ve had for years), and 2 branches I cut off a discarded Christmas tree.
The only new items in this piece are the Mardi Gras novelty items I picked up at Dollar Tree. I love to up-cycle & reuse items whenever possible! This large piece was made with zero hot glue, but you can add hot glue if desired. The mechanics you will learn in this tutorial can be applied to any occasion or event. Adjust your color selections and customize your very own door swag or centerpiece!
2 large Christmas green branches or stems
6 Long stem tulips
3 Allium balls
Glitzy Christmas decor grass stems
Two stems of pompous grass
2 stems of multicolored Christmas glitter decorations
Two Dollar Tree bushes of green carnations
44”’ of 10” wide deco mesh
Scrap ribbons – In this swag:
1 – 20” strip of green 2.5” wide
Two – 28” strips of green 2.5” wide
2 – 16” strips of purple 2.5” wide
Two – 28” strips of gold 1.5” wide
42” strip of 2.5” deco mesh ribbon
Dollar Tree Mardi Gras mask
Boa
Dollar Tree tinsel garland
One Dollar Tree set of beads
First, add a zip tie to the Bowdabra. Next, add your base of upcycled Christmas tree branches. Next, begin adding odds and ends, fillers, and florals. Now, use the zip tie to bind them all together. Shape your swag and set it aside.
Add two zip ties to the Bowdabra crisscrossing. Use one to tie the bow and the other use to add the bow to the swag.
Lay in the mesh and make two loops. Next, add the boa and tinsel garland, for tails and loops.
Now, add pieces of scrap ribbons funky bow style into the Bowdabra, by folding and having a loop on one side and tails on the other side. Scrunch everything down.
Finally, use the last piece of deco mesh ribbon to make loops for a loopy bow. Add the mardi gras beads and a flower. Tie everything nice and tight with the zip tie. Use the extra zip tie to tie the bow to the florals. Add a Mardi Gras mask, and fluff and shape your Mardi Gras swag.
