What You Make of It: A Spring Forest with Dyed Bottle Brush Trees

 Create a springtime forest for your Easter or spring decor!

First, you'll need those dark green bottle brush trees you can find at craft or hobby stores. Get the ones with natural bristles, not plastic ones.

Second, in a glass bowl, mix three parts water and one part bleach.

Third, put your bottle brush trees into the mixture and watch them fade! When the trees are free of the dark green, rinse off the bleach and set them aside. They don't have to dry as they will be going back into the water soon!

Fourth, get some ordinary food colors (I get mine from the dollar store). Fill various bowls with water and add white vinegar to the water (1 T. of vinegar to 1 cup of water). Mix. Then add drops of food coloring as directed on the package. Put your trees in the bowls and let them soak until the tree is the desired color you want. Soak longer for a darker color.

Fifth, remove trees from dye. Give them a quick rinse to remove vinegar smell. Some of the dye will come off, but that's OK. Allow trees to dry.

To display you may want to set your trees in vintage plastic nut cups as seen in the photo.

 

Elizabeth Holcombe Fedorko, aka Bethsbagz, began her checkered crafting career when at four she realized using paste on paper was better than eating it. Inspired by vintage dime store treasures, vintage fabric, and a no-fear attitude toward color, Beth crafts totes, pin cushions, wreaths, and corsages into her Dime Store Chic creations. Beth would love you to take a peek into her whimsical world at her blog.

I love this idea Elizabeth! I can imagine a whole mantle filled with these adorable trees.