Make a Tussie-Mussie for Your Honey Bunny

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Jennifer D. Rizzo

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Photo Credit: Jennifer D. Rizzo

Handmade tussie-mussies are fun to make, as well as thoughtful gifts to give to the ones you love!

Do you remember the phrase, “Say it with flowers?” Well, the Victorians really meant it! Tussie-mussies – small floral arrangements from the era of Queen Victoria – were known as the original “talking bouquets.” Commonly given in a pretty metal or embellished paper cone at the beginning of a romance or courtship to convey a special meaning, they were also presented as gifts on other special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and May Day.

You can easily and inexpensively make your own tussie-mussie this Valentine’s Day (or any day, for that matter) with some very simple supplies. This is an easy and fun project for kids to do as well! You’ll get two tussie-mussies out of just one piece of scrapbook paper.

Materials

Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
A piece of pretty double-sided 12x12 scrapbook paper
White craft glue
Clear tape
A hole punch
Ribbon (at least yard per cone)
Embellishments (stickers, fringe, trim, etc.)
Flowers
2-3 small or large floral tubes, depending on how many flowers you’re using

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Photo Credit: Jennifer D. Rizzo

Roll the first side corner into the paper and place a piece of tape to help keep it in place.

Directions

Use a ruler or straight edge to mark the paper from corner to corner to form two triangles. Cut your scrapbook paper along the pencil line.

Next is the most challenging part: rolling the cone. (If children are making the project, an adult may need to help with this part.) Orient your triangle so the widest point is at the top. Take one of the smaller, thinner corners on the side and roll it into the top of the corner triangle, keeping the roll tight at the bottom along the straight part of the paper to form the cone shape. Place a small piece of clear tape on the inside of the cone to help keep its shape. Take the remaining side and wrap it around the front of the cone until the point meets the top corner in the back. Place a piece of tape at the seam on the back of the cone.

Facts

Tussie-mussies were often given anonymously in Victorian times. (Don’t be afraid to follow tradition and secretly brighten someone’s day!)
Victorians used the “language of flowers,” where each bloom represented a feeling or thought. For example, to give a bouquet of red tulips, ferns and snowdrops meant renewed love, sincerity and hope.

Tips

If you have scrapbooking tools at home, don’t be afraid to bring out the fancy scissors and give your cone edges some creative flair.

Faqs

Q: Can I use regular paper if I don’t have scrapbook paper?
A: Yes! In fact, plain paper can let a child’s imagination go wild with coloring possibilities! Let them draw after cutting the paper into a triangle, but before rolling the paper into a cone. If you use a regular size piece of paper (8 ½ x11), the cone will be smaller.
Q: Are there any other uses for this project besides flower giving?
A: Yes! Tussie-mussies can also be used to decorate the backs of chairs for a party. Just tie and hang by the ribbon. Or hang 3 or 4 of them on a wall together to decorate inexpensively for spring, or hang one in front of a mirror as you would hang a wreath. You can also group the cones together for a centerpiece – or even use them at a bridal or baby shower for the favors.

Tools

Use a hot glue gun to speed up the process. (If you’re making tussie-mussies with the kids, make sure to provide adult supervision!)

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