Faux "Dried" Hydrangeas

I just love the look of hydrangeas after they are dried...
...intermingled with the other colors of fall decor.

I'm sad to say I don't have any hydrangeas in my own yard :( 

So, I was hoping to find a good friend to give me some of their dried blooms.
I even thought about driving through the neighborhood and whenever I spotted one,
go up to the door and ask if I could have their dried blooms.

I chickened out.

Well, I wasn't going to beg. I felt pretty sure that I could find some realistic silk ones.

So, I went looking at Michael's and Hobby Lobby thinking they would....WRONG.

 I was so disappointed when I didn't find any...so... I got to thinking....hmmm...

...I wonder if I could make my own?

It started out as an experiment and I am pretty happy with the outcome.

Here's what I did.

Here's the before photo...just your typical, run-of-the-mill cheap Walmart hydrangea bush.

I had this great idea....to burn the tips and shrivel the petals a bit with a lighter...

...you know, the kind you light the grill with.

Be careful not to let too much of it burn...and it will...quickly!

Here's the drill...click, hold, burn, blow....click, hold, burn, blow...

(my hand and fingertip is still recovering from all the clicking and holding)

After you get them all "dried" looking, it's time to add the next step...brown spray paint.

Spray paint lightly using short spurts...

...covering enough to dull the colors and add to the dry appearance.

That's all there is to it! 

Whatcha think?

I think they look pretty good...maybe not quite as lovely as the real thing but, hey....

...when all else fails...a girl's gotta improvise!!

Look how pretty they are with the other fall colors...I love the contrast.

I just LOVE getting ready for fall!

Have a wonderful weekend!

sharing at:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/09/happy-autumn-show-and-tell-friday.html
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/2013/09/from-farm-blog-hop-and-fun-halloween.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/09/inspired-sunday-blog-party-and-my.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/09/inspire-me-monday-week-91.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/09/amaze-me-monday-26.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/09/184th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-69.html
http://www.flusterbuster.com/2013/10/flusters-creative-muster-linky-party-40.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-138.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/10/blast-from-past.html
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/10/centerpiece-wednesday-95.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-your-cup-thursday-75.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/10/caring-for-myself-body-and-soul-3-grace.html