They are one of the first signs that spring is just about to win its perennial battle with Old Man Winter. As their green shoots begin to break through the cold ground at the first stray warm days of late winter, tulips are usually among the first spring flowers to make their appearance. When they do, you know the air will soon be filled with warmer temperatures and singing birds welcoming a new season of rebirth and renewal.

Those first flowers of spring are our inspiration for this edition's project—a bouquet of spring flowers crafted from cardboard or Styrofoam egg cartons. One note: when implementing this project remember that paint will not adhere to Styrofoam, so for any flowers you choose to make using Styrofoam, you will be dependent upon the (typically) pastel yellows, pinks, and blues from which the egg cartons are made. On the other hand, using cardboard egg cartons adds the option of using paint to create a rainbow of spring color options. Instructions will be for making a single flower, but can be repeated as many times as desired to create a bouquet of flowers for holiday decorating or for spring gift-giving to grandparents, parents, friends, and teachers.

What you will need:

• Various egg cartons—either cardboard or Styrofoam (in various colors)
• Safety scissors
• Chenille stems or pipe cleaners—yellow and green—available at craft supply stores.
• Green construction paper
• Tempera or acrylic paints
• Paintbrush
• Newspaper
• Toothpick
• Craft glue
• Paperclips or clothespins

Before starting the project, cover a flat work surface with plenty of newspaper to help catch any stray paint or glue and make cleanup easier.

For each flower you will need a single "cup" from the egg carton. Using safety scissors, carefully cut between the individual cups to divide and separate them from each other. If using Styrofoam cartons, choose the colors you want to use for your blossoms and feel free to mix them for an interesting arrangement. To make a tulip, first use a toothpick to make a hole in the very center of the bottom of the "cup"—this will be where the stem is inserted. Now, use safety scissors to make triangular cuts into the Styrofoam (from the top edge down to roughly the middle of the cup) to form the "petals" of the tulip. If little fingers are more dexterous, they may be able to cut down a bit further while curving the cut to form a more rounded petal. There will probably be room to make four cuts to form petals. If using a cardboard carton, follow the same steps of making a hole in the center of the cup with a toothpick and then following with the necessary cuts to form the flower petals.

The following step only applies to those who are using a cardboard egg carton. Once the petals have been formed, use your choice of tempera or acrylic paints to paint each flower whatever color you desire. Paint both the outside and inside of the flower then place it aside and allow it to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

Once the Styrofoam or cardboard flower has been created, it is time to add a stem and "stamen" to give the flower a more realistic appearance. Begin by inserting a green chenille stem into the hole made in the center of each flower to create a flower stem. Pull the stem about halfway through the flower cup to make adding the stamen easier. Cut two pieces of yellow chenille stem approximately 1-1/2 inches in length each. Cross the yellow chenille stems pieces to form an "X" and carefully wrap the top end of the green chenille stem around them in the center to secure them in place. Gently pull the yellow "stamens" upright and spread them apart slightly. Grasp the flower cup in one hand, the bottom of the stem in the other, and carefully slide the flower cup back up the stem until the end of the stem with the stamen is in place at the flower's center. Follow the same technique for both Styrofoam and cardboard flowers.

Now you can add a few leaves to each stem. Using safety scissors, carefully cut two long, slender leaves from green construction paper. An easy trick for doing this is to fold a piece of construction paper in half and cut a long half-leaf shape along the fold. When you unfold the cut piece you'll have a perfectly symmetrical leaf. Place a small amount of craft glue in the lower part of the crease in the leaf and insert the stem. Secure the leaf with a paperclip or clothespin until the glue dries thoroughly. Add one or two leaves (of different sizes) to each flower and put them at different heights along the stem. Once dry, gently separate the leaf and, ta-da—you have a springtime flower! Wrap a bit of ribbon around one or a bunch and place them in a vase to brighten up a table or windowsill.

With a little time and creativity, your child can turn a garbage item into a great springtime present for a grandmother, mother, or teacher. And you'll get to see your child's creativity blossom just like the real flowers of spring!

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