Today is my feature on Hometalk and I couldn’t be happier to welcome you! If you like what you see please subscribe to my blog and if you want to see all the goings on at Sweet Valley Acres, be sure to follow me on Instagram. Here is a link!
Now let’s get to the project..
I love to shake things up when it comes to my front door!
Remember my fall wreath alternative?
Or how about my Christmas wreath alternative?
If not, click on the links above to check them out.
This year, I had this brilliant idea to put a spring purse stuffed with flowers on my front door. Surprise, surprise the supply chain issue has impacted spring purses. Not one single purse to be found. Mine are all grungy and old so I began looking for an alternative.
I was shocked to find a small wooden briefcase or perhaps a clutch at Walmart. Let’s go with clutch as it sounds so much better. It is so adorable and it was only $5 (Canadian $)!
Off to the Dollar Store I skipped and found some cute flowers, an amazing daisy ribbon in green and purple (more to come about that later) and oasis.
Once I had those items, I scanned through new spring decor items and found this adorable umbrella and it became the inspiration for the pattern on the paint finish I would do on the clutch.

Materials needed

Materials required for this project – bolded materials contain product links for which I will received a small commission should you wish to purchase at no extra cost to you. Not all of the products are exact matches but are similar and some are even better…like the wood box – clutch.
- Wood box – clutch
- Faux white roses
- Pink slender flowers
- Oasis
- Moss
- Pearl strand (4 inches)
- Green or purple ribbon
- Three shades of paint – I chose DecoArt Desert Sand, DecoArt Hauser Light Green and Basics Brilliant Purple
- Paint brushes – Legato Brunel 550-F size 0 and 550-R size 0
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
- Glue gun and glue sticks
Time to base coat the wood
I used a sponge brush and DecoArt Desert Sand to give the entire wood clutch a thorough basecoat.

Painting plaid
I studied the umbrella above and noticed that they went with three medium stripes of green and then three thin stripes of green.
On the front of the clutch (the part without the handle) I spaced out the lines.
I used the Legato Brunel 550-F to paint the medium stripes. This is a flat brush that is 1/4″ wide. I left a 3/32″ space and then placed another stripe. Repeat again for the remaining stripe.

Please understand, I wanted a rough plaid. I did not want anything about this to be fussy and perfect. If that is what you want, then go for it. My end goal was for this to hang on our back door or on my very old greenhouse and I like things to look a little worn, like they have lived a life.
I left 1/2″ from the set of three medium stripes and the set of three thin stripes. For the three thin stripes I used the Legato Burnel 550-R size 0. This is a very thin round brush and was perfect for the stripes. I placed a stipe and then left a space the size of the small stripe, then another stripe, then a space and a final thin stripe.
Then I repeated the three medium lines. Please see below for how I laid out the stripes.
It will depend on the size of the purse or clutch that you have so just come up with something pleasing and space them across.

Next came the purple stripes. I purposefully wanted the green to show through so I had very little paint on the brush.
For the purple stripes, I decided just to do three medium stripes similar to the green stripes, left an inch space and then painted another three stripes.

Lastly I painted the handle very roughly in purple so that it looked like it was worn.

Time to add the oasis
Cut a piece of oasis approximately 1/2″ smaller than the interior of the case.

Place glue on the back of the oasis, flip over and attach to what will be the back of the case. The large part of the clutch with the handle was what I decided would be the part that will be resting against the door.

Depending on how much you want to have the clutch open and stuffed with flowers will determine how much of an angle you will cut into the oasis. I did not have that many flowers so I decided to have the clutch almost closed.

Below shows you that I left the top 2 inches open.

Place hot glue on the top and side of the oasis.

While it is not necessary, I decided to add a little pearl strap on the sides to make it look like it was what was stopping it from opening up.
I placed a thick blob of hot glue in the corner and pressed the pearl strand into it. Let dry.

Place hot glue on the front of the oasis that is not covered in moss. Then close the clutch and press the front part of the clutch into the glue until dried.

Trim the pearl strand and glue to the front inside corner of the clutch.

Flower time!!!
Trim the pink slender flowers between 4″ and 5″ long.

Press the flowers along the back edge of the clutch.

This looked great, but when I placed the roses in, the pink flowers stood too. high

I looked at them from every angle and realized they needed to be pushed further into the oasis so that they didn’t look like a fence.

I pushed some in farther than others to give it a more random feel. Fill in with more roses, short and tall, some in front of others and some off to the side. Place three roses cascading over the front. Then fill in with pink flowers and have a few follow the roses cascading over the edge.

The cutest daisy strap ever!
Remember how I showed you a green daisy ribbon in the materials? Well, when I got to this stage, the green just faded away. Thankfully I had picked up a purple ribbon too, so I swapped it out.
To make the bow at the top, leave one leg 12″ long and pinch. Measure out two daisies to the left and fold two daisies underneath. Do the same on the right side and then leave a tail 12″ long

I wrapped a little piece of the pearl strand in the middle. I know it looks a bit funny but this ribbon is quite stiff. The mangled daisy in the center front is actually on the tail and will pull straight once the clutch is handing on the door.

Place a good sized dab of hot glue on the side where you want to attach the strap.

Firmly press the end of the strap into the glue and let dry. Repeat on other side.

Here is a front door wreath alternative perfect for spring!

So how do you like it? Isn’t this just the sweetest wreath alternative for spring? I think it is darling and has a vintage feel!
If you are interested in making this decoration, here are some links to similar products. If you do wish to purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Thanks again for coming by and checking the project out!
If you loved the project, here is a pin!

Wishing you a very happy and cheer filled day!

Leslie Watkins
February 23, 2022This is the cutest ever! I love the plaid and those gorgeous flowers. Thanks for your inspiration on the hop!
Crystal
February 23, 2022Thank you so very much Leslie! I am hopping over to yours now!
Renae
February 23, 2022Super cute, my friend. You inspired me . I hope that you will share this on the Fabulous Friday Link Party. You can find it on my website. Hugs to you.
Crystal
February 23, 2022Thanks so much Renae! Yes I will do my best to share it on your link party.
Bentley
February 23, 2022Wow! Turned out great. Amazes me how you can take a few simple things and make them look so good. Bravo!
Crystal
February 23, 2022Thank you very much Bentley! You were there searching with me to find something inexpensive – I appreciate that.
Cindy
February 23, 2022Crystal this is so pretty. I love that you kept the plaid imperfect. You are right the cutest strap ever. Fantastic tutorial too!
Thanks for joining the hop.
Crystal
February 23, 2022Thanks so much Cindy. I am glad that you understood the imperfect painting. I was worried people would get it. Thank you as well for arranging the hop!!!
Sue at Blu
February 23, 2022Crystal this is just an adorable project! I can see making something similar for a bon voyage or travel party. Great idea!
Crystal
February 23, 2022Thanks Sue – that is such a great idea! I love it.
Tammy
February 23, 2022Crystal, I love the expected. This box wreath is precious. What a cute idea!
Crystal
February 23, 2022Thanks so very much Tammy!!! Really appreciate your kind comment!
Kimberly Snyder
February 23, 2022this is simply adorable! I love it! I had ribbon like that in several different colors when I had the flower shop! Wish I had saved it! Thanks for sharing!
Crystal
February 23, 2022That is so cool that you had this ribbon! I have never seen it before but I sure like it. Thanks so much for your kind comments!
Susan
February 23, 2022Your ideas are always so fabulous Crystal! I just want to hang out at your place and create pretty things! 🙂 Susan
Crystal
February 25, 2022Oh Susan I would love to too! That would be so much fun! Maybe one day?
Juliet
February 23, 2022Wow, Crystal … I’m so impressed! This is a beautiful project. Your painting!!! Oh my gosh. Love the colors. This entire thing is beyond clever and I love it. So ready for spring! xo
Crystal
February 25, 2022Awww thank you so very much Juliet! What a lovely comment – you just made my day!!!
Marieza
February 24, 2022Crystal, this is such a creative and original idea! I LOVE your painted plaid! Well done.
Crystal
February 25, 2022So happy you liked my plaid! Thanks Marieza!!!
Rachelle
February 25, 2022Crystal, this is cute! And the finishing touch was that pretty soft flowered ribbon.
I would love it if you would share this at my Friday with Friends link party. It started today and here is the link: https://myhubbardhome.com/friday-with-friends-party-finishing-out-february/
have a nice weekend
RR
Crystal
February 25, 2022Thank you so very much Rachelle! I will add it right now! Thank you for letting me know
Linda Johnston
February 26, 2022So so cute! I love these colors for spring. Using the box was true inspiration! Enjoyed hopping with you.
Crystal
February 26, 2022Thank you so very much Linda! So glad you liked it!
Donna Allen
February 26, 2022You are so creative! This is so adorable, I just love how you painted the clutch and that ribbon is the best! Great job! Donna
Crystal
February 26, 2022Thank you so very much Donna! I really appreciate your kind comment!
Rachelle
March 2, 2022Thanks for sharing this at the Friday with Friends Link party. This is just the kind of craft I love!
Hugs,
Rachelle
Mary Anne Russo
March 6, 2022Crystal it turned out so beautiful1 Love it1 The colors are springy!
Crystal
March 8, 2022Thank you very much Mary Anne!
Carol
March 19, 2022What an adorable alternative to the typical, circular wreath for spring. I love the colors and the flowers. Pinned.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer..com
Crystal
March 19, 2022Thanks so very much Carol! It sure if fun to try something a bit different!
KATHLEEN
March 8, 2023Absolutely darling and sooo creative. Makes. A person feel happy!!!!
Crystal
March 8, 2023What a lovely comment! That brightens my day thinking that this wreath alternative could brighten someone’s day! Thank you so very much Kathleen!
Mary
March 19, 2023So pretty and gave me so many ideas
Crystal
March 19, 2023That is fantastic! I love getting a message like this!