craftgrrl | embroidery + wedding box

i learned how to embroider a few days ago. today i finished a

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can anyone suggest how i can make it look less chunky and more smooth? first, i did the outline in split stitch, then the grey accents in satin stitch and then lastly the black filler in satin. would it be better to fill in the whole outline with black first, and then do the grey accents?

also, if i wanted to make this into a patch, should i cut out around it and then do buttonhole stitch around the edge of the cloth? i ironed on some fusible interfacing on the back to reinforce the cloth before embroidering.

lastly, my brother has asked me to make a card/money box for his wedding. has anyone made one of these before? i've looked at some designs online and want to make a 3-layered cake-shaped box. i'd like to decorate it with fake flowers. can anyone suggest a store in toronto that has a big selection of fake flowers? i'm thinking probably michaels.

muchas gracias :)