Saturday, December 5, 2009

BFF Topiary

I have been dying to write about this all day! My BFF sent me a message today and asked me where she could find inexpensive topiaries for her front porch. Of course, I have been wanting some FOREVER, but haven't been able to find anything cheap. These are some good ones:

Target, $26.99


Ballard Designs, $79 (I think).

Seriously, they aren't even that big! So, she wanted some for outside, and the instant she asked I knew we had to make some. I figured styrofoam balls, but she wanted something big, and a big styrofoam ball is nearly $20! I am in the process of coming up with the outside one, it's in my brain, I just have to get one little thing before I can start, BUT, in the meantime, here is the one I did this afternoon. It took about 30 minutes. I am lovin' it. I didn't LOVE it at first, but now I'm quite enjoying it. It's cute.



So here's what I did. I had these jumbo ornaments that I tried to paint and it didn't work out. I nearly threw them away, in fact, I had to dig them out of the garbage! So thrifty. So, I took the ornament and wrapped it in twine, the same way I did the decorative ball. I then ran outside without my shoes on and grabbed the one and only twig in our yard of baby trees, dying pines and dog poo.

(Look at that hideous manicure! I guess I should take that off.)

I glued and wrapped the twig on the bottom of the ball. And then I wrapped a green ribbon on it. I wanted a bigger ribbon, so I got some big red stuff. At first I had it in one of my mason jar tealight things.
 
But then after going to Goodwill I found the perfect base for $3.99. It had the most beautiful flowers in it.....hmmmm, not so beautiful.
 
Update: Thank you to The Topiary Lady. Per her suggestion, I wrapped berries up the stem, and it looks fantastic. Much better!
So here it is. Love it! As soon as I finish the big one, I'll post that....can't wait.




Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special
















DIY Day @ ASPTL


And Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

10 comments:

  1. That turned out cute. I wouldn't have thought of using an ornament.

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  2. Yep, you got it. Keep it coming, sister. DARLING!! Those two trees I bought at home depot looked as cheap as they were so they are going back. Can't WAIT for you to debut the big topiaries. Can I order two now?! Oh, fine. I know what you would say..."You can do it!" so I will....

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  3. Cool idea!! And I LOVE the new pot, neat shape. I could think of 101 uses for that too.

    Thanks for linking up!

    FJ Donna

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  4. What a cutie pie!!!! So simple!


    Stop on by!

    love,kelee

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  5. Love that twine idea! You are right--those topiaries are expensive and yours is just as(if not more) cute. Glad you braved the dog's yard for us! :)

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  6. Yes, this is dandy. And I'm so glad you used the ball from the trash and not the dog poo from your yard.

    Seriously cute and original :)
    thanks for joining the partay!

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  7. You are so creative! Thanks for sharing this really clever and thrifty idea.

    Best wishes, Natasha.

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  8. Cute! I love jute! It's right up there with burlap in my book! Great job!

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  9. Love your topiary! How cute!! Thanks for saying hi. Would love to see what your version of my wall hangings!! :)
    take care!
    Linda

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  10. I love topiaries too (I have my own website customtopiaries.com). They aren't hard to make and the sky is the limit!! I find that using 2 or 3 sticks really "grounds" the ball and it doesn't look so 'spindly' or using ribbons to trail along the stick. I love your ornament idea. I always get my styrofoam using coupons at the craft stores. The other idea for outdoor topiaries is grapevine balls from the craftstore.
    Enjoy the holidays!

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