#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--PATRIOTIC TOPIARY TABLE TOPPER

This Patriotic Topiary first appeared on the blog in May of 2010 as the inaugural post. Since then we've had many followers join us, and being that this is one of my favorite craft projects from the blog (because it was the first), I thought it was time for a repeat performance. Besides, since Independence Day falls on a Tuesday this year, we've got a 4-day weekend. Technically, we're off today. Hence, the golden oldie. 😀

One of the great thing about this design is that it requires no sewing. I love using it as a centerpiece during 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day BBQ's, but if you don't care for the red, white, and blue color scheme, you can swap out the colors to match any room in your house. 

Patriotic Topiary

Materials: 

metal, wood, or ceramic container or clay pot, approx. 6” x 6” x 6”
15” long 5/8” wooden dowel
6” white Styrofoam® ball
1 yd. 1” wide blue print ribbon
3” x 45” piece blue gingham
scraps of red, white, and blue fabric
floral foam, enough to fit inside container
straight pins
green excelsior
hot glue gun and glue sticks
tacky glue

Note: Use hot glue for all gluing except where tacky glue is indicated.  Model shown made with red glitter metal container purchased from crafts store.

1.  Insert dowel halfway into Styrofoam® ball.  Remove dowel.  Dispense glue into hole in ball.  Reinsert dowel.

2. Glue floral foam inside container.  Insert dowel into center of floral foam.  Remove dowel.  Dispense glue into hole in floral foam.  Reinsert dowel.

3.  Apply a thin coat of tacky glue to dowel.  Wrap ribbon around dowel to cover.

4.  Tear fabric into 1-1/2” x 6” strips.  Place two strips wrong sides together and tie a knot at center.

5.  Insert a straight pin into knot.  Dip pin in tacky glue and quickly insert into Styrofoam® ball.  Repeat until ball is completely covered.

6.  Glue excelsor over floral foam inside container.

7.  Tie blue gingham strip around container.

#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--WINTER TOPIARY

In January I featured a Jute and Button Clay Pot Flameless Candle Holder on the blog.  Today I’m repurposing that decorated clay pot to create a winter topiary.

Materials

Jute and button decorated clay pot from January 26thblog post; one each 4”, 3”, and 2” Styrofoam balls; two toothpicks; 9” length 1/4” diameter dowel; floral foam; tacky glue; 1/8” diameter jute cord; 2 yds. 2” wide gathered ecru eyelet; 1 yd. 1-1/2” wide ecru grosgrain ribbon; cotton cording; sequin pins; assorted white and ecru buttons; excelsior; low-temp glue gun

1. Decorate the clay pot following the directions from the January 26^th blog post.

2. Glue floral foam into clay pot.

3. Glue a toothpick halfway into top of 4” Styrofoam ball. Glue the 3” ball onto the 4” ball. Glue the second toothpick into the top of the 3” ball. Glue the 2” ball to the top of the 3” ball.

4. Wrap the middle 3” of dowel with jute cord, glueing in place. Allow to dry.

5. Poke a hole in the bottom of the 4” ball. Glue one end of the dowel into the hole and the other end into the center of the floral foam. Allow to dry.

6. Glue gathered eyelet spiraling around 3” ball, beginning at bottom and working up to top of ball. Use sequin pins dipped in glue to hold in place.

7. Cut the 1-1/2” wide grosgrain ribbon into 3” lengths. Fold each in half. Pin ribbon, overlapping sides slightly, around the center of the 2” ball.

8. Cut the 1” wide grosgrain ribbon into 3” lengths. Fold pieces in half and continue attaching in same manner as above in two overlapping rows around first row of ribbon.

9. Glue cotton cording around 2” ball.

10. Glue excelsior into pot.

11. Using the glue gun, randomly glue assorted buttons to topiary.