Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A Topiary For All Seasons




I'm sure you've seen topiaries in a bunch of catalogs and stores lately. Well, I have been holding onto a mini urn since TWO Christmases ago! It was $1.99 at Goodwill, and then 60% off, so....$.80, right? My math skills are pretty outstanding. Don't be jealous.



I've been staring at it in my project box all this time, just knowing I could transform it into something fabulous. Abby at Tales and Trials posted an adorable little topiary of her own, and that got my butt into gear and I got to work!

In my hurry to rip off the pink flowers, I forgot to take a full before picture, but you get the idea. I picked off about 50 of those things (trying to make it easier to saw off the top), only to discover that I could just slip the styrofoam triangle right.off. Duh.


Please don't judge me but I may or may not have actually used this in my Spring decoration last year. In all honesty, I don't think it's really that bad - to me it looks like a cute table decoration for a pink wedding....just.....in 1995.

Anyway, I decided it was time to give this old tired girl a makeover! I gave the bottom a new coat of paint (I just mixed a bunch of browns and black acrylic together) and painted the stem (it's a little green for my taste but I don't have a good brown for it yet so that'll have to wait until I make it back up to Michael's.)


A craft ball went up on top:



And the moss for the top and base:


I purchased the craft balls and the moss with 40% off coupons at Michaels ($6 for both items, I believe).

Took out Claudia (my hot glue gun) and away we we went!

I am in total love, and for less than 7 bucks! :)
(Plus, I have about half a bag of moss left and the other styrofoam ball to use for another project!)



I call this a topiary "for all seasons" because I saw several adorable potted plants in the PB catalog, but they were all chippy and whitewashed and they were more appropriate for Spring and Summer decorating. I did a greenery project like that, but it will be debuted in another post. I wanted this baby to last me all year!

One thing I will add: if you move a lot, moss may not be the project for you. It is VERY messy.



Now I just can't decide where I like her furry little goodness best! :)


Although I am really loving the way it picks up the urns of the garden in our wedding photo.


Linked to all my favorite blog parties:
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Designs
Trash To Treasure Tuesday @ Reinvented
Make It Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home
Show Us What You're Workin' With @ Me and My Bucket
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
Weekend Wrap-Up @ Tatertots and Jello



23 comments:

  1. Super Cute!! I feel ya on the moss not being a great option if you move a lot. We are in the process of moving and my little bro' was helping and pretty much trashed one of my topiaries :( It's ok though because it gives me a reason to make another one!!

    Thanks for joining my "Show Us What You're Workin' With Wednesday" party!!

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  2. Jessica your topiary turned out so great!!! I'm working on a moss topiary right now too. Moss is fun to work with and I love that a little goes a long way!

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  3. I like it! It's perfect for the whole year. It added an nice green touch to your table too.

    Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite

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  4. Very cute! I have a little urn just calling out for a mini-topiary. I've already got the moss, just need to go get some styrofoam balls.

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  5. This is so cute! I can't believe the urn was only 80 cents!

    Feel free to stop by my blog and enter my necklace giveaway!

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  6. So creative!!! I just bought similar supplies from my local dollar store to do the same thing!

    Stop over to my blog and join in on the Easter Decor Inspiration Linky!
    http://growingourowngarden.blogspot.com/2010/03/easter-decor-inspiration-linky.html

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  7. Thanks for stopping by! I checked out your framed monogram and it is gorgeous! I love the scrapbook paper idea!

    I also love this topiary! So cute!

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  8. Two of my favorite things, moss and topiaries. Great job!

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  9. I love your topiary and your bargain urn! And you're right it does look nice next to the wedding photo with the urns in it!

    Kat :)

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  10. How cute, I love your topiary! ~Marcy

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  11. I love your topiary and the urn was definitely the right price!

    Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden!

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  12. I love it!! the urn is just beautiful with the moss they work so well together.. you have inspired me to FINISH yes I said FINISH the topairy I started ages ago LOL...you know how it is hahahahaha
    xxxx

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  13. So beautiful! And I love how you can use it for all seasons too!

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  14. Fun post! Your topairy turned out great. You did a lovely job on it.

    Cheers!
    Tina

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  15. Very pretty topairy. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Lovely topiary! It works great for all seasons! Nice.
    Win Rachael Ray bake ware at my blog.
    Thanks!
    Sherry

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  17. This looks great! I would definitly keep this out all year! Great job!

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  18. LOVE this!! I am crazy about topiaries! Great job :)

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  19. It looks great, I'd love to try something like this soon.

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  20. Love this...and it's so simple too, even better! Thanks for linkin' up to Frugalicious Friday!

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  21. I love topiaries and yours is adorable! Great transformation :).

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  22. LOVE your project! I tried it myself :) Thanks for joining my Easter Decor Inspiration Party!

    Please visit this post and join my Easter Front Door Decorations Party...
    http://bethouaknight.blogspot.com/2010/03/share-your-easter-front-door.html

    Happy Easter!

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