Topiary Tutorial/Challenge/Giveaway
Ok, due to popular demand, here’s the topiary tutorial. My kids made it for the most part. I haven’t made one of these in years so I’m glad you pressured me into it. I love the smell of eucalyptus wafting through the kitchen-ad added bonus.
NOW THE TOPIARY CHALLENGE AND GIVEAWAY
I hope you make one for yourself and share your pictures with me. I’m sure you’re all going to make it your own and they’ll be amazing. Yes, this is a challenge! A fun one, at that! Send me a picture of your topiary and I’ll post them in a future post! Please send them by July 12th, okay? If you submit a photo of your topiary, you will be entered in a giveaway. One person will be chosen by random and will receive a lovely package from Small Burst.
Oh, now here’s that tutorial….
What you need:
- 4 oz. Dried Eucalyptus branches- 3 of them
- 4 inch green Styrofoam ball
- Thick branch as the the stem. Found mine in the yard.
- Planter (I have lots of planters laying around from garage sales. You can get them for 25 cents!)
- Large rocks
- Newspaper
- Glue gun
- Deer moss
1. Cut the eucalyptus in 3 or 4 inch pieces. If you want a more compact topiary, cut the eucalyptus shorter.
2. Strip the leaves off of at the bottom approx. 1/2 in. Set the leaves aside and and use for potpourri. I just placed all the left over pieces in a nice bowl in the bathroom.
3. Insert the stripped side into the styrofoam ball. Work your way around, insterting branches 1/4″ apart.
4. Leave a small area on the bottom clear for the stem. My kids found a great branch in the yard. Insert stem and glue in place.
5. Fill in the empty spaces with more branches. You can use the imperfect branches for the underside.
6. Place the stem in your planter. I used large rocks found in the yard to hold it in place and used newspaper/scratch paper to fill in the pot and to further stabilize the stem. You can also use floral dri-foam instead of the rocks which I’ve done in the past. Cut the dri-foam to fit in your planter and instert the stem.
7. Got this new unopened package of Pottery Barn premium deer moss from a yard sale for $1. Place deer moss on top of paper and glue in place. This time around, I didn’t glue them so I can use them later for another project. I’ve had this deer moss for a year and used them to decorate throughout the year.
and viola!
Also tried it in this white planter (also from a yard sale for cheap ninety-nine)
What do you think-the terra cotta or white planter? I may go with the white planter since it’s smaller and fits on the window sill. But I like the natural, rustic look of the terra cotta.
Check this project out over at My Backyard Eden. Click on the link below.
I’m also struttin’ my stuff on Somewhat Simple.
LOVE IT!!!!!! I am partial to the white!
This is so exciting! I really want to make a topiary now, just need some good supplies! and some time…
Thanks for the tutorial! I just posted a tutorial for grilled pizza, sharing is caring right!?
How cute is this! Love it. I think I need to make a couple of these for either side of my front door, it would look great.
I love eucalyptus and topiary! Thanks for the tutorial.
awesome post! thanks so much!
xo Alison
Visiting from SITS! What a lovely blog you have, and the topiary is gorgeous. I may just have to make one myself!
I like the white as well.
I need to make one of those! That was so easy and adorable! Thanks for the tutorial!
ohhh what FUN challenge/giveaway!! i will see what i can do in making one, not sure i have enough time b/c i’ll be pretty busy the next few weeks, but i will try!!! i love a great challenge (+ giveaway)!
Thank you for the tutorial {and great pictures}! Do you think I can get the moss at Michaels? I like the white!
I like the white.
Great tutorial, looks awesome!
This looks really cool, I am gonna have to try it. I do have a question though, where can I find the dried eucalyptus branches?
Hey there. Dried eucalyptus can be found at michaels or other craft stores. Good luck.
I have a couple of things for you on my blog
life-itssomethingbeautiful.blogspot.com
loved this project! and the links below (off to check them out too) but hold the press, I missed your big day — I see 251 comments, amazing, but then you are very much that.
So cute & I love the smell of eucalyptus! Happy (belated) SITS Feature Day!
Great tips. What a fun project! Glad that I happened upon your blog.
wow, looks very easy and fun to do. thanks for sharing the alphabet blog hop. on my way over to check it out!
I made topiaries before, and I loved it! My mom still has a couple of mine. I found you via MBC and am now following.
I will start offering short sign language tutorials on my site every Tuesday and Thursday. I’d love for you to check it out!
The white pot looks so is pretty and fresh!