If you’ve read my blog for a while, you may have picked up on the fact that I like topiaries. A ball of greenery on a stick…what’s not to like?
I used a sad, dusty, moss topiary that I purchased at a yard sale for $3.00 as the form for the boxwood branches. If you don’t have one of these, you can make your own using a styrofoam ball, a stick, and some moss. I purchased two bunches of boxwood branches on sale at Hobby Lobby for $4.00/each and pulled a milk glass urn out of the depths of my basement. The tools needed are wire cutters and a glue gun.
Clip small sections off of the boxwood branches, leaving a wire “stem” on each piece to hold it into the foam. My hand was red and swollen by the time I finished clipping two bunches, so I will wear gloves next time.
Put a small dab of hot glue on the end of a stem and push it into the foam.
When working on a circle or a sphere, I like to start with a “north, south, east, west” pattern to ensure even coverage and uniformity. I don’t want to end up with a lopsided topiary. It looks a little comical at this stage, so stick with me. This was the point where my hubby was giving me funny looks, but he’s gotten use to my ways.
Keep adding small branches, turning the topiary to ensure an even look.
It gets a little tricky once the ball starts to fill out. Just be gentle. I tucked the completed topiary into the urn using plastic grocery bags to hold it in place and finished it off with some moss leftover from another project to hide the bags.
It took two full bunches and about 45 minutes to make this topiary and I love it! It’s the kind of piece that looks great everywhere you set it down, so you want to use it everywhere. My local Hobby Lobby is going to sell out of these branches next time I’m there!
So, here’s the cost breakdown:
Milk Glass Urn: Free from my friend’s barn
Topiary Form: $3.00
Two Boxwood Bunches: $8.00 on sale from Hobby Lobby.
Moss: Leftover from another project
Plastic Grocery Bags: free
Total investment: $11.00 and 45 minutes
Well spent.
Just a few reminders before we part ways –
I’ll announce the winner of my 1000 follower giveaway on Sunday, so check back to see who’s getting a custom hand painted “antique” grain sack. I can’t wait to get to work on that!
Second, make sure you check out the new entries on SYTYCD Sunday night at 9/8 c. Last week was full of wonderful and inspiring ideas, so I’m looking forward to what this week will bring.
Lastly, Furniture Feature Friday is open through Saturday at midnight, so check it out!
52 Responses
This looks fabulous! I love greens in white pots..they always look so refreshing!
I so desperately wish we had Hobby Lobby in CA. Beautiful work, as always, doll.
Oh I love your topiary!! I don't know what a Hobby Lobby is but I wish we had them here in Australia!! Your topiary looks wonderful, especially in that gorgeous milk glass urn. Enjoy your gorgeous new treasure and thanks so much for the tutorial:) ~ Tina x
Love it! I have never been a fan of topiary's but you have made me change my mind. I may have to work on one now. LOL!
Thanks
Hugs
SueAnn
Wow! I really like your finished product! What a great idea!…Debbie
Hi, that looks great with the boxwood. I think i'm going to try this. Have a nice weekend….Kathy
That's a wonderful idea, a beautiful tutorial, and a prefect accessory! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE it, I might try one for myself! Thanks for sharing.
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I've never cared much for topiaries, but they are growing on me! I love the boxwood on this one.Thanks for the NSEW tip. I would have started at the top and worked my way down…
I may have to try making my own now, thanks again!
That looks so good! I thought it was real greens when I saw the first picture. Love the urn you used, too! The freshness of the green topiary and white urn is so classic looking.
Es precioso, una idea fácil y realmente encantador.
Congratulations.
Julia
I miss Hobby Lobby. I wonder if Michaels would have the boxwood. Are they silk??
You did a fabulous job. I love it!
xoxo
Jane
I love it! These are so expensive to buy and I've always wanted to make some. I'll be referring to your tutorial. Thank you for sharing!
OMG its fantastic! I love how you made something nice look amazing!
thank YOU so much I need to make 2 of these for my urns and I just wasn't sure the steps. I'm off to get my supplies!!
xo,
LuLu
It looks beautiful! I made a topiary for Easter that I will be posting about soon! It is so totally cute, but I like yours much better since it is so versatile! Love it!
Blessings, Grace
Love the boxwood used on this topiary and love the airiness (is this a word?) of the final product.
i *heart* topiaries as well.
this looks fabulous!
p.s. i'm now following you on twitter.
happy weekend.
You made that look easy. So pretty too!
It looks like you spent a lot more than $11 on it. I'm sure I'll give this one a try.
Too caauute!!
*hugs*deb
Love it! I love boxwood and you just made it so easy. Now I want to fill my room up with these sweet things! Xoxox Susie
Oh that is so cute!!!! I love topiaries!! Great job 🙂
This is gorgeous! I love topiaries, too!
What a great idea! I love it. Add that to my list of projects… I have a "we can do it cheaper" link party on my site. That would be a great thing to link up!
such a good, quick look!
I love your boxwood topiary and I am absolutely going to make one! Topiaries are the perfect touch to many spots in the house.
I wish I had a Hobby Lobby ! That looks so beautiful ! I can't find boxwood anywhere. I've been looking for it ever since seeing boxwood balls in the Ralph Lauren store – they want $50 to $70 for those, unbelievable.
Gorgeous girl, well done !
this is lovely! i agree.. what's not to love about a topiary?>???
aahadley, They are actually a waxy plastic. I hate fake flowers and will only use something that looks convincing.
I love topiaries and this one is perfect!!
The cost was even better!! Way to go!!
I am a huge topiary fan as well- this one looks great! And is so simple! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
That turned out GREAT!!! I think I'm going to try that I love topiary plants too! Martina
I like the shaggy-ness of this. Yes, this is one to copy.
Oh I love this one! I have no topiaries at all and have long been admiring the ones you create. This one is indeed going in my archives to try!
Thanks for linking it up to SNS!
FJ Donna
Thankyou thankyou thankyou!!!
THis is now on my 'to do' list!
Oh my, I love it. Thanks for commenting on my blog and yes, I am still cleaning up bird poop.
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Very inspiring. It is gorgeous.
Leeann x
absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw your topiary featured on FJI and thought it was real!
I love it and so easy (with your instructions, that is!)
It looks lovely!
: )
Julie M.
I absolutely love this topiary. I featured you on my blog today.
Dar ling!! I can't buy enough topiaries when I see those babies calling to me in the thrift store!! I have a huge collection!!
Gorgeous and funny timing. I had a couple of gorgeous red pots and thought topiaries were just the trick. So this weekend I bought a couple of properly shaped rosemary plants. Sitting in my kitchen window now. Now what to do w/ all the crap that was sitting there before?
Great tutorial! I love how you pull so many different looks and elements together to decorate a single scene! Thank you!
-Shelby
great minds think alike! i started a one this weekend in a milk glass urn! but I cut off the leaves from the main stem instead of the bigger ones. but i love how yours looks so i am going to have to make one like yours!
Dang it! I wish I'd seen yours before I started on mine. I love the look of yours in the milk glass urn. It's very pretty. Oh well, I'm getting ready to start on another one, may have to borrow your idea if that's ok.
Two days after reading about your topiary, I found a hideous floral one in a thrift store, that I can remake! I went to both Hobby Lobby and Joann's but couldn't find any boxwood, very little greenery at all…how long ago did you find your boxwood? How big is your urn?
Thanks!!
The effort and the creativity for your work is really amazing. It inspires me to do it. Great job. Keep on sharing your ideas.