I’ve seen adorable topiarys all over blogland. Jen from Craft-o-Maniac always has fabulous ones.
So I thought I would make one to display on our island.
Easy, right?!
Apparently I was wrong!
This project took me forever because I kept running out of what I was using and had to go to Michael’s 3 days in a row. Not fun!
But it is complete now, and I love them.
My little vignette on our island.
Here is a how-to for the tall topiary. Super simple!
Supplies:
-Container (pot, bucket, anything will work. I got mine in the $1 section at Target.)
– Dowel
-Styrofoam ball
-Styrofoam half round
– Cupcake liners or felt (mini cc liners are pictured.)
-Ribbon
-Hot glue (low temp works best)
Trim the half round styrofoam to fit into the bottom of your bucket.
Center the dowel rod and just push it into the styrofoam. Hot glue to hold.

I RAN out of cupcake liners! Ahhh! See the bald spot on top! Not good!
So off to Michael’s the 2nd day in a row to go get more.
And guess what… They don’t have anymore of the ones I am using! Why did everyone want to buy these?! So now what?!

But I still wanted a tall one so on to plan B.
Felt! I cut out felt circles in pink and purple.

Again, start at bottom and work up.
But guess what?! I RAN OUT OF PURPLE FELT! UGH!
So back to Michael’s the 3rd day in a row to get more to finally finish it!!
In the mean time, I moved onto another project.
I saw these Mailboxes on Crafts and Sutch and fell in love.
So I bought a small red mailbox from Michael’s (on one of my trips).
I wanted it to go with my pink and purple color scheme so I took scrapbook paper and cut strips.
I sprayed them with spray adhesive and just placed them on.
I then cut out some vinyl with my cricut to decorate it more.
Hugs and Kisses on one side. And Love Notes for the front.
And a small heart for the flag.
I did eventually finish my tall topiary too. I just cut more strips of the same scrapbook paper that I used on the mailbox and crinkled it to cover the styrofoam in the bottom of the bucket.
I love how they each turned out and they look so cute together!
When the flag is up it means “You got Mail!”
Travis and I have been leaving each other little love notes in it.
Great way to show each other we care.
Close up of the original topiary. Totally looks like I planned this doesn’t it?! hehe
And a shot of my tall topiary.
Even though these turned into a total pain, I love how they came out.
Linking up to some of these linky parties.
melismama
February 3, 2011 at 11:17 amlol Allison, they turned out so sweet! That stinks that you had to run out so many times. Love the mailbox also! Thanks for the tut!
Cassie
February 3, 2011 at 1:26 pmFor those being such a pain, they are extremely cute, Allison. What a sweet idea to leave each other love notes in the mailbox. . .you two are so darn cute ;D
Lori@KitchenFunk
February 3, 2011 at 2:06 pmI had to laugh when I read about your trips to Michael's… I think everyone has gone through that at least once! and I LOVE the cupcake liner topiary that ended up in the terra-cotta pot – great save! Its my favorite!! ~Lori
Jen-CraftOManiac
February 3, 2011 at 2:38 pmIt all looks great. well done. I have that same cartridge for the hugs and kisses. I did a vinyl plate with it. Love it. FUN COLORS, and thanks hun for the link. Have super day. winks-jen
P.S. ANY LUCK?
Young and Crafty
February 5, 2011 at 6:15 amYour topiaries turned out great! I know the feeling of running out of supplies, so annoying!
Thanks so much for linking up to FFA!
Hannah @ http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/
M.O.T.B
February 6, 2011 at 5:44 pmLOVE the use of felt! Great color combo!!!
Meg
February 6, 2011 at 10:20 pmCuuuute! Don't you hate having to make several trips for one project? It always makes me go GRRRR! But, totally worth it in the end!
Sarah
February 7, 2011 at 2:16 amI really love them. I think I might try to make one.
The Sunflower Patch
February 7, 2011 at 2:27 amLooks like you planed the clay pot topiary! The whole trio is way cute! If you hadn't mentioned it no one would ever know. 😉 Thanks for the tute!
Val
February 7, 2011 at 11:06 amSuper Duper Cute!
Lizzy Mac
February 7, 2011 at 9:26 pmReally cute!
Amanda
February 7, 2011 at 10:44 pmAll 3 look amazing, the colours are just fab!
It's Grace
February 8, 2011 at 6:45 pmLove these, super cute!! (visiting from Marcie's link up)
-Erin
Krafty Kat
February 9, 2011 at 5:44 pmI have had that happen before- running out of supplies! Not fun! You stuck with it and made it work! These turned out amazing so it was all worth it, right? Thanks for linking up to Gettin' Krafty With It!
kim
February 10, 2011 at 6:20 amso creative! i would have never guessed those were cupcake liners from far away! they totally gives you so many options – ADORABLE! thanks for sharing!
The DIY Show Off
February 11, 2011 at 2:08 pmSo cute, Allison! Thanks for joining the DIY Project Parade! I'm going to highlight and link to your project in my DIY Valentine post today. 😉
TGIF!
Roeshel
Jessa Irene (Holiday-Haven)
February 12, 2011 at 7:34 pmSo adorable! Sometimes crafts go that way, but you have created more than just beauty, you have created a way to have loving memories. I love traditions like this and am going to have to do this in my home. Thanks SO much for sharing this to The Valentines Party. And happy Valentines Day to you.
Crystal
February 14, 2011 at 11:43 pmAll three projects turned out so cute! I love the love note idea. thanks for linking up to this months challenge.
KelleeLyn
April 11, 2011 at 3:09 amHey just wanted to let you know I gave you a shout out because I used this tutorial for the felt flower idea! It worked great for an Easter Wreath, I love all your tutorials!
http://youplusmeequalswii.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-wreath.html