Cute as a Button Topiary

Button tree crafts, like this Cute as a Button Topiary from Lindsay Obermeyer, would be a great addition to any home decor.  The great thing about topiary crafts like this is that it also works as a way to store your buttons!

Materials:

• 6" Styrofoam ball
• Ball of worsted green yarn
• 3/8" x 12" dowel rod
• 2 yds of ribbon
• 3.5" terra cotta flower pot
• Bag of decorative spanish moss
• 4oz bottle of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
• 4 boxes of Dritz Quilting Pearl Head Pins
• 2 yds of gingham ribbon
• Scissors
• Small box of dry plaster of paris mix
• Sharpened pencil
• Ruler
• Roll of Duct Tape
   

Instructions:

1. Measure 3.5" from the end of your dowel rod with a pencil.
    
2. Take your dowel rod and insert it into the styrofoam ball. Push it in to the ball to the 3.5" mark. Pull it out.
    
3. Wrap your yarn around the ball. Do not cover up the hole you've made for the dowel rod. Once you have covered the entire surface, glue down the end.
    
4. Measure 2.5" from the other end of your dowel rod with a pencil.
    
5. Apply a small amount of glue onto the dowel rod between the marked ends. Spread it evenly across the wood's surface with your finger. Wrap the ribbon around the dowel rod. Trim access. Allow to dry.
    
6. Take your buttons and begin pinning them to the ball. Use two pins per button. Place the buttons evenly across the surface using a variety of sizes and textures. Push the pins fully into the styrofoam. Do not cover up the hole for your dowel rod.
    
7. Use a small piece of Duck Tape to cover up the hole at the bottom of the flower pot.
    
8. Mix 1 cup of dry plaster following package directions.
    
9. Insert your rod into the center of the flower pot at the 2.5" marked end. While holding the rod with one hand, pour the plaster of paris into the flower pot. Hold your dowel rod straight until the plaster sets. Allow to dry several hours.
    
10. Once the plaster of paris is dry, squeeze some glue into the hole of the styrofoam ball being careful to not squeeze too much. You don't want any to drip out when you turn it to place on the dowel rod. If it does, wipe immediately with a paper towel.
     
11. Place the stryofoam ball onto the dowel rod.
     
12. Use the rest of the ribbon to tie a bow onto the dowel rod.
     
13. Place some spanish moss into the flower pot covering up the plaster of paris.
     
14. Allow the glue to set in the styrofoam ball before moving to the center of your dining table or mantlepiece.
     
15. *Note - I recommended using plaster of paris as you need to add weight to the flower pot. Otherwise your piece will be top heavy and likely to tip over.

Click here to view on Lindsay's blog.