Decorchick!

DIY Fall Topiaries…A Michael’s Knock Off

I needed to get my craft mojo back, so while I was shopping at Michael’s the other day, I saw these…

They were pretty, but they were $19.99, and I knew they could be easily replicated, and even a little cuter! :)

So I bought all the stuff to make them.

2 little flower pots, moss, styrofoam balls, 2 wooden dowels (but you only need one), some garland and some of those separate swag pieces.

First I put a styrofoam ball in each pot, then broke the dowel the height I would want them, and stuck in.

Then spray painted with Rustoleum ORB (Oil Rubbed Bronze).  I really love this paint, but HATE the can it comes in.  I know you are probably not reading this Rustoleum Company, but please, please change the sprayer on this.  Thank you.

Here they are painted.

Ooh la la!

Then I stuck the other styrofoam balls on top of the dowel.

To make it easier, I did hot glue the bottom balls to the inside of the pots so they wouldn’t be sliding all around.

Then I just started sticking things in…

Just keep doing that until you get a nice full shape all around, and until they look like this…

Take that Michael’s!!  Ahh just kidding, I love you Michael’s!

After I was done putting my decorations in the top styrofoam ball, I did add a dab of hot glue on the stick and stuck it in so they won’t move around.  With all of this stuff it can get heavy on different sides. But hot glue saves the day.

Here are a few more pics.

Ahhh I love them!  I don’t know exactly what it cost me to make each topiary, but I would guess anywhere from $5-9, and that’s a high estimate.  Much better than $19.99 for one!

I have them on my entry table and will show you that soon.  All I can say is that I LOVE FALL!  :)

*Please click here to see the parties I will be linking to, and you can join the fun too! Also linking to Today’s Creative Blog and The Inspired Room’s Fall Nesting party.*

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xxoo,

Decorchick!

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Comments

  2. Cathy says

    Very nice! I love fall don’t you? Such a time of refreshing and renewing! Ahhhh….just wonderful! :) Thanks for spreading a little fall inspiration.

  4. M.O.T.B says

    Oh I love these! And even with 40% off coupon yours are still cheaper and to be quite honest I think they look better:) Oh how I love FALL!

  5. Karen says

    I love those — you did a great job! I can’t wait for Fall. I bought one of those red spray can handles (not sure what they are called). They are sold right by the cans of paint and run about $4. They are awesome — you have to try one. Your fingers will thank you. Ha.

  12. Emily @ Frilly Details says

    Those turned out great! I hear you about the ORB spray can. I sprayed some light fixtures with that stuff and had the worst hand cramps after I was done. I felt like Chandler on Friends after he played Ms Pacman for hours and developed a “claw” hand. Ha!

  14. Rondell says

    I love these and have everything to make them except for the dowel rod, I’d love them on my mantel for fall! Thanks for sharing…yours turned out better than Michael’s!

    Rondell

    • Decorchick! says

      Aww thanks Rondell! You can always use a stick too! I just don’t have any “mature” trees yet so my branches wouldn’t have been substantial enough.

  20. Ami Allison says

    I discovered a BEAUTIFUL fall aisle at Big Lots the other day and just lost it! I CAN NOT WAIT to decorate for fall! It might make us feel better in this 100+ degree weather!!! I actually took a pic of the aisle and sent it to David with a I can’t wait message. His reply “don’t spend too much $$” HAHA! This is too cute Emily! I am TOTALLY stealing this idea!!! :)

  21. birdlandtreasures says

    These are VERY cute, and so much better to DIY than buy them ready-made – you could even personalize them somehow, a little Welcome sign poked in, monogram on the pots, etc. I am waiting til September 1 to get out my Fall things – I love the season, but I am NOT ready to admit just yet that summer’s coming to close! :)

  25. Ann Bruehler says

    What a great look! I will definitely try this, but I’ll think I’ll scrounge around the yard and use sturdy sticks instead of the dowels. You put me in the “fall mood.” Thanks!
    Ann

  26. Samie says

    I love the topiaries. They are very pretty. Now I want to go out and buy the supplies to make some for my kitchen : ) Great job!!!!

  27. Shelly says

    LOVE this!!! They came out beautiful!! I think Im gonna have to make a trip to the craft store this weekend…errrr…again…lol. Also, I just picked up that SAME pumpkin from the Dollar Tree today! Great taste ;) Im obSEssed with pumpkins this year!

    • Decorchick! says

      Haha I’m obsessed too and couldn’t believe how cute the ones were at the dollar store! Don’t even have to do anything to them to fix them up so that’s even better. :)

  31. Rachael says

    Oh, my goodness! I love these! I’m going to Michael’s tomorrow… Thanks for sharing! : )

  33. Kelley says

    LOL That’s the point!! Sorry, I’ve worked at my local Michaels for over 3 years. But they try to make easy decor pieces that inspire the customer to get creative and make their own! You were right, yours look way better! Great job and Thanks for sharing!

    • Decorchick! says

      Oh yes, I know, just wanted to word it in a way that people wouldn’t take it as a slam against Michael’s or anything. How awesome you work there!!!

  35. Carla says

    Oh No! Is it time for fall already? I’m not ready!
    Seriously, they are super fantastic! I think I may even already have all the stuff down in the basement to attempt this project. Guess I can’t resist any longer. Better start dragging out the fall decor.

    Thanks for the inspiration! :o)

  45. Kennedy Klan News & Honeybee Heaven says

    These are just beautiful. I love fall so much that I always look at fall posts first, and was so excited to see yours. My daughters wedding was held in Oct. and we decorated in fall colors, that was so much fun and since I did all of her florals I have tons of fall decorations and just can’t part with any of them.

  47. Laurel says

    I still need a couple of weeks of summer! these turned out cute and when I can wrap my head around fall, then I’ll be back to look at them a little closer!

  48. Allison says

    I am so ready for fall. These are perfect. I need to go ahead and put out my fall wreaths.

    Also, I wanted to let you know about Atticmag’s new linky party – Giveaway Friday! It’s a convenient place for bloggers to link their giveaways each week. We’ve kicked it off with a fantastic giveaway of our own. Five lucky winners will win material to do a backsplash in their home. Hope to see you there!

    Allison
    Atticmag

  50. Tracy says

    I love fall and all the colors. I love Michael’s too. In fact I love all craft stores. I think your topiaries are great. I am glad I am not the only one getting ready for fall.

  54. kelley says

    I saw those at Michaels and thought the exact thing….I headed to the dollar store for my supplies. I love how yours turned out, now I cant want to finish decorating for fall.

    Have a great weekend.

  61. Michelle @ Ten June says

    Great tutorial! I headed over to Hobby Lobby yesterday and grabbed a bunch of random stuff to make my own! Hopefully they’ll turn out near as cute as yours! I’ll keep you posted on them! :) Thanks for the idea!

  62. Ashlee says

    LOVE it! I love fall and this was the only fall (and first) craft I’ve seen! Thanks for putting me in the mood! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday! I’ll be featuring this tomorrow!

  64. McKell says

    those turned out DARLING!!
    can i ask where you got the supplies? {please say dollar tree….please say dollar tree!!}
    it’s so much better creating your own decorations then buying them. so much fun! i love Fall decor the best :)

    *come check out my blog too if you’d like.

  67. Cheryl says

    OMGosh! Pure genius lol. I love these and so easy too. Now i know what I’m makeing for my front table. Thank you.

    Cheryl@My Own Snug Fireside

  70. Anonymous says

    I’m loving these! I was in need of something tall on our mantel. I need to tone down the large TV my husband thinks needs to also be on our mantel! :) These will be perfect! Thanks for the tutorial.

  74. Christy says

    I am so excited to do this…a little late for the fall…but I am sure this will easily adapt to all the other seasons and holidays…thanks!

  75. Stephanie says

    Yours look so much better then Michaels and yours were cheaper. I am defiantly going to try this. IDK where I will put it, but oh well :-)

  81. amanda says

    i had trouble getting the leaves to stay in the styrofoam, any suggestions? i love yours and mine were a total fail :(

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