It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here. Mixing up my color scheme this year was a little bit more difficult than I thought it would be. Why? Because I really had nothing to use for décor unless it was more natural looking and somehow related to burlap. Going bold this year was a bit more challenging. So when I came across these topiaries on BHG.com I knew I needed to somehow have them. I set off to make them and this is the result: 
It really doesn’t make sense for me to rewrite the step by step instructions as they are done really well on the bhg.com site. I decided not to spray paint my foam ball. Not because it wasn’t a great idea, but because I was on a time clock and didn’t have time to spray it! It really didn’t make that much of a difference. 
This project was complete using the 5 inch styrafoam ball. I made two and they took SO MANY MORE ornaments than I had planned. As you can see above I had bought six packages and ended up going back to Hobby Lobby for three more! Yikes. Nothing more frustrating than having to hop in the car and drive twenty minutes there and back in the middle of a project! Oh, well! 
A little warning if you take this on: it is sort of a pain to remove the top off of each ornament. And slightly painful under your nails. But well worth it! 
As a former fifth grade teacher all I could think about was a plant cell while making this. To be honest, it looks a little wonky the whole time you are gluing the molecules {I mean ornaments} to the foam. But once they are all in place it looks just like the original. 
For the vase, I wanted mine to resemble the milk glass look of the example but couldn’t find any on short notice. So instead, I picked up inexpensive glass vases and spray painted only the inside of each one. I LOVE how they turned out and am wondering why I haven’t done this before. It really gave it a soft and milky look. 
The wooden dowel is wrapped in satin ribbon and I chose stripes to tie on the top of each one as stripes are playing a big role in my Christmas décor this year. I picked up one package of really tiny silver ornaments to fill in any major gaps. There are spots that are not completely covered but unless you are up close analyzing them, you do not see them at all. Once I snap some photos I will show you where my two new ornament topiaries are residing for the holidays! I will be linking up this craft to our Christmas Cheer to the Blogosphere Link Party with Cassie today. Come join us and link up what you have created or just swing by to be inspired. Grab a button if you plan to link up! 
Love this! The green & blue are great. Well done
Looks fantastic. I really love your colors that you've chosen. Megan
This came out so cute! I love this color combo!
So, So, So, pretty!
This is so cute Courtney! Adore the colors 🙂
Oh these make me SO happy!! They're simply adorable! And did I know you were a 5th grade teacher?? I bet you were the most loved teacher at that school!!
The colors are so pretty!! What a great idea. Everyone's projects are so fun 🙂
Love this! You could make these for any occasion!
This is so neat! I love it! Definitely going to have to give it a try next year! 🙂
Gorgeous colors!
These are so fun! I love the non-traditional color scheme, too. I always wondered how to get the tops off the ornaments, but now I see how! 🙂 And I love the striped ribbon.
SO CUTE!!! I'm crazy about those colors! And if I had a dollar for every time I didn't spray my styrofoam ball….
These turned out great Courtney! I love the colors you've chosen. They're whimsical topiaries!
Really cute Courtney and I love the tip about spraying the inside of the vase – will definitely be trying that soon!
This is so cute, I love it! I think I HAVE to do this as my coffee table center piece. Thank you : )
Wonderful idea and I like all the colored baubles! Topiary are perfect anywhere and this one would look perfect in any home. 🙂
leslie
http://www.trouverlesoleil.blogspot.com
This is so beautiful what a great job you did. Whoever said green and blue should never be seen together was totally wrong! This is a stunning colour combo. Love it 🙂
Fantastic! Green and blue. I just love it. 😀 I 'm going to try it!
Thank you for sharing.
Love the topiary idea, for future December birthday parties for my lil man who was just born on the 1st! Silly question, but how do I pin one of the photos of the topiary if it doesn't have a Pin It icon to use? Thx!!!
Now that is the sweetest and prettiest topiary I have ever seen! Smart smart girl you are!
Happy holidays!
Jen
Wow! I love this ornament topiary! I was just wondering what new project I could do to make use of all of my leftover ornaments…this is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
What sizes are the ornaments you used? And I guess the clay is for holding the dowel in place, what size is the dowel or doesn't that matter?
Hi, Love this idea going to try it. What sizes are the ornaments you used and the dowel size ?