Hi All! It’s the post you have been asking for! Ever since I shared my Rustic Winter Porch last week I have been shocked by how many emails I’ve received asking for the tutorial for my Burlap Topiaries. Well, you are finally getting it today and they are actually SO simple. So let’s not waste any time. Let’s jump on in on this Burlap Topiary Tree Tutorial…
These Burlap Topiary Trees are relatively simple to make and can work for so many different occasions. I used them for my Winter Porch and plan on keeping them up for spring, they would also work well for a wedding or make smaller versions to use as centerpieces!
I will warn you if you are a regular reader of my blog, these are probably one of my more pricey projects. I generally try to keep things as inexpensive as possible but once I got the idea in my head I just had to go with it this time!
Supplies Needed:
– 2 Terracotta Pots
– 2 Dowels at 1/2″ thick
– 4 Styrofoam 8″ Half Balls (I only used the half balls because they were actually cheaper than buying a complete 8″ ball. I’m always up for saving a few bucks.)
– 2 Green Styrofoam Blocks for the base
– Satin White Spray Paint
– Pack of Straight Pins
– 3 Yards of Burlap
– Bag of Natural Gray Moss
– Hot Glue
– Scissors
Start by spray painting the pots and the dowels in the satin white. Two to three coats may be necessary.
Once dry, place a green styrofoam block in the bottom of the pot and then insert the dowel into the block. In the end, I added a few rocks on top of the block to make it more stable.
Take the two Styrofoam halves and cut a circle in the middle to fit the dowel through. Thread the two pieces through the dowel and then secure them together by placing hot glue around the middle seam and at the top and bottom to make sure the dowel doesn’t slip.
When I started these topiaries, I had a vision of what I wanted them to look like but I was struggling with how to make the bubbles until I landed on this Burlap Bubble Wreath by Today’s Fabulous Finds (her wreath is gorgeous, you must check it out). Janet had a very easy technique for making the bubbles so I decided to give them a try.
I cut my burlap into 4X4″ squares, then started to fold them into the bubbles by holding two corners together and then folding in the remaining two. It will create a little pocket.
Then, using the straight pins attach each bubble onto the Styrofoam ball. Continue until the entire surface is covered.
And here are how my Burlap Topiaries look on my front porch right now!
So easy enough ya? Hope you get as much use out of them as I will!
About Taryn Whiteaker
Taryn Whiteaker is the voice of style behind TarynWhiteaker.com (formerly Design, Dining and Diapers) ! Taryn is a previous PR/Marketing professional who got back to her creative roots after becoming a mom and now shares her passion for home decor and design for the world to see. Taryn lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and three kids and loves coffee, the outdoors, and exploring with her family.
Gina says
January 24, 2013 at 6:49 amThese are so cute! I need to do something to the porch- it’s sort of the neglected space since we moved in.
Carrie A. says
January 24, 2013 at 7:56 amI am really into burlap right now, so of course I pinned this… I need a burlap folder for all my burlap stuff! :) I saw the cutest burlap house mini flag yesterday on the PB site and I want to recreate it for much less.
Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy says
January 24, 2013 at 8:11 amSO cute T!!! Your porch must inspire all of your neighbors! They must walk by your house regularly just so they can check out your newest projects, I know I would :) You are one talented gal!
Hugs
Jaime
Rachel says
January 24, 2013 at 8:40 amThey look amazing!! So excited that you shared this post! And burlap – I love anything with burlap.
Anita Langford says
January 24, 2013 at 8:44 amGreat idea. Love your topiaries on the porch. Unfortunately no porches here in Michigan. Thinking the entrance way might need one. Hmmm!
Ashley C. says
January 24, 2013 at 10:05 amSo cute Taryn! I love it!
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
January 24, 2013 at 10:26 amyay! I love your Topiary Trees (and your whole porch)! I have a little bitty porch, but I am totally going to do one of these trees! It will be nice to spruce it up a bit!
Jenna @ The Pink Lantern says
January 24, 2013 at 11:01 amI am crazy about these, thanks for sharing the tutorial! I think I need to make some mini ones for my mantel. :)
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says
January 24, 2013 at 1:30 pmLove this! Pinning!
Jill Flory says
January 24, 2013 at 5:21 pmI LOVE this so much! I have my eye on some printed burlap at Joanns – but I didn’t get it because I didn’t know what I’d do with it. Thinking I need to get some and make a couple of these with it!
Kristy says
January 24, 2013 at 7:45 pmHave been looking for the perfect winter porch decor before spring hits. LOVE the topiaries…I have some electrical boxes I need to hide on my brownstone front porch so i’m thinking of trying a taller double topiary..
Thanks for the great inspiration!!
Kristy
Robin says
January 24, 2013 at 8:58 pmOh how pretty. I love this project. thanks.
Shannon Fox says
January 24, 2013 at 9:24 pmSo cute Taryn. You work wonders on your porch! These would last about 2 seconds on mine, so I’ll live through you :)
Emily ~So Domesticated~ says
January 25, 2013 at 9:40 amI love this!
Taylor @DearOlympia.com says
January 25, 2013 at 2:10 pmThis is absolutely gorgeous! I’m a new follower from the Frugal Friday link up : )
ngnrdgrl says
January 26, 2013 at 7:32 pmThese are super cute! What a fabulous idea. Such a simple idea too.
Jamie says
January 26, 2013 at 10:19 pmThat’s adorable! Thanks for the tutorial. I’m going to add it to my list to try one day ;)
Natalia says
January 27, 2013 at 10:19 pmI love this! I was drawn to just the picture, it’s so cute! I am pinning so I can come back later & make it! Thanks for sharing!
Deborah says
January 28, 2013 at 6:03 pmThese are adorable! Where I live, I’d have to anchor them in cement or they’d be in Kansas baby! I’m pinning this right now! Have a great week!
Deborah
Leslie says
January 29, 2013 at 11:13 amBeautiful. I love topiary trees and this one is unique. May have to try to make this. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from sugar bee crafts.
kara says
January 30, 2013 at 6:57 amI love this! I have a whole bolt of burlap that is begging for me to do this ;)
Kim says
January 30, 2013 at 1:40 pmOh they are like two little beauty queens sitting next to your door. So sweet!
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
January 30, 2013 at 7:04 pmThese look awesome! I also made a bubble burlap wreath. Now I can make companion topiarys.
Janet says
January 30, 2013 at 10:59 pmI LOVE your burlap topiary trees, they’re so creative and fun! Thanks so much for your sweet comment and the link to my Burlap Bubble Wreath. :)
Suzan says
January 30, 2013 at 11:12 pmThese are just amazing – wow – and what an easy project!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing – think I’m going to have to attempt this ( when the weather gets a little nicer )
I want these on my front porch!!!
XXX
gail says
January 31, 2013 at 11:38 amlove, love love your topiary trees, and they look beautiful on your porch! Great tutorial Taryn!
gail
Kelly @ The Moon and Me says
January 31, 2013 at 1:02 pmThese look so cool! And they’re so perfectly even all over.
Love them. :)
Kelly
Chrissy says
February 1, 2013 at 8:12 amThis is STUNNING! I HAVE to make these for my office. :)
Mindi says
February 1, 2013 at 8:22 amBeautiful! Love the topiary, and the porch!
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
February 1, 2013 at 6:54 pmThese are so dang cute, Taryn! You are seriously so creative! I never would have thought to even do something like this!
Allison
Nancy Pfeifer says
February 1, 2013 at 8:00 pmA-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! I hope you link on my party!!
LOVE IT!!!!
amy says
February 2, 2013 at 7:03 amTaryn, this is GORgeous! Love love love! I’d be thrilled if you’d share it here at my party this weeK:
Emily says
February 2, 2013 at 8:43 amI love these! Actually, I love the whole porch!
Michelle@yagottahaveahobby says
February 2, 2013 at 1:13 pmThis is really super cute! Love it.
Jenna Allen says
February 2, 2013 at 8:21 pmLOVE this! I want to make some for my front porch!
Tami says
February 4, 2013 at 12:29 pmTaryn, this is so cute. I shared it today over at Scribbles and Swirls. Thanks for the inspiration!
http://tamiscribblesandswirls.blogspot.com/2013/02/burlap-topiary.html
Tami @ Scribbles and Swirls
twinkle star says
February 4, 2013 at 1:21 pmI really love these, thanks for the fab tutorial! Your welcome sign on your porch is lovely – I notice you have ‘croeso’ on there – I am visiting from Wales :)
Estelle xx
bridgett says
February 6, 2013 at 2:39 pmI love anything and everything burlap! These topiary’s are fabulous! Your front porch is gorgeous! Would love for you to share at the party tonight! xo bridgett
Beckie says
February 20, 2013 at 6:53 pmPretty and unique! I love the simplicity and beauty of the burlap! Such a great tutorial!
Martha says
April 14, 2013 at 4:53 pmI just made a topiary using your tutorial! It turned out GREAT! I painted my pot and stick gold. Thank you for providing the tutorial so that I could make something wonderful also!
Denise says
October 21, 2013 at 2:07 pmI would like to make this but I just wanted to ask if there’s a reason you used the smooth ball versus the styrofoam balls?
Theresa Ellis says
July 15, 2016 at 10:06 amI want to know the color on the front door. Looking for that beautiful gray and can’t find it.
Mary Carlton says
January 14, 2018 at 5:25 pmI came across this tutorial in my wanderings thru Pinterest ….Love it! I’m trying a smaller one to begin. For the larger size, can you let me know the approx. size of the pot you used and the height of the pole you used? I’d like to get the basic dimensions for it to be eye pleasing. Thank you so much!!