For those of you who asked how to make my Pumpkin Topiary, here it is. Now, don't get overwhelmed. This sounds difficult, but it isn't. But you will need about 2 days to make them, because the concrete needs to dry. I got this project idea from Lowe's in 2003. You may want to get your husband to help with this project, although I am proud to say that I made these all by my lonesome self:) Roy just gets to drag them back into the attic each December. I would give this project 2 stars on level of difficulty.
If these directions are confusing, let me know. I wrote this up by memory and I hope it is understandable.
Items you will need:
*Styrofoam Planters, 1-2 depending on how many you want to make
*Styrofoam Planter Plates (the little saucers that planters sit on. Make sure it rests--upside down--in the planter well)
*Spray Paint (whatever color you choose)
*Concrete Mix
*Rebar
*2 small blocks of wood
*Pumpkins (if you use fake, buy 3 that are large, medium and then small. Make sure the smallest one has a nice top).
*Fake Fall leaves and berries
*Spanish Moss
*Drill with drill bit to match diameter of rebar
*Hot Glue Gun
*Small saw or very sharp knife
-Spray paint the planter(s) the color you would like. Make sure you get the tops.
-Measure the height to where you want the pumpkins to stop and cut the rebar. Remember to take off a little for the stems of the pumpkins (you will be cutting off the stems of the bottom and middle pumpkins). Sometimes Lowes will cut the rebar for you. I cut it with one of Roy's power tools. Shhh!
-You need to get one of the blocks of wood and drill a hole the size of the diameter of the rebar. Insert the rebar into the hole and place the wood block at the middle bottom of the planter. Mix the concrete according to directions and pour into planter to cover wood block. (make sure it is high enough to make the rebar straight when concrete is dry. Also make sure the rebar is in dead center). Wait for concrete to dry (will probably take all day!).
-Drill the same diameter hole in the middle of styrofoam plate. Once concrete has dried, push plate (upside down) down on the rebar until it fits snug on top of planter. There should be at least 3-4 inches of space from top of plate to top of planter.
-Drill the same diameter hole on bottom of large pumpkin and bottoms of middle and top pumpkin. With a sharp knife or saw, saw off the stem to the large and medium sized pumpkins. Make sure tops are flat. Drill same diameter hole through the middle of where the stem was on the large and medium sized pumpkins (DO NOT DRILL HOLE ON STEM OF SMALL PUMPKINS). Slowly thread large and medium pumpkins over the rebar. Situate the pumpkins the way you like. Thread the small pumpkin on top. If rebar makes pumpkins sit too high, you may have to cut the rebar to adjust height.
-Arrange fall leaves and berries between small and medium pumpkins and medium and large pumpkins. A hot glue gun is helpful at this point. Stuff Spanish moss around top of planter.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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3 comments:
Thanks for posting, but this sounds difficult to me. Of course, I am not crafty AT ALL!
Does anyone in the CLT area want to do this together? I am so clueless. Maybe Donna could even teach the class? I would make you Shrimp and Grits!
Nancy, I would come to the class. I live in Matthews. I know I can't do this one alone. If Donna is up for it please contact me via my blog and we could get our items ahead of time and then meet at one of our houses. I would love to do these!
I have to admit, when I started reading your step by step instructions, I lost interest fast because it seemed a little overwhelming. Plus, I don't know what half of that stuff is. You should host a class DOnna! That's a good idea. And for those who can't come, you need to post pics of what items you're talking about. Who would have thought your topiaries from 2003 would still be such a hit?
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