Spring is in the air (and I’m definitely feeling it with the worst case of allergies EVER)! I’ve packed up all of my Valentine’s decor and am ready for some bright spring colors around the house.
I love getting my Ballard Designs catalog in the mail. I love the design concepts, but do not like the prices. See the boxwood topiaries above? Love them! $49 – $65! What?! Of course I know I can create a knock-off for a fraction of the cost. And I did.
I found these Better Homes and Gardens fall pieces just last month on clearance at Wally World for just a buck each. Yes, $1.00! They were tucked away in the floral section, leftover from fall.
I bought these because I knew I could use the pots. I removed the fall leaves and pumpkins and put them away for another project. Remember these green boxwood balls from Hobby Lobby? They were originally $4.99, but I got them for half-off. I also used them for a centerpiece on my breakfast table.
You might also recognize this. It’s Krylon’s nickel spray paint and I think I am addicted. I’ve used it here, here and here. Good-bye gold, hello shimmering nickel!
Of course I added a little Distress Ink (another addiction).
And here are my Ballard Designs inspired boxwood topiary domes.
Let’s compare, shall we?
Ballard Designs dome topiaries = $49 each
(thanks for the inspiration)
My boxwood topiaries = $7 for the set!
Very cute, I love these, very springy!
Very cute… you can get sticks and make double ones too!!
Great idea and looks fab! xoxo
Great idea! I love your topiaries! I may have to run up to Hobby Lobby and get started on some myself.
Have a great day!
Pam
Great job, Jennifer! I always love seeing Ballard knock-offs because I'm a Ballard fan {but not of their prices either}. I've seen little urn type arrangements like these at Michaels, but never thought to get them and take them apart. Now I know better!
Wow! I love these – great job!
I love these…you did a great job! I hope I can find the same containers at our Walmart!
Love them, I think I'm going to make some too. Hope your allergies are better:)
Love love love them!
Fabulous! Love it! I'm visiting from
Craft-o-maniac!So nice to meet you!
I love them! I like yours better than the BD ones.
WOW! Great job…thanks for sharing with us…excuse me i need to run to walmart real quick {smile}!
Those are amazing. I'm your newest follower. I would love it if you linked your project up to my link party. It will be open through tomorrow.
More The Merrier Monday.
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
These are great!! I so wish we had Hobby Lobby here in Mass. I see such great things from there.
Wow, love the finish you created on those urns! Fabulous, I need to head to Hobby Lobby for some boxwood balls!
These are too cute! I want some!! Love that you sprayed them, and the distress ink is new for me. Can't wait to try it!
Great savings and great project!! I had those cute little balls in my basket and then put them back. I have to go back and get them now!
bee blessed
mary
Love them! I love topiaries and I love how your turned out! And I love the price, too
I have been wanting to make topiaries. I love the way yours turned out!
Beautiful!
I didn't even know Hobby Lobby had the boxwood balls. That will save me a lot of time clipping sections and poking holes in styrofoam!
Hard to believe you got those pots for $1.00. Usually just the pot with nothing in it is so much more, so you got a GREAT deal. I really like how you painted them. I've seen those balls at Hobby Lobby but didn't know what people did with them. Your project turned out really nice.
Wow! What a transformation! I was just looking at topiaries the other day at Target, and was astounded by the prices. Seriously? $29? I'm going to have to go check out Hobby Lobby's florals.
Good job, I love the urns too. Did you know that those boxwood balls unsnap in the middle? I unsnapped mine and used each half in my urns, for a different look. You can see it at http://paintordig.blogspot.com
Wow! I think this is one of my favorite Ballard knockoffs I've seen. you did a great job and for such a bargain!
http://itsybitsypaper.blogspot.com
SO beautiful!
Wow! you did such an amazing job!!! I am absolutely obsessed with topiary trees!!! Wow! They look Fabulous!!! And for so little money!!! This is on my to do list!!!
xoxo
Actually I like yours so much better. And how great is it that you can take an inspration pic and make it even better!
So cute! I am going to use your painting method on something soon. I LOVE spray paint but haven't ever used the nickel. You did such a great job recreating the topiaries!
-emily
http://www.nestnestingnested.blogspot.com
Very cute!!!
Hello! I am visiting from Diy By Design. I must say, I just love Ballard Design knock-offs, and yours is superb!
Great job! I love a good thrifty knock-off!
These are fantastic. We don't have Hobby lobby where I live. I'm going to check Michaels to see if I can fine these.
I found you on Blue Cricket's show and tell and am now following.
These are so adorable! I want to make some:). And, I want to pass the Versatile Blogger Award on to you! If you’d like to accept, you can visit my post for the award rules here: http://www.thequeenbeeshive.com/2011/03/versatile-bloger-award/
Congrats!
Jeanene
Love these! I have never seen them at Hobby Lobby – going to have to check it out! I picked something like this up at Tuesday Morning and Meijer – and put them down, now I can make my own, thanks for sharing! Visiting from DIY by Design.
Liz
These are really cool! I've been wanting to make a topiary for awhile now. Thanks for the idea!!
PS: I'm doing my first every giveaway on my blog and I'd love for you to come enter! Check it out: http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-first-giveaway-and-introducing-your.html
Love these! Found you on BCD!
Would love for you to stop by my blog:
http://www.laforcebewithyou.com
Love your topiary idea and the price was just right, too.
Super cute! I think I love your knockoffs better
Awesome job Jen! I can't believe how great these look for only $7!
Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont
Hi Jen! I am so happy I found your blog on a link party! I have a little girl and I love all your healthy food ideas – can't wait to try the smoothies! I love all your creative posts as well. You have awesome ideas!! I'm your new follower!!
Love it and the price!
I actually like yours even better! They look really great:)
Love how you got the pots for a buck! I'll have to keep my eye out!
I love this! I'm a huge Ballard Designs drooler, which means every time I get the catalog, I browse and drool. Rarely purchase because the price is just beyond what I'd like to spend. Thank you SO much for teaching us how to do this on ourselves! Now if I could just weave my own Provence Market Basket…
Oh these came out fabulous! LOVE them : )
craft-interrupted.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh! What a clever girl you are!! Love these little topiaries…so very Ballard!
xoxo laurie
Absolutely beautiful topiaries. I love Ballard…yours are even more beautiful. Thanks so much for linking up to the Winter Blues Wednesday party. Hope to see you again next week.
these turned out great! love those boxwood balls!!
LOVE those! (Better than the Ballard, too) Great job!
These are absolutely beautiful! Great job. I am looking forward to exploring the rest of your blog. You are so talented!
Rebecca Cousins
Freckles Crafts
These are so cute! And I had never heard of distress ink. Your topiaries are darling.
This turned out so cute!!! I love it! Here’s another party if you would like to link up… http://www.bubblynaturecreations.com/2011/03/project-party-weekend-5-ways-to-re.html
Love these!!
Justsewsassy.com
Jen these are OVER THE MOON! I can't believe they are homemade. They look even better than the "original" if you will lol. I would be delighted to have you share this at my VIP party today. http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/guess-what-were-back-online-for-weekly.html
Sommer @ Designer Garden
very well done! i would love for you to link this on my fridays unfolded @ http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2011/03/fridays-unfolded-8.html
now a follower, just so i can see your next great project!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
Your topiaries Beautiful!
Adore topiaries and Ballard designs~ these are fantastic! Stopping by from TT~ nice to meet you!
I'm SO excited I found this project, because yesterday at the Dollar store I saw those greenery balls for $2ea and couldn't think how to use them. Definitely going back. Definitely trying my hand at this.
I'm your newest follower. Adore your blog!
Lovely!
These turned out great! I love them – I will be keeping my eyes open for those lovely little boxwood balls (we sadly don't have a Hobby Lobby in the Seattle area)!
Chelsea
OMGoodness…these are a must do…love how THRIFTY they were. I’m having a giveaway…be sure to come by and check it out…it ends March 6.
Blessings,
Linda
These are fantastic! Love them.
How cute are these?! Love the nickel finish and the price tag!
Perfect! The pots are the perfect size… nice job! Thanks for linking up Flaunt it Friday!
Love this design and ease.
You have been featured at CraftOManiac. YA-HOO! Thanks a bunch. winks-jen
Love topiaries. I was shocked at the price of the urns, I understand fall clearance but still anything in an urn shape … just shocked. Can you pick me up some. (sure the shipping to Vancouver wont cost too much) WINK!!! Keep up the great work
Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD
These are great! I have been coveting the angel vine topiaries, but these just might scratch the itch. Thanks fir the inspiration!
OMG! Those are great! I'm going to see if one of our Wally Worlds have any of those left. Our stores keep moving stuff around & then I think those items are all gone. I have to say, Walmart has had some pretty nice items like that for the last couple of years. Their fall stuff was darn amazing. I am probably the only person around (unless you happen to live in my little town) who lives in the land of no Hobby Lobby. I know, how sad. But we are moving soon, I hope, to the big city where they abound. Can't wait!
CAS
Those look amazing, what a great job. Can you believe we finally just got our first Hobby Lobby? Apparently I need to get there…pronto!
What a fabulous idea! They look even better than Ballard's version! Thanks for the inspiration! Becca
Great job. I love them!
Fun project
I have made topairys for clients~~~love yours!! and the price yippee!! awesome
What a cute blog..and I love your adorable profile pic
)
So nice to meet you~~~have a blessed Sunday!
Stopping by via Showcase Sunday…
Kay Ellen
Totally in love, what a fabulous idea! I am now on the hunt for great deals to remake these! Thanks for sharing your talent!
Jenn@
builditsewitloveit.blogspot.com
These look fantastic. I was in PB last night looking at some similar (overpriced) pieces! Yours look much better!
Very nice! I'll have to look for these at Hobby Lobby! I'm a new follower! I'd love for you to stop by!
Where in Hobby Lobby did you find the boxwood balls? I looked the other day and couldn't find anything like them. I have wanted to make something like this for a while. Great Tutorial!
I love 'em!!!
Crystal, I found them in the garden section. They were near the urns. Thanks for stopping by!
JEn
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Did I say I love these. Thank you for the inspiration.
This is brilliant! I'm with you on those awful Ballard prices. Great Before and After!
I have been SEARCHING for topiaries everywhere with NO luck! Yours look fabulous! I could make some IF I could find the boxwood balls, no HL near me:(:(:( I will keep looking for the components though. The Ballard prices are NUTS:):)
This is GOOD! Love your way of thinking!
Donna
I just love these! I need and want some just like them! I featured them on Hoo's got talent! Thanks for linking up to the party!
seven bucks? how great is that!
way to go!
gail
oh my gosh! maybe if we gang up on the Ballards and PB's of the world, we can drive down prices…love it! didn't know about the spheres though at Hobby Lobby!
juliesfreshperspectives.blogspot.com
So cute! I may have to try these! I saw the bases in the Dollar Store the other day and freaked out thinking of this DIY!
You've been featured at my Hookin Up with HoH party! this week! Congratulations.
Please feel free to stop by and grab a button if you'd like.
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
Your definitely win! I am thinking of making a couple of these myself for the ledge over the sofa in the front room. I love silk and plastic plants – mainly because the cat does not!
Hey girl, where did you find the boxwood balls in your hobby lobby?
I like yours better…and the price MUCH better!
Hi Jen, I'm loving your blog and the topiaries are fantastic. I hope you'll share those with the group on the K's message board. Great looking.
I just became your newest follower and hope you come visit my blog, too.
Thanks,
Helen
Love them, I have the same thing, from Walmart too…but I keep my brown…I know what Im busting out tomorrow. Thanks for the style
These are awesome! I didn't know you could buy the balls at Hobby Lobby. I love the look of topiaries so I may need to swing by the floral section on my next shopping trip… Thanks!
(via Someday Crafts)
Great job, Jen! Way to "rock what you've got!"
Jen I LOVE your Ballard knock-offs! What a score at a buck a piece… go you! Your project is in the PoPP Spotlight this week. Thanks for linking up.
I LOVE your topiary set & your blog! I'm your newest follower…I found your blog from pinterest. I hope you'll stop by my new blog & follow along too!
loveofhomes.blogspot.com
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