December 1, 2014

Happy 12 Days of DIY!

Day 1:DIY Twine Ball

We’re going to learn how to decorate a Christmas tree for $25 and look super-stylish. I have 5 DIY projects that will help your tree to the next level!

The twine ball is a great activity to involve children in making- it has very few ingredients and steps, and looks fantastic. Modge podge is also super easy to clean. My two year old helped me apply the glue.

cover image

The cost of this project is approximately $6-7. I already had some modge podge/decoupage paste, and some dollar store water balloons, and leftover ornament hangars, so the project only cost me $2.50 for the twine. Making the ornament took maybe fifteen minutes all said and done. You could easily make a couple batches at the same time, so that you had multiple twine balls throughout your tree (recommended). This project is definitely a staple of rustic-looking homemade Christmas ornaments, although it could easily be used year-round for any holiday.

Step 1: Materials

– Twine (any width is fine)

– Modge Podge or decoupage; you can get the glittery kind if you like. I use Martha Stewart glossy finish, as I already had it.

– Ornament hangars

– Balloons; I had water balloons lying around, however you may use regular balloons as well.

overall materials

Step 2: Blow up the balloon and affix the twine

Blow up balloon to ornament-size.

Wrap a piece of twine around the middle of the balloon, tucking the end underneath and wrapping it around.

materials start

glue start

 

Using a paint brush (or if unavailable, I used a silicone glazing brush leftover from my Thanksgiving turkey) liberally apply the decoupage paste so that you can’t really see where the end of the twine is. My twine loop moved around a little on the balloon- this is okay. With enough decoupage it gets damp and stays in place a little better. Don’t do it tight, as you won’t end up with a round ball in the end.

Step 3: Loosely loop the twine around the balloon and liberally apply decoupage paste.

Keep looping the twine around the balloon, liberally applying paste the whole time, and tie the twine off the same way you started.

glued 2

If you see any dry bits, cover them up.

Step 4: Hang the ball to dry, then pop balloon

Using the ornament hanger, hang the ball to dry.

glued

 

Wait until fully dry (if damp, will stick to balloon), and pop the balloon. Remove any pieces.

assembled

Step 6: Hang ball on tree, and repeat process to produce as many ornaments as you desire.

final

 

 

Coming up:

12 Days of DIY 2014

 

 

Check out the 2013 12 Days of DIY:

Rosemary Peppermint Sugar Scrub

3 Quick Cinnamon Stick Decorations

Cork Firestarters

Glass Ornaments

Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

Paper Scrap Trees

Peppermint Bark

How to Make a Snowflake

Christmas Scent and Hot Toddies

Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Printable Candle Wraps

Tomato Cage Christmas Tree

Published December 1, 2014 | By