Spring Craft: Color Burst Seed Balls

I recently made a trip to Borders and picked up a great new book called "Simple Crafts". It is filled with tons of great crafts for every season. I am super excited to try these out. Of course, finding the free time is somewhat hard to do.

I decided to share these crafts on my blog, so that those of you who are crafty AND have some spare time might be able to enjoy them as well. Many of these crafts can be used as wedding centerpieces or other decor (either as is or maybe altered somewhat), so get creative and think how you might be able to incorporate them. Consider simply changing the colors to match your wedding day scheme or (with the craft below) cover the foam balls with crystals rather than painted seeds. Most of the crafts I am going to share are very simple and are perfect for the DIY bride. So...please enjoy and Happy Crafting!!

COLOR BURST SEED BALLS

Supplies:

1. 2.5" - 3.5" plastic foam balls (such as Styrofoam)

2. Rice, beans, leaves, sunflower seeds, and raffia

3. Paper plate

4. Craft stick

5. Thick white craft glue

6. Straight pins

7. Acrylic paints in hot pink, lavender, yellow, green, and orange

8. Medium size flat paint brush

9. Gold highlighting paint such as Rub'n'Buff

10. Narrow gold ribbon

11. Multicolored beads

To cover a ball with small items:

Fill a paper plate with rice, beans, or seeds. Using a craft stick coat one section of the foam ball at a time with a generous amount of glue. Roll the coated ball in the plate or se our fingers to place the items on the foam ball. Cover the entire ball.

To cover a foam ball with raffia:

Spread glue randomly around the ball. It does not have to be entirely covered. Begin wrapping around the ball in one direction. When an area is covered, continue wrapping in the opposite direction. Continue until the ball is completely covered. Use straight pins to hold the raffia in place until dry.

To cover the ball with leaves:

Use semidry leaves, not too dry or brittle. Spread glue on back of leaves and press onto ball. Continue to glue and overlap the leaves until the ball is covered.

Paint each covered ball a different color using desired colors of paint. Using a medium-size paintbrush, paint with a generous amount of paint, working the paint into the crevices. Let dry.

Use a very small amount of gold paint on your fingertip. Gently rub gold over raised areas to create a highlight.

If desired, wrap balls with gold ribbon threaded with colored beads.