The weather in my neck of the woods has already gotten quite warm. The temperature actually reached 87 degrees last week! March has only just arrived, but in Austin, Spring has already sprung.
I wanted to bring some of that beautiful Spring green into my home after a dreary winter. I ran across some sheets of preserved sheet moss at Hobby Lobby and thought they would be a good choice for me, as I was not born with a green thumb. I can pretty much kill any live plant that comes into my house.
I’d never heard of preserved moss, but I thought it would make beautiful moss spheres like the ones that I’ve been seeing everywhere. The preserved moss is fresh looking real moss on a sheet of earth, as opposed to the fake or dried moss you can buy in bags. I think it cost me $3.99 a sheet, which is about the same price as the not-as-pretty dried stuff.
The original idea was that I was going to use spray adhesive on the ball and attach the sheet moss that way. Well, one sticky hand and a lot of frustration later, I opted for straight dress makers pins. I simply tore off a large piece of moss wrapped it around a Styrofoam ball, and secured it all around with the straight pins.
You can see a straight pin here if you look closely.
I just kept wrapping and piecing the moss together around the ball, securing with straight pins. There ended up being a lot of straight pins, but you can’t see them on the finished product.
In the end, each ball looked like this. I love how you can see dirt, twigs, and moss on this ball…just like it came straight out of nature!
I purchased this really great chippy urn at Goodwill a few weeks ago and hadn’t found a use for it. I decided that the moss balls would look awesome in here. They do, don’t ya think?
Just an FYI – when determining the number of moss balls you want in your vessel, remember that the Styrofoam balls will be larger in diameter once the moss is attached. I originally thought I wanted to use 2 large balls and 2 medium balls, but after the moss was attached, I only had room for 1 large ball and 3 medium balls.
I am really pleased with the way this turned out. It adds a nice Spring-y touch to my dresser display.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fabulous idea- love how in looks in your display-
Thanks so much for sharing-
Happy Day
Oh, pretty!! Looks like spring in the Houston area, too! Love it!
Suzanne
Love it, great job! I made a wreath for my front door out of this and the birds came and pulled it all off! LOL!
What a great project! I’m going to keep that in mind. Your display looks beautiful, too!
Love this idea! It does look like Spring!
So pretty and easy! Happy Spring
I love that idea! It looks great, I think I’ll have to hunt down some moss and try it!
So pretty! Love it!
Love this! I think I might have to steal this idea for a centerpiece for my dining area table
~ Zoe
Just the perfect spring touch. I’m going to have to look for some moss now.
I love moss! That project is great.
i adore how those turned out.
i would love to make some…
and that little birdie perched on your books is sweet too.
What a great project. And YES it looks awesome in your GW urn. I just love a thrifty find and project too. Thanks for sharing and I want that birdie. LOL
That is really cute! I see lots of girls getting out the moss about now. We’re all ready for spring!
That looks great, I love the moss balls, I’ll be following your directions!
This looks fabulous!! Great job- love that urn!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
I bought that same urn at Michaels a couple years ago on clearance for $2 but could never figure out what to do with it. I just need some balls and moss. Thanks for the great idea and tutorial!
This looks great. I love the idea. Everything looks wonderful, really liked your post.
Blessings,
Debbie
Wow! Who would have thought…that looks beautiful and seems really easy to make! It looks great how you have them in that vase. LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing the how to!
Love it! It looks so cottagey!
Ooo, fun project!!! Love it!
That’s perfect for Spring! Love it!
-Kim
I will have to try this because it looks so great!! I am so ready for warmer weather!!
Hello! I found your blog over at Bless Our Nest. I love the mossy spheres and especially how they dressed up your Goodwill find! Great tablescape!
What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing.
I just came from The Inspired Room and love your post – plan on making one this week.
Haha, my sister and I tried making these with tacky glue, not a good idea! Maybe we’ll try again:)
Love this idea. I actually looked at moss sheets today while I was at Joann’s! Great use for it, and they’re beautiful to boot!