March 16, 2012

Under $5 Vase Filler

I have been meaning to fill my apothecary jar with something for spring or something that I could display year-round.  During the month of January and February my jar looked like this...


I got the pine cones from Walmart during their Christmas clearance.  I love the look of pine cones or other natural elements as vase fillers, but it's time to bring in some spring!  I wanted something inexpensive and easy to make.  I found a tutorial on the Eddie Ross website here on how to make plaid shirt ornaments.  I am definitely making those bad boys for my Christmas tree this Christmas!  Anyways, I had scraps of fabric left over from my no-sew pillow covers plus some sage green fabric that I bought on clearance a few months ago.  So, I decided the two fabrics together would be a perfect combo to make fabric balls to use as vase fillers.

Here's what you'll need:
Scissors
Ruler
Pins
Fabric
Styrofoam balls (I used 3 inch balls)

Step 1: Measure the circumference of your ball.  Mine were about 9 inches.  I added an extra half inch so that I could overlap and pin both ends of the fabric together on the ball.  My boyfriend was lovely enough to want to help me!  Those are his fingers, not mine! : )


Step 2: Cut your fabric into strips based on the length of the ball you chose.  So, I cut my strips 9.5 inches long and made them each 1 inch wide.  Even though I did use cotton duck fabric (the patterned fabric) on three of the balls, my tip is to use regular, thin, cotton fabric (the green balls).  Regular cotton fabric will conform to the ball more and look "neater" in my opinion.

Step 3: Wrap each strip of fabric around the ball making sure they are tight and cover the entire ball.  I only used one pin for each ball by using a pin on the last strip of fabric.  Using pins instead of glue allows you to use different patterns of fabric year-round to change up the look of your fillers.



Step 4: Place your fabric ball fillers (lovely name, huh?) in a basket, vase, or jar!




Here's a before and after:

Before
After
This project cost me a total of $3.50.  I had everything on hand except for the Styrofoam balls.  Amazing how simple it is to update a space!


I'm linking up here:

17 comments:

  1. Awesome idea! I found you on the network blog hop. I'm now following you and would love for you to come visit my blog.

    Marilyn
    4you-withlove.blogspot.com

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  2. What a great idea! :) Love the look. Megan

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  3. Really cute tutorial - I saw a wreath made with fabric balls like this - easy for kids to do too.

    Coming to you from the Linky Follower's Blog hop from It's So Very Cheri :-)

    http://longislandchick.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kathleen! Following you back!

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  4. Super fun project! Love the blog, I'm a new follower!!!

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  5. Nice little change! I found you through the blog hop and it's a pleasure meeting you. I have become your newest follower! Would love to see you over at my place too! Have a lovely week!
    Love, Olga
    www.stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com

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  6. Super cute! This is a great idea. I'm always looking for ideas for vase fillers.

    Thanks for following me! I'm following you back.

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  7. Hi,
    I found you on Cheri’s Blog Hop Party… I am following you. Please follow me back. Your Blog is lovely.
    Thanks.
    http://dawnandwinniebookreviews.blogspot.com/

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  8. Very pretty - not a bad price either =)

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  9. So very cute! Crafty idea!
    Following Linky Follower Party Hop.
    Now following you!

    http://itstimetoreadmamaw.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia! Over to check your blog out now!

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  10. Caroline hi! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! However I don't see you as a follower...LOL...probably forgot to join! No worries, it's happened to me also! I'd appreciate it if you come back and follow!

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  11. Awesome...thanks for following me! Hey, I did want to let you know on my e-mail you came up as a no reply blogger so if people are not responding to you wonderful comments, that may be why. I hope you have a wonderful week!

    Marilyn
    4you-withlove.blogspot.com

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  12. How cute are these? And for 3.50, I'm in! Found you at Cheri's blog hop, and am your newest follower, will you follow me back?

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  13. I love this idea, very cute! I did something similar for the holidays, but I think I might switch it up for Spring.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kate : ) I loved doing this craft idea - so cheap and easy to switch up. Defintely like the idea of doing the same thing for the holidays!

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