Shamrock Topiary

My mom came to visit for a week, and brought me some supplies to make this cute little shamrock topiary! It was so fun making this craft together. She was kind enough to be my model in several of the tutorial pictures. :)

Finished it in a naptime, and I'm super happy with it.

Here's what I used to make this:

3/4" dowel (cut with chopsaw to be 12" long)

3/4" drill bit and power drill

2x4 block (cut with chopsaw into a square)

shamrock template

1/3 yard St Patty's print fabric

green acrylic paint

sponge brush

rhinestone embellishments

tule ribbon

Step 1: I bought a package of these cardstock shamrocks last March at JoAnn's (I've seen them at all kinds of stores, however). This is the template for the shamrock. Fold fabric in half, then place template on the two layers of fabric, and trace. Cut.

Step 2: Place fabric shamrocks wrong sides facing, and topstitch around edge of shamrock, about 1/4" from edge. Leave about 3" unstitched for stuffing the shamrock. Leave bottom of stem unstitched also (where the dowel will be pushed through).

Step 3: Using poly-fiberfill stuffing, stuff shamrock firmly. It needs to be pretty full so that it has enough gusto to stand up straight when mounted on dowel. Topstitch the opening closed.

Step 4: Paint dowel piece with green paint. After letting dry, glue the end of the dowel piece and fit into hole in block.

Step 5: Smooth glue bubbles, then paint block with green paint.

Step 6: Spray with sealer for a more finished look.

Step 7: Glue the top of the dowel, and push stuffed shamrock up and through shamrock.

Press firmly onto dowel and let dry.

Step 8: Tie bow with tule, and embelish shamrock and tule with rhinestones and buttons.

Cute!

Luck 'O The Irish

Since moving to Dogtown, in St Louis, I've truly begun to embrace my Irish heritage. My great great grandfather came to the United States from Ireland after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was among the first in the settlement party to settle Parowan, Utah. This cute little valley is absolutely gorgeous, and packed with 2,500 of the friendliest and most patriotic people you'll ever meet! You can still pick up on the Irish accents and colloquialisms that define our little town.

So, I'm counting down the days till St Patty's day (as is everyone else in the neighborhood) and adorning my home in green. Here's the first sneak peek!

Our mom made these for us! She painted the blocks beige, then cut and inked square scrapbook paper. Mod Podged them to blocks, then also mod podged Cricut letters with inked edges for the antiqued look!

I linked up with some of these fun linky parties this week!