Today's Works-For-Me-Wednesday tip is about how to make an inexpensive fall topiary, but I first have to mention this: I think we need to establish some kind of workers' comp for bloggers! I have officially sustained my first injury:
(Please ignore my old lady hands! They have been that wrinkly since I was born, and now, at the ripe old age of 32, they look positively ancient.) Let's focus on the large glue gun-induced blister on my finger instead.
I sustained this injury while attempting to create my fall topiary. I bought one of these green cones at Michael's, spray painted it black (so that the green wouldn't show through if I missed any spots)...
...and gathered my glue gun (nasty little thing) and a few pounds of nuts (2 1/2 lb. to be exact) from the grocery store. Then I turned on a DVR-ed "Desperate Housewives" during Nina's nap, and about an hour later I had this adorable topiary!
I liked it so much that I went back to the store, bought some more supplies, and made a second topiary. I figured one day I might have a traditional mantle again, and that I would want one for either end. Each topiary probably cost a total of about $10. Works for me!
(And if anyone knows of a good insurance plan that covers glue gun burns, I am open to suggestions!)
Aw hun. OUCH! Hoping your finger is mending. The topiaries look so neat! What a neat crafty idea! But, coming from you I'm not surprised at all Miss Crafty pants!
ReplyDeleteOh no. I just had a thought~ is that the hand you write with? Double ouch if it is.
Hope it heals quicky~ Hugs, Les
Hope your boo boo heals quickly! I'm envisioning some sort of settlement here. What do you think?! I had to laugh at your old lady hands. I was just compaining to my husband about giving up my Bath & Body works soap to save a little money. It's only November and I'm already suffering! They are cracking and splitting. I just can't keep them from drying out!
ReplyDelete♥ the topiarys by the way!
Ouch, that looks painful! yikes! Although I am super jealous that you found those cones at Michael's. I've been wanting to work on a similar project and my store doesn't carry them. But I love what you came up with!
ReplyDeleteOUCH!!! Your poor little hands!!
ReplyDeleteThe topiaries are just perfect....where do you come up with this stuff....I would love to know!!
Hot glue burns hurt so bad! Hope it is better soon so you can keep making your lovely crafts! :)
ReplyDeleteawww, sorry about the injury11 and what a great fall ida, great work girl!! LA
ReplyDeletelove them! any ideas for a set of Christmas ones? those glue guns can be nasty!
ReplyDelete~nicole
How very cute!!!
ReplyDeleteOuch..your finger looks like it does hurt! I burn mine all the time but have never had a blister!
-sandy toes
I love your new topiaries! They are perfect for fall!
ReplyDeleteHope your hand feels better soon!
These topiaries look great...I have 3 of those cones sitting in my work area and now another cute idea to use them for...just need to find the time! Glue guns should definitely come with a hazard warning!
ReplyDeletefun! i made the same ones last yera in bed on bedrest with gum drops and peppermints for christmas, i then shilac-ed (sp?) them to save them for this year, viola, anothe candy chrsitmas!!
ReplyDeleteOwie! I feel so badly for you :(!! The topiaries turned out so cute though if it's any consolation! They'll look great straight through Christmas, especially with a Nutcracker nearby :)!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your finger, but those topiaries were worth it. They're great!
ReplyDeleteMy hand is just now healing from glue gun burns from last week!! I feel your pain. However, I am going to run out to get the stuff to make this! I love it!!! Easy, simple, but pretty! Right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the blister!! I did that to myself a few months ago - nasty glue guns!
ReplyDeleteThe topiaries are very cute (so it was worth it)! :-)
Manuela
Oh, this couldn't have been more timely!!! I bought some new accessories yesterday but still ned somthing tall to balance them out. This will be perfect! I didn't want to spend a fortune and this more than fits the bill!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Yikes!!! I hope it gets better soon. I LOVE the topiary!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you're injured. That looks painful but I believe the end result was worth it. Those are adorable.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea.
You and me both. I think I get a burn every time I use that darn glue gun! Sorry about your injury but the finished product just may have been worth it...it's so cute!
ReplyDeleteOuch -- those burns hurt!! Hope it heals quickly! And those topiaries -- so incredibly cute! May have to copy!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good day!
Janet
Ouch! That looks like it really really hurts! I love your topiaries! So cute!
ReplyDeleteOh, those are cute, Carrie! I know just what you mean about the glue gun hazards. I'm sporting 2 popped blisters right now from last Friday when I did a lamp shade demo. Man, it smarts!
ReplyDeleteOh, those are cute, Carrie! I know just what you mean about the glue gun hazards. I'm sporting 2 popped blisters right now from last Friday when I did a lamp shade demo. Man, it smarts!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Sorry you burned yourself. I've had my share of close calls. The topiary by the way is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, so sorry you got a burn...that's a really bad one! I've got glue gun burns before, but never like that!
ReplyDeleteSecond of all, you never cease to amaze me! The topiaries are so cool! Nuts, who would have thought?!
Those are great. I see why you made 2,but OUCH! "No Pain no gain" should not refer to crafting.I have a glue gun that melts so hot I get burned, too. I always wipe it off, so I end up with a smear shaped burn but not an actual blister.Aloe plant?
ReplyDeleteOh no! Burns hurt so bad. I hope it gets better soon. great WFMW idea! you are so creative!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. I really want to tell you how much I love the topiaries, but I just can't get over that burn! Yikes! All in the name of decorating! :)
ReplyDeleteCute!! Oh, and I've HEARD there are cool touch glue guns for people like you and me. I joke that if the FBI ever needs my fingerprints, they may or MAY NOT be available due to glue gun injuries!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Those are really cute, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteThat blister looks awful - do you have some aloe? Sometimes that helps. Have a great day! :)
That glue gun will getcha every time...or me at least! I love the topiaries and they look so natural and you can keep those out a long time. Super creative. Sorry about the burn. I hear toothpaste is a great help with burns! FYI
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE this idea!
ReplyDeleteI just saw a special glove created for use with a curling iron. Perhaps it would work jsut as well with a glue gun??
ReplyDeleteThe project looks great! Are those nuts you've glued on?
Darlin' your 32 yr old hands look just fine...except for that awful owie! That's a big one!
ReplyDeleteLove the project...I am sooo not crafty, but I can duplicate. : )
Oh dear. That does not look good. Sorry but I am sure it was worth it - right! :) So cute - now that corner really looks up and running!
ReplyDeleteGlue guns are evil, aren't they?!
ReplyDeleteYour topiaries are adorable though...your creativeness is astounding to non-creative me. :)
I love the topiaries! They look great! What a good idea! Ouch about the hand! Hope it feels better soon!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, I'll be linking! I hope your hand feels better! That injury is hard core!
ReplyDeleteThat was a nasty blister. Wowzers. But beauty is always painful like plucking our eyebrows or cutting ourselves shaving our legs. And beauty is what you got with that topiary. Cutesy cute!
ReplyDeletegreat idea.
ReplyDeleteglue guns. i love them and i hate them.
i'm thinking of doing a topiary for christmas with vintage buttons, but noticed that the cones are super expensive everywhere.
i'm thinking that i may scour the dollar store down the street and see if i have any luck!
I know you love to cook and thought I'd just pop you a quick comment to check out my blog for more details on a current recipe exchange.
ReplyDeleteI've participated in three past echanges and you never know what you'll wind up.
I, too, have old lady hands. I happen to think yours look nice...except for that burn. Oooo. :(
ReplyDeleteThe end result of the topiary looks nice though!
OH my goodness what a nasty burn!!! Love the topiaries they are very cute!!
ReplyDeleteOH my that is adorable!! Looks like something from a store! I love your site. (By the way, I tried to take a picture of my bent "spray paint finger" a while back and didn't post it cause my hands looked awful in the picture!! :)
ReplyDelete