Push Pin Topiary

Back to school is upon us!  With some kids already in school and others headed back soon, I thought it would be really fun to share a cute and colorful craft idea that makes a great decoration or a really fun teacher gift!  I love this Push Pin Topiary as a teacher gift because it is fun and totally useful!  But it would also be super cute as a decoration as well!  So many options!  And the best part is that while it does take just a bit of time to make, it is really easy and you could easily create this while you watch TV in the evening or are chatting with your family.  I love crafts like that!  So keep reading for all the details on how to make this Push Pin Topiary!

Supplies needed for this project:

• (1) FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam: 6″ Ball
• (1) FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam: 3″ Cube
• (1) 12″ Wooden Dowel
• (1) Container
• Push Pins in various colors
• Tag and Stamps if desired
• Shredded paper to fill top of container

Instructions:

You will begin by pushing the 3″ piece of foam into the container of your choice.  It should be a very snug fit.  You can use low-temp glue to help secure it if necessary. Cover with shredded paper.

Push wooden dowel several inches into the foam ball and then place the other end of the dowel into the foam inside the container.  This should all feel secure.  If not, you can use low-temp glue to secure it in place better.

Alternating colors, push your push pins into the foam ball close together.  There will be space between the pins and that’s ok.  If you’d like, you can paint the ball a coordinating color first to disguise the foam ball.  If the pins don’t stay well and you plan to use this only as a decoration, you can use low-temp glue to secure the pins in place.  But since I want to give this as a gift to a teacher, and I want the pins to be usable, I did not use glue.  As long as the topiary isn’t dropped or knocked over, the pins will stay in well without glue.  Continue inserting pins until the ball is covered.

If you’d like, you can add a tag onto the dowel.  Mine says “school” but you could add your teacher’s name or school name!

And that’s all there is to it!  My daughter is begging to take this into school to give to her teacher and I might just let her do that!

Either way it is super cute and so fun for this time of year!

Do you give your kid’s teacher a gift at the beginning of the year?