Truffula Trees!

I love all things Dr. Seuss.  I ran across a tutorial on how to make Truffula trees (from The Lorax) sometime last year.  I pinned it but never got around to making one.  I usually don't have the time and/or energy to craft during the school year, so projects get done in the summer.  Well, with less than two weeks left before I go back to school, I decided to give 'em a go.  I love how they turned out!  Ta-da!

They were pretty simple to make, too!  I got the yellow planters at Walmart for $2.97 each.  I added polka dots using acrylic craft paints and a round foam brush. 

The sticks are actually tree limbs from my (neighbor's) yard!  We have pecan trees and are constantly having limbs blown down in storms.  To get them to stay standing up in the planters, first I put a thick layer of dirt from my yard (helps absorb the water from the p of p-->), then I used plaster of paris (found at Lowes for $5.98), mixed according to the directions on the box.  I used 4 cups of plaster for each one.  It said that it needs to set for 24 hours, but it was stable enough for me to start painting them in about 2 hours.  Again, I just used acrylic craft paints and a foam brush.  They needed about 3 coats of each color to be completely covered.

For the top fluffy parts, I used an 8'' Styrofoam ball (ridiculously expensive @ $12.94 a piece!!) and a feather boa ($4.98 each).  I found both at Walmart.  I just started wrapping the boa around the ball and pinning it every so often with straight pins.  I did have to adjust and readjust to get it to cover well.  (Don't try to use hot glue or you will get a gunked up, grody feathered mess). 

Then I just shoved the bottom of the balls down on the top of the tree limb!  Nothing to it!  I added pom poms (also from Wally World: I think they were $3.97 for 100, various sizes) at random places on the sticks just because I felt like it.  Then I got a chevron plastic tablecloth (97 cents from Walmart) to add to the planters to finish them off.  The tablecloth was just chevron on the sides with a white middle, so I just cut it and used one side for each planter.  You could use fabric, rocks, or whatever else you like.

And that's all she wrote!  Super easy and super cute!  I love 'em!  I know my kiddos are gonna get a kick out of them this year!

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Monday, July 29: I've linked up with Tara for Monday Made It!  Click the graphic below to see all the other great projects out there!  Thanks, Tara!