Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Two new obsessions

So, if you know me even at all, you know I sometimes get "obsessed" with things. Yep, obsessed. And, right now, I am obsessed with two things; my new iPhone and twine. The first being a gift I bought myself after a two-year self-imposed restriction on all smart phones. I had a dumb little flip phone that I kept breaking....so, I decided if I could keep the little flippy safe for two years, I deserved an iPhone. AND, iPhone, you have completed me.

My second obsession is twine. Recently, I created yarn letters (read previous entries), which are indeed fantastic. HOWEVER, I then tried twine cover letters...even more amazing (I'll show you pictures soon). So, I have been hearing all the craze about yarn balloons, where someone blows up a balloon, covers it in glue-soaked yarn, lets it dry for a day, then pops the balloon. That's all fine and dandy, but I didn't want a balloon-shaped hanging thing. I wanted a circle and I wanted it covered in twine....

Behold and see what I have created!!! With inspiration of course from the many balloon yarn balls and such I have seen on pinterest (I stayed away for awhile, but I can't anymore...this is due mostly to my iPhone). Anyway, the twine balls await you...seriously, they are AMAZING!!!! (read on to see how they are made...amazing)

This is the completed twine ball. I will eventually hang this up from the ceiling with clear fishing line.
Probably a cluster of twine balls will hang from my ceiling!!

The bouncy children's ball covered with glue-coated twine.

The magic that holds this project together!!!

The children's ball (deflated to remove from the twine ball) with the magic pump!

Okay, so how this project was made. I went to the store and bought a children's play ball (about $3), a roll of twine (about $5) and a tube of tacky glue (under $2). I drew a circle on the top of the ball with magic marker...this was a two part plan. First, I thought I might someday add a light bulb into the twine ball and needed ample room for the fixture. Second, I needed enough room to defeat my ball and remove it. Anyway, after the circle was drawn on the ball, I went to town!! I set out a trash bag, poured a lot of glue into a little bowl (it was easier than constantly pouring out more glue, trust me!). I covered my fingers in glue and went over every inch of twine as I was winding it around the ball. I tried to make the twine go every which way and fill the space equally. You will use an entire ball of twine and an entire tube of tacky glue (small size...not mini, but small). You can pretty much tell how it'll look as you're going. I was then out of twine and my ball looked great. I sat it down and let it dry for 24 hours. I then deflated my children's ball and removed it from the twine ball.....it held it's form perfectly and I love it!!!

This is something you must try, as it's so easy, so fun and looks so original. ALSO, you can reuse the children's ball again and again!!! Good luck! Stay tuned for my other fun twine creations! :)

All you need is LOVE

Happy New Year everyone!! Ah, I just wanted to share a quick little update about how I completed my yarn letter project. The "V" was bought, covered and now proudly sits displayed in my hallway. Moral of the story: At least start a project...you are more likely to finish it than if you never start at all. Amen!

My LOVE is done!!