Yes, you read that correctly: I made Tomato Cage Topiaries. I love topiaries so much that I made not only one, but two out of tomato cages and I LOVE THEM!
My Love, not so much – he hates topiaries! sorry babe!they’re not going anywhere!
Remember my recent find on SuperBowl Sunday? I couldn’t pass up two cheap tomato cages and as I stated before in my post here, why buy them when you can grab them for free?
Here they are, and not too shabby I must say. The original owner must not have been much of a green thumb, because looks like nothing much was growing on here.
Since these are tomato cages, what more appropriate name, than tomato cage topiaries?
How To Make Tomato Cage Topiaries
Now on to these beautiful fabulous topiaries. I am so proud of myself that I implemented my crafty plan in only a few days!
It helps that my materials were easily found at our Dollar Store. They had some 4′ leaf garland and floral wire so I purchased all of the ivy looking vines that they had. I believe I spent around $32 total for this project and it took me only a few hours to complete.
This floral wire was amazing and so easy to use with it’s own little cutting device! Snap and you’re done!
I tied up the top of the cage wire.
Draped the garland from top to bottom
And then meticulously wired the garland onto the cage at every intersection. I used 15 strands of garland for each topiary.
I may go back to add more when they restock their ivy but for now I think they turned out great.
It was so easy to attach since the garland had little loops at both ends.
There are gaps where you can see through but that’s okay, everyone knows it’s fake greenery faux anyway, right?
I filled in the parts I didn’t like with a few more similar plant pieces that I cut up from other greenery I had on hand. Not exactly the same but that doesn’t bother me, overall I like the look of it.
I am sure Hobby Lobby carries fuller garland but I am not willing to spend $19.99 and $29.00 per strand. This girl’s on a budget so Dollar Store will suffice!
It still didn’t seem finished so I used a finials that I had on hand and toilet paper tubes and constructed a little topper for each topiary.
It looked a little shotty at first but once I painted it, it really was the perfect added touch that the topiaries needed.
Don’t they look great! I think they are cute with the red planters and pillows. Perfect for Christmas AND Valentine’s Day. Quite impressive towering over this short girl at six feet tall!
Front Porch Decorations I Used
Did you happen to notice the other items on the porch? I included links in case you want more details:
- Red pillows – $10 ea Walmart
- Red Planters – Found Curbside – See more about them HERE
- Finial – $5 Yard Sale – Read about my Garage Sale Weekend HERE
- Bench – $25 Kroger – yes, the grocery store!
- Wreath – Found Curbside along with other Junk HERE
- Glittery M – I Made it – See how I made it HERE
- Doormat – Home Depot
I had such a fun afternoon putting these topiaries together! I hope you enjoy them as well 🙂
Update: My friend Allyson commented below, questioning if it may fade over time. I am going to spray it with some clear poly spray. I’ve done this before on other outdoor projects and it worked great! For $30 bucks it can’t hurt, right? Now off to find that poly spray!!! – Thanks for the reminder Allyson 🙂
OMG, Tami I love it!!! I want some on my porch I am just worried about it fading the greenery a lot since it gets quite a bit of sun.. Does yours?
What a great project for the front entry! I am going to do this on my on front entry as well! Looks easy and the finials made it look very upscale! AWESOME JOB!
Ana
Tami, your front entrance looks gorgeous!!! I love the topiaries and all the touches of red! Just beautiful!!! And I just noticed the outside molding over the door!!! Here we go again! 🙂
Oh, Tami, you don't know how much trouble you are starting! LOL
Tami, these are great. I think I have to make one for my front door. I have some tomato cages in the garage that I don't use.
Hi Tami,
You look like a fun one to hang out with!
Just found you on the blog hop and am now following you. Hope you'll drop by!
~Tina
WOW! Those turned out great!! I love the tops of them….very cool 🙂
Such a great project! I love that you "shop" curbside, so do I 🙂 Now I know why I haven't gotten rid of the tomato cages that I found curbside, haha! Thanks for a fab idea.
Cheers, Andrea
Brilliant! Love these! Can you link them up at my place tonight? I would love to feature them in a future post!
Melody
ChattyChics.com
http://chattychics.com/2012/02/07/need-inspiration-wild-wednesday-2/
hi there. hopped on over thanks, to the blog hop. i'm a new linky follower. would love it if you would follow me as well. have a great night!! (:
What a clever idea! And they look beautiful!
Love them! Your porch looks so inviting.
I love your blog, and I'm a new Linky follower. Stop by and follow too so we can stay connected. Lori
Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday! I am now following via Linky and hope you will too!
wow..I bought them for my front porch and I can say yours looks better!! the height adds to the elegance I think….and who would have guessed tomato cages..that is great!
i am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Your tomato cage topiaries are wonderfu! You did a great job and I like your bench and pillows. Very nice. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
Beautiful topiary, Tami, and a great looking porch!
Cheers
I found you via the Linky hop and have become your newest follower. Hope you have a chance to visit my blog and perhaps follow me back.
Oh good gracious!! I can't pin this fast enough. These are fabulous. What a wonderful job. Your entry looks amazing!!
{HUGS},
kristi
Really cute idea! Stopped by on the Link Party. Hope you can stop my and follow along with me! Thanks!
http://cdm-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/
Carol
You are so clever. My husband would be likes yours too, and hate them…why not sure. Thanks for sharing.
So clever! These are great! I think they look amazing. Real topiaries are so expensive, this is a great alternative! Good job!
Stopping by from Shady Porch! Love the topiaries! Lucky me I've got two tomato cages in my garage waiting on tomato season! Little do they know, its always topiary season!
Love these topiaries! I'm your newest follower!
I love this idea! Yours look great sitting on either side of your door. I love topiaries, too.
I am newly following your google and linky tools!
~Shanon
Greetings,
What an awesome idea! I love your topiaries…looks beautiful! I'm your newest follower. Hope you will visit Magnolia Cottage.
Lisa
Found you through Aimee at It's Overflowing — love this idea! Kudos!
This turned out AWESOME!!!! I'm so happy to feature your topiaries!!! Thanks so much for sharing at my party!!! Can't wait to see what you link up this week!!! Just in case you haven't entered, my giveaway for 1000 full color business cards ends tonight at midnight!!! Glad to be following you!! XO, Aimee
So cool! What an impressive transformation.
I wanted to write you and see if these have faded at all? I am really considering making some for our front porch, it just gets direct sun so I am not sure if its a good idea or not!
I remember these Tami like they were yesterday! I still love them..and yes my husband still would not LOL! Thanks for sharing with the Dollar tree party.
Hi Tami! I found you over at the Dollar Tree Party. The topiaries you made look very nice…your porch looks darling! Thank-you for sharing your good idea. Denise
I love them!! You're a total genius!
Those are great! And thanks for the step by step guide to making them – I have most of this stuff on hand and think I will make them! Thanks!
love them,, I dont have tomato cages but my dad does,, I bet he'd let me borrow two for the holidays.. thanks for sharing,, Im a procrastinator (big time) but If I actually get these made Ill be sure to link back to you.
Those are fabulous, and you wouldn't really have to remove them after the holidays!
Your topiary are beautiful. This fake topiary is maintenance free compare to real topiary.