DIY Decorative Twine Balls

Make your own Decorative Twine Ball
I saw this craft idea on The Nate Berkus Show last week and decided to give it a try. Here are all the things that you need:
The project is a bit messy but it is just white glue so it cleans up easily.
Needed:
~Balloons
~Ball of Twine or Jute or String
~White Glue mixed with equal parts Water
~A bowl or plate to hold the Glue
I mixed the glue and water with a whisk. Then I cut off a large piece of string- I didn't measure- I prefer trial and error to actual mathematical calculations!
I dropped the twine into the glue and water and let it soak for a minute or two.
Then comes the messy part. I used a plastic cutting board to contain the drips and started wrapping the wet twine all over the balloon. The twine tended to slip and slide but I kept wrapping it and tried to cover the balloon evenly.
I set it down on the cutting board and let is dry a bit. I picked it up and cleaned the glue off the cutting board several times. Once it had stopped dripping I set it on a glass overnight so it would continue to harden.
In the morning- I broke the balloon and was left with this ball. Okay so now what? You may be asking. Good question!
These can be stacked in a wooden bowl or on a tray. They can be covered in glitter or painted. Make a variety of sizes and use them as sculptures or hang them like paper lanterns or use them in your Wedding Centrepieces.
The same technique would work with lace, string, jute, raffia, yarn or thread. Experiment with different materials and stack them all together for an interesting look.

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How To - DIY Decorating

When I moved home after college, my bedroom was a nightmare. The walls were painted in neon colors thanks to my outlandish teenage whims, and I still had a painting hanging up from when I was a baby (it involves teddy bears and balloons...). The blinds clashed with the paint (well, pretty much everything clashed with the paint, to be honest), my comforter was the same one I'd used since pre-school, and I had a T.V. from the dark ages sitting on my dresser, complete with taped-on antennae. I'm still in the midst of fixing it up, but I thought I'd share with you some of the projects I've done and show you how easy it can be to transform a room on a budget. All you need is a little DIY know-how and some elbow grease.
1. Painting: Always start with the paint. Why? Because it's not only the cheapest way to update a room, but it also makes the largest impact. Don't be afraid to take some risks with your paint. After all, you can always paint over your mistakes. I took the plunge and painted stripes on my walls using a chalk line and some painters tape.
2. Embellish a lampshade: I used to look at lampshades as a necessary evil; they don't do much except take up space. Now, however, I look at them as blank canvases upon which you can leave your mark.
3. Make Wall Art: Decorating your walls is as simple as grouping some framed photographs together. I used a decoupage project that involved wooden plaques, paint, scrapbook paper, and Mod Podge.
4. Change up your bedding: Duvet covers are basically the best invention since, well, duvets. They cost much less than buying a whole new duvet and you can change them out at every whim. Or if you're up for a challenge you can make your own! Pillows are one of the easiest things to make, especially if you're new to sewing.
5. Refashion your Furniture: I'm planning on delving into the world of furniture painting. Of course I couldn't neglect to mention decoupage as an option, since I'm clearly obsessed with it.
6. Whip up some window treatments: Right now I'm up to my elbows in ruffles as I attempt to sew my own curtains (I've got to cover up those clashing blinds!). I got the idea from a shower curtain project, and I actually used some tips from a T-shirt refashioning tutorial.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4939178