HOW TO MAKE A KISSING BALL TOPIARY
SKILL LEVEL: EASY
TIME: 30 MINUTES
YOU WILL NEED:
• 2 Martha Stewart Living™ North
Pole Collection kissing balls
• Martha Stewart Living™ North Pole
Collection 101-pack ornaments
• Martha Stewart Living™ North Pole
Collection ribbon – 1 30ft roll
• Cordless drill (We reccomend RYOBI
ONE+ 18-Volt lithium-ion compact
drill/driver kit)
• 3/4in dowel, 48in long
• Planter (We used a 14in x 27.5in slate
rubber self-watering planter)
• Rocks
• 1 8in and 1 10in square of cardboard,
with 1in holes cut from center(Cardboard can be adjusted if you use a
different size planter)
• 1in spade bit
• Hose repair clamp for 3/4in dowel
• Staple gun & staples
• Scissors
PAGE 1 OF 4
HOW TO MAKE A KISSING BALL TOPIARY
STEP 1
In the first ball, drill one hole into the plastic
center. The hole will be about 1in in diameter,
leaving plenty of room for a 3/4in-diameter
dowel. This will be the top tier of the topiary.
In the second ball, drill two holes directly
opposite one another. This will be the middle
tier of the topiary.
STEP 2
Staple the ribbon to the top end of the dowel
and wrap it around, twisting and turning the
ribbon and dowel as you go.
Stop between half and three-quarters of the
way down the dowel. The bottom section of
the dowel will not be seen.
Cut the ribbon and fold the edge under,
stapling it neatly into place.
STEP 3
Attach a hose clamp halfway down the
dowel.
PAGE 2 OF 4
HOW TO MAKE A KISSING BALL TOPIARY
STEP 4
Fill planter halfway with rocks to ground it.
Add small cardboard and place it snugly into
the planter, on top of the rocks. Cardboard will
help ensure that the dowel stays in place.
STEP 5
Place the other cardboard cutout a few inches
above the first, creating a platform in the
planter where you’ll place more ornaments
around the dowel.
Cardboard will sit a few inches below the top
of your planter to leave room for ornaments.
STEP 6
Insert dowel.
PAGE 3 OF 4
HOW TO MAKE A KISSING BALL TOPIARY
STEP 7
Slide your second-tier ornament ball (the
one with two holes) down the dowel so that
it sits on the clamp. Place your top-tier ornament ball (one hole) over the top.
STEP 8
Place ornaments on the cardboard platform in
the planter as the bottom tier, high enough to
cover any unwrapped area of the dowel.
If using outside, glue ornaments in place with
hot glue gun.
STEP 9
Make a pair and place at either side of your
front door or flank a mantel for a festival
holiday look.
PAGE 4 OF 4