Ornament Obelisks
I saw something like these in a mail order catalogue - I thought it was pretty fabulous. Then I saw the price tag - $400! Yeah, that's what I thought too. So here's my version, if you can find a deal on the urn (mine was $12.00 from Lowes!), you should be able to pull the whole thing off for about a tenth of that.MATERIALS
Urn
Spray insulation (it comes in a spray paint can in the insulation department)
Cardboard
Wreath
1/2" PVC pipe, 5 feet
About 6 various size plastic ornaments (you'll need one really large one, I couldn't find the size and the color I wanted so I spray painted some in the right size to match)
Tree topper or pointed oversized ornament for the top
Drill or Dremel tool
Place your urn upside down on the cardboard and trace a circle. Cut out the circle slightly smaller than you marked so you get a disc that will rest just inside the lip of your urn. Cut a half inch hole out of the center.
If you have a plastic urn and you live in a windy area, drill a half inch hole in the bottom of the urn - if not, you can skip it. It just makes the obelisk a bit more sturdy. Place your pipe against the bottom of the urn (or in the hole you drilled at the bottom) and spray the insulation foam all around it. This will eventually expand and harden and will hold your pipe up.
Slide your cardboard disc down over the pipe to rest inside the lip of the urn.
Prepare your ornaments by drilling or using a Dremel to get a 1/2" hole in one side and out the other.
With the ornament for the top, just drill through one side.
Now, slide your wreath over the pipe.
Add your largest ornament....
Add the next one....so on and so forth.
When you get to the top add your topper. If your pipe is too long, simply cut it off with a hack saw or pipe cutter.
Stand back and be impressed with yourself for saving $360.