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in Crafts· Decorating· Dollar Store Crafts

Crafting with a floor mat and a basketball…

Yes, you read that right. I crafted with a floor mat and a basketball, both purchased at the Dollar Store. Here’s my mat and my basketball. Can you guess what I’ve got up my sleeve?

DSCN8769

The mat is made up of some type of cheap jute/twine. Here’s a closer look.

DSCN8771

And here’s the ball. It’s a Nurf-style basketball so it’s kinda squishy.

DSCN8773

The first thing I did was spray-paint the ball all one color – I used the closet thing to brown that I had in my stash. It’s a metallic color.

DSCN8786

Then I took my rug and carefully started untying and unraveling it.

DSCN8785

Then I took my hot glue gun and started gluing…

DSCN8788

Can you see where this is going?

DSCN8790

Yup, it’s a decor ball – a very large decor ball. The picture above is basically showing when you run out of twine it’s A-okay. Just start a new piece where the old one ended.

DSCN8792

I just kept wrapping and gluing. It was very monotonous. Plus, I guess other bloggers are just way better than me because I burned the crap out of all my fingers while attempting this project.

DSCN8795

But glued burnt fingers were totally worth it because, well, just look at it!

DSCN8803

Nice, right?!

DSCN8801

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This ball was way too easy to make. However, I did end up using FIVE mini glue sticks. FIVE! I think there’s more glue than twine on this ball.

DSCN8818

I’m considering making another one of these as a give-away if enough of my readers like it, so if you like it and want me to do a give-away for one, leave and comment and let me know!

I just don’t want to burn off all my fingers again making a 2nd one if no one wants it.

Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Dollar Store Crafts Tagged With: accessories, before and After, Dollar Store, hot glue gun

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Comments

  1. even-star says

    03/25/2010 at 12:59 am

    This is so amazing. How did you put the two things together? It seems so obvious but I really have to admire people who can look at ordinary things and see something extraordinary.

    Reply
  2. Helen says

    03/25/2010 at 1:18 am

    Great idea, I like the new decoration baal 😛

    Reply
  3. Miss. Jen says

    03/25/2010 at 5:21 am

    I like this! My son, on the other hand, may soon be wondering where all his basketballs went!! 😯

    Reply
  4. debbie says

    03/25/2010 at 6:05 am

    I LOVE it! I also am so glad there is at least one other person out there who scars herself with a glue gun. Everytime I get mine out, I know disaster is around the corner!
    Came over from SITS to say hi.

    Reply
  5. Brooke says

    03/25/2010 at 6:44 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! Want one… And I’ll be forced to make one if you don’t have a give-a-way and I don’t win!!! 😛

    Reply
  6. Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says

    03/25/2010 at 6:50 am

    Love it! Love, love, love it! I think unwinding one of those rugs is a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing!

    I’m visiting from Transformation Thursdays. 🙂

    – Michele

    Reply
  7. Erica says

    03/25/2010 at 7:34 am

    I love this craft. I really like the look of these trendy balls and now I’m so glad that I know how to make them out of everyday things. Thank you!

    I’m so going to make lots in different sizes and maybe spray paint them different colors, too.

    Reply
  8. Julie says

    03/25/2010 at 8:16 am

    Very creative! Who would have thought?

    Reply
  9. Melissa Howard says

    03/25/2010 at 10:35 am

    I love, love, love that you used an old floor mat for this!!

    Reply
  10. Kristi @ Creative Kristi says

    03/25/2010 at 1:04 pm

    Um you TOTALLY need to enter this into the $5 Dollar Store challenge over at Living with Lindsay!!

    http://livingwithlindsay.com/2010/03/the-second-annual-5-challenge.html

    She’s got some great prizes for a winner and a runner up! Go enter!!!!

    Reply
  11. Elyse says

    03/25/2010 at 4:45 pm

    This could be the single most creative thing I have ever seen on a crafting blog!

    Reply
  12. Amie says

    03/25/2010 at 4:52 pm

    I LOVE IT!!!!!!! What a great idea! I love the way it looks displayed! You are so creative!

    Reply
  13. ashley says

    03/25/2010 at 5:48 pm

    SUCH a great idea to use the basketball and floor mat! I will have to give this one a try! I just added your button to my blog!

    ashley
    http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com

    Reply
  14. Tristen@blissfulchaos says

    03/25/2010 at 9:03 pm

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Please do a giveaway. I’m so in love with these decor balls, but hate to spend the money on them. Thanks for the brilliant idea.

    Reply
  15. kristine says

    03/25/2010 at 10:23 pm

    did i already mention how creative you are??? oh yeah, i did 🙂 you go, allison!

    Reply
  16. care-in says

    03/26/2010 at 7:40 am

    OMG…that is so awesome. I would never have thought about that!

    Reply
  17. Gina says

    03/26/2010 at 9:04 am

    What a clever idea! The dollar is full of fun possibilities!

    Reply
  18. Lori says

    03/26/2010 at 9:58 am

    I’m totally loving this!!! 5 glue sticks wow!

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday. Please join me next week for another great party. Don’t forget to stop by and enter my giveaway. I’ll announce the winner at next weeks party!

    Reply
  19. brandy says

    03/26/2010 at 12:44 pm

    found you from FF

    Come around sometime

    http://www.bzzagentroyalty.blogspot.com
    The Buzz
    Brandy

    Reply
  20. Laura E says

    03/26/2010 at 1:19 pm

    nice

    Here from FF

    Take a minute to check out my blog
    I Have a Misikko Hana flat Iron Giveaway Going over 100 dollar package

    ethertonphotography.blogspot.com

    Reply
  21. Brandi @ Frugal Farmhouse says

    03/26/2010 at 1:37 pm

    I love this look. Every time I am in the stinkin dollar store I walk by the balls to do this.. and I talk myself out of it.. I think you just talked me into it 🙂

    Reply
  22. Sarah says

    03/26/2010 at 4:11 pm

    So cool! I love decorative jute balls but they can be so expensive.
    Sarah

    Reply
  23. Becky says

    03/26/2010 at 8:22 pm

    OM goodness-now THAT is repurposing! WTG!

    Reply
  24. Cindy J says

    03/26/2010 at 8:33 pm

    Seriously how do you come up with this stuff. I would have never thought about taking a floor mat apart. It is so totally cool.

    Reply
  25. sarah says

    03/27/2010 at 6:26 am

    it’s perfect for the place on my side hutch in the dining room! It’s been begging for something kinda tallish, but not a vase… and not a candle… This is it! Thank you!

    Reply
  26. Rachelle says

    03/27/2010 at 3:21 pm

    I love it! I jsut bought some from Walmart this past week that looked similar.. Could have just had you make me one! 😉

    Reply
  27. Molly Cash says

    03/27/2010 at 6:33 pm

    That is a great idea….a nerf basketball…who knew?? It turned out so great!!

    Reply
  28. Jaime says

    03/27/2010 at 5:51 pm

    WOW! That is totally awesome! I wonder if I can find a cool mat like that around here. I think these might look really cool in different sizes on my mantel. Maybe? I don’t know. We just bought our own house and I want to decorate it so bad but can’t decide on anything. I love this. Might just have to give it a try!

    Reply
  29. Carolyn says

    03/28/2010 at 5:56 pm

    Oh my goodness! You are crafty! It turned out great!

    Thanks so much for linking up to Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden!

    Reply
  30. Alicia @ Thrifty and Chic says

    03/28/2010 at 7:16 pm

    Oh my gosh, who would have thought…thats just simply amazing and visionary. I love it!

    Reply
  31. Beth says

    03/29/2010 at 7:11 am

    love it, the ball turned out beautifully.
    But after recovering from a couple 2nd dgree burns from my glue gun, while working on my daughter’s dollhouse, I am not ready to pull the glue gun out any time soon! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Kaysi @ Keeping It SImple says

    03/29/2010 at 7:45 am

    Wow that is awesome! I love how you wrapped it! It’s looks great!

    Reply
  33. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    03/29/2010 at 9:20 am

    Very very nice…surely my son won’t miss some of his b-balls right??

    Reply
  34. Shannon Olson says

    03/29/2010 at 2:50 pm

    great job! just love it. 💡

    Reply
  35. Jessi says

    03/29/2010 at 5:49 pm

    My, my! Now that is creativity!

    Reply
  36. Rhoda @ southern Hospitality says

    03/29/2010 at 6:04 pm

    WOW, you girls are inventive. that’s really cute! Lots of glue, but cute. DOn’t know if I’d have that much patience.

    Reply
  37. Condo Blues says

    03/30/2010 at 9:39 am

    There’s another blogger (I’m sorry I can’t remember who) who is doing a $5 dollar craft challenge. You should enter this because you took too totally unrelated cheap things and made something that doesn’t look like 2 unrelated cheap things. If that makes sense.

    I love your blog header. Orange graphicy things *swoon* !

    Reply
  38. Leslie Scott says

    03/30/2010 at 2:45 pm

    :mrgreen: That is such a terrific idea. I am so going to try this!!

    Reply
  39. tammy says

    03/30/2010 at 4:53 pm

    i love it! and i want it! 🙂

    Reply
  40. tammy says

    03/30/2010 at 4:54 pm

    how clever! i love it! 🙂

    Reply
  41. Sharon@KeenInspirations says

    03/31/2010 at 7:07 am

    This is a great idea! May I ask at which Dollar store you found the mat? I’d love to try this. I’ve made some decor balls that are a little larger than normal by using the HUGE Christmas ornaments that were on clearance. If you have a minute you can see them here:
    http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2010/03/decorative-balls.html
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Sharon

    Reply
  42. Tracy says

    03/31/2010 at 7:53 am

    I would have never dreamed this would turn out so great. I love it.

    Reply
  43. Kelly says

    03/31/2010 at 11:42 am

    I LOVE this. Never in my life would I have come up with the idea of using a mat and a nerf ball to make something so decorative.

    I have some leftover twine from another project – I might have to try this…

    Reply
  44. Lanie Ree says

    03/31/2010 at 12:14 pm

    This is so clever! I love it.

    Thank you for linking this to A Little Craft Therapy, as well!

    Reply
  45. Kimm at REINVENTED says

    04/01/2010 at 5:33 am

    That is amazing! I never would have thought to unravel a mat. Great idea!

    Reply
  46. beth anne says

    04/02/2010 at 4:01 am

    way to thankk outside the box! i love balls!

    Reply
  47. mary'smom says

    04/02/2010 at 6:11 am

    Just found your site! I followed instantly. Great blog! 😀

    Reply
  48. Joy says

    04/02/2010 at 10:57 am

    Great idea, I’ll have to give it a try using some styrofoam balls I got free @ the thrift store. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  49. Lisa~ says

    04/02/2010 at 9:55 am

    Oh my goodness! That is amazing. I would never have thought of it. Do you think it was better to disassemble the mat than just by a ball of twine? It does have a nice texture. It’s a great idea. Plus you could use it outside! Love it. Lisa~

    Reply
  50. Melinda @ One Life Many Journeys says

    04/02/2010 at 6:33 pm

    OH-MY-GOSH! I love this. I love hemp twine but the texture this twine has is the bomb. Sign me up for the give away!!!!
    I must see if my Dollar Tree has the rug. I can think of many projects that it would enhance. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. Whoot Whoot. :mrgreen: I am green with envy.

    Reply
  51. Staci says

    04/02/2010 at 10:36 pm

    I love that it is bigger than your typical decorative ball! I want one…but don’t burn yourself again!:)

    Reply
  52. jenjen says

    04/02/2010 at 11:59 pm

    That is awesome – so creative!

    XOXOX
    Jen

    Reply
  53. Patty says

    04/03/2010 at 11:51 am

    I love your ball…does it bounce? I’m sure my kids would play catch with it

    Reply
  54. hiswriter says

    04/04/2010 at 5:15 pm

    Love it! I don’t think I would have the patience or attention to details to make it as good as you did.

    Reply
  55. Stephanie Lynn says

    04/04/2010 at 4:28 pm

    Now that is creative! Looks great!

    Reply
  56. deb@dragonflytreasure says

    04/04/2010 at 4:50 pm

    Way to go! Looks great!
    *hugs*deb

    Reply
  57. Kat says

    04/05/2010 at 2:01 pm

    Seriously would have never thought of making it out of a mat and nerf type ball. I love it! Glad to see you’re doing a giveaway!

    Reply
  58. Michelle@ a full cottage says

    04/05/2010 at 7:45 pm

    I love this, I never would have thought of it. I have wanted a big decrotive ball but am to cheap to pay what I have seen them charge for them in the store.

    🙂 Michelle

    Reply
  59. googiemomma says

    04/06/2010 at 9:01 am

    SHUT UP!!! That’s awesome! I’m new here–and you definitely have a new follower! Awesome blog!

    Reply
  60. Cap Creations says

    04/06/2010 at 10:01 am

    Great job! It looks fab!

    Reply
  61. Vamessa says

    04/06/2010 at 10:49 am

    Wow- what patience you have! It looks amazing!

    Reply
  62. diane says

    04/06/2010 at 9:23 pm

    oh my goodness…I had NO idea where you were going with those beginning pieces. That is an AWESOME idea. Hope your fingers get better soon – there are other projects to be done!

    Reply
  63. Heather @My Frugal Family says

    04/07/2010 at 9:09 am

    Oh- SUCH a great idea!

    Thanks for linking up with Talented Tuesday!

    Reply
  64. Stacey @ Fun to Craft says

    04/07/2010 at 4:39 pm

    This really is such a crazy idea…yet it TOTALLY works and is fabulous! I love it! Thanks for sharing at Fun to Craft’s Spring has Sprung Party.

    Reply
  65. Christie says

    04/07/2010 at 9:37 pm

    It’s awesome! I Love it.

    Reply
  66. Kelli @ Lolly Jane boutique says

    04/12/2010 at 2:13 pm

    I am so cracking up at you right now. Hilar post, loved it. I’m adding you to my creative souls list. :)Kelli

    Reply
  67. Jan says

    04/30/2010 at 1:08 pm

    I just posted my first linky party – a twine theme – and I’d love for you to link this up (and any other twine projects you have). Thanks!!

    Reply
  68. Donna says

    05/01/2010 at 5:28 pm

    I am enjoying reading all your craft ideas! Wow, you are good!

    Reply
  69. Jackie says

    05/03/2010 at 7:36 am

    It was your ball I saw. . . . I am remembering now. Esbechic had actually linked up to that post and I found it through there. AWESOME!!

    Reply
  70. Jan says

    05/03/2010 at 7:20 pm

    ooooooh! I LOVE it!! I guess I kinda featured this one on my blog since it’s in the basket with all the other decor balls you made! Come on over and grab a “featured” button! 🙂

    Reply
  71. LC says

    05/15/2010 at 4:26 pm

    I think the decor balls are neat. Can you believe it? I seriously do not have any decor balls! omg. What kind of person am I? I used to have some rag balls but where in the world they trotted off to, I don’t know.

    Now, I wish I had them again because looking at your photos of decor balls, I am jealous. They look neat. 😉

    Reply
  72. Charla says

    05/26/2010 at 11:03 am

    ANYONE would love to have your wonderful craft. I hope your fingers hold up!
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  73. Stacey says

    05/26/2010 at 3:16 pm

    Of course I’d love to have one….but don’t want you to have burnt fingers that’s for sure!

    Reply
  74. Melissa says

    06/10/2010 at 2:27 pm

    I used decor balls on my walls! And I dodged the whole Schweaty Balls issue by calling them “orbs”.

    found you on tip junkie!

    http://sillybeeschickadees.blogspot.com/2010/06/orbs-of-coolness.html

    Reply
  75. Fiona says

    09/07/2010 at 10:31 am

    Try soaking your jute in wallpaper glue overnight, then wrapping around ball. It will take 24 hours to dry, but saves you all that glueing. Can do also on a balloon, then you can pop the balloon out from inside when it’s all dry.

    Reply
  76. Lucy Designs says

    03/11/2011 at 9:28 pm

    No way!!! that’s some good “out of the box” thinking!…love it!

    Reply
  77. Terry says

    03/13/2011 at 11:36 am

    Wow, what great vision. Sorry about those burned fingers. I guess it’s like that saying, “It hurts to be beautiful” lol.

    Reply
  78. Christy says

    03/21/2011 at 11:17 pm

    I found your blog after being highlighted on SomeDay Crafts with your Zebra boxes (which I can’t wait to make some of my own). I love your writing…super funny. I’ve been perusing your site all day. Darn you and all your crafts. Definitely adding this to my own blog roll to visit often!

    Reply
  79. sharon says

    05/31/2012 at 8:34 pm

    i love this! it is my new weekend project!
    i have quite a few of these around my house that i made with styrofoam balls and white school glue! no burnt fingers at all thank goodness. i would love a larger one though. great idea!

    Reply
  80. Lynda Daniele says

    07/07/2021 at 3:45 pm

    This post was truly worthwhile to read. I wanted to say thank you for the key points you have pointed out as they are enlightening.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A can of beans? | House of Hepworths says:
    03/29/2010 at 10:45 pm

    […] the other day I made this jute ball out of a basketball and a floor mat. […]

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  2. Wooden Candle Sticks | House of Hepworths says:
    04/04/2010 at 4:23 pm

    […] some jute leftover from my mat decor ball would be […]

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  3. My First Giveaway! Win a Large Decor Ball!!! | House of Hepworths "HoH" says:
    04/04/2010 at 11:07 pm

    […] Remember that Large Decor Ball I made from a mat and a basketball? […]

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  4. Weekly Features 04/03 – 04/09 | House of Hepworths "HoH" says:
    04/09/2010 at 8:46 pm

    […] Crafting with a floor mat and a basketball was featured on: […]

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  5. The Magical Fruit | House of Hepworths "HoH" says:
    04/13/2010 at 9:31 pm

    […] I think they look great with the Large Decor Ball. […]

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