This bright and vibrant craft is a welcome addition to your summer table. You can make additional ornaments in colors for each season, then simply switch them out as the weather changes.

You will need

2 1/2" to 3 1/2" plastic foam balls, such as Styrofoam
Rice, beans, leaves, sunflower seeds, & raffia
Acrylic paints in hot pink, lavender, yellow, green & orange
Gold highlighting paint, such as Rub ’n�?Buff
Narrow gold ribbon
Paper plate
Craft stick
Thick white craft glue
Straight pins
Multicolored beads
Medium-size flat paintbrush

What you do

To cover a ball with small items, fill a paper plate with rice, beans, or seeds. Using a craft stick, coat one section of the foam ball at a time with a generous amount of glue.

Roll the coated ball in the plate or use your fingers to place the items on the foam ball. Cover the entire ball.

To cover a foam ball with raffia spread glue randomly around the ball. It does not have to be entirely covered. Begin wrapping around the ball in one direction. When an area is covered, continue wrapping in the opposite direction. Continue until the ball is completely covered. Use straight pins to hold the raffia in place until dry.

To cover the ball with leaves use semi dry leaves, not too dry or brittle. Spread glue on back of leaves and press onto ball. Continue to glue and overlap the leaves until the ball is covered.

Paint each covered ball a different color using desired colors of paint. Using a medium-size flat paintbrush, paint with a generous amount of paint, working the paint into the crevices. Let dry.

Use a very small amount of gold paint on your fingertip. Gently rub gold over raised areas to create a highlight.

If desired, wrap balls with gold ribbon threaded with colored beads.