STYROFOAM brand foam crafts

Stone Mosaic Garden Ornament

Tuck these magical mosaics into shady corners of your garden or display them like gazing balls.  Or bring the outdoors in by showcasing the spheres in your home.  
   Completion Time - 
2-4 hours
   Designer - 
Kathleen George

Materials

STYROFOAM Brand Foam
  • Ball, 6"
Other Materials
  • Mosaic stone pieces: 1 c. gray; 3/4 c. green; 1/2 c. black;
  • 1/2 c. orange
  • Latex ceramic tile adhesive
  • Sanded tile grout
  • Acrylic exterior satin varnish
  • Large rubber band

Tools

  • Fine-line black permanent marker
  • Ruler
  • Palette knife
  • Small disposable bowl
  • Flexible rubber spatula
  • Bucket of water
  • Household sponge
  • Clean, soft rag
  • Rubber gloves
  • Optional: Burnt umber or black acrylic paint
  • Optional: Tile nipper

Instructions

  • 1. Use marker to draw pattern onto foam ball. To begin, wraprubber band around center of ball, dividing it in half;measure for accuracy. Draw line around ball along rubber band.Remove rubber band. Measure and mark line every 2-1/2" around ball.
  • 2. Measure and mark ball 1-1/2" and 2-1/2" above and belowcenter line. Draw four more circles around ball at thesemarks, parallel to center line.
  • 3. Beginning and ending at marks on center line, draw 3"-tall,5"-wide curved diamond shapes on two opposite sides of ball as shown.
  • 4. Draw a second set of curved lines outside first set, aboutone stone-width wide, between upper and lower circles drawn on ball.
  • 5. Use palette knife to spread 1/8"-thick layer of tileadhesive onto small area of ball, along marker line. Note:Rest ball in small bowl while working to prevent rolling.
  • 6. Firmly press one row of green stones into adhesive betweencurving lines, placing stones close together. Note: Moststones will be used whole, but can be cut to fit as neededusing old scissors or tile nippers; follow all safetyprecautions given with product.
  • 7. Firmly press one row of gray stones into adhesive aboveand below each green line; refer to photo for placement.
  • 8. Firmly press three or four orange stones into circulardesign at center of each diamond. Press row of gray stonesinto adhesive around orange stones. Fill in area between graystones with black stones. Repeat on opposite side of ball.
  • 9. Add eight more orange groupings equally spaced around ballas shown. Add row of gray stones, then green stones, aroundeach grouping. Fill any remaining spaces as desired. Let ball dry overnight.
  • 10. Put on rubber gloves. If desired, tint grout with smallamount of acrylic paint; mix well. Following manufacturer'sinstructions, use spatula to apply grout to stones, workinggrout into all gaps. As you work, remove excess grout fromstones with a damp sponge. Note: If using sanded grout, rinsetools in bucket, not sink; discard water outdoors.
  • 11. When ball is completely grouted, wipe away excess oncemore using damp sponge. Let ball dry slightly. Repeat sponginguntil stones are clean.
  • 12. When dry, rub ball with clean rag to remove grout residueand restore shine.
  • 13. If using outdoors, follow manufacturer's instructions toapply one or more coats of sealer to ball.If you enjoyed this project, look here for more inspiring ideas:Geode SpheresRusty Rooster Garden OrnamentMosaic and Moss Eggs