My daughter has been playing high school soccer since she was a Freshman. Now that she’s a senior, driving her own car and getting ready to head off to college, even she can appreciate some of the crafts I do. ;-) These sports ball ornaments are a great example. She loved the soccer ball and immediately wanted it for her rear view mirror.
I made these for DecoArt when they asked me to try out their new MagiKote product. MagiKote is a fairly thick white liquid that, when applied to Styrofoam, creates a sandable, paintable surface. You might remember the Giant Sand Dollar I made using MagiKote as well.
You’ll want to use an empty egg carton to hold your Styrofoam balls while you work. You’ll apply a coat of MagiKote to the balls then let them dry for 2-3 hours.I actually applied 2 coats to mine and you do need that dry time in between each coat. So make sure you plan this project accordingly.
This is what it looks like when it’s dry. At this point you can use a piece of sand paper to smooth the surface a bit.
These are the Americana colors that I used.
As you can see, the surface is paintable and there aren’t little pieces of Styrofoam going everywhere and getting caught in your paintbrush. Nice! So here’s the full printable tute if you are so inclined. These make a great gift for any sport’s fan.
Have fun!
Sports Ball Ornaments
Supplies
Supplies:
- MagiKote
- Americana Starlight Topcoat
- Americana Cadmium Orange
- Americana White Wash
- Americana Ebony Black
- Americana Berry Red
- 3 3 "-Styrofoam balls
- Stick pins
- String
Tools:
- Flat paintbrush
- Liner brush
- Pencil
- Sand paper
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
Instructions
- Using 3/4" Flat paintbrush, apply 3 coats of MagiKote to each ball, ensuring that you coat inside the indentations as well. Allow 2-3 hours dry time between each coat.
- Sand the entire surface to remove any rough edges.
- Using 3/4" Flat paintbrush, paint entire ball Americana White Wash for the baseball and/or soccer ball, and Americana Cadmium Orange for the basketball. Paint a second coat when first has dried.
- Use a pencil to lightly draw the lines where the baseball stitches will go. Also draw on the soccer ball sections. After the painting step and the paint has dried, excess pencil marks can be easily erased.
- Use liner paintbrush to paint the lines of the basketball and the soccer ball using Americana Lamp (Ebony) Black. Using the same brush, paint the baseball stitches using Americana Berry Red.
- Use a flat paintbrush to fill in the black sections of the soccer ball.
- Erase any excess pencil marks.
- Use 3/4" flat paintbrush to add two coats of Starlight Topcoat.
- Cut a piece of sturdy string to 12" in length. Holding the two open ends together, tie ends in a knots, inserting the head end of a tick pin just before tightening. Insert pointed end of stick pin into the top of the ball. Before pushing the pin all the way in, add a dot of hot glue around the pin, then push the pin all the way in.
Expert Tips & FAQs
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Jeri says
Your crafts are amazing. And they look very easy. I may be a hairstylist, but crafty is not my thing, but I want to get into it so that I have prjects to do. I get bored so easy.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Jeri, so nice of you to say :)
Trish says
I love these.. thinking of making a version for my daughter’s volleyball team!
Amanda Formaro says
How fun!
maggy, red ted art says
Wow! They turned out so effective all look really great! Clever lady once again!
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Maggy!
Kadie says
These are great!! I am going to make some for my sons birthday to use as decoration!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Kadle!
Crafty Mischief says
This is awesome! Maybe I’ll make some for Christmas.
Christina says
These are really cute! My son would have loved them when he was little.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Christina! They are great for older kids too :)
Barbara(Cookie" says
Love this Amanda have 2 gransons into sports& I think even I can do this,.Could you tell me where you got the DS105MagiKote? Don’t think I’ve seen this.Thanks You are great Crafter keep up good work ,Cookie”Va.
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Barbara! MagiKote should be available at Michael’s Craft store, and I know you can buy it directly from DecoArt’s website. I’m not positive if it’s available at Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann’s, so you may want to call them first :)
Angie @ Bigbearswife says
aww I love these! Don’t have any big sports fans in the family! But I’ll be sure to pass this on to people I know
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Angela!