Those bowling balls…

I really did have a purpose for them! Really! Friday, was still 50% off day at the thrift store and so I had to stop in and see if there was something new or something that I missed. When I walked in, Ann said “Hey, I just put put two more bowling balls for you.” So, I had to get those too! ;-) Some of you hav e wondered…what could I possibly want to do with 6 bowling balls??? Welll…it involved red paint, black silicone, copper wire…Any guesses yet?
It’s not another gazing ball

Okay,  what started out as well used bowling ball transformed very nicely into a 5 pound Lady Bug!

Isn’t she cute? She is going to have a nice home out in my garden, when the sun comes up! I’ve tried all weekend to get her finished so that I could take her to The thriftyba’s party, but I had semi unexpected company after going to see the expected out of town company! Now she’s finally finished, but it’s too dark to go outside now!
I saw this idea in Birds and Blooms Backyard Projects and knew I had to try it! There are a lot of fun projects in there and I can’t wait to try some more. Most of them, like this one, are fairly easy to do. If you’d like to try it, here’s what you’ll need:
A bowling ball

Primer,Red spray paint, black craft paint, sealer
Painters tape
copper wire
2 wooden beads
black silicone 
I stuck my bowling ball onto a piece of steel rebar to be able to spray all the way around it. First, I gave it a good coat of primer. I borrowed hubby’s car primer. It really gives a heavier coat and helps hide the imperfections.
Then I sprayed it with a gloss red spray paint.

When it was dry I filled the 3 holes with black silicone so it could be drying.

Then I taped off the back to paint the black stripe and painted it with black craft paint.

Once it was dry, I peeled up that tape and made templates for the circles out of more blue painters tape.

I traced circles on it using a small Tupperware container and cut them out with a utility knife. I placed them around on both sides of the stripe and painted them in with black.

While that was drying I painted the wooden beads black and super glued them  to the copper wires.
 
I pushed the wires down into the finger holes for the antennae. When the paint was dry, I pulled up the templates and I had a very round, very heavy lady bug!!

I can’t wait to take her out to the garden in the morning! 

****Update****

Here is ladybug in her new home:

I think she looks happy and right at home!

Tonight though, I think I’ll sneak over and see if thriftyba’s party is still going on. I’m also going to take her to some of the parties in my sidebar! Come with us and see some very inspiring projects! Just click on the small buttons in my sidebar!
Good Night for Now!