Golf balls have found a new lease on life in Arlington gardens this spring, and it's not due to an explosion in backyard putting greens. Local green thumbs are turning abandoned dimpled balls into charming ladybug decorations. The craft project serves up a creative spin on recycling old sports gear – with a splash of red, black, and white paint, you get a cutesy insect impostor ready to perk up your petunias.
Gardeners looking to imitate the natural beneficial insect can start with some basic materials - 'red, black, and white acrylic paint' alongside a 'paintbrush'. After a thorough wash to rid the balls of any dirt and grime, several coats of red paint are applied to create the backdrop for the bold black spots that are the hallmark of the picnic invader. For those lacking in surplus golf balls, rocks have been given the green light as an alternative.
The crafting instructions include painting an oval-shaped face and creating the wing effect using the black paint, followed by dipping the brush's rounded end back into the paint to dole out dots on the golf ball's back. Once the black and red layers are completely dry, white dots bring the rudimentary buzzers to life with a pair of eyes – though you're free to go wild with your creative twist on their expressions, as per the City of Arlington, Texas.
To ensure these faux critters can weather the storm outside, slathering on a clear varnish or glaze is recommended for protection against water and the elements. And voilà, you can have an army of perennial ladybugs boosting your garden's charm without the fear of them flying away when the season's right. Arlington Parks & Recreation puts a bow on the project.
