How to Make Fake Moss using a Bath Sponge
Have I got two fun tutorials for you today? They’re both budget-friendly, super easy to do and perfect for spring crafting. First, I’ll show you how to make fake moss using a bath sponge.
Then we’ll use the sponge moss to create this fantasy napkin ring.
Isn’t it pretty? When I make fairy gardens, I often struggle to find craft moss that’s small and dainty enough. Reindeer moss is lovely, but it tends to be quite high and can overpower the tiny details in the fairy scene. Sphagnum/peat moss, on the other hand, just doesn’t have that whimsical fairy feel to it. Plus they both dry out over time (unless you use this neat trick to revive the moss).
Sponge moss, on the other hand, never dries out and you make it in any color. Plus you won’t have to worry about creepy crawlies either.
It’s great for all kinds of craft projects. I wouldn’t use the fake moss in a fairy garden with real living plants though. It may damage the soil and your fae folk won’t be happy. Right, let’s get to those tutorials I promised you. Oh wait, one more thing. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram and don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
Part 1: Making fake moss with a bath sponge
To make fake moss all you need is a sponge and green craft paint. I prefer using a bath sponge, they’re softer and eco-friendly. Look for a sponge that have lots of big and little holes. Any color should work.
Making sponge moss is messy but really easy and only takes a few minutes. Start by pulling the bath sponge apart. You want small (1 – 2 cm or ½”to 1”) uneven chunks with no noticeable straight edges. Add craft paint to a plate. You can use which ever color you want. For a spooky Halloween scene blacks, browns and greys work well. I’ll be using my fake moss to make fantasy napkin rings for a Spring themed lunch. For a more realistic look, use a combination of colors.
Dip the sponge chunks into the paint and use your fingers to work it in. You want the paint to cover the entire sponge.
Leave the paint-soaked sponge chunks to dry and repeat if you notice any spots you missed the first time around.
And that’s it. Easy right? The sponge moss can be used immediately or stored in a zip lock bag.
Part 2: Making Fantasy Napkin Rings
For the fantasy napkin rings I used vines from our garden, some cardboard, a few small curly top mushrooms, and the fake sponge moss.
You can use any small ornaments or figurines to add a little magic to the napkin rings. Small flowers and tendrils would look lovely too. If you don’t have any vines or creepers growing in your garden, you can find ready-made vine napkin rings on Amazon and in most large craft shops.
Making vine napkin rings
We have a well-established Port St. John’s creeper in our garden, so I made my own napkin rings using some of her long flexible stalks. They’re quick to do. Remove any leaves and wind florist wire around the stalks. Wrap the wired stalks around an empty cardboard roll to form a coil.
Secure the ends of the coil with more florist wire.
You should end up with something like this.
Adding a fantasy top
Before adding fantasy elements to the vine napkin rings I needed a stable base of some sort. I considered making a clay platform but cardboard is so much easier. Simply rip a sturdy cardboard box into pieces and paint them green to disguise the cardboard bits.
Once the paint dries, glue the sponge moss on top.
To finish off, I made a few small curly top mushrooms and gave them a magical top using gel nail polish.
Isn’t that color gorgeous? Glue the mushrooms on top of the sponge moss and then glue the fantasy, mossy, mushroom topped cardboard to the napkin ring.
Add a few green tendrils and you’re done.
The tendrils are from our granadilla.
And that’s it. A quick, easy hack to make faux moss for craft projects.
Have you tried making your own moss? Let me know in the comments.
And if you like the idea of turning a bath sponge into fake moss, don’t forget to pin it for later.
Sharing is caring.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉
To make the fake moss
The napkin rings
And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.
And as always, I wish you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
Well that is one crafty sponge!! I love it and would never ever know it wasn’t moss…sly girl!
It was a game changer for me and just so easy to make 🙂
Great idea! I can’t wait to make some faux moss!
So happy to hear that. Have fun.
Sponge moss… wow, it looks so real! And teamed up with the mushrooms, another whimsical project win!
I’m all for whimsical and the moss is a game changer. Now i don’t have to compromise on my fairy creations when I can’t find the right moss.
Such a creative craft! I love it. 🙂
Thank you, Steph. I’m glad you like it.
I saw your post of these photos on Instagram this morning and I just love how magical this is! 🙂 And I love the idea of using a sponge. Brilliant. Pinning to save and share. Thank you for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #34 linkup for me and for my readers to enjoy. Have a great week & we’ll see you next week at #35.
I love the fact that I can make my own moss using something as simple as a bath sponge. It does make things so much easier