4th of July Holiday Décor — Patriotic Hat Vase

Easy Craft — Turn a Plastic Planter Into Uncle Sam’s Hat Container

Jun 6, 2009
Gretchen Martin

Uncle Sam's Patriotic Hat Planter/Vase - Gretchen Martin

Recycle your old plastic planters into patriotic vases for Independence and Memorial Day holidays with simple to create stars and stripes and red, white and blue flowers.

Plastic planters are often stacked up and set aside as store bought flowers are replanted into higher end containers. These plastic planters are perfect for recycling into fun craft project ideas. Follow the instructions below to turn your discarded flowerpots into holiday décor that mimics Uncle Sam’s patriotic hat and other festive ideas.

Estimated Project Duration

45 minutes

Skill Level

Beginner

Materials List

Plastic Planter
Recycled Plastic Lid from any container (Cool Whip lid used here)
Blue ribbon
White ribbon (optional)
Krylon Fusion for Plastic® Gloss White spray paint
Krylon Fusion for Plastic® Red Pepper spray paint
Star stickers
1-inch painters masking tape
Double sided tape or glue
Scissors

Project Instructions

1. Begin with a plastic planter, which can be recycled from a store-bought plant that needs to be replanted.

2. Next, find a suitable sized recycled plastic lid that will mimic the brim of a hat when combined with the planter. Suitable pieces would include the top of a margarine tub or cottage cheese container, a take out soup container lid, etc. A lid from a tub of Cool Whip was used for the project pictured.

3. Place the planter top face down onto the center of the lid to trace a circle onto the lid.

4. Using an Xacto blade or hobby knife, cut an opening in the lid 1/4” smaller than the pencil line, using the circle as your guide.

5. Spray planter container using Krylon Fusion for Plastic® Gloss White. The Fusion for Plastic® series is the best spray paint for improved adherence to plastic items, particularly when masking (as follows). Let white paint dry.

6. Using 1-inch painters masking tape, place strips of tape vertically down planter spaced approximately one inch apart.

7. Spray masked planter and plastic lid with Krylon Fusion for Plastic® Red Pepper. Let dry and remove masking tape from planter.

8. Tie blue ribbon just below mouth of container using double sided tape to help hold position.

9. Decorate blue ribbon with star stickers.

10. Align a piece of blue and white ribbon and tie in a bow, blue side out. Attach bow to ribbon on container using double-sided tape.

11. Glue red plastic lid to the top opening of planter.

12. Fill with red, white and blue flowers and other adornments.

Crafting Tips

For a twist on this project, try gluing your plastic lid to the bottom of the planter and tying your ribbon around the base of the container to mimic a more flared hat style with flowers coming out of the top of the hat. This design also translates easily into a New Year’s Day hat.

As a kids class project or group activity, supply the recycled products and let the students make their own unique hat designs using a variety of paints, ribbons, stickers and other materials.

Use larger planters and skip the flowers to create your own party hats.