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DIY Patriotic 4th of July Recycled Crafts

 

Are you ready to turn your trash into patriotic treasure? This July 4th, let’s celebrate American creativity! Using nothing more than recyclables, old jeans, dollar store finds, and some adorable printable graphics, you can whip up eye-catching centerpieces and charming decorations that are as heartwarming as they are wallet-friendly.

These projects are simple enough for kids, relaxing enough for adults, and totally customizable based on what you have lying around the house. Plus—they only cost about $3 each to make! 🎆

Easy projects

  1. BASE: Trash containers such as boxes, tin cans, coffee cans, glass jars, candy boxes, etc
  2. COVER: Old jeans, shirts, pillowcases, burlap sacks (woven not knit fabrics are best). Paper such as grocery bags, construction paper, magazines, silver lined bags such as chips work great! Grocery bag paper can be cut and crumpled up for filler!
  3. Decorative items: ribbon, glitter, etc. I purchased everything I needed for this project from the dollar store. If you’re making more than one centerpiece if you spend about $10 you’ll get everything you need and have a lot left over for other projects.
  4. * I have made a whole bunch of decorative graphics for you to print out so you won’t need much of anything else. The graphics are at the bottom of the page. You really can make this project with just the graphics and your recyclable containers. *Magazines work fine if you don’t have a printer.

PROJECT 1 CENTERPIECES

Example #1 with Tin Can Base

✂️ INSTRUCTIONS

Spray paint your container with 1 light coat if it’s glass or plastic. This makes acrylic paint stick better
Cover your container with paper or fabric. I chose an old pair of jeans.
I measured the length of the fabric around the can.
I hot glued the jeans fabric to the outside of the can.
I glued the bottom and folded over the edges.
I glued on some old doilies to the fabric.
I cut up an old scarf and glued it to the top and glued on 2 layers of a bow.
I cut up some paper and added it to the inside as filler.
I cut pieces of clip art and glued them to a piece of colored paper.
I glued the clip art to a wooden skewer stick.
Add the skewer sticks to the tin can.
Stuff with mess, ribbon, etc.
Glue 2 pieces of silver bags together with the advertising on the inside.
Color the silver sides with permanent markers. Cut into strips.
Add an American Flag.
Glue in the silver strips, old beads, stars (dollar store), etc.
EXAMPLE #2 BOX BASE
Choose a box and cover it with denim fabric or paper.
Glue to top first, then fold over the corners and glue them down.
Cut out the clip art and glue it to a sturdy colored piece of paper or cardboard.
I glued the clip art to a wooden skewer stick.
I used wood Jenga blocks to hold up the bears.
The second layer of bears is held up by a face cream box covered with denim.

BONUS Project PLACEMATS

 

Cut a piece of woven fabric and cover it with white glue.
Start layering the paper napkins and press them down flat ONCE with your hand.
Allow to dry before putting on the next layer.
Pour more white glue on the first layer, then add more napkins and thin copy paper clip art.
Allow the layers to dry completely over night until the fabric is dry and crunchy. Trim the edges.
You can do the other side if you wish. To waterproof it, mix equal parts white glue and clear 100% silicone calk. Brush it on and let it dry. When it gets dirty, wipe it off with a wet sponge. Don’t put it in the washing machine as it is PAPER.

🎥 Watch the full tutorial on Mass Appeal Friday 6-27-25 or on the replay here after 5pm.

Stay safe, stay sparkly—and happy crafting!

Love,

Malena

GRAPHICS FILES

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vdeXsPi1eTWGwYNfvdKxA2sIePNuwAZj?usp=sharing

This is a link to my google drive. I have TONS of graphics in the file for you to use. You are welcome to use these graphics but they are copyrighted so you can’t sell them. The ones with the fancythatantiques title, I made just for us! They are for personal use only. All rights reserved. Thank you!

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