From Popcorn Tin to Cute Patriotic Decor

Hello Sweet Friends,
For today’s DIY craft idea, I will be transforming a popcorn tin into SUPER cute patriotic decor. I wasn’t sure about this project at first, but I have to say I totally LOVE the way it turned out.

If you have been following me for long, you probably already know that I’m working my way through the 2023 Seasons of Joy calendar by Jennifer Pugh; creating a new AND different DIY for each month. This project features the July image which is, of course, patriotic.

Each month, I try to come up with a completely unique idea for the calendar image, and this month is no different. I had a leftover Christmas popcorn tin that I thought would work out perfect for this DIY; and it was! So follow along for the EASY directions for creating this CUTE piece of patriotic decor.

Supply list

• popcorn tin(emptied and cleaned)
• patriotic calendar image
• scissors
• Mod Podge and brush
• off-white paint
• various ribbons and button (optional)
• glue gun
• faux fern or other faux foliage
• floral foam
• small American flags

Isn’t that July image from the calendar so CUTE??

The first step in this project is to paint the surface of the tin with off-white paint. I chose Waverly plaster chalk paint in hopes that it would blend with the background of the image (and it did).

For the next step, I measured and cut the calendar image to size. I had to cut the lower part of the image off and also a little off the top in order for it to fit the tin.

After making sure the seam was at the back of the tin, I applied Mod Podge to the “front” of the tin and added the patriotic image. I smoothed out the image as much as possible, paying close attention to the edges. It covered about half of the tin.

Then I put a top coat of Mod Podge. Along the top of the tin, I folded the paper image down and added a little more Mod Podge to seal it.

At this point, I was almost finished, but thought it needed a little embellishment. So I add a messy bow with a button in the middle; glued on the side so it would not obscure the wording of the image – LAND OF THE FREE, home of the brave.

How CUTE is this? It was really finished at this point, but I thought I should fill it with something. Faux ferns to the rescue! I glued a block of foam into the bottom of the tin and added the ferns and a few stems of faux rosemary.

It still needed a little something EXTRA, so I added some small American flags.

I just can’t tell you how much I LOVE this! I wish I could put a live fern in it a leave it outside, but I don’t think the tin would hold up in the weather.

I hope this idea will inspire you to try for yourself. If you’re like me, you probably hate to throw out an old popcorn tin, especially if it can be useful. Well, I think this is a GREAT use for it! Of course you could use any image, printable, gift bag image, even wrapping paper. The sky is the limit on ideas! You can check out my other calendar image crafts here.

Until next time…….

Happy Crafting!

Pamela