How to Decoupage Terra Cotta Pots for Patriotic Holidays

Do you need some decorating ideas for your summer patriotic parties? Summer is full of opportunities to embrace red, white, and blue. I have a fun and easy way to add patriotic decor for summer decor. Learn how to decoupage terra cotta pots for patriotic holidays.

It’s fun to make DIY decorations for all the patriotic holidays. Since you can use them for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, any red, white, and blue decor can be used multiple times in one summer, and it doesn’t go out of style over the years.

I love the craft of decoupage. It’s a versatile, easy, and affordable craft. It requires few supplies, and can be made quickly. It’s easy to reuse decorations from past years to make new patriotic vignettes. Decoupage is a perfect medium for red, white, and blue decor.

Let me show you how to make this easy DIY decoupage patriotic decoration for a holiday party, a centerpiece, or any patriotic vignette.

This DIY patriotic decoration will make any patio, dining table, mantel or backyard setting extra special.

Patriotic Decorations – Easy DIY Ideas

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It’s hard for me not to include a DIY item in any decor, tablescape or vignette I create. I love “getting my hands dirty” and clearing my mind during the creative process. How about you? Does keeping your hands busy clear your mind?

Today is Creative Craft day. A talented group of DIY creators is sharing a DIY project idea that you can use and make yourself. Our hostess this month is Donna of Modern on Montecello.

Are you joining me from Gail of Purple Hues and Me who is sharing a super cute DIY basket?

The complete list is at the end of the post.

Red, White, and Blue DIY Stars and Stripes Pots

The idea for this DIY patriotic decoration began in the clearance aisle at Joann. I spied these paper mache terra pots for 97¢. There were three left, and I bought all three.

NOTE: You don’t have to use paper mache terra cotta pots. Regular clay pots will work as well as ceramic or glass pots. See these 3 Ways to Decoupage Terra Cotta Pots.

If you can decoupage a real terra cotta pot, then why not a paper mache terra cotta pot? The only question is what to cover them with.

In our boxes of patriotic decorations, I found a stack of stars and stripes cocktail napkins. Perfect.

I opened them up to see the whole pattern. I could separate the bigger stars from the stripes. Even better.

TIP: I’ve found that opening up the napkin first may reveal a different pattern than just the part you see on top or bottom of the napkin.

I cut the stars separate from the stripes.

Next, be sure to separate the top design layer from the white layer.

BOO-BOO: I thought I could apply the Mod Podge and napkin directly to the papier mache pot. I ended up with brown stars! I scraped off the napkin, then painted the pots with white paint that I used for my first decoupage pots projects.

TIP: My advice is to always paint your surface first before applying the Mod Podge and napkin.

Apply your Mod Podge (I used the Gloss version.) to sections of the pot and to the back of the napkin with a soft brush. I love using the Mod Podge brushes.

I didn’t tear the napkin for this project, but cut it into large pieces, overlapping as little as possible.

I discovered that as the Mod Podge dries, the overlapping becomes less visible.

Now I applied the red and white stripes to the top of the pot. I cut this piece to fold over the edge of the pot.

After applying Mod Podge on the inside of the pot – about 1/2 inch – I used my brush to fold over the napkin and adhere it to the pot. I let the pot dry and then applied a final coat of Mod Podge all over each pot.

Aren’t these cute? At this point, I wasn’t exactly sure how I would use them.  I let them dry overnight.

Stars and Stripes Pots Supplies

• 3 small paper mache or terra cotta pots
• white paint ( your pick)
• Mod Podge – Gloss, Matte or Outdoor
• 5 – 6 napkins in your preferred design
• Mod Podge brush
• scissors

Decorating the Terra Cotta Pots

When it came time to decorate our patio space for Memorial Day, the stars and stripe pots were ready for prime time. I used red, white and blue glitter balls from our stash box to fill them.

These red, white, and blue felt balls would make a great substitution.

The balls held a variety of patriotic decorations – stars, flags, streamers – that I removed from previous decorations. I love it when you can reuse patriotic decorations.

Here is another way that I used these red, white, and blue terra cotta pots for an entry 4th of July centerpiece.

Here’s how I used the decoupaged terra cotta pots outside for a patriotic vignette. I set one on each of our side tables.

Then I used the third pot as part of a vignette of the patio table.

After you PIN this post, please visit all my talented blogger friends on our Creative Craft blog hop.

Bluesky at Home – How to Decoupage Terra Cotta Pots for Patriotic Holidays
Birdz of a Feather – Adult Bib
Decor and More with Tip – Easy Tissue Home Decor
Modern on Montecello – Americana Inspired Wreath For Summer Decor
Purple Hues and Me – Decorative Woven Basket With Lid