What You'll Need

Here is a comprehensive DIY tutorial created from the provided transcript, formatted according to your specifications.


# 10+ Patriotic Dollar Tree DIY Decorations for Summer

Celebrate the red, white, and blue with this collection of easy and budget-friendly DIY projects. Using mostly Dollar Tree supplies and a few craft store finds, you can create a stunning patriotic display for your home. From painted glass dishes to rustic wooden signs, these projects are perfect for beginners and experienced crafters alike.

  • Glassware & Bases:
  • 9 Glass dishes (Dollar Tree)
  • 3 Mason jars (Dollar Tree)
  • 1 Long wall hanging/plaque (Dollar Tree)
  • 1 Wooden cutting board (Dollar Tree)
  • 2-3 Small cutting boards (Dollar Tree)
  • 1 Wooden crate (Dollar Tree or Target Dollar Spot)
  • 1 Large wood blank (Michaels or Hobby Lobby)
  • 1 Wooden star set (Hobby Lobby)
  • 1 Metal wreath ring (Walmart or Dollar Tree)
  • 1 Picture frame with glass
  • 1 Thrift store wood piece
  • 1 Chalkboard sign (Target Dollar Spot)
  • 1 Mother's Day decor piece
  • 1 Long shelf sitter/decor block
  • Paints & Finishes:
  • Waverly Chalk Paint (White, Crimson Red, Ocean Blue)
  • FolkArt Terracotta Paints (Snow Bank, Ocean Cavern, Red Clay)
  • DecoArt Blue Paint (color name unknown)
  • Mineral Chalk Paint (optional)
  • Mod Podge
  • Craft glue sticks
  • Adhesives & Tools:
  • Hot glue gun & glue sticks
  • Wood glue
  • Clamps or painter's tape
  • Finger sander or sandpaper
  • Utility knife
  • Scissors
  • Decorations:
  • Cricut machine (or pre-cut vinyl stickers)
  • White, red, and blue vinyl
  • Scrapbook paper (patriotic patterns)
  • Rice paper (from My Victorian Heart or similar)
  • Washi tape (various colors)
  • Jute twine (Dollar Tree)
  • Red & Blue Baker's twine (Dollar Tree)
  • Rope (Hobby Lobby)
  • Ribbon (red, white, blue, patterned)
  • Foam stars (Dollar Tree)
  • Metal stars (Amazon or craft store)
  • Wooden stars (Amazon)
  • Metal anchor charms (Dollar Tree)
  • Small metal red truck (Dollar Tree)
  • Flowers (Dollar Tree)
  • Jenga blocks
  • Beads (for standing support)
  • Sharpie (black)
  • Cork sheet

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Painted Patriotic Glass Dishes

  1. Paint the Outside: Using Waverly Chalk Paint, paint the outside of nine glass dishes. Paint three dishes white, three crimson red, and three ocean blue. Let them dry completely.
  2. Add Vinyl Words: Cut out patriotic words (e.g., "God Bless America," "Home of the Brave," "USA") using a Cricut or use pre-made stickers. Apply the vinyl to the inside bottom of the dry dishes.
  3. Paint the Rims: Using a small brush, paint the rim of each dish with a contrasting color. For red dishes, paint the rim white. For white dishes, paint the rim blue. For blue dishes, paint the rim red. Let dry.

2. Rustic Anchors Away Sign

  1. Prepare the Base: Remove the hanger and any paper/sailboat from a Dollar Tree long wall hanging. Give the wooden base two coats of white Waverly chalk paint.
  2. Dry Brush Details: Once dry, use a dry brush technique with the ocean blue and crimson red paints, leaving the center white.
  3. Cover the Back: Cut a piece of craft paper to size and glue it to the back of the sign.
  4. Add Anchors: Paint three Dollar Tree anchors (one red, one white, one blue). Let dry. Glue the red anchor to the blue portion of the sign, the white to the center, and the blue to the red portion.
  5. Create a Hanger: Use an old red, white, and blue necklace (or similar beaded garland) to create a hanger. Hot glue the ends to the back of the sign. Criss-cross extra pieces on the front for a decorative touch.

3. "God Shed His Grace on Thee" Cutting Board

  1. Paint the Board: Paint a Dollar Tree bamboo cutting board with crimson red chalk paint. Let dry. Paint the outer edge with white chalk paint.
  2. Add Twine: While the paint is still slightly wet, wrap a piece of jute twine around one side of the board. Secure it with hot glue on the back.
  3. Apply Vinyl: Use a Cricut to cut out the words "God shed his grace on thee" in white vinyl. Apply the vinyl to the center of the board.
  4. Attach Stars: Hot glue three small foam stars onto the jute twine.

4. Patriotic Wreath Ring

  1. Prepare the Base: Use a metal wreath ring from Walmart or Dollar Tree.
  2. Attach Stars: Separate a metal star garland into individual stars. Hot glue the stars onto the ring, layering them to fill in the space.
  3. Add a Truck: Hot glue a small metal red truck from the Dollar Tree onto the stars.
  4. Finish with Twine: Tie a piece of red and blue baker's twine to the top for a hanger. Glue one final foam star to the top of the ring.

5. Painted Star Signs

  1. Decoupage the Base: Apply craft glue to a clearance wooden sign from Hobby Lobby. Place decorative scrapbook paper on top, smoothing out wrinkles. Use a finger sander to clean the edges.
  2. Paint the Stars: Remove the posts from Dollar Tree garden stakes. Paint the star tops with FolkArt Terracotta paints (Snow Bank, Ocean Cavern, Red Clay). Let dry.
  3. Attach Stars: Hot glue small square wooden blocks to the back of the painted stars. Then, hot glue the stars onto the decoupaged signs.

6. Washi Tape & Sharpie Sign

  1. Create a Pattern: On a large wood blank from Michaels, apply strips of washi tape in random, angled lines.
  2. Paint the Gaps: Use the three FolkArt Terracotta paints (Snow Bank, Ocean Cavern, Red Clay) to paint the spaces between the washi tape. Let dry, then carefully remove the tape.
  3. Apply Vinyl: Cut out patriotic words and stars in white vinyl. Apply them to the painted sign.
  4. Fix the Contrast: If the white vinyl doesn't show up well, trace over the vinyl with a black Sharpie. Then, carefully peel up the vinyl to reveal the painted design underneath, now outlined in black.

7. Chalk Couture Tag & Ribbon Decor

  1. Apply the Transfer: Use a Chalk Couture transfer on a blank tag. Use blue paint for the stars and red paint for the stripes on a flag design. On a second tag, apply the "Land of the Free" design.
  2. Make a Hanger: Use a thick, decorative rope from Hobby Lobby. Twist it and secure it to the back of the tags.
  3. Add Ribbon: Stack three different patriotic ribbons, staggering the lengths. Scrunch them in the center and tie with twine. Glue the ribbon cluster to the front of the tags, covering the twine with a small piece of rope.

8. Painted Crate with Stars

  1. Paint the Crate: Use a heavy dry brush technique to paint a small crate with white Waverly chalk paint.
  2. Paint the Stars: Paint three wooden stars (one red, one white, one blue) using the same paints.
  3. Assemble: Hot glue the stars to the front of the crate. Add a few artificial flowers from the Dollar Tree for a pop of color.

9. Mason Jar Shelf Sitter

  1. Paint the Jars: Flip three Dollar Tree mason jars upside down. Paint the bottom of each jar (one red, one white, one blue). Let dry.
  2. Add Vinyl: Apply patriotic word vinyl to the painted sides of the jars.
  3. Wrap with Twine: Wrap baker's twine around the top of each jar. Tie a bow on the side. Use red twine on the blue jar, blue twine on the red jar, and both colors on the white jar.
  4. Assemble the Base: Paint a long shelf sitter/decor block white. Hot glue the three mason jars to the top of the block. Wrap a final piece of twine around the base of the jars for detail.

10. "Anchors Away" Anchor Display

  1. Paint the Pieces: Paint three metal anchor charms (one red, one white, one blue) and a small decor block from the Dollar Tree.
  2. Assemble the Anchors: Hot glue the three anchors together, with the white anchor in front of the other two. Reinforce the back with popsicle sticks.
  3. Attach to Base: Glue the anchor cluster to the painted decor block. Use beads or small blocks on the back to help it stand up.
  4. Add a Vinyl Label: Use a Cricut to cut out the phrase "Anchors Away" and apply it to the front of the base.

Tips for Success

  1. Let Paint Dry Completely: When using stickers or vinyl, ensure the paint is 100% dry. If the paint is still tacky, the adhesive can pull the paint up, ruining your design.
  2. Use a Dry Brush for a Rustic Look: For a farmhouse feel, dip your brush in paint, then wipe most of it off on a paper towel before applying to the project. This creates a distressed, textured finish.
  3. Reinforce with Wood Glue: For heavier items like stacked cutting boards or anchors, use a combination of hot glue and wood glue. Wood glue creates a much stronger, more permanent bond. Use clamps or tape to hold pieces together while the glue dries.
  4. Cover Mistakes Creatively: If a sticker pulls up paint or you make a crooked line, don't panic! Cover the area with a piece of ribbon, a strip of washi tape, or a strategically placed star. Happy accidents often become the best design features.
  5. Work in a Well-Ventilated Area: When using chalk paint, mod podge, or spray adhesives, always work in a well-ventilated space to avoid inhaling fumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't have a Cricut. Can I still make these projects?
Absolutely! Dollar Tree and most craft stores sell pre-made vinyl sticker sheets with patriotic words and phrases. You can also use stencils and paint, or simply write your words with a permanent marker.
What kind of paint works best on glass dishes?
Chalk paint works very well on glass, especially when you are painting the outside. For best results, you can lightly sand the glass surface first with fine-grit sandpaper to help the paint adhere. You don't need to bake or seal these dishes if they are for decoration only.
How do I make sure my vinyl letters stick to the painted surface?
Make sure the paint is completely cured (at least 24 hours). Clean the surface with a bit of rubbing alcohol to remove any dust. Use a scraper tool or a credit card to firmly burnish (rub) the vinyl onto the surface, ensuring all edges are pressed down.
The white vinyl on my sign is hard to see. What can I do?
As shown in the tutorial, you can trace the vinyl with a black Sharpie, then peel the vinyl away to reveal the painted design with a dark outline. Alternatively, you can paint a dark wash over the entire sign, let it get into the vinyl cutouts, and then wipe the surface clean.
This article is based on content from YouTube. View original source →