U.S.A. Centerpiece

Create an eye-catching centerpiece for all your family festivities by making a USA planter box to enjoy all summer long. With paint, fabric, trim, and just a little time, this centerpiece will become the starring attraction on your patio or dining table.

Supply List:

• 8" Papier-Mâché Letters: U, S, A
• Wooden Star Cut-Out
• Two Small Dimensional Stars
• Wood Dowels, 3
• Wood Planter Box (Ours is 6" x 11" and 6 1/2" high)
• Gesso
• Acrylic craft paints: Americana® Primary Red, French Vanilla; Delta Ceramcoat® Navy Blue, Antique Gold, Spice Brown, Barn Red
• Assorted Paintbrushes
• Matte Varnish
• Buttons: 1 large red, 5 small blue
• Rickrack: Medium width gold; narrow width red
• Debbie Mumm® for Jo-Ann Good Morning America fabric
• HeatnBond® Lite
• Tacky Glue (Must Dry Clear)
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Foam Mounting Tape
• Pinking Shears
• Regular Scissors
• Iron
• Drill
• Plastic Bag to Line Planter
• One or Two Green Houseplants (in plastic containers that fit inside the planter box.)

Making the Letters:

1. Place “U” and “S” letters face down on paper side of fusible web. Trace one side of “U” and all of “S”. Cut around traced pieces approximately ¼” outside traced line.
2. With paper side up, position and press fusible web to wrong side of selected fabrics. Follow manufacturer's directions for iron temperature and fusing time. Cut out each piece on traced line. Iron a small piece of fusible web on back side of rooster fabric. Use pinking shears to cut out rooster medallion.
3. Apply Gesso to both sides of letters and wooden star cut-out to prepare them for painting. Coat one side first, let dry, then coat the reverse side.
4. When Gesso is thoroughly dry, lightly sand wooden star cut-out and remove sanding residue.
5. Painting one side at a time and allowing paint to thoroughly dry between coats, paint “U” Primary Red; “S” with French Vanilla; and “A” with Navy Blue. Paint wooden star cut-out with Antique Gold. Two or more coats of paint may be needed for good coverage. Allow to dry.
6. Glue buttons onto wooden star cut-out using tacky glue. Using photo as a guide, glue rickrack to letter “A”.
7. Remove paper backing from traced “U” and “S” letters. A thin film will remain on wrong side of fabric. Position and use a small iron to fuse fabric onto letters, referring to photo for placement. Adhere rooster medallion to letter “A” using foam mounting tape.
8. Glue wooden star cut-out to letter “U”.
9. Drill holes the size of dowel in the bottom center of each letter. Place a dab of hot glue on end of one dowel and quickly insert it into letter. Use additional hot glue to secure dowel at opening to the letter. Repeat for each letter.

Making the Planter Box:

1. Apply Gesso to planter box and dimensional stars and allow to dry. Lightly sand planter and remove residue with a soft cloth.
2. Paint indented section of planter with Barn Red. Two or more coats of paint may be needed for good coverage. Allow planter to dry thoroughly after each coat.
3. Paint raised parts of planter with Spice Brown, two or more coats may be needed for good coverage. Allow to dry thoroughly.
4. Following manufacturer's directions, apply matte varnish to protect the finish. Allow to dry.
5. Drill holes in small stars to fit dowel. Paint stars with Primary Red. When dry, apply matte varnish.
6. Line planter with plastic bag. Insert plants in their plastic containers. If they are too low, use a piece of florist foam to raise to the level desired.
7. Stick dowels on letters into the soil or florist foam, trimming dowels so letters are at the desired heights.
8. Use left-over dowels for dimensional stars and place where desired.
9. Water plants regularly and centerpiece should last all summer.

Website visitors have permission to print this project for personal use only. This project may not be copied or otherwise reproduced without the express written permission of Debbie Mumm®.