It was the sheer size of this giant sunflower that made us smile, and what a fun way to reuse those empty oatmeal canisters! We used a technique similar to the one here, but on a grand scale. We love crafting with recyclables because they are FREE art materials!
To make your own giant flower, you will need an empty oatmeal canister, some paint, a sheet of tissue paper, and a broomstick. Begin by removing the lid, and label of the canister.
Make some pencil marks, as shown below, and cut the strips using the marks as your guide.
Fold back the petals. Emily thought this looked like a chic bracelet! (I’m beginning to question her unique fashion-sense.)
Now the fun part — paint!!
Allow to dry, and poke a broom handle through for a stem. Fill the center with tissue paper.
Admire your fabulous recycled artwork!
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Dear Valerie,
Gee, I wonder why we have SO MANY OATMEAL CONTAINERS?
Love,
Mark
That is so beautiful and bright! That's something my eldest daughter could do and her bedroom would look so pretty with it to decorate
Any ideas on what I could use instead of a broomstick? My mother in laws bday is coming up and she LOVES sunflowers. Would be a cute gift from her grandkids. But still trying to figure out what to use at the stem.
Thanks…another great idea from you. P.S. We are going to use your tea bag idea for her gift from them as well. Love your blog!
@ Dana — A wrapping paper tube would work well! What a coincidence… my MIL's birthday is coming up too! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
@ Mark — Whose idea was that, anyway? 😉
@ Hear Mum Roar — Thank you! I think they would look so lovely hanging from the ceiling!
That's just awesome – love the size!
My daughter would think this is awesome! As soon as we pick up some paint, I'm sure we'll be trying it! 🙂
I love that! We are totally doing it this week! I could use some flowers around here.
Oh my, would that ever be fun. And then 30 seconds later my boys would be beating each other with them.
I LOVE her grin as she holds it.
What a great idea. It's really a cute flower. I love seeing their smiles everyday!
Emily is such a crafty girl. I can only imagine how many "I don't want to!" I would hear here.
I must know if Emily is ever without a smile on her face? She just looks like the most happy, animated little girl ever!
@Ashley
That is how Emily is all the time.
Except when she is sleeping, of course.
When I saw the sunflower, I didn't think cereal box. What a clever idea. Emily's smile is amazing.
What a fabulous Idea. SO fun and painting the inside of a box GENIUS!!! I love it
Fabulous idea! It would brighten up any room on a cold and dreary winter day.
Even better that it was free and upcycled from what might otherwise have ended up in the trash.
I love Emily's smiling, cheerful face in EVERY single picture.
What a creative way to use recycled materials. So fun.
very cute! I saw this somewhere in a magazine using toliet paper rolls too but I like your idea better! I love the pics of your daughter – her facial expressions are always so priceless! 🙂
Simple and yet so amazing! I love this. It came out great. I'm definitely adding this to my to do list. Thanks.
@ Mark:
You can also use a lot of oatmeal by making this (though the pool idea is much more fun!):
Oatmeal Playdough
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/crafts/crecipe11.htm
This has to be one of the prettiest recyclable crafts yet – and such a welcome sign of life during our dreary winter. Thanks for the gorgeous pictures, and a great idea =)
Totally sweet and what a lovely way to get ready for spring.
This is so cute. I have been holding onto an oatmeal container waiting to find something cool to do with it. And now I have found it. I am so excited. Thanks so much.
You are amazing 🙂
Oh my word, I NEVER would have thought of this! Love it! Do you think it would work with a smaller container (and just not be as big obviously)?
Love this!
@ familyofthree — Absolutely! A toilet paper roll works great for a smaller version. Have fun!!
I love it! I need to make this for my neighbor to cheer her up. her whole kitchen is sunflowers. She'd love to have a giant one!
@ Lisa Anne — Oooo.. that does sound like fun! I'm sure she will love it! 🙂
This is so very cute! My daughter will love doing this while we are home together today!
Sarah
This is the cutest ever!! I check your site often, and you and the kids seem to have SO much fun!! I've added a link to this on my blog, and a picture too, hope you don't mind! Thanks for the continual GREAT ideas!
Such a cute craft. I hope you don't mind, but I linked to you on my blog- http://littlelearnerslounge.blogspot.com/
as we were inspired by your beautiful sunflower!
@ Kara — That's wonderful! Thanks so much for linking. I really appreciate it, and your DD is adorable!! 🙂