Fingerprint Flowerpots

I can not stand fingerprints on our windows or on our appliances.  When our daughters were younger, I went through bottles of Windex trying to erase the greasy trail they left throughout our house.  Of course, once I put away the cleaning supplies, I would immediately spot more little smudges.  Such futile efforts.  Sigh.  On the other hand, I must smile because I have gone to great lengths over the years to preserve these handprints on plates and mugs.  We painted these works of art at a local pottery studio.  They currently hang in our kitchen, and they are certainly treasured.  A simple online search reveals many handprint and fingerprint craft ideas for every occasion.

One of the mothers of the girls in our troop donated a box of 3" flowerpots for us to use.  She had purchased them to make wedding favors, and these  pots were remaining and taking up valuable space in her garage.  We gladly accepted the donation, and I immediately began brainstorming craft ideas.  I remembered seeing a classroom party craft where students painted fingerprints on a flowerpot and decorated them to look like ladybugs.  I thought it would be super easy to make fingerprint daisies.  

For this particular craft we did not have to purchase the flowerpots as I previously mentioned.  However, Hobby Lobby occasionally has a package of six 3" flowerpots on sale for 50% off, making the sale price $1.24.   Even if they are not on sale when you need them, there are always 40% off coupons circulating in papers and online.  I bought a 2 fl oz bottle of acrylic paint in yellow and white for a total of $1.54 (using 40% off coupons, of course).  I found 3/8" blue and white gingham ribbon (15 ft) on sale for $1.  Expect to pay around $5 total for the supplies listed here, including the 6 flowerpots.  Please note there will most likely be leftover ribbon and paint.  If any supplies are donated to your troop, your girls could count this craft toward earning the green petal since they are using resources wisely.

At our meeting, we gave each girl a flowerpot and an 18" piece of ribbon that had been precut.  We squirted a bit of the paint on styrofoam plates and placed them on the table for the girls to share.  The girls were instructed to dip a finger into the paint and create flowers on the pot.  Some of the girls chose to use their fingers to paint the top edge of the pot.  We were impressed by their creativity.  When the paint dried, we tied the ribbons in a bow around the top edge of the flowerpot.  The girls took the pots home that day.  We told them they could plant flowers or herbs in the pot or fill it with candy or a candle.  This would be a cute Mother's Day present or teacher's gift.  The girls could also hand them out to residents of a nursing home during a troop visit.  If the girls were to give the flowerpot as a gift, they could count this kind act toward earning the spring green petal for being considerate and caring.  That gives me another idea...  Thanks for reading!