The “leaves” are shallow plastic containers that were spray-painted. Other things would work, too! Like wood (scrap plywood cut with a leaf shape), a spoon, the lid of a plastic container etc.

Absolutely! I always encourage ingenuity and using your own imagination to embellish upon something as basic as hub cap flowers. I’m from Alaska where gardeners typically don’t decorate with solar lights b/c it never gets dark in summer! So that’s something I don’t think about (ha!)

Hi Erin. It sounds like you’re interested in hand-painting designs on your hub cap flowers(?) From what I’ve heard professionals say; it’s always best to match your paint due to chemical compositions. So acrylic with acrylic and spray paint with spray paint. However, I did some real quick research and a lot of folks are saying ‘yes’, you can use acrylic paint on top of spray paint after allowing the spray paint to thoroughly cure. Other opinions say: (quote) “Acrylic paint can stick to spray paint under the right circumstances. It is important to preface by saying that acrylic over spray paint may not be the route you should take depending on the end result.” I would go ahead and give it a try. One recommendation: you might want to use the acrylic paints made for outdoors. This weather-resistant acrylic paint is specially formulated to resist water and adhere to surfaces, even in changing temperatures. No sealing or varnishing. They cost a bit more, but may be worth it for your project. Let me know how it goes! Thanks for visiting Make it a Garden. ~ Kristen

Thanks for sharing that Peggy. What a wonderful way to remember your brother-in-law. Hub caps seem to look best when they are simple.I would love to get a pic when you are done! That would be awesome! ~ Kristen

Oh, wonderful! Glad you found hubcaps! Thanks for the feedback, too. I’ll try to take more photos (as you suggested) for that particular tutorial. Some hubcaps will have the ring…and different makes and models have it attached differently. The set I showed in the pictures…the thin metal ring was worn and a bit crusty and bent (as were the brackets) and did not snap out easy. But yours may not be that way at all. As for drilling the hole…I just eye-balled it. It doesn’t have to be perfectly centered…but you can also use a tape measure as a guide to find the exact center, mark it with a pen and drill the hole. It DOES matter for the hole to be correct on the post, or it will appear crooked and off center. You will love making these! I’m sure you’ll get lots of compliments. Thanks for dropping a line. ~Kristen