Thursday, June 23, 2011

Distressed Wood Flag

I've had so much fun putting together a few things for the July 4th Holiday this year! After some shopping around the house, an up-cycling of a given-to-me-old-window, and a few hand-made crafts this is what my mantel looks like now (but it could definitely change! ha ha!):


I thought I'd share 3 of these quick and easy crafts you could whip up yourself before the celebrations begin!

1. Distressed Wood Flag


First, Mr. Sweet Love and I cut some strips of wood from what was originally a 1x2 -.87 @Home Depot. (and yes I said "I"! I have to say I love using power tools, :) but I only do it when he's home because as much as I trust myself to use them, I don't trust myself alone in bloody situations!) I spray painted 7 red...


...and 6 white.


The idea for this actually came when I found this piece of wood at DI (the thrift store) for .50 and knew it *wood* work perfectly (I know that's only funny to a select group of people...humor me) for the star section of an American flag.


After I had all my materials ready I came across THIS wood flag while perusing a linky party and was so excited to find an easy tip to creating the stars-my way was going to take much longer! Use star stickers, paint it blue and then peel off the stickers once the paint has dried. Genius!


And I actually used just a little tester size jar of paint (and only about 1/16th of the jar) I found at Home Depot for $1, in Navy Blue, for this instead of spray paint since I didn't have the color blue I wanted. (shocker I know!)


I then just used wood glue to glue each strip of the flag together, as well as the wood star block to the stripes.


I loved the flag, but the colors were a little bold for my mantle since I was going for more of the deep red and blue look. So I sanded the whole thing down to distress it a bit and then added a layer of stain in Dark Walnut. It actually turned out a little *too* distressed for my taste. Looking back, I probably would have used a lighter color stain ( I had both Dark Walnut and a light oak on hand, but opted for the darker one) but all things considered, I LOVE it!




Since I knew I was going to be distressing it, I didn't want it too perfect or symmetrical looking so we made each of the stripes a different length to give it a sort of waving type look. Well, that's what we were going for anyway! ha ha! What do you think?!


Not too bad for under $5 is what I think! ha ha!


2. DIY Declaration of Independence

This is what is in the center of my mantel above and the full tutorial is posted HERE from when I blog swapped with Crafty, Scrappy, Happy. There are just 4 simple steps and will cost less than $2!

3. DIY patriotic frame


I got this idea when I saw this gift bag at the Dollar Store! I just cut the front off the bag and used the ribbon handles taped to the back of the frame to hold the frame in place behind the glass.


Easy peesy and the color matched perfectly for my mantle! yay!


Everything else on the mantle was things I already had around the house (recognize the bean balls back in the corner?! :) ) to fill in the space around the main decorations. Now, bring on the BBQ, the swimming, the fireworks and the celebration of the beautiful, FREE country we live in!


I do have one or two more simple decoration ideas to post so make sure to check back soon! I hope you are enjoying your sunshiney, warm summery days as much as I am! Thank you so much for spending some time with me today!! Don't forget to enter my 200 follower giveaway going on now! Love yall!

Linking up at these parties as well as:
UndertheTableandDreamingitsy bitsy paper

35 comments:

Kari said...

These are awesome ideas! Now this is ingenuity (is that how you spell it??) and using your frugal mind at its best. I, the Dollar Tree queen, bow down at your feet....:) Love it!

Kari

cnelson said...

This is one of my FAVORITE projects of yours!! LOVE SWEET LOVE it!!!!

Just Jaime said...

Great idea to use the star stickers!! I need to get some tester paint. Thanks for sharing!

Rachel @ Little Kitchen, Big Bites said...

so lovely!! you are so crafty! we're in an apartment so there's no room for power tools...i'm very jealous ;)

Mimi said...

What great ideas you have! I love the Dollar Tree but never would have thought to use a bag like you did.
And the flag is so darn awesome! Thanks for sharing at PolkaDots on Parade!

Anonymous said...

will be making these for the 4th - thank you so much for sharing!

Sue@creativetryals.blogspot.com said...

Wow that looks great! I wish I was American because I love all the patriotic decor you guys do. I also love the history with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. I will do my best to copy you Canadian style! Visiting you from TT&J.

Claire said...

I love this arrangement! Fantastic idea about the gift bag - I would have never thought of that!!

Unknown said...

I love that the end of the flag is uneven. Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!

Leanne said...

I absolutely adore this flag. Thanks for linking to the party. I'll be featuring this.

Mary Beth said...

I was just thinking today that I need indoor July decorations - I hope you don't mind if I steal ALL yours

Tanya said...

That turned out great! Love the use of star stickers...very clever :)

Kirsten @ Mushki Loves said...

LOVE IT! Everything looks great together!

Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy said...

I LOVE this project! Ahhh it is so so great! I can't believe you made it, and you make it look so easy with your tutorial! :o) you rock!

Brit said...

Love the flag!! I admire you for braving power tools ;) I wouldn't dare, even if my other half was home :) Thanks for sharing, and thanks for linking up!
Britney
www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

Jill said...

I love that flag! I love your mantle as a whole, actually. Someday my place will be nicely decorated...The way you did the stars was genus, by the way. And I'll be saving this idea for later. :)
--Jill
http://jillmadeit.blogspot.com/

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

LOVE all of your patriotic projects! The wooden flag is genius!

Flour Blossoms said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the flag.

-Lidy said...

I love, love, LOVE all these ideas. My jaw dropped when I saw the frame made with a dollar store gift bag!! The flag looks great with the different length stripes. Great idea with the star stickers.

I just became your follower. :)

mzzbev said...

Absolutely wonderful! How do you ever come up with these nifty ideas!? Please post this at my Patriotic Linky party currently going on ~ it's the perfect, ideal post. Wish I had your "creative" genes!! :)

Carolyn said...

The wooden flag looks fantastic. You did an excellent job with it.

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

This came out so cute!! I featured you on our Wicked Awesome Wed blog party this week. Come on over and pick up an "I've been Featured" button if you'd like!

Unknown said...

Very cute!

I am featuring this on Sunday on my blog! Thanks for linking up!

Ashley
www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

My patriotic heart loves this!

Amanda said...

Great project! :) I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/distressed-wood-flag/

If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

Michelle C said...

All I have to say is incredible. I was writing "YOU" a comment, but realized after I posted it that it was when you blog swapped (I had made the declaration of independence). Oh well. I'm in the middle of making mine, a bit late, but I'm super excited. You have such WONDERFUL ideas. Your dollar store is amazing. I have been multiple times and haven't found anything half as cool as what you've found. Love that gift bag idea, but no luck. Is yours a dollar tree??? You're the best, girlie!!

Jami said...

Wonderfully distressed!!! I'm so glad you shared your lovely flag at the Tuesday To Do Party! Have a Happy 4th!
Smiles!
Jami

Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper said...

This is a great project idea! I am having a Red, White and Blue Linky Party and would love for you to stop by and join in!

http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I found your flag over at Itsy Bitsy Paper. I made one kind of similar and bigger that I linked up. I love how you created the stars with the stickers! Great idea!

I have a weekly linky party that I would love for you to link up to sometime. It's called Terrific Under Ten Tuesdays and it's for projects made for $10 or less.

Jami said...

Just wanted to let you know I featured your awesome distressed flag this week at the Tuesday To Do Party! Feel free to drop by and pick up a List Makers button!
Smiles!
Jami

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