Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Creating Old Glory

I'm very happy with my fourth of July decorations on the mantle in my family room, but I think my dining room shelf is a little jealous. It called out for a big ol' flag too. I certainly couldn't just go out and buy another matching flag. Even at half off that one took most of my decorating budget for the month (not that I really have a decorating budget), AND it was the last one, AND who wants two identical giant flag decorations for two different rooms, AND where's the creativity in always buying things, AND I was in the mood to make something fun. So I went out into the garage and found some leftover bead board from an old project. I cut it down to size, making sure to have thirteen strips.
I used my "can't create without it"
black satin spray paint.

I dug out my old craft paints and
painted alternating strips red and antique white.
Once the paint was dry I took my sander and
lightly sanded the entire piece
to distress it and let some of the black show through.
I cut
a rectangle of wood, painted it blue,
then sanded the edges.
I cut a star shape from some thin wood,
painted it antique white and distressed it.
Then I glued and screwed the whole thing together.
I don't think that my dining room is jealous anymore.

24 comments:

Shirlee said...

Before I was even half way through reading your post, I KNEW you were about to show how you built your own flag out of wood!
I'm always amazed at your creativity.
Great job and you can enjoy it for years to come. :)

Rachel Berry said...

I will be shamelessly copying your idea. It's so perfect!!

:)Rachel

Chris said...

One of the best DIY projects I've seen in a long time. I WILL be copying that. Thanks!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I have to tell you how incredibly awesome your flag is!! I found your blog from Today's Creative Blog and I am so excited to go through and read your older posts. So great!

Bonnie the Boss said...

Your dining room might not be but I am! Great Job!
I am sure all of us will be shamelessly copying that flag.

Darla said...

I am SERIOUSLY jealous. I would love something like that for my (tiny) front porch area.

Anonymous said...

Ok Miss Joy... You made me do it. I searched the garage for an old piece of wood. It's on my kitchen bar as I type this waiting on some paint... Im sure mine wont look near as purdy as yours but im gonna give it a go. You are one rockin' lady... kepp them ideas coming... love it. Susie H~

Joy said...

I'm so flattered that you all want to copy my flag. If you can't use one as big as mine, may I suggest that you make a smaller version using five red stripes and four white ones---it's not 100% accurate, but it will still look nice. And to my Canadian friends, you can make your flag by running the bead board vertically.
I can't wait to see all of your creativity!

Marie said...

I am literally sitting here with my mouth hanging open. GREAT idea! And I ALWAYS have leftover bead board in my garage! (I really do!) I love this.

patsy said...

WOW--- LOVE THIS IDEA!!
thank you for sharing- you are amazing....

Anonymous said...

This is too cool. I will have to file that in my inspiration ideas.

Blanca

Amy Jo said...

oh my! The mantle looks awesome, as does the dining room. I've never decorated for July 4th, and it's a little too late now. But I love, love, love your ideas!

Amy Jo said...

I hope you go post a link over at http://kariandkijsa.blogspot.com/

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

Fabulous! You are amazing.

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I absolutely love the flag made out of bead board. I will be checking to see if we have any old bead board. Do you mind me asking, what are the dimensions of both flags and the square that holds the star? I am not very good at guessing what the size should be. Happy 4th!

The Berry's Patch said...

OMG. What a simple and cute flag idea. I will have to try this. I'm not crafty but this looks do-able. I also love the USA letters.

Brandee :-)
http://veryberrynice.blogspot.com

Joy said...

The bead board flag is 26 inches by 45 inches, and the blue square is 14 inches by 16 inches. I used a bead board made from MDF. I have some bead board made of wood, and the strips are a different size, so the best thing to do is count thirteen strips and make sure to cut it in a rectangle, (although a square would look nice, too). Then measure the blue square by using the size of the top seven stripes---just like a real flag.

molly said...

Wonderful idea! Glad you are waving your flags high! enjoyed the visit!

Darlene said...

Well that will have to go in my file of "when I can get around to it". I absolutely LOVE your bead board flag...thank you so much for showing how it was done. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!!!!

Trudi said...

So creative. Love it. May have to try it sometime too. You are so talented and I love your blog.

Karol said...

Your Design 101 was right on the mark! That's the hard lesson I've learned over the years too... no knick-knacks unless they're just "dressing" on the cake! (But I know plenty of ladies like their frou-frou too! karol

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

What creative ideas!
Happy Fourth!
Karla & Karrie

Valarie Lea said...

That is so cool, I am loving your site!!!

Kasey said...

I love it. Great job. I'm going to try and make it too.

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