Patriotic Chalk Art

A quick peek at our Patriotic Chalk Art sign for the festive lighted chalkboard easel ....

This started with a Silhouette Cameo cut file (link below) cut from Contact paper to use as a stencil, then filled in with colored chalk markers ... the same process used for the Father's Day Chalk Art and "It's a Good Day to Have a Good Day" chalkboard signs.  

I drew in a few freehand stars and side borders (lines and dots) to fill in blank space.

The colored chalk markers were really fun to use and the colors are bright.  These are the ones I used for this project:

Chalk Markers

The Silhouette cut file below can be found HERE:

 

Wishing you a Happy Fourth of July!
 

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

DIY Patriotic Wood Plaque

I have another star spangled project to share with you - a super quick and easy DIY patriotic wood plaque ...

Materials:

• Board or wood plaque
• Dark Walnut wood stain
• 4 paint stir sticks
• Unfinished wood cutout star
• 8 small tack nails
• Tuscan Red craft paint
• Brown craft paint
• Navy craft paint
• Coarse glitter craft paint
• Double sided transparent tape
• Double sided foam tape
• Mitre saw or small hand saw 
• Small paint brush
• Pledge of Allegiance free printable from Creations by Kara

The plaque is a 12" x 9-1/2" (actual size) scrap piece of board that was leftover from our DIY Wood Plank Lighted Headboard Project ... check out the details HERE.

Lucky for me, the plaque was already stained in Dark Walnut and only need a few touch ups.  

To begin, print the Pledge of Allegiance that Kara at Creations by Kara so graciously provides free for our personal use.  Be sure to also check out her design for a framed pledge with flag that's so adorable!

Print and cut out the Pledge of Allegiance and mount to the center of the plaque with double stick transparent tape.

 Next, cut the paint sticks to form a frame around the Pledge.  

Paint the stir sticks.  For a dark brownish red, I mixed Tuscan Red and Metallic Brown craft paint.  Let dry.

Attach painted stir sticks to plaque using hammer and small tack nails.

Paint the wood star using Navy paint.  When dry, brush on a top layer of coarse gold glitter and let dry.

Attach star to center of pledge with 4 layers of foamy double-stick tape to give the star a raised appearance.

At this point you could attach a picture hanger to the back of the plaque for wall display, or do as I'm doing and pop it into an easel.

This took about 2 hours to complete - including paint drying time.  Love those quick and easy projects!

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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Cozy Little House

DIY Wood Shim Star

The Fourth of July is just around the corner and this rustic DIY wood shim project adds to the star spangled festivities!

Items needed:

•  10 wood shims (8" long)
•  Binder clips
•  Tack nails
•  Upholstery nails
•  Craft paint in Vanilla
•  Craft paint in Pearl White
•  Craft paint in Bittersweet Chocolate
•  Burlap ribbon

Begin by arranging the wood shims to form a star shape with 5 points. 

When you're pleased with the shape, use binder clips to secure the wood shims in place prior to nailing.  

At this point, it's a good idea to accept that the star shape won't be totally and completely perfect - rustic is the look we're after.  :)  

And, you'll still have time to tweak the shape just before you put the final nails in place.

Nail one tack nail at each point where wood shims meet.

My nails were a bit too long so, using the hammer, I bent them over on the underside.

When each point was secured with a nail, I rechecked the shape and then added 1 more nail to each point to further secure it.

After a base coat of Vanilla craft paint, and a top coat of Pearl White, I dry brush distressed the star with Bittersweet Chocolate craft paint with the same method I used for our DIY Distressed Tabletop.  You can find the tutorial HERE.  

The finishing touch was to add upholstery nails to each point. 

To provide a little texture, a length of burlap ribbon was looped through the top point of the star and serves as the hanger.

If you're hanging the star indoors or in a mild climate, wood glue or hot glue could be used in lieu of the nails.  Our front door is exposed to full afternoon sun and hot glue does not hold up well to our sweltering summer temps.

Wouldn't this be fun with larger wood shims, or longer and wider strips of wood?

And, they'd be so cute painted gold or with metallic colors.

Do you have fun plans for the Fourth of July?  Our little community has an annual picnic and this year will be the 114th celebration!  It's small town fun ... spent with friends and neighbors, enjoying good food, music, an auction and a cake walk.  Wishing you a Happy Fourth!

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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Patriotic Mantel Decor

I had no plans to do mantel décor for the Fourth of July.  But ...

Having a few spare minutes this morning, thought I'd put up JUST a red felt wreath, a boa and a few patriotic candles.  Easy peasy, will only take a sec and be done, right?

Well .... not quite!  Of course, the wreath, boa and candles looked a little bare, so I added a few red glittery star baskets, a red star (that's actually a Christmas tree topper) and the red felt ball that matches the wreath.

Not bad.  But ... not good either.  There was nothing that screamed "patriotic" at all.  Way too much red.  And, there was hardly any blue.  Easily fixed with a few paper punched white stars with blue centers.  I cut the centers out of lightweight blue paper with my Silhouette.  Used double stick tape to place them in the center of each star.  Added the stars to each item on the mantel (except the red felt ball). 

Then a few ribbons on the red boa - blue/white dotted, red/white/blue striped, and solid blue. 

Using double-stick tape, I also covered the front ledge of the fireplace mantel with a blue ribbon.  Now, it seems a little more balanced and definitely red/white and blue. 

Will post a tutorial later to show you how to make the red felt wreath and ball. 

The book page wreath is also decked out for the Fourth!  If you missed my post on how I made it, you can find it HERE.

I like that basic red can be used as a basis for Valentine's Day, Christmas and any of the patriotic holidays as well.  Nice to reuse and have less to store and organize.

Do you have décor items that are dual purpose for several holidays?  

Wishing you and yours a fun-filled Fourth of July!!!  We're looking forward to our little community's  picnic with barbecue, auction, cake walk, dance and fireworks.  Have a super safe holiday!

Fondly, 







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The Dedicated House

{TUTORIAL} DIY Fourth of July Vase Filler

If you find you're short on time but need a little something to complete your Fourth of July table scape or mantel, this is a quick, easy and frugal option.

The tall clear vases can be found at Dollar Tree and the vase filler is made with items you probably already have in your pantry.

Supplies I used:

• Clear vase
• White rice (uncooked)
• Food coloring
• Ziplock sandwich bags
• Flameless votive
• Bow

 



To begin, pour 1 cup white rice into a Ziploc bag.  Add food coloring.  Start with a small amount - you can add more incrementally if you need a more intense color.

Seal bag and knead the bag to work the color into the rice. 

Once you've reached the desired color, pour rice onto paper towel to dry for 20 minutes.  After 20 minutes, rice is ready to place in vase.

Using a small (1 tablespoon) scoop, I placed a scoop of red rice into the vase.  Then, using the handle end of a wooden spoon, I pressed the rice firmly into the vase.  Do the same with the white rice (uncolored) and then blue.  Repeat layers until vase is filled 2" from top, allowing space for candle.

Add a festive bow and a flameless votive and you're all set! 

 

This is a great "go to" vase filler option for any occasion - just choose food coloring to coordinate with your décor.  And, filler can be reused.  Store in sealed bags between use.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

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