Monday, June 10, 2013

Patriotic Banner

 
I decided to make this banner for the front of the house for the 4th of July.  I started out with regular old picket fence boards.  You will need two of them and they run $1.39 apiece at Lowes.
 
 
First you want to make a rectangle.  Mine was 16" (four posts across) by about 19".  First cut the two posts in two and line them up until you have four across.  Then you need a smaller board to add across the back to hold it all together.  I used screws to attach the brace.
 
 
On newspaper, draw your shape and transfer the shape to your square.  Then cut out with a jig saw.  This is what your front will look like.
 
 
Divide your piece into three sections.  Paint the top a medium blue, the middle white and the bottom a dark red.
 
These will be very splotchy colors because of the texture of the fence posts.  It is very rough.  I highly recommend using a inexpensive brush to do this painting because it literally eats up your brush.
 
Let dry thoroughly. (In our 90 degree Oklahoma weather today, it didn't take long.)
 
 
 
Now, switch to a navy blue and a burgundy color.  Just make sure there is a contrast between this coat and your base color.
 
Take a piece of cardboard and drag the darker color onto each section.  Not solid, just here and there.
 
This is definitely a layer upon layer project.
 
I learned this method from Deb at http://lakegirlpaints.blogspot.com
 
Go and visit her blog for really good directions.
 
 
You are going to have very splotchy painting again by dragging this darker color over the blue and the red.  Do not put anything on the white just yet.
 
At this point, you are going to mix a brown acrylic paint with a lot of water.  I used Asphaltum.  Brush it on and immediately rub it off.  Be sure and use a cloth rag because the board is so rough it'll tear up a paper towel.  Don't panic if you get it too dark anywhere.
 
 
At this point, you are going back with your original colors and dragging on more of them until you get just the look you want.  I wanted this to look old and aged.
 
Drill two holes in the top at an angle and insert two American flags into the holes.
 
I took the Asphaltum paint and squirted it into a plastic cup of water and put the flags down in it and left them for the afternoon.  I wanted them to look old also.
 
So, there you have a great shield/banner to proudly display for the month of July!
 
Enjoy!
 
Till next time, Judy
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

14 comments:

  1. This is really awesome Judy, thanks for a great tutorial! Love it!

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  2. This is a really neat idea, Judy! I have had my red, white, and blue on display since Memorial Day. This Friday is Flag Day, so I just leave things up until sometimes the end of July.:-)

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  3. I love it! It's perfect for hanging on your door, and the flags add a nice touch.

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  4. What a perfect patriotic touch! You know how I love to decorate all summer with red, white and blue and this is just adorable. Another great project Judy.

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  5. Judy,
    This is great. I love it. You can use it on Friday and also the 4th. Thanks for taking us through the steps to make this.
    Kris

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  6. This is a great Fourth of July project Judy.

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  7. I love it! You always see ways to take something and make it better! You have the knack! HUGS!

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  8. Perfect for the upcoming 4th of July! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
    Thanks for stopping by. Heat index is still 95 as I type this, but like you, gonna try not to complain. I got to the point I was so tired of being cold every day.
    Enjoy your evening.

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  9. This is great Judy! Very inventive. J

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  10. Ah sigh....another extremely creative project...you did a great job.

    Jen

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  11. Nicely done, Judy! What a great display piece it makes especially with the little flags.

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  12. Beautiful piece, Judy! Love your creativity! Also - thank you for the side note on buttons - about why men & women's button are on different sides - interesting! Cheers, Catherine (new follower)

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  13. Judy!
    Awesome project! Love the distressed look and color you used.
    Great job,
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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