joy on my journey: Patriotic - the More, the Better!

I have been very discouraged by the news over the last few months. I feel like I live in a country where we have lost our patriotism. I am one person and cannot change the world, but I can change my world. My goal this summer was to have more decorations in my house that are patriotic.

I didn't start with very much. A few sets of red, white and blue lights, a few flag candle sticks and a few paper stars. Pathetic, right???? Well, I set off on Pinterest to find a few ideas and boy did I find a few. My first project was a wreath! See the previous post! I think it turned out great!

My next projects were not projects at all. I was in the grocery store of all places and they had 4th of July stuff on sale! Score! The 3 words signs were $1.79 each. The metal firecracker was $2.99 and the God Bless America sign was $2.49. Can you say cheap and in my budget!!!!!! AWESOMESAUCE!

After my little shopping spree, I still felt like I needed a little something more! With kids being home, it is hard to go to the craft store so I was thinking about what I could do and it came to me!!!!! I bought 2 2x4s last summer to do a block flag project and never got around to it. I had the wood, the paint and the stars! So off to break out the circular saw I got for my birthday in 2011 that I have been too afraid to use. I got brave and fired it up and cut my wood. 1 2x4 did 3 flag sets and then I had 3 pieces left and did the USA block set.

Supplies:

1 2x4 piece of wood - $2

Saw to cut wood

Burlap Ribbon - $4 which was 1/2 off on sale

Package of 4 -2 inch stars - $2.47

Red, white, blue and brown paints - Under $1 each

Sand paper and/or hand held electric sander - hand on hand

Foam paint brushes - had on hand

Hot Glue gun to stick on the star - Had on hand

Cost of project: under $10 for 3 sets of the flags and 1 set of the USA blocks

How to: This was my inspiration and also a great tutorial. Click here >>> Flag Blocks

What I did different from the tutorial:

1. The block that is painted blue, I cut it at 3 inches so it would not be taller than the white block.

2. I painted all sides on by blocks to seal them in.

3. I used watered down brown paint to give a more aged look after I sanded the painted blocks. You use an old cloth or papertowel and rub a small amount of the paint onto the block and then rub it off. You could also use stain and it will rub off better.

4. I used wooden stars instead of paper so that it would last through the years.

5. I used a clear coat sealer on all sides to protect from weather and children!

6. I used burlap instead of ribbon because I like the look of it!

7. It did take longer than 30 minutes, but I did add in extra steps! Even if I did just want she did, it would have taken me longer! I guess I am a slow poke!!!!!

Here is the picture of the 3 completed sets! Cute, Right?????

USA Blocks

These are super easy! I don't really have a tutorial per say, but I just cut the wood to 3 1/2 inches and painted them the same time/way as I painted the flag blocks above.

The Stencil of USA: I found my favorite font on my computer and made the letters 3 inches tall and printed them out. I used Press 'n Seal Wrap and pressed it over the letters. Using an exacto knife, I cut the letters out. I peeled the paper off the Press 'n Seal and then put the Press 'n Seal onto the wood blocks. Then you dab or dot the paint onto the stencil, let it dry for a few minutes and then peel the Press 'n Seal off. And then you have stenciled letters!!!!