Painted American Wooden Flag

Here is another gem that I have been eyeing up in one of my favorite catalogs for quite sometime. When I first saw this oversized flag the first thing that came to mind was good old fashion American cookouts and summertime deck parties. The list price on this beautiful piece of work is $129 and I was able to create this look-a-like version for just under $7.00.

I started by having a piece of plywood cut at my local Home Depot. They can make the cuts for your right there in the store which makes it so easy. The finished dimensions of the cut board were 48" wide X 27" high. I used a t-square to measure and draw my guidelines for the stripes before I started to paint.

I wanted the flag to have an authentic worn wooden feel. I began this process by painting the entire board with DecoArt Primer-Sealer. I simply brushed this on with a paint brush making sure the entire surface was covered, and let dry for about a half an hour.

Next I used one of my new favorite products of all time, DecoArt Texture Crackle. This stuff is simply magic in a jar. It has a spackle like consistency which enables you to layer it on as thick or thin as you like. The thicker you make it the more of a 3-D effect you get.

I used a putty knife to randomly layer the Texture Crackle on and then fanned the edges softly with a brush to blend. Some spots I made really thick and some I just lightly brushed on.

The Texture Crackle comes in a couple different tinted shades so you can easily use it as is. {or paint over it like I did for the flag} I used the neutral shade for this project.

It took about 45 minutes to completely dry; just look at that crackle! {love}

I used regular masking tape to tape off my guidelines for the stripes. {it worked surprisingly quite well}

The paint I used was Americana All Purpose Acrylics; Primary Blue DA200, Snow White DA01, and a mix of Cherry Red DA159 and Burgundy Wine DA022 {for the red}

For the stars I held down a cookie cutter as my guide and painted the inside using a fine tip paintbrush.

There is just something about the American Flag....isn't it beautiful?

{Now don't hold this part against me} I used a palm grip sander to distress the entire surface and edges. I wanted a rustic feel, like this flag had been hanging around forever. Once it was sanded just right I used a stain {Early American shade} to distress it even more. Working in small sections at a time, I simply wiped on and wiped right back off.

It's hard to truly capture the texture of this board. Here are few close-ups...

See why I love this texture crackle...imagine the possibilities!

To create the hangers I used two 4" DISChangers. {each is rated to hold 5 1/2 pounds each and this board is super light} Just wet the back wait 10 minutes and press into place.

The attached rings were perfect to hold a linked chain for hanging. I simply pried open a link, looped it on the DISChanger, and squeezed it shut with a pair of pliers.

I wish you could see the actual finished texture that can not be captured in these pictures.

I hung it from the upper deck for the time being, however if you've seen the pictures from last week of my completely empty deck, that may change once I start outdoor decorating! Hope you have a fabulous weekend! Enjoy!