I {love} the 4th of July. From the parades, to the flags, to the fireworks, to the BBQs, to the decor, to the very reason for its existence, I love it. I’m always looking for fun ideas to decorate my home for the holiday— something cute and simple. I made this darling beadboard flag, and I am in love! It’s so cute, it can be left up all year long if you like.
Beadboard was perfect for this project because of the lines–easy to paint, and totally straight! This is a really simple project, but the outcome is fabulous. It’s pretty inexpensive too, especially if you go in on it with a friend and split the cost of the beadboard. You can also make it as big or small as you want–I think I’m going to make a giant one for my back porch
- beadboard, cut to size (16×20)
- craft paint
- distress ink
- sander
- frame (optional)
2. Take a ruler, and measure 9 inches across from the left side into the middle. Make a mark there, and then use the ruler to make a line from that point down the middle off the beadboard to the direct center–4 lines down. Apply painters tape along that line.
3. Using a foam brush, apply your paint to the lines of the beadboard. I wanted thick, chunkier sections, so I did 2 lines per color, instead of one. You could easily switch that around if you like it better the other way–alternating every other line. The paint will not go on thick–the beadboard is slick, and paint doesn’t adhere easily. It’s okay though–you’re going for more of a distressed look here, and we are just going to sand it later. I applied a couple of coats, just to get the thickness right.
PAINT COLORS: Tompte Red by Delta (in my opinion, the best red out there. I prefer more of a red, instead of a burgundy/maroon, which a lot of reds tend to be. I also don’t like a bright red, and this is the perfect, cranberry red. Vanilla by JoAnn’s, and Navy Blue by FolkArt (I searched a long time for a true navy–love this one!).
4. Once you have your red and cream sections painted, and they have totally dried, removed the painter’s tape, and then place it on the other side of the paint so you can do the navy. Paint on the navy blue and let completely dry.
5. Take your handy dandy power sander, and go to town! Distress the paint as much as you like, being careful and going lightly. The paint will come off very easily, so do a little at a time. Wipe the dust off with a damp rag. Use your distress ink to go over the entire board, making sure to get the corners and all the surfaces.
6. For the star, I just drew one by hand on some cream cardstock, cut it out, then distressed all the edges. I applied it with double stick tape, but you could also go over it with mod podge if you wanted extra “stick”.
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 6:49 pmSo cute! I wanted something for 4th but not a wreath so I think this is a winner. I actually have some 2×4 laying around so I think I'll glue some of those together and use that. So cool… I've also "pinned" it so I'll actually remember it (a problem for a serious multi-tasker) :)
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 6:53 pmThis is so cute!
www.iheartmygluegun.com
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 6:59 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! Please come over and link up to my party!! http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/2011/05/time-to-shine-link-party-no-20.html
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 7:14 pmLOVE this…
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 7:29 pmI came over from Reasons to skip the housework. I LOVE your movie night trays! And this flag is adorable! I am so glad I found your blog I am a new follower.
Kadie @ Seven Alive
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 7:41 pmI'll be creating something like this for my family for the 4th!! TFS.
Anonymous says
May 31, 2011 at 10:05 pmI just love the look on beadboard! Thanks for sharing the DIY. I may actually try it. Hopefully I'll be done before July 4th!
Jeanine
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 12:20 amso so cute!!!
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 1:23 amLOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Actually have board left from last year's remodel….yay for a reuse!
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 2:01 amI love this. We're using beadboard to decorate our baby nursery and I know that I'll have some left over. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 2:12 amMy friend and I are totally going to make some of these! I am going to put mine out on my front porch!
Ruthie @ Tattered Bliss
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 3:38 amLove this! Thanks so much. I have beadboard remnants left too.
I am sharing it on my blog:
4growingboys.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 5:19 amThat is adorable. I love it and pinned it. Come and say hi and enter my Jamberry nail giveaway
A mommy's life…with a touch of YELLOW
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 9:49 pmLove it! I'm so not crafty, but I'm making this for my front porch. I have leftover beadboard from renovating our bathroom!!
Anonymous says
Jun 1, 2011 at 9:55 pmI absolutely ADORE this, Kierste! I just featured you on my Wednesday's Wowzers. Here's the link:
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2011/06/wednesdays-wowzers-soak-in-little.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
~Alison
Anonymous says
Jun 3, 2011 at 4:46 amI love this!!! I featured it on my blog today!!
alove2create.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
Jun 11, 2011 at 8:06 amHi there!
We loved this so much we are featuring it on our blog!
www.icandyhandmade.blogspot.com
Jen
Anonymous says
Jun 14, 2011 at 7:47 pmKierste, I just finished up making my own version of your beadboard flag. It's up on my blog.
Hopefully, I did everything right in linking and attributing the idea to you. If I did not, PLEASE let me know so I can fix it. This is the first time I've done something like this and I don't want to infringe on anyone or make them mad at me. :)
Val
Anonymous says
Jun 21, 2011 at 1:19 pmWhat a great idea for the 4th! We loved it so much that it's been featured at Sweet Peas and Bumblebees as one of our red, white, and blue favorites! Don't forget to grab a button! (:
~Briana
sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
Jun 21, 2011 at 2:40 pmThis turned out great. Thanks for the tip on the red and navy you used. I agree with you on the difficulty of finding a great red especially.
Anonymous says
Jul 8, 2011 at 4:05 amEven though it's past the 4th, My friend and I just made these today (I've been wanting to for awhile now) I am so happy with how they turned out. Thanks for a fun and easy craft day!
Anonymous says
Oct 6, 2011 at 7:45 pmHi again! (Sorry!) If I had to cut the beadboard myself, what can I cut it with? Just a regular saw or…THANKS! Love this, too!