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| Sorry for the bad pic - it was dark when I took this photo. I'll try to remember to take another and post later. |
I think my new favorite crafting glue is Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive. It's better than using E6000 as it presets [stronger] in 2 minutes and becomes permanent after 24 hours. While it's in preset mode, if you don't like your placement, you can easily remove it, wipe off the residue with your fingers and start over. But since it does become permanent, you can use your item inside or outside. If you don't plan on using this item outside, you can obviously use hot glue for the entire project.
This project post may be a little late and a dollar short, but if you already have your holiday prep under control, it is fairly quick to put together. It can be used as an accent piece on a serving table, hang it on a wall or place wherever you want to display a little patriotism for the holiday.
What You'll Need:
- Two 8"x10" Dollar Tree art canvases
- Stain or paint (I used Dark Walnut stain)
- 8"x12" Economy Flag (I got mine at Target)
- 1 Dollar Tree Red, White & Blue balloon weight
- Two 1" natural wood beads
- Gorilla clear grip contact adhesive
- Staple Gun
- Wire cutters
- Backing cardboard (I used a cereal box)
- White paint, as needed
- Something to cut the flag pole with (I used heavy duty wire cutters)
- Sandpaper
- Scissors or Exacto knife for trimming fabric
STEP ONE - PREPARE FRAMES
Remove the canvas from both frames. I didn't remove the staples as they were embedded below the wood surface. Glue frames together, staple sides together, then stain or paint. Dollar Tree canvas frames are not known to be exact in size, but don't worry about it. Just align them as best you can. Set aside to dry, about 1 hour.
STEP TWO - ATTACH FLAG
Remove flag from pole. Mine had 2 staples holding it on that were easily removed by pulling slightly. Position flag on back of frame and staple in place, pulling tautly as you go. Trim excess fabric.
STEP THREE - ATTACH CARDBOARD BACKING
Using the frame as a template, trace around onto cardboard. Paint white and let dry. Cut backing, cutting slightly smaller than the frame. Glue onto back of frame, white side toward flag.
STEP FOUR - CREATE 'FIREWORKS'
With wire cutters, cut the 2 segments of the decoration from the weighted base. You will have 2 pieces - the spray and the stars. Remove center wire from each. Insert each into the hole of the bead and glue in place on the frame.
STEP FIVE - ATTACH FLAG POLE
This is an optional step, but I thought it still needed a little something. Plus the dowel ties in with the natural beads used to hold the fireworks. Cut the flag pole to length, sand cut end to smooth and glue in place.
DONE!
Well, maybe. I have some parchment printer paper around here somewhere. I might make a little scroll printed with "Oh, Say Can You See..." and place it on the top of the frame.
TOTAL PROJECT COST - $4.50
2 Art canvas frames - $2
Balloon weight - $1
Flag - $1.50
I already had everything else.
