www.KINDERART.com
Printer-Friendly Page

share   comment   contribute   print

Your front door looks so plain, why not dress it up with this fun and easy welcome star! Perfect for Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any day you want to show your patriotic spirit!

What You Need:

• paper mache (or wooden) star with hanging cord
• acrylic paint in red, white and blue
• paint brushes: large scruffy, medium flat, and liner
• acrylic sealer spray, matte
• Black Sharpie marker or craft pen
• old toothbrush

What You Do:

1. There is no pattern required for this project. Perfection is not necessary, less than perfect lines add true character to this star.

2. Paint the bottom half of the star red and the top half blue, allow to dry completely. Add a second coat and let dry.

3. Using the liner brush, paint on vertical white lines on the bottom half of the star. Start in the middle, work your way left, then come back and do the right. Touch up stripes if needed. Let dry completely.

4. Put a small amount of white paint onto a paper plate, about the size of a dime. Add a few drop of water, enough to thin the paint. Using an old toothbrush, pick up some of the thinned white paint. Before applying this method to the star, test it on a piece of newspaper. Flick the bristles of the toothbrush by dragging your finger or thumb across them. This causes the paint to spray off the brush onto your "target", in this case, the newspaper. Once you are happy with the result, flick the paint all over the front of the star. Allow to dry.

5. Using a large scruffy brush, dab on some white paint to the front of the star. This should be in the blue area, just above the stripes, and it should be wide enough to put the word "Welcome" in. Let dry completely.

6. Use a black Sharpie or craft pen to write "Welcome", or if you prefer, your family name, in the white area.

7. Spray entire surface with acrylic spray sealer and allow to dry. Hang!

About the Designer/Author:

►More Independence Day Crafts

Available Now:

Recommended Books:

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Independence Day: With Parades, Picnics, and Fireworks

Recommended Products:

Patriotic Crafts Activity Pack Hurray for the Red, White and Blue! We've included enough good stuff in our latest craft pack to make over 200 Americana-themed projects. Great for patriotic holidays, folk art displays or any time kids want to show their pride. Kit contains 1/2-lb bag of star beads, red, white and blue plastic lacing, lanyard hooks, patriotic plaster shapes, pin backs, patriotic Woodsie pins, American flag pins and instructions.