Monogram Paint Stick Flag

Independence Day is just around the corner and what better way to show off your patriotic creativity than by making a DIY monogram paint stick flag!  Start the summer celebration off right with this must-have red, white and blue home décor piece!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 8 paint sticks (we got ours at Home Depot)
• Wooden monogram letter (we got ours at Michael’s)
• Wooden scroll (we got ours at Michael’s)
• Red, white and blue craft paint
• Foam brush
• Small bristle paint brush
• Matte Finish Spray Paint (we used Krylon)
• Sandpaper
• Masking or Painters tape
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Twine

*Primer spray or paint, only needed if both sides of the paint sticks have writing on them

1. If both sides of your paint sticks have writing on them, you may need to put primer on them before painting. This prevents the writing from showing through the craft paint.
2. Using foam brush, paint the blank side of 4 paint sticks white paint and the other 4 paint sticks red. It is not necessary to paint the back of the stick, unless desired, but be sure to get the sides.
3. Using the small bristle paint brush, carefully paint the monogram letter and scroll with the white paint.
4. Set paint sticks, monogram letter and scroll aside to completely dry.
5. Once completely dry, place 2 white and 2 red paint sticks together in an alternating pattern and mark off an area with masking/painters tape about 5 inches from left edge.
6. Use the foam brush to paint surface of the sticks blue. You may need a couple of coats to cover the color underneath.
7. Once dry, peel off masking tape and paint the side edges of blue section.
8. To add a rustic feel, use sandpaper to lightly sand the edges of sticks, monogram letter and scroll.
9. Flip over and organize the paint sticks so that your flag is face down on a flat surface, spacing about 1/8 – 1/4 inch apart.
10. Using the masking tape, tape the ends of the paint sticks to the flat surface so that they do not move while you work.
11. Using hot glue gun and a piece of twine about 30 inches long, put a dab of glue about 1 ½ inches from the left end of the bottom flag stick and press end of twine into glue to secure.
12. Repeat step 11 on each stick, moving from bottom of flag to top of flag. Do not cut off extra twine.
13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 for the right side of the paint sticks.
14. Remove tape and flip over to front side. Tie the ends of the twine into a bow as a way to hang your flag, and trim ends according to preferred length.
15. Determine placement of your monogram letter and scroll in the blue section and apply a small amount of glue on back of monogram letter and scroll (be sure to place the glue where it will touch the sticks) and secure.
16. Hang proudly on door or window to get everyone into the 4th of July spirit!