Being patriotic has come to have so much more meaning to me over the last year. Since I have known someone who has actually given the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom it has given me more respect for the country I call home and the men and women who choose to serve in our military. So as Independence Day approached, I wanted to show a little patriotism on our front porch. The flag shutter project I found in the Lowes Creative Idea magazine. I love this free publication, you can subscribe by going here. They have so many creative ideas for your home and garden and as soon as I saw this project, I knew that it was one that I was going to do. I found a shutter at a junk store for $2 and it went from there.
It seems I now have burlap pillows for every season for my porch. Burlap is the perfect fabric to use for a pillow that will be in the weather. I have to tie mine down here in Kansas or they would blow away. They are so fun and easy to make. Here is how I made this flag pillow.
Using masking tape I masked off the shape and the square for the blue. My star cookie cutter came in handy as my star shape and I masked it as well.
Once the blue square was painted, I waited for it to dry and then masked for the red stripes. I use acrylic craft paint to do this and a stiff brush and dab the paint on more than brush it. The burlap soaks the paint up quickly so dry time is a snap.
Once the paint is completely dry you can pull the tape off and use this just as it is. Once I had sewn the pieces together and stuffed the pillow I decided it need just a bit more detail.
Getting out my red and white baker’s twine I stitched and little detail around the start and blue square as well as the entire pillow.
Using some flags that my kids had decorated their bikes with years ago for a neighborhood 4th of July parade, I strung them on the baker’s twine and they made a fabulous flag garland. Now we can celebrate Independence Day with a patriotic flare on the front porch.
I am participating in the following links ups: Somewhat Simple, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Gluesticks, Beyond the Pikcet Fence, Momnivore's Dilemma, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Blooming Designs, Bubble Nature Creations, Liz Marie, Addicted 2 Decorating, Hof ouse of Hepworths, Stuff and Nonsense, Finding Fabulous, The Shabby Nest, Truly Lovely, Simply Sweet Home, Bubbly Nature Creations, The Answer is Chocolate, Sassy Sites, I Gotta Create, The CSI Project, Sisters of the Wild West, Boogieboard Cottage, It So Very Cheri, DIY Showoff, Natasha In Oz, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Between Naps on the Porch, Skip to My Lou, Todays Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, Ladybug Blessings, Domestically Speaking, The Thrifty Home, Blue Cricket Design, Fabric Bows and More, My Girlish Whimms, Seven Thirty Three, Sew Much Ado, Someday Crafts, Lil Luna, Mama Hens Coop, {Primp}, Vintage Gwen, Frugally Sustainable, Tidy Mom, Pinkapotmus, Between Naps on the Porch, Etcetorize, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Sew Can Do, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Mod Vintage Life, My Romatic Home, A Glimpse Inside, The Concrete Cottage, No Minimalist Here, Thrifty Decorationg, Jennifer Rizzo
shutter turned out great, love the pillow too.
Posted by: lori daniels | July 02, 2012 at 06:24 PM
Love, love your patriotic porch!!! Great job!
Posted by: Peggy Bergfalk | July 03, 2012 at 06:19 AM
Beautiful porch! My son just returned from his second tour in Iraq in November. My heart goes out to all those who knew your loved one that was lost. Blessings ~ Judy
Posted by: Judy from Addicted 2 Home Decor | July 03, 2012 at 06:54 PM
Oh my goodness! The shutter is my favorite! I'll have to keep my eye open for shutters to upcycle. Thanks so much for sharing your brilliance! :)Happy 4th!
Posted by: Brittany@Crafty Mischief | July 03, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Your entry looks wonderful! That shutter is really amazing. Thanks so much for sharing at Etcetorize this week~
Posted by: Tamara @ Etcetorize | July 04, 2012 at 03:37 PM
Your flag pillow is so beautiful!
Dee
Posted by: Dee | July 05, 2012 at 09:38 AM
love it all, especially the shutter! so cute and creative!
Posted by: amy | July 06, 2012 at 12:02 AM
That shutter and pillow are just perfect! I love both of those ideas. Megan
Posted by: Megan | July 06, 2012 at 07:52 AM
That is gorgeous! Thank for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!
Posted by: Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. | July 06, 2012 at 07:52 AM
It looks great ... I love the painted shutter!
Posted by: Randi-Dukes and Duchesses | July 06, 2012 at 07:55 AM
Great use of a shutter! Thanks for sharing at our Handmade Tuesdays party.
Posted by: Carrie | July 06, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Hi Your house looks like it is from Texas. Love the pillow thanks for showing how u made it I came from French Country cottage linky.
Have a great weekend and stay cool
Posted by: RaNae | July 06, 2012 at 06:37 PM
I love the shutter idea! The pillow looks great too! Who would have thought it was so easy?
Posted by: Patricia P | July 08, 2012 at 07:37 AM
Great ideas! I love Creative Ideas Magazine! The shutter is beautiful as is the pillow!
Posted by: Kathy | July 08, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Looks great:)
Posted by: Kathryn | July 08, 2012 at 10:46 AM
What a great looking porch! The flag bunting and pillow are my favorites.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 08, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Wow, it looks good, so creative and patriotic! You could have added more on your porch columns, but I guess that would be too much, does it?
Posted by: Porch Columns | August 17, 2012 at 03:43 AM