This stuff is just plain FUN.

I am looooooving the wall words that are out right now -- I found out about them when a friend started selling one version of these, from Uppercase Living. When you see this stuff, you'll think, "Oh, how cute!" And you'll buy one of them, put it up, and after you stop cursing (they are kind of a pain), you'll realize, holy crap, these are TOO COOL! Then you will look all over your house for spots

Creating Old Glory

I'm very happy with my fourth of July decorations on the mantle in my family room, but I think my dining room shelf is a little jealous. It called out for a big ol' flag too. I certainly couldn't just go out and buy another matching flag. Even at half off that one took most of my decorating budget for the month (not that I really have a decorating budget), AND it was the last one, AND who wants two identical giant flag decorations for two different rooms, AND where's the creativity in always buying things, AND I was in the mood to make something fun. So I went out into the garage and found some leftover bead board from an old project. I cut it down to size, making sure to have thirteen strips.

I used my "can't create without it"
black satin spray paint.

I dug out my old craft paints and
painted alternating strips red and antique white.
Once the paint was dry I took my sander and
lightly sanded the entire piece
to distress it and let some of the black show through.
I cut a rectangle of wood, painted it blue,
then sanded the edges.
I cut a star shape from some thin wood,
painted it antique white and distressed it.
Then I glued and screwed the whole thing together.
I don't think that my dining room is jealous anymore.