"F" is for Fourth of July

Build: kids adirondack chairs

Three kid size adirondack chairs with handpainted stars:

Chair plans courtesy of Ana White, for a similar version use these.

So sturdy even Mommy fits in these chairs:

The perfect backyard accessory, even if the kids don't sit in them very long.

Thank you Ana for making great plans for more backyard fun!

Click here for the sewing plans for the girls dresses.

Here's how I finished the kids adirondack chairs:

1. Build the chairs as per Ana's plans.

Build the back piece then use a jigsaw to make curve:

2. When adding the seat slats use a scrap piece of wood for consistent spacing:

3. Sand, prime then two coats Rustoleum white lacquer:

4. Print out a 1.75" star.

Center star on chair back, trace outline with a ballpoint pen:

5. Using Americana patio paint and DecoArt Traditions round #3 brush:

6. Paint on and inside the indent left behind by the pen:

I did three coats.

7. Seal star with clear spray poly gloss:

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

"O" is for Old Glory

I painted an Old Glory sign.

It's true Americans love being American and who doesn't want to be a bit patriotic.

The curved arch of this wood fits perfectly above the back door.

A detailed close up:

I found this piece of wood while I was out running one morning.

The shape was perfect, I'm pretty sure it's part of an old picnic table.

I sanded it with 80 grit, applied some wood filler to the deep gouges, painted wedgewood gray then off white.

Then 'Old Glory' in navy blue.

Add some stars and stripes details:

Sanded again with 120 grit, applied Minwax dark walnut stain and sealed with satin poly:

This project cost me almost nothing, the only supply I did purchase was the mending plates to secure the two pieces together on the back:

Perfect for the 4th of July or anytime of year, a little bit of patriotism feels good when you're an American.

I'm linking up to:

                 

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

"P" is for Pinwheel

July 4th pinwheel tree.

 Red, white and blue gets me every time.

I made 50 fabric pinwheels and attached them to a large branch.

I used glass ball headed straight pins to hold the pinwheel together in the center:

Here's how I did it:

1. Using scraps of red, white and blue fabrics I made about 50 pinwheels using this method.

2. I made 3", 2 1/2" and 2" squares for this tree.

3. After the fabric squares were ready I used a glass ball headed straight pin and stabbed through the four corners then down the middle to form the pinwheel:
* Before you stab down the middle dab some hot glue on your pin to keep it all in place.

4. Keeping about 1/8" of the pin shaft I bent off the remainder with pliers.

5. Apply hot glue and stab tiny pin shaft into branch:

Unfortunately my pinwheels don't actually spin but I like them just as they are.

I'm linking up to:

         

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/