Handpainted Vintage American Flag Tray

With Memorial Day just days away, I’ve been feeling quite patriotic.

Time to bring out Old Glory and start working on some red-white-and-blue projects.

Like this Stars and Stripes Vintage American Flag Serving Tray I first shared on the DecoArt blog.

In case you missed it, here’s how easy it is to transform an unfinished wooden tray with DecoArt Chalky Finish paint.

Supplies:

• unfinished wooden serving tray
• Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint 8oz – Rouge
• Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint 8oz – Legacy
• Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint 8oz – Everlasting
• Americana Decor Creme Wax 8 oz – Clear
• Americana Decor Creme Wax 8 oz – Deep Brown
• Americana Decor 2-inch round waxing brush
• Foil star stickers
• painter’s tape
• sanding block
• 2-inch chip brush
• fine point artist’s paint brush
• soft cloth
• tape measure or ruler
• pencil
• tweezers

Instructions:

Begin by painting the entire tray with two coats of Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting.

When the paint has dried, use a ruler to mark off 13 horizontal stripes on the tray.

Mask alternating stripes off with painter’s tape, keeping in mind that the top stripe on the American flag is red.

On the left side of your tray, mask off the area for your stars, keeping in mind that the bottom of it should line up with the bottom of the seventh stripe (a red stripe). Be sure to press down the tape to seal around the edges.

Using a chip brush, apply two coats of Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Rouge.

Before the second coat of red paint has dried, carefully remove the painter’s tape to reveal the alternating red and white stripes on your flag.

Allow the red paint to dry completely, then apply painter’s tape around the area where your blue-and-white field of stars will be.

Apply 50 foil star stickers. Your first row will have six stars, your second row will have five stars, your third row will have six stars… and so forth.

You will have five rows with six stars and four rows with five stars, staggered and alternating, for a total of 50 stars. Use the photo above or an American flag to ensure accurate placement.

Press down on the stars to seal the edges.

Using your chip brush, apply two coats of American Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Legacy over the foil stars. Brush in one direction to prevent paint from seeping under the stickers.

Normally, it’s best to remove stencils and painter’s tape before the paint has dried completely. But for this project, I recommend waiting for the blue paint to dry before removing the stars so you don’t smudge them.

Using your fingers or tweezers with a fine point, carefully peel away the star stickers.

You may need to use an artist’s paintbrush, dipped in Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting, to touch up your stars and any areas where you may have smudged the other paint colors.

Distress lightly with a sanding block, being careful not to let the red sanding dust bleed into the white painted areas. Gently blow or brush away the dust. Use the wax brush to apply a coat of American Decor Creme Wax in clear to the entire surface of the tray. Allow to dry and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth.

To give your handpainted tray an antiqued, vintage look, apply a light coat of Americana Decor Creme Wax in Deep Brown. Wipe away and buff.

I think this project is a great way to show your patriotism. It’s perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July decorating and entertaining.

Here are a few of my other favorite patriotic projects:

Patriotic Bunting

DIY American Flag Pillow

Vintage Tea-Stained American Flags