Pallet Flag Tutorial

I decided last minute (July 3rd to be exact) that the house needed some patriotic décor not only for Independence Day but for the summer.  We have so many pallets around and pinterest has been bleeding with pallet DIYs I decided I had to try one myself.  Probably the last thing this world needs is another pallet tutorial but that isn't going to stop me.  This project was done in under an hour!  So here is what I did to get my patriotic yard décor.

I used super cheap (+/- $1.50 at Walmart) spray paint for the red and blue and then cheap white house paint that was about $3.50 for a small jar for the white stripes and stars.  I used regular paint instead of spray paint for the white so I had more options when it came to making the stars.

 

I selected this pallet from the pile as it had lots of slats and all were in good shape (except for the bottom one that had the bottom half of it gone).We have so many pallets around the farm, Michael was excited to see one gone!

 

I rolled up newspaper in tubes and placed it on each side of the slat I was painting to keep it from getting on the other boards.  I moved the paper after each area was done.

 

I laid a piece of paper down where I wanted the blue to stop and sprayed straight up and down so it wouldn't leach onto the red (the paper isn't picture here, imagination time!) This probably could have  been a little more precise if I used tape but I was way to lazy to go look for some in the house.

 

This is where I would show you a picture of me painting the white stripes.  Except for I didn't take a picture.  Use your imagination, let it soar!  It was epic.  I made that $0.98 paint brush work hard!

 

Ta-Da!  Stripes are all done!

 

I had no idea what to do for the stars so I cut a potato in half and carved out a star.  I am going to play it off that I was going for the artsy/craftsy/Americana look so it is totally acceptable for it to not be perfect.  In fact, I think it enhances it! Honestly, it was just the best I could come up with as I knew free hand painting would have been tragic.

 

And now the stars are on and it is complete!  For the record, I am 100% aware there are only 18 stars (thank your for continually reminding me, Darling Husband). 

 

Doesn't an Instagram filter just change things for the better?

 

We now have the flag propped up against our favorite pecan tree in the front yard and it really makes the house look fantastic!